[ he doesn't doubt it. he takes a drag of the cigarette, enjoys the burst of nicotine sweetness in the addiction centers of his brain. stretches a long golden arm across kavinsky to flick ash into the ornate ashtray on the side of the bed.

its policy to not talk politics. kavinsky is their 'diplomatic liaison'. an enforcer meant to bully them into submission if they ever pull too hard on their leash. what they're doing - this compromises them both. probably opens them up for corruption, though josh is reasonably certain if push truly came to shove he's not the one kavinsky would pick.

it's not smart.

but he's certain they trust each other insofar as anyone can in their positions. he's also certain that under the wrong circumstances, the wrong words could destroy them both. his head tilts with the prodding, taking stock of kavinsky's expression. ]

The Synod's just starting to feel like a vacation, s'all. [ he huffs out a laugh. ] Like, I'd rather be living the worst reenactment of Game of Thrones with a bunch of nutjobs because it means I can see you... [ he trails off, shaking his head. ]

Anyway, [ he sticks the cigarette in his mouth, dropping his hands to walk his fingers across kavinsky's chest. ] you're the one still here.