#yinmi

safety   rested   in   the   shadows,   in   the   dark,   in   the   absence   of   others   and   far   away   from   observant   eyes,   where   he   could   think   at   his   own   pace   and   watch   over   those   he   sought   to   protect.

that   said,   there   were   less   permanent   or   complete   solutions   to   achieve   a   similar   semblance   of   security.   abandoned   buildings   were   far   from   ideal,   but   they   typically   weren't   frequented   by   those   they   may   seek   to   evade.   a   cautionary   glance   was   cast   just   outside   the   cracked   remnants   of   a   window,   scrutinising   the   area   for   a   moment.

❛    safe   enough,   ❜   he   affirmed.   ❛    being   found   hiding   away   here   would   draw   suspicion,   however.   we   shouldn't   linger.   ❜

do the gods love? the immediate response is yes, of course, but it isn’t the same, is it? a god’s love could be genuine. a god’s love could also be as deep as the skin, and how would they know? devotion can blind you. 

“ i don’t know. ” it feels wrong on their tongue. “ i think they could. i think some might, but would it be shared in the way we expect ? ” that’s better, and the answer is completed with a one-shoulder shrug.

they can bask in the height of a summer sun and feel lathander’s love, but he isn’t as. . . withdrawn as others. 

hells, they’re the wrong person to turn to. he should have found a priest, or a cleric that isn’t stumbling through the dark. 

shipping meme!

she’s well aware of the fact that she shouldn’t be here ----- the hour is far too late for her to be anywhere else than home and asleep ( though even that is a bit of a stretch; she’s never been all that good at keeping anything close to a respectable sleep schedule ). and while being awake this late ( or is it early? it’s so much closer now to the morning than it is the beginning of the evening ) is one thing, being out walking while fully knowing the dangers that come along with it is something else entirely.

then, of course, there’s the fact she’s out walking about with him ---- an act that otherwise would seem so simple and mundane. but odd times like these, under the cover of darkness, are the ones that make it possible. but if losing sleep she already didn’t anticipate getting is the price to pay, it’s always going to be worth it.

even if it’s just the two of them walking in mostly silence like this; close but never close enough. ( certainly not as close as she would like ---- but that’s just another precaution. ) but it dosen’t mean she isn’t tempted; every now and then when she feels his arm brush against hers, and her fingers spread slightly, hoping to accidentally catch his hand. ( she almost hooks his pinky once; and she almost feels silly for the way she clicks her tongue at the missed opportunity. )

“how long do i have you for tonight? before you have to get back?” before she has to start thinking about getting back too.

they   could   agree   on   that,   he   thought.   where   possible,   the   general,   too,   preferred   to   avoid   needless   loss,   after   all.   that   curious   assassin   was   certainly   no   exception,   though   his   words   did   draw   a   softly   amused   smile   to   his   features.

" you are quite possibly the biggest liability known to man. "

and yet, the answer isn't no. but the scrutiny of their sharp gaze in the silence that follows implies they're very much tempted to say so. adrian isn't one to turn away anyone who asks for help or a place to stay though, and maybe sampo knew just that.

arms cross, but the intensity of their gaze begins to soften. " . . . the couch isn't necessary. there are plenty of rooms. however ⸺ what's in it for me, mr. koski? "