[ She wishes this was as easy as talking to Yuki. There's a twinge of guilt in her chest as she thinks it, because explaining things to Yuki always requires a layer of falsehood – if not an outright lie. But even if Yuuri could bring herself to even try lying to Ruu, she has a feeling it just wouldn't fly.

Does it make her an awful person, if being honest is this difficult for her? ]

It's not that I don't trust you. I know you've been doing this all by yourself for who knows how long, but I...

[ She trails off and then takes in a slightly shaky breath and puts her hands out, palms up, for Ruu to take. ]

There's nothing that's more important to me than keeping you safe right now. I don't want to just send you out alone where it's so dangerous.