[ Pietro does trust him. But Cassian sounds so much like he knows what he's talking about right now, it strikes Pietro that he doesn't think of Cassian as someone who hasn't been true to themselves, not ever. Cassian is more controlled than him, yes, more cautious in ways that are occasionally frustrating for someone as unapologetically headstrong as Pietro, but he's always been honest, to Pietro's memory. He's always been sincere when they're together.

But maybe he isn't always. Maybe he can't be. Pietro doesn't want that for either of them. It makes his chest ache just to think about.

(That isn't your fault. That hits him under the ribs, too. It still feels like his responsibility.) ]

I wish I could simply make them see. [ His voice is small, a vain, childish hope he promptly shakes his head to dismiss. He isn't a child anymore. ] When pigs fly, perhaps. Until then, I won't put our family in danger unnecessarily.

[ And unnecessary includes for his benefit, whatever his frustrations. This may be about the worst way he can imagine to spend the rest of his life, but his siblings' needs always, always come first. ]

How is it you know so much about this kind of thing, anyway?