Mm. They decide to table that part of the conversation for as long as they reasonably can, and ideally forever. They're no fan of these things either, but the realities of their life are... complicated. Well, whatever.

"I don't want to compete against you," they say, trying to smile as they shake off other thoughts. "But I wouldn't mind figuring things out beside you. As long as you're not scared off by someone as unreliable as I am."