𝄃𝄃𝄂𝄂𝄀𝄁𝄃𝄂𝄂𝄃 ˃˃ 𝚃𝚁𝙰𝙽𝚂𝙼𝙸𝚂𝚂𝙸𝙾𝙽 _ 𝚆𝙰𝚁𝙻𝙾𝚁𝙳 & 𝙿𝙷𝙾𝙴𝙽𝙸𝚇 ˂˂ a low chuckle easily rumbled in saint's chest, rough and lazy, just enough to let phoenix know he was amused. " i'm always very well - behaved, agent. they wouldn't choose me to mentor those kids if i weren't, " he murmured, though the look in his eyes said otherwise⸻ a glint of mischief beneath the surface, like he was already picturing exactly how far he could push phoenix if they weren't standing in the goddamn medbay. and once the other man faced him again, saint's gaze dragged over the man with a slow, deliberate sweep, a trace of something far from professional lingering just behind that practiced, disciplined exterior. but he nodded, eventually. probably not the best idea to start something they couldn't finish here.
but saint let it go, for now, fully bringing his attention back to phoenix's assessment of the traitor in their midst, his expression settling into something more thoughtful. " good points, " he said after a moment of consideration, his voice dropping a notch lower. " but i wouldn't rule out the newer recruits just yet. some of these kids come from espionage backgrounds. cia, fbi, mi6. trained to lie through their teeth and make you believe every damn word. just 'cause they're fresh to atlantis don't mean they aren't capable of playing the long game. " he exhaled, gaze distant for a beat, mind drifting back to faces, dossiers, the subtle tells most overlooked. and it reminded him of his conversation with sherlock : how likely it really was that he inadvertently helped in training that mole be unstoppable. a pause, his jaw working slightly before he continued. and his brow furrowed slightly, lips pressing together in thought. " but you're probably right. it might just be someone who's been here long enough to be trusted, but not long enough to be completely loyal. "
the weight of his words lingered for a moment, the gravity of what they were dealing with settling heavy in the space between them. but saint, ever the soldier, didn't let it sit for long. his lips twitched, and that damnable smirk crawled back into place as he tilted his head, gray - blue eyes gleaming with something downright wicked. " and what's that, doc ? " his tone was all teasing drawl now, the shift so seamless it was almost unfair. " you wouldn't believe i was the traitor ? " a beat. then, softer, dripping with mock innocence, " that 'cause you trust me … or 'cause you're still hoping to get in my pants ? "
