dog_eat_dog | IC Inbox

I'll bring something to yours, unless you're objecting?

[Amused:] As long as you don't mind that my place is a disaster.

[It's not like she's been keeping up with it with only one hand.]

I don't mind at all.

[And he's at her door a bit later, two glasses and a bottle in his hand, looking up for mistletoe. Tess is also on the very short list of "absolutely fucking not" when it comes to kissing.

He knocks and steps back, just in case.]

[Tess answers the door shortly. Aside from the sling, she has no visible marks on her, and she smiles vaguely before stepping back. She is wearing lounge pants and a thin hoodie.]

Hey, Pagan. Come on in.

[Her cabin is as dilapidated as usual, and marginally tidy –– some clothes draped over chair, empty water glasses and the odd plate.]

[He steps inside, placing the bottle of rum and glasses on a table.]

It occurs to me that this is the first time I've been in here and...with good reason, hm?

[He pours her a glass and hands it over.]

The apocalypse doesn't make for good house parties.

[She takes a seat.]

I haven't bothered trying to get an upgrade. I'm used to it, and Arthur's is even worse.

Oh, is that the bar? Arthur's cabin is the bar for what's acceptable?

[He sighs, deliberately not sitting. Instead, he leans against the counter, habitually staying away.]

So what happened, huh? You just decide to bust into Yunlan's cabin and break his shit?

I mean I doubt he considers my cabin much of a concern.

[She picks up a glass and leans back in her seat, looking up at him. Breaking his shit makes it sound like she trashed the place, though, and that has a little raise of her eyebrows.]

I went in there to get back what's mine. What's this about breaking things?

I meant his laptop...and his face.

[He fills his own glass and raises it towards her in a mock toast.]

One of those got fixed, at least.

[She raises hers too, and then looks at him over the rim of hers. Shrugs.]

Yeah? Well, I don't feel too bad about it, considering what he did to me.

Yeah? Is it broken?

[No judgement yet. He just takes a long drink.]

[The corner of her mouth curls. She gets the sense of where this conversation is going to go anyway.]

Like I said, at least a month in a sling. He's got anger problems, that guy.

Oh he does?

[He keeps his tone light. Conversational.]

What did you think was going to happen?

Well, the plan was to get what he'd taken from me and get out, but he decided to block the door. [Playful:] Are you here to lecture me?

[He matches her playful tone.]

Do you want to be lectured by me? Might be something new and fun for us.

You didn't need to do that, you know.

Pass. You've heard the story from Yunlan, and as you haven't asked for mine, whether you think it was necessary or not doesn't really matter to me.

[He wrinkles his nose.] I didn't ask for your story? Fuck off with that, Tess. I asked you what happened. You said you went in there to get back what's yours. If you wanted me to know, then you would have told me more, hm?

And you didn't even get a breath out before you asked me to confirm his, and then you went right back to his situation, and then implied I had anger problems. Why should I go on?

[She smiles.]

You haven't really talked to me since I dug into you.

[He rolls his eyes.]

Yeah, you're right. I haven't. Yunlan is a decent guy and takes me shooting and you fucking criticize for every move I make. So sue me for leaning in one direction.

I was still fucking worried for you when I saw how badly he was beat up.

[...oops, he hadn't meant to say that. He takes a drink, hoping to cover up that little slip.]

[She pauses, smile still lingering. That's surprising, and there's no ignoring it. Her gaze drops down to her glass for a moment and then back to him. Fine, he can have a pass.]

I thought he was decent too, for a cop, but in London he found me wandering in Whitechapel and he's been on my ass ever since. When he realized I was in his room, I hadn't broken anything or left his place a mess. He had no way of knowing whether I'd taken anything. I just threw some water on him, and then he made it a fight. But he sure knew it was me when he broke my arm –– he told me he'd break it if I fought back. Real decent of him, right?

[He's grateful for the pass and, because of that, he listens, actually listens, and watches her over the top of his glass as he drinks. He has no reason to distrust her story. It checks out, though he hadn't ever known Yunlan to get that violent.

Still, Pagan remembers the look in his eyes when Yunlan thought Pagan had kept information about Tess from him.]

You two have been circling each other like fucking wolves. I knew he didn't like you but I didn't expect... [He gestures to her.] this.

[Tess nods.]

Mmhmm! And that bullshit with Steve –– Steve gave me permission to take his blood. Even said it in front of Yunlan! Didn't matter. So it's alright by him if Steve is actively using his blood on you and god knows who else, but I can't even hold it without getting frisked, put in an armbar, and slammed against the wall. I gave him a pass that time.

[A sober look.]

But if he was willing to break my arm for trespassing, he might have killed me if I didn't get out of there by any means necessary, so the gloves are off.

Mm, you had me until you brought up Steve. There is no 'actively.' For the record, Yunlan didn't know about me and the V until it was already done and over with. And I haven't willingly touched the stuff since...Christ. Early October. So you have no argument there.

But yes, it seems he's been quite naughty lately. Especially with you.

[Something he might not have said a month ago, but things have changed.]

I'm sorry for assuming the worst. But you're still getting lectured for being stupid and getting hurt. And you should tell me, 'yes, Pagan, I understand that I've been a royal pain in your ass and I accept that you won't always take my side instantly because I like to yell at you.'

[He pauses to refill his drink.] That's too wordy, isn't it? Ah, well, something like that.

[Defensive! Tess lets out a slow exhale.]

Relax, I've said my bit on you and Steve before; that's not my argument. You're big boys and you can do what you want. [Disagreement is a part of life. Survival matters more.] I'm just saying that Yunlan can't have it both ways –– he had to have known what V was capable of or else he wouldn't have cause to insist I couldn't have it. If he didn't know, then he made a choice to go after me without any reason.

[But anyway. Tess shakes her head.]

I'm completely aware that I'm a hardass, Pagan. Always have been. But I've never expected you to just fold. Hell, I'd have no respect for you if you did. What kind of man just crumbles at the slightest criticism?

[He huffs because he isn't actually that angry about it.]

I'm not going to fold, but I didn't want to talk to you because of what I told you. Because you were a fucking bitch about it. And I didn't want you to be a goddamn hardass for once. Clearly I was wrong to tell you anything. So it's back to bringing you drinks and pretending like you give a shit and you don't just like lecturing me to feel better about yourself.

Or is there another reason you've decided to take an interest in my affairs?

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