fic update: Under The Table

[dragonlady7]

death sitting

via https://ift.tt/3Fmdazx

introducing a very important nine-year-old girl, and featuring Iorveth’s unique attempts at diplomacy, whereby he sets out to manipulate said nine-year-old girl but accidentally just winds up being super vulnerable and honest with her.

it’s uh. it’s nefarious! yeah!

also Thaler calls Roche gently (for him) on his bullshit.

on AO3 https://archiveofourown.org/works/35008744/chapters/87652669

“The question I have to, ethically, ask you,” Thaler said, “knowing you as I fucking well do, each of us having the fucking power that we do, is this:” and he hesitated for effect.

“Come the fuck on,” Roche said, rolling his eyes. “You, and ethics– that’s not a great mix.”

“Listen I don’t let my fucking cock make decisions about national fucking security,” Thaler said, and Roche whipped around to stare him down.

“What the fuck are you implying,” he growled, seeing red at the edges of his vision.

“Are you punishing yourself?” Thaler asked, ruthless and unafraid. For not being a fighter, he wasn’t nearly afraid enough of what Roche could do to him in a rage. “You fucking punish yourself sometimes, it’s a problem. Are you punishing yourself for failing Foltest by letting one of the conspirators that killed him walk on you?”

“What,” Roche demanded.

“I said what I fucking said,” and Thaler gestured with one hand. He was still sitting with his feet up, as if none of this were important. “Listen, I’m not judging you for being a kinky fuck, Roche, it’s an adorable little character quirk most of the time, but if you’re using Iorveth to punish yourself, that affects me professionally and I need to fucking object.”

Roche could feel that his face had gone red, which was not useful, and part of him was thinking about Iorveth’s blunt knife at his throat. “No,” he said, and it came out hoarse and defensive. (Your picture was not posted)