[SIDESTORY] ASHTRAY

[skinstealer]

Chelsea’s in the middle of trying to get to sleep when Bucket knocks on the guest bedroom door. She’s hesitant to even answer, still off from earlier.

CHELSEA: ...Is that Bucket or Matthias?

BUCKET: Bucket! I doubt the latter would bother…

CHELSEA: You’d be surprised...you can come in.

Bucket steps inside, looking concerned.

BUCKET: Are you doing alright? You’ve been quiet, and I’m a tad worried…

CHELSEA: Just...can’t stand that guy.

BUCKET: He certainly does have a way of testing my patience.

CHELSEA: I’d say not to take it personally, but he seems to want to get under everyone’s skin as personally as possible.

BUCKET: It suddenly makes sense why Spit left him with us.

Chelsea laughs, bitter.

CHELSEA: You kidding? She loves the guy. No, he’s here to keep an eye on me...and presumably you too.

BUCKET: Surveillance? But why?

She shrugs.

CHELSEA: Probably thinks I’m getting too comfortable with you.

BUCKET: Frustrating...there’s certainly a reason why him specifically, yes?

CHELSEA: He’s a head cultist, close to my ranking.

She grimaces, clearly not happy about this.

BUCKET: Are his odds good, or is he just a little optimistic?

CHELSEA: No chance. But he’s the jealous type, and not one to give up either.

BUCKET: He’ll die out eventually.

CHELSEA: Not soon enough, if I’m being honest.

BUCKET: Eventually.

CHELSEA: Well…

Chelsea sighs, shoulders drooping.

CHELSEA: At least he was mostly well behaved at dinner tonight- relative to his usual.

BUCKET: This is less than his usual?!

CHELSEA: Trust me, tonight? He was testing to see how easy it is to push your buttons.

BUCKET: ...I take it I failed.

Chelsea nods, a grim expression on her face.

BUCKET: Ah...and the consequences of such?

CHELSEA: Expect heckling the next few days...I wish I had the chance to warn you about him, but we were thrown right into this.

BUCKET: I’ll make do...is he going to be here the entire time?

CHELSEA: Looks like it.

BUCKET: I’m not a fan.

CHELSEA: Well...maybe he’ll just, focus on me. I can hope for that, at least.

BUCKET: I’d rather he just not be around for most of this.

CHELSEA: We don’t have that option, and with him around Rein’s going to insist you keep an eye on him. Just like he’s keeping an eye on me.

BUCKET: We could just lock him away for a few days.

CHELSEA: Yeah?

Chelsea can’t help but smirk.

CHELSEA: Maybe we can look into that tomorrow.

BUCKET: I’m sure with the right framing, I could sell a cause for such an action to Rein. 

CHELSEA: Better get some rest for now...best we can, anyway.

BUCKET: Mm. Will you be alright tonight with the guest bed?

CHELSEA: Considering my options back at Spit’s? This is a luxury.

BUCKET: Do call me if you’re in need of assistance of course, you know it’s never an issue. 

CHELSEA: I will- I’m keeping you up, aren’t I?

BUCKET: I don’t mind!

CHELSEA: You never do, but...I don’t want to be a bother to you, you know?

BUCKET: You’re never a bother to me, Chelsea.

A smile creeps across Chelsea’s face, a rare sight. She catches herself and turns her head to hide it as soon as she can, but not before Bucket gets a glimpse.

CHELSEA: Still, it’s late...we can figure out what to do about Matthias tomorrow.

BUCKET: We’ll meet up as soon as we can to discuss it further. Sleep well, okay?

CHELSEA: You too…

She lingers a bit, trying to fight back the urge to hug them. Bucket gives her a little smile and she can’t take it, doing her best to give them a one armed hug before pulling away just as quickly. Bucket’s own smile grows, soft and warm.

BUCKET: I’ll be back in the morning.
BUCKET: I promise.