"So frail," he chuckles, though his words seem to lack the usual harsh edge as he brushes your hair away from your face, bringing your head to rest against his chest. "You really have no endurance... you need to work on building it, or else this relationship won't work for us."

His words were teasing, of course. Despite his condescending nature, he could never bring himself to treat you with cruelty or harshness. Only around you did his heart soften just a little.