Crow quirked a brow at Hartley’s reaction to his sobriquet for Penelope. He had grown so used to calling her by names such as ‘love’ and ‘darling’ that he had forgotten how the infatuated boy might take it. He laughed at Hartley’s objection to his behavior, “Don’t worry, kid. It doesn’t mean anything.” While he [i]had[/i] originally used the nicknames to flirt with Penelope, calling her by such things had become more of a habit to him than anything else. He met the knight’s gaze curiously when she said she hadn’t ever heard him address a woman by her name.

“You really haven’t noticed?” Crow gawked at her in teasing surprise, crossing his arms over his chest. “Sure, I don’t address women by their names, but tell me this: When have you ever heard me call [i]anyone[/i] by their actual name?” He smirked at her wryly. It was true that he used names when talking [i]about[/i] other people, but he never addressed men or women by their names when speaking directly to them. He preferred making up sobriquets to tease or flirt.

“I guess that’s true,” Hartley mused, seeming to relax a bit. “He’s never said my name either… Although I don’t like it when he calls me ‘kid.’” He shot Crow a glare.

“Get used to it, kid,” Crow said dryly.

“I’m not even that much younger than you,” Hartley argued.

“You’re still a kid to me.”

Hartley groaned, raking his fingers through his hair, “Ugh, I give up.” He scooted a bit closer to Penelope. “It doesn’t matter what he calls you anyway, because I’ll always use your lovely name, Penelope. It’s too beautiful not to be said.”