[He knows that he doesn't think of it that way, chiefly because he refuses to look at anyone in that light. She's getting more attached than he would advise, but it's also true that she'll keep his loyalty for as long as she carries her share of the weight. Rufus closes his eyes.]
. . . I prefer to maintain a professional relationship.
[ she's not that naive. Still, it doesn't seem to bother her too much - perhaps because she saw it coming. ]
Too bad there's nothing you can do about my preferences.
[ she thinks of him as a friend, and that's all there is to it. ]
... I'll keep doing what I have to do, too. But I'm done killing things - except maybe that monster everyone's talking about. That's what I'm going to focus on from here on out.
[Setting their previous topic aside, he gives her his blessing to focus on the monster. It's not like that isn't a priority. In fact, the disruption technically makes the top of the list.]
Please keep me apprised of news regarding the disruption.
[ she doesn't need his approval, but it feels nice to have it regardless. ]
You know I will. That's our deal, right?
[ despite her earlier comment, she plays along with the role he's given her - exactly because she likes him. finally, she offers a little smile, then shakes her head. ]
I'm not thinking too hard about it. Just a little bit.
[ though she knows the reason behind his cool mien is that he's been through the wringer and had most of his capacity for caring squeezed out of him. she can't be all that jealous. ]
It's all right. I'm not going to change. I think I've already changed enough lately.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
. . . I prefer to maintain a professional relationship.
no subject
[ she's not that naive. Still, it doesn't seem to bother her too much - perhaps because she saw it coming. ]
Too bad there's nothing you can do about my preferences.
[ she thinks of him as a friend, and that's all there is to it. ]
... I'll keep doing what I have to do, too. But I'm done killing things - except maybe that monster everyone's talking about. That's what I'm going to focus on from here on out.
no subject
[Setting their previous topic aside, he gives her his blessing to focus on the monster. It's not like that isn't a priority. In fact, the disruption technically makes the top of the list.]
Please keep me apprised of news regarding the disruption.
no subject
You know I will. That's our deal, right?
[ despite her earlier comment, she plays along with the role he's given her - exactly because she likes him. finally, she offers a little smile, then shakes her head. ]
... I'm jealous of you, you know.
no subject
no subject
You're so calm and collected about all of this. I wish that I could be.
[ but she can't stop herself from speaking out, or trying to fight back - it's the way she's always been. ]
no subject
no subject
[ though she knows the reason behind his cool mien is that he's been through the wringer and had most of his capacity for caring squeezed out of him. she can't be all that jealous. ]
It's all right. I'm not going to change. I think I've already changed enough lately.
no subject