Genma shrugged and nodded, and started crutching down the hall beside Asuma. After a moment they heard the sharp tattoo of Reiko’s heels on the linoleum, moving away from them.

When they were safely alone in the elevator, Asuma let out a huge sigh and slumped against the elevator wall. “Some days I really hate her.”

“I’d support you hating her every day,” Genma said. “If you needed me to.”

“That would take a lot of energy.”

“Probably not worth it, then.” Genma leaned on his crutches and let a sigh out himself. At least Asuma seemed to be getting some of his temper back. And Reiko had done pretty much what Genma would have done in her position, at least in terms of notifying the MPs that Asuma hadn’t come home.

The elevator doors slid closed.

If they were living together, that suicide watch would become Genma’s problem. But maybe it would become less necessary.

“Listen, I know that was… I honestly can’t tell you why I said that about us getting an apartment. I just wanted to get us out of there — wanted you out of there. What I said is true, I need a place, obviously, and you do, too. But we don’t have to get a place together. It’s just one idea.”