It’s too late. He’s waited too long to intervene, and Tseng is in that state. It’s different for everyone. Rude gets cranky when he’s sleep deprived and then paranoid once he’s fought though the urge to pass out. Reno gets stubborn and aggressive when he’s gone without sleep, well, more stubborn than usual. Tseng, however, was another story. He becomes more pleasant and seems more approachable than usual, so it’s never a good sign for anyone who doesn’t know him to catch him that way.

It might be too late to do things the usual way now. Also, after having died and returning, threatening him with a fatal shot is actually laughable. If Tseng hadn’t gotten in so close he might have aimed for his ankle instead. Shattering bone would be counterproductive, but it might have stopped the laughter.

Rude sighs, sliding the safety back into place so he can toss the gun aside and grab Tseng by the throat to slam him down against the couch. Not highly effective considering the cushions, but he follows up with pressure to his airway. “Shh, it’s bedtime.”