#irmo

"Well, maybe, considering everything, it might be the last time I see you."

There was a hint of regret that Namo picked up immediately, but penned nothing about it, as Irmo kept driving through the traffic slowly, as if he had planned an entire conversation. They stopped at a red light before any of them spoke again. "You know very well that I have gone through worse. We are still alive."

Irmo turned to give the stink-eye to the driver next to them, before starting again the car as the green light showed up. "Yes, I know, let us not forget father dear." There was a little note of resentment in the way Irmo had said the last two words, and that made him distracted enough to almost crash into the car in front of him, had it not been for the 'Careful!' Namo had gasped right in the nick of time.

Namo leaned back into the passenger seat, sighing. "I thought you'd never forgive me for denouncing him. I thought we were not on speaking terms."

"You were eighteen, Namo, I was a stupid fifteen-years-old boy being separated from you and our sister Nienna, who was ten at the time. And also the foster care system was horrible. We thought you had abandoned us, we learned much later that you were too young for the law system to be taking care of us."

"Indeed. By law one must have at least eighteen years of difference, be married, own a house, and not have any long-term medical conditions."

Namo gave Irmo a pointed look, once again inquiring what this had to do with his brother driving him around, their past, and the case he had been assigned to, all silently.

And just like back then, the two did not really need words to understand each other.

"I am worried, that's all. I heard he's vicious and vindictive. He's going to kill you."

"And that is why Commissioner Manwe has arranged for bodyguards."

The car finally stopped in front of Namo's house. Irmo sighed once again. "I know it's too late. But I may or may not regret the things I said."

The judge nodded. "We shall talk about this, but after the case, and with a clearer mind."

"You say that, but will you be alive still?"

"I shall do my best. Let us hold the thoughts."

And with that, Namo considered the conversation finished, and he stepped out of the car. "please, drive with a bit more focus, Irmo."

"Yes, sure, whatever. See you." The other replied, sighing, before speeding away. Namo observed the car disappear in the distance for a few minutes, before stepping inside his house.

There were many things on his mind, now, and he wondered.