Xavier leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, watching Cassian talk. The guy's voice was steady but there was weight in it, the kind of weight you don't toss out unless you've been carrying it too long.
When Cassian finished, Xavier didn't jump in right away. He let the silence hang for a beat, eyes narrowing, like he was measuring him. Then he exhaled through his nose and shook his head.
"So that's what you've been holding in, huh?" His voice was low, not mocking, not pitying—just blunt. "You know what's funny, Cass? Most people who spill their guts to me want me to pat them on the back, tell them they're brave, or some shit like that. But you're not that type. You wouldn't have said all this if you weren't at your damn limit."
Xavier leaned forward, elbows on his knees. His gaze was sharp but steady, locking on Cassian's.
