Nate locked eyes with Harry before inserting the key, twisting, then swung the iron hatch inwards.

Fashioning the uniforms of Mora sentries, they walked as if familiar with the path they treaded. The tunnel descended into subterranean silence, the ambient vibration of neon lamps resonating in the narrow space like a thousand winged bugs humming their omnipotence.

They came to an opening and emerged into a large chamber. Firearms and ammunition were stacked copiously on sturdy iron-framed shelves. The armory was categorized, heavy firearms and lighter all separated into their respective areas. Harry and Nate made towards the pistols and revolvers, passing a sentry, escaping eye contact and affecting familiarity with an indifferent gesture.

They stopped at a bench baring racks of pistols, their attention falling on the least stocked tray, deducing that this particular model must currently be in use.

Harry inspected a pistol, 'Browning model, nine millimeter.'

Nate scribbled quickly into his journal, 'Why can't we just take a couple?'

Harry indicated a palimpsest, 'They keep tabs on their guns, if the numbers don't match up it could throw a spanner in the works. Best keep things flawless, aye.'

Nate grimaced, 'Stop making sense all the time.'

Harry was closely scrutinizing a cartridge, 'Nine millimeter, Kesler Tech ammunition.'

'You absolutely sure?' Nate asked while finishing his scrawl.

'Mate,' Harry placed a hand on Nathan's shoulder, winked. 'I know my guns.'

The two thieves sat in a crude waiting room, the smell of mold thick in the air. Harry rubbed furiously at his inflamed nose, sniffling.

'You got hay-fever or something,' Nate teased.

Harry glared, fingered his nostrils, 'In this bloody shit-hole. How long's he going to take?'

They were in an underground black-market post-office, their only method of receiving sent packages without worries of it being inspected by customs. Strictly covert, the service was priced at least five times that of conventional - legal - postal services.

'Everything seems to be going pretty smoothly,' Nate said.

Harry comprehended Nate's uncertainty, 'Mate, you need to relax.'

'Relax?' He laughed incredulously, 'Okay, promise me: no lives.'

'Jeez mate, now you're gonna hold my word against me?'

'I don't trust you is all.'

Harry grinned despite his minor pang of hurt. 'I promise.'

Nate realized his comment somehow effected Harry, 'Well it's not that I don't trust you. I just don't see how we can finish this without taking lives, at this stage.'

'We just need to feign a botched assassination, unload a few rounds where they can be found. Besides, there needs to be witnesses. Killing would just complicate-'

Harry was cut short as Nathan indicated that company was approaching.

'Mr. Fors?' The server gestured to Nate. 'Your package. We cannot be held accountable for any damages.'

Nate hoisted the box and cradled it, the two left the room. When they arrived at their apartment, Nate placed the package on the bed and unseemed it with a knife. Harry was first to reach in, pulling out a pistol.

Nate scrounged through the opened package, 'Infrared Scope, more microphones, micro-cameras,' naming just a few of the constituents.

'Looks like we're all set,' Harry remarked.

'There's just one thing left to arrange,' Nate smiled now, the elation passing to Harry.

'Lucky someone's got their water-craft license.'

'As if that matters, how many identities have we been through just in this contract alone?'

'Saves having to forge one, at least,' Harry collapsed onto the bed.

Nate closed the package. 'Let's go now.'

Harry lifted his head to see Nate wearing an expression of anticipation. 'Now?'

'You really want to spend another night in this pit?'

Harry blinked, lifted himself to his feet, 'Yeah okay…'

Nate began gathering the scant few bits and pieces they had brought with them.

'Even a yacht would have better accommodation than this shit-hole.'

Nate likened his step with the swaying floor as the boat laboriously climbed and descended the wake of a passing cruise ship. He watched the massive craft slice through the canal, its route unobstructed and clear. He took care not to spill the drinks in each hand. As his head crested the ladder leading to the top deck, he saw Harry, wearing only board-shorts, at the helm. Harry's attention was strictly ahead, as if lost in a reverie.

'You make quite the sailor Flynn.' Nate said, handing a drink to Harry before seating himself down on a leather couch that abutted the helm.

Harry took a swig from his glass, swallowed. 'Cola? Is this an intervention?'

'We can't risk a hangover.' He smiled, 'Do you realize you drink things before knowing what you're even drinking?'

'I don't drink for the taste my friend, I drink for the effect.'

'Oh, you're a scarred soul aren't you?' Nate mocked.

Gulls cawed from above, gliding abreast the yacht like faithful followers, hoping to be guided by something wiser. The ocean's billows grinded against the polished hull and were tamed as the yacht crashed down upon swells, spraying brine into the air.

'You know how to drive a boat?' Harry asked.

'I know how to drive a dingy…'

They laughed.

'Here, steer it around a bit, get the feel for it.' Harry offered the helm.

As Nate stood with his hands on the helm, obviously keen but apprehensive, Harry guided him through how to operate the boat, and the general rules of the water-ways. Two hours went by, and Harry couldn't take his eyes of Nathan, who had been drenched by the salty spray and consequently removed his shirt.

'You pick up things pretty quickly,' Harry remarked as he laid recumbent on the sofa.

'Is that a compliment Flynn?' Nate grimaced.

'Yes it's a bloody compliment, get over it.' He closed his eyes.

'I could get used to this.' Nate said after a moment.

'You enjoy my company mate?' Harry tiredly taunted.

'I meant being on the water. It has a different atmosphere to land.'

'I know what you mean, freedom aye.'

There were not many other boats on the water, which made their northerly cruise all the more swift. Nate's eyes travelled west along the coast, to where the shoreline dipped inwards into what appeared to be a cove.

'I'm gonna take us in there where we can anchor for the night.' He was looking for Harry's more experienced validation.

'If you say so,' Harry muttered without stirring. Opening his eyes slightly, he stared sideways at Nate.

'I have to say, after all these years of working with you, I've never seen you take charge like you have with this contract – why are you staring at me like that?'

'You're just – go on with what you were saying.' He caught himself.

Hesitantly, Nate picked up where he'd left off, smirking. 'I was just saying, I always thought you were a lazy shit that didn't think things through, but recently you're not as lazy.'

'Thanks,' Harry frowned, 'I guess.'

'Hey,' Nate kicked Harry's arm. 'No need to be so serious.'

'I'm not, it's just… What am I to you?' He said weakly.

Nate paused, looked ahead. 'What do you mean, you're my partner.'

'No one goes five years, spending practically every day with someone who's just a business partner, right?'

'What are you trying to say?' Nate shifted uneasily, hands tensing around the helm.

Harry watched Nate, his biceps clenching as he clutched the wheel, the thin material of his shorts pronouncing the contours of his crotch. The sky bloomed with deep fiery hues cast by the sun which now only peaked over the horizon, the ocean shimmered. The lulling swish of the ocean water was lazy, its splashing commotion dying as the sun retired.

'I care about you.'

Nate looked then, at Harry, whos eyes betrayed as much as his voice: vulnerable, pained.

'The salt's getting to your head,' Nate dismissed. 'We're nearing the cove, how do we anchor?'

Harry remained still, wondering at himself. He slowly rose to his feet, 'Go watch the winch, there's a camera; just give me a signal when the chain reaches the red tag.'

'Got it,' Nate headed off.

Alone, Harry ran his fingers through his hair, resisting the urge to jump off the boat, into the flowing waters, where the raging currents would pull him towards the abyss.

Thank you for the kind reviews. It's really the only thing pushing me forward. I understand that the last few chapters have been a bit mundane, but I'm meticulous when it comes to context. In any case, most of the 'context' has been laid, so to speak; so it should get better from here. I hope at least.