[And Kratos knows, they both know, that Yuan will never ask. But: Kratos has already decided it doesn't matter. Like the volunteering of information, if Yuan is to have it, it must not way for Yuan's words. Kratos saw the look on his face, the yearning. It must be given, with asking or without.
[But for now the conversation is over, and the day is significantly bettered from the previous, even this early in it; and the talk had given the heatpack time to work. Kratos is able to rise and limp about to begin their day as is his current duty.
[Lieutenant An-Lin, at least, seems to have noticed changes; her eyes flicker between them when she comes to deliver reports, and some of the tension leaves. Kratos doesn't know what she was thinking; her equanimity rather gives him some wry understanding of how people take to him. But it's clear she's noticed the differences.
[So the day passes; and they reach the ford mid-morning the day after, and Kratos is acutely aware of what he had cautioned. The regiment, when the scouts bring back news of shallow water, is already lightening with the assumption they can finally move forward. Lieutenant An-Lin, when she comes with reports from the leading battalion that they've reached the shoals, certainly has an air of expectation that she may relay orders to proceed. The ground is damp enough that waiting for them all to arrive before they cross is sure to turn messy.
[Kratos keeps his face lowered, but his eyes are on Yuan through the curtain of his bangs, and his jaw is tight.]
no subject
[And Kratos knows, they both know, that Yuan will never ask. But: Kratos has already decided it doesn't matter. Like the volunteering of information, if Yuan is to have it, it must not way for Yuan's words. Kratos saw the look on his face, the yearning. It must be given, with asking or without.
[But for now the conversation is over, and the day is significantly bettered from the previous, even this early in it; and the talk had given the heatpack time to work. Kratos is able to rise and limp about to begin their day as is his current duty.
[Lieutenant An-Lin, at least, seems to have noticed changes; her eyes flicker between them when she comes to deliver reports, and some of the tension leaves. Kratos doesn't know what she was thinking; her equanimity rather gives him some wry understanding of how people take to him. But it's clear she's noticed the differences.
[So the day passes; and they reach the ford mid-morning the day after, and Kratos is acutely aware of what he had cautioned. The regiment, when the scouts bring back news of shallow water, is already lightening with the assumption they can finally move forward. Lieutenant An-Lin, when she comes with reports from the leading battalion that they've reached the shoals, certainly has an air of expectation that she may relay orders to proceed. The ground is damp enough that waiting for them all to arrive before they cross is sure to turn messy.
[Kratos keeps his face lowered, but his eyes are on Yuan through the curtain of his bangs, and his jaw is tight.]