if it's dark outside you light the fire yourself

     “It’s hydrated or…” Luka scrunched his nose in thought, “Exposed? Yeah, that.”

     When he finished, he let out an audible exhale, standing as he wiped his hands on his thighs.

     “Alright. You’re good to go,” he said, turning back toward his shop.

   “You’re a lifesaver.” Julian spoke to Silas’ retreating back, raising his voice slightly.

     With a slight grin, Luka nodded, standing with a tilt of his head, “Lie down then, I’ll be back.”

     He went to the kitchen, getting two glasses which he filled from a large dispenser on the fridge, then returned to the sofa, setting one of the drinks down on the low table.

     Silas made an uninterested noise, continuing with his work. 

     “Alright. We can do that.” Luka took a few steps backward toward the kitchen, “Want some water or anything?”

     “‘Least I never doubted your intelligence.” He kept at it, deft hands moving quickly to get the job done, his gaze never leaving the task at hand.

     “I was thinking more like when I told you how much I like you.”

     “But yes.” Luka grinned, “When I did that.”

   “Well.”

     “Maybe ‘m not interested in makin’ conversation.”

     “Pretty sure I made that obvious the night at that club.”

     Silas gave a minute shake of his head then continued his work, his expression remaining void of… well, anything, really. 

     “Y’ask a lotta questions.”

     “No. I’m just… finding things that weren’t as appealing before not so unappealing.”

     “What’s it to you?”

     Silas didn’t look at him, attention focused on the tire as he found the weak spot, then flipped open the case for the patch kit to get to work.

   “Just curious.”

     “Mostly forging a path in ‘I like this person a lot.’”

     Without another word, Silas approached the vehicle, fitting a jack underneath it which he powered on to raise it. Once it was off the ground, he knelt by the tire in question, running and poking his fingers along the rubber to find the tear. 

     “Mm, nope. Not gonna.”

     “Contrary to… beliefs about Crybabies, I can be a good listener.”

     “Made it this long.” 

     Silas stepped past him, walking toward his car, “Which one is it?”

     “What?” Luka scooted closer, a little smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, “You have me.”

     “Plus… Queenie? Arin?”