Sleuth Diplomacy

Paul smiles softly. He rests a hand on Deuce’s shoulder and gives him a reassuring squeeze. “Hey,” he says, “Love ain’t everything. I think you got all the love you need. Don’t sweat it if you can’t do more. Maybe you’re aromantic! And there ain’t nothin’ wrong with that. People are born that way all the time. If carapaces are made that way, ain’t any reason to have shame in it. You just be the very best you can be and share what love you do have.” He sighs. Takes another drink. “I get green around the grills, to be honest. The camaraderie you fellas have. Always got each other... Maybe you’ll surprise yourself one day, Deuce. Find yourself gettin’ red for someone. But my suggestion to you, man to man, is to not worry about it. If you can’t, you can’t. Some people can’t do what you do, what with the bombs and everything. Don’t think your Crew is sweatin’ about it. That they can’t do it. They know they got you. Make sense? Leave the lovin’ to the lovers. Nothin’ wrong with not bein’ one of them and just bein’ you. You’re swell!” That beaming smile lights up the entire dock.

“Don’t know how to?” asks Sleuth. He puffs on his pill, blowing the smoke into the sky. “Well, birdie, I’d tell ‘em the truth. First and foremost. But if you don’t feel for someone the way you want to, it ain’t cause you don’t know how. It’s just cause you don’t. If you do care, and you don’t know how to show it, that’s different.” He takes another long draw. The detective sucks down the entirety of the stick and tosses the butt into the water below. Then it’s time for another swig of the offered hooch. “Does that make sense..? Or am I missin’ the mark here?”

I have a problem.

Please correct this posthaste.

Justice? That’s funny. Paul chuckles, lightheartedly. The justice types always seem to have issues with the gray area Sleuth works in. Trigger and stab happy, loose with the liquor, and even more loose with the one night stands. He’s not exactly the squeakiest cleanest good guy on the block. Nonetheless, he respects Deuce’s wishes. He’ll leave that case file closed. He takes the drink with a grateful nod and a quick swig. “Ahh, that’s good. Mmn. Love? How do you mean…? Like, finding someone special or just…” He waves his hand vaguely in the air, “Love in general?”

“I just don’t think i can deal with that kind of things, i’ve been thinking i wasn’t made for understand or feeling love, i envy people who can so openly love somebody and feel complete”

He smiles softly, a genuine and pure grin as bright as the sun. "What's goin on that would prompt such an introspective question, Clubs?"

I have a problem.

I am Snowman. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.

How do you care for swing?

I am Snowman. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.

How do you care for swing?

Bar Talk by Sungho Yoo