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[evocation]

This is Kyna. You should just text me if you actually want me to answer.

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[hardwearing]

No, I meant... it's just been a long time since I've actually been in a position to do something about being flirted with. Some of the recruits on Chorus seem interested but it wouldn't be right.

And even when it was appropriate, I've never been very good about flirting back.

[ He's not smooth. He'd always gotten flustered like this. ]

[evocation]

It's okay.

[She leans up, lips pressing against his for a moment.]

You're doing fine with me.

[hardwearing]

[ He could argue that, seeing as she's had to take the lead at practically every turn, but it's much more fun to just dip his head and kiss her properly. ]

I think I'm getting the hang of it.

[evocation]

[Kyna steals another kiss and then grins up at him.]

So which of your recruits were hitting on you?

[hardwearing]

It doesn't matter, I think I drilled the interest out of most of them.

...training drills, I mean.

[evocation]

Why? Are you brutal or something?

[hardwearing]

Yes.

I don't ask for anything they can't do, but I push them hard. Every soldier has to break, to overcome the civilian mindset.

[evocation]

[Huh. Okay. Kyna frowns a little, thoughtfully.]

What's the civilian mindset?

[hardwearing]

A civilian chooses to do things. If they're tired of running, they can stop.

A soldier can't ever quit. They have to dig deeper, push to the limit and then find a way to keep going. Not just because they've been given an order, but because everyone else's survival might depend on theirs someday.

[evocation]

Jesus, that's intense.

[And suddenly, she thinks she understands a lot of his habits much better.]

We're not at war or anything. You can go easier on yourself.

[hardwearing]

Kyna. What about current events makes you think this is a good time to slack off?

[evocation]

I didn't say slack off. God. I mean you don't have to act like... I don't know. Like if you're not all wound up every second that something awful is going to happen. Don't you get exhausted?

[hardwearing]

...yes.

[ He is very tired. But he also honestly doesn't know how to stop. ]

I've never been wrong before, though. Something awful always happens.

[evocation]

Bad shit happens here every month. Do you just want to sit around in the time in between and wait for it and not do anything for yourself?

[hardwearing]

What could I do for myself?

[evocation]

I don't know. Try to have more fun.

[She bumps her nose against his, playful.]

Sleep in with me tomorrow. Trust me, it's awesome.

[hardwearing]

[ He quirks an eyebrow at that, trying to put together the two statements. ]

You think sleeping is fun?

[evocation]

Sleeping is awesome.

[Duh, Wash.]

Staying in bed with me is even better.

[hardwearing]

[ Sleeping is when you're in the most danger. The most vulnerable to attack. And you don't remember it, anyway? Wash doesn't sleep enough, plagued by nightmares... it's clear on his face that he disagrees with her assessment of how awesome it is. ]

Staying in bed with you, I could get behind. [ Except it'd be way more fun if her ribs weren't broken. Which reminds him of what he'd been trying to do before she'd latched on. ] Are you gonna let me call for a healer or not?

[evocation]

Don't get grumpy.

[She finally untangles herself from him.]

We're gonna do it, and you can't complain.

[hardwearing]

You've never seen me grumpy.

[ He lifts his phone and scrolls through the directory, trying to remember the name of the kid he saw at the clinic when he got burned. Maybe he can recommend a healer. ]

[evocation]

[Kyna smiles, sitting back down on the bed as carefully as possible.]

Lucky me.

[hardwearing]

[ Good girl. Settle down, and he'll get somebody here.

In the end the name that he sees on the list first is Jo's, the woman who helped after Ephemera shot him. And she's able to give him the name of an actual healer, who Wash contacts next -- and he makes house calls. Good. He gives his address and hangs up, looking back at Kyna. ]

See? You don't have to go anywhere.

[evocation]

My hero.

[She shoots him a grateful smile.]

Thanks.

[hardwearing]

Yeah, well. I can't believe I had to bully you into a healing -- that shit's amazing.

[ It won't be long before there's a knock on the door. ]