"Wow, okay, so I dress up for you and offer to do some more of the chores, and that automatically makes me a robot?" Avis asked, mostly teasing, but with a sardonic note edging into her voice.
"No, I get it, you're saying that I don't need to change. At least, not like that. But, you know, after that conversation we had at breakfast the other day, I've been thinking about something."
The sardonic note was gone, and her smile had faded, though there was no mask to replace, just a seriousness, and an openness.
"I've been thinking about where we come from, and how, I think in some ways, there's a part of you that's come to accept you're not going to get what you deserve. Which, I think is why you've put up with so much of my shit before now."
Her thumbs brushed at the fabric of his sleeves as she spoke, still meeting his eyes. Usually, by now, she would have looked away. At least for a moment. But not now.
"I mean, I'm not trying to accuse you of anything, but there's a reason why you're willing to sacrifice so much. There's a reason why you joined the Veil, and maybe, why you'd choose someone like me."