shipmaster | (no subject)

[They smile, eyes closing halfway at that.]

For what? Honestly, this place hasn't been that bad.

Even so. You didn't actually turn me down when it looked like we might be here indefinitely.

No, I would have stayed. [And that was the truth, as ugly and hard to look at as it was. But in a way, they've traded their life to keep Miles'...]

It's a crappy bodyguard who only sticks around for the easy shifts.

That doesn't mean I have to take it for granted.

... I really shouldn't be surprised that you wouldn't. It's nice, all the same.

Good. Lie down next to me, won't you?

[Bel smiles, pulls one arm around Miles and sinks down into the mattress.]

Gladly.

[ Miles curls in close to them, looping an arm around their waist. He's too tired to do anything except appreciate Bel's warm proximity. ]

I hate being helpless like this.

[They really hadn't talked about more, just a question mark floating vaguely around "probably not" but in some ways, this was far more intimate anyway.]

Maybe it's associated with the cascades... if that's the last major one...

[ MIles exposes himself more this way anyway. ]

Then I might get better on my own?

I'm not going to offer false hope...

But until it happens sometime not related to memories, we can't exactly rule it out either.

[ He's silent a moment. Wanting to hope so very badly ... ]

The first time. It wasn't a cascade.

With the fast penta or was there another time?

No, I mean the fight. With the Queen. I was just ... overwhelmed.

Ah. [The cascade had happened the same day... but that was after.. unrelated, really. Damn.]

... Well. It was a good theory while it lasted.

[ Miles nods slowly. ]

We should ... be prepared for more, probably.

Probably.

Well, I don't mind staying close. [Bel is going to need to find a better cover story though. That is only going to work once.]

I figured you weren't going to argue with that part of it.

No. [They curl a little bit closer.] Besides, being where you are tends to be the most exciting spots.

Even here on Barrayar?

Well, it would be fun watching them have to get used to me.

[ A faint snort. ]

You have gotten some stares. The house would adjust soon enough. The rest ... well, there'd be a scandal in my district for sure.

[They smirk.]

I prefer to think of it as astonished at my amazing ass.

And oh yes, there are sure to be all sorts of the usual rumors.

Your ass is amazing, it's true.

[ He pats it lightly for emphasis. ]

What's the usual rumor?

Deviancy and debauchery. Usually they're incredibly unimaginative when it comes right down to details though. Disappointing.