[Zhao laughed as he was called out for her little nickname. He grinned amusedly at her.]
You're never too old to have a cute nickname when you're a girl, Nat-chan. Just the way it goes. [a beat] In inner circles back home... that's just what you call someone that's special to you, you know? Like a good friend that's always there with you.
[It was a sign of affection between friends, or sometimes lovers, or family members no matter what the age. Zhao thought of Saeko--Sa-chan--briefly but didn't bring her up as an example for reasons. She was treated as the little sister of the group back home even if she was the responsible one of them all most of the time. The group had a very affectionate fondness for her.
Natasha was easy to hang out with. She was just as capable on a mission as she was casual on the station. And Zhao felt as though he'd gotten to know her a bit better recently, and certainly he enjoyed her company. She was definitely well within "-chan" perimeters by this point and he'd be sad to give it up if she requested it. Early on, it wouldn't have mattered enough to him to stop if asked, but at this point in their relationship he would honor a request from her. That was just the nature of the gremlin that eventually got to the point of caring.]
no subject
You're never too old to have a cute nickname when you're a girl, Nat-chan. Just the way it goes. [a beat] In inner circles back home... that's just what you call someone that's special to you, you know? Like a good friend that's always there with you.
[It was a sign of affection between friends, or sometimes lovers, or family members no matter what the age. Zhao thought of Saeko--Sa-chan--briefly but didn't bring her up as an example for reasons. She was treated as the little sister of the group back home even if she was the responsible one of them all most of the time. The group had a very affectionate fondness for her.
Natasha was easy to hang out with. She was just as capable on a mission as she was casual on the station. And Zhao felt as though he'd gotten to know her a bit better recently, and certainly he enjoyed her company. She was definitely well within "-chan" perimeters by this point and he'd be sad to give it up if she requested it. Early on, it wouldn't have mattered enough to him to stop if asked, but at this point in their relationship he would honor a request from her. That was just the nature of the gremlin that eventually got to the point of caring.]