He wondered for a brief moment if he really was a better liar than she was. It was easy to lie, much easier than telling the truth, he knew that from bitter experiance already. He didn't think she was lying to him and he was good at reading people. Would she really protect him from whatever threats there were here beyond the demons. Did she really believe him? She said she knew he cared about Skye more than anything. More than...
No, no no, he couldn't let her believe that. John couldn't find that out. Skye meant the world to him, meant everything, and that was a world of a mess he couldnt deal with yet, but at the same time, it had thrown him.
"Why do you believe me?"
He was asking the simple question when she stepped toward him and despite the fact he was taller, probably stronger, he flinched, just marginally, just enough. She wasnt a threat, but then it was never a threat that tore him down, reminded him just what a mess he was. Automatic, Another weakness. He really was trying to make her hate him and she wasn't taking it. "Don't" he asked, his voice low, dangerous. "Just back off, okay? I'm not who you need to be looking out for."
It was more than exhausting, fingernails dug into his palms, fists clenched. He needed the focus.