“So, why are we stopping early?” P asked as the final camp preparations were being finished.
“It’s hard to explain,” Kaz wrinkled his forehead for a moment then looked up with his characteristic smile. “Perhaps it was so I can spend some time with you, with all your scouting ahead each day I don’t get to see much of you these days. I miss our little chats.”
P gently placed her hand on Kaz’s shoulder; a gesture he used to think was one of affection. “All right, what would you like to talk about?”
Kaz sat upright and brought his hands up to his head. “That’s not fair; you can’t just ask what we’re going to talk about.”
“Why not?” P asked looking at him in complete confusion.
He exhaled and stood up slowly, as if explaining something obvious to a small child. “It’s a conversation killer.”
“A what?” P was clearly amused.
“A conversation killer: you know, the kind of phrase that kills any chance of having a good chat, like ‘I have a terrible rash all over my body’ or ‘My best friend just died’ or ‘Do I look fat in these pants?’ “
P was holding back a laugh, “My question was not a conversation killer.”
“It certainly was. It’s like saying, ‘I’m not interested in talking, but since you insist let’s get on with it.’ It really kills the mood.”
“What kind of mood did you want our conversation to have?” P looked at him playfully and watched his face redden. She smiled a little at first, then she began to chuckle.
Kaz threw his arms up in the air. “You know what, never mind, I’m just getting myself into trouble.” Kaz turned to walk away.
“Wait a second,” P said trying to gain her composure. “This conversation is just getting fun, come back.” She followed Kaz through the camp.
“I’m glad that I can bring such amusement to you,” Kaz replied over his shoulder, refusing to slow down.
“You always do. It’s great spending time with you. Besides it seems my conversation killer has made our little chat much more amusing.” She couldn’t hide her smile and Kaz forced a mock scowl in return.
“It is actually nice to have a normal conversation, not about the upcoming battles, or the invading army, just talking…” He paused and P gave him an inquisitive look. “I was just about to say that it was a normal conversation like we used to have, but I don’t remember us ever having a ‘normal’ conversation. We’ve always been in some kind of trouble.”
“I blame you; you’re a bad influence on me.” P smirked at Kaz and shoved him to the side.