IT DOESN’T DISTRESS HER THAT HE’S IN HER PERSONAL BUBBLE, that he’s invaded her space. it actually feels quite comforting. feels inclined to lean her head against his shoulder, but she won’t. that’d just be odd, even for her. a brow raises as he speaks, humming softly as she does so. she watches him carefully, head canting as she notices the way he’s trying to avoid looking at her. makes no comment on it, just stares off into the distance, waiting for him to finish speaking. “ well, i can tell you one thing. you’re still you without him. same old annoying, arrogant, fuck boy mbege as usual. just without murphy to back up your usual bullshit. “ she smirks, looking over at him, punching him lightly on the arm. it’s a miracle how she’s managing to stay so friendly, after what he’d been doing. “ it is. but, he’ll forgive you, eventually. “
same old annoying, arrogant, fuckboy mbege. she means it as a compliment, and the corners of his lips curve upwards in response to her comment as he pulls up some grass and throws it ahead of him, but that’s not him. murphy’s the only one that knows that; the only one he’s ever opened up to before, and it's always felt as if he’s known him his entire life. ‘ yeah, ’ mbege murmurs in response, swallowing thickly as a weight sinks in his chest. he likes to think that murphy can’t be mad at him forever, but he’s seen the way he looks at darcy. NONETHELESS, mbege’s gaze meets octavia’s features, glancing between her eyes and lips, just before he changes the subject. shit, she’s beautiful. ‘ i never thought i’d be talking to you about this, you know. ’ and yet... despite not having murphy, something tells him that himself and octavia aren’t in very differing circumstances. being the daughter of a war god who frowns upon weakness must not be easy.