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[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.

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[tagartist]

The tension that was in her shoulders disappears quick as it can, leaving her via a long sigh of relief. He was alright. She keeps staring at her drink for a moment after, before going to set it to the side so she can move over to him, going in for another hug. Arcadia Bay had taken away how much Chloe desired physical affection and the lack of those memories meant hugs were just a thing she took for granted now.

"I don't — I don't want anything to happen to you. Not again. After May, the way Mama was, I— "

She cuts herself off, shaking her head, and squeezing him a little harder. "I'm sorry, Daddy."

[almightythirst]

Jesse wraps her back up in a bear hug and hushes her quietly, feeling—not for the first time, not even close to it—a rush of protectiveness. He’s not her father and never could be, but he’d still do anything to take care of her like one. To take away this guilt she doesn’t deserve.

“You didn’t do a thing wrong. I know you didn’t, and so does your mama.”

It has gotten easier to call Ashe her mother, even though he still mentally stumbles over it every time he has to choose between the lie and her name.

“You’ve got nothin’ to apologize to me for. I’m fine. You’re fine. Your mama’s fine.”

[tagartist]

She kept herself tucked in tightly against him, feeling like he kept out everything dangerous and evil about this place just by holding her. It’s a safety net she doesn’t have with many, one that makes it easy for her to almost believe he’s right and that she didn’t do anything bad when she’d shot him way back then.

It doesn’t feel fine, but she’s at least able to remember that it was all a part of something far larger and out of her control. Something she’d never have done without Deerington’s influences.

“I know it’s selfish, but I’m ... really glad you guys are here with me.”

[almightythirst]

“If that makes you selfish, then that’s what I am too.”

Especially knowing what awaits Chloe when she returns home. It’s not just that though. He’s felt the same about Ashe. About Angela, when she was here. Hell, he’s felt it about Moira and Rei and… so many others. Hard not to want company in the midst of misery.

“Now you call yourself selfish or apologize for somethin’ you couldn’t control one more time, I’m gonna drink your drink for you. It’s not just a threat y’know, I’ll do it.”

[tagartist]

Chloe let out a weak laugh, pulling back so she could wipe her face with the sleeve of her jacket. She couldn't not feel ridiculous for getting as upset as she was, some ingrained part of her always embarrassed by her emotions regardless of memory.

"Jeez, Pops, no need to escalate so drastically." It's said with an attempt at her own humor as she goes to grab the drink, taking a large gulp from it and thankful for the burn of both the tea and the alcohol to help ground herself again. "I'll finish this before I apologize for being a downer."