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[myhousemyrules]

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[myhousemyrules]

[ She gives a little huff of amusement at his chiding. He's good at bringing out the levity in her. Marta can forget for now all that's between them. In her tone of crisis and need, he's the one she wants with her. She loves him. She always will. His care for Alice means the world to her. ]

Maybe. She won't be pleased that you're the one that saved her, but I know she'll be grateful deep down.

[trustfundee]

[ He shorts a tone of amusement, raising a brow. He recognizes the tendencies in Alice, not only because she wears her emotions on her face, but also because he knows the same tendencies exist in himself. ]

Well, she's lucky she has you. I did it for you.

[myhousemyrules]

[ There's something in the way he says it. It's in the way he looks at her. It makes her mouth go a little dry while her pulse quickens. She remembers now all that's between them, the chasm that keeps them so far apart and the things that keeps them so tightly bound to one another. Her fingers gently curl in his sweater front. ]

Thank you. I know-- I know things are difficult between us, but it's good to know I can still count on you.

[trustfundee]

[ He shouldn't push, he knows he shouldn't, but she looks at him with everything that's between them and even acknowledges it. It's too close for him to ignore. His smile tempers a little, and he gives a single shake of his head. ]

You can always count on me. [ Because he doesn't give away his loyalty easily, and there are always conditions. Conditions she's met. He also doesn't take no for an answer. ] It doesn't have to be so difficult between us. [ A hand finds her cheek and the soft pad of his thumb smoothes over the high point below her eye. ] We can have everything if you'll just let us.

[myhousemyrules]

[ It's a weak, rueful smile that she offers him. They always end up back here. She'd gone so long without him. She'd thought she'd been doing better. After their evening together, it'd been best to limit as much interaction as she could. But all it takes is this, being back in his orbit, and she's drawn like a moth to a flame. ]

You know where I stand. [ It's a gentle but firm reminder. He's chosen the inheritance. She turns slightly so that her lips ghost along his palm. Her warm breath whispers against his skin. ]

[trustfundee]

Yeah, I do. [ He responds, self-assured determination creeping into his voice in the face of her softness. ] In my arms. You're saying one thing and doing the other. [ His thumb brushes along her bottom lip. ] Just know I'm not giving you up, Marta.

[myhousemyrules]

[ He's right. She's in his arms because that's where she wants to be, but it's also where she can't stay. Marta gets lost in his eyes and the soft brush of his thumb at her lips. It's almost like a kiss. ]

Only because I keep telling you no.

[trustfundee]

[ There’s the smallest wry smile that pulls at his mouth as her words breathe against his thumb. ]

You still think I’m playing some game?

[myhousemyrules]

I think-- [ Marta cuts off and releases a shuddering breath. This is hard for her. Every fiber of her being wants to give in, but she knows it's not right for her if she does. ]

I think you've never had anyone deny you something.

[trustfundee]

[ He can tell she doesn’t want to have this conversation, but it feels like she’s slipping away. Everything Alice told him tonight makes it feel more true. ]

So? You wanna deny me to keep me
around?

[myhousemyrules]

What? No!

[ Marta looks horrified at that thought. Like she's stringing him along for her own pleasure. It reminds her of how they're so close, and she's in his arms. He's right. She shouldn't keep doing this. She doesn't want to hurt him. Pulling away, she puts some distance between them. ]

That's not what I'm trying to do either.

[trustfundee]

[ She pulls away from him and his mood immediately sours. Despite the distance between them, one of his hands finds hers. ]

‘Cus if you are, I’d get it. I’m still here either way. You think I chose the inheritance over you and you wanna make it hurt, right? You want me to prove something to you?

[myhousemyrules]

No!

[ Hadn't she told him that all she wants for him is to be happy? Hadn't she given him the inheritance to do exactly that? Despite the bite to his words, his hand finds hers. Their fingers link together. Marta is still frowning at him though. It feels like the early days after he'd tried to kill her when all their conversation had been filled with barbs. ]

I don't want to hurt you. [ She says it firmly. Before anything else can be said, the doctor comes to them to let them know Alice is up for visitors. Marta goes without question, tugging at Ransom's hand for him to follow along. ]

[trustfundee]

[ Ransom’s retort is at the tip of his tongue when the doctor interrupts their conversation and his words end up sourly bitten back. The scowl on his face is set in place even as Marta takes his hand.

Alice is going to be fine. Their conversation right now isn’t close to fine, but Marta pulls him along and he frowns as they enter the room. His eyes land on Alice and a sigh loosens up the tension in his chest. His hand squeezes Marta’s as their gazes land on Alice. ]

[myhousemyrules]

[ Alice looks exhausted, like she's been through the wringer. It makes sense given her experience. She looks guilty when she sees her sister, but when sees Ransom, it's a mixture of annoyance and a quiet sort of warmth and gratefulness. Marta goes to her and envelopes her in a hug. ]

Nena, I'm so glad you're okay. [ Marta buries her face against her hair for a moment then kisses her temple. ] How are you feeling?

[ Alice hugs her back. She's a little mortified about the whole thing. She hates worrying her sister. Even worse, she guesses she owes Ransom. She looks at him for a beat. ] I'm okay. And-- thanks, Drysdale.

[trustfundee]

[ It’s a heartwarming scene, he supposes, with Marta and Alice reuniting after all the worrying that’s been going around. He knew she’d be fine.

He leans against the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest, and lifts a single shoulder in a shrug when Alice begrudgingly thanks him. There’s a wry cant to his head. ]

Thank Marta. I wouldn’t have helped you otherwise. [ There’s a bite there, but it’s more teasing than anything bitter. ] And don’t worry, I don’t think anyone noticed anything. [ Natalie was preoccupied, and they’d slipped out without anyone but Leo noticing. He winks. ] Still feeling like you were hit by a truck?

[myhousemyrules]

[ When Marta pulls back to give her some space to breathe, Alice takes a moment to study both her sister and Ransom. There's a marked tension between them. It crackles with intensity. Marta is steadfastly trying not to look at him but clearly failing.

And Ransom might look like Mr. Cool, Calm and Collected, but she sees the longing that's hidden away there. It makes her think. Maybe it's the effects of her treatment, but it's got her thinking.

She flushed at his pointed remark. She doesn't want to talk about Natalie in front of Marta. She isn't ready for that. She waves him off. ]

It's getting better. I'm just to ready to go home.

[ Marta clucks her tongue at her. Like the dutiful big sister and nurse that she is, she goes about tucking in her sister and making sure she's comfortable. ]

Your doctor said you can be discharged in the morning. They want to keep you for observation.

[trustfundee]

[ Ransom's never thought of himself as someone who could be read with a single glance, but Alice looks at him like she knows something, and that has his eyes narrowing just slightly at her. He looks at Marta when her eyes lift to him, then back to Alice again.

Is she noticing how right it feels when the two of them are together? Or maybe she's noticing how much more at ease Marta is being herself around him, fretting over Alice like he isn't there at all. ]

Be a good girl, sweetie. Listen to your sister. [ There's just a lick of humour in his words as a corner of his mouth lifts. ] You know what'll help? A popsicle.

[myhousemyrules]

[ There's a huge difference to Marta now. Alice couldn't not notice it. Her sister is softer and lighter. More relaxed. The sadness that tends to linger at the edges of her smiles isn't there. Like being in Ransom's presence alone is revitalizing her a little. Alice has met Cameron. She's seen him and her sister together. Marta smiles, but it's never quite like this.

She never looks this at ease.

She wishes Ransom would get his head out of his ass. ]

You'd get me a popsicle?

[trustfundee]

[ Alice takes the bait, and his smile widens. ] Would you ask me? [ A lift of a brow. ]

[myhousemyrules]

[ Alice gives a stubborn jut of her jaw. She's almost like Ransom like this. Her tone is even imperious in the way that only a younger sibling could. It makes Marta have to bite back a laugh. ]

I shouldn't have to ask. I'm sick.

[trustfundee]

[ Ransom’s gaze lifts to the humour sparkling in Marta’s eyes. It makes his heart skip a beat. He stands up straighter and gives Alice a conceding nod. ]

Of course. [ It’s sarcastic and laced with mirth. ] And what flavour would you like, your majesty? I’m afraid they only have grape and cherry. [ He’s done a few of these popsicle runs for Harlan before and is familiar with the hospitals limited offerings. The doctors were never quite on board with his suggested treatment for Harlan but what could a popsicle ever hurt with Alice. ]

[myhousemyrules]

Cherry. [ There's a very apparent 'duh' in her tone. Marta gives her arm a little swat with a scolding look for her bad manners. Alice looks at her with a little pout until another idea strikes her. An experiment really. ] Why don't you go too? You can get one, and you can make sure he gets me the right flavor.

[ Marta shakes her head at her, but she's not one to refuse her sister anything right now. ] We won't be long. [ She goes to Ransom's side and takes his arm. ] You heard the princesa.

[trustfundee]

Yup. Grape. [ He tosses a grin back over his shoulder as Marta takes his arm and they leave the hospital room. It’s as close to a thanks as Alice will get at the moment. He can see what she’s doing. ]

You spoil her, you know that? [ He says to Marta, as they start down the hall. ]

[myhousemyrules]

No, I don't. [ It's not exactly her strongest protest, but Marta doesn't see anything wrong with it. That's her baby sister. She's always looked out for her and taken care of her. She's always made sure Alice got to do things that she couldn't growing up. ] It's not that bad.