[a wry smile plays in the brown eyes at the chiding words -- this has been my job since you were a child, Greg? -- but the sudden turn to approval is something else, unexpected. Bel's lips part at the praise, the open care in his tone.]
's been ... over a month since the last incident.... [soundless chuckle. probably more on your end, accounting for the time travel; Tau Ceti surely had counted as an incident.] Hard t' be alive without scaring someone. Much rather do it on purpose.
[the other hand can't move much, locked from forearm to ribcage in a light immobilizer for the pulled muscles in Bel's shoulder; most of that is hidden under the sleeve of the medbay tunic, but it's nice that the arm isn't trapped under the covers. has to swallow an inward shiver as the long, graceful hands enclose their own, so gently as to cause no pain.
it's not both hands, but Bel does know the meaning of this quintessentially Barrayaran gesture, and what weight it must carry for this man above all others. so flexible, for such a simple thing. shroud, shield, cage, offering, refuge, haven, embrace.....
thumb curls up over his hand, a light caress.]
I'll remember to.
..you're going to make someone a very lucky woman some day. Don't let 'em talk you into anyone you don't want.~ [had not been exactly tactful about the whole mandatory dating thing when announced, but this goes for Ivan's shenanigans too, dammit.]
no subject
's been ... over a month since the last incident.... [soundless chuckle. probably more on your end, accounting for the time travel; Tau Ceti surely had counted as an incident.] Hard t' be alive without scaring someone. Much rather do it on purpose.
[the other hand can't move much, locked from forearm to ribcage in a light immobilizer for the pulled muscles in Bel's shoulder; most of that is hidden under the sleeve of the medbay tunic, but it's nice that the arm isn't trapped under the covers. has to swallow an inward shiver as the long, graceful hands enclose their own, so gently as to cause no pain.
it's not both hands, but Bel does know the meaning of this quintessentially Barrayaran gesture, and what weight it must carry for this man above all others. so flexible, for such a simple thing. shroud, shield, cage, offering, refuge, haven, embrace.....
thumb curls up over his hand, a light caress.]
I'll remember to.
..you're going to make someone a very lucky woman some day. Don't let 'em talk you into anyone you don't want.~ [had not been exactly tactful about the whole mandatory dating thing when announced, but this goes for Ivan's shenanigans too, dammit.]