[Maria considers the comment about the mission.] Seems unfair to you, who hasn't gotten much of a break. Your few days of camp doesn't count, if you ask me. But nobody's asking me. Let's hope between missions is peaceful enough. [famous last words and Maria knows that she may have just cursed them for the very opposite thing to happen.

but here's to hoping.

as always, Maria had wondered if maybe he simply would want space even if they'd both made it obvious that wen it came to the other, the last thing they wanted was space. yet every time, she wondered. it wasn't like they wouldn't see each other once they went back to the apartments. but she'd felt silly seeing glances of him and being happy to see him. luckily, for them, Vander had come to start an early date. even just simply sitting together was nice.]

I think you could and you would if I gave you the chance. But just because you can doesn't mean you should, you dog. [but it's said with affection. she takes his hand and holds it, entangling their fingers.] And I don't want my lower back scratched up by a tree. But I'll take you up on it once we have some better walls and your knee is feeling better.