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[nobasisinfact]

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[nobasisinfact]

With all his video posts from rooftops, I'm surprised that you didn't figure it out already.

[To be honest, Richar had his suspicions before Alex came in and announced it. The boy wasn't exactly subtle on the fact that he was, different.]

[11calls]

Well, I had my suspicions from stuff on his bucket list but...

[Which she was still keeping her mouth shut about. Honestly, Alex could if she needed to, and telling Richard that Peter was going to die back home wasn't something that she wanted to do. If Peter wanted to tell him, then she would. But for now, this was the only secret that she was letting out.]

His falling four stories in front of me is an entirely different thing. I thought he was dead, Richard.

[nobasisinfact]

[He thinks about pointing out that it wouldn't have been the first time she'd seen a dead body, but it seemed as if that were a bit more insensitive than he should be right now.

Instead, he just frowned.]

Is there, something you'd like me to say?

[That was probably the best approach to this.]

[11calls]

[It wouldn't have been the first time she'd seen a dead body, and it wouldn't have been the first time that the dead body was her fault, but it would have been the first time that the dead body that she saw die in front of her and was someone that she actually really cared about.

And that was the problem. Maddie Franks was one thing, but if the body she'd discovered had been someone else? Alex would have been ten thousand times more fucked up than she had been.

So, she's just going to raise a brow and say:]

I'd like the scotch back, please.

[nobasisinfact]

That rarely helps.

[It's something Richard knows from experience. When everything fell apart and he was left alone to lick the wounds of accusation and perpetual loss, while he hadn't become an alcoholic by any means of the word, there had been, nights. Nights when the bottom of the scotch bottle seemed to creep up on him far sooner than it should have.

In the moment and in the morning it had never helped.]

I'll, make you coffee.

[11calls]

You're making me coffee and offering me tantalizing bits of your past at one am? Jesus, you must really like the scotch.

[The words are teasing, mostly, a variation on her standard bad joke thing, but she does head towards the door.

There are reasons that this really bothers her, honestly, but she can't tell him about them. She can't say that Peter dies back home and this is his second chance and she was scared to death that he was cutting it short by doing something this stupid.

But there is wine in the kitchen, so Alex is gonna head there.]

[nobasisinfact]

Factual advice.

[His stride is longer than hers, he'll just conveniently put all the wine high up. Two glasses of his good scotch are more than enough.]

I said coffee.

[11calls]

Richard!

[The word is sharp and full of annoyance.]

I am a goddamn adult and I can goddamn drink if I want too.

[nobasisinfact]

And I can stop you, if I choose.

[And clearly he was choosing to stop her. He starts the coffee as if her anger is nothing.]

[11calls]

Are you serious right now?

[Oh hell no. She does not need an adult, Richard. She needs a drink.]

[nobasisinfact]

[This is why you don't date a 54-year-old. He knows better.]

Do I look like I'm joking?

[Once it's done he hands her the coffee.]

[11calls]

You're actually giving your insomniac partner with sleeping issues coffee at...

[She checks her watch.]

1:12 in the morning, Richard?

[Okay. She may be feeling that Scotch finally starting to hit her.]

[nobasisinfact]

Yes.

[He'll even pull a seat out for her. He knows the proof of that particular bottle of scotch.]

[11calls]

[Okay, she's just gonna sit in that chair. Because it's a good idea. Not that she'd admit it even if she's feeling quite boneless at the moment.]

I'm still mad.

[She explains before she offered a little giggle.]

[nobasisinfact]

I'll survive.

[He sets the coffee on the table before getting her a glass of water.]

Drink this.

[11calls]

You know, I am a grown ass woman who does in fact know how to not get a hangover the next morning.

[That said, she does take the water, because well, that's part of the way not to end up with a hangover. But she is going to add:]

No coffee. I don't want to dehydrate myself any more than the scotch is going to already.

[nobasisinfact]

If you're hungover, I promise to make loud noises for the entirety of tomorrow.

[He'll do it anyway, but he'll be even more obnoxious the worse she is. Especially as she's being so annoying about him being nice.

Really Alex, and you complain about him being an asshole to everyone. Clearly, you'd rather that than worrying about others. He'll remember that.]

[11calls]

[Alex is just going to groan very very very loudly and sink her head into her hands, already dreading that.]

Why do I love you again?

[And damn it, she knows she's not saying she loves him, so she just groans again for that too.]

[nobasisinfact]

[He's just going to cook her some eggs and sausage while making sure there's bread there to help soak up the alcohol.]

I've been asking that for months. As previously stated, I'm not a nice person.

[11calls]

[Normally, she'd turn down breakfast at one am after midnight cheeseburgers, but she also knows that she's already well on her way to being quite drunk, and she's just going to finish her water before she muttered:]

I don't want a nice person. I want you.

[nobasisinfact]

Which, is a horrible decision.

[Frying eggs]

[11calls]

[Alex is just going to roll her eyes and give the patented: Richard Strand is going to be the death of me, I swear to god sigh.]

If you're going to torture me tomorrow, I should drink more to make it worth it.

[nobasisinfact]

Not, with my scotch.

[He turns, smirking at her before putting the plate of eggs in front of her.]

[11calls]

No, it should definitely be with your scotch considering I'm paying for my torment in advance.

[She's just going to raise a brow at him and his smirk, before giving him a quick grin and adding:]

The wine is mutually ours though. [She's just going gesture towards the locked wine fridge. Where are her keys again?]

[nobasisinfact]

[In a place where she's clearly forgotten and won't be being told.]

Eat your eggs and go to bed.

[He'll even let her cuddle him as much as she wants.]