K’rin sighed and dropped his chin, staring at his hand covering her limp ones. “I might not know what’s best for me, but I was trying to keep you out of this mess.” He raised his eyes to meet hers and quirked his lips. “Apparently that didn’t work. I’m sorry I made you feel unwanted. I want you around, believe it or not. I think I need you nattering at me to keep me on my toes. Distracted. Focused on more appealing things, if you catch my drift.” He waggled his eyebrows and removed his hand. “Though I have to say, dealing with F’lox is a big strain on this relationship.”
He felt better than he had in weeks, he realized. It was as if her presence, even drunk, damp, and depressed, was the best sort of soothing he could ask for. “What have you been doing while I was otherwise occupied?”