One of the things that being muted hasn't changed is the urge to be testy. Sure, it's entirely sidestepped and fucked up. It loses itself between her mind and her empty mouth and writing words, having to see her perfected pettiness in letters, unless she's furious enough to fling it at the words and the world angrily. But it doesn't change that it's there, and Luther probably knows the expression bleeds into her features, and her posture, well enough. The way it presses her lips, and she looks to one side, flattly, teeth a little too tight, jaw a little too tight.

That it's not worth the effort doesn't mean she doesn't want to say it. Doesn't feel it like ants in her veins.

Especially when he suddenly adds the note of it being 'a choice,' 'her choice,' and she doesn't even hesitate in the look she throws him. Sharp, and sudden, and uncompromising. Because it's not a choice, and he knows it, and it's bullshit even to add it in. Especially at the last second. Like she needs to be sweet-talked into this being her choice to make. Because he's right about it, and because she was right about all of this all along from the beginning, and 'choice' isn't a part of any of it. Choice stopped being a part of it months and months ago. Options stopped being optional. Vanya needs training. That's not a yes or no conversation.

It's not an option. It's not a choice.


But Luther pretending with those words she has one,

(the way she's been pretending Vanya has the time to wait, to have one, too)