[ thomas's eyes go wide when she says "i'll defect" (remember when she did that the first time, his brain reminds him, reminds him that teresa's not someone to be trusted, no matter how badly he wants to run to her and hold her in his arms and apologize, beg for her forgiveness.) the thing is, thomas knows she would, and he holds up one of his hands, as if to try and get her to calm down. ]

Don't--don't do that. [ though maybe the punishment would be less severe on her side? thomas doesn't know. ] There might be a reason for it, like... [ he doesn't need to finish his sentence there. like last time. ] And if you're on that side and I'm on this one, maybe we can use it to try and learn something, or...something.

[ he sounds a little pained, a little frustrated. ] Teresa. [ considering his head is still telling him to run to her, he realizes he has to swallow a lump in his throat again before he can finish what he's trying to say. in the end, thomas's feelings for teresa are a complicated, complicated thing, but he fixes the locket with a serious gaze, mouth in a faint smile. ] I'm glad you're alive.