" One of us has to give up the title. "
He finally glances up again, taloned gloves tapping against his mug.
" Only way this ... -- "
Stops himself.
This? What, they were just going to makeup and act like they could go back to their old normal?
" Nevermind. "
โ Amari always did say thatโd be our downfall. When it was aimed to someone else, we were golden. Once we turned our sights to each otherโฆ โ
He took a slow sip of coffee. Memories of fights, screaming, Switzerland baseโ he sighed.
โ Room for only one stubborn dumbass. โ
" I'll say it again ; our stubbornness was the base for our friendship. We were both stubborn as hell. "
They fought harder than anyone, he knows. Against the Omnics, against each other.
" I can still appreciate the stubbornness --
until it's in the way. "
Thereโs a bitter laugh, though he doesnโt disagree.
It didnโt make the memories pleasant, but the growing list of everything that wasnโt was starting to shadow what was.
โ You werenโt too bad yourself. Sneaky bastard. โ
Teeth clench for a moment -- despite everything, talk of the war still ... brought conflicting feelings along with it.
" Yeah, they tend to do that.
They were as stubborn as you. "
Another sip of his coffee.
โ Bastions did the trick for me. โ
It felt like toeing gallows humor, but really, when recalling firefight during the war, Jack remembered the times his legs worked faster than his brain waking up to gunfire.
โ They pack a punch. โ
" Wasn't that bad. "
But, sometimes he did overdo it to piss Jack off.
Right now he was too exhausted for bickering. He's running on no sleep.
" Guns wake you up faster than coffee does.
Read it in an article. "
โ Your black coffee is terrible, thatโs why Iโd bitch. โ
Lighthearted banter, the man enjoyed the coffee in slow sips before yawning. In terms of mornings, this wasnโt the worst.
โ Better than waking up to a gun in your face. Dorado was full of surprises. โ
He doesn't respond to the appreciation at first, finally sitting down across from him and lifting his mask just enough to drink from his mug.
" You would have bitched at me if I gave you black coffee.
It's too early for that. "
โ They deflate so quickly, by the time I sleep and wake up Iโll be on the floor anyway. โ
Skepticism aside, he takes his first swig of the coffee โ pausing. Having expected the roasted taste of death, he was surprised.
โ You added sugar. Thank you. โ
" Almost ten. "
He stays in the crouched position , hand idly swishing the coffee around in his mug.
" Came to check on your progress ; found you passed put on the floor.
Speaking of which, why the floor?
You should just bring a blow-up mattress in at this rate. "
โ I wonโt, โ
And he didnโt. Taking the mug, he came to sit up fully ; muscles hardly creaking. Seems laying down here offered more support than that damned chair.
โ What time is itโฆ. I crashed in the middle of reading files. โ
" Maybe so -- but I wanted to go this way. "
There's a hint of amusement in his voice now, crouching down beside Jack. One hand reaches out, offering a mug to him.
" Made you coffee. Don't question it too much. "
Sitting up, Jack looked aroundโ an offended scowl creeping into his features.
โ You could have gone around- There were twelve ways you could have entered the room, but you made a point of choosing this one. โ
He doesnโt /sound/ mad, at least.
-- putting it lightly.
But ... it's all we've known for so long. "
The dry laugh returns, taking a long drink of the beer. If he was one to dream, he would let himself distract himself with the past. Of the better days.
" I don't think you could run away if you wanted. "
Family was such a loaded term now. One that was so fleeting -- and this case, felt like a scorched mark on them both.
The friendship that once got them through anything had been like the very thorns on their heads, cutting into them.
" Getting too old for this? That's --
The soldier paused, if but for a second, before a tired chuckle passed his lips.
It wasnโt a surprise Gabriel could tell. Theyโd been like family , nothing could escape his notice.
โ Think itโs all starting to take a toll. Getting too old for this. โ +
It wasn't hard to miss. Gabe knew his former best friend too well -- knew when things were distracting him, knew when he was exhausted even when he tried hiding it.
The strange behavior is enough to make Gabe turn fully, resting the side of one of his legs against the top --
โ you didnโt come here looking for a fightโฆ thatโs progression. Could almost say Iโm proud. โ
Something felt off about Jackโs demeanor, like heโd resorted to accepting the company without a fight. Too tired, probably. The missions had been taking a toll.
โ Almost. โ
Right. Can't be bad, he chose to work with them now. Doesn't make working with most of them less infuriating.
But this would bring change.
He takes a moment to spare a glance to Jack. It's not like he hasn't seen him without the mask, but he's still careful -- secretive.
โ Canโt be that bad, โ heโd made his thoughts on Gabriel shifting organizations clear. But for tonight, he wouldnโt pick a fight.
Taking a drink of his own, he hummed.
โ no show tonight. Tired and in good spirits. โ
" Trust me, I would rather sleep than deal with Talon, " he chuckles dryly, finally opening his can. He takes a few careful drinks -- always that voice in his head -- before he holds it against his thigh.
" At least here I get emotional telenovella-esque conversations. "
" Feelings mutual. Somebody has to keep your brooding ass stimulated.
Pretty sure you'd hibernate like a bear if I let you. "
The visual was interesting, but the jeer more so. If one of them had to be haunted, it seemed fitting they both receive the same punishment.