( Despite the fact that they both know it's not really possible, he still seems a little tired as he heads back over to the place they sit to eat. He settles on it heavily, fingers curling around the edge, head shaking immediately, dismissively. )

It's fine. Listen—

( Slow and weary, lips tucking into one cheek for a second. )

It's— he figures it out. Leave him alone about it.

( Like that somehow un-says it. He's already feeling a sharp spike of guilt for spilling it at all, it only came out in the first place to use as fuel toward justifying his anger.

Christ. Can't seem to go a day without doing something wrong, what the hell's the matter with him? )

It's just a...

( Personal, complicated, touchy-- )

Thing. It's between me and him. Neither of us need you mediating it, Captain.

( As in— you're not their leader right now, it's not your responsibility to butt in and boss them into conflict resolution. He loves you buddy, but respectfully and with all the fondness in his heart, mind your own goddamn business. )