Page 3271

'Wow,' was all Garovel said.

Hector just waited, though. He didn't know how to follow up after saying all that.

Garovel seemed to be having trouble, too. 'Okay, well, um... I really wasn't expecting you to pour your heart out to me like that, Hector. I'm quite uncertain what to say now. How dare you say all of those nice things. You know I don't take sincere compliments well. You have to layer them with sarcasm or insults. Or sarcastic insults.'

'Oh, is that how it is?' said Hector. 'Well, maybe if you weren't so stupid, then you would've understood all of that stuff already and saved me the trouble of saying in the first place.'

'Yeah, okay, that's more like it. Thanks.'

'You're welcome.' Hector lay back on his bed. He still hadn't taken his armor off, save the helmet, which was with Abbas now. He didn't much feel like moving, was the problem. Taking this off was going to be a pain. Or perhaps even impossible.

'...I really mean that much to you, huh?' said Garovel. 'You sure you're not just saying that because the reality of the situation is that keeping me out of combat is the pragmatic thing to do?'

Hector arched his head up to look at the reaper again. 'Of course not. Although, that IS true. If I get killed, it's barely an issue. If you do, we're both fucked. I get that you want to contribute and be helpful, but you already are, Garovel. In so many other ways.'

'Mrgh.'

Hector cocked an eyebrow. 'Did you just growl at me?'

'Maybe. Y'know, it's really unfair when you make your case from both a rational and an emotional standpoint. How the hell am I supposed argue against that, huh? This is bullshit.'

Hector just laughed.

'Alright, you little jerk. Fine. I'll trust your judgment and stop causing a fuss when you run off all by yourself from now on. But I do think we need to train together more. In the event that I'm forced into the fight, it's best if we're prepared for it.'

'I can agree with that.'

'And besides, I'm increasingly coming to believe that the safest place I could possibly be is right there by your side.'

At that, he had to sit up again. 'I'd... like for that to be true, but I don't think I'm there yet, Garovel.'