[ WP ] A tough-guy mercenary falls in love with a frequent client and tries to ask him/her to dinner or give him/her discounts without breaking character .

He'd stand in the doorway and wait, like he usually does with his clients, but this doorway is too small. Not to say it's *tiny*, but rather he's too large. Anything smaller than a standard frame is enough to make him duck and/or sidle through the opening like a child finding an opening a bramble of bushes. 
 
 So he stands next to the door, in an equally imposing manner. Arms crossed before his barrel chest, tattoos scattered up his massive forearms. His jawline is less of a feature of his face but more of a defining characteristic. It protrudes out further than his nose, and sits menacingly below a pair of small yet knowing eyes. A few scars from the days before he mastered his craft line his face. 
 
 A small woman walks briskly into the room. He eyes her not inconspicuously, but she does n't notice his furtive glace, she's too busy. She wears a straight skirt, one that accents her features, but leaves some left for imagination, and a free flowing blouse as white as her teeth. A short bob of brown, wavy hair hangs above the elegant curve of her shoulders. 
 
 He clears his throat, and she looks up. 
 
 `` Rusty,'' She says, looking back down at a piece of paper she's just printed off. `` I did n't expect you to be back so soon.'' 
 
 `` The job was easier than expected.'' His voice is deep and gravely, a bucket of old nails. 
 
 `` Well good for you.'' She says, not bothering to look up. `` I ca n't say I'm surprised.'' She holds two papers up and exchanges glaces between them both, the swears under her breath and jots something down. 
 
 `` You're probably here for payment.'' She says. `` I'll have Walter wire the cash to your account. I'll make sure he gets the time bonus in there too. The client will be happy with your haste.'' 
 
 He says nothing at first, if she was watching him, she'd see him open his mouth to say something a few times, but eventually content at saying nothing. Instead he clears his throat again. 
 
 She looks up, `` Is there something else you need, Rusty?'' 
 
 The great hulking bear of a man shifts his weight awkwardly, he wants to wring his hands but knows how foolish he'd look. 
 
 `` I was on vacation, before you called.'' He says finally. 
 
 `` Like I said, you got time and a half.'' 
 
 He shakes his head and steps forward. `` I know, I know. That's not it. I mean -- I do n't need the money. You said --'' 
 
 `` I said I'd deem it a personal favor.'' She raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow and regarded him somewhat coolly with her jade colored eyes. 
 
 `` Yes,'' He says, `` About that.'' 
 
 `` Look, Rusty. I think you're swell and all, but if you think I'm gon na be your *escort* for a night, you are sorely incorrect.'' 
 
 `` No, it --'' 
 
 `` And another thing,'' She says, her eyes seeming to turn a darker shade. `` Just because I'm the only woman in this business does n't mean I want mercs like you eyeballing me up and down, whispering things behind my back, exchanging grins and all manner of inappropriate gestures.'' 
 
 Rusty takes a step forward, `` No, Wendy I --'' 
 
 `` Why do n't you go down to Harrison's and pick up a lay like the rest of the degenerates in this place.'' She actually looked at him for the first time, leaning forward on the desk. 
 
 He wrung his hands now, unable to help himself. `` I was actually hoping you'd let me buy you dinner.'' When she does n't answer, `` Or a drink. Or coffee. Or nothing. I --'' He makes an impatient noise and turns walk out the door. His face turning a darker shade of red. 
 
 `` What did you have in mind?'' She asks, stopping him ducked halfway through the doorway. 
 
 He looks around, as if he had n't gotten that far in the plan. `` Burgers?'' 
 
 She raises her eyebrow, `` Do I look like a burger girl to you?'' 
 
 `` No... Yes?'' His timidity does n't fit his drill instructor's voice. 
 
 `` Chinese. Ask me if I want to grab Chinese food.'' 
 
 He pauses, then abides, `` Would you like to grab Chinese food?'' 
 
 She smiles, `` I'd love to. Now say'at the Golden Dynasty.''' 
 
 `` At the Golden Dynasty?'' 
 
 `` Lovely. Pick me up at 6?'' 
 
 He nods, and ca n't help but smile. It does n't suit him, he knows it and quickly puts it away almost as soon as it appeared. 
 
 It makes her grin genuinely, but she gracefully waits until after he's left.
