"I didn't sign up to save the world from literally everything except I kinda did and this is taking an unexpected toll on my mental health. I was not—nearly as prepared as I'd thought I was to the logical consequence of low cape life expectancy with respect to my social circle."

Hug hug hug hug. "- I mostly try not to get that attached."

"Yeah, I know, but that's not a strategy I can realistically implement."

"Wish I had a better idea."

"I didn't even like Armsmaster, and I think I exchanged all of five words with Velocity since I met him, and I still feel completely wrecked over it."

Squeeze.

Sigh. "And in the end you did get attached to—at least one person."

"And my dad. I've been lucky."

"I'm not sure you really had a whole lot of choice when it comes to your dad."

"Yeah. But still."

"Yeah. But still," she agrees. "...I can't ever lose you. That—would not work. On so many levels."

"Well, I do try not to die."

Hug. "I know. It just—appeared in my brain and was a very bad thought and I want it to go away now."

"I'm alive." Snuggle.

"Yeah, and you'll stay that way for ever and ever."

"...that's optimistic."

"That's a promise, not a prediction."

"How are you going to make me immortal, Sadde?"

"If I knew the answer to that question I'd've done it already! Or I'd've at least told you about it. But surely some cape who can do that will show up, eventually."

"And you'll take it from there with charm?"

"It's taken me this far."

"You are very charming."

"I am, it's true, I even managed to charm you. I will probably feel good about this fact forever."

Giggle.

"One might even say I charmed the pants out of you."