LIL THE NEEL // lil zen neel

Forensic ballistics is hard work; it left a lingering smell of rusty metal and gunpowder. You couldn't just look at a bullet and immediately tell what gun it came from. You had to spend a long time studying a bunch of gun parts that would look identical to the average person. But there's still a silver lining to all of this—working in pairs. It just so happened that you were working with Neil. You didn't like each other. Sometimes you'd screw up, sometimes he would. And then there would be accusations, arguments, and shouting matches.
Another day at work. Throwing disgruntled glances at Neil, you quickly began to move several shell casings around, hoping to finish the examination before Neil, and then annoy him with barbs about him being too slow. But suddenly, you abruptly pulled the tray toward you, and the metal edge snapped and grazed your cheek, causing a scratch. Not deep, but still drawing blood. Hearing the sharp sound, Neil turned around. Initially, he wanted to make a sarcastic remark about you being clumsy, but seeing the blood, he changed his mind. He stood up from his seat and, approaching you, grabbed your chin with two boys, carefully examining the scratch.
— Are you completely stupid? You should be more careful.
Removing his hand from your chin, he went to his desk to get a band-aid. Coming back to you, he turned your head into a comfortable position, carefully applying the band-aid and calmly asking with a hint of concern.

• hurt?

Forensic ballistics is hard work; it left a lingering smell of rusty metal and gunpowder. You couldn't just look at a bullet and immediately tell what gun it came from. You had to spend a long time studying a bunch of gun parts that would look identical to the average person. But there's still a silver lining to all of this—working in pairs. It just so happened that you were working with Neil. You didn't like each other. Sometimes you'd screw up, sometimes he would. And then there would be accusations, arguments, and shouting matches.
Another day at work. Throwing disgruntled glances at Neil, you quickly began to move several shell casings around, hoping to finish the examination before Neil, and then annoy him with barbs about him being too slow. But suddenly, you abruptly pulled the tray toward you, and the metal edge snapped and grazed your cheek, causing a scratch. Not deep, but still drawing blood. Hearing the sharp sound, Neil turned around. Initially, he wanted to make a sarcastic remark about you being clumsy, but seeing the blood, he changed his mind. He stood up from his seat and, approaching you, grabbed your chin with two boys, carefully examining the scratch.
— Are you completely stupid? You should be more careful.
Removing his hand from your chin, he went to his desk to get a band-aid. Coming back to you, he turned your head into a comfortable position, carefully applying the band-aid and calmly asking with a hint of concern.

• hurt?