[For a moment, Eridanus is stunned silent. The shift in mood, the way Lucius stiffens, the finality in his tone—it cuts, but rather than hurt, he's confused.]

And why not? [He manages to keep his own voice calm, with no trace of that confusion found within it.] Your body has been battle-scarred before, what is one of my own?

[The claw that rests on his thigh twitches, and the gaze he casts Lucius is unwavering.]

I'm not upset if you do not want that, but at least give me a reason.