[ There's a few moments of quiet between them. Outside, he can hear the distant sounds of people shouting greetings as they head home, groups laughing together when they pass by the front of the warehouse. It's all muted, sound dropping off from both the distance and from the building blocking most of it. Part of him feels drowsy, the adrenaline having run its course and a week's worth of poor sleep starting to creep up on him.
Really, he wants nothing more than to curl up with Inej for the rest of the afternoon and take a nap. Wishful thinking, because he has things to finish. She can get some sleep, though, and probably should, judging from the circles under her eyes.
Her words cut through the peace though, shocking enough that he feels his temper spike. He curls his arm around her a little tighter, as if trying to ward away the memory. ]
What. [ Oh, he had plans to ruin Van Eck before. Now he wants to make him suffer the worst defeat. He'll be left with nothing once he's through. ]
[ sometimes, the tightness around her shoulders makes her feel anxious. but she just feels warm and safe, relaxing her hold on him a little as she makes herself comfortable. ]
He was tired of trying for emotional manipulation, so he decided to try a hammer instead.
[ it's said tiredly; no real stranger, to men abusing her, but something about the look in van eck's eyes had made her skin crawl uncomfortably. a terror that she hadn't felt in a long time had ripped through her spine at the thought of having her legs shattered.
but she feels none of that, now. ]
I made it, and so did you. [ she murmurs, resting her cheek against his chest, to listen to his heart. ] My legs are in one piece, so you arrived right on time.
[ Of course. Van Eck was no interrogator, even if his merch status meant he brokered plenty of trades and compromises. They were just two sides of the same coin. And despite Van Eck's wealth, he didn't have the terrifying reputation. Nor did he have enough leverage, apparently.
That isn't to discredit Inej's fortitude. He doesn't doubt that Van Eck had tried his best. Worst. Whichever. ]
I suppose. [ He's not convinced. Getting there right on time would have meant she never got to the part where Van Eck threatened to smash her legs. Still, he doesn't exactly feel like arguing, too grateful to have her back in one piece. Slowly, he drags a gloved hand down her back, hopefully as comforting to her as it is to him.
He'll get back to work in a minute. ]
I have to go by Sweet Reef. You should stay here and rest up. The next few days are going to be full.
[ that sounds . . . like the opposite of what she wants. both him leaving and the next few days being full. remaining still has made her realize how bone-tired she is. a good long sleep has been something she hasn't had in . . . well, more than a week, probably.
she gently squeezes her arms around his waist. ]
Shut your eyes for half an hour.
[ she murmurs, making herself comfortable, clearly preparing to do the same herself. ]
[ Normally, he can shrug off sleepiness. He's gotten good at convincing himself to keep going. Or to do the difficult things even if he didn't particularly want. Because the work had to be done, one way or another.
It's just...he hasn't seen her in a week, which felt more like a month. There'd been a gaping ache in his chest and too many nights of little to no sleep. Which should be normal but it's never been with this much stress.
So when she hugs him around the waist and asks him to stay, he finds it hard to refuse. Half an hour, that he can spare. It's still fairly bright out and he'll be able to see what he needs to see at Sweet Reef even if he waits a bit. ]
Alright. [ He sighs out a long breath, more tired than anything else, as he shifts his leg so it's at a more comfortable angle. ] Half an hour. Then I have to go.
[ she can feel him agree before he says the words, though she curls her fingers a little loosely into his coat, just in case he decides to change his mind. she considers saying something else, like acknowledging that she understand she has to go.
but inej decides going to sleep is a better use of her time than agreeing to something pointless.
so she relaxes fully against him, letting herself drift into a surprisingly peaceful sleep. content with the knowledge that he's here. and somewhat doubtful he would actually move her in half an hour. maybe she can silently convince him of an hour instead.
it's only a few more moments before she drops into a dead sleep. ]
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no subject
Really, he wants nothing more than to curl up with Inej for the rest of the afternoon and take a nap. Wishful thinking, because he has things to finish. She can get some sleep, though, and probably should, judging from the circles under her eyes.
Her words cut through the peace though, shocking enough that he feels his temper spike. He curls his arm around her a little tighter, as if trying to ward away the memory. ]
What. [ Oh, he had plans to ruin Van Eck before. Now he wants to make him suffer the worst defeat. He'll be left with nothing once he's through. ]
I should've gotten there sooner.
no subject
He was tired of trying for emotional manipulation, so he decided to try a hammer instead.
[ it's said tiredly; no real stranger, to men abusing her, but something about the look in van eck's eyes had made her skin crawl uncomfortably. a terror that she hadn't felt in a long time had ripped through her spine at the thought of having her legs shattered.
but she feels none of that, now. ]
I made it, and so did you. [ she murmurs, resting her cheek against his chest, to listen to his heart. ] My legs are in one piece, so you arrived right on time.
no subject
That isn't to discredit Inej's fortitude. He doesn't doubt that Van Eck had tried his best. Worst. Whichever. ]
I suppose. [ He's not convinced. Getting there right on time would have meant she never got to the part where Van Eck threatened to smash her legs. Still, he doesn't exactly feel like arguing, too grateful to have her back in one piece. Slowly, he drags a gloved hand down her back, hopefully as comforting to her as it is to him.
He'll get back to work in a minute. ]
I have to go by Sweet Reef. You should stay here and rest up. The next few days are going to be full.
no subject
she gently squeezes her arms around his waist. ]
Shut your eyes for half an hour.
[ she murmurs, making herself comfortable, clearly preparing to do the same herself. ]
Whatever you are scheming can wait half an hour.
no subject
It's just...he hasn't seen her in a week, which felt more like a month. There'd been a gaping ache in his chest and too many nights of little to no sleep. Which should be normal but it's never been with this much stress.
So when she hugs him around the waist and asks him to stay, he finds it hard to refuse. Half an hour, that he can spare. It's still fairly bright out and he'll be able to see what he needs to see at Sweet Reef even if he waits a bit. ]
Alright. [ He sighs out a long breath, more tired than anything else, as he shifts his leg so it's at a more comfortable angle. ] Half an hour. Then I have to go.
no subject
but inej decides going to sleep is a better use of her time than agreeing to something pointless.
so she relaxes fully against him, letting herself drift into a surprisingly peaceful sleep. content with the knowledge that he's here. and somewhat doubtful he would actually move her in half an hour. maybe she can silently convince him of an hour instead.
it's only a few more moments before she drops into a dead sleep. ]