Nick snorts once, tapping ash from the end of his cigarette to send it drifting over the network of flickering city lights.

"Yes," he says after a long, unhurried drag, "well. Generally speaking, I'm beyond severing ties with anyone who's ever attempted to beat the shit out of me." He arches an eyebrow, subtly tilting the box of cigarettes in the other man's direction. "The list is too long. It wouldn't be sustainable."