[ he's quiet for several moments, temple dipping down to rest against tenka's shoulder, eyes sliding shut. he knows he shouldn't worry. tenka's a very capable adult. and clearly he's accustomed to dealing with people who want to hurt him. it's just.. ]

.. I know that you're right. I just-- when I'm damaged, I can so easily be reforged. And if I'm broken, so be it. A better and stronger blade can be forged to replace me. But.. [ he swallows hard, flattening his hands against the tops of his thighs to keep them from clenching. ] It's different with humans. You have one life, and it's so frail and so precious. I'm over six-hundred years old, Tenka-san. [ it's exhausting, losing the people he loves over and over again. because despite what some of his owners had done to him, he'd still loved them.

he takes a careful, steadying breath, forcing himself to relax again and releasing it slowly. ]

Ah, don't listen to me. --Just promise you'll be careful, please, and keep in mind that there are many people here that care very much for you.