Kyo wiped the sweat from his brow, setting down the last of his tools. After nearly a week of repairs and upgrades, the lab was finally starting to feel complete. He stretched, working out the kinks in his back when Winter's sharp knock echoed through the door.
"Come in!" Kyo called out, absently organizing his workbench.
Winter stepped inside, his expression grim. "I spotted smoke signals about two miles west in the forest. Could be our next unwelcome visitors."
"I'll grab my gear and—"
"Nah," Winter cut him off. "You're fine where you are."
"What? Come on, I've been cooped up in this lab for days!" Kyo protested, electricity crackling between his fingers. "I need some fresh air."
"This isn't a camping trip," Winter replied, his voice stern. "If those are the assassins I think they are, you'd be dead in a heartbeat."
"Well, what if something happens to you, huh?" Kyo scoffed, crossing his arms. "Need I remind you who helped save your life by bringing you too that mountain after Eldo beat you up?"
"One, Eldo beat Strider up not me. Two, you were never in danger then. And three, shut up." Winter said as he walked over to the door.
"So that's it?" Kyo challenged, stepping closer. "Because I'm weaker, I can't provide any sort of backup?"
Winter pinched the bridge of his nose. "Because I'm not risking losing anyone else, alright?"
The lab fell silent save for the soft hum of Kyo's equipment. Finally, Kyo spoke again, his voice quieter but determined.
"Please, Winter. You want to protect me. But I'm tired of sitting on the sidelines while you and Eldo face all your demons alone." He met Winter's gaze steadily. "We're stronger as a squad. You should know that better than anyone."
Winter held his stare for a long moment before letting out a resigned sigh. "Fine. But you follow my lead, understood?"
A grin broke across Kyo's face. "Aye, aye captain!"
"And if I tell you to run—"
"Yeah, yeah, I run." Kyo was already gathering his gear, practically bouncing with excitement. "But something tells me we won't need to."