"I'm--" About to go back out and start making your medicine again, he almost says, because (when he finds everything too troubling to deal with, he buries himself in work, and this is the only work he can do that makes him feel like he has any control over the situation) he's a busy person, after all.
"...If you insist, I suppose I can spare some time," are the words that come out of his mouth, reluctant but honest. He sits, gingerly, beside him, and wonders how he ever got into this position in the first place.
(If he killed him now, the hero would probably never register it at all. Some residual resentment suggests he could. The rest of him rejects it, for reasons that he--refuses to acknowledge. That would make it real as if it's not already, the rest of his thoughts scold him, scorn him for.
He is a fool, as ever. Twice burned, now, and yet, still...)
There's a part of him, even in his dazed state, that doesn't believe that Ekkehardt will do it. The man's all business, doesn't even seem to like him all that much (which is understandable, Avery supposes).
But he agrees, gruff, reluctant, distant, but affirmative nonetheless, and Avery grants him a weak, thankful little smile in return.
"If you continue to be a fool, then you'll continue to accumulate debt," he says, and then, after a pause, "if I kept track of such things."
He stopped counting some time ago. He's found it easier not to.
(He is surprised, deep inside himself, at the pain he feels when Avery smiles at him. It's not any good; simply more bitterness. How utterly betrayed by anything else the hero must be, to take comfort from this - what little allowance he can make.)
"You'll be pleased to know that I do not, however, so you owe me nothing. I'm not doing this because I expect a reward."
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"...If you insist, I suppose I can spare some time," are the words that come out of his mouth, reluctant but honest. He sits, gingerly, beside him, and wonders how he ever got into this position in the first place.
(If he killed him now, the hero would probably never register it at all. Some residual resentment suggests he could. The rest of him rejects it, for reasons that he--refuses to acknowledge. That would make it real as if it's not already, the rest of his thoughts scold him, scorn him for.
He is a fool, as ever. Twice burned, now, and yet, still...)
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But he agrees, gruff, reluctant, distant, but affirmative nonetheless, and Avery grants him a weak, thankful little smile in return.
"Maybe I'll stop owing you one day."
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He stopped counting some time ago. He's found it easier not to.
(He is surprised, deep inside himself, at the pain he feels when Avery smiles at him. It's not any good; simply more bitterness. How utterly betrayed by anything else the hero must be, to take comfort from this - what little allowance he can make.)
"You'll be pleased to know that I do not, however, so you owe me nothing. I'm not doing this because I expect a reward."