[ his hands immediately fly to cup Lapis' head in his hands. Fingers smoothing along her cheeks, trying to raise her gaze to match it with his. His eyes have that familiar glow to them, but his expression is measured--quiet. There's something in him that's... quietly jived that Lapis got so angry on his behalf, but all the same... ]

...Calm.
I was angry too. But If I'm honest with you, she's not the only one in the order that talks like that. Before I came here, I was stationed in Florida for years--given some of the worst tasks, and mostly used as an 'in case of emergencies only' member. I did a lot of paper pushing between hospital stays, and even then, I could just tell they regretted ever recruiting me.

It was honestly amazing that they didn't just seal me and throw me back into the world.

[ he donks his forehead against Lapis', trying to curb her rage, fingers drawing through her hair. ]

The difference here--is like night and day. You--and the others--have never once treated me like a detriment.
Which is why I'm going to do everything to protect you all before accepting that pact with Zhongli to be rid of the order once and for all.