[He's so used to being the protector, he doesn't think of himself as needing protection. If he were presented with the idea of someone wanting to protect him, objectively, he'd probably say it'd feel weird. But the wave of fierce emotion that comes from Sayori feels completely natural. Like a space would feel empty between them if it weren't there. She's always kind of wanted to protect him, he thinks; she must have. Because that's just who she is. Down comes a bottle to save the day.]

. . . I know.

[As seems to happen so often, his feelings echo hers. Clumsy, soft, protective. His chest feels tight. To ease the tightness, he pulls her close again, squeezes her against him. Kisses the top of her head and nods, nods, nods.]

I'm not afraid of telling you stuff. Or I guess . . . I wouldn't be afraid anyway. But I don't feel like I have to protect you from it. I just feel like, I dunno. We're partners, right? You have my back, and I have yours.

[Which is somewhere between the dumbest and most earnest way he could have put that, so. On brand.]