I'll be the watcher of the eternal flame [Eachdraidh IC Contact]

[zerotohiro]

"Busy. Leave a message!"

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[fell_to_hell]

...I suppose so. [He'll grudgingly give Hiro that much.]

Maybe because it bears repeating. [There's no venom or gentleness about it. It's just matter-of-fact truth.] Also, I very distinctly remember you angering a bunch of natives in Treun. So.

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[zerotohiro]

That wasn't my fault. They're the ones who weren't paying attention to the pool. [He's also the one who cheated but whatever.

A long, long pause.]

…I'll do it. The oath, I mean. But only if it means swearing that I only back out if I really, really can't handle it. I know my limits better than you guys do. But I'll do it. [A beat.] I trust you, okay? [That's...a very big deal, and he knows Nico knows that.]

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[fell_to_hell]

And you neglected to give any sort of warning. [Nico's tone is innocent, and actually half amused.

There's silence for a moment.]

Alright. This trust goes both ways, Hiro. Also...you're going to hate me with the training I'll put you through, but you'll be able to hold your own at the end of it. I'm not going to be very fair.

[But, no matter what, Nico will make absolutely sure that if one of them has to make a sacrifice, it won't be Hiro. He'll give his life to make sure at least the other teenager will get out of it alive. He cares about Hiro too much to let that happen, if he can at all help it.]

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[zerotohiro]

I needed the head start. [The tone matches Nico's. At least they're on the same page.]

You actually trust me now? [He sounds pretty damn pleased about that. There's a small huff following the rest.] I'm not weak, you know. I...used to train in martial arts with Tadashi. [He doesn't say much more than that though. He also doesn't share that a certain ex-boy wonder's taught him some things. Nico can be surprised.

That's what he thinks. Hiro's about the same level and that's why he's going with Nico in the first place. How sad that they're both so protective of each other and are completely clueless of it.]

Bring it on. As soon as the holiday's over, we'll get going.

[Or as soon as he freaks out about Jason, whatever. But Hiro doesn't know that.]

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[fell_to_hell]

[He's actually smiling a little bit, though Hiro can't see it.]

Yeah. [Just by continuing this conversation in general, he's made Nico feel able to trust him more. Not that he didn't trust Hiro before, but...this is different.] No, no, I don't think you're weak. I'm just going to be very tough on you. Real weapons, nothing blunted.

[Hiro will be perfectly safe with Nico's weapon, at least. The blade won't hurt mortals.]

Give me a call whenever you're ready.

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[zerotohiro]

[All part of his master plan, really.] I told you before, I'm a superhero. It's gonna take way more than a few weapons to scare me. And besides, I just so happened to get a really cool dagger for Christmas. Guy's got pretty good taste.

[He doesn't even know that, but whatever.]

Sweet. [A pause.] Have a good rest of the holiday, okay? I'll catch up with you when it's over. [And with that satisfactory note, he's disconnecting the call.]