"--not that you'd understand, bandit--"

"--oi! What's that supposed to mean?"

Senel sighed. "Guys, stop it."

"--means that you're an idiot who couldn't see the nose in front of his face, bandit."

"You wanna take this outside?"

"We are outside, you moron."

"You might as well not bother," Chloe said dryly. "I don't think they can hear you."

"They seem to be arguing more often lately," noted Shirley.

Norma nodded. "This is the third time today. And it's only nine in the morning."

"..wait," Senel said. "You're keeping track?"

"Statistical purposes."

"--least I'm not short!" Moses called.

"I am not--take that back!"

Shirley stifled a giggle behind her hand.

Senel was still staring at Norma. "What statistical purposes?"

"They're getting close to a breakthrough, Senny. What kind of nosy friend would I be if I didn't keep track?"

"--most irritatin', insufferable guy on this planet. I can't believe I--"

"--you what, bandit?"

Senel blinked. "Breakthrough."

"Shh." Norma put a finger to her lips. "Just listen."

"--I don't believe it," Jay was saying. "I--don't be ridiculous!"

"What? Upset it doesn't match up with your logic?"

"You, bandit, are--"

"I don't hear anything," said Chloe cautiously.

"That's because you're not listening."

"--and stupid, and filthy, and shirtless, and stupid--"

"...you done yet?"

"--and this--this entire situation is ridiculous, and I refuse to have anything to do with it, or with you--"

"Oh, go fuck yourself," growled Moses.

Senel blinked and turned just in time to see Moses pinning Jay to a tree by his wrists.

"Get out of my face, bandit," hissed Jay.

"Jay? Shut up for once in your life, would ya?"

"And if I don't?"

"Then," Moses growled (their faces were very close now), "I'll make you."

Senel blinked again, and they were making out. Very enthusiastically, and Jay was wrapping an arm around Moses' neck and making these enthusiastic little noises, apparently incognizant about the fact that he was being pressed against a tree, and Moses was kind of groaning and leaning in in response and--and, oh, god, he was never going to be able to unsee this--

Shirley looked a little disturbed herself. "Um, Jay? ...Moses?"

Senel put his arm around her. "Come on," he said. "Let's just...leave them alone, okay?"

"See?" Norma said. "All that arguing is just an expression of their sexual frustration. Although I don't think much of Red's taste. Or JJ's, for that matter--"

"Norma, don't talk about it."

"I--" Chloe opened her mouth, then closed it. "...I'm not terribly surprised, actually."

"I told you it was obvious." Norma had a superior expression on her face as she surveyed them. "You all owe me fifty Gald, by the way."

"Wait," said Senel. "When did we agree to this?"

"Um...just...now?" Norma grinned nervously.

"Norma!"