Archive of Our Own ^beta

It was a common misconception that fish hibernate during the winter, but this is actually not the case, though some fish can enter a state similar to that called torpor. It is a semi-dormant state where the fish enter a deep sleep-like state where their bodies slow down and their need for food and oxygen decreases. It wasn't that hard to see that Nina seemed to be affected in a similar way as these fish, as she seemed more tired than usual and seemed to be generally doing poorly ever since the weather had begun to change.

“Are you cold or something?” Phosphorus found himself asking, taking notice of the way she had been leaning against him for quite a while now. “We need you awake and functional.”

“I'm awake.. I'm awake.” Nina confirmed tiredly, yawning slightly before speaking again. “I'm tired.. I'm really tired.”

There was no doubt in his mind that Nina would only continue to be affected by the cold weather, but it was also apparent that leaning into the warmth provided by him seemed to help. Phosphorus could remember explaining to his daughter the importance of caring for the animals you keep, and for some reason he felt as though he would be a hypocrite if he didn't follow through on that even if his daughter was no longer present in his life anymore. Nina wasn't exactly an animal, but she wasn't exactly human either, but he guessed he could care for her no less. They were on the same team.

That simple decision led to Phosphorus increasing his overall body temperature a bit more to allow the clothes he was wearing to be warmed. It produced an effect similar to though they had just come out of the dryer. He proceeded to toss his lab coat over to Nina as soon as it was warmed.

“What is going on?” Nina questioned when she felt the coat land on her lap, feeling how warm it was prompting her to slip into it without much hesitation. “It feels so warm.. thank you.”

“Thought it might be a bit helpful.” Phosphorus stated dismissively, seeming almost amused by the way she ran her hands over the coat as though she was taking in all the warmth. “Better than you falling asleep on us.”

The whole scene between them was something noticed not only by the other members of the team but their commander as well. It was an action Flag was genuinely surprised about, and though he approved of the act of kindness shared between the two, he couldn't ignore the jealous feelings bubbling up inside him. It was a stupid feeling to have, and really he didn't understand why it was there. It wasn't like anything was going on between them either, and he knew he really had no right to feel that way.

“I have to admit jealousy is an interesting look on you.” Bride quietly acknowledged, making it apparent how obvious his feelings must have been that even a corpse could see them. “You look like you just watched someone sleep with his wife or something.”

“I don't know what you're talking about.” Flag claimed, not bothering to take his eyes off the pair and how they behaved towards one another. “They should have asked to turn the heat up.. How hard is that to do?”

These feelings Flag was harboring only continued to worsen the longer the exchange went on, but it was when he saw a hug being shared between them that he knew he couldn't ignore things. He knew Phosphorus had issues with being touched, and yet he allowed Nina to do so instead of turning her into a burnt fish dish like he threatened to do to many. It was an act of intimacy he knew he allowed from very few people, especially in such lengths.

“You should make a move on him instead of glaring.. trust me when I say it's a bad look.” Bride encouraged him, getting up once they arrived back at the prison. “I promised to help Nina with some stuff anyway.. talk to him then.”

With that being said, Nina headed off with the Bride after waving goodbye to Phosphorus and making a promise to return the coat as soon as she could, which Phosphorus dismissed without much issue. The pair were soon left alone together as the others quickly headed off to do their own thing as well. It was awkward in a way Flag didn't know how to describe, but yet he didn't want to pass up the opportunity he had been given.

“It was rather nice of you to lend her your coat.” Flag acknowledged, doing his absolute best not to allow his overwhelming jealousy to show through in regards to the situation. “Maybe you aren't actually the uncaring sociopath everyone says you are.”

“Oh, I'm definitely still a sociopath, but at the end of the day, I'm also a wingman.” Phosphorus laughed slightly, seeming entertained by the idea of playing matchmaker. “I would hate for Nina to fall asleep before having dinner with the Bride.. I consider myself to be something of an ally of the women-loving-women variety, and besides.. It puts the Bride in a better mood.”

Flag was uncertain if Phosphorus meant that genuinely or if he was making his usual sarcastic remarks again, but he could see the point he carried, as the pair did seem rather close. It almost made him wish that he had someone to be close with. It was probably this that probably pushed him to make the move the Bride had encouraged him to.

“Are you into one of them or something? You look pissed.” Phosphorus acknowledged, seeming amused by the whole ordeal as though the situation stood as his personal entertainment. “I'm not sure how to break it to you, but I don't think either girl would be exactly interested in you despite how hot you obviously are.”

“I'm not interested in the girls, Phosphorus.. I actually think they make a nice couple.” Flag admitted, being genuine with his statement before attempting to acknowledge that he has an issue with what happened between them. “You and Nina, though.. Is there.. are you.. what kind of.. just.. never mind.”

“You certainly have a way with words.” Phosphorus responded, looking at the others dressed back in their orange suits and how he was dreading looking the same. “I don't see how anyone would wear orange by choice.. no offense.”

“None taken.” Flag accepted dismissively, deciding that the worst that could be said is no before making his move. “Would you want to borrow my jacket since yours is being used?”

“Yeah, no.” Phosphorus responded bluntly, disappointing the other man in the process. “We just had a whole conversation about my hatred for wearing orange, and you suggest that I borrow your bright orange jacket?”

There was no denying how embarrassed Flag felt for even offering. It was a stupid thing to ask. He knew he should probably get out of there before he embarrassed himself further.

“If you're really so jealous of Nina borrowing my coat, you can have my hoodie. It would certainly be less embarrassing than whatever this attempt to stake your claim on me is.” Phosphorus suggested, straight up calling him out on it. “You're not that great at hiding things.. I could see you glaring at her on the plane.”

Phosphorus proceeded to head inside after giving him permission, leaving Flag with even more complicated feelings than he wanted to acknowledge. As embarrassing as it was to be called out like that, he could be seen wearing that navy blue hoodie around the prison as he made his regular checks on his team. He could see the amusement Phosphorus carried when he saw him with it on.