Saena was silent as we ascended towards the nearest portal. I was healed enough to fly under my own power, but she made no moves to release me, and I chose not to protest.

Whatever she'd made had certainly healed me, but it hadn't done anything to Riley's implants. With every breath, I could feel the shattered remains of Saena's flesh...grinding, for lack of a better word. The broken pieces rubbed and crunched together, and it was one of the most unpleasant sensations I'd ever experienced. If I could avoid moving for a while, until I'd had a chance to be repaired, I certainly wouldn't complain.

More than that, though. I could feel...a number of things, radiating from my Bound companion. I licked my lips.

I fucked up.

{Affirmative.}

The response was immediate and without inflection, and I winced, only to freeze when it caused more disgusting feelings under my skin. I wasn't expecting...that level of escalation.

{Weapon priority involves removing obstacles.}

I suppose I was making things more difficult for them. I...got greedy. I wanted to 'win' the fight, both for the rush of it and to capture them both. I guess I forgot that they don't let hosts win easily.

{Affirmative. Error.}

Yeah.

{Death prohibited. Irritation. Regret. Master == source of purpose. Removal of master, removal of purpose, unacceptable.}

I looked away, closing my eyes. Is that why you tore into the Twins like that?

{...Fury unexpected. Goals achieved.} Her body nudged me slightly. {Avoidance unacceptable. Critical error in judgement; correction necessary.}

I'll be more careful in the future. I'm sorry, Saena.

{Doubt . . . Acceptance. Acquisition of power non-negotiable. Guardian protocols non-negotiable.}

Yeah. I'll spend my credits once I don't feel like a broken doll. And I've never been opposed to having you watch over me...Zion was my only worry.

{Models running. Warrior distracted...irrelevant. Master importance greater.}

Even if he lost his mind, huh? Well...I can't say I'd do any differently if you were in danger, either.

{. . . Riley concerned. Unaware of scope of damage. Likely outcome :: appropriate.}

My eyes widened as I considered the state of her work. Oh, fuck.

{Amusement. Deserved.}

"You're back!" I was tackled the instant we moved through the portal. Indeed, I was quite sure Saena had let me go first just so that I would be. I tried to enjoy Riley pressing against me through the sensation of my crumbled insides.

Then she backed away, staring at my chest and the mixture of blood that now covered us both. Her face flicked up to me with an unreadable expression. "...What happened? Why are you covered in..." She touched a bloody finger to her tongue and her eyes narrowed. "...your blood and Saena's? Why can I feel your insides rearranging!?"

"Well. There was...an incident." Riley's face was very specifically calm. "The Endbringer...escalated a bit. Saena might have needed to bail me out."

She stared at me, and I managed to meet her gaze. Finally, she spoke. "You're going to tell me everything." I opened my mouth. "While I open you up and fix whatever you let happen!"

I was unceremoniously lifted into the air as Saena carried me along to Riley's lab. I'd never been strapped to a table with such efficiency before; Riley was there to start working on me almost the instant the restraints had been set in. She did...something that paralyzed my body below the neck, and fortunately I couldn't see exactly what she was doing and could only vaguely feel her hands.

She was very quiet as I explained what had happened.

She was very quiet as she removed the shattered pieces of the broken implants in my torso.

She was very quiet as she replaced them – the replacements seemed to have been prepared already. Did she...make these while I was fighting?

{Affirmative. Preparations were made for recovery.}

She...really was preparing for me to die, then? Did you direct her?

{Negative. Initiative of Riley.}

...Fuck.

When it was finished, she put me back together and unstrapped me. By the time the paralysis had worn off and I managed to get up, though, she'd left the room. Shit, she really is upset. I stood up and managed to take a step to follow before Saena's wings gently enveloped me and held me still.

{Patience – await the moment.}

I pursed my lips. But I'd already decided to trust her...so I'd continue.

I leaned against Saena's soft wings spread out against the headboard of the bed, pondering the Catalog on my phone. Dragon Musk is pretty obvious; the rest I think I'll hold on to for now – if we end up opening a portal to a science-fiction world, a spacefaring vessel would be pretty helpful. The question is...hmm.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts, and before I could say anything Saena opened it with her mind. Riley stepped in, dressed in a simple and modest blue nightshirt that she fiddled with nervously. She still didn't speak.

"Riley? Everything okay?"

She slowly made her way over to the bed, fingers playing with the edges of her dress. "Um...can I...can I stay in here tonight?"

I blinked. I...vaguely remember her sleeping with the Siberian occasionally when she had nightmares, I think. The way she wouldn't meet my eyes...made me feel bad. I set my phone to the side and shifted over. "Of course."

She climbed into bed, hesitating for a moment...then wrapped her arms around my naked torso and pressed herself into my side. I settled an arm around her shoulder, a bit awkwardly, and waited while she processed whatever was on her mind.

Her fingers dug into my side as she squeezed me suddenly, pressing her face against my chest, and I realized she was trembling. "You can't...you're not allowed to die." Her voice was quiet even before it was muffled.

I gently stroked her hair, lost for words. "I'm finally...I'm happy here. Don't ruin it. Please."

I pursed my lips, continuing to stroke her hair as she calmed down. Eventually, I found my voice again. "I won't."

She didn't answer, and I realized she'd fallen asleep. I glanced at Saena...and saw a hint of a smile on her face. I raised an eyebrow at her.

{Caution ensured.}

Hah. Of course; Bonesaw cuddling me and guilt-tripping me is a Simurgh plot.

...It does feel kind of nice, though.

A/N: I know, I know, it's not the public reactions chapter. PHO is coming; I'm still deciding who else deserves a POV. If you have a character whose reactions to the whole incident you'd like to see, feel free to make suggestions! If they spark my muse, they might make an appearance.