Nothing But, Partner to LupineBridge

He was explaining some minute bit of himself to her. Something he knew, that she knew. He considered mentioning to her that at times like these his mouth seemed to speak of its own accord, so that he could hone his thoughts and senses on her. Even when wounded, or in battle, all he could think about was her hand in his, her presence near his own. She must be upset with him, or something. Joe could tell when something was wrong with Serci, and her pretending to have amnesia was very wrong indeed. But he had already resolved to let her have her fun at his expense. He would take it like a man, as they said. Joe was never quite sure who they were, but he was sure that if he let his mind wander on tangents like he usually did, he’d miss something important.

He decided maybe she needed to know he was safe, so he raised his gauntlet and clenched his fist just so. A projectile (really just a shortened crossbow bolt) fired from the top of the gauntlet and shot past a deer and into the forest. Well, that plan was a wash. She’d think he was incompetent, now. He managed to stutter out an explanation about targeting systems, ignoring the fact that he lacked any ability to aim anything. Ever.

She had tossed him the skinning knife again, pointing at one of the deer she had killed. She always made it look effortless. Serci made everything look effortless. He missed that about her. There were times in their childhood that Joe could still remember. Serci would jump over a creek, or clamber quickly up a tree, or run tirelessly. Her energy alone inspired him to try it with her. He always failed catastrophically. But she was always there to pull him out of the river, or give him a leg up into a tree. Except…

He was going off on tangents again. Joe shook his head slightly, and held up the pelt he hoped desperately was worthy. She smiled at him. Maybe she didn’t think he could see it from under the hood, but he could never miss that smile. Here was the grin, slightly favoring the right as Joe well knew, that had inspired a thousand of his inventions, including the suit. This was the grin that Joe rose for every morning, and stood to fight for every day. He resolved, then, to stand with her forever, whether she acknowledged him or not, and fight the world itself if need be, to see that smile again.

“Where to now?” he hoped it would be somewhere nice. Somewhere, maybe, that wasn’t an inn where she’d be awkward and uncomfortable. He liked seeing her in her element.

“A foraging spot, just over here,” Night was falling, and if she meant to keep foraging, they would have to sleep under the stars. It had been ages since the last time, and Joe’s heart swelled anew.