018 | Video

[whycantistay]

[After a moment, Fred slips her hair behind an air.]

Umm, hello. Guess I'm back. Again. [There's a twitch of her lips. Nothing had happened. She just reappeared here.]

How long was I gone this time?

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[fridgetothefire]

Yeah.

[She fidgets with a bit of paper in her hands.]

I moved in, when my starter ran out. I - I'll give you back proprietorship, of course, I wouldn't - but can I stay without forfeiting my salary? At least for a little while until I find a place. I fixed up most of the wiring on the third floor, if you'd be willing to count that toward my balance.

[whycantistay]

Oh, don't worry about it. Of course you can stay. As long as you need. [She grins back. Fred doesn't mind at all. It's not like they have many people in the place as it was.]

[fridgetothefire]

[She beams, pleased and relieved, and something deeper than that. She'd considered fighting for it, trying to yank the hotel out from under Fred, and if Anya adored her just a little less she probably would have tried it. She had legal certifications prepared during Fred's absence in case she decided to go through with it. But she didn't, and Fred had treated her like - like a person. Like a friend, even.]

Thank you.

[The words are thicker with emotion than they should be.]

[whycantistay]

You don't need to worry. You did a lot for the place while I was gone, and I'd never dream of a kicking out a friend. So stay as long as you need. It would be nice having you here anyway.

[fridgetothefire]

Thanks, Fred.

It. It means a lot.

[whycantistay]

I'm glad, but you don't have to thank me.

[fridgetothefire]

Yes I do.

[She's not crying, okay, shut up, she's just. It's dusty in here.]

Damnit where's the private button -

[85% unhackable filter]

[whycantistay]

What's wrong?

[fridgetothefire]

Nothing, everything is great, you're back, and, and you're still nice, and everything is great -

[She wipes her eyes determinedly and gulps down a breath, smiling fierce and shakily.]

Sorry. I just. I'll pull it together in a second, no worries.

[whycantistay]

Oh.

You don't have to. It's okay. I'm still here.

[fridgetothefire]

[A huff of breath, almost a self-deprecating laugh. She straightens her hair and looks up, smile tight, and she looks - strained, but in control.]

Yes I do.

[There's a quirk too her mouth as she says it; she knows it's funny, and it's funny because it's sad.]

[whycantistay]

It's okay to feel whatever you're feeling.

[fridgetothefire]

I feel happy. And grateful. And kind of - broken?

Like, oh, this shouldn't be a big deal, normal people help their friends, right? But I just. It's new.

[whycantistay]

Sometimes our pasts make it hard to deal with things. But that's okay. You're my friend, Anya. I like you for you, and if this is new for you, that's okay, too.

You just always have a place here. And a job. And whatever else you need.

[fridgetothefire]

Laying it on pretty thick, huhn?

[But the flippant words pale beside the genuine emotion in her tone, the shaky smile widening across her face.]

[whycantistay]

I just mean it is all.

[fridgetothefire]

I'm starting to get that.

[whycantistay]

Good. I would hope so.