muttering “But what happens when I stop losing and WIN for a change?”

_{“won’t happen.”}

Sign up to kick Ky’s ass, only to get his own ass kicked in return.

_{“this is why you shouldn’t pick fights with me, reaper. you’ll always lose.”}

“Hey kid, ain’t it past your bed time?”

_{he couldn’t resist the roll of his eyes at the question. nor could he hold back the question he posed in return. “don’t know – maybe it’s passed yours.”}

drags ky away by his ear

_{“—- i didn’t do anything wrong!”}

so gimmie the 411 on hell whats it like what should i pack cuz i reckon im headin there soon if the ow rebels find a way to put me in the ground for good

_{“do you really want to find out? you might not like it so much.”}

“Join with us at Talon. We could do with members like you.”

_{“i could also take a long pass, reaper. you know i don’t get involved with anyone. let alone the likes of talon.” a pause. “ at least formally.”}

but that’s like? such a waste? why don’t you casually pass him talon’s way. we’ll put him to use. and experiment on him, probably. lots and lots of experiments. yupppp.

_{“we could also drag your sorry ass to hell.” was that a threat? sure it was.”don’t concern yourself with the lightbulb.”}

why is ur whole family goin after some goldilocks wannabe? like what’s he to the 3 of ya? yer own personal night-lite?

_{“….he is actually.”}

“ i’m blonde. what’s your excuse? ”

_{there were several excuses as to why, but for now, he was going to settle with a simple one. after-all, he never did manage to make his hair black — not in this vessel at least. “i’m wearing a blonde, does that count?”}

❛ Are they dead? ❛

_{as much as he wanted to stay there were dead he couldn’t. no, he wasn’t going to lie to her, but the blood on his hands, and clothing revealed much. far too much to his liking, “unfortunately,” he said, “they will survive.” of course, if he wanted them dead, they would have been, but all the same… he was trying to control himself. “— but that could be changed.”}