[ He takes a quick second to frown, but though his expression smooths out, he's a little more subdued when he speaks. ]

I shoulda just said thank you from the start. It's-- it's been a while since I've gotten something without a hitch tied to it. Like, "Hey, we rebuilt your ship, but expect us to call in some favors pretty soon." And I guess it just... took me by surprise.

[ Peter pauses, and he adjusts the collar of his shirt, feeling awkward. He's finding more and more that Maya is coaxing unfiltered honesty from him, when all his previous dealings consisted of sly remarks or half-truths.

It's different, he thinks, like the ECHO recordings, like this relationship. It's new. But unlike those things, he doesn't know what to think about this. He trusts Maya, but he's unsure about this newfound vulnerability. Even so, he forces himself to press on. ]

So-- thank you. Seriously. It, uh... it means a lot.