Life
She sat and listened. He stood and talked. They spent the next few hours that way. In the end, Talisman sank onto his bunk next to her.
"It sucks."
"Being grounded?" she guessed.
He laughed. "You make it sound like I'm fifteen and stayed out too late."
"Kind of."
Sigh. "Sorry."
"For what?"
"For getting you grounded, too."
"Glad to do it."
Talisman arched an eyebrow. "Really?"
"I helped take out the pilots who took our home from us. I would trade my life for that."
He scowled. "Never say that."
"Why?"
"Your life is too valuable. Even for that."