(Frauw – Occupation: Lit) (Zero)

  Not a minute after Vodka returned, all his professionalism was gone, corked out along with the whisky bottle. Drunk in under an hour and staying that way for the next five, he drank like he could handle an elephant's tusk. Give it a few years, and he might be a legend: the man who drank himself to death.

  “VODKA!” Zero shouts, clearly annoyed. “DID YOU DRINK MY BOURBON?!”

  Vodka’s head drops onto the porch table, a thin line of drool slipping from his mouth. “Yeah…”

  Zero rubs his temples, trying to calm down. “Guess I’ll buy more later…”

  Sara, sitting at the round table, nudges Zero’s arm. “Could you get me some beer? He drank mine too.”

  “Same here!” Hypno chimes in. “It’s like we can’t keep anything around him.”

  “So… why,” Vodka slurs.

  Christ, one of the newer friends, raises an eyebrow. “Is he always like this? I mean, he warned us, but this is… rough.”

  “Yeah, he was drunk the whole time we were at the Monks’ place,” Smokey shrugs. “They treat it like it’s just a regular day. I asked Viktor about it, and he said Vodka’s usually a little drunk or buzzed. If he’s not, he gets withdrawal symptoms fast.”

  Zero’s eyes narrow. “Wait, so when he…”

  Smokey cuts him off. “Yeah, when he kicked your ass, he was wasted.”

  “Scary…” they all murmur in unison.

  “Is that why they call him Vodka?” Carp asks.

  There’s a brief silence before Xander speaks up. “Kind of. Vodka was his drink of choice—until he downed nail polish remover at a party and had to get his stomach pumped.”

  Carp pokes Vodka on the cheek. “When did that happen?”

  Xander scratches his chin, thinking. “Eleven years ago. He was fifteen.”

  Marisa nearly spits out her drink. “Shit, I didn’t know that…”

  Zero’s eyes widen even more. “You’re telling me he’s been drinking like this for over a decade and can still kick our asses?” He throws his hands up, heading over to the porch rail. “I give up.”

  Amos chuckles, joining Zero by the rail. “It’s like logic doesn’t apply to him, huh?”

  “Apparently not.” Zero stares out at the field behind the manor and notices someone lying under a tree about a hundred yards away. “So that’s where he’s been…”

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  Xander glances over his shoulder. “Ship? Yeah, he’s been out there a while. Says it’s his favorite place to relax.”

  “Looks comfy,” Carp says. “Makes me want to lie down out there too.”

  “Same here,” Smokey says, elbowing his brother with a grin. “Maybe if we go over, we’ll annoy him.” Without further comment, he heads off.

  Hypno sighs, standing up. “I’ve been eyeing that spot too. Looks peaceful.” He glances at Vodka and shakes his head. “Come on, you drunken idiot.” Helping Vodka up, he follows the others.

  Xander chuckles, scratching the back of his head. “Guess we’re all going. Anyone else joining?”

  Christ shrugs. “Yeah, I’m done sweating for today.”

  Amos nods. “Why not?”

  Xander turns to Zero. “You coming?”

  Zero watches as Smokey and Carp settle under the tree next to Ship. “I’ll pass. I’m fine right here.” Any excuse to stay away from Ship seemed like a good one.

  “Suit yourself.” Xander waves before joining the others down the steps.

  Amos watches them walk away, then turns to Zero. “You sure? If something’s bothering you, you know you can talk to me. We’re best friends, right?” With a final glance, he heads off, leaving Zero with only a shrug.

  As Zero’s gaze drifts back to the group, John touches his shoulder, making him jump.

  “Spooked you, did I?” John says with a wry grin. Leaning against the railing, he studies Zero’s expression. “Why didn’t you join them?”

  “My stomach’s a bit off, and I’m not feeling social.”

  “Didn’t know Ship’s nickname was ‘Stomach’…” John says, raising an eyebrow when Zero doesn’t respond. “Listen, it’s always been oil and water between you two. Ever since Ship joined the clan, you’ve both kept tight-lipped about the reason. Usually, it’s you giving me advice, but maybe it’s time I return the favor.” He takes a deep breath. “Don’t let one person get in the way of memories with your friends. Someday, they won’t be around, and all you’ll have are the memories you made… or didn’t make.”

  “What about you? Why didn’t you go?”

  “I’ve got the munchies,” John says, smirking.

  Zero chuckles, shaking his head. John’s right; the tension he holds onto seems pointless. “Thanks…”

  John chuckles too, giving Zero a hearty slap on the back before sitting down.

  A moment later, Zero finally joins the others, settling into the circle they’ve formed beneath the tree. Lying between Christ and Smokey, he avoids being next to Ship. They share jokes and memories, but eventually, a calm silence falls over them, surrounded by the comforting shade and warm air. Zero feels a rare peace, a feeling of connection as his friends lie around him, almost forming a protective circle. It feels… safe, a kind of quiet he hasn’t known in a long time.

  “How would you want to die?” Carp asks suddenly.

  Everyone but Ship raises their heads, turning to stare at Carp.

  “What?” Hypno asks.

  After a moment, Carp’s face flushes red. “I… I mean, if you could choose. Like, if you had to go early.”

  With the question hanging in the air, they each consider it, the weight of it sinking in. It’s a reality check for Zero—he knows he could die but never really acknowledged it. And he can tell he’s not alone.

  Ship breaks the silence. “There’s a rocky island north of The Gator Plains, with these floating platforms like the ones in Nanium. Sometimes I think about having a final fight there, waves crashing ten meters below… I guess, if I had to, I’d want to go there.”

  The tension dissipates as they each share their own thoughts, ranging from heroic ends to simple peace, each reflecting their own dreams and fears. When it’s Zero’s turn, he says, “Doesn’t matter how I go… as long as I make some kind of difference.”

  The conversation slowly fades into quiet, and Zero realizes this might be the most relaxed he’s felt in a long time.