i don't know shit about fuck

“Oh… that shit. The fuckin’ feds came round for that? Damn. I can’t believe he a snitch. What a pussy.” Fez paused for longer than usual, wondering how or if he could talk his way out of this one. Although he’d done it for the right reason, his act had been violent, and not caused by a need for self defence; he should’ve expected this outcome considering the amount of witnesses.

“'That shit?’” His response was outright confirmation of his involvement, and she groaned. “God damnit, Fez.” Why couldn’t everybody just keep their heads down like they were supposed to? Seeing him debate what to say next, work out what to tell her, Ruth narrowed her eyes at him. His hesitation only served to piss her off more, not in the mood for bullshit. She knew him too well for that anyway, and they’d just be wasting time they didn’t have. “You better not be about to fuckin’ lie to me,” she warned, arms still crossed.

“’What you mean, man? I ain’t done shit.” Fez frowned up at her from where he sat, wondering what she could be referring to. He had recently assaulted Campbell, but there’s no way she could know about that, unless one of the classmates had been running their mouth. “You ain’t got nothin’ to get up in my case for, Ruth. Chill.”

“Oh, really?” She raised her eyebrows at Ash, who looked away, before turning back on Fez. “Then why is it I just spent the last twenty minutes of my life tellin’ the chief of goddamn police that y’all ain’t home, you’re out plantin’ flowers or some shit, but that I swear on my daddy’s life neither of my dumb cousins know shit about some dickwad gettin’ glassed at a New Year’s party? Hmm?”

“Yeah, you do that. I’m sure I’ll see you round, Ruth.” And with a nod, he turned and left, pulling out his notepad as he did so. He’d give the kid some time to show up first, but he made sure to note down the other mentioned names, and the grocery store. Ruth was lying about something, and only time would tell what kind of family this group was.

“Chief.” Ruth nodded in return, eyeing the notepad as he walked away. “Fuckin’ Christ,” she swore under her breath, making sure to lock the door behind her. Her cousins were always dragging themselves into shit.

“A message.” He echoed, smiling a little at the offer, though it was entirely humourless. Obviously, the woman was being defensive, and angling up to him, which meant his sources were likely right. “Sure. You tell this Fezco he needs to come down to the office, stat. We’re set up inside council. If he doesn’t show, I’ll be sure to find him.”

“Right.” He hadn’t seen a Jesse mentioned anywhere on his report, but the newborn might’ve been the exact reason for that. Still, he'd follow up in case. “And what’d you say Fezco did again?”

“I didn't," she smiled, mocking. "But now that you asked — a bit of this, a bit of that. He’s at the store, mostly. Think it might be some community shit today though. Stuff, I mean. Volunteerin'. Either way, it’s long hours, and he can get in trouble if he’s interrupted. I’d be happy to take a message?”

The change in tone felt unsurprising, Hopper having sensed her earlier insincerity. Her distrust of him. The fact she hadn’t revealed much or hadn’t invited him in were other pointers. At the mention of a minor though, he conceded. The young Alexandrian community ought to be rife with rumours anyway — he wouldn’t be revealing anything new.

Incident? She tilted her chin up at him. “— Ruth. The Pinkmans are my cousins, sir. We all kinda live together. They’re not here though, so you don’t have to bother snooping around. They’re workin’. Actually, one’s still at school. He’s a minor, you see. No parents. We’re the guardians. So,” she continued, crossing her arms, politeness dropping from her tone. “If you got something to say to ‘em, Chief, I’d like to hear it, too. In fact, I insist.”

Her smile was tight. “Can I ask what this is about?”

Jim liked it when things were quiet. The war had caused enough drama to last a life time, and all he was looking for now was minimal chaos and a steady paycheck. In its first year, Alexandria had offered both. But, he supposed, no matter what happened to the world, teenagers would still be teenagers. One had called his office multiple times from the infirmary, and even though Jim could tell the kid was putting on the charm, he still knew he had to follow up on the incident. Glassings were considerably serious. Rapping on door of the address he’d been given, a tired Jim didn’t wait for the supposed homeowner to speak up before he did. “Afternoon. Name’s Jim Hopper, Chief of Police. I’m looking for the Pinkman residence. This it?”

Ruth’s back instantly straightened at the word police. She’d had no reason to expect a visit from them, and it set her on edge. Nodding in greeting, she forced herself to stay polite. “Well, I’m a Langmore, sir.” It wasn’t a straight answer, but she needed to know the context first. Needed to know how to play this.

Hanna winced in pain, hand massaging her lower back. She’d woken up in a foul mood today, and the baby related aches and hormones weren’t helping. Concerned eyes met hers, and she instantly felt defensive, hating the pity. “God, can you stop staring? I’m fine, I’m not going to break. You’re being a bigger pain in the ass than this baby.”

Admittedly, Ruth was feeling concerned, having not spent any time at all around pregnant women before Hanna came around. Besides the biology basics, she didn't really understand what was happening; but Hanna was Jesse's partner, and carrying his baby, and that made her family. Ruth always protected family. But she certainly wasn't known for her beside manner and matched Hanna's bad attitude with ease. The bickering was comforting, really, it was how their extended family usually communicated.