Kira

Her touch on his arm caused him to instinctively relax without him noticing. Her question broke his heart, simply because he’d already heard it before… bouncing in his skull. Hearing them coming from her lips, it being the first time it was spoken aloud, made the worry real. A soft sigh left his nostrils as he came to terms with the fact that it was something to look into. 

The feeling of her lips on his cheek brought the werewolf back to reality, causing him to smile softly. “Being us includes deciphering pretty weird riddles and mysteries like those though,” he noted with a chuckle as his hand played idly with a strand of her hair. “So… are we thinking the missing people were sacrifices?” he questioned. The only ritual of resurrection he knew of had been used by Peter. Also, why resurrect Allison, Laura, Boyd and Erica unless they knew them or were close to them somehow? 

.

Kira shrugged, murmuring comfortably as she was held, trying to work through it all herself. “They could be? There has to be some payback for bringing people back. Maybe it’s not a life for life though, or we’d have more missing people than has been announced.” Though it could always be that some bodies weren’t found? Or the police didn’t think there was evidence it was murder?”

Roman almost reeled from that casual input. He wanted to ask who that was, since hurting Scott by proxy hurt Stiles, which then meant it was Roman’s business; but then he reminded himself he was trying to claim not to be in any pack.

“I have, he’s a charming little fuck I guess.” He’d concede that point. 

When her mood only further lowered, Roman tried to think of a way to cheer her up. This wasn’t something he was all too familiar with, being someone who liked others at a comfortable distance and rarely had meaningful interactions with mortals. 

“I knew a family once, back when I first came to America, this couple who helped me out of a tricky situation I’d have known better about had I not been so naive at the time; I didn’t know a thing about downworlder politics or that there was anywhere I couldn’t go, I was so high on the idea that the world was open that I never realised that some places are off limits,” Roman told her, remembering the couple in question with a fond quirk of his lips. “By stroke of luck they seemed to understand I’d no clue what the deal was and let me by, and I did revisit them a few times over the years to ask questions or just see their kids.”

He liked kids. Big gaggles of them throwing stones, playing hop scotch… Reminded him of his old Human family.

“I watched them grow older with each visit, watched their kids grow up and have kids of their own,” he patted her shoulder. “Not to sound like a sociopath or anything, but it was nice. It was nice to see their life pass from the moment I met them to when they weren’t there no more; they got to have these whole, long lives going through stuff a lot of people don’t get to.

It ain’t grand seeing people you know age and die. But immortal or mortal, you’ll see it happen and grieve, and you’ll get the time to grieve too; can’t say for what your mum thinks, but to me death ain’t a bad thing. There’s no such thing as immortal, not really, even the oldest fuckers around gonna pass sometime…

 I know it ain’t nice to know people around you’ll probably die first, but think about how many more people you get to meet? When I was a kid I’d never have believed there would be the internet or phones, getting to talk to and see people across the world. I find it’s best to enjoy that, rather than seeing a natural, neutral part of existence as an evil, nasty thing stealing loved ones from me.”

.

Kira blushed hearing Roman’s description of Scott, looking down shyly. “Yeah well you better like him, because he’s my boyfriend. Otherwise I’d have to kick your butt.” She teased, brushing some hair away from her face, embarassed. Thinking about Scott lifted her mood a little, and she got lost in her thoughts a little as Roman talked about the family he knew. Satomi had been really old, right? So... maybe Scott would get to be. Maybe she wouldn’t lose him too soon. 

“Let’s... not think about the sad parts then. How about the good parts.” She suggested, smiling a little brighter. “Are there any photos of you in the past? Like, really old photos? If mom has some of her, she hasn’t shown me most of them. Really she’s difficult to talk to about these things sometimes. You’re more... laidback.”

“I know,” Scott admitted with a soft smile. Especially now that they could cooperate more openly with the Sheriff’s department and those around them. Things were meant to be easier this way… Yet Scott had allowed himself to be sidetracked and didn’t even feel guilty about it either. After all, Stiles was a priority—always would be. Once his brother was back on his feet, the world could do of Scott as it wished.

As Kira brought up the one mystery Scott had been refusing to look into, the werewolf couldn’t help tensing slightly. He had yet to speak about it out loud, choosing to see a miracle when they could be facing a catastrophe… Whenever Derek brought it up, he kept promising to pick up the topic later if the older werewolf dropped it. Until Derek finally stopped asking… “To be honest, I’m not sure I want to dwelve into that specific mystery,” the werewolf admitted, tightening his embrace around the kitsune slightly. “I just want to find out why people that went missing keep reappearing dead… why vampires and werewolves attacked a festival… but that’s it.” He didn’t want to meddle in business that could take Allison away again… Laura, Erica, Boyd… Greedy as only Scott could be, he didn’t want them to lose their second chance at Life.

Kira curled into Scott’s embrace, but hearing how he brushed off the topic of the resurrected, she frowned a little, absentmindedly drawing swirls on his arm with her finger. She understood what he meant, and she didn’t want to push him, but even if he didn’t want to think about it, she couldn’t help but think about it.

“But what if the two are connected?” She asked, looking up at him, her eyes soft and concerned. “We don’t... have to talk about it if you don’t want, Scott, really. I shouldn’t have brought it up, sorry. Foot in mouth.” She smiled shyly, kissing his cheek. “Let’s just... enjoy being us?”

The vampire hummed as he thought about the date. He’d never really cared much for when his birthday was, didn’t figure how it mattered much, but it seemed to mean a lot more to people in more modern times.

He nodded, smiling. “Nice. December 1st this year shall be my 160th birthday- roughly.”

Roman hadn’t realised he’d let it slip one of the ways his sire had kept Roman to himself. But then, he was prone to casually mentioning things other people found horrific or devastating, in his flippant tone.

“Ah, it was a while ago now. I kept trying to run off ya see, so I guess in his head it was a logical choice,” Roman tried to imagine doing the same to Stiles, and felt a violent lurch of nausea. The idea of hurting his progeny made his skin crawl. 

He frowned.

“Pack? Oh no, no wait, no. That’s not a thing,” he shook his head, laughing a little. “I’m all fine with being your friend once the mortals have all moved on and all that, you, me and our boy, Stiles. But I’m not in no pack, love, I’m not even in a clan.”

Joshua may disagree, but Olivia would vehemently agree and that, sorry Joshua, meant more.

“Well, when you’re down you just gotta laugh and get back up. The way I see things; tomorrow’ll come no matter what you do, as low as you feel now, give it time and you’ll be grand all over again. Nothin’s the end of the world really.”

.

“It’s never a logical choice... I mean, unless the other person’s hurting people. I had someone locked away, but that was because he hurt Scott, and killed a bunch of people. He’s back in town now, but we don’t talk about that.” She said, sighing at the thought of Theo. 

Hearing his denial that he was anything to do with the pack, Kira couldn’t hold in the giggle. “Have you met Scott? Trust me, he’s not going to take no for an answer. You’re connected to Stiles, that means you’re connected to us. Just something you’re gonna have to live with.” She teased.

Scott couldn’t help pressing a kiss atop Kira’s head when she buried her face into his shoulder, a bright smile on his lips. The werewolf’s eyes closed for a moment, breathing her in, feeling as peace washed over him. Her giggling caused him to chuckle, pulling back to grab one of the pastries he had brought. 

Listening to the kitsune’s logic, Scott couldn’t help laughing. “That can be our secret,” the werewolf joked, putting an index finger to his lips with a chuckle. “His ego is healthy enough, no need to fuel it. He’ll be fine,” Scott promised with a shake of his head. After all, Kira wasn’t wrong. Even if what Peter had done had sounded cruel, they both knew he’d end up pointing out how the situation ended and taking credit for the outcome. 

.

“Gotcha.” She smiled, grabbing her own pastry and biting into it, snuggling into his side, giggling again. She hadn’t felt so happy and relaxed in a long while. And still a part of her regretted it, if only for it not being fair that things were going so well for her, and for other people in the town... not so much.

“We’ll figure it all out, yknow. All the bad stuff. We have before. It just... might take us a little more time, that’s all.” She shrugged, looking up at him. “I mean... we never had to deal with mass unexplainable resurrection before. Not completely. It’s amazing that people are back but... I can’t help but wonder why.”

𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐊𝐢𝐫𝐚 𝐭𝐨 the rack of dresses, just standing next to her as she kept looking at the dresses. The coyote crossed her arms as she picked out a green dress. “Do you think that looks good?” she asked softly taking the dress away from the Kitsune’s hands, just to look at herself in the mirror “It’s not better getting a pair of shorts?” she asked raising an eyebrow.

.

“You don’t have to buy it, you just have to try it on. That’s half the fun of clothes shopping, getting to try on new things, without spending the money! Unless, yknow, you end up liking it and buying it.” She smiled. “It’d be easier for you to shift in a dress?”

The vampire tried to think back to the year he’d been born, and struggled.

“I mean, unless you were super rich not a lot of exact birthdays were marked, y’know? That’s a way more recent thing. Um, possibly 1860? Oh yeah, I remember now. Florie said I was born the year that Dicken’s bloke published Great Expectations, so whenever that was is my year. Couldn’t tell you the exact day, but think she said it was winter.”

Florie had been like the rest of them, unable to read a word, but a beau who’d taken a liking to her could and read it to her. Roman could remember Florie’s husband with only the barest hint of clarity, a man above her station working in a print factory. How fancy they’d seemed compared to his life at Whitechapel. 

He turned his hand over to accept her hold, smiling faintly at her. The vampire appreciated her attempt to comfort.

“I wasn’t alone. I had my own sire,” Roman swallowed, nervous. “he was… a man who liked things beautiful and doing what he wanted. He’d belonged to a clan of vampires well known in their time for their hedonism, and even after de Quincey died and the clan fell a part, my sire- well, can’t say he was the nicest chap.”

Roman forced a laugh and a wink, letting go of Kira’s hand. 

“Think of it like how I do; mortal or immortal, life throws all kinds of punches at you, you just got to roll with it. Will say I can’t advise on the friends dying front, I never had any to care about in that sense, and all my family died while I was locked in a box, so,” Roman blew a quick raspberry in lieu of words. “You’ll be grand, love.”

.

Kira pulled out her phone as he explained, googling as he spoke, before humming to herself. “So... it was first published in December of 1860, so... let’s make your birthday December 1st. So we know when to celebrate it.” She smiled, encouragingly.

She frowned as he talked about his sire, hugging herself once he let go of her hand, biting her lip. She wanted to push, to ask more about his sire, but it felt too prying. She didn’t want to bring up bad memories for the other, it wasn’t fair for her to.

“You were locked in a box?” She frowned, shaking her head. “I’m sorry... You deserve better than all that.” In a quick movement she hugged the other, lightly. “But you have Stiles now! And the pack! So either way, we’re not going to let you be on your own. And.... that means I’m gonna be around to bug you. Even if.. yknow... the others aren’t one day.” Her shoulders slumped, and she looked down. “Sorry. I was trying to cheer you up, not bring us both down.”

“More than you could understand,” Scott teased with a soft smile when Kira mentioned her awkwardness was charming. He didn’t think she was awkward, but he always found the fact that she worried so much about it endearing. If she could’ve seen herself from his point of view, however, maybe Kira wouldn’t need to worry on whether she was awkward or not, she’d see how amazing she was.

He smiled brightly when she kissed his cheek, watching her and listening as she spoke. She was right, even if he wished she wasn’t. He knew what it meant to build a life by his side, the sacrifices he asked for… He wished it was different, but that would’ve meant he would have to become a different Scott, and that was not an option. 

Taking a seat by her side, he wrapped an arm around Kira with a chuckle. “Alright, I confess,” he jested in returned with a wide grin. “I was being cheap.” Not exactly a lie either. He’d been pretty irresponsible with his money as of late, so it was a good hypothesis. 

.

She blushed even harder at his teasing, hiding her face in his shoulder. It felt surreal how normal things could feel, even after so long, even with everything they were facing. The world would never stop for the two of them, and they both knew that. If all they could have was stolen moments between the storms they had to weather, then she’d take them. Leaving him to train had been one of the hardest things she’d had to do.

“I knew it.” She giggled, before she paused, wrinkling her nose. “Wait so... If I only brought it up because Peter told me you were dating someone, then... does that mean I have to thank Peter Hale for getting us back together?” She groaned, covering her face with her hands. “He’s never going to let me live it down if I do.”

The werewolf pulled away reluctantly, closing his eyes again when she pressed her forehead against his own. Kira’s words did make him chuckle, pulling back with a shake of his head. “I am,” he promised. “No need to be more awkward,” he teased lightly as he nuzzled her neck playfully. “We don’t have to pretend anything,” the werewolf promised with a smile.

As her arms lowered, he reached out to catch the kitsune’s hands, holding them in his own. “Hey, really,” the werewolf assured. “I would’ve told you sooner… I mean, I should’ve filled you in on what happened too, I’m sorry,” Scott noted with a furrowed brow. “But yea…” He looked over his shoulder at the pastries. “Hm?” Pulling her along towards the food, he smiled. “Not quite a date… but we’ll do better once our schedules aren’t as packed?” he tried coyly. Or at least, they could have furtive moments as was that one until Peace decided to spend a few nights in Beacon Hills again.

.

“Hey, I thought you liked my awkwardness. I always figured it was charming.” She blushed, giggling, closing her eyes with a satisfied murmur as he nuzzled against her. She could feel her entire body relaxing that little bit more, comfortable at the familiarity.

“Scott, you don’t have anything to apologise for. We’ve had one thing after another thrown at us, we have from the first day we met, I think we can handle a couple of busy schedules.” She chuckled, kissing his cheek. Plating up the pastries, she took them over to the couch, curling up on it, and patting the seat beside her, indicating for him to come and join her.

“Besides, I reckon you delayed this little heart to heart so we didn’t have to exchange Valentine’s Day gifts.” She teased.

An easy laugh fell from his lips at her blunt question.

“Yes, not as old as your mother sounds like, but in Human terms I’ve just passed the point of their lifetimes. A hundred and… sixty? I’m terrible with keeping count.” Roman wrinkled his nose. “Nope, Stiles is the first time I’ve sired anyone; I never had any plans to, in fact, so Stiles was a surprise.”

It was nice to be asked questions about vampires. Many such questions he’d asked as well, once upon a time.

“It’s different between different sires and their progeny. For some it’s parental, some it’s strictly platonic, it can also be romantic- It’s not for us though. I would…” Roman’s breathing suddenly hitched, catching him off guard. Why did his chest feel tight? “I would never do that with Stiles. Never. If he’s anything to me he’s my son, but we haven’t discussed that yet-

  you have to know I’d never do that to him…” the vampire trailed off, confused by the reactions in his body.

Having a progeny had started to bring up unwanted memories, and Roman had been doing his best to ignore them all, but the thought that he might end up treating Stiles anything like how his had treated him terrified him. It scared him more than anything else in the world.

.

“Well... Do you know what year you were born? You could probably keep a track of things like that on your phone.” She said, smiling, though her face fell as she heard that Stiles was the only person he’d ever turned. Keeping silent though, she listened as he explained the differences in siring. Her concern grew as she heard the hitch in his breathing, and she sat up with attention.

“Nono I know you wouldn’t. Or well, I don’t think you would. And I don’t think Stiles would let you without consent. I mean with consent? That’s totally fine as well.” Kira smiled, reassuringly, moving over to squeeze Roman’s hand lightly, a small sign of affection to show him that she was here.

“Wasn’t it... lonely then?” She frowned. “You don’t have to talk about it if it’s upsetting! Just... a hundred and sixty years without one person, or people... I dunno, it’s a lot.” She bit her lip. “I mean I... don’t know how I’ll cope. I know I don’t have to worry for years but...”

“To be fair, your pack was practically destroyed for a hot minute due to all of your trust and insecurity issues.” Theo pointed out with a snort and a shake of his head. “But I got pulled out of hell by Liam and I felt like I owed him something…And I hate that feeling. So I repayed my debt and helped your pack out a few times. Ghostriders, hunters, all of that fun stuff. And then I decided to stick around and wait for the next big-bad to hit Beacon Hills.” Theo said with a lazy shrug, his eyes not straying from the woman as he did so.

Theo’s jaw clenched as he heard her words, and his growl only deepened before it suddenly broke out into a mirthless chuckle. “For the best…Is that what your little friends told you?” Theo asked with a smirk as he looked at her. “Being locked in a deminsion with my sister crawling towards me and ripping her heart out of my chest over and over again just to loop time and time again…That sounds for the best to you?” Theo growled.

“The next time someone is a threat to you and your precious pack Kira? Fuck Scott’s rules and use that blade and just kill them. If Scott thinks that locking them up in a place like that is more justifiable or merciful then death? Then he’s more crueler than people give him credit for.” Theo said with a snort before he downed the rest of his drink, deciding if he was going to be in this girl’s presence, he was DEFINITELY not going to be sober.

.

“You caused the trust and insecurity issues! You put those thoughts into people’s minds. And even now you’re trying to twist it.” Kira huffed, her belt wrapping back around her waist, her arms folded, frustrated. “Yeah well... next big bag is here, so if you can help the pack on account of yknow... out of control vampires and wendigos chomping on my friends, feel free.” She sighed.

She looked down as Theo questioned the Skinwalkers, shaking her head. She felt a little bad, but she tried to remind herself who it was she was talking to. “Sometimes their methods are a little extreme, but there’s always a reason for the things that they do. You needed to learn something. I guess they thought that was the best way to be taught it.” They’d taught her a lot in the years that she was with them, after all - she owed them her sanity.

“We don’t kill people in the pack, that’s what you’ve never understood. That power isn’t important. It isn’t worth killing people over. Scott’s never taken a life, and never would, and that what makes him the leader he is.” She looked around the building, knowing who it belonged to as well. “Plus, if he was willing to give Peter another chance, there’s no reason he wouldn’t give you one if you were honestly wanting one.”

Scott sighed, looking away towards their hands for a moment. They hadn’t even had time to talk about what exactly had happened while she was gone… What had the Skinwalkers taught her… Had they been cruel to her? All the worries he had, all the silence he’d put up with. He hadn’t even had time to welcome Kira properly. 

The werewolf did smile as he felt her squeezing his hand. Looking up, his gaze met the kitsune’s and time seemed to stop for a moment. What he had with Kira was the kind of Love that was hard, that taught him lessons and made him stronger. The love that had meant to make them both grow and learn what they loved about Love or whatever else Deaton and his mom had said. But did it have to? A lot had happened, sure, but he was still… Scott, and she was still Kira. His Kira.

Her lips met his and the werewolf melted into the kiss naturally, feeling his heart skip a beat. His hands slid up her hair as he deepened the kiss, allowing himself to feel everything he’d locked away in the attic of his soul so long before. He kissed her like it’d be the last time all over again.

.

Kira wrapped her arms around Scott’s neck, not wanting to pull back, but eventually out of necessity for air she did so slowly, letting out a shaky breath, her forehead still resting against his.

“So.... I’m really hoping that you’re about to let me know that you’re definitely single so I’m not gonna have to be even more awkward and pretend that didn’t just happen.” She blushed, her arms still around his neck, untangling them slowly, playing with the back of his hair as she lowered her arms, looking up at him.

She knew they couldn’t just pick things up from where they’d left off, it was a childish want - they were both the same people, but they’d been through a lot. They weren’t teenagers anymore, this wasn’t just some high school relationship that came and went. At least not for Kira.

The vampire watched her with a disquieted feeling. Historically the only people who ever wanted to see him needed something from him; either a menial task, but usually something he refused to give anyone anymore.

Outside of performances, Roman didn’t like to have the focus on him. He liked to watch events from the side and find comfort in his silent lonesome. 

“Thanks, I can pass it on for him,” Roman was beyond grateful that the True Alpha had someone on the inside to provide blood for Stiles. Olivia, as warm and cosy as she was, had given him a scathing look when he asked for yet more for his progeny and Roman knew not to ask again. “I already forgot the name you said, don’t worry love.”

Roman winked and grinned, accepting the blood bag off her. He put it on the bar table for later.

“Not too keen on the idea of that, must say,” the vampire cringed. “all fine here, me. Stiles is making pretty good progress considering it weren’t long ago he clawed up. And, Pete’s been pretty understanding about me storing a baby fanger on his turf; seems like he’s a bit sore about me biting Stiles and not him.”

He laughed at the memory. The tension between Peter and the rest of his pack puzzled Roman, as it didn’t carry the same faux hostility he and Olivia liked to dance with… it almost seemed genuine coming from some of his packmates.

The vampire hadn’t realised it, but his answer had diverted away from himself back to Stiles. A safe point to talk about. 

.

Kira pouted, folding her arms as she listened to him, probably looking more like a disapproving parent than the twenty-something she was. She could see the deflection, and it only made her decide to be more persistent.

“Well you’re old, right? No offence meant, my mom’s like... 900 after all.” She shrugged. “So you must’ve done this before? I guess Stiles has some big brothers and sisters running around? Do you even see it as a family thing? Are you technically Stiles’ dad now?”

Malia looked at the kitsune “Is this supposed to help me?” she asked furrowing her eyebrows lightly “Because the only thing I can see is that we’ve been through a lot of things” she admitted. “That is maybe the only thing good in this mess” said the werecoyote. “Yeah, it’s better than nothing” she admitted with a shrugged. “I don’t really see the point in this but yeah, sure, I give up”

.

“See? There’s some positives!” Kira smiled, pulling Malia over to a rack of dresses, tilting her head at each one. A lot of them were definitely too over-the-top for the werecoyote, but she soon picked out a short green dress, humming to herself before she grabbed a pair of black leggings to go with it. “Hmm... You wanna try this?”

Scott chuckled in agreement when Kira shared his opinion on his mother’s baking. Although the shift in her scent confused him, her question just sending him deeper into confusion until she finished speaking. Aw, shit. Maybe people were right and Scott was a little slow… How could he forget how him and Kira left things? Forget what happened between him and Malia? Things had just  been so chaotic. Allison had come back, the unveiling, the chaos that followed, the disappearances, the carnival… Stiles… All Scott could think of as of late was how to keep his packmates safe. 

“I’m sorry…” That was awkward. “Um… A lot happened… while you were gone,” he started, unsure how to even explain it. “Malia and I were together for a while, but it’s been a while since that… Don’t get me wrong, she’s very important to me in ways I will never be able to put into words.” She was his Beta, his packmate, someone who saved him everyday and with whom he had one of the strongest bonds. “Even then, you’re very important to me too.” He furrowed his brow. “We’re pack, Kira, I will always want to hang out with you. Even if we weren’t pack…” Scott reached out, taking her hand in his. Their story had ended abruptly, without even a chance to be written… It almost felt silly in that moment to think that they could pick up where they left off, specially after whatever she was told obviously upset her. “I’m sorry…” They should’ve spoken sooner, he had been too self-centered.

.

As Scott stumbled for an explanation, she turned even redder than she’d ever thought possible, awkward that she’d made him think he had to be awkward. “Hey nonono you don’t have to apologise for that! Or explain, it’s fine! I didn’t... I mean I didn’t think I was gone that long but... then I came back, and I had been.” She looked down, shrugging. Malia was her friend. Why would she be upset by that?

Hearing Scott talk about how they’d always be pack, Kira frowned, wondering if he was friendzoning her. But then hearing him trail off, watching as he took her hand, her heart raced a little. She squeezed his hand, looking up at him, unsure of what to say, when she thought... to hell with it. If she had to change her number and identity afterwards, so be it. She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him, it feeling like only yesterday she’d done as much.

|

Scott smiled brightly at Kira sharing his enthusiasm, walking in and leaving his helmet by the door. “Sadly, no. I had to pick them up at the bakery,” the werewolf commented. “Mom has been hard at work, I dropped by and left her some too. That way, she can just shower and go to sleep.” She didn’t really need as many hours anymore, but Scott was sure it was more like the hospital needed her, and Melissa was never a quitter. 

Having moved to the kitchen, Scott placed the bag with the foam containers on the counter before beginning to pull out what he had brought. “That’s a weird question?” he noted after pausing, chuckling with confusion. “What’s wrong?” the werewolf questioned, turning away from the baked goods and focusing on his packmate completely. “Are you ok, Kira?” He knew things hadn’t been going well—even with the good news about Stiles, that night had still been an L for the McCall Pack and Beacon Hills. The last thing he needed or wanted was his packmates feeling insecure or struggle with self-worth.

.

“They’re probably still good though, just not the best.” She nodded, heading to the kitchen to grab some drinks for them to have with them. She kept her back to him as he questioned what was wrong, because she could feel her cheeks reddening in awkwardness and embarassment.

“I just mean.... other girls. That you want to spend time with. That aren’t me.” She wrinkled her nose, finally turning to look at him. “Look, Peter told me at the carnival that you have a girlfriend. And that’s fine! Obviously! Why wouldn’t it be?? Just... So you could go hang out with her, whoever she is. If you wanted to.”