“Ya ain’.” Said coolly, smoothly. “Yer standin’ ain’ changed in th’ slightest since ya were gone.”
That sort of time almost seemed non-existent to him. The ticks and tocks of each sand into the proverbial glass were felt, but their meaning was gone in his mind of which was distracted with chains of anxiety from mission after mission… The blur between each one should’ve surely disturbed him more than his current expression belied. “Unless, ya’re so eager ta…?”
“I could use a reminder, I think. Things have been…” the detective hesitated, pulling the cigarette from his mouth to take another pull of liquor, eyes closing to appreciate the burn. After a quiet, satisfied exhale of vapor, he glanced back at the other again. “…difficult. So, if you wouldn’t mind indulging me?”
The cigarette found its way back between his lips, still unlit, as he simply observed. Waiting.