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?

Comments

[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.