Dumbass. Why the hell would he ever be afraid of Thatch not liking him? Of not approving? They were nakama, but more then that, they were friends. Friends from the moment he first saw that idiotic sparkly blue turkey in the cargo hold. And he knew what Marco was doing, pointing out how they were the same. How neither of them could hide. How they had to face the truth no matter how much it hurt.

There was just so goddamn much of it.

Marco's last question hit him like a club to the gut and he covered his eyes with a hand though it didn't stop anything except close out the blue light which absorbed but also stung. Here it was only darkness.

"No," he said thickly, his voice hoarse. "I don't trust anyone. I can't." Even if he wanted to. Even though he'd try to force himself again and again. To reassure himself. The doubts wouldn't go away.