Qeya River šest

A seed of doubt was planted in his mind. Her gaze fell, and with it his conviction. Like a lighter stuffed too hastily into a pocket after lighting a cigarette, he felt the question he’d wanted to ask burned, now, as he tried to tuck it away. 

She seemed prepared to assimilate to this way of life- as was he, in truth- all aspects of the structured, nomadic lifestyle both appealed to him and suited him- but he resented the cost of Ash Star’s life. It felt wrong to accept the changes, and he warred with himself every time he found himself curious or appreciative of their newfound circumstance.

I’m not really worried about myself…Other than, yeah, the….random totally unfounded intrusive thought that Grey Face might kill me while we’re away…I’m worried about you. He confessed. And it’s not like…I don’t think you can take care of yourself, it’s just…Him. I dunno if he’ll…I dunno. While I’m gone, I just… He held his breath for a beat. I find myself wondering if you’d be safer, while I’m gone, if- He paused again. Because he made a point of mentioning marriage and so, like, maybe it’s something he’d actually respect but if- he’d sped up again. He forced himself to stop, and felt how tense his shoulders had become. He tried to shrug the tension out, but couldn’t manage it. 

Maybe you’d be safer if we got like….Married, maybe he’d…Maybe he’d just…I dunno. 

His well-intended proposition turned into the most awkward proposal he could have managed.