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[oohforeshadowing]

Let me get back to you, darling.

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[oohforeshadowing]

"Is that your way of politely dismissing me, warden?" Trouble drawls, making no indication that they're ready to be dismissed. "I could have a drink myself."

[toabsolution]

He shoots them a cautious look. "You gonna be good?" he mutters, leading the way to the Lounge.

[oohforeshadowing]

"Absolutely, darling," Trouble tells him brightly. "Your drinks really don't seem to have much effect on me."

[toabsolution]

"That ain't what I meant."

He opens the door for them anyway. "What did you and the kid talk about anyway?"

[oohforeshadowing]

"Oh, you know. Our respective homes and histories. He's an interesting character, I'm glad you introduced us."

[toabsolution]

"Yeah? We got here the same time. Same day, I think. He hauled off and killed someone, but I'm fond of him."

He leads them to a table. "What do you want?"

[oohforeshadowing]

"Do you know how to make a Midori Sour, darling?"

It's green. Never let it be said they can't adhere to a theme.

[toabsolution]

He hesitates. "No. Maybe you should get your own drink."

Because he has no idea what that is.

[oohforeshadowing]

"Nothing would please me more."

They get up and saunter behind the bar, grabbing a luridly green bottle of Midori so they can get started.

"What about you, darling, what's your poison?"

[toabsolution]

Jake is a simple man of simple tastes. "Whiskey," he answers easily.

[oohforeshadowing]

"Of course," they sigh, and then go to pour him precisely that before starting to make their own drink. It ends up, well, green.

"A toast to a profitable partnership, darling?"

[toabsolution]

He takes his glass and raises it to them. That's one way to put it but...he can't be too picky.

"Sure. Yeah." He downs the glass quickly.

[oohforeshadowing]

"You sound unconvinced, darling. Is profit the wrong way to be thinking about this, do you think?"

[toabsolution]

"For me, yeah. But it's your toast, ain't it?" he reminds them.

[oohforeshadowing]

"It is." They lift their glass and then take a sip. "Although it's not as if you're here out of the kindness of your heart, is it?"

[toabsolution]

"Didn't start that way, no," he admits.

[oohforeshadowing]

Trouble bats their eyelashes at him.

"Oh, and has something changed?"

[toabsolution]

He reaches for the whiskey bottle and sighs.

"Nope," he lies.

[oohforeshadowing]

They just sip their drink and stare at him.

No, Jake, you can't say something started a particular way and then deny that anything is different now.

[toabsolution]

He's going to try. At least for a moment.

He meets their look.

"What? I already said I like you and want to help. There more you want me to add?"

[oohforeshadowing]

They chuckle.

"Just be honest, darling. You might like me, but I wouldn't see you for dust if the deal was taken off the table."

[toabsolution]

He narrows his eyes. "Yeah, maybe."

Another lie, but he doesn't know if they'd believe the truth.

[oohforeshadowing]

"Maybe. You're adorable. Or maybe you're sticking around because you've formed other close bonds...?"

They sip their drink.

[toabsolution]

He meets their gaze. "Don't know what you're fishin' for, but you ain't gonna find it."

[oohforeshadowing]

"Not until there's a flood which loosens your tongue," they agree, with a broad unflappable smile. "I can wait."