“Wait… are you braiding my hair?”, “I bet I’m strong enough to pick you up.” or “I didn’t know you were the cuddling type.” for the soft asks! Alternatively, “Next time I’ll hit you like I mean it.” or “You almost knocked me over!” for the rough asks! Whichever you're feeling more. :D
“I bet I’m strong enough to pick you up.”
It would have been nice if Kyri had at least entertained the idea. Even just for a moment. Divider, it would have been nice if any of Delver’s ungrateful companions had responded with even mild acceptance of the fact that he possessed some measure of physical strength.
Instead, they laughed.
“Delver, you nearly died that one time you had to carry me.” Sylda endlessly delighted in bringing up ‘that one time’ whenever it was even remotely relevant. Sometimes even when it wasn’t. Now there she was, walking beside him and grinning so hard her cheeks must hurt. “You didn’t even have to take me far!”
“Hey, I told you I pulled a muscle.” Delver gestured pointedly to his side. “Right here, remember? That’s the only reason I---”
---“Kyri also has a head’s height on Sylda,” Taelan interjected, as though he hadn’t even heard Delver’s feeble defense. Now if that wasn’t a wound to the ego, Delver didn’t know what was. The younger man barely spoke a damned word to him, but this was when he decided to offer his wisdom? Bitter though he was, Delver supposed it was a gain. Sure, it would be nice if Tael didn’t exercise his new-found confidence by dragging Delver’s pride over the gravel, but beggars can’t be choosers. A comment at his expense was still worlds better than the old hate and fear.
Grunting, Delver folded his arms, fixing his gaze on the woman spearheading their motley group. She never broke stride - not until the midday break. Entire conversations could arrive and pass without even a word of input from the Kyriin. It drove Delver mad, not knowing what it was that pushed her so ceaselessly forward. “Hey, Kyri,” he called. He’d drag her into the conversation whether she liked it or not. “Back me up here - we’ve sparred before. I held my own, didn’t I?”