[ The reminder still stings, because no matter how far he's come from that time, it's still embarrassing to remember he'd been so ... awful and stupid and blind. And there's always something in Yzak that automatically recoils from any feeling of being alone, left behind, even if it's just something from a memory. Feelings that he never wants to feel like that again.

But at least he's not there anymore. So it isn't all too bad to "come back" to the station proper after that. Jarring for sure, though. So Yzak blinks, glancing over his shoulder at Andy when she asks - because she's standing right there, and that means she saw it, too. ]

My best friend.

[ It's odd to say, because he's been here for so long without him, now. Having his back, standing at his side, diffusing his sparks of anger (unless they're really deserved in the moment, Dearka always has a way of being able to tell) and serving as a constant, comfortable presence in his life whether it's while they're on duty dealing with something difficult together, or during more peaceful times where he'll be the one reaching out and making sure Yzak doesn't remain in that whole work-to-home to work-to-back to work cycle. ]

Since back in our academy days. We served on the same team together during the first war, and I appointed him as my XO when I was promoted to command my own team.