Tell me about it, honey--you don't even want to know how long my mun stuffed me away for. And when she does think about giving me some air? The first log she goes and reads is the one where I get the shit beat out of me. Swear to god...
At least I finally get to see a friendly face again.
[Tiiiiny smirk but he still looks pretty sour. How dare someone not give him their fullest attention. That fades a little more, though, since he just can't resist the chance to tease.]
Where's the "Oh Nick! I missed you so much!" because I know you're thinkin' it somewhere in there.
Of course I missed you. There's something about a dirty old white suit that you can't replace, you know? [That's part honesty, part teasing him back. But it wasn't a secret that she missed the hell out of the boys anyway.] So where's my "missed you too"?
I told you guys swamp water doesn't come out. Should'a listened to ol' Nick, just like always. Anyways-- [He does a quick little mock bow, apparently the bad mood is fading, getting attention like this...] ahem-- Sweet Lincoln's mullet, I've missed you too, hun.
[Sure, turning one of her favorite phrases back on her is a bit cheesy, but he couldn't resist.]
I think that's something we can agree on, actually. Far as holdin' up goes... honestly, until you came along I thought I would never see the light of day again. And if I'm being completely honest... [and he really can't believe he's saying this...] is actually less preferable than facing down hoardes of infected. 'Least I actually got to do something and, you know, interact with other people then.
[One person in particular. Sure, he'd been warming up to Coach--he admitted, the man knew how to get things done-- and even Ellis was starting to grind on his nerves a tiny bit less (that part he'd never admit). But he'd always fancied that he and Rochelle had hit it off. This is his roundabout way of reiterating that he's missed you.]
[... Yep. Rochelle's known him long enough to take that as a compliment.]
I hear you. I didn't think I was ever gonna get the cobwebs off of me until Young'n here apparently got reinspired. But hell, I'd have fought off a horde Tanks if it means I could go back to doing anything. Or go back to that crazy city I used to be in. And I died twice there. [Not the point though. Anyway.] Long story short? You and me both.
[He's about to make a joke about Tanks and that one unfortunate log he was subjected to way back when, but then something a bit more pressing catches his ear and he blinks.]
Uh... died? [Beat. KINDA LOOKING WORRIED THERE. Then:] Ah, oh, that must be one of those things that happens in those "games". [Nick's never been in one long enough to know firsthand, but he knows he doesn't like the sound of it. Cue scrunched-up-do-not-want-face.] Shit, Ro, you gotta take better care of yourself out there. Especially when Doctor Nick isn't around to patch you up.
And not infected. Which, you know--in my book, that's a plus.
[Another pause. Is this the kind of thing you joke about? She doesn't seem very broken up about it, at least not any more. Sometimes it's very hard to suppress his snarky streak.]
...Not that I'd mind you trying to bite me... I am pretty irresistible, I know.
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