pinkeffinprofessional

[He takes a drink. Why didn't Orange just tell him that someone thought he was a vampire? At least that's an obvious lie. This one reeks of the truth enough to make it so that Pink is suspicious but unsure.]

Little hellbeast scratches like a bitch, too.

[Because there's a difference between telling lies to let someone know they aren't important or included and withholding information for deeply personal reasons, which he hopes Pink believes it's the latter. Freddy has self-preservation to consider.]

Sounds like it's definitely your cat.

That's why I like him.

[He rolls his eyes at that and with an empty beer on hand he has to push that away before sucking down the rest of his cigarette. Freddy looks at the cat, the battle begins.

Five minutes later he still hasn't gotten the ring.]

Will you just call the little bastard over? For fuck's sake. [Freddy's temper is flaring but not enough to hurt a stupid animal. It's all that pent up frustration coming to the forefront. He's not gonna say please he's not gonna say please he's not gonna let his eyes get greener from welling.]

[He watches this casually from his place on the couch]

He's not a fucking dog. He doesn't come when he's called.

[Freddy's dusting his knees off with his newly scratched hands before getting up on his feet.] You're an asshole. Keep the fuckin' ring, I'm outta here.

[He's got guns but he doesn't think to use them. That wouldn't be very sportsmanlike or very Freddy, ie. the inefficient way.]

[Pink just raises his eyebrows. Maybe he should offer a place to stay, but no, he's just not that generous. He won't say no if asked, though.]

Yeah, yeah. Cheer up, kid. The swelling will go down.

[There's that name and in an instant Freddy's snapping around, making his way towards Pink to pull the weasel in face to face by the collar. One hand only. The other's reserved for pulling his gun but the kid doesn't do that just yet. He doesn't want to be the first to trigger a firefight.]

Don't call me that.

Jesus Chri-

Let me go you fucking asshole!

[He's groping for a gun, except that he doesn't keep one in his couch. Note to self - put a fucking gun in your fucking couch, you stupid idiot.

He pushes hard on Orange's sternum; not a punch but an open-handed push]

[He and Larry used to. He and Larry did a lot of things on the couch in this apartment. Hell that couch was his bed for a long time. The push to his chest isn't close to his cracked rib but the pressure alone exacerbates the damage that's already been done. Freddy has to let go and stumble back, he finds balance against the nearest wall.]

Sh-shit.

[His voice falters. Fuck that hurt. Fuck.]

[Pink gets up and grabs his gun, just as a precaution, but this kid couldn't fight his cat, let alone him]

What the fuck is the matter with you?

What do you think the fuck's the matter with me! Christ.

[It hurts to yell so it probably hurts even more going for the gun at his back, but he saw the flash of metal in Pink's hand. Look he may not have it in him to kill a dumb animal but he had it in him to kill a ruthless one.]

[He points the gun but his finger isn't on the trigger, and he knows that Orange will see that. This is a warning, a precaution, it isn't a fucking firefight.]

I think you're a fucking idiot who did more than tell White he wanted to sit on it, but whatever the fuck it is you're not telling me, I'll fucking swallow if you fucking calm down and keep your fucking gun where it is.

[Pink hates guns, and this is why. This is a conciliatory gesture. I won't push it if you don't make me.]

[Breathe, Newendyke. Breathe. This guy ran out on you and Larry when you both were dying on the ramp. This guy was the first to try and cool down that stand off. This guy asked if you were hurt bad. This guy didn't come down on you for ratting him out to Joe. This guy was pretty decent on the ride to the warehouse. And he likes Jurassic Park. Maybe Pink's looking out for Pink first in the end but there are worse people in the world. Freddy lowers his gun down to his hip.]

[Pink lowers his own gun, watching Orange. There. Guns down. He takes another minute and offers his hand, casually, to help the asshole up. Orange is so green it almost hurts.]

Are you okay to get back to your place?

[Whatever the fuck is going on, Pink decides it's more than he wants in on. He might always look out for himself first but this is one of two people in this place that he has history with, and Pink knows that sometimes an ally is worth their weight in what they can do for you.]

[He could shove that hand away but he won't. Freddy grasps it firmly and pulls himself up, shorter than Pink but no less tough despite being a goddamn greenhorn. He tucks the gun away.]

Yeah. [You're going to be okay.] I'm okay.

[He'd say something about calling him if he needs to, coming over, whatever, but Pink isn't that kind of guy and neither is Orange.]

Yeah, yeah, whatever.

[If the pain hasn't sent him to a doctor, then the pain won't. Pink watched this guy bleed out for a long time, and yeah, he begged, but anyone would beg. Last thing they need is another trip to the fucking hospital]

Look if he drops by, if you hear from him or whatever...let me know.

[He can't bring himself to look Pink in the eye when he says this.]

[His lips flatten]

What do I look like, a courier?

[But he will. As soon as he gets the story from White. If White deigns a visit appropriate]

Just don't piss him off again. But if I hear from him, I'll call you.

[Freddy gives a little nod as he moves to the door. That's the closest he gets to saying thank you. He thinks about mentioning the cat though but Larry won't talk to him so he does the next best thing.]

He hates cats.

[If Freddy really cared he'd first tell Larry that Pink's got one. Larry's loss for not wanting to entertain his company.]

That's not my problem.

[But it's duly noted]

Right.

[Freddy nods again, looks up, down, up, to the cat. That damn cat still has his fucking ring. He steps out of the apartment without another glance.]

[The cat gives a nasty little hiss just as Pink closes the door.

What the fuck was that.

Pink doesn't even want to know.]

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