Deerington Inbox

[almightythirst]

Hey there, stranger. Don't think I gotta explain the situation: you called, I didn't pick up. Leave me a message and maybe I'll get back to you.

[ Audio / Video / Text ]

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[almightythirst]

He does actually, y'know that? Can't always tell, but I think he likes it when people acknowledge his work.

[ The sound of popcorn popping echoes from the kitchen, as does the sound of his boots against the floor as he makes his way to the stairs. His expression is cheery, but there's also concern there as he smiles up her way and leans against the banister. ]

Just what are you doin' out of bed all on your own?

[tagartist]

His lights always do seem to shine a little bright when I tell him I like his cooking.

[ At least she's leaning against the wall as she sits, using it for some support, because she's not gonna lie about still being exhausted. At least her voice is started to sound less raw and painful than it had a week or so ago. ]

I figured this was better than shouting from the guest bedroom. Good news, it only feels like there's gravel in my hip now when I walk instead of straight up glass.

[almightythirst]

He's real proud of his food. Took a lot of time to get real good at it, without bein' able to taste it himself.

[ Jesse sighs, shakes his head, seems to debate saying one thing and then decides on something else instead. He knows he'd be just the same, injured like that. Stubborn as hell. Makes it hard to be too mad about it. ]

Will you at least let me get you down the stairs? Because you're not walkin' it.

[ That last part is a statement, not a question. ]

[tagartist]

I bet it wasn't easy with someone as picky about things as Ashe is.

[ She went to grab the banister, using it to pull herself up just because she could. Help wasn't the sort of thing she was ever very good about accepting even in the best of circumstances. ]

Y'know, you could just own up to enjoying having someone to carry around like a princess. I could totally walk these stairs myself.

[almightythirst]

[ Jesse is up the stairs in a flash, using that speed he has that most people don't expect from him. When you're careful to move slow and downright lazily when most people are watching, it'll serve you well to get one up on them when they're not. ]

You think I like carryin' people around? I'm an old man, don't forget. That ain't good for my back.

[ He's not standing on the very top step, but he is a couple down from that. Enough to keep her from getting far, or to catch her if she tries and the pain is too much. ]

Sure you could walk these. And you'd hate every second of it, and heaven forbid you knock somethin' back out of place. I'll get an earful for that. So just let me help.

[tagartist]

Right. You're— what was it again? Fifty?

[ Chloe knows his real age full well, but Ashe's first impression certainly liked to stick.

There's a huff and she does just as he likely expected; she goes to step down in an attempt to show she's just fine. Only the pressure it requires does end up catching her off guard and she lets out a hiss, definitely reaching out to put a hand on his shoulder to steady herself.

Mother fucker. ]

[almightythirst]

[ Jesse's look of bemusement doesn't last long, softening a little with a dash of silent I told you so eyebrow arch to give it some spice. Usually he's the one pushing himself too far while injured, so he knows this situation well. ]

Old and wise, that's me.

[ He puts a hand out on her shoulder to steady her, not moving an inch to allow her to slip by. ]

Wise enough to know you're gonna regret it if you do that down every single one of these stairs.

[tagartist]

[ She scrunches her mouth, tempted to try another one just out of spite, but finally sighs. ]

Fine. I guess a little help wouldn't be so bad. But I could do it myself if I really wanted to.

[almightythirst]

I know you could. And you’d hate every second of it, and then plenty of the seconds after.

[ Again, he knows this very well from personal experience. ]

You want to go back up, or are you dead set on comin’ down?

[tagartist]

[ She should say they should go back up because it's maybe one step and it would be a lot less work.

But instead, she pouts a little, looking down the multiple steps still to go, and grumbles; ]

The T.V. downstairs is better.

[almightythirst]

Alright then, I see how it is. Gonna make an old man carry you. I'll send you my medical bill.

[ He looks a lot more relaxed now that she's at least not determined to push herself past her limits anymore. ]

Do me a favor and step back off the stairs. It'll make gettin' you up a whole lot easier.

[tagartist]

I could just walk down them myself and spare you the pain if you'd stop hounding me.

[ She's gonna keep saying it even if they both know it's not true now. She does what he says though and (with gritted teeth and her eyes closed tight) she hops herself back up onto the top of the stairs. ]

Better?

[almightythirst]

But then how would I get my exercise for the day?

[ He puts time in at the gym for a reason, and it isn’t just for looking good. He follows her up and rests a hand on her back, just beneath her neck, to steady her. ]

Better, but I got one more thing to ask. You think you could sit down? That’d make this easier and I wouldn’t have to toss you up in the air like a sack of potatoes.