The weakness we left behind
seems to be getting stronger
Adam's carefree attitude was almost enviable. Nate only raised an eyebrow as he shrugged off the first question. Until it affected Nate's life, it wasn't his problem. So long as Adam showed up to lend a hand often enough, and didn't smoke in the house, Nate found he didn't particularly care. He wasn't the Outlander's life coach or even his friend.
He could give him a little shit for it, though. That was necessary. "Must be nice. Everyone setting their schedule according to yours." He was pleased when Adam agreed to help, though it did not particularly show on his face. Much as Nate pretended to loathe company, he liked explaining his hobbies. Planting was good. Gardens were patient, structured things, forced in no direction by threat or haste.
"You can start by getting rid of that," Nate instructed. Smoking several feet away was one thing. Smoking right next to him while he worked was another thing entirely. Nate paused, eyebrows raised, when told to hang on, but soon the little black dragon appeared, and he accepted the pause was for good reason.
Ignoring it for the moment, Nate gestured at the last tray of seedlings at the edge of the plot, and then the series of small holes left at the end of one row. "Simple enough for an Outlander to figure out," he deadpanned. "Seedlings go in the holes. Cover the roots gently with soil. Then water them." It's good for you, he almost said, but managed to stop himself just in time, embarrassed by my the near-slip. He waited a beat, watchful, to ensure Adam complied properly with his directions. Nate was happy to correct him if he went off course, in this endeavor if not in life at large.
If Adam did oblige willingly, Nate would finally indulge his own curiosity in an attempt at conversation. "What did you name him?" If not, he would merely stand by and correct, his features never shifting from their chara
cteristic frown.
He could give him a little shit for it, though. That was necessary. "Must be nice. Everyone setting their schedule according to yours." He was pleased when Adam agreed to help, though it did not particularly show on his face. Much as Nate pretended to loathe company, he liked explaining his hobbies. Planting was good. Gardens were patient, structured things, forced in no direction by threat or haste.
"You can start by getting rid of that," Nate instructed. Smoking several feet away was one thing. Smoking right next to him while he worked was another thing entirely. Nate paused, eyebrows raised, when told to hang on, but soon the little black dragon appeared, and he accepted the pause was for good reason.
Ignoring it for the moment, Nate gestured at the last tray of seedlings at the edge of the plot, and then the series of small holes left at the end of one row. "Simple enough for an Outlander to figure out," he deadpanned. "Seedlings go in the holes. Cover the roots gently with soil. Then water them." It's good for you, he almost said, but managed to stop himself just in time, embarrassed by my the near-slip. He waited a beat, watchful, to ensure Adam complied properly with his directions. Nate was happy to correct him if he went off course, in this endeavor if not in life at large.
If Adam did oblige willingly, Nate would finally indulge his own curiosity in an attempt at conversation. "What did you name him?" If not, he would merely stand by and correct, his features never shifting from their chara
cteristic frown.
