When Carson took both Malia’s hands, her lips instantly pulled down into a frown. The way he was beginning his sentence didn’t thrill her, and neither did the look in his eyes. She listened intently as he began to explain the disappearance of the squad he sent, her eyebrows furrowing. She was upset—those were her friends, but she was also worried. If the squads were disappearing so close to Central, that meant...the Vanguard were truly on the move. Her thoughts were confirmed by Carson’s, and she sighed, shaking her head as she glanced around. The war was beginning.<br/><br/>Her thumbs were running across his knuckles, though, soon they froze. She narrowed her eyes at him as he explained that he would be on the front line, opening her mouth to add that she would, in fact, come along. He beat her to it, rejecting her unspoken demand and attempting to persuade her to stay as she is, leaving Carson outside, alone. She shook her head, not accepting his answer. She wasn’t going to sit and twiddle her thumbs while he was out there fighting for his life and her life all the same.<br/><br/>“Carson, I’m not staying her while you’re out there, putting your life on the line. You are the fight that matters, you are what I am here to fight for.” She pulled her hands from his, cupping the sides of his face. “Carson, I just got you back, I don’t want to lose you again. Let me come, you said it yourself, I’m good now.” She shook her head, chewing her lip. “Carson.” However, her words did nothing to sway the man because he soon stood, giving her a tight smile, before walking away. She was left on the bench, in shock.<br/><br/>After a moment, she stood from the bench, making her way out of the cafeteria. She bumped into Max, and she frowned to see him dressed in battle gear. She pulled him in, hugging him tightly, which he returned. “Be safe out there, okay?” She pushed him gently before she continued on her route to the CIC. She then pushed the door open, seeing him gather his things, changing into his gear. She shook her head, her arms crossed over her chest. “If you don’t come back I swear to the Gods, Carson.”<br/><br/>She walked closer to him, wrapping him up in her arms, her face In the crook of his neck as she held him tight. Eventually, she pulled away. “If I get word back that you guys aren’t safe, I’m sprinting all the way there. That you can, and will count on, for it?” Malia didn’t want him to go, God how she didn’t want him to go. But she knew why he did. She only wished she was able to join him. She had been training, and that training paid off, though it was plain to see that he still feared her getting hurt, it was obvious to anyone who has eyes. “I love you, you know. I need you back here soon, Cars. I know you have to go.”