"That you aren't." Is he repressing a smile? Barely, because he's teasing her and he's not sure if he should, but he's doing it anyway because his sense of self preservation has never been top notch.
Maybe that comment is exactly why he deserves stealth cauterisation, that earned a surprised, sharp intake of breath that almost sounds like a hiss. There's no reprimand, no explosive outburst, because he thinks he understands what she's doing - though whether it's being helpful and avoiding him tensing up, or just being a bit of a shit, he's not sure. Also seems apt enough for a politician, if he's being honest.
It takes only a couple of moments for him to relax after the sudden flame biting into his skin, and he releases the breath he's been holding slowly. "They're both pretty incendiary," Herc agrees, and the pun is not deliberate, though it does occur to him and he does roll his eyes at himself.
no subject
Maybe that comment is exactly why he deserves stealth cauterisation, that earned a surprised, sharp intake of breath that almost sounds like a hiss. There's no reprimand, no explosive outburst, because he thinks he understands what she's doing - though whether it's being helpful and avoiding him tensing up, or just being a bit of a shit, he's not sure. Also seems apt enough for a politician, if he's being honest.
It takes only a couple of moments for him to relax after the sudden flame biting into his skin, and he releases the breath he's been holding slowly. "They're both pretty incendiary," Herc agrees, and the pun is not deliberate, though it does occur to him and he does roll his eyes at himself.