There's a stretch of silence, but it's not cruel or mean. Esteban's tried to show her his side of the coin, but ultimately, can he really fault her when he too would do something that stupid without a second thought, if only someone he cares about is in danger?
"Okay." He waves at her to get closer, hoping that she'll accept another hug, another hold, because he himself could use the comfort of it. He's sure Najaran could too.
In a choice between innocents lives or his friends' happiness, Esteban knows he is that selfish, that he would pick the people he cares about. But he still understands Najaran's goals, her own values and loyalty. He would never wish for innocents to die, and he would absolutely want to save them, but his loyalty is not to them. He can't fault her reasoning. That he doesn't (quite) agree with it does not mean either of them is in the wrong.
So Esteban offers her a hug and some comfort instead, smiling gently at the poor girl. She'd gone through so much, and he's sure he's not the only one giving her a hard time about it.
"I'm glad you're back here safe an' sound, Najaran." Because to him, that is the priority. But she looks like she needs someone on her side, and he can offer her this much too. "Thank you for tryin' so hard to save them. You did a lot of good."
Maybe not in a way that Esteban outright approves of. But he understands her, and he can respect her decision. He wishes she wouldn't endanger herself-- but he knows how much it hurts when the people you trust don't trust you back.
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"Okay." He waves at her to get closer, hoping that she'll accept another hug, another hold, because he himself could use the comfort of it. He's sure Najaran could too.
In a choice between innocents lives or his friends' happiness, Esteban knows he is that selfish, that he would pick the people he cares about. But he still understands Najaran's goals, her own values and loyalty. He would never wish for innocents to die, and he would absolutely want to save them, but his loyalty is not to them. He can't fault her reasoning. That he doesn't (quite) agree with it does not mean either of them is in the wrong.
So Esteban offers her a hug and some comfort instead, smiling gently at the poor girl. She'd gone through so much, and he's sure he's not the only one giving her a hard time about it.
"I'm glad you're back here safe an' sound, Najaran." Because to him, that is the priority. But she looks like she needs someone on her side, and he can offer her this much too. "Thank you for tryin' so hard to save them. You did a lot of good."
Maybe not in a way that Esteban outright approves of. But he understands her, and he can respect her decision. He wishes she wouldn't endanger herself-- but he knows how much it hurts when the people you trust don't trust you back.