"Caged"

[riverofnara]

She hears a quick intake of breath when she touches a sore spot, the after-effect of an assassin's punch. She murmurs an apology, her finger lingering on his heated skin before she leans back. He breathes again, successfully avoiding a moment of vulnerability. He cannot feel what he does feel for her. But it's already too late.

"You'll live." His gaze meets hers. She offers a small smile. Reassuring, lightly teasing him. Caged feelings rise only to settle down again as reality swims back in. No, he tells himself firmly, no.
He can only meet her smile with his own.