Synopsis: Sometimes Kat thinks of the Battle of Fumirole. You remind her of Thom, almost. Kat just hopes she doesn't cause you to be a casualty, too.

Content Warning: Implied PTSD/Trauma, Death mention, Mourning, WLW.

In the beginning, Kat was indifferent of your introduction to Noble Team. Your file was covered in black ink and she wasn't even sure if she could trust a new spartan. You also seemed a little too nice.

However, Carter told her to consider you as a comrade. A comrade that was expected to protect the team and fight well. Due to orders, she accepted you.

Mission through mission, you proved yourself well. She learned you were a female spartan like herself. One that had taken a liking to her, ironically.

She used to be so dismissive about you. While you looked up to her, promising to do what you can to keep Noble Team together and safe. In a way, she admired your goals and enthusiasm.

Carter commented to her at one point that she was going 'soft' around you. Kat brushed him off, refusing to answer him. She... was just friends with you.

Although she reconsidered his words when you found her in such a vulnerable state. It was downtime between operations. Memories of Thom flooding back....

Kat could never forget the previous Noble Six. You were different from him, yes, but the title of Noble Six was a large role to fill. Nevertheless... you were managing.

Survivor's guilt was something that plagued her more than she would've liked. She usually hid herself away to deal with the problem. Apparently, not way enough.

You had come toward the area she was in, only to see her look so dejected and alone. You had an unusually pure heart for a spartan. Someone meant to see death and murder for a living....

She didn't even notice you were there until you kneeled beside her. She couldn't see your eyes through your visor, but she had a feeling she knew what you were feeling.

Pity, sympathy, you probably felt she wasn't what she claimed to be.

"Go away, (Y/N). I wish to be alone right now." Kat orders towards you, noticing how you backed off a bit but stayed beside her.

"I was just checking on you. Now that I've seen you like this, I don't want to leave you alone." You persist. A trait Kat was unsure if she found annoying or endearing. With a sigh, Kat leans back.

"Even if I order you, you won't listen, huh?"

She takes your silence as a yes, leaving you both to think beside each other in quiet. Deep down, she was pleased to have someone like you to stick beside her.

However, she's scared to grow too close to you...

Scared that you'll be torn from her just like Thom was.

She didn't know she was shaking until you place and arm around her. She could almost sense you smiling at her.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm here."

Kat was not one to break. Yet you comforting her like this was making her close. Why did you care so much?

"Thanks... but why must you act like this?"

"Act like what?"

Kat finds herself putting her prosthetic hand over yours, your arm still wrapped around her shoulders.

"This! You're so caring despite the situations you're put in! Are you like this to the rest of Noble?"

You pause your comforting and look away. Your reaction was odd to Kat. Until you moved your free hand to remove your helmet.

"No..."

"No?"

She sees your eyes hesitantly glance at her helmet. You looked distant for a moment before looking away again.

"No. You're the one I'm closest with."

Kat's stunned at your reactions, removing her helmet to be polite. Hopefully it would ease your nervous behavior.

"Really? No wonder you tag along with me on missions..." Kat snorts, amused by your confession.

"Yes..."

Kat still picks up on your nervous tone, talking to you made her forget about her guilt for at least a moment.

"My turn, what's wrong?"

You look at her, your eyes showing that hesitance again.

"Nothing important-"

"Bull, you might as well tell me."

You go silent before shaking your head.

"Tell me what's upsetting you then...."

Kat's taken aback by your bargain, but if you came this far, she relents softly.

Kat tells you about her and Carter's guilt. The Battle of Fumirole... the sacrifice of Thom... everything she had the heart to tell. What did you do the entire time?

You listened. You listened and comforted her the best you could. Your eyes full of sympathy and a pain of your own....

She couldn't even resent your sympathy at this point....

By the end of it she felt her throat tight. You were now fidgeting with your own helmet. A deal was a deal... you both had things to tell.

Nothing could've prepared her for what you revealed.

"I know this may not be a good time. I know that this would ruin missions... but I at least wanted it off my chest."

You turn to her, a radiant smile that clashed with the bleak tension between you.

"I care for you, more than comrades. As in, I love you. I do not want these feelings to be in the way. I just want you to know why I am around you so often. That's all... but after your story, I feel you do just need someone beside you. I'll do whatever I can to help you because I care for you."

After your spiel, you go to put your helmet on. You still had a job to commit to. Before you could, however, Kat stops you.

"I understand how you feel." Kat then smiles softly at you. "I guess deep inside I feel similar, I just felt I should hide it as I didn't want to get too attached."

You're now facing each other, hands in your own laps. For the first time since you've seen her... the spartan smiles at you.

"I guess you are just that endearing to me."

You smile sadly at her distant gaze, slowly engaging in a hug.

"I'll do whatever I can to stay and fight beside you." You say, pulling away just enough to look her in the eyes.

"It's the least I can do after what you've been through."