[ "I didn't want to leave you behind." Gray nearly starts crying again, her already tenuous composure taking a vital hit. She drops her gaze (so soon after trying to look at him directly) and vigorously shakes her head. ]

No... [ Her voice breaks and falters before soldiering on. ] It's okay. If it's you, I don't mind.

[ She isn't proud of that memory, but she can trust him to keep it safe. His (mostly) even stoicism is much preferable to an overreaction. It may have been a pivotal time for her, but in the grand scheme of things, it was about a small girl in the middle of a small celebration in a small village nearly forgotten by the rest of its world. ]

And... you don't have to keep disliking my face. I realize it was a selfish request.

[ Pinky promise rescinded... ]