[ Whatever humor that there was between them suddenly vanishes with the change of tone, unmistakable to Keaton's ears as... disappointment? Uncertainty? A lack of confidence, something that he could distinctly tell as he quietly tilts his head, raises an eyebrow, and frowns. He clearly made a mistake of some sort, though he didn't mean to, and that sudden lack of energy and charm from Toma sets his fur in unease. ]

H-hey. Of course not. I just, well. [ His heart is pounding. Why does he suddenly feel this way? Even in the face of friends and comrades, nothing ever matched the sudden anxiety that crept along his nerves and made him want to hide. Even looking into Toma's crestfallen eyes and hearing his disappointed voice causes him a kind of suffering--- guilt, perhaps, a stronger weapon than any claw or bow. ]

Look. [ He has to be honest, right? Everyone appreciates honesty. ] You and I haven't known each other for a long time. If you were ever hurt... it'd hurt me, okay? Whenever one of my pack mates have gotten injured, it feels just as bad.

[ He reaches out to gently pat Toma's shoulder, then gives it a tender squeeze. ]

You're reliable for sure!