For the scentence starters: āI see someoneās happy to see me.ā / Any sheep you want ( ͔° ĶŹ ͔°)
Iām in a Mitch mood, hope you can indulge me.
āI see someoneās happy to see me,ā Danse says. His responseis to Mitchās usual greeting-- a smile and tip of a salute.
Danseās own smile is lopsided with genuine warmth in itsexecution.
Mitch thinks this lad still hasnāt a clue. All the flirtingheās done all the innuendo thatās flown past this soldiers head. Heād had noreal trouble with this before, but then, heās never run into this type of soldierbefore. Sure, there were army types just like him, uptight and by the book, buteven they let their hair down now and again despite their crewcuts.
Mitch sits down on the bunk and rubs his eyes. The days arelong and they only seem to get longer for him, and yet another one withoutShaun. Given enough time, will his son even know him again?
Danseās smile drops. āIs everything-- okay?ā
Mitch canāt lie, canāt hide behind the faƧade of sarcasmthat he always does. Not this time.
āNo, itās not okay.ā He continues to rub his eyes and hisbrow. Ten years old. Thatās where it lead. Ten years and Mitch is not even theslightest prepared for the revelation. But he laughs at his own response.
Danse tilts his head Ā hissmile replaced with a contemplative glance. He sits down next to Mitch. Placinga palm on his back and pats. āThere, there.ā
Mitch takes his hand from his face and grabs Danseās chinand kisses him. He sits back and enjoyās the manās startled gaze. āThank youfor being so comforting, Paladin Danse.ā
One corner of Danseās mouth lifts and this time Mitchās eyesare doing the smiling. Maybe he does have a clue.