If you insist

Jason’s barriers fight back for all they’re worth, despite Katie’s words piercing so deeply.

He finally allows his gaze to shift without moving his head, looking at her out of the corner of his eye. “I’m fine, Katie… The best thing you can do for me right now is not to make a big deal out of this.”

He stands and takes blanket he’d grabbed on his way to his office, and he opens his door. He tosses the blanket into her lap. “If you insist on spending the night, at least keep yourself warm.” He moves around his desk to sit in his chair, and leans back, propping his feet up on his desk. He stares at the ceiling, signaling that he is far from allowing himself to sleep.