[The tiniest of bitter smirks crosses its face at his statement. It's aware. It also knows, even without their shared Bond intact, that L is aware that his statement was obvious.

So it moves on.

Its posture holds-- proud, squared shoulders, its handsome head held up, although its chin does dip thoughtfully as it continues to speak, the slightest edge of honesty, of earnestness creeping into its tone, its expression.]

I'm... sorry for my sudden disappearance. I had no intention to abandon you that way. We still had so much work to do together.

[The SQUIP spent the entire first two or three months of its existence there trying to get home.

And now it's stated that it had no intention of doing so, not if it meant leaving him.

It's possible that the former machine itself hasn't entirely considered the emotional implications of its statement.

It finally lifts its chin again, looking into his eyes with its own intense gaze; searching, curious.]

How long has it been for you? I assume time is... different here.