Belle's hand found my arm, her fingers pressing into the muscle there. "I know you're scared. Not of dying. You've done that twice already. You're scared of losing us. Of caring too much and having it cost you."
The observation cut deeper than I expected. Belle saw through bullshit like it was her superpower, and she'd apparently decided to use that power on me today.
"What do you want me to say?"
"Nothing." Her hand tightened on my arm. "I just wanted you to know that I see you. The real you. Not the cocky field lead or the charming seducer or whatever mask you're wearing for everyone else." She met my eyes. "You're terrified. And you keep going anyway. That's not selflessness. That's survival instinct dressed up in noble clothing."
I didn't have a response to that.
