[ She touches his nose with her own, and then goes back to resting her head against his. ]
You have always made me laugh, and let me be silly anywhere knowing I shall never be alone in it if you are there. But more than that... every time I wake and I am next to you and you still sleep and I love you and stay there is a kind of peace that is the quietest I have known.
Perhaps you will not believe me, but... truly it is enough to hear so.
[ She turns to talk into his hair again. ]
I must be told things, sometimes. I cannot read you as I do others; what I want to be true, what I fear to be true, they are in the way. I cannot trust myself to interpret you aright, and so sometimes you must say what you think you have told me some other way. [ Wryly, in proper homage to the ancient battle of 'how could you not have known': ] Even if you think you have shouted it from the rooftops.
It's also that...I am...not good at saying the things I'm told to say. You may have picked up on that fact. [ The fact that Byerly is as stubborn as a feral mabari, in his own way.
Then, amending: ] Or, well. Not when I care about what's being said. I'll obviously say whatever I'm ordered to when I'm working someone.
[ The whuff of air from her nose comes again, but it is laughter rather than sigh.
What a pair they make, almost lovingly designed to drive each other mad. But it is as he said, isn't it? They are still here. There has been so much, so very much, and they are still here. Still care enough to quarrel.
Maybe he is fighting for her, it is simply that they are fighting each other and themselves. ]
Then I shall not tell you what to say or when to say it. Only that it will make me happy to hear whatever it is you wish to say whenever it is you wish to say it.
Nor do I. And I do trust you, in that. That you shall not lie to me.
It is because of that trust that when I asked you to tell me those things—that I was beautiful, that you wanted me with you, that you should miss me were I gone—and you said nothing, I believed it meant that if you spoke them you would be lying. And so you did not think them, but were letting me pretend things were other than they were.
[ A kiss for his head, and a voice warm with amusement: ]
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no subject
That was - the right thing to say, then?
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[ She touches his nose with her own, and then goes back to resting her head against his. ]
You have always made me laugh, and let me be silly anywhere knowing I shall never be alone in it if you are there. But more than that... every time I wake and I am next to you and you still sleep and I love you and stay there is a kind of peace that is the quietest I have known.
no subject
I really want to make you happy.
[ He just doesn't know how it is that he does it. ]
no subject
[ She turns to talk into his hair again. ]
I must be told things, sometimes. I cannot read you as I do others; what I want to be true, what I fear to be true, they are in the way. I cannot trust myself to interpret you aright, and so sometimes you must say what you think you have told me some other way. [ Wryly, in proper homage to the ancient battle of 'how could you not have known': ] Even if you think you have shouted it from the rooftops.
[ A soft sigh through her nose. ]
I wish to make you happy too.
no subject
It's also that...I am...not good at saying the things I'm told to say. You may have picked up on that fact. [ The fact that Byerly is as stubborn as a feral mabari, in his own way.
Then, amending: ] Or, well. Not when I care about what's being said. I'll obviously say whatever I'm ordered to when I'm working someone.
no subject
What a pair they make, almost lovingly designed to drive each other mad. But it is as he said, isn't it? They are still here. There has been so much, so very much, and they are still here. Still care enough to quarrel.
Maybe he is fighting for her, it is simply that they are fighting each other and themselves. ]
Then I shall not tell you what to say or when to say it. Only that it will make me happy to hear whatever it is you wish to say whenever it is you wish to say it.
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Yes. Being told what to say makes whatever I do say feel like a falsehood. I don't want that.
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Nor do I. And I do trust you, in that. That you shall not lie to me.
It is because of that trust that when I asked you to tell me those things—that I was beautiful, that you wanted me with you, that you should miss me were I gone—and you said nothing, I believed it meant that if you spoke them you would be lying. And so you did not think them, but were letting me pretend things were other than they were.
[ A kiss for his head, and a voice warm with amusement: ]
I am glad it is only because you are obstinate.
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We shall stand ever steadfast against the slender, decadent Orlesian redheads coming to conquer our hearts.
[ And then: ]
You are beautiful. I do want you with me.
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There is only one part of you that stands steadfast against Orlesians.
[ A gentle little nip at his ear for punctuation. ]
You let us climb all over you. But I am merciful and shall not tell your queen.
no subject
You filthy little minx.
[ And then, with a wry smile: ]
Rest assured that my queen already knows. In my missives - "here is where my judgment is compromised."
no subject
You are so good.
[ Then an energetic kiss for the side of his neck, and a squeeze, and she lets go. ]
They will make you work soon. We have to eat the cake, or Bastien will feel unappreciated.
no subject
Agreed.
[ He leans over and grabs for it. This time, he does just grip a great big handful of the stuff, and shoves it right in his face. ]
Mm. Not bad.
no subject
Such manners my Lord Ambassador!
[ Battle lines drawn. Her eyes sparkle. ]