no bullies or bums, the chums are tens here

the bastion

Remi’s grin freezes, eyebrows lifting as the phrasing lands with all the grace of a falling anvil. He blinks once, then straightens, glancing between Ronin, Kaisel, and Flora as if following the world’s most stressful tennis rally.

Normally it’s Ronin who smooths his accidental abrasiveness—the Knight stepping in with that easy charm to soften whatever blunt edge Remi has unknowingly wielded—but this time, with Flora radiating cold fury and Kaisel valiantly pretending shrimp is the only thing happening in the room, Remi clears his throat and steps into the role with quiet determination.

"What I think Ronin meant to ask," he says gently, tone careful and diplomatic, "was how long the two of you have officially been together."

His brows lift in hopeful correction, a soft, placating smile meant to pull the moment back from the precipice. Beneath it, his hand drifts subtly to nudge Ronin’s hip. It isn't scolding, but the accompanying pulse through the attuned bond is very much one of please stop talking before Flora murders you.

I got a feeling inside that I can't domesticate
It doesn't wanna live in a cage,
A feeling that I can't housebreak

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!