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you first

[5055034455]

[Meanwhile, Saul is silently freaking out. He can't help but feel like her current state is somehow his fault — it looks like she's been up here for a while. So there's the guilt, and then there's a healthy dose of panic laid neatly on top when she starts moving toward him, which leads him to shrug his coat off and practically shove it at her.

There. A barrier. She should take it.]

The first one. I just... don't want you to think I could ever hate you. And I wanted to tell you that in person, since I was pretty sure — [He gestures, indicating the lack of a tablet in her hands.]

you're not my real dad

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[What is it with dudes and giving her their coats?

But she takes Saul's, since it doesn't seem like it'd be worth arguing over, draping it over her shoulders rather than putting it on properly.]

I'm sure I've heard something about never saying never, before. [But apparently she can't work up the energy to actually say it herself.

Maybe she should've just said thanks.]

:(

[5055034455]

[Maybe. That might not have earned her such a look, at least — but Saul can't work up the energy to appear properly upset with her, so all she gets is a halfhearted narrowing of his eyes.]

Would you stop? Seriously. You're not being fair to yourself. And — God, standing on the roof in the rain? Really?

ilu tho

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[No, she won't stop because she's feeling miserable and she's actually indulging that for once instead of running away and pretending everything is fine.]

I can't exactly help the rain, can I? And I've been coming up to rooftops when I needed fresh air since I was like, four. So.

[So. That's it.]

yeah whatever!!

[5055034455]

[But it's so cliche.

Whatever. If this is what she wants to do...]

You want me to get you an umbrella?

:c

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[When all else fails, being a facetious little shit:]

Nah, I was planning to take a mournful stroll along the beach later and get a little more rained on. Just for dramatic effect.

[WOW.]

no ilu too

[5055034455]

Yeah? Got any good eighties music to go along with that?

[Being sarcastic is so much easier in person.]

Might I suggest Phil Collins? Either from his Genesis days or solo. Both'll do the trick.

oh ok good

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[Eighties music just makes her think of Ellie, but she manages to keep the wince off her face. Instead, she wrinkles her nose at him]

Do I look like I have Phil Collins on my iPod?

[apparently she's judging Saul for even suggesting it.]

[5055034455]

Wow, excuse you. Seconds Out is one of the most underrated live albums of all time.

[GOD, STEPH.]

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Look, if it's not Beyonce, I don't wanna hear about it.

[WHATEVER, SAUL.]

keywords tho

[5055034455]

...you're kidding, right?

[Saul looks so absolutely mortified by this that it's comical. She has to be kidding.]

wow rude

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[THEM'S FIGHTING WORDS.]

Are you saying there's something wrong with Beyonce?

[She'll throw him off this rooftop so help her.]

[5055034455]

I'm saying that there's absolutely no comparison between her and Phil. Come on. Have you even heard, like, anything he's done?

[




what is happening]

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I have, and I will throw you off this roof if you keep talking crazy.

[SHE'LL DO IT.]

[5055034455]

I'm not the one talking crazy, here.

[It's entirely possible that he's trying to rile her up on purpose. Distractions! Yay!]

Beyonce. Psh.

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Don't even.

[Don't even, Saul.]

Are you sure you're better? 'Cause I think you might still have a fever. It's the only explanation for why you won't admit how awesome Beyonce is.

[5055034455]

[Oh, but he is. He so is.]

I didn't say that. But in the hierarchy of awesome, she's like... [He holds a hand about chest-level, then shakes it. Like he's not even sure she deserves to be up that high.]

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No, in the hierarchy of awesome she's all the way at the top.

[Going up on tip toes and holding her hand up as high as she can? You bet.

They're really mature.]

[5055034455]

[W o w. Kids these days. Cue the most melodramatic eyeroll Steph has likely ever seen as Saul easily holds his hand above hers without standing on his tip toes.]

Nope.

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[He can't hold his hand up higher than hers if she jabs him (gently) in the ribs.]

Yes.

[5055034455]

[Oh.

Snap.

She did not just do that.]

Wow. Resorting to physical violence. Real nice. [Muttered, as he oh-so casually reaches for her lifted hand. IF HE CAN'T WIN, NO ONE CAN.]

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What can I say? I take after my dad. [Today in jokes that aren't funny!

As she neatly steps back, keeping out of reach.

It's a testament to how twisted up her thoughts are at the moment that the joke barely even registers as being something she probably shouldn't say.]

[5055034455]

[Stephanie. Saul's just going to pretend like he didn't hear that, okay? He pouts, pressing a hand to his ribs.]

I could sue you for assault and battery, you know.

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We're in an anarchy, Mr. Goodman, you can't sue me for anything.

[Take that.]

[5055034455]

You wanna bet?

[Because he's pretty sure that if there's one person here who can figure out how to file a lawsuit in the absence of the law, it's probably him.]