Koshin crosses to the wardrobe. Pulls out a long knife. Something that might be a garrote. Lovely.
"She stays here."
Koshin's hand freezes on the blade.
"Don't give me that look." Renan's still leaning against the doorframe, checking a knife I didn't see him draw. "You can't fuck someone and stab someone at the same time. I mean—" He tilts his head, considering. "You probably could, but it seems rude."
"Renan."
"You're going to be distracted. You'll spend the whole mission making sure no one's looking at her wrong instead of doing what needs to be done. And then I'll have to pick up the slack, and I'mnotin the mood."
Koshin's jaw goes tight. "The alternative is leaving her here. Unprotected."
"The alternative is leaving her with Discord guards who are extremely motivated not to die when you get back and find out they let something happen." Renan's voice stays light. Almost bored. "She's safer here. You know it. You just don't like it."
Neither of them moves. Renan doesn't back down—just stands there, cleaning his blade like this is a conversation about dinner plans.
And I should stay quiet. Let them figure this out. I shouldn't stick my neck into Discord business because I am the debt, I am the property, I am the—
"I'll be fine."
Both of them look at me. My voice is steadier than it should be.
"I can—" What? What can I? "I don't need a babysitter. I survived this long without one."
Renan's eyebrows go up. Interested.
Koshin stares. That searching look. My skin prickles.
Silence stretches.
Then Renan pushes off the doorframe with a long-suffering sigh.
"Fine. Fine. I'll babysit."
Koshin goes very still. "You're supposed to—"
"Vex can handle the rat. She's been itching for fieldwork." He slides the blade back into his sleeve, already looking bored. "Stop begging. It's embarrassing. I'll keep your mortal breathing until you get back."
"If something happens to her—"
"You'll unmake me slowly over years." Renan's voice is dry. "I remember the speech. Very moving. Had some nice imagery."
Koshin's breathing goes uneven. His fingers flex at his sides. Once. Twice.
"She stays within arm's reach of you."
"Obviously."
"You don't leave her alone. Not for a second."
"Was planning to follow her into the bathroom, actually." Renan's mouth curves. "Should I hold her hand while she pees, or—"
"Renan."
"She'll be fine." All the humor drains out of his voice. Just for a second. "I've got her."
They hold each other's gaze. Something old in it. Whatever they are to each other, it's older than me.
