"Like the bitterness between us. I don't want to fight with you, Dawn. Life is too damn short. But if fighting makes you happy, so be it." He didn't sound angry. Just a little tired. It was hard to protect someone who half the time was pushing you away. Not that he hadn't pushed back; he had. But he was pushing back toward her, not away from her. Even when he was pissed, he tried to stay close. Because he couldn't stand the thought of something bad happening to her.
He tried not to watch when she was adding layers of clothes. It seemed impolite. So he kept his back to her and guarded the area around her deeply hidden cell. Most of the time he hung back here too. Even when she didn't want him to. If someone was going to make it past the magical barriers to get this far in? They were going to have to go through Connor to go any further.
"You look good." She did, but then she always did. Even after a work out. Even when her glares of death could cut him to the bone without a word. "Let's go." At least they were able to walk without argument. Both had a purpose to their steps, and neither wanted to screw around making small talk with anyone they may run into. So, they reached the tower without incident. Once they were up there, he checked his guns and ammo and placed the thermos where she could easily reach it.
"I have something for you," he finally said. The look on his face made it clear he thought she would like it. Blue eyes dancing a little deviously. He had others, but he wanted Dawn to get hers first.