Rin Bonus Story: Pulling Your Punches (female Rin)

“You’re pulling your punches.”

I pant the words a hand’s breadth from Rin’s face, and there’s no way to miss the annoyed expression it sparks on her face.

“No, I’m not,” she replies flatly. She turns and walks without further comment to where we’ve set our gear, adjusting the straps on her gloves and rummaging in her pack until she finds her canteen.

“You are,” I insist, crossing my arms. “What’s the matter, afraid I’m made of glass? I'm completely healed from our last job - you don't need to go easy on me.” I only connect the dots as I say it: last week saw us facing off with a particularly angry fae, and Rin's been stealing glances at me walking ever since I got my leg patched up. It's still a little sore, but nothing terrible.

She gives me a sidelong look as I approach. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she takes a long drink from her canteen and splashes her face with what’s left. “Gods, it’s hot. We’re going inside after this round, I can’t take it.”

“I don’t care where we spar, but you’re going to have to take this more seriously. Otherwise I’ll just go get Keo or Wren,” I reply stubbornly. “Are we here to train, or not?”

“Round three, [mouse/trouble],” she says, ignoring my comment and tapping my shoulder lightly with her knuckles. “Come on.”

I follow her back within the borders of the outdoor ring, but again it’s the same. She dodges more than she strikes, feints when she has the opportunity to attack. Finally I stop, dropping my hands to my sides mid-fight.

“What?” she asks immediately.

“There’s no point in training if we don’t push each other,” I frown.

Her brow creases in annoyance. “We’re leaving for the wilds tomorrow,” she says. “You want to be walking around out there injured? Sounds like a great plan.”

“I could get Tiane to patch me up before we left, if it came to it. I can take a hit or two, you're not going to seriously hurt me.”

“For fuck’s sake, I don’t want you hurt at all,” she snaps.

I stare at her, surprised at the outburst. For a moment she looks as startled as me, but in a flash it’s gone, replaced by a sly expression. “Unless that’s what you’re into,” she says. She steps closer, anchoring her hand at the side of my neck and pulling me in an inch. "Is that what you want? You know, you could've just said so."

Even through my racing heartbeat and rapidly-flushing cheeks, I can tell she's deflecting. “Very funny,” I say a little breathlessly.

“I try my best,” she smirks, pecking my cheek then tossing her gloves into her pack. “Come on, let’s get some food. I’m tired of training.”

I'm so lost in thought I don't notice her slip a balm into my pocket while we walk. I can smell everbloom leaves in it when I open it later, a plant so rare I'm sure she must've stolen the medicine - I didn't even know we had this inside the city. When I try it on my leg the remaining soreness vanishes, like it never existed.