Alastair recoiled a bit in shock, his hand coming up off Kiryu's shoulder. "I didn't mean it like that!" he hissed. "I'm just saying! You've got me, now. The two of us can do things...together!"

He gritted his teeth, earnestly willing Kiryu to understand. It was an idle comment, this reaction caught him completely off-guard. He held Kiryu's gaze, staring into those golden-black eyes with firm conviction.