{ inbox } hadriel

[nonscriptum]

This is Nate, you know what to do. I'll get back to you.

Comments

[nonscriptum]

[ There is a level of familiarity in friendships at which point threats are not taken seriously, because the friend in question has no design to shiv you unless said in jest. They are not yet at this level of friendship, as evidenced by Five's sudden and vehement ire, and the fact that Nate one-hundred percent believes the guy will open him up right here in his own room.

It occurs to him he would have reacted the same way, once, if the threat of losing Drake's ring were ever hovering over him. He did react this way, once. So much of his identity was tied to it, and this little marble means something. ]

Okay.

[ He says, placating, immediately pushing it into Five's hand. ]

I get it, okay, no need to leave a mess for Wash and Kyna to clean up.

[fogey]

Christ's sake.

[ he grabs it back, turning around to walk back towards the window with a huff. he doesn't pocket the eyeball again immediately, though, rolls it through his fingers like he's done for decades. without turning around, he says, ]

Don't ask about it, and I won't ask about your grave.

[ it's said like an offer, not a threat. tradeoff. ]

[nonscriptum]

Wow.

[ Okay, deep cut, but an offer he'll happily accept. Nate has no intention of bringing up that specific brand of trauma, even if it's news to him that Five decided to look. Every person who's told him is a surprise. ]

All right. [ Hands up again briefly, before he drops them to his side. ] You want me to start the shower so it's not cold?

[fogey]

[ five pockets the eye as he turns back to look at nate and just.

give him a look.

and wordlessly walks over to the bathroom himself. ]