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It's not just fun, it's - did she take anything we said seriously when she was over here? Anything? She comes off like the whole world's one big joke to her. That's too much fun.

[ Ramse's quiet for a moment, wondering not for the first time in their lives and probably not the last, how he and Cole can see such different sides of a person. He shakes his head even though Cole can't see it. ]

You're wrong. She takes everything I say seriously. This is just how she is with new people -- I wasn't sure at first either, so I made sure I was clear not everything can be a joke. She listened. Just because she hasn't lived through shit like we have doesn't mean she can't get it. You can't write people off just because their world's still going. I told her everything, man. And she's still here.

[He'll give his brother the respect of hearing him out - and the more Ramse says, the more stunned he is. That slightly accusatory statement - you can't write people off - stings, feels a bit too under the skin, but he can count the number of close friends who aren't from failed societies on one hand. Funny how he's never noticed that.

And that final statement is the punch in the gut.]

Everything? [It's obvious by how quickly he stifles his laughter that he knows it's inappropriate, but that initial sputter can't be taken back. It's just such a Ramse thing to have done, and Cole isn't even sure he understands the depth of it.] You took a teenage girl out into the woods alone and told her everything?

[There's a joke about game to be made here, but the punchline is that she's still around. And that isn't funny.]

Didn't faze her, huh. [He remembers now. That was Ramse's main fear about this girl.]

[ One hand, Cole? Name two, and Ramse will back down. He gets the need to have people who understand, but he's also willing to give chances to the ones who need some help to be able to. ]

Yeah, I took a girl a day's hike into the woods and told her I was a murderer.... damn straight it fazed her.

[ It sounds crazy now and in the moment it was risky, and yes, one of his worries in the first place that Celeste couldn't handle that part of him. She could have been terrified of him the rest of the trip, or worse taken off into the woods. But the risk paid off and now Ramse's got a friend he can trust, that he knows trusts him back, who sees something good in him worth sticking around for. That's important ]

We talked, she worked through it. And that's why she's not a kid.

[We talked, she worked through it.

Well.

If she were careless about that as well, it'd be - it'd be a fault Ramse wouldn't allow, in all honesty. That's the only way it could've played out with him still defending her if he was so honest.

W h o o p s]

Sounds like you found a good one. [Quickly, because of the earlier teasing:] A good friend.

[And then, quietly:] Sorry, man.

I get where you were coming from -- she was a long shot.

[ It's true, he wouldn't have stood for someone just shrugging off their past. But he feels like she really gets it. ]

When I get your shirts back I'll ask her to tone it down, maybe you guys can talk. She doesn't know anything about you besides that you were there.

You know I wasn't just being an asshole, right? I didn't wanna see you get burned 'cause someone with more quick lines than sense thought you'd be a thrill.

[He worries. These are just such mundane worries, they're only learning how to express them now. The kinds of things he asked about on the network because he has no idea how he would protect Ramse from someone who wanted to romanticize their experience.]

Nah, don't do that. I already feel about fifty around here, I don't wanna sound like it too. I can take your word on this one. [He'll deal with the rapidfire teasing and disdain, for Ramse's sake.]

[ And now's when he wishes this conversation was in person, so he could look Cole in the eyes. ]

I know, man. We look out for each other.

Honestly, she probably was thinking that way at first, just flirting without knowing me. This could've gone bad a lot of ways... I made a call, I'm lucky it worked out this time.

[ ....he's probably going to talk to Celeste anyway. Cole's just more important, especially since it's their apartment. Ramse's not going to bring someone into Cole's space that makes him uncomfortable. ]

You sure?

I'm happy for you.

[He means it. Even without contact, that's clear in his voice. His network of connections here is so vital - even if Celeste is a bit unorthodox, she'll be a support. Maybe a nice dash of normalcy, and he's got a few of those too. They help just as much.]

Yeah, I'm sure. What, you think I can't keep up with her? [And now they're fine again. That's the sure sign.]

Yeah, me too. It's weird, though, having people want me around.

[ There's his usual humor there but he's not kidding -- Cole's been here longer and has way more people, so maybe he has some insight on it. Ramse's not used to being wanted at all, not used to having anyone but Cole give even half a shit. ]

I'm pretty sure you can't, but I'll watch you try.

[That - he's got a lot of answers for that, but can also hear a lot of Ramse's right back and knows that they're legitimate. And he knows damn well that it isn't a talk to have on the phone, even if they switched to video.

He won't even joke about it. It's just filed away, very securely.]

Who's not being very nice now, huh.

What, I'm just warming you up for dealing with her.

Yeah, right. Thanks for the practice.

[A little laugh, and a pause.]

You still gotta get my clothes back. [And end scene, he just hung up.]

[ Alright, alright, man. He's texting her now. ]

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