"That is very much the keyword," he says, nodding slightly in agreement. "When I want. As it should be. Though I mean it. I want you alive for a very long time, and not laying in a coma not sure if you'll wake up or not."

It's been a rough lesson and one they apparently needed the reminder of.

"I want you safe. I want them safe. They've used our ways against us. They knew we would rush in and this is the result. I don't want to see it happen again."

His hand cups the back of her neck, fingers tangling into the silken strands with a soft sigh as he kisses her back.

"I don't like feeling this way, or being in this position. Not for me or any of us. You know that." He pauses before adding. "Right?"