#Tempted to make an alternate one for Nico here-

[not-bcring]

「 ☆ 」 Ace's explanation is hardly satisfactory, but at least it is one. They wouldn't have been surprised if Ace decided to leave them floundering. If they feel slighted at having to accept such a strange occurrence, they imagine it must be worse for the person who owes his life to it. Still, better to be breathing because of an inexplicable twist of fate rather than to be— Well... they assume, anyway. After what Ace has been through, the deeds he had committed, perhaps he's not entirely grateful.

Nico wouldn't blame him for any confusion he might be feeling. After all, they've got quite a bit to sort through themself. But that's not their main concern at the moment. Not when there are minnows to feed and a living ghost to unfortunately converse with. Lamenting the loss of what was meant to be solitude ( even if they're grateful there's one less death, they would have preferred Ace to seek sanctuary somewhere else ) , Nico grimaces as Ace barks at them. From the way he growls, backed up against the wall with a palpable fear in his eyes, he reminds them of a wounded dog. One desperately trying to remain seen as a threat, even when briefly brought to his knees from the strain. Frankly, Ace still FEELS like a genuine threat.

How could a cat not feel threatened when in the presence of a canine who would like nothing more than to rip out their throat? Just because Ace is unable to— thanks to circumstances beyond his control —doesn't make the desire any less real.

Which is why Nico keeps their distance, despite knowing a better person... a more naive one, would rush to Ace's side as soon as his legs gave out. Besides, Ace isn't the sort to appreciate concern. However much he might complain that he doesn't get it. Certainly not from the one who tried to kill him, even if Nico wanted to offer comfort. Instead, they study Ace as he proves instincts correct and demand they leave him alone. Gaze drifts from the clasped hand on his chest, to his pained expression. Waiting to ensure Ace doesn't completely collapse or lose consciousness, Nico starts to head to where they keep the fish food.

Steps are hesitant— gaze flitting from their destination to Ace and back again —as if unsure whether they should look away from the struggling survivor. ❝ You should... lay down... Try to relax. ❞ They offer unhelpfully, neglecting to fully leave Ace alone. Difficult as they know it is to just ❛ relax ❜ because you're TOLD to, Nico stands by the idea. What's the alternative? Continue screeching and tempting fate to kill him again? With the food in hand and gaze no longer lingering on Ace, they go to kneel beside the minnow pond, focusing on who they know they can help.

Gazing down, discomfort shifts to dismay at the barely noticeable change in the waters. But to Nico, it's impossible to miss. Honestly, the fish are probably pleased with the extra swimming space. MonoTV had put too many in there to begin with, just another mistake by the irritating machine. Nico had done everything they could to improve the dismal situation, but the overpopulation was an issue they had yet to figure out. It's not as though there is an abundance of ponds just waiting for transported minnows... Frankly, there are still more here than they'd prefer. Yet Nico's chest is tight from the losses nonetheless.

❝ Small pond, generic fish food, didn't even know about needing a thermometer... For minnows. ❞ Nico complains under their breath, carefully sprinkling crushed flakes onto the top of the pond. ❝ Why are you even here? It's not fair. You don't need to be here. ❞ 「 ☆ 」

Whatever kind of reply Ace expected, it wasn't—

Well, alright, "Why aren't you dead??" wasn't that weird of a question. Maybe Teruko hadn't had a chance to break the news to everyone yet. Maybe she just didn't know how.

"Why aren't you dead??"

Or maybe she'd already broken the news and it wasn't so much a question as it was anger demanding an explanation. Why wasn't he dead, after everything he'd done? After killing Arei and some of their stupid minnows, nearly getting Teruko and Levi killed—although the jury was still out on whether or not the latter was more set in stone. There was always a chance that MonoTV decided to go back on letting him go, since he'd technically taken the punishment and been executed in a technical sense. Always a chance that the little bastard turned their eye to someone else instead—

Just more blood on his hands. More reason for everyone's ire. More reason to feel the sense of dread creeping back in, the sense of fear that had jolted through him with every fakeout death—

"F-Fuck if I know..." he managed to growl out, a hand creeping up to his chest again. "All I know is my heart stopped, and then suddenly I was back on the floor of the courtroom again and everyone except Teruko was gone. I dunno what happened, or how..."

He wanted to be angrier at Nico's accusatory tone, wanted to yell and lash out at them for daring to imply that he hadn't deserved to escape his fate.

But even he knew he had no right to yell at them for that. And even if he did—

The fist clenched tighter against his shirt as pain jolted through his chest, the fear of another fatal heart attack bringing him to his knees for a brief second. God, no, not in front of them. "Shit—if you don't wanna see me, then just—"

What? Leave? Take advantage of the chance to finally do the deed themself? By MonoTV's definition, he'd been executed. There was a high chance that anyone who wanted to actually kill him for real could truly get away with it this time.

Such a thought only made his chest ache further—the realization that he was somehow even more at risk for death after avoiding it twice already. Somehow that was almost worse than the act of dying itself.

Oh, no. It wouldn't just be twice at this point, would it? Fuck. "Just...leave me alone."