[ roy loves chess because it involves strategy, thinking twelve steps ahead in order to secure an outcome. he is a tactician, a brilliant field soldier, and good at manuveuring troops along the battlefield. but there is always the moment of thrill, at a risky move, as you wait to see how the chips fall. and that is how this feels -- the prickling of adrenaline, of nerves, of wondering what is going to happen.
and then she continues to talk, to stammer her way through her thoughts. it's not an immediate rejection, and she's clearly . . . surprised, which isn't necessarily a surprise to him. roy has spent quite a lot of his career drawing a firm line between him and his subordinates -- one, because it's appropriate, and two, because the comments about his relationship with riza are relentless. and roy always shuts them down immediately, but he hasn't exactly made his feelings known. especially to her.
but when she doesn't look at him, his confidence falters. why isn't she looking at him? the line has already been crossed, and it isn't as if he can take it back. and he's about to apologize, to tell her to forget it, and that it had been a stupid thing to say before she says . . . i think i would. ]
You think. You can't let me have one easy victory, can you?
[ he repeats, with half a laugh, and a roll of his eyes, his tone shifting into a familiar mock insult, as he closes the distance to a familiar foot or so, sliding his hands into the pockets of his coat, amused . . . even if his expression is a little bit miffed.
still. a yes, was a yes. even if it was a temporary yes. a promise for when they get the hell out of here. and, now that that secret is finally off of his chest, the tension in his shoulders seems to lighten by at least a few inches. and, realizing that he hasn't actually secured it, yet, he continues to speak. his tone dry, purposeful. ]
I'll hedge my bets, pray you aren't armed, and say that I am, then.
[ another joke. riza is alwyas armed. but she would only shoot him in a very specific, limited scenario, and roy is pretty sure he hasn't totally lost his mind. hopefully. ]
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and then she continues to talk, to stammer her way through her thoughts. it's not an immediate rejection, and she's clearly . . . surprised, which isn't necessarily a surprise to him. roy has spent quite a lot of his career drawing a firm line between him and his subordinates -- one, because it's appropriate, and two, because the comments about his relationship with riza are relentless. and roy always shuts them down immediately, but he hasn't exactly made his feelings known. especially to her.
but when she doesn't look at him, his confidence falters. why isn't she looking at him? the line has already been crossed, and it isn't as if he can take it back. and he's about to apologize, to tell her to forget it, and that it had been a stupid thing to say before she says . . . i think i would. ]
You think. You can't let me have one easy victory, can you?
[ he repeats, with half a laugh, and a roll of his eyes, his tone shifting into a familiar mock insult, as he closes the distance to a familiar foot or so, sliding his hands into the pockets of his coat, amused . . . even if his expression is a little bit miffed.
still. a yes, was a yes. even if it was a temporary yes. a promise for when they get the hell out of here. and, now that that secret is finally off of his chest, the tension in his shoulders seems to lighten by at least a few inches. and, realizing that he hasn't actually secured it, yet, he continues to speak. his tone dry, purposeful. ]
I'll hedge my bets, pray you aren't armed, and say that I am, then.
[ another joke. riza is alwyas armed. but she would only shoot him in a very specific, limited scenario, and roy is pretty sure he hasn't totally lost his mind. hopefully. ]