As the very mature owner of a growing empire and leader of the Dregs, Kaz sticks his tongue out at Kate when she points out that his question isn't actually a question.
He stiffens at first at the touch, holding his breath and counting until he can adjust to it. He still has to prepare himself for contact, to brace and slowly let himself get acclimated. It's getting easier with Kate for him to fight back that initial wave of panic and remain stable at the contact. After he gives himself a few moments he reaches over to slowly, and lightly, clasp the hand that's touching him for a brief moment.
"No. I know I'm not alone. Neither are you." They've combined forces in many ways, and while they still had the occasional hiccup, their goals and interests were aligned. Sometimes Kaz found it hard to talk to others as the leader of the Dregs, to manage that dividing line between friend and boss. Sometimes he finds it hard to put into words anything about his feelings, or to touch upon his past. Sometimes he still tries to handle things by himself, like he's done a time or two with the Council. He does know though that at the end of the day, his crew has his back. Kate has his back. And there's nothing he won't do for them, either.
"I hope you know that. I think the crew knows." Right? Surely they know that Kaz is there for them. Even if he's never actually put that sentiment into words, aside from once with Inej.
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He stiffens at first at the touch, holding his breath and counting until he can adjust to it. He still has to prepare himself for contact, to brace and slowly let himself get acclimated. It's getting easier with Kate for him to fight back that initial wave of panic and remain stable at the contact. After he gives himself a few moments he reaches over to slowly, and lightly, clasp the hand that's touching him for a brief moment.
"No. I know I'm not alone. Neither are you." They've combined forces in many ways, and while they still had the occasional hiccup, their goals and interests were aligned. Sometimes Kaz found it hard to talk to others as the leader of the Dregs, to manage that dividing line between friend and boss. Sometimes he finds it hard to put into words anything about his feelings, or to touch upon his past. Sometimes he still tries to handle things by himself, like he's done a time or two with the Council. He does know though that at the end of the day, his crew has his back. Kate has his back. And there's nothing he won't do for them, either.
"I hope you know that. I think the crew knows." Right? Surely they know that Kaz is there for them. Even if he's never actually put that sentiment into words, aside from once with Inej.