Cavil nodded, understanding etched on his face."It's okay not to have all the answers right now."
His words brought a small measure of comfort.Maybe it was okay to be uncertain for once.
"You'll figure it out," Cavil added with a reassuring smile."Just take it one day at a time."
"I don't want to drag her into my shit," I said, the weight of those words sinking into me.The idea of Claire getting mixed up in my past was unbearable.
Cavil leaned back, a thoughtful look crossing his face."Maybe she can handle it."
"And maybe she can't," I countered, my voice hardening."I can't risk that."
He didn't flinch, his eyes steady on mine."Claire handles a lot more than you think.She's not some fragile thing that needs protecting."
"She shouldn't have to add more to that," I shot back, feeling my frustration rise."It's not fair to her."
He let out a slow breath, considering his next words carefully."Life's rarely fair, Christian.But that doesn't mean you shouldn't give her the choice."
I stared at him, the truth of his words hitting me like a punch to the gut.Claire deserved to make her own decisions, but the thought of her getting hurt because of me wasn’t something I wanted to think about.
"You're right," I said finally, my voice low."But it's still my responsibility to protect her from my mess."
"Protecting her is one thing," Cavil said, leaning forward again."Pushing her away is another."
I didn't have an answer for that.He was right; pushing Claire away might not be the best way to protect her.But how could I find the balance?
Cavil's gaze softened, and he gave me a small nod."Just think about it.Maybe she's stronger than you give her credit for."
I looked down at my hands, the calluses and scars a stark reminder of my past.Claire was strong—stronger than I'd initially realized—but was it fair to ask her to carry my burdens too?
"If she gets with me, that means giving up a lot," I said, my voice steady but heavy."That means a target on her back.That means dealing with things because she's with me."
Cavil leaned forward, eyes locking onto mine."Like I said, I think she can handle it.You need to give her a chance."
His words settled between us, the weight of them pressing on my chest.He wasn't wrong; Claire had a strength that belied her gentle exterior.
"Here's what I think," he continued, his gaze unwavering."I think you're genuinely worried about her.I think you want to protect her.But I also think you want to protect yourself."
I clenched my jaw, but didn't interrupt.
"Because the truth is," he said, his voice softening, "you don't want to bring her in only to have her leave."
My heart pounded in my chest as the truth of his words hit me hard.The thought of Claire walking away was a pain I wasn't sure I could handle.
"What do I do?"I asked, the question hanging in the air like a lifeline.
Cavil leaned back, giving me a small nod."You decide if you want to hide your whole life or if you want to take a chance on her."
"It's that simple?"I asked, disbelief tinging my voice.
Cavil nodded."Yeah," he said with a certainty that almost made me believe it was possible."It is."
I stared at him for a long moment, the weight of his words settling into my bones.Maybe he was right.Maybe it really was that simple.
The silence stretched between us as I grappled with my thoughts.Cavil's words had given me a lot to consider, but one thing was clear: I needed to figure out what was best for Claire, even if it meant facing my fears head-on.
Finally, I met Cavil's gaze again and gave him a nod of understanding.He had given me much-needed perspective, and now it was up to me to decide what came next.
"Thanks," I said quietly.
