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[weaponwithoutpurpose]

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[weaponwithoutpurpose]

You could try.

[But that wasn't what he was talking about anyway, so he doesn't actually argue the point.]

And yeah, Abel's already upset with me. Something about semantics.

[reargunner]

Sounds like a you problem.

[He stops walking, but folds his arms.]

And don't tempt me. Been working real hard on my fucking temper.

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

I'm not tempting you to do anything.

Don't let me get to you. [He walks to the railing and looks over it.]

[reargunner]

Oh, don't flatter yourself.

[It's been a while now since he lashed out at someone the way he used to. When he says he's been working on his temper, he means it.]

The hell else am I supposed to want from you. Not in the mood for guessing games.

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

[He shakes his head.]

I don't know. I didn't have anything in mind; there's nothing to guess. But if you wanted to know why or any of that, I'll tell you.

[reargunner]

The fuck--

[Clearly agitated, he clenches the back of his jaw as his hands briefly curl into fists again.]

The fuck are you even on about?

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

[The anger surprises him this time and he stares out over the stars as he clarifies.]

That's what I meant. When I asked you if that was all you wanted was to hit me. If you also wanted to know why or how or any of that shit, I'd tell you.

If all you wanted was to hit me, then great. You did it. Guess I'll see you around.

[reargunner]

[What he actually means sinks in after a moment.]

I don't need you to tell me that shit. Abel already did. [Then, with his shoulders tense.] And fucking look at me when you're talking to me, Jacob. I don't need to be given a reason to be fucking pissed off right now.

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

[He looks over at him, over him, the bruise already flowering on his cheek.]

One day, ask me why. Not the Abel shit, but this. Right here. Ask me why when you're not angry.

I'm not doing it to piss you off.

[reargunner]

No, I won't be asking you fucking why one day, because if you can't tell me here and now then it's clearly not important enough to tell me at all.

[And honestly, he really has no idea when he's going to stop being angry.]

Keep it to yourself or don't, but that's gonna be on you. I'm not gonna beg you to tell me shit.

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

[He is quiet for a moment, not wanting to unload on him here when he's so volitile for fear of ridicule or, worse, Alexei taking it badly, but Alexei asked. Jacob doesn't see another way out.]

Spent most of my life being around people who'd hit when they'd get pissed. Learned real young that you don't look a predator in the face unless you want to get bit.

I know this - your anger- isn't about me and I fucking deserved that hit, but I don't realize I'm doing it now. Just a bad, fucking habit. I'm not trying to piss you off or make shit worse.

[reargunner]

[He doesn't answer.

Alexei doesn't say anything at all. He stands there for a couple of seconds and breathes, then inhales slowly and holds it for a moment before gradually letting it out. Then he moves to the railing, several feet down from Jacob, and pulls a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.

Silently, he lights one, tucks the pack away, and takes the first drag. He taps a bit of ash over the side of the ship and rests his weight forwards, leaning against the railing.]

I'm not an animal, Jacob.

[He says it quietly, level, but clearly something about what the other man said had stung.]

You fucking deserved it this time, but I'm not gonna smack you for no reason. And I heard what you said. Just making that real fucking clear right now.

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

Didn't say you were. Didn't mean to imply it, either.

[It's a lesson he's learned the hard way.]

Ro gets mad like that. Like you. Like I can get. You ever heard of fawning? Had a therapist tell me that it's what I do when shit gets hard. It's how I ended up following Joseph.

[reargunner]

[Another drag. He lets it briefly burn in his chest.]

I've read about it.

[He's been reading more than anyone might think about psychology since his own mental health started visibly circling the drain.]

I fight. Always have. Probably always will.

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

Yeah, I can tell. People assume that about me.

It's not a bad thing.

It's just - what happens. [He grips the railing tightly for a moment.]

You read a lot about that shit?

[reargunner]

[He tilts his head a bit, then shrugs.]

I guess. I read a lot. People expect me to be stupid.

[Because he has a temper. Because he's volatile, waspish, a fighter who lashes out first when he's agitated.]

I'm not stupid.

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

Didn't think you were. I don't hang around stupid people.

I like reading, too. Not about psychology - got too much of that straight from the VA.

But I started this book about fish. [He leans down, glancing over at the spark from the cigarette.]

Ever heard of a stonefish?

[reargunner]

[A headshake.]

Let me guess. It looks like a rock.

[Just a guess, mind.]

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

[He snorts.]

No shit. But it sits at the bottom near actual rocks and blends in. And if you step on it, it shoots venom into your body and can kill you.

But apparently you can eat them.

[reargunner]

Hm.

[The next drag he takes is a slower one. He hasn't looked Jacob's way since he stopped shouting at him.]

You know, Mars doesn't have any native plants or animals. The whole planet was seeded when it was colonised.

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

What do you fish for?

[He doesn't notice. He reaches down to put his hand on Mae's head, grounding himself there.]

[reargunner]

Fish, obviously.

[Sir, please.]

They're naturalised now, but came from Earth originally. Okun' and shchuka mostly. [He sniffs.] Uh.

[A small wave of his free hand.]

Perch, and uh... pike? Salmon in summer. We call them losos'.

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

Smartass.

[He rolls his eyes, but there's no animosity behind it.]

Shchuka. That pike or perch?

[reargunner]

Pike. Nasty fuckers, too.

[A shrug. He's known more than one person take a bite from a landed pike that they thought was already dead. They were already aggressive but something about Mars had sure made them worse.]

Keep you going for a while if you catch one, assuming it doesn't break your line first.

[weaponwithoutpurpose]

Sounds like a bitch of a fish.

[He snorts.]

That the sort of fish you wanted to show me how to catch?