No! [he snaps with a light grimace.] I didn't want them to do anything, either!
Niko, if you do something he'll just find a way to twist it and blame it on me for being a bad influence or neglectful. Do you understand that? If you do anything, you're giving him fuel for the fire, the same way the other two did.
[There's a tiny flinch at the snap, even as the fists tighten until his knuckles are white.
He knows Archie's right, but it doesn't stop the desire or want to hunt Archer down and feed him to Baku, or let the gengar have free reign on hunting the Rocket before eating him.
But it sounds like Archie doesn't want it- didn't even want Poe and Guzma to go after the man and Nikolai's honestly not sure why, but that can be asked later. Much, much later. The main point is Archie's professing to not want this, and in Nikolai' brain that translates to-] So. I'm not allowed to do anything even though he deserves it, oyaji?
[Once upon a time, he wouldn't have asked, would have gone behind the man's back. But Nikolai likes the fragile, tentative feelings of- of whatever this is. Family? Friendship? Other people having his back?
He's gone weak. He only needs himself. Letting others in isn't a good idea.
He ... doesn't care? Not if he's using 'oyaji', at least.]
[...he can never tell if niko is being genuine or not with that word. they're both treading ground they're not sure about; honestly, archie figures niko might go off and do it anyway.]
No. By doing nothing you are doing something. You're not sinking to his level.
[It's more a frustrated whine than not and maybe just maybe, he should let the matter drop, agree with what Archie says. But he can't, because what Archie wants leaves so much wiggle room to act behind his back-
Maybe he shouldn't be approaching this like he would his father in terms of absolutes, yet it is really the only frame of reference he has.]
Am I or am I not allowed to do anything to him? Or do I pretend that I don't want to feed him to Baku?
Doesn't matter where, just know it'll take a little while to heal. Maybe a couple months.
[he's pretty sure he's been told this'll affect him for the rest of his life-- at least, until it's removed by some porter means, but archie doesn't mention that.]
Go and get some rest, Niko. You don't need to stress yourself out here.
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[His hands fist.]
Not in the long run. So, I have to make sure it sticks!
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Niko, if you do something he'll just find a way to twist it and blame it on me for being a bad influence or neglectful. Do you understand that? If you do anything, you're giving him fuel for the fire, the same way the other two did.
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He knows Archie's right, but it doesn't stop the desire or want to hunt Archer down and feed him to Baku, or let the gengar have free reign on hunting the Rocket before eating him.
But it sounds like Archie doesn't want it- didn't even want Poe and Guzma to go after the man and Nikolai's honestly not sure why, but that can be asked later. Much, much later. The main point is Archie's professing to not want this, and in Nikolai' brain that translates to-] So. I'm not allowed to do anything even though he deserves it, oyaji?
[Once upon a time, he wouldn't have asked, would have gone behind the man's back. But Nikolai likes the fragile, tentative feelings of- of whatever this is. Family? Friendship? Other people having his back?
He's gone weak. He only needs himself. Letting others in isn't a good idea.
He ... doesn't care? Not if he's using 'oyaji', at least.]
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No. By doing nothing you are doing something. You're not sinking to his level.
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That doesn't even make sense! I'm either allowed to do something or not! It's as simple as that!
[... Right?]
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[he leans back lightly in the bed.]
Actions have consequences. All of them. Even actions you think are good or justified.
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[It's more a frustrated whine than not and maybe just maybe, he should let the matter drop, agree with what Archie says. But he can't, because what Archie wants leaves so much wiggle room to act behind his back-
Maybe he shouldn't be approaching this like he would his father in terms of absolutes, yet it is really the only frame of reference he has.]
Am I or am I not allowed to do anything to him? Or do I pretend that I don't want to feed him to Baku?
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[that's final, in archie's eyes.]
But you don't have to pretend to feel how you don't.
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[There's a short, sharp nod and Niko seems to relax just a fraction.
... ... ... and actually sitting in the chair he'd dragged over earlier, now.] Do you want me to leave him here when I leave, just in case?
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[he does genuinely believe that.]
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[It's a grumbled reply. Tired, too. As if all the emotion, for now, has been drained.
Or at least is simmering and Niko can't be bothered to stoke it into anything else right now.]
So, where'd you get shot anyway?
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[he's pretty sure he's been told this'll affect him for the rest of his life-- at least, until it's removed by some porter means, but archie doesn't mention that.]
Go and get some rest, Niko. You don't need to stress yourself out here.
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[The only reason he even crosses his arms is to stop from rubbing the arm he broke on the maiden flight of Project Alke.
At the suggestion to go and get rest, though? He juts his jaw in a stubborn set. Does he need to be here? No.
But he wants to be here. Archie means something Nikolai can't put into words right now. ] I'll leave when I'm ready.