Totally Family [Three Trinities Haven Church]

[Ezekiel]

Zeke laughed a little as he leaned back on his elbow. “How philosophical an answer, my friend. Both indeed.”

He let Cruz linger a while with his thoughts, the drugs, and company that would not judge him. The bustle of the church sounded around them, but no one disturbed their silence, or even paid them much mind. Despite his laughable efforts to blend in with the abject poverty here, Cruz did not in the slightest, yet he was accepted nonetheless – by virtue of Ezekiel’s company at least. The same had been true for Nox, whose flames had destroyed many of these people’s homes. “I think you do not know what you want,” he said after a time, because sometimes the obvious answer needed to be voiced aloud. Through a haze of smoke, he glanced at the other man. A small smile lifted his lips.

“Fear is my kingdom, Cruz. That is why you return.” He reclined fully now, an arm cushioned behind his head. Tattoos spread up his arm, discordant and meaningless patterns and images. Something flashed dully in his other hand, caught between the fingers. Zeke held it up between them. “If I offered you a second chance, would you take it?”