He can see her looking at him, from the corner of his eye. It is an intense gaze that drives him to want to fidget, to brace himself. For sharp words, or a rejection, for something that makes sense.
An out, a measure of understanding, is not at all what he expected. It inspires a dangerous amount of affection in him. Sure, she mocks him, but she should not tease and smile like that. Should not play games. She should get far, far away from him. "You are right, once again."
In spite of himself, he smiles as well. A warm, boyish thing that dimples one cheek and crinkles at his eyes. Éowyn tosses her hair like a mare herself, her smile so achingly human and free. He could deny her nothing she requested, he realizes, and he would be horrified by that if he had any surprise in him for it. Perhaps part of him foolishly thinks this could be a safe infatuation, a courtly thing that Éowyn in her wisdom would never let become anything more. Even as he thinks it, is partly convinced of it by his own self-deprecation, he thinks of the double-speak and knows that it isn't quite true.
"I never turn a fair challenge. On your mark, my lady."
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sforzinda
no subject
Date: 2023-01-15 01:40 am (UTC)He can see her looking at him, from the corner of his eye. It is an intense gaze that drives him to want to fidget, to brace himself. For sharp words, or a rejection, for something that makes sense.
An out, a measure of understanding, is not at all what he expected. It inspires a dangerous amount of affection in him. Sure, she mocks him, but she should not tease and smile like that. Should not play games. She should get far, far away from him. "You are right, once again."
In spite of himself, he smiles as well. A warm, boyish thing that dimples one cheek and crinkles at his eyes. Éowyn tosses her hair like a mare herself, her smile so achingly human and free. He could deny her nothing she requested, he realizes, and he would be horrified by that if he had any surprise in him for it. Perhaps part of him foolishly thinks this could be a safe infatuation, a courtly thing that Éowyn in her wisdom would never let become anything more. Even as he thinks it, is partly convinced of it by his own self-deprecation, he thinks of the double-speak and knows that it isn't quite true.
"I never turn a fair challenge. On your mark, my lady."