"I know. And it would have been fun for both of us. But if I accepted I thought I would have been no better than Jin Yasuba."

In other words, his pride had not allowed him. He couldn't slink off with her, into her childhood house after she'd wounded him. Not after he'd told her so many secrets.

Poor Jin. They might have liked each other under different circumstances.

"Everyone, though? Do you really think you can sustain that, quineg? Or is it only until you have...built your armor back up?"

He raised his eyebrow and returned her smirk. He suspected that had to be partially a lie. There was one person he knew she wouldn't be avoiding.