homosexuals | [SALTBURNT INBOX]

You HAVE seen me in person, right? I don’t know if I’d make the best security guard, honestly. In my experience, being told “I know better than you”, even indirectly, is enough to make people upset, even if you mean it kindly. Is “it” something going on here? Or something you brought with you? Have you told ANYONE what’s going on, in case something happens and you can’t “protect” people by pushing them away? [Ouch. Still, as blunt as it is, Koby means it kindly – there’s clearly something happening, and if Hawk ends up incapacitated, who’s going to keep his secrets?

Heavy sigh.] Of course I’ll keep an eye on him. I’d do that regardless.

You'd have the element of surprise. As long as you know what to do with it.

If I give him an inch, I know him. He's gonna try and get involved and I can't have him near this, do you understand that? It's recent. In the house.

I've got to keep this one close to the chest. I've got everything I need - to keep it out of reach.

If you don't hear from me in two weeks time, go to the library. Ask for "the last thing Hawkins Fuller was working on".

...I'm trusting you with this. Only if you don't hear from me, got it?

I know what to do with an advantage, sir. [It slips -- which one does Hawk remind him of, Garp, Bogard, Morgan? No, not Morgan, not that level of casual cruelty. Closer to Bogard, if anyone, tight-lipped and solemn and carefully calculating, always staying one step back, in the shadows. It's an odd comparison, one that makes Koby's chest ache with a sudden pang of homesickness.

But then: information, something to grab onto, Hawk says it's something recent, in the house, something that's a result of them being here. Koby immediately has a thousand theories, trying to put together everything he's seen, the last time he'd seen Hawk had been the night of that party, that was it, that was--

And then Hawk says I can't have him near this and something pangs sour and tight in the pit of Koby's stomach. He knows that feeling, the need to keep a secret to protect someone. Nosing around had only put himself at risk before, an acceptable danger in Koby's mind, but the Straw Hats are here, Quentin is here.

So, even though he desperately wants to go to the library right that second and accost the nearest librarian, Koby just notes the day, the time.] Exactly two weeks? From tonight? To the minute, or approximately?

[sir. cute. it's been a long time since anyone's called him that in a semblance of authority that wasn't imposed by work.]

Good. I'd expect nothing less.

[there's a pause, hawk wondering if he's taking the info down to run off and tell tim, or to head to the library now and do some digging. but he's going out on a limb here - after koby's the one to tell him about trust -

thank fuck.]

Two weeks from tonight. If I'm not at breakfast to grab a coffee and give you a nod, you go to the library.

I'll check in with the next date after that. It's not always the same.

[how the fuck do the phases of the moon work. he doesn't know.]

Oh - and one more thing. How much do you know about that Danny kid?

[For all his need to know and understand things, Koby is loyal before he is anything else. Hawk's made a request of him, something important, and ultimately all he has is his word. He'll honor the terms, and won't breathe a word of them, and he'll also be especially vigilant during breakfast in two week's time. Both can be true.]

The next date? This is going to be a repeat situation? [Quietly logging that away to puzzle about later.]

"Know" is a loaded word. I have a vague idea of some things. We've spoken a couple times.

[Spoken...flirted...been warned about...then there's the matter of the photos, which have honestly remained on the lower part of Koby's list of priorities. At this point he'd be surprised if there's someone who hasn't succumbed to their desires as a result of this place. Still, it makes him blush to have Hawk ask about it.] Why?

For now, until I can figure out how to get it to stop. Yeah, it's a repeat situation. But I'm doing everything I can to keep it business as usual otherwise.

[hm. do those vague things allude to the same psychotic tendencies embry is insisting on? the warning from louis to watch his step?]

I've got a bad feeling about him. Friend of mine - he's giving him some trouble. Seems like he gets his kicks from following people around and waiting for compromising positions.

Tim won't hear a word of it. Probably thinks he can save his eternal soul.

But some people don't have one of those. You know, that right?

For now. Okay. If it's something you end up wanting me to research, you know, I'm pretty good at it. Maybe not now, but. If that ever becomes something you want.

[The pit in his stomach yawns wider, a sick sort of dread curling up his spine.] The photos. That's I guess it makes sense they'd be of multiple people, not just [Not just me.]

That sounds like Tim, yeah. He wants to believe the best of people. So do I, but I have limits.

Yeah? Well - I'll keep it in mind. I promise.

[at face value, it might look like a brush off. but he's got more books than he does time to wade through, and it is tempting. maybe even letting tim in to help with that part of it -

no. he'll get sucked in too deep.

his focus is immediately dragged away at the mention of photos.]

Yeah, photos. He's got them on you too? I'm not gonna pry - but, do you want them back? Did he offer you anything, or bait you in any way?

Tell him for me. Please.

...I'll owe you.

[that's a big thing to offer coming from hawk.]

[It's better than an outright refusal -- Koby can work with noncommittal, especially if the situation gets more dire and Hawk ends up in over his head, which seems likely. But he'll keep that to himself for the moment, in light of more pressing matters.]

At least one, possibly more. It's embarrassing, but not anything I'd be desperate to hide -- not in the context of this place. He's been very Solicitous? Nice? To me, at least. I wouldn't have known anything was wrong if you hadn't warned me. [Which is frustrating in itself, makes him feel naive and guileless.]

I'll mention it. If things go Poorly, in a couple weeks, do you want me to tell Tim what's going on? [Not that Koby’s in any way positive what that is, but he's a smart guy. He has some theories.] Or investigate solo?

Yeah, I'm sure he has.

[it's not a criticism of koby, more like derision that this guy is some sort of snake looking for someone gullible or perceived as an easy mark. he's curious what the end-game is here - doesn't seem like harmless flirting. embry's text sticks out like a sore thumb: serial killer behavior.]

From what I've heard, it's not nicety for the sake of it. He wants something. More pictures, more compromising material on people - I don't know. I'm gonna try and find out, but you know how Tim is.

[he'll give everyone an inch, confess things openly and freely and put his trust in people who don't deserve it.]

...No. Warn him about this creep, but keep him out of the rest of it.

Please.

I'll be more carefull. I guess it'll take a little more investigation to figure out what he wants. [Koby, that's almost definitely not what Hawk meant -- or Louis, for that matter. Still, this is insatiable curiosity: the person talking right now. Of course he wants to find out more firsthand, rather than stay safely out of danger.

He agrees on one part, though, without question:] I do know how Tim is. And I'll warn him, and keep an eye on him. And I won't say anything beyond that. [Much more begrudgingly, but Koby's word is his bond -- he's surprisingly good at keeping secrets, unless there are shots involved.]

Christ, Koby - didn't you see what I said? Stay away, keep your distance - and make sure Tim does too. I don't know enough about this guy yet, but what I have heard from you and Louis and - my other source, it's bad news. I don't want any of you wrapped up in this shit, you got it?

[he feels an awful lot like a dad trying to wrangle unruly children, lately. a headache and a half - all of that on top of his drama with the balfours, and it's no wonder he's looking wearier than usual and missing breakfast or the gym some days, even when he'd rather be grunting and staring at tim from across the room while koby gives them both side eye.]

But - thanks. I'm trying to take your advice, you know. Trusting and all that.

...It's not because I don't trust him, either, you know.

I AM capable of taking care of myself too, Hawk. And I'm careful, I'm not going to do anything stupid. [Well.] I have people I need to keep safe too, you know, and I'd rather it be me interacting than them, if he's really that dangerous. Will you keep me updated, at least? On what else you find out?

[Of course he's noticed; Koby's dedication to attending the gym daily doesn't mean he isn't constantly aware of his surroundings. He's seen Hawk's exhaustion, the withdrawn way he moves. It all adds up in his mind, slowly, bit by bit, adding to his various theories.]

I know that, Hawk. You'd rather put yourself in danger and push him away than see him get hurt. I get it, really. But he's still hurt, you realize. And he should get a choice in what happens, even if you think you know better.

Best way to keep yourself safe is to not interact at all. You really wanna give this guy more ammo?

Of course I will. And of course I realize that too. Christ, I'm glad you get it. I'm not some stand-up guy, Koby. I've always done what I needed to do, even if it hurts the people who don't deserve it. But sometimes it's better than the alternative.

Just - hang tight. On all of it. Okay?

No, but ignorance isn't the answer either. I don't think there's a clear-cut solution this time. And I think you're better than you assume you are. Maybe resigning yourself to being less than that is an excuse. Or maybe you can't help it, I don't know. I know it's hard to turn off. It is for me too. I'm not used to having other people worrying about me or caring if I'm hurt. I don't know how to handle that. I'll try my best. And if I don't see you at breakfast I'm giving you 5 minutes before I go to the library.

There is. You just seem dead-set against it. Don't tell me you have a thing for this guy. You ever heard of a narcissist? Sociopath?

...Well, I'll take it into consideration, alright? That's the best I can do for now. It's not about excuses, I'm just trying to be honest and set expectations.

I'll be there. But just in case: you know what to do.

No? He's nice to me. He's in the library all the time. Maybe I can find out more by talking to him. [Obviously recon is the only motivation here.]

If it's the best you can do, then thank you. I know it doesn't come easy. But you can trust me. I won't let you down.

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