It didn't take a genius to know he's struck a nerve and only kept digging his grave deeper. But Hawkeye can't understand why he always seemed to be speaking some other language. Kili nods and Hawkeye nods and. That was it. He had hope riding on the armored tank. How much safer could it be? "I owe you," he says, and doesn't think an apology would be worth anything if it's clear to them both that there are other things on his mind but he goes on anyway. "I'll make it up to you somehow."

He starts to step away and thinks better of it and reaches out a hand to lay on Kili's shoulder for a moment again- thinks maybe what he's doing is rude because Kili can't possibly do the same to him, thinks maybe if he tries hard enough, the sentiment of the gesture will translate flawlessly through the silence said. Then he takes away the heavy hand and feels skittish just because he has to find something to do when he lowers himself to the basement again, or else he's the loon that Holiday thought he was. But he didn't show it much anymore. Chances were, you know, he was only going to die (wouldn't that excite anybody, though?). "Thank you. Tell her Hawkeye's fine. Try not to get into trouble. You're too smart for that." He had to pry himself away sooner or later, and with a nod that might seem like it would accompany a toast, Hawkeye moved away. "I owe you," he repeated. He'd remember that he was in debt, too, because Hawkeye had a habit of paying those things. It might just strain his memory a little, though, because it was going to be a long few weeks.