AN: Well I was almost caught up. And then my flu came back and brought a sinus infection with it, and benched me for the weekend.
And I tried to make it really obvious, but in case it isn't, this is from Nathan's POV. Because I'm one of those rare weird writers who actually likes writing in second person.
Jaundiced: (adj.) Affected with or exhibiting prejudice, as from envy or resentment.
You try not to hate him. You really do. It just never works out very well.
You and Duke were friends once. Things were strained when you were young kids, because you were the freak that felt nothing and no one really wanted to be around you. But after a while your condition went away and you became a normal kid like everyone else. During that time you became friends. You went to the same parties, hung out around the docks after school and shared fantasies about getting out of Haven and having adventures in the real world.
But still, somewhere in the back of your mind you always remembered picking thumb tacks out of your skin and a jeering laugh. You got good at ignoring that voice in the back of your mind, but that didn't make it go away.
Years pass. You go to college in Orono, get a degree and learn what it feels like to be a real person. You put everything to do with your hometown behind you and enjoy yourself. And then once the diploma is in your hand you load all of your things into your trusty old Bronco and drive straight back to Haven.
You've only been in town for about two months when suddenly a new ship docks at the marina and Duke Crocker is seen around again. He finds you one night when you're leaving work and it's just like old times. That weekend you going out fishing together and trade stories about what you did while you were away from home. At least, until the coast guard ship shows up on the horizon and you find out just exactly why he asked if you were carrying your badge before you set sail.
All of that hurt and betrayal that you've suppressed all these years, all of those old animosities and rage that you've carried since you were a kid, it all washes to the surface in a great tidal wave and drags you under. And it takes your sense of touch with it.
Deep down you know it's irrational to blame it all on him. Yes, he was the catalyst that brought your Affliction back, but it wasn't like he made a conscious decision to cause it. He didn't know that his being an insufferable, unreliable pain in the ass would make your Trouble come back. Of course that doesn't change the fact that in your mind, Duke Crocker will always be linked to the fact that you feel nothing again.
So you try to play nice with him, because Audrey likes him for some reason and it annoys her when you two fight. You tolerate his presence. You resist the urge to punch his face in every time he flashes you that stupid smirk, and every time he tries to charm his way into your partner's jeans - that latter one is a bit harder to resist than the first, oddly. After a while you and Duke even muster up a tentative sort of friendship again, to the point where you don't feel like committing murder at the very thought of his name.
But in the back of your mind, there will always be a part of you that hates Duke Crocker.
