[One For All]: The human bug-zapper

[ps_you_look_hot]

Insects and other lifeforms intensely allergic to electricity would probably do well to stay away from the section of lab Nikola has appropriated for himself.

Colorful, Serbian curses waft over from his workspace, accompanied by the occasional, impressive shower of sparks.




[ooc: Nikola probably won't electrocute your pup, should you care to stop by. :)]

Comments

[ps_you_look_hot]

Nikola laughs darkly. "Oh, Will. You still don't get it. I may be alone, but I haven't been lonely for decades. And any manipulation you may have perpetrated on me hasn't changed that."

[w-zimmerman.livejournal.com]

Will looks relieved. Still pretty full of self-loathing, but also decidedly relieved. "I'm glad. Hurting anyone was never my intention. But, even though I didn't, I'm still sorry. My behavior was unforgivable."

[ps_you_look_hot]

"Yes, it was," Nikola agrees. "And I must say, this self-flagellation you've got going on is immensely gratifying."

[w-zimmerman.livejournal.com]

Will smiles weakly. "Well, at least there's that. Feel free to drop by any time you want to see it in action." He hesitates for a long moment, opening his mouth, standing there in silence for a moment, then closes it again. "I was wrong about you, and I'm sorry for that, too. I should at least have given you the benefit of the doubt."

[ps_you_look_hot]

Nikola smiles in a way that sends many people ducking for cover.

"For what it's worth, I was wrong about you too."


[ooc: Gotta run a few errands. I'll be back in about an hour.]

[w-zimmerman.livejournal.com]

"I'm... probably going to regret this, but how so?"

[ps_you_look_hot]

"You very well could be as devious as I am some day," Nikola says simply.

[w-zimmerman.livejournal.com]

Will goes pale at this suggestion. "Ah. So, uh... Well, again, I'm sorry. It won't happen again. Next time I want something from you, I'll just ask."

[ps_you_look_hot]

"And I'll just say no," Nikola says, turning back to his project.

[w-zimmerman.livejournal.com]

"I know. Which still won't make me resort to those tactics again. For what it's worth, most of this past week I've been pretty sure I was the one on the receiving end of your mind-game..."

[ps_you_look_hot]

"What makes you think you weren't now?"

Those sparks are likely not an invitation to stay and chat.

[w-zimmerman.livejournal.com]

"Nikola, far as I can tell, I absolutely was. The impressive part is that there were times when you had me convinced I wasn't. You're good. I'm glad you're on our side."

[ps_you_look_hot]

"For the moment," Nikola says mildly.

[w-zimmerman.livejournal.com]

"I know. But, right now, 'for the moment' is good enough."

Will hesitates. "Do you still want my blood?"

[ps_you_look_hot]

Nikola pauses what he's doing for a fraction of a second.

"Don't feel obligated."

[w-zimmerman.livejournal.com]

"I don't feel obligated. The offer still stands. And, if you don't want to be in the same room with me, I get that and I can send you a couple vacutubes a day in the inter-office mail. I believe it could make you stronger and that's good for the rest of us, too. So, just wanted to leave that on the table for you to think about." He clears his throat. "I should probably get back to work."

[ps_you_look_hot]

"Yes, you probably should," Nikola says coldly.

[w-zimmerman.livejournal.com]

Will nods weakly. "Thanks for everything and, again, I'm sorrier than I can say. You know where to find me if you need anything. You take care, Nikola."

He turns and slouches from the lab, metaphoric tail between his legs.

[ps_you_look_hot]

Nikola gives no sign of noticing that he's left.