[He looks at her for a beat, ready to protest that she doesn't need to follow him - while he'll happily consider himself pitiful in a lot of funly self-depreciating ways, he's still fairly confident he can survive just about anything. Even if he doesn't survive, not much would be lost. But to tell someone like Zoya not to follow, not to protect? Even he knows those would be empty words, lost on the wind between them.
Still, he can't help but feel he walked into this and that it will be some part his fault if anything happens to her.]
I only agree to allow you to watch my back if I watch yours in turn. Two way street.
You can't watch my back when I'm watching yours. It logistically doesn't make sense.
[ /dad joke.
But Zoya sighs, ensuring that he can hear it. It's the sound of her stubborn ass conceding. ]
Fine. We'll take turns. I'm on first watch.
[ Because that's how it works. Zoya knows better than anyone that watching someone's back isn't literal. She and Nikolai had been a well-oiled machine for the last couple of years that finding herself working alongside another person in such a manner feels like slipping on a pair of shoes that have changed slightly in shape. Different, but not unwelcome.
But she has to be difficult in the face of someone wanting to take care of her. ]
[She should be grateful because if he actually saw her (which he didn't, because this is Voice, and past tags are now amended to reflect that) it'd be because he's a weirdo sitting up in a tree or something. Which isn't that farfetched to consider but anyway. You know. moving on.]
All the more pressure to make sure I'm useful now, huh?
[Another hint of amusement - but if he's going to be counted upon to hold his weight, he better be able to hold the weight of something else too. Time for them to set up some little weapons bonanza in their courtyard, maybe. He could get used to throwing axes, he thinks.]
[ She inhales deeply to exhale, letting her shoulders roll. ]
Tonight, since you seem eager.
[ And Zoya has a feeling that his mind won't be on anything but it. It's not as though she's too tired to play. It'll be exhilarating. Even when she had sparred with Juris in the realm where time didn't exist, she had enjoyed being beaten down until she was exhausted. To possibly share that with someone else is exciting. ]
And you're an idiot for not thinking you're useful.
I'll make it worth your while by serving a good dinner. Stew, a fresh loaf of bread and maybe a cider to drink?
[He may not be able to cook well but he is able to barter his way up the chain and at least get half decent parts of a meal and stitch them all together. If he feeds her before they go at it (with axes or otherwise,) his odds of survival in a fair state seem higher. Happy wife, happy life.]
Oh, I know a good few things I'm very useful at. So do you.
[ Zoya knows she's practically goading him at this point, but she's never been good at backing down from a challenge. She's never been good at letting things go, either. ]
I'll bring the wine. I want to try this town's white to see if it's any good.
I'll fry some salmon then, as well. Add to the choices.
[Going to be a hearty meal but they're going to need it. It's funny how quick he falls into the mundane tasks like this with a certain sense of relief; someone will be coming to make this home of theirs less empty. He can always count on that. Feels good.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Still, he can't help but feel he walked into this and that it will be some part his fault if anything happens to her.]
I only agree to allow you to watch my back if I watch yours in turn. Two way street.
no subject
You can't watch my back when I'm watching yours. It logistically doesn't make sense.
[ /dad joke.
But Zoya sighs, ensuring that he can hear it. It's the sound of her stubborn ass conceding. ]
Fine. We'll take turns. I'm on first watch.
[ Because that's how it works. Zoya knows better than anyone that watching someone's back isn't literal. She and Nikolai had been a well-oiled machine for the last couple of years that finding herself working alongside another person in such a manner feels like slipping on a pair of shoes that have changed slightly in shape. Different, but not unwelcome.
But she has to be difficult in the face of someone wanting to take care of her. ]
no subject
All the more pressure to make sure I'm useful now, huh?
[Another hint of amusement - but if he's going to be counted upon to hold his weight, he better be able to hold the weight of something else too. Time for them to set up some little weapons bonanza in their courtyard, maybe. He could get used to throwing axes, he thinks.]
Start tonight, or tomorrow?
no subject
Tonight, since you seem eager.
[ And Zoya has a feeling that his mind won't be on anything but it. It's not as though she's too tired to play. It'll be exhilarating. Even when she had sparred with Juris in the realm where time didn't exist, she had enjoyed being beaten down until she was exhausted. To possibly share that with someone else is exciting. ]
And you're an idiot for not thinking you're useful.
[ Compliment #4? ]
no subject
[He may not be able to cook well but he is able to barter his way up the chain and at least get half decent parts of a meal and stitch them all together. If he feeds her before they go at it (with axes or otherwise,) his odds of survival in a fair state seem higher. Happy wife, happy life.]
Oh, I know a good few things I'm very useful at. So do you.
no subject
[ Zoya knows she's practically goading him at this point, but she's never been good at backing down from a challenge. She's never been good at letting things go, either. ]
I'll bring the wine. I want to try this town's white to see if it's any good.
no subject
[Going to be a hearty meal but they're going to need it. It's funny how quick he falls into the mundane tasks like this with a certain sense of relief; someone will be coming to make this home of theirs less empty. He can always count on that. Feels good.]
See you later, then?
no subject
[ Because, of course, Zoya won't half-ass this. Wesley needs the perfect dagger, one that compliments his blue eyes. ]
Try not to get eaten by a fish.
[ Assuming there are fish in town to actually catch. ]