IC Inbox

[dog_eat_dog]

INBOX

Comments

[tucky]

But if he said what you just said to me, would he get that that's restraint and like-- an improvement, or would he be like "I don't care, that's not good enough"?

[dog_eat_dog]

I don’t know. He was so pissed off I figured I was going to get yelled at no matter what I said.

[tucky]

That really sucks, Tess; I'm sorry.

[Another pause.]

Pairings are what I believe in more than anything here. From the way you talk about him, I can't see you not coming out okay.

[Tess clearly has a good deal of respect and affection for him - trust, even - and Tiffany can't imagine those feelings would have come about if he hadn't extended the same on all counts.]

[dog_eat_dog]

Yeah. I hope so. I think we would have been close even if we didn't get paired, and when things are steady, it's great, I've never had someone like that in my life before. And...

[A vague gesture. Too personal. Shut it down.]

But no matter what works about pairings, he has still important shit to get to at home. I'm fucking it up for him.

[tucky]

If he actually thinks of it like that--

[She cuts herself off before she actually says "then he's a fucking asshole", but the way her face twists likely makes the sentiment clear.]

I got a lot of complicated feelings about deals, but no matter how important his is, your life is yours first. That matters more than getting him a prize or making sure he gets home quick.

[dog_eat_dog]

[She shakes her head.]

He wants me to put my life first, too, and as far as deals go, it's pretty selfless. I graduate and we both win.

[tucky]

Good. I'm glad he treats you right; I always liked him.

[dog_eat_dog]

Me too. I liked him right from the start, and the Admiral didn't even bother with a single temp.

[tucky]

Yeah, that happened with me, too. Got paired like two weeks after I showed up.

[dog_eat_dog]

Sometimes it just clicks, I guess. Probably for the better, too. Had a reason to keep my shit together.

[tucky]

That's great. I'm really happy for you, Tess.

[Tiffany is definitely making only the most token effort to tamp down on her grin here.]

-- Sorry, I know, I'm a real sap when it comes to this stuff.

[dog_eat_dog]

Disgustingly sappy.

[But it's not the worst way to be. Tess knows she can be a hard-ass.]

Thanks, Tiff. I know I've been a real asshole sometimes but it does mean something that you give a shit about people.

[tucky]

You're an asshole sometimes, but you're straight about it, you know? I hate being bullshitted--

[Bullshat?]

-- and you don't do that.

[dog_eat_dog]

Well, cheers to that, then. I can’t stand bullshit either.

[tucky]

[Tiffany grabs up the nearest glass-like thing (an empty beaker, in this case) and leans forward to clink it against Tess's bottle of pills. Cheers to that indeed.]