dog_eat_dog | IC Inbox

Guess who graduated.

[Tess has never answered a text faster in her life.]

Are you serious?

Dead serious. B's no longer an inmate.

[She doesn't give a single shit about Bucky, but she can set that aside ––there's much bigger results there.]

You going to go see Joel now?

[Thinking about it makes her want to vomit. She didn't think she'd feel so fucked up about actually getting her deal. She's terrified.]

Not yet.

[Tess can relate. His death was only ever a concept to her, information and grief spilling out of Ellie, but that slate's getting wiped clean. Not often anyone gets a second chance, least of all on someone else's work.]

Are you leaving for good?

[She's not sure why that idea freaks her out. It's hard to be close to Ellie, but her being here has meant something, it's been important...]

Not just yet. Steve needs a warden. I told him that if I could get B to graduate, I'd take him on.

I could get Joel and a cure.

[A pause.]

Do it, then. Saves me a lot of time.

You could just say you'd miss me if I left right now.

[You know, her charming personality and all that.]

[Hard not to feel like she's been trying her best the only way she knows how and will still get left behind, but it is what it is. No sense in being precious about it.]

I would, kid. I meant it when I offered you my floor and that. But you know, go do what you gotta do.