The growling trails off at her answer, leaving behind uncertainty.
Rehearsed line or not, he's never been given something like this, never any kind of recognition for what he's done for the Capitol. It's always just been expected, it was always just what he did because there was no other option, not if he wanted to keep him and Chuck alive. For a moment, his perpetual scowl fades, making him look a hell of a lot younger, and the fact that he has absolutely no idea what to do with this or how to react to it is obvious.
But it's brief, and then the scowl is back as he recovers. Of course the Capitol is taking extra steps to make themselves seem better in comparison to the rebels. There are a lot of stupid people in the Capitol, and the Capitol has always been very good at keeping up appearances. It's not for his benefit - he's loyal, as far as they know - it's for the benefit of others who are watching, who need to see how the Capitol treats its loyal soldiers.
Especially the ones who end up in hospitals.
Reassured now that he knows the Capitol hasn't taken a sudden interest in his personal well-being, now that he can be comforted in the fact that they're using him as a tool as they always have, Derek settles back down. He looks at her more closely, picks up the plasticity in her smile, and that puts him even more at ease. Outside of the others in the District Four condo, Derek is most comfortable with other Victors.
no subject
Rehearsed line or not, he's never been given something like this, never any kind of recognition for what he's done for the Capitol. It's always just been expected, it was always just what he did because there was no other option, not if he wanted to keep him and Chuck alive. For a moment, his perpetual scowl fades, making him look a hell of a lot younger, and the fact that he has absolutely no idea what to do with this or how to react to it is obvious.
But it's brief, and then the scowl is back as he recovers. Of course the Capitol is taking extra steps to make themselves seem better in comparison to the rebels. There are a lot of stupid people in the Capitol, and the Capitol has always been very good at keeping up appearances. It's not for his benefit - he's loyal, as far as they know - it's for the benefit of others who are watching, who need to see how the Capitol treats its loyal soldiers.
Especially the ones who end up in hospitals.
Reassured now that he knows the Capitol hasn't taken a sudden interest in his personal well-being, now that he can be comforted in the fact that they're using him as a tool as they always have, Derek settles back down. He looks at her more closely, picks up the plasticity in her smile, and that puts him even more at ease. Outside of the others in the District Four condo, Derek is most comfortable with other Victors.
"Arena food was better than hospital food."