[She figures it’ll take him a bit to find her. Not that she’s hiding — she’s drinking in the hot tub at the pool — but she doesn’t know her warden can track her.]
[Tess is shoulder-deep in the hot tub, just the top few inches of her shoulder scar visible. She relaxes unbothered by the whole evening, a beer bottle in one hand and the other laid against the edge of the tub, but she's sure she's radiating frustration anyway, especially given how fast he found her. When Arthur comes towards her, she reaches behind her to pick up Ellie’s journal off the top of her backpack, and she holds the journal out like she might let him take it.
But if he tries, she'll pull it right back, because she loves getting cute.]
I would've invited you to join me, but I figured it wasn't your thing.
[He hates when she gets cute. Hates it. He really likes her, and this is such a displeasing side of her. He grits his teeth when she pulls the journal back again, and steps up close enough to get splashed.]
Not the same thing, unless you like a drink and company in your baths.
[She smirks up at him. There isn't a man in Tess's life who hasn't been subjected to this bullshit at one point or another, and few people have done much to dissuade her.]
I respect you because you stand up to me, you know. But chasing after me for a kid's business? Not such a great look on you.
[He's definitely not telling her about those times he paid a woman to pour him a drink and rub his feet while he was in the bath. Doesn't like to think about what that would do to her respect of him.]
You're important to her. She's - something to you. I gotta put myself between the two of you and lose a couple points in the process, I don't care.
[He leans his arms on the edge of the bath.]Does it make you feel strong? Powerful? In charge of somethin'?
[She lifts her chin a little. She doesn't feel like bragging about the hideous things she's done in the name of feeling powerful would go over well, but they're at the front of her mind anyway. This all over a journal feels atrociously petty by comparison, but walking back what she's done tonight feels like conceding something. Admitting to making a mistake.]
Yes, and I'll have you know I have been extremely restrained since we were paired. Not often I let anyone push my buttons as much as she has, either.
[Tess opens her mouth like she might have something to say about that, a myriad of feelings tangled up in what she owes Joel, and even more than that not wanting to make things hard for Arthur when he's been far kinder to her than anyone else ever has, but she decides that no, she doesn't want to admit to any of that either.
She just thrusts the journal in Arthur's direction. He can have it this time.]
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[She figures it’ll take him a bit to find her. Not that she’s hiding — she’s drinking in the hot tub at the pool — but she doesn’t know her warden can track her.]
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Jesus, it's hot here.
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But if he tries, she'll pull it right back, because she loves getting cute.]
I would've invited you to join me, but I figured it wasn't your thing.
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Why would you think I don't like hot baths?
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[She smirks up at him. There isn't a man in Tess's life who hasn't been subjected to this bullshit at one point or another, and few people have done much to dissuade her.]
I respect you because you stand up to me, you know. But chasing after me for a kid's business? Not such a great look on you.
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[He's definitely not telling her about those times he paid a woman to pour him a drink and rub his feet while he was in the bath. Doesn't like to think about what that would do to her respect of him.]
You're important to her. She's - something to you. I gotta put myself between the two of you and lose a couple points in the process, I don't care.
[He leans his arms on the edge of the bath.]Does it make you feel strong? Powerful? In charge of somethin'?
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Yes, and I'll have you know I have been extremely restrained since we were paired. Not often I let anyone push my buttons as much as she has, either.
[A kid who is her cargo, especially.]
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She just thrusts the journal in Arthur's direction. He can have it this time.]
You know what, just take it.
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Why, thank you. Much too kind. I'll leave you to your bath, then, madam?
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Yeah, just get going before she comes in here and fucks me up and gets herself demoted.
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[He gestures at the beer, and honestly considers coming back here.
Under the cover of night, of course.]
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