bless your heart

“Oh are we just calling a spade a spade then? It’s not as if I am the only one with so many shortcomings on the table here.” Hans scrubbed a hand back through his soft dark curls and gave Brier a smile back, the back and forth was nice. Almost a comfort in it all. “I would say yes at this point with you and I it is less of a guess and more a read on my behavior.” Hans poured himself another drink and then one for Brier.

“Deal. But what do I get if I win? Other than the supreme satisfaction of winning.” Shit had he really let himself be goaded into going through with trying to turn into some white knight? “Offer me something good now. Don’t hold back.”

“When it comes to you? Always. And what, pray tell, are these so called shortcomings that I apparently have?” Where the fuck would one even start served as a better question. Sure, he might skimp on a deal or two, or press and press one’s limits until they fucking popped, but at least he stayed true to himself. 

The close press of metal against the nape of his neck almost made him jump out of his skin.Of course, he’d feel the blunt edge dig against the knob of a vertebrae the second he turned around. 

there’s  a  silent  GRUNT  just  waiting  to  fight  it’s  way  out  of  her,  yet  she’s  holding  back.  there  were  clearly  things  they  disagreed  on,  &  this  was one  of  them.   “  look,  you  know  JUST  as  well  as  i  do  that  they’ll  cover  up  their  tracks.  they  always  do,  so  WHY  risk  it.  when  they  could.  ”  shoulders  jet  upward,  as  she  leans  back  in  her  chair.  a  single  nod  to  acknowledge  the  others  request.  “  i’ll  be  FINE.  don’t  know  if  you  remember  but  i  was  raised  by  hunters,  darling.  ”  the  words  rolled  of  her  tongue,  as  a  perfectly  manicured  set  of  nails  trailed  down  the  others  shoulder.

“Cause this asshole has been givin’ me the biggest fuckin’ headache of the century.” The only redeemable quality was the guy’s dislike for law enforcement. Everything else was absolute garbage. 

        𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐇𝐈𝐌 𝐓𝐎 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐍𝐘𝐎𝐍𝐄. at least, that’s how it’s been for the past several years. he tells himself it’s for the sake of protecting whatever sanity he has left. but deep down, maybe it’s cowardice. maybe eli doesn’t want to risk experiencing devastating loss again– like when he lost his entire SEAL team.

       but here he is tracing brier’s scars. feeling that desire to be close. after a moment, elijah lets his hand fall. he shoves aside his own longings, && focuses on the conversation. ❝ dog fight, huh ?? ❞ eli smiles in amusement. there’s a hint of fondness too. ❝ glad you showed some kindness. feel like that’s growing rarer in the world these days. so– what happened to the pup ?? ❞

Kindness. 

Now that’s a word that was never associated with the likes of him. Brash, abrasive, obnoxiously persistent, good-for-nothing-leech, as crooked as they come -- those were what defined him. And for good reason, or so he believed. Nevermind the unwavering loyalty and astute brilliance he kept barricaded within the shadows of his ribs.  

“Yeah, dog fight,” Brier parroted in utter nonchalance. “Can’t say I’d do the same if it was a person in the same schtick, though.” But animals? They always took precedence over people. Well, all except two. 

“It’s soooo nice to hear you have such faith in me.” Hans said rolling his eyes as he took his glass and downed the rest of the contents before setting it down and sliding it away from him. “Two months is a little low, I bet I can at least go 5 before I want to kill them all.” Getting up he moved closer to his friend and smirked. “Why think so lowly of me? I mean come on how long have we been friends?”

“Hey, what can I say? Always callin’ it as I see it.” Granted, he was being a presumptuous asshole, but anyone with eyes and a brain should have known that. Brier didn’t hold back the sneer that made it onto his face. “Big talk with that temperament of yours, slick. And I’ve known your ass long enough to be right with my guessin’.” Then again, Hans could let spite tide him over with his virtuous endeavors.