[ She wanted to dig at him a little more, wasn't he that eager the first time? Until she told him all kinds of awful truths. He should surely learn that lesson. Stop giving her so much of himself, but she wants to take it, wants to take that kiss on the corner of her mouth and let that be the only thing she has to ask. Let that be all of them.

But it's not and it won't ever be. He's - Vorkosigan, even if she's only beginning to learn what that means in truth. She pulls up, just that little to give herself space to talk. ]

The next time I am captured, Miles... [ shuts her eyes briefly, painful almost, but she has to be sure about those choices. when never if. Not when she's planning for the worst case scenario. ] ... what I went through. I will not do it again. I will not risk what I am and your home to that. Nor will I be pried apart for anything less than my own people's good.

[ She slips her fingers against his hair, to his face, tracing the edge of his cheekbone, the sulk below his lip. Carefully, carefully, to put it memory, to keep it to herself. ]

You must promise me you will not risk yourself in some pointless attempt to save me again. You must assume I am dead, because that will be my choice if I can make it.