"You don't need to be the one to take them down, you know?" You lower your voice. "There are other heroes out there, and you didn't do so well last time. I'm worried about you."
"You don't need to be." That's the smile you remember, bold, confident. But there are wrinkles around Ortega's eyes that deepen in the sun, and scars on his skin. Scars you know. New and old. Some, you put there.
"Yeah, I keep telling myself that." You try to joke off your concern, but you're not sure it works. You're having a hard time remembering how to act appropriately.
"You've turned into such a mother hen." Teasing words as he pets you on the shoulder, almost condescending. "I can take Garrett Helton X, you know that."
"I know," you say, giving him a companionable grin. "You'll get them eventually."
"That's what I keep telling myself." Ortega looks away with a shrug that you suspect is there to mask his emotions. "But I would feel better if I had you guarding my back."
"Not these days. I wouldn't do a good job of it."
"But you're Sidestep!" He turns back toward you, trying to make eye contact.
"Not anymore; what will it take for you to realize that?" you snap. "Can't you accept that I need a bit of space? That I don't want to be dragged back into the madness that is your life?"
"Madness?" He keeps looking at you. You decide to meet his gaze and not look away, willing him to stop prying. His mouth is a hard line, but his eyes are soft and sad.
"Look at where we are," you gesture toward the ocean. "How many times have you almost died? How many times have I?"
"It's a risk I'm willing to take."
"Well, I'm not. Not anymore. Can't you respect that? Please?" It's the please that does it, his face crumbles, suspicions allayed for now.
"I'm sorry," he says, and you think he means it. "I'll give you space. For as long as you need it." The last takes effort to say, that much is evident.
"Thank you." You don't have to fake the relief; that is entirely real.
Maybe now you will be able to move on with your plans.
You'll make sure to stay away from Ortega from now on.
You Will