#goldfinchfreehold

A puzzled frown. "And I thought you and Nadeen did...?"

"Oh, come on. What would make you not a prize?"

She shakes head. "We kissed. But we didn't... no..."

"Look...you're hot, you're athletic, you're smart, and you're badass. Honestly? If I were into girls, I probably would have been interested."

"And okay, yeah, you've got baggage. That makes it complicated...but you're worth the work."

"And yeah, baggage. It's too much work."

"I don't need to date, though. I got lots on my plate."

"Nope. Work, but worth it. I mean, most people have some level of baggage."

A sigh. "Yeah, I get that. We've got lots going on."

"Maybe. But it's just... easier."

A pointed look.

"Or maybe...less scary?"

Hands up. "Not that I want to get into a fist fight again."

"This is about not getting into a situation where people get hurt."

"People including you yourself."

Her mouth twists, and she fidgets. A nod.

A sigh. "I get it. I do. The getting-hurt part sucks. But sometimes...the risk is worth it." She pauses. "But I guess maybe that's just me."

"Well, the point is, I'm worried that Symon is getting hurt."

"Even if the magic isn't letting him feel it?"

"Right." She nods. "And yeah, sounds like one of those things where a parasite attaches but numbs the host so the host doesn't know it's being, like, devoured. Goes happily along its business, dum-de-dum."

A frown. "Huh. I wonder if it is a parasite. Like, a chimera."

Harrumph. "I really just wanna smash that thing AND smash her."

"Totally agree with the smashing her."

A deep breath. "If it comes down to it, and she needs smashing, but he's not going to accept it? Let me do it. I'll be the bad guy, and you can keep your relationship with him. Just...keep him from taking out revenge on me, okay?"

A blink.

"That's..." She bites on her lip, eyes bright. "Thank you."

"Oh, hey." She reaches out a hand. "Of course."

"That means a lot."

"That's why I make the offer, because your friendship with him is a really good thing, and that means a lot to me." A pause. "Mind you, I can't promise he won't blame you, too, if he gets a feeling we both wanted her gone. And you've got zero poker face when you feel guilty."

"Now come on, we've got more pizza to eat. And you can pack up a slice or two to offer him a week or so from now."

A shrug. That's a fair cop.

"And I'm starved, yeah." She does carefully set aside a few slices, however.

More food, some Dr. Pepper, and a shift in conversation to prepping for the semester.

((End Scene))