tadhg stands in all of his crooked glory; cigarette weeping smoke from betwixt bony fingers, eyes heavy set in his skull, ringed from lack of a sleep he would never truly know. he’s tried once again to mask it with makeup. said makeup is hopelessly smudged, barely worn anymore at all, somehow it works in his favour. makes him look to be deliberately falling apart… which is, honestly, a possible truth at this point.
“ them lot don’t know shit all. ” is his blunt reply.
the gods rat has been sent running home with their tail between their legs. figuratively. the reaper squints, draws a mini bottle from his coat by its neck. his thumb works to swivel the cap open as he speaks. “ but, gotta say, i’m surprised they can tear focus off shaggin’ eachother f’r long enough t’care about what you’re doing. ”
he doesn’t stop moving as he speaks. fidgety, uneasy — though his voice is calm, charismatic, his very presence is — anxiety inducing as ever. he takes a few tentative sips of wine. grimaces. mental note: must remember to grief sonny about cheaping out on the red … again. “ you got some s’plainin’ to do, in their eyes, but me? don’t worry ‘bout me. i don’t give a shit. sent that spy runnin’, didn’t i? you’re welcome, by the way. ”
there’s something to be distantly appreciated about tadhg’s vulgarity , smile visibly broadening in mild entertainment . you turn back , face down ⎯⎯⎯ return attention to the uninteresting hum - drum of the city block below , still very much tuned - in to the creature that stands behind you [ hard not to be ] . you can feel your expression falter when he keeps talking , lip twitching inadvertently ; something bitter rising in the back of your throat at the friendly , if not brief , reminder of why you’re being watched to begin with .
you don’t need to feel ling’s prodding to get over yourself . you weren’t made to linger .
the palms of your hands settle against your knees , and you push yourself to stand in one fluid , easy motion , asking around a forced and slightly exaggerated grunt , “ isn’t there a rule against thanking you ? ” and then you are facing him fully , hiding hands in pockets and shifting weight leisurely to one side , standing casual atop the parapet corner - stone . “ not that i’m not appreciative , but i’m not exactly looking to owe anyone . that , and it’s not every day a higher up like you bothers with me . beyond ⎯⎯⎯ you know . excuse the caution , big guy . ”