[It felt different from the burnt out storage facility at the docks. Then he knew he was dying. The shock of it was obvious, the pain turning numb as he bled out into his chest, and his desire to comfort her overrode any other instinct. There was nothing to forgive then and still nothing to forgive now. He might even survive to walk off the beach too.

In his jacket, he felt just a touch more himself. Certainly he was soaking in salt water, covered in sand, bleeding slowly into his clothing, but with his jacket, he felt a bit more whole. Now if he could lever himself to his feet soon, that would be a step in the right direction.]

You understand it will likely never be just the two of you aside from fleeting moments. [He sneered and didn't bother to hide it. Vi was such a threat to what he had built with Jinx, and it burned him like the bullets that had torn through his chest.] I am your family, Jinx. No matter where you go, who you associate with, and what you do, that will always hold true. I don't want you to be hurt by her over and over again. Betrayals coming like a thousand small cuts to you.

[He ran a hand through his hair to push it from falling in his face, smearing around sand in it. He sighed from his nose and bowed his head, voice softening.]

I only wanted to protect you.