[ Playful as his tone might be, he'll take that challenge for what it is. And for someone like Byerly, there is something that almost always works. ]
Alright, then.
[ He answers without a smile but with some soft, amused sound, his other hand drifting down from where he was resting it against the bark, fingers brushing lightly against the corner of his mouth. And then he just -- drops his arm. Pulls away entirely. Falls a step back, reaches up to roll one shoulder back, a lazy, distinctly disinterested motion. Allows something a little like disappointment to sneak into his expression, like he'd expected more from him. Wash learned a long time ago that denying the pain is the only punishment there is, when it comes to this. That, and a touch of not being enough.
No qualms about stopping here, really. It just depends on what's stronger, that Vorish pride or the need for punishment, or maybe Byerly's had enough. Suits him either way. Wash has no real problem being withholding, after all. ]
no subject
Alright, then.
[ He answers without a smile but with some soft, amused sound, his other hand drifting down from where he was resting it against the bark, fingers brushing lightly against the corner of his mouth. And then he just -- drops his arm. Pulls away entirely. Falls a step back, reaches up to roll one shoulder back, a lazy, distinctly disinterested motion. Allows something a little like disappointment to sneak into his expression, like he'd expected more from him. Wash learned a long time ago that denying the pain is the only punishment there is, when it comes to this. That, and a touch of not being enough.
No qualms about stopping here, really. It just depends on what's stronger, that Vorish pride or the need for punishment, or maybe Byerly's had enough. Suits him either way. Wash has no real problem being withholding, after all. ]