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[myhousemyrules]

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[trustfundee]

[ He tends to stay away from the tabloids, but he can't stay away from the gossip around him. It's torture, really, to hear people talk about Marta and subject her to the cliche narratives they make up about women, then turn around and smile at her at a party. Not to mention he can't stand the way Cameron reacts to it by not reacting at all, and acting as if none of it bothers him.

He knows Marta can't be happy about it. If it were him--if it were him, he'd have so much to say. It all gets stuck in his throat as he listens to her talk. ]

Sounds nice. Meaningful. That's what you want, right? [ Marta's someone who believes in purpose. ] Have you done anything fun yet?

[myhousemyrules]

[ It's in Cameron's opinion that not feeding the fire is better than providing it fuel, so neither of them say anything at all. It means that Marta takes the brunt of it, but she's been good at ignoring them. She doesn't care what they think of her because she knows the truth. At least that's what she tells herself to get through the day to day. For the most part, she doesn't have to deal with it in her daily life. It's usually when she's with Cameron that she has to handle the passive aggressive comments and poisoned honeyed words. ]

Mostly just the common illness and injuries in the clinic. The most exciting thing is just stitches or setting a broken arm. The flu is going around, you know.

[trustfundee]

[ Ransom's never been one to shy away from confrontation, perhaps to a fault, but it's not remotely in his personality to sit around 'handling' passive aggressive comments. He can't stand watching Marta do it either, but Cameron has a way of steering Marta to be more like himself. He doesn't understand it at all.

And it's not like he really wanted to pull the sympathy card today, either. He genuinely needed to hear her voice. ]

Yeah, it's probably the flu. [ Right on cue, he sniffles. ] You haven't had to save anyone impaled on like--a golf club yet? Ever watch Untold Stories of the ER before?

[myhousemyrules]

[ A bark of laughter escapes her unexpectedly. The imagery of someone suddenly being impaled by a golf club is so absurd. It's not impossible, but it's certainly not something she's come across before. ]

No, I haven't done that before. I don't think I've ever seen that. [ She also hasn't seen the show. She gets enough of the hospital at work, so she doesn't always consume medical shows. She's more into true crime. Imagine that. ] What of crazy stories does that show have?

[trustfundee]

[ He laughs when she does, even if it means he can't breathe for a second. ]

All sorts imaginable. Hey--are you laughing? It's not supposed to be funny, Marta. Being impaled by a golf club is a serious thing. [ He speaks in an exaggeratedly somber tone. ] Especially if you survive it.

[myhousemyrules]

How would that happen? What kind force does it take to be impaled in a golf club? It's not exactly a sharp edge.

[ She's trying to bite back anymore laughter. It's just so damn easy to slip into this with him. Hearing his voice, as raspy and rough as it is from illness, is like taking a deep breath of air finally. ]

[trustfundee]

No, it'd have to be a broken golf club. Like a club with the club part of it snapped off. Come on, Marta. [ He manages a disappointed tone but grins and keeps the laughter at bay. ]

[myhousemyrules]

Oh, my apologies. Clearly that's so obvious. [ The eye roll is evident in her tone but so is her smile. ]

I didn't realize you were such an expert.

[trustfundee]

Oh, do you know how many fights I've witnessed on the fairway? [ He loves this. He loves the smile in her voice, the teasing way she sounds so done with him. ]

[myhousemyrules]

No, I don't. I doubt it's as dramatic as you make it sound. Isn't it all about drinking and making business deals anyway? [ She gives a little snort, unimpressed with the idea. She hears the strain in his voice. ] Eat your soup.

[trustfundee]

[ It's boring on the golf course, it's true. He often stirs shit up for the fun of it, so her calling it out makes him finally laugh. ]

I had some but I'm on the couch now. I can't get up.

[myhousemyrules]

How much did you have?

[ The concern and worry fills her tone as she frets. She knows Ransom can be dramatic, but she can tell he genuinely doesn't feel well. ] You need to try and eat more before you take the medicine.

[trustfundee]

Like--a quarter of it? Don't, Marta. You sound all concerned. It's cute, but I'll be fine. [ He feels like shit, yeah. ] You're helping. Just talking to me. Promise.

[myhousemyrules]

[ A quarter? That won't do. ]

I'll only stay on the phone with you if you manage a quarter more.

[trustfundee]

[ She'll hear his heavy sigh, like he's annoyed. ]

You're a cut-throat negotiator, Cabrera. [ Then, the grunt of him peeling himself off the couch, then the knock of him putting his phone on the counter. The scrape of a stool. ] It doesn't taste as good as anything you make.

[myhousemyrules]

[ Let him be annoyed. She's dealt with worse moods from him. At least this will help him properly feel better in the long run. She listens to his movements. She can picture it keenly in her head like she's there next to him. If she'd been there with him, she would've wrapped him up in a blanket and sit with him. ]

You're sick. Your tastebuds are off anyway.

[trustfundee]

Doesn't mean they don't deserve the best, [ he shoots back, taking another few bites of the soup. He wishes she were here, instead of on the other end of the phone. Even if he doesn't need her to take care of him, her company would be more than welcome. He wants to ask, but it seems like too big a risk right now. ]

[myhousemyrules]

That's right. Only the best that money can afford for you. [ There's no bite or bitterness in her words. Just a quiet exhaustion to it. A longing for it to be different. ]

You should have a hot shower later too. The steam will bell break up the congestion.

[trustfundee]

[ It's sweet, the way she genuinely seems to be giving him advice to feel better, however, he's never been one to do what he's told, so he just hums a tone of acknowledgement and moves on. ]

You only deserve the best, too, you know. This doesn't just apply to me.

[myhousemyrules]

[ She gives a noncommittal hum. She doesn't want to get into this. Because whether or not she deserves the best, her heart wants him. Even as she warms and warms towards Cameron, she's left yer heart with Ransom that morning. ]

You should feel better in a few days.

[trustfundee]

Yeah, I know. [ Another bite of soup he doesn't want to eat. See what he's doing for you, Marta? ] I meant what I said, you know.

[myhousemyrules]

You'll eat the soup and take your medicine? [ Her voice is deceptively light. She doesn't want to go any deeper than that. She can't. ]

[trustfundee]

[ He sighs, before sniffling. She’s trying to dodge the topic, but there’s nothing he wants to tell her more. ] That I miss you, and I wish you were here.

[myhousemyrules]

[ It sends all kinds of feelings through her. Ransom says these things so easily now. It's not cloaked in their banter or their fighting. It makes her feel so regretful, wishing he'd been this open before.

Or maybe she's just another thing he wants now what he can't have. Another challenge. ]

I don't know what you want me to say, Ransom.

[trustfundee]

[ He’s quiet for a beat, feeling the way his heart clenches in his chest. She’s tired. She sounds so done, but she’s still on the phone with him. ]

That you miss me too.