The look on his face made her chest ache, a little more than she liked to be honest, filled her with a new kind of guilt. Nodding gently she leaned in, this time drawing him into a hug, allowing herself to give him a gentle squeeze by way of apology. "I'm sorry to ask you to do this." She finally murmured, her face pressing into his shoulder, taking a deep breath as she relaxed a little. It was familiar, in the oddest kind of way.

"I don't want it to come to that." She admitted, gentle as always as she just stood there, holding him regardless of if he was able to hold her back. If he hated her she would understand that too, but for now she wasn't going to let him feel empty or alone. She was asking something of him no one should ever be asked, but that doesn't mean she didn't understand it hurt him.

"And I need her. And you. And that's why I want you both safe." A slow breath, cool against his shoulder. "This is my family now, I have to protect you all."