[ Wash has honestly never been too proud. Confident, yes, though sometimes not even that -- in Freelancer that might've saved him, made him easier to overlook, and definitely made him a lot less susceptible to the Director's machinations. Among his friends he's endlessly self-deprecating, usually has them trying to build him up more than anything else, but Byerly is someone he holds at arm's length, and petty pride suits him fine, here.
It's a convenient opportunity for him to fill in more gaps in his head, Byerly no doubt knows that. He is good, wary and watchful if nothing else. Wash still remembers the way he'd moved in the alley, clean and efficient, practiced, trained. That laugh, though. That laugh's a little new. Wash might react with a flicker of his own smile. A hint of something just as off. ]
Beg for forgiveness loudly enough in the fight, and I'll hide you both behind me.
[ Despite the back and forth, he is agreeing to making sure Byerly will be unhurt. Still no agreement about Natasha, of course. ]
no subject
It's a convenient opportunity for him to fill in more gaps in his head, Byerly no doubt knows that. He is good, wary and watchful if nothing else. Wash still remembers the way he'd moved in the alley, clean and efficient, practiced, trained. That laugh, though. That laugh's a little new. Wash might react with a flicker of his own smile. A hint of something just as off. ]
Beg for forgiveness loudly enough in the fight, and I'll hide you both behind me.
[ Despite the back and forth, he is agreeing to making sure Byerly will be unhurt. Still no agreement about Natasha, of course. ]