Archive of Our Own ^beta

Colette and Eisen were arguing, as usual. It had started with "Eisen, I can't find anything around here" and "I have a system, Colette" and wound up at personal attacks on each other's characters. Which was fine, usually. Most days they'd both go off in a huff and Telesphore would find them both a few hours later to tell them that dinner was ready when they were both ready to stop behaving like children.

Most days. But not today.

"Ugh, I can't stand you," Colette said. "You're going to drive me insane."

"How do you think I feel?" Eisen snapped back. "Stuck with a selfish, insufferable little brat like you all day!"

Colette froze. Then, she turned and left the van without saying a word. "Ah, for fuck's sake," he muttered under his breath, starting after her. He found her on a park bench a few minute's walk from the van. He sat down next to her silently. After a few moments of uncomfortable quiet, he spoke. "I'm sorry."

Colette looked at him, confused. "What?"

"Goddammit, Geise, what are you, deaf? I said I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Look, obviously what I said upset you in more than just the usual way. Pissing you off? That I'll do gladly. Actually hurting you? Not so much."

"It's okay. I was overreacting."

"Maybe. But I've learned that sometimes overreactions come from the fact that there used to be a time where that reaction was the right one. Listen, Colette, you don't have to tell me anything, but... someone said that to you, and meant it, didn't they?" Eisen's voice was uncharacteristically gentle.

Colette took a deep breath. "My father."

"Ah. The bastard we met in Crystal City? Makes sense."

Colette breathed a half laugh. "Yeah. The bastard we met in Crystal City. He called me a lot of things, but 'selfish brat' was always a personal favorite."

"You do know I didn't mean it, right? I'm... well. A little bit fonder of you than that."

"Well, aren't you being nice today."

"Aye, well, don't get used to it, hen," Eisen said with a smirk. "But seriously, if I ever do cross a line, I want you to tell me."

"Alright, fine, I will. Although I'm still a bit surprised that you... care."

"My younger self wouldn't have cared, that's the funny thing. I used to cause problems on purpose all the time. I'd start fires just to see who'd stick around to put 'em out. Then either I'd run or they would. Sure, part of it was because teasing people's how I show affection, but mostly it was just because I could. Then I met Telesphore. I wish I could say that I didn't do it to him because my love for him was stronger than my pathological need to ruin everything or some bullshit like that, but really? It's just because he wouldn't engage. He'd just sigh whenever I got too close to saying something genuinely problematic and walk away. Just walk away, mind, not leave. I'd stand there with my mouth open trying to process the fact that he could just decide not to take the bait like that. Nobody had ever loved me enough to refuse to put up with my bullshit before that."

Colette was quiet a moment. "This is really weird," she said finally. Eisen burst out laughing.

"Let's get back to the van and never talk about this again," he said.

"Agreed."

He stood and clapped Colette on the shoulder. "But, truly. You're a good man, Colette Geise."

Colette stood too, smiling. "You too, Eisen Iyer."