rideme | IC INBOX

[It's okay, Chloe, you're taking to someone whose views on sex and relationships is basically "hey as long as everyone is having a good time, it's fine". No worries.]

Hah. I can tell. Still... good for you two.

[This must be the person Max was talking about, too. So... even better. If not a little depressing. But that's to think about later.]

Yeah. There are people here I need to keep my eye on. This isn't the first time I've seen this kind of shit either...

[Someone has to, so it might as well be me.]

[Why is him saying that weirdly embarrassing? Eesh.]

Uh. Okay. It's like...Fuck. I can't stay. Yesterday they...fuckin' tazed my brain and I've been a wreck since. I know if I go back I'm gonna...

[She didn't know what would happen, but she was pretty sure it would suck. She drew in a breath through her nose, trying to steady herself in spite of the thoughts from yesterday making her want to throw up again.]

Max wants me to leave. Knows a way for me to get out of the country. She says it's to help her but... [Chloe just rolls her eyes.]

But I mean. I'm supposed to have her back, you know?

[There's probably a request in that rambling somewhere..]

[Because not only is he the Iron Bull, but he's the Iron Dad.]

It's going to be shitty. Yeah. I get you.

[And he does. He can see it all over her face. Thanks to the video feed at least. He won't press for details, this time.]

... Help her by getting you out of the line of fire. She cares a lot about you -- makes it easier on her if she knows you're safe.

[This is an educated guess, but it's a safe one to make.]

Doing what she asks you is sort of like doing that. [He holds up a hand.] But, yeah. I know.

I'll keep watching her.

[Do Iron Dads tell Iron Dad Jokes?]

[She sucked in a relieved breath at that, which came back out again as a kind of tired laugh after a few seconds.]

...Thanks man. I mean, I get it, if she doesn't have me to worry about...but that just leaves me sittin' in Mexico worryin' about her and feelin' like a complete douche for leaving.

[Which she wasn't going to say to Max. Probably. Hopefully.]

I keep trying to get her to come with me but...well, she's Max so she's never gonna listen to me anyway.

[Yes. Yes he does.]

Yeah. It's a shitty choice. But... still. You're not a douche for doing what your girlfriend needs you to do.

The opposite, pretty much.

[Good, don't say that. At all.]

Hah! Tell me about it.

I thought she was stubborn back home...

[Chloe just shakes her head, but she has that slightly goofy smile people get when they're talking about someone they're in love with. Oops.]

...Anyway. So, just, try to keep her from doing anything that'll get her, I don't know, electrocuted or something?

Maybe that's her super power here.

[He's only mostly kidding.]

... Got it. I'll do what I can.

Wouldn't surprise me.

[And now she's lightning up another cigarette. It's one of those nights.]

Thanks man. Seriously.

Me either.

[He nods his head to her.]

No problem. Seriously.

Anyway...[She has a thought, and suddenly she's putting that cigarette right back out.]

I've got half an hour before I have to relieve a terrible escape movie so, I'm going back to back.

[Get a last few minutes of Max-snuggles, probably. What a sap.]

[And another short nod.]

Good luck, kid.

... Get a few more minutes with her, too, yeah?

That's the plan.

[She grins and gives a little mock wave (she doesn't really do not-mock waves) and then hangs up with a click.]

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that should've been 'back to bed' oops.