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dave?
ye-yeah? what is it?
nothing, bro! just checking that you're still awake. you looked nearly asleep there.
i, uhm... yeah... my bad. just thinking a little.
you wanna talk about it? i know i'm not like a super therapist, but... y'know. friends are there for friends. could call lakelyn in if you want.
... no. but thanks, thank you.
you sure dude?
yes. please leave me be for a bit. sorry.
uh- alright...
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you leaving again already?
yeeeaahh... just, can't talk much right now. i'm sorry. please take the kid to school and make sure to have him tucked in by 9.
barbs. are you okay?
i am! i just really need to leave, like, now. there's some talks of a promotion going on, i need to be there.
... sweetheart, you're letting this consume you. is there something bad going on at work? you guys understaffed or something? i can-
listen, listen. i'm okay. i appreciate the worry but it's just a demanding job, alright? you can't come, someone needs to watch junior.
dave can babysit for the day!
no - not dave. he's busy too, he told me. the boy needs his dad, alright?
barbs, the boy needs his dad AND his mom. not just one of them or neither. he misses you, and you know he does. i get that all this scientist work takes time, but come on.
i know, love... but this is why i'm going. the promotion may allow me to pick better my location so i don't have to be this far away all the time. you know i'll come back, it's not like i'm staying overnight.
ugh, fine... but stay safe, alright? love you. i'll put the kid in bed at 9.
of course i will! love you too, darling. see you tonight!
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...
... oh, didn't see you there-!
you. why didn't you pick up?
... pick up what?
you're red and shaky. you're a terrible liar. you have always been. what the hell happened to you?
... i don't know what you're-
percy, just stop it already, alright? you've been acting... weird lately. and you're not telling me why.
it's all good, i swear!
no, no it's not. i've known you forever, and you know i can tell when something is wrong. you come back and you always look distressed like you're about to faint. just talk to me!
... i... i can't right now. i'm sorry. i'll see you tomorrow morning... we can get some coffee and-
percy, are you listening to me!? look, i know what happened to her and i've accepted it now, alright? i've spent so much time distressed about the fact that you were so close to just... dying in there and you still don't tell me anything!
i'm so sorry...
percy, please... you know i care about you. you know there's not many more people i have left to care about in my life... don't do this to yourself, don't do this to me.
...
... please... just, listen to me... just this once...