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Nikolai Lantsov, 24

DIABEL

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And here I was hoping you'd gone for an opium den instead of a gambling. Opium would be really fucking nice right now. I like the pitch, now answer me a question: why do you want to share her? With me, nonetheless.

Perhaps the gambling will fund the opium.

[ a flippant consideration on the way to something more fraught— ]

I don't, truth be told. But that has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with my own sentimentality. And here, I think it is impractical.

I've no desire to force her into a choice. It would make her unhappy, whatever she decided.

Besides all of that, I like you, Ianthe. And so does she.

Would you answer me the same, while we're asking questions.

I don't like sharing anything unless I know its mine. And I rarely like sharing with a man. But she's not mine, as much as I want her to be. She might not ever be mine, save for moments here and there. I chase her and if that chase leads to your den, then that's where I will be. The reality is that this is fleeing, me and her, whereas you and her are not. I will have what I can of her, and if it means I must share then I will share rather than have nothing. I also think it will be a lot of fun. I'm also starting to sober up now. Ugh.

[ There are pieces of this that Nikolai will be turning over in his head in the hours to come. He is quiet for a few beats, her summation of their respective positions holding his thoughts. But as they have come to some kind of accord, what he offers her instead is— ]

Will you sleep now?