The corner of his mouth curls upwards at the familiar term of affection, and he leans closer, forehead pressing to the top of his head. Just entangled here with him, for a moment.

"And we will overcome it. Together."

This was what partnership should be. Not just shoring up one another's weaknesses, but that desire to protect. To grow together. That was what Felix had never understood, or perhaps never been capable of understanding.