[ the slight pain from the pressure on his back alleviates, but the truth is mon is preoccupied with noiz enough he barely registered it anyway. he adjusts himself so he can peer at noiz, one of his own hands underneath his cheek, the other idle between their bodies. ]

I'm sorry... [ said idle hand lifts to move through noiz's hair before reconsidering and smoothing down to the back of his neck again, a back and forth of the pad of his thumb a soothing sort of intention. ]

But I'm not going to lie to you and say that will change.

[ there's a soft steadiness in monday's voice, calm and apologetic but also frank. his methods are long-learned and honed to his own beliefs. he's had enough time to figure it out and also enough time to know he prefers these methods even at his own cost. ]

I'm not going to let you or anyone else get hurt if I can help it. I like you. I like humankind and the things they create and sometimes when things go astray it's not their fault.

[ mon pauses, eyes downcast now, ]

Everyone should be given a chance. That's what I think.

[ another pause. ]

But I'm glad you care. It...means a lot to me.

[ with that, mon lifts his head a little and smiles. it's warm and it's vulnerable and it's honest. ]