[ Wash is still watching him, studying him quietly, sees his discomfort easily enough, how he can't quite meet his eye -- Washington, too, that's a first. Considering and quiet. These days, at least, he does quite a bit of the whole talking about feelings thing, has never particularly shied away from something important if he felt it should be addressed. And there is a part of him that likes digging into people, that likes twisting a knife. That likes taking what's broken and breaking, like he'd told Miles once before.

He isn't really as bad as he's afraid he is, though. And he doesn't think there's really a need to lean on this, now. Not directly at least. ]

The one way you'd waste it is by throwing it away. Secrets are most powerful when you keep them, after all, not just in some grand reveal.

And most importantly. [ A little pointedly, reaching out to him then maybe a little against his better judgment, curving his fingers lightly under his jaw and guiding his head back so he can meet his eye. ] You'd be able to do more alive, and not in unnecessary danger.

Can we agree on that much?