oskareklund

[oskareklund]

zakarias

Zakarias snorted a laugh and nodded with faux agreement. “Sure, you don’t,” because his brother was perfect with no problems to work through at all. Maybe Oskar did not have the same mommy and daddy issues as him but the workaholic tendencies said something was not all right upstairs. “It may help.” Zak mumbled back. Weirdly enough, he even thought it might make it easier for him to go. Maybe that was a sign he should not bring him with, but his therapist had suggested it. If it was going to be as tense and awkward as their current conversation he was about to take back his words. “Yes, Oskar, obviously I am saying we should do that now I did not do this so we could stare at each other awkwardly over a mediocre meal.” He was frustrated and trying to remember that his brother was probably frustrated, too. When it came down to it, Oskar was the victim of more of Zak’s escapades than anyone else. Whether he had meant them to affect him or not. He took a long shaky breath. Stockholm, Bakery, MSI Stealth. The words repeated in his head a couple times while he glared at his brother. They were three things that had significant importance to him that weren’t people or had monetary value attached. Something about it being able to come down from the anxiousness that normally turned into impulsive behavior and anger. Fucking hell, he was starting to sound like a therapist in his head even. Why did it work? Whatever. He sat down. “No,” he answered after another moment. “Maybe some, eventually I don’t know. It’s more for you since I am inherently closed off and have been unwilling to share my thoughts and feelings about anything.” He droned the repetition like an angry teenager but even though he hated it he knew it would be better for himself and maybe even both of them in the long run.

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                                         Oskar laughed too but now that it was out in the open, the idea of it didn’t seem so...alien. The eldest Eklund took a long and thoughtful sip of his drink, sighing as he put the glass back to the table. “And the guy you see, he’d speak to us both?” he asked, wanting to get more clarification before being certain. “And what about Nina? Surely she isn’t exempt from all this. Maybe all three of us...” God, what did he sound like? Oskar sighed and then shrugged with his hands. “Maybe three of us can try so something can finally...start making sense.” Because Oskar had felt confused for years, about many things, but mainly where it all went wrong. He laughed subtly at Zak’s frustrated retort, finding amusement in his brother stating the obvious. “Fine...okay. Let me think.” Oskar sat back slightly, looking his brother in the eyes for a moment. It had been a long time since they did anything similar to this and Oskar had vague memories of their younger selves in Sweden, and for some reason his memories were never entirely happy. There seemed to be a cloud in his nostalgia, like a haze that drifted around it making it difficult to pin point the exact emotions. “I think...my main question is, how can I help you? Because...I feel as if I’ve tried a lot of things and it’s never worked...and I feel like that’s a reflection on me more than you. I just want to know what I can do.” Oskar admitted, his voice getting quieter with awkwardness but after the first question, more came to his mind. “New Years.” he mentioned, not wanting to revisit it. “The things you said about our parents. Is it true?”

[oskareklund]

annika

“Antiques are boring to live with. Better to visit and go home.” She decided right at that moment. Newer things were much more exciting, maybe if more people would have grown up the way she did they wouldn’t be so fascinated with the past. Shiny things were much more exciting and they did so much more stuff. Who needs a stupid vase that’s three feet tall? No one. “Really? I thought you had money?” Then she remembered that Swedish people were very humble as a culture and figured it must be that. “Is that the humble thing from your people? I think they wouldn’t be mad if you got a house you wouldn’t bump your head in.” Maybe not, though. Annika couldn’t remember ever seeing a Swedish person get mad, they always seemed so optimistic and full of life. Oskar was not full of life, but he was handsome for an older man. His reassurance that she was being respectful produced a beaming grin from her. “Oooo, champagne! I love the tiny bubbles,” she let out a small squeak of excitement and tightened her hold on his arm while they moved. Russian. Is Russian a look? Was that mean? “Is that a compliment?” She asked, genuinely confused. Her English did need some work still, she didn’t grasp the inflections as well as she should by now.

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                                          “Does that mean you’ll just visit me then go home?” Oskar laughed, mostly to himself and considering himself a comedic genius. Until he realized that she did take some things seriously, or perhaps didn’t note sarcasm as well as he would have hoped. He humbled himself with a sip of champagne and decided to just play along. It wasn’t as if she’d really see this imaginary cottage. “Cottages are expensive, depending on the location. It looks like something out of...those strange movies with small men in and the rings. It’s charming.” Oskar said, trying to recall the last time he ever stepped foot in one. It was possibly never, now that he thought about it. “Of course it’s a compliment. I think Russian women are...” Oskar was about to mindlessly admit they were the most popular women he met through the networks of high end escorting, and he stopped himself. “Graceful but fierce. That’s what I say. You all have rather impressive...” he shook his hand trying to think of a compliment. “Souls.”

[oskareklund]

nina:

“Oh, stop deflecting Oskar. It’s tiresome.” Nina retorts quickly to her older brother, unfaltering gaze locked to him as her brows raise. “I don’t need to explain it to a man who has access to the internet.” she then says, glancing to his phone and back to him again. “So are you saying Zak’s attempts have an expiry date? Is that what this is? Because if so, I think you need to make it clear to him otherwise you’re moving goalposts as soon as he reaches them.” Nina shrugs, her tone still indifferent as if she’s speaking about a tactical sales move instead of their younger brother. “Did you? I find that hard to believe, or was it a little twist of ‘sorry that you feel that way?’”

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                                         “What should I search for hm?” Oskar grabbed his phone, being facetious as he unlocked it and began typing away. “Rich spoiled man-child has more money than sense. No no, has more of other people’s money than his own sense. Is that what I search for?” he looked back up to Nina and then put his phone away, then his sarcastic grin was gone. “Of course not, I’m not going to turn my back on him but I think it’s worth noting how many times that was an option I didn’t take.” Oskar responded before scoffing at his sister. “I apologized, Nina. Stop trying to get on my nerves. This was meant to be a nice lunch, not ruined by constantly making comments.”

[oskareklund]

fox:

-

Fox was fairly certain he heard Stevie’s name, but he was too busy not only holding the door closed but trying to see if he remembered how many shrooms he had tried to drop into his own drink which turned out to not be his drink. “Oh my God, you’re right. I gotta go get Stevie.” he whispered, nodding to himself. There was no denying that Fox had a fairly strong tolerance, which means the tall Swede could be in for a trip of his life. “No, we can’t let anybody in.” Fox said panicked, but was careful to not feed the room with any negative energy. He was scared he’d be carted off to jail, made an example of, his face plastered everywhere in the city for being a drug-spiker but he couldn’t bring those vibes to Oskar’s brain. “Because uh…well, we just wanna have fun, right?” Fox tried to bounce happily, but it came across more like a pained rabbit hopping for it’s life. “You know, good vibes. Real good vibes.” he shimmied a little, trying to convince himself more than Oskar at this point. “Now uh…Oskar. Oskar, look at me.” Fox waved back for attention, catching Oskar’s wiggling fingers to move them out the way. “I’m gonna go get Stevie and you need to stay here, and like…keep holding the door. For…good vibes. You got that?”

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                                          “Stevie!” Oskar echoed Fox’s voice, an uncontrollable smile on his face which had never been there before and certainly not for as long. “Yes, go get Stevie. She has to see this.” See what? He didn’t know but this, whatever this was, was amazing. “We are having fun.” he laughed at the little hobbit man, planting two large hands onto Fox’s shoulders. “Aren’t we? I am. Am I not fun?” he frowned slightly. “People think that.” he then nodded, a suspecting squint forming slowly. “I can tell that they think I’m boring but maybe if someone let me drink cheap rum more often, I wouldn’t be so boring. Hm? What do you say to that?” he slapped Fox’s face a few times, firmer than he intended to. “No, I’m not staying here alone. You have to stay.” he then said to Fox, grabbing the little man’s face in both of his hands. “Don’t leave!” Oskar let go only to fling his arms up into the air and sway. “It’s too nice in here.”

[oskareklund]

Alexander Skarsgård.

My edits from originals by Pontus Lundahl, March '22. Thanks SwedishDelish.

[oskareklund]

fox:

@oskareklund​ at: the phoenix

-

If Fox had a nickel for every time he accidentally gave someone shrooms, he’d only have two nickels. But it was still weird that it happened twice. He had no idea what Oskar was doing in The Phoenix, he didn’t even know the guy was friends with Stevie. All he knew was he sprinkled a little kick to his drink at the bar, only for it to be gone when he turned back around and now he was in the fucking toilets with the man trying to block the mirrors with his arms. “The up is meant to be the best bit but honestly just like…avoid these.” he rambled in panic. Why were there so many mirrors? And why had Stevie insisted on unisex toilets, because there was a drunk voice outside the main door trying to get in and Fox had to keep pulling the handle back. “Won’t be long had some bad…tacos.” Yikes. “Not me, my friend. Obviously, otherwise I’d be in a stall and not holding the handle. He’s not really my friend though. But I like, don’t hate him either.” Fox shut up. “Okay just like…I don’t know, shove your fingers in your throat and it’ll all come up and it’ll be over. I think.”

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                                          Colors were very bright and Oskar always remembered The Phoenix to be dull but not anymore. Stevie had actually created such a magical place, he needed to say thank you. “Stevie.” he mumbled, his voice echoing in the toilet he was crouched over because despite his mind flying through wondrous thoughts his whole stomach was churning. “Who are you talking to? Let them in.” Oskar waved a heavy hand, slowly moving from his crouched position and looking to the curly haired stranger. No, he did know him. “Fox, yeah?” he pointed even though his hand moved off to a different direction which instantly made him laugh. No, Oskar was giggling. “I’ve never had cheap rum before and now I can see why it’s everyone’s favorite.” he enjoyed the feeling immensely, wiggling his fingers to try and explain what his words couldn’t. “It’s...everything is dancing. It’s...you know? Just incredible. Little dances everywhere.”

[oskareklund]

nina:

Nina expressively disagrees with Oskar as her eyebrows raise and she tilts her chin downwards, visibly displeased with the point of his finger towards her. She swipes it away delicately but quickly. “I’ve been on neither team, Oskar. From where I’ve been sitting all these years, I can see the rights and wrongs on both sides and wanted nothing to do with it.” she states and frowns to her older brother who seems to be clueless at how his support or disapproval can impact Zak. “Yes it does feel similar but this time he did it without anybody forcing him, which is different.” Nina adds, staring at Oskar in disbelief before she blinks it away and sighs. “Well done, Oskar. I’m sure Zak is feeling very capable after he spoke to you.”

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                                           “Ah yes, the astute Nina Eklund observations which you’ve never been able to make any sense of.” Oskar sighed, growing impatient with the conversation. Nina’s self appointed role as the referree between him and Zak was sometimes useful, but nothing she ever relayed back to him made much sense. It was what he called fluffy words. “Nina, please. So, he is doing the exact same thing that he did for years, the same kind of conversations he’s heard for years but this time, because he’s wanted to, they will work? Explain how that makes sense.” he pleaded sarcastically, both hands clasping together in mock prayer. Her words cut through him though because all Oskar ever wanted was to be a support for Zak, and knowing he might have made it worse was a painful wake up call. “I apologized.” he mumbled.

[oskareklund]

zakarias:

.

“Mhmm,” he hummed through closed lips. It was more expression Zakarias had seen on his brother’s face in awhile. Oskar was making this painful. Maybe this was why he never wanted to go to anything like this before, because he would have to face his family afterwards. Probably the least open minded and understanding people he’d ever met despite being from one of the more positive and open countries of the world. They were an enigma which his therapist had pointed out more than once now. “No, I mean you should maybe get your own but,” Zak sighed. This was impossible to talk about. Calm and honest. That’s all he had to be the doctor man said. “I just want you to understand me better and that takes open and honest conversation free of accusation but not necessarily acceptance either.” Zak droned in a monotone, repeating the words mixed in his own structure. “Just questions, answers, and explanations without fighting. I guess.” Already, Oskar was doubting him and had him frowning. “I do not believe the words stupid fuck-head have ever come out of my mouth.” He dropped the fork on the plate and sat back. Zak was ready to give up. His willpower and patience were not strong enough to change the way him and his brother communicated.

“For fuck’s sake, Oskar. Can you for once just accept that I’m fucking trying to get better on my own without anyone forcing it on me?” His words were more frustrated than angry. He threw the napkin on his plate and stood up with a sardonic laugh, ready to leave if one more thing went wrong. Oskar had no reason to have faith in him but Zak couldn’t see that in the moment, all he could think was that it was pointless to try because no one would ever change their mind about him.

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                                            Oskar tried to understand his brother, he always had. Oskar for years tried to analyze the behavior the youngest Eklund exhibited. For the life of him, he couldn’t ever work out any rhyme or reasons on why Zak was the way he was. Even when Nina would squeak in his ear with potential reasoning, none of it made sense to him. If mental health issues were all in his head then simply...don’t think about them? “Me? I don’t need therapy.” Oskar laughed, either in denial to his headspace or content with it. “I’d be...” he took a bite of food so the next words would be muffled with his chewing. “I’d be willing to go with you, if you wanted that.” he offered, because it being offered slightly quieter than his usual volume meant it could be brushed off if Zak rejected it. The idea of them having a conversation without a disagreement seemed promising, and Oskar had always wanted to be able to just sit down with his brother and get answers. “Are you saying we should do that now?” he asked, putting down his fork. “Ask questions and answer things now? Over this bottle of wine?” he picked the bottle up and refilled both the glasses, but they’d probably need a few more if they really were going to talk...properly. He watched Zak’s reaction, and sighed before pointing back to the seat. “No, come on. I’m trying, I didn’t mean to be rude.” Oskar attempted to placate the situation and pleaded silently for Zak to sit right down. “But this is new to me too, I have no clue what goes on inside therapies or clinics. So is it you who wants answers? Or both of us?”

[oskareklund]

odessa

- 

Odessa kindly nodded to her name, taking the champagne flute and glancing to the man. Her sister’s date, actually. Whether there was anything more to it than Annika simply wanting to spend a night in luxury, Odessa didn’t know. And it seemed he assumed she also didn’t know about her own name. “Wrathful.” she stated simply, taking a sip of champagne. “It can mean wrathful, adventurous and mystical in some translations too.” she turned then, fixing her eyes to his with a smile. “I hope you haven’t tried teaching Annika her name meaning too.”

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                                       Almost instantly, Oskar realized his mistake and he attempted to hide his embarrassment by sipping from the champagne flute slowly. He still remained engaged in the conversation and gave Odessa a small and sheepish smile. “I appear to have misspoken.” he stated calmly, fighting back an awkward laugh. This sister was far more intense than the other one and made Oskar suddenly wonder if talkative people weren’t so bad afterall. “I can assure you, I haven’t tried to explain her name.” he added, but couldn’t help himself. “Graceful, it means, doesn’t it?” his Russian was a little rusty but he was sure he was on the right path. Clearing his throat, Oskar offered his hand. “Let’s start again. Oskar.”

[oskareklund]

annika:

Annika was beaming from excitement. She didn’t even care that the tall, handsome blonde that invited her looked so grumpy. Between the clothes, hair, and makeup she felt like a princess. Mostly she was happy to be there and couldn’t wait to go find her sister. “It’s very, very big like it should be a museum. Pretty though. Is your house this big?” She glanced around at all the other guests and looked back at him when he heeded his warnings. Annika tilted her head, confused as to why he would call them strange people. Weren’t these his friends? Why else would he come to a party if he didn’t like the people throwing it? “Can I stay with you until I find my sister? I do not want to anger the strange people, or cloud your um, what is the word, uh,” it wasn’t appearance. “Legacy?” that didn’t sound right but she couldn’t think of the other word. “You look very handsome, by the way. We could have fun.” She added with a smile and hugged onto his arm. He was so tall with such pretty but serious features. Oskar reminded her of some of the elite circle back home, though less mean. So far.

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                                        Oskar didn’t do well with talkative people but once again, everything was like orchestrating a show. He couldn’t be seen to be too miserable in front of Quinlan, even though he considered the man to be dull in his own way. At least he wasn’t as dull as Roman. “Yes, he likes his antique things.” Oskar replied before looking down at her. “No, no. I have a tiny cottage that I bump my head on the beams going room to room.” he grinned with his sarcastic humor which was dry and not at all expressive. The idea of remaining glued to one another didn’t seem terrible, perhaps there was a way she could be shaped into something tolerable. “Legacy.” Oskar chuckled for a moment but nodding, since he enjoyed the sound of it. “I appreciate you respecting it.” he added, his ego well and truly tended to as he gently put her arm through his. “Here, let’s get some champagne.” Oskar guided her with him to one of the trays and then bowed his head politely. “Thank you and you look...” he glanced over her for a moment and shrugged. “Russian.”

[oskareklund]

where: quinlan’s home with: @odessa-kashirsky​

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                                          Oskar had a lot of unsavory opinions about Quinlan, but the man knew how to throw a luxurious party. And while Oskar’s date was rather...ecstatic for his non-existent patience, she did point out her sister in the crowd. “Odessa, isn’t it?” he asked when he got closer, reaching for the champagne that she was so she didn’t have to lift a finger. He passed it to her, giving a polite smile. “From the Ukranian city Odesa, named by the Russian empress in homage to the Ancient Greek colony that settled there.”

[oskareklund]

where: quinlan’s home with: @annikakashirsky​

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                                          Oskar didn’t know what he was doing there. He was beginning to dislike Quinlan instead of simply feeling indifferent about the man and he also wasn’t sure why he extended an invitation to the strange server he met at the Irish pub. She seemed...eccentric. That’s the nice word for it, wasn’t it? “So, here it is. The grand Kelly home.” he droned as they entered, glancing through the gathering to see if there was anybody he could tolerate. “You don’t need to glue yourself to me all night, feel free to mingle. Strange people though so be careful what you say.” he reminded her and then thought of another thing. “Oh and if you say something strange, it’s no bother but just don’t mention you’re here with me.” Reputation mattered.

[oskareklund]

sven

Sven believes hate is a strong word but it’s the closest thing to his feelings when it comes to either of the Eklund brothers. Which is impressive considering he only met them on a few occasions when he visited New York for Bella. The instant he met them, though, Sven wondered what on Earth his daughter was getting herself into. Luckily, a kind smile has always been his trademark and Sven refuses to be hostile. “I’m not, you’re right.” he laughs as he approaches Oskar. “I prefer to watch and maybe laugh, depending on how the night goes.” he shrugs and immediately looks along the bar as Oskar mentions Bella. “I think she’s in the mental space of…not having much patience.” he explains, wondering if it will be all it takes to begin a lengthy discussion.

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                                          “Ah, great minds then. Gambling is a fools idea of fun, but it is entertaining to watch.” Oskar laughed, gesturing to the dry martini in front of him. “Drink?” he offered before flagging down the bartender quickly. He could hear the way Sven’s tone changed about Bella, and Oskar respected the awkward air for a moment with a nod. “I understand.” he replied finally, sipping his drink and thinking for a moment. He wondered if Bella told Sven the horrid words he said to her, or if Sven’s concerns were mainly about Zak. “I’ve always thought she had too much patience when it comes to my brother, so I suppose it’s about time she stopped always offering an olive branch.”

[oskareklund]

nina​:

Nina scoffs softly at the dramatics, her bright eyes rolling as her head tilts. “Oskar, for goodness sake.” she chirps indifferently. “I can understand believing people can encourage him, but to think they’re responsible entirely is nonsense. We could drop Zak in the middle of nowhere and he’d find a way to get high. Probably produce his own cocaine and become the Swedish Pablo Escobar.” Nina crosses her arms as she sits back while Oskar leans towards her, and she grins because she has always seen why Oskar decides to take things to new extremes. Meanwhile, Zak continues a path of destruction and the two of them never can meet in the middle. “It’s…not our job to pull him back.” she states, as if she’s citing something obvious. “Therapy is better than no therapy. If you didn’t make that abundantly clear to him when he told you, you understand he’s going to feel rejected yes?”

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                                         “I never said they were responsible.” Oskar wagged a finger to Nina, to make his argument clear and also try to stop any potential disagreement lingering between them. “I understand you’ve always been Team Zak far more than on my side, but you’re delusional if you think Quinlan and his friends have anything but dollar bills in their eyes when they look at him.” Oskar sighed, getting agitated just thinking about how Zak preferred the other man. He nodded about the therapy and had to think about his responses, wondering if he had discouraged their brother without meaning to. “I wasn’t discouraging, I just...I was shocked and said...it felt a bit similar to all the other times.”

[oskareklund]

zakarias:

.

“Please, don’t hurt yourself from the shock. I am not a complete monster,” the sardonic tone was even and free of malice. It could even be considered a joke if there was any amount of inflection at all. “That was kind of the point, unless you would rather it be done with a mediator. I know how much you love the outside world knowing we’re anything less than the picture perfect family.” A slight chuckle fell from him. It was funny to imagine Oskar getting psychoanalyzed at all. Especially if someone told him he was going about something wrong. Though, he had no clue if the good doctor would side with either of them. Just like Nina. “Good enough, Bella said he was a good psychologist and he went to Yale.” Zak shrugged. “I didn’t ask him for a resume, I am making one of those attempt things you all have been pushing me to do the last twenty years.” He sighed, pushing a carrot back and forth on his plate.

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                                           It was hard for Oskar to not be shocked and he attempted to maintain a serious posture, nodding to his brother. “I’m not shocked...” he lied, shaking his head and taking bites of food to keep him from saying anything discouraging. “I suppose I have questions.” Many. Why has it taken so long for Zak to finally listen? “Well, do you want me to come with you to these...” he waved a free hand as he continued chewing. “Therapies.” Oskar was unsure what to expect, but he guessed Zak had qualms with him now? “Forgive me Zak but I feel a strange sense of deja vu. That you could turn around at any time and say he’s a stupid fuck-head and it was a stupid idea all along.” Oskar then drunk his wine, trying to not smile. “I’m glad you’re trying but...you know.”

[oskareklund]

nina​:

Nina wonders daily if there was much fortune in being a family therapist. Perhaps with the right clients there is. She glazes over during the conversation, having heard it a million times from Oskar who’s trapped in his own cycle much like Zak is. Leave it to the only sister of the family to break out of hers. “So let him.” Nina replies with a shrug. “He’s a grown man, and can make his own choices. The tighter you pull on the rope, the more he’ll pull his. A constant tug of war.” she says, lifting her glass of wine for a sip. “Mm, yes. And you’re an open book, Oskar.” Nina then states with a light laugh, putting down the glass before she sighs. “Did you just grunt a few times and consider the conversation done? Because, that sounds like you.”

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                                          “I’m not trying to control him, Nina. I’m simply saying what I think is happening. And there’s a correlation.” Oskar said, irritated already as he lifted his drink. The glass didn’t even make it to his lips before it was placed down again as Oskar listened to his sister, but readjusted his seat so he could lean in closer. “Of course I didn’t grunt like an animal and call it a conversation. Nina, I’m trying to tell you that I think Zak is completely off the deep end but this time, further than he has been. There’s no pulling him back.” Oskar sighed, flustered from the stress of being Zak’s keeper. Even if that wasn’t the arrangement, he was always going to want the best for his brother. It naturally happened. “He thinks going to therapy is going to solve everything, as if he hasn’t been a million times before...at our expense, may I add.” 

[oskareklund]

where: neue  with: @ninaeklund​

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                                           Oskar was always thankful that Nina was equipped in crisis management. One of them ought to be, considering their lives at the precise moment were one big crisis. Most of the time, their schedules barely had much space for one another and already their planned lunch had been dominated by Zak-Gate. “I feel as if he’s slipping closer to that God awful Quinlan, and that drab Roman lawyer.” Oskar sighed, finding it much easier to vent to Nina than he did to Zak. Him and his brother were more prone to long bouts of silent treatment after an eruption of tempers. Nina was the middle ground and she always had been. “He tried to do the whole, here’s dinner and a talk thing and well, you can imagine. Not much talking. It’s like he’s...a ghost.”