Have A Drink My Love

~Indie/Multiverse RP Blog for Valek Ixia~ “Trusting is hard. Knowing who to trust, even harder.” “Everyone makes choices in life. Some bad, some good. It's called living, and if you want to bow out, then go right ahead. But don't do it halfway. Don't linger in whiner's limbo.”

[astudyinpoison]

Hush

18. “I’m just really tired.”

“Do not worry about me, Commander. It was just a moment of weakness.” He told her, wiping his tears. “I won’t let it happen again.” It was easy for him to forget that Mercia was his Commander, not just his friend. He was supposed to be stronger than this for her. He didn’t have the luxury of being soft.

[astudyinpoison]

“I wish we could.” He sighed. “It’d be easier that way.” His life was so much easier in Denerim…ok that’s a new thought. It’s amazing what sort of situations makes street life look like a walk in a park. “Why? What would you have us do? Because I honestly can’t see why you think this is so easy.” Of course he had never been good with this sort of thing. There was a reason his father had to arrange a marriage for him and it hadn’t just been for tradition’s sake.

[bladesbooksandballs-blog]

|==>

“It is easy,” she replied, arms folding over her chest. “We’re Wardens, Valek.  There isn’t anything more standing in our way except you. It isn’t uncommon for a Commander and their Spymaster to be close, you know. Especially when the two have been through what we two have, and come out alive.”

Mercia sighed again, a hand running through loose raven hair, taking another step toward Valek. “It’s really not that hard, love.”

[astudyinpoison]

He kept backing away from her touch, getting closer and closer to the wall. He still refused to believe her. She wanted it to be easy, and maybe it was for her. It wasn’t for him. “You didn’t answer the question.”

[astudyinpoison]

Let The Monster Rise | @bladesbooksandballs CLOSED

[astudyinpoison]

Clarel. The name rung through his mind.

Stop her. A voice joined the song in his head. She can’t reach Amaranthine. Valek listened closely, and for a moment he struggled against the order. Mercia was his commander, his love. He couldn’t work against her. The more he fought the louder the song got and the harder it got to resist the orders.

She had asked him a question, two now. He struggled to remember what they were. “I’m fine, Mercia.” He smiled softly. “I was on my way to Adamant, hoping to talk Clarel down.” It was a lie, but he had always been good at lying. He had just never liked lying to Mercia.

“We should travel together. It’s safer that way.”

[bladesbooksandballs-blog]

|==>

Mercia tipped her head to one side, not quite buying that everything was alright. “It’s just not like you to leave your post like this…” Stepping close, she reached a hand out to idly brush a few raven strands from his face with a small smile, despite her misgivings.

“Though I will not lie and say that you aren’t a welcome sight.” At his mention of going to Adamant, Mercia grew frightened. “Don’t bother,” she replied quickly. “There’s no talking her out of this. She’s gotten it in her head, and she has the help of Tevinter now, I hear. I was going to go to Orzammar to see who all I could find that hadn’t listened to her yet.”

Travelling together didn’t sound like a bad idea, come to think of it. She had missed his company, and this way one could keep watch while the other got what little sleep this strange Calling was affording them. “Please, twist my arm. Make me stay with you.” the reply was accompanied by a wry grin as she leaned over to press a swift kiss to his lips.

Maker she had missed him.

[astudyinpoison]

“She called all the wardens to Adament, even the ones in Amaranthine. I told everyone to stay put while I investigate.” It wasn’t a total lie. That had, of course, been before his current mind state. “I left your seneschal in charge.”

She was so close to him now, for a moment a real smile spread on his face. He had missed her so much. Now that she was here maybe she’d be able to help. He wanted to tell her, tell her about the voice, how he felt he couldn’t defy it. Yet the thought of telling her caused his chest to clench with anxiety.

“But, if you think she’s a lost call, I can come with you to Orzammar.” If he could distract her from Andament longer, let Clarel’s plan unfold, maybe the voice would leave him alone. What would Clarel care if two wardens escaped her plan?

[astudyinpoison]

Hush

18. “I’m just really tired.”

“Do not worry about me, Commander. It was just a moment of weakness.” He told her, wiping his tears. “I won’t let it happen again.” It was easy for him to forget that Mercia was his Commander, not just his friend. He was supposed to be stronger than this for her. He didn’t have the luxury of being soft.

[astudyinpoison]

“You’re my Commander, Mercia.” He pulled her hand away. “It’s my job to keep you safe. I can’t do that if I’m distracted.” He struggled not to throw his logical thought out the window. It wasn’t as simple as she was trying to make it. It wasn’t like he could just ignore how things were in order to be with her. 

But he hadn’t answered her question, had he. Maybe because he was scared of telling her the truth, scared of what she would do if she knew. “The truth is, I-” He paused, trying to say the right thing, but knowing he can’t lie to her. Lying to a mark is different than lying to a friend. Especially a friend he held as dear as Mercia. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a long, long, time.”

[bladesbooksandballs-blog]

|==>

She couldn’t help the quip. “You find me distracting?” The question came with a playful quirk of her lips, though the situation caused it not to quite reach her eyes. It could be that simple. They were Wardens. There wasn’t a whole lot else besides themselves standing in the way, in her mind.

His answer to her question; however, got a real smile out of her. “So have I.” Since the Blight ended, were she being honest with herself. A soft sigh slipped past her lips as she drew back to herself. “Do you honestly think that the two of us can go on like this never happened?”

[astudyinpoison]

“I wish we could.” He sighed. “It’d be easier that way.” His life was so much easier in Denerim...ok that’s a new thought. It’s amazing what sort of situations makes street life look like a walk in a park. “Why? What would you have us do? Because I honestly can’t see why you think this is so easy.” Of course he had never been good with this sort of thing. There was a reason his father had to arrange a marriage for him and it hadn’t just been for tradition’s sake.

[astudyinpoison]

Let The Monster Rise | @bladesbooksandballs CLOSED

[astudyinpoison]

Valek’s blue eyes snapped open, like he had been startled out of a light sleep. For a moment he seemed confused, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the campfire like. “Mercia?” He hadn’t realized she’d be in the area. Last he had heard she was traveling. He moved to stand, to greet her. There was something off about her mannerisms, something that only someone who knew him would notice. He hadn’t grabbed for his weapons when startled, his eyes seemed unfocused, as though he was looking straight past her. Even the way he held himself had changed ever so slightly.

“What are you doing in the area? Last I heard you were still searching for the cure.” He asked, leaning against the tree he had been sitting next to. He seemed relaxed, which was different for Valek. He was always alert, always aware of his surroundings. It’s what made him such a good assassin. But now he seemed slowed, like his mind had been muddled by something.

[bladesbooksandballs-blog]

|==>

“Yeah, I was. Until Clarel caught me and told me about her insane plan. I decided to come home to try and convince whoever I could not to go through with it.” Mercia slid from her horse, and moved to embrace the other. She hadn’t noticed that anything was wrong yet, too engrossed in her own thoughts as she was.

For a moment, it seemed that everything was right with the world again. She was back in Ferelden, she had her Spymaster at her side, and-…. “What are you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be back at Amaranthine? I didn’t think it could stay standing without me, but if you’re gone too….”

Looking him over, she took note for the first time of the relaxed nature of his posture. Mercia hadn’t ever seen him so unwound before. It was, if she were being honest, a little unsettling. Something was wrong here. Very wrong. “…You okay?”

[astudyinpoison]

Clarel. The name rung through his mind.

Stop her. A voice joined the song in his head. She can’t reach Amaranthine. Valek listened closely, and for a moment he struggled against the order. Mercia was his commander, his love. He couldn’t work against her. The more he fought the louder the song got and the harder it got to resist the orders.

She had asked him a question, two now. He struggled to remember what they were. “I’m fine, Mercia.” He smiled softly. “I was on my way to Adamant, hoping to talk Clarel down.” It was a lie, but he had always been good at lying. He had just never liked lying to Mercia.

“We should travel together. It’s safer that way.”

[exiled-by-choice-deactivated201]

reblog with a gif of the animal your muse would be.

[mcntiroso-blog]

Originally posted by sanxyra

[astudyinpoison]

[heroes-of-justice]

Send me a ≡ for my muse's reaction to yours suddenly hugging them very tightly.

[astudyinpoison]

Hush

18. “I’m just really tired.”

“Do not worry about me, Commander. It was just a moment of weakness.” He told her, wiping his tears. “I won’t let it happen again.” It was easy for him to forget that Mercia was his Commander, not just his friend. He was supposed to be stronger than this for her. He didn’t have the luxury of being soft.

[bladesbooksandballs-blog]

astudyinpoison:

He leaned into the kiss, unable to stop the impulse, only to pull away a few moments later. This was a mistake. This shouldn’t be happening. And yet he found himself enjoying it. He enjoyed the feeling of her skin against his own, and it was amazing how easy it was.

“It seems I must apologize again.” He muttered, stepping away. “I acted on impulse. It won’t happen again.” He wanted it to though. He couldn’t meet her eye.

|==>

As he pulled away, Mercia found herself trailing after him for a moment or two before pulling herself back, eyes opening to watch Valek carefully. What was done could not be undone, and now her heart wouldn’t stop racing. As he stepped back, she stepped forward, her hand turning hi face o look at her once again.

“Valek,” she began, her voice still that low, careful gentleness of before. “Given my reaction, do you honestly feel that there is a need for an apology?” Another smaller step forward. “Look me in the eye and tell me honestly that you don’t want that to happen again and I will consider that this night never happened.”

[astudyinpoison]

“You’re my Commander, Mercia.” He pulled her hand away. “It’s my job to keep you safe. I can’t do that if I’m distracted.” He struggled not to throw his logical thought out the window. It wasn’t as simple as she was trying to make it. It wasn’t like he could just ignore how things were in order to be with her. 

But he hadn’t answered her question, had he. Maybe because he was scared of telling her the truth, scared of what she would do if she knew. “The truth is, I-” He paused, trying to say the right thing, but knowing he can’t lie to her. Lying to a mark is different than lying to a friend. Especially a friend he held as dear as Mercia. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a long, long, time.”

[astudyinpoison]

Let The Monster Rise | @bladesbooksandballs CLOSED

It was hard to focus. The song was too loud, too beautiful, to not to pay attention to it. Some days it was easier. Those days were the worst of all. The days when he could focus on what he had done, why it was wrong, what it all meant. The days when he knew he was a puppet, he was being used. It was easier to just fall into the steps, follow the song, do as it wishes. 

Today was not one of those days. Today the song was loud, filling every space in his mind, causing him to hum softly as he sat waiting for his orders. Had he enough of a mind left to consider himself he’d be horrified. He wasn’t a puppet. He was a Tabris, and more importantly a Warden. He knew what the song meant. He knew it wasn’t right and he vaguely remembered the face behind it. Grotesque, and misshapen, red clinging to it like a disease.

He liked keeping Valek nearby, but not always with him. He considered Valek too useful of a tool to risk him being found. He sent him to places when he needed a messenger who could instill fear, or of course if he needed someone taken care of. Despite his lack of free will, Valek was still a master assassin. The fact that he was a warden just meant he was more easily controlled. His new master liked that.

[bladesbooksandballs-blog]

|==>

Mercia had been on the road for a long time now, she had nearly lost count of the days. She wasn’t quite sure Amaranthine would stay standing without her, but the rest of the Wardens that weren’t either at Adamant or Amaranthine needed to be warned; and she would be damned if she would let them all go of and die just because one of her other Commanders was Voidbent on making the single most idiotic decision Mercia had ever heard of.

Though with as spread to the winds as Wardens oft were, she wasn’t having much luck. She had debated on heading to Orzammar’s gates, but she hadn’t turned that way just yet. And judging by the placement of the sun on the horizon, she didn’t have time to start heading there now. So she made to slow her horse and set up camp.

And that’s when she noticed the familiar flicker of a fire not far from where she sat astride. Carefully, she had her horse pick his way through the underbrush, until she was close enough to see who was sitting at the fireside. Perhaps they shared a destination.

Imagine her surprise when: “Valek?!”

[astudyinpoison]

Valek’s blue eyes snapped open, like he had been startled out of a light sleep. For a moment he seemed confused, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the campfire like. “Mercia?” He hadn’t realized she’d be in the area. Last he had heard she was traveling. He moved to stand, to greet her. There was something off about her mannerisms, something that only someone who knew him would notice. He hadn’t grabbed for his weapons when startled, his eyes seemed unfocused, as though he was looking straight past her. Even the way he held himself had changed ever so slightly.

“What are you doing in the area? Last I heard you were still searching for the cure.” He asked, leaning against the tree he had been sitting next to. He seemed relaxed, which was different for Valek. He was always alert, always aware of his surroundings. It’s what made him such a good assassin. But now he seemed slowed, like his mind had been muddled by something.

[astudyinpoison]

Let The Monster Rise | @bladesbooksandballs CLOSED

It was hard to focus. The song was too loud, too beautiful, to not to pay attention to it. Some days it was easier. Those days were the worst of all. The days when he could focus on what he had done, why it was wrong, what it all meant. The days when he knew he was a puppet, he was being used. It was easier to just fall into the steps, follow the song, do as it wishes. 

Today was not one of those days. Today the song was loud, filling every space in his mind, causing him to hum softly as he sat waiting for his orders. Had he enough of a mind left to consider himself he’d be horrified. He wasn’t a puppet. He was a Tabris, and more importantly a Warden. He knew what the song meant. He knew it wasn’t right and he vaguely remembered the face behind it. Grotesque, and misshapen, red clinging to it like a disease.

He liked keeping Valek nearby, but not always with him. He considered Valek too useful of a tool to risk him being found. He sent him to places when he needed a messenger who could instill fear, or of course if he needed someone taken care of. Despite his lack of free will, Valek was still a master assassin. The fact that he was a warden just meant he was more easily controlled. His new master liked that.

[astudyinpoison]

Hush

18. “I’m just really tired.”

“Do not worry about me, Commander. It was just a moment of weakness.” He told her, wiping his tears. “I won’t let it happen again.” It was easy for him to forget that Mercia was his Commander, not just his friend. He was supposed to be stronger than this for her. He didn’t have the luxury of being soft.

[bladesbooksandballs-blog]

astudyinpoison:

He wavered for a moment, wondering if it could truly be that easy. Part of him wanted to, wanted to take comfort in another person. But still, another part of him, the loudest part, was screaming at him to run away from this. And yet, with her this close to him, hand on his cheek-

Before he could stop himself, or even realize what his impulses were doing, he closed the space between them and pulled her into a kiss that didn’t last nearly long enough. As soon as he realized what he did he pulled away, back up a few steps with a look that was mixed between fear and guilt. 

He shouldn’t have done that.

He was almost glad he did that.

|==>

Her heart stopped dead when he pulled her close, his lips on hers. Before she could react; however, he had pulled away and taken a few steps back. That had felt….better than it should have. She debated pulling him back, but he was her subordinate- her spymaster… She couldn’t be-…! He was more than that. He was her friend. The two had survived the Blight together…they were far closer than spymaster and commander.

He was an elf. That thought lingered. But they were both Grey Wardens, she argued with herself further. She was no longer nobility. It didn’t matter who she fell in love with now…. So she reached out again, taking him by the hand and pulling him back, pressing their lips together again.

Maker, she shouldn’t be doing this. But the longer she held it, the less she found herself caring. Her free hand once again reached up to cup Valek’s cheek, pulling him closer still.

[astudyinpoison]

He leaned into the kiss, unable to stop the impulse, only to pull away a few moments later. This was a mistake. This shouldn’t be happening. And yet he found himself enjoying it. He enjoyed the feeling of her skin against his own, and it was amazing how easy it was.

“It seems I must apologize again.” He muttered, stepping away. “I acted on impulse. It won’t happen again.” He wanted it to though. He couldn’t meet her eye.

[astudyinpoison]

Hush

18. “I’m just really tired.”

“Do not worry about me, Commander. It was just a moment of weakness.” He told her, wiping his tears. “I won’t let it happen again.” It was easy for him to forget that Mercia was his Commander, not just his friend. He was supposed to be stronger than this for her. He didn’t have the luxury of being soft.

[bladesbooksandballs-blog]

astudyinpoison:

Let some of it out? Easier said than done. He had tried his usual calming activities, his carvings, working out, studying. None of it was helping. He was afraid he was getting to that breaking point Mercia was so afraid of. The last thing he wanted to do was to put her through that.

He put another wall up, hoping to hide his emotions better. “I’m fine, Mercia. Don’t worry about me.”

|==>

She saw that wall go up. She knew it wouldn’t help him in the slightest, but at the same time…. If she tore it down, there was no telling what would happen. Reaching out, a careful hand found the side of his face. “Valek…” Her voice was softer than she should have let it be. It wasn’t the tone one would take with a subordinate. It was barely one that should be taken with a friend. “Let me in… Please.” There was a slight waver to her tone, though she did her best ti hide it. She was terrified for her friend. She didn’t want to lose him to anything…least of all himself.

[astudyinpoison]

He wavered for a moment, wondering if it could truly be that easy. Part of him wanted to, wanted to take comfort in another person. But still, another part of him, the loudest part, was screaming at him to run away from this. And yet, with her this close to him, hand on his cheek-

Before he could stop himself, or even realize what his impulses were doing, he closed the space between them and pulled her into a kiss that didn’t last nearly long enough. As soon as he realized what he did he pulled away, back up a few steps with a look that was mixed between fear and guilt. 

He shouldn’t have done that.

He was almost glad he did that.

[astudyinpoison]

Hush

18. “I’m just really tired.”

“Do not worry about me, Commander. It was just a moment of weakness.” He told her, wiping his tears. “I won’t let it happen again.” It was easy for him to forget that Mercia was his Commander, not just his friend. He was supposed to be stronger than this for her. He didn’t have the luxury of being soft.

[bladesbooksandballs-blog]

astudyinpoison:

He paused for a moment, enjoying her warmth despite himself, before forcing himself pulling away and standing up. “It’s not that simple.” Hasn’t been in years. “I can’t just show emotion like a normal person, Mercia.” He was an assassin, a spy, he needed to be able to put a wall between himself and his emotions, lest they cause problems.

|==>

“You’re right, it’s not.” Merica sighed, watching him. “But bottling them up and pretending they don’t exist at all isn’t any better. You know that.” She  rose as well, moving to stand at his side, her hand placing itself on his shoulder. “You have to find a way to let some of this out, even if it isn’t the way most would call ‘normal’. Otherwise this is going to eat at you from the inside out until you break.” Her voice grew quieter as she finished. “And I’m not sure I can watch that.”

[astudyinpoison]

Let some of it out? Easier said than done. He had tried his usual calming activities, his carvings, working out, studying. None of it was helping. He was afraid he was getting to that breaking point Mercia was so afraid of. The last thing he wanted to do was to put her through that.

He put another wall up, hoping to hide his emotions better. “I’m fine, Mercia. Don’t worry about me.”

[prodiitus]

                                              ʟ ᴏ ᴏ ᴋ   ιη тнε  ᴍ ɪ ʀ ʀ ᴏ ʀ                                               ᴡ ʜ ᴀ ᴛ    ∂σ үσυ     s ᴇ ᴇ ?                                                                   •                                               ａ              ｍｏｎｓｔｅｒ                                               ａ          ｍｕｒｄｅｒｅｒ                                               it’s  ᴀ ʟ ʟ  you’ll   ᴇ ᴠ ᴇ ʀ  be

[astudyinpoison]

Hush

18. “I’m just really tired.”

“Do not worry about me, Commander. It was just a moment of weakness.” He told her, wiping his tears. “I won’t let it happen again.” It was easy for him to forget that Mercia was his Commander, not just his friend. He was supposed to be stronger than this for her. He didn’t have the luxury of being soft.

[bladesbooksandballs-blog]

astudyinpoison:

The Blight. Funny she should mention that. He still has nightmares, not just of the Darkspawn but also of the amount of death and destruction they caused. He still wasn’t sure he could get the smell of burning corpses out of his nose. “I’m fine, Mercia.” He lied again. Just another nightmare, another too real nightmare. “I can still function just fine.” He needed to be fine. He needed to block that emotion out otherwise he couldn’t get his job done, otherwise he’d still see all the ones they couldn’t save, all the faces in Lothering, and Redcliffe, and Denerim. Ostagar.

|==>

“If you’re like this when I come to check on you, you clearly can’t function fine.” The mention of the nightmare made her nod. “I see.” She pulled on him, dragging him into an actual hug. “Come here, you….” Green eyes closed against his shoulder, fingers curling into fabric. “You can not be okay for five minutes. It won’t kill you. It might actually help you.”

[astudyinpoison]

He paused for a moment, enjoying her warmth despite himself, before forcing himself pulling away and standing up. “It’s not that simple.” Hasn’t been in years. “I can’t just show emotion like a normal person, Mercia.” He was an assassin, a spy, he needed to be able to put a wall between himself and his emotions, lest they cause problems.

[bladesbooksandballs-blog]

Idle Minds || astudyinpoison

[bladesbooksandballs-blog]

“I’m an elf, Mercia.” He nearly scoffed. “I had never been out of Denerim before being conscripted into the Wardens.” He’d make a joke about it but could tell this wasn’t the time. So what about Highever was upsetting her now?

“If you need to talk about it I’m all ears.” Not that he intended the pun but oh well there it was. Still, it wouldn’t do any of them any good to have her be this upset and distracted. Especially when she was on watch.

Was that the only reason though? It was easy to explain it away like that, like it was a purely professional concern. However, it was hard to not become friends after what they had been through. The last wardens on Thedas. The only people standing between the Blight and everyone else. It was hard to imagine that it was just the two of them but here they were.

|==>

Mercia gave a soft sigh, eyes closing. “The entire noble line of Highever has been murdered…. Well,” she added with a bitter chuckle. “Almost all the noble line.” She shook her head. “The last I ever saw of my parents, they were buying Duncan and I time to escape Highever Castle so someone could spread word of the treachery of Arl Howe.”

Mercia shook her head, that night burning in her mind, bright as the fire that seemed so far away and all too close, all at once. “The castle was on fire. My Sister-in-law and my nephew were murdered in their beds. And I only barely made it out, even with my parents and Duncan’s help.”

Another soft sigh left her lips. “It is…around the time it happened last year. That’s probably why it is hitting me so hard tonight.” A hand carded through raven hair. “I shouldn’t let it distract me so….I apologize.”

[astudyinpoison]

Valek sat in silence, taking it in. He had no idea she was nobility and yet...it made sense. The way she talked, carried herself, the combat training she had. It made a lot of sense now that he thought about it. “It isn’t unusual to mourn the lose of your family. From the sounds of it you barely had time to mourn them.” 

He could almost understand the feeling, though the hurt he had felt before joining the wardens wasn’t anywhere near hers. He had lost a parent before however, and family members lost to the treachery of others. “If you want I can take watch from here, let you get some rest.”

[astudyinpoison]

Hush

18. “I’m just really tired.”

“Do not worry about me, Commander. It was just a moment of weakness.” He told her, wiping his tears. “I won’t let it happen again.” It was easy for him to forget that Mercia was his Commander, not just his friend. He was supposed to be stronger than this for her. He didn’t have the luxury of being soft.

[bladesbooksandballs-blog]

astudyinpoison:

“I need to be.” Emotions like this just got in the way of the job. He had made the decision to be devoted purely to the job years ago. She was his Commander, he her spy master. It wasn’t her job to make sure he was alright.

|==>

“You can’t be.” She gave him a gentle squeeze. “As your Commander, it’s my job to ensure that everyone under my command is functioning at their highest capability.” Her free hand went to turn his face to look at him. “And as a friend, it’s my job to make sure that you’re alright. I’m not just your boss, remember? Not everyone went through the Blight with us.”

[astudyinpoison]

The Blight. Funny she should mention that. He still has nightmares, not just of the Darkspawn but also of the amount of death and destruction they caused. He still wasn’t sure he could get the smell of burning corpses out of his nose. “I’m fine, Mercia.” He lied again. Just another nightmare, another too real nightmare. “I can still function just fine.” He needed to be fine. He needed to block that emotion out otherwise he couldn’t get his job done, otherwise he’d still see all the ones they couldn’t save, all the faces in Lothering, and Redcliffe, and Denerim. Ostagar.

[astudyinpoison]

Hush

18. “I’m just really tired.”

“Do not worry about me, Commander. It was just a moment of weakness.” He told her, wiping his tears. “I won’t let it happen again.” It was easy for him to forget that Mercia was his Commander, not just his friend. He was supposed to be stronger than this for her. He didn’t have the luxury of being soft.

[bladesbooksandballs-blog]

|==>

“Valek…” Her tone was soft, gentle as she sat on the edge of his bed. “It’s alright to show that weakness, you know.” She let an arm fall around his shoulders, pulling her spymaster into a hug. “Nobody can be strong all the time.” And did she ever find that one out the hard way. “What’s got you so troubled, my friend?”

[astudyinpoison]

“I need to be.” Emotions like this just got in the way of the job. He had made the decision to be devoted purely to the job years ago. She was his Commander, he her spy master. It wasn’t her job to make sure he was alright.