Fair? [ She doesn't mean to get defensive, it's just easier than letting herself consider how right he is. She had thought she had let him go, but then they'd gone through Spring Break and everything had come flooding back. She was so proud of who he'd become and she couldn't deny that there wasn't a part of her that couldn't help but think about how things might be different now. ] Was it fair of you to tell me that I was the one in your dream? [ She shifts on her feet, meeting his gaze head on.] Why did you tell me that if you didn't want... something from me?
[Steve turns his head away, arms folding over his own chest. Nancy has a fair point, she typically does. Why did he confess his feelings when he knows damn well she still loves Jonathan.
She's always going to choose him. She's made that pretty clear. ]
And that was the only reason? [ She shakes her head. ] Did you ever think about what it would do to me if something had happened? If I had to live knowing that you still... [ She sucks in a breath, remembering the feel of vines twisting around her arms and neck, watching them squeeze the life out of Steve and Robin on the opposite wall.
She stiffens up. ] Forget it. You're right. We don't have to do this. I'm sorry I bothered you.
No! I don't think any of this is easy. Just because we're not together any more doesn't mean I don't care about you, Steve. [ She can still feel the way her stomach had tightened in panic when he'd been dragged down into the lake. The way that there had been no question about jumping in after him.]
I'm not trying to make this even harder. I just don't want to give Vecna any more ammunition. I knew if I told Jonathan the truth that he'd be upset. And there's a possibility that he would say something to you about it. I wanted you to be prepared. That's all.
[ Steve's whole jaw goes tight at Nancy's words. A part of him wants to ask when she suddenly decided to care because he has plenty of moments that she didn't. He fight with Jonathan in the ally, she had ran straight to Jonathan. Not once did she check on him after his brutal fight with Billy Hargrove. Why? Jonathan.
Starcourt mall and the trauma left behind from being tortured. Not once did she ask him what happened. Why? She was so torn up about Jonathan moving.
There is a pattern here. ]
Right.
[Prepare him? When has she ever done that ? Certainly not when she fell in love with Jonathan behind his back.]
I don't need you to prepare me for anything, Nancy. I'm fine.
[ Nancy's jaw tightens in response, and the hurt look that flashes across her face is quickly replaced with a grimace. She nods, loosening her jaw to speak. ] Okay. Good.
Goodnight, Steve. [ She swallows, looking at him once more before moving to let herself out the front door.]
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She's always going to choose him. She's made that pretty clear. ]
Because I never got the chance to tell you.
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She stiffens up. ] Forget it. You're right. We don't have to do this. I'm sorry I bothered you.
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[But Steve couldn't keep that from her anymore. He had always tried his best to be honest in their relationship. Even when Nancy wasn't.
He knew she was always going to choose Jonathan. That was never going to change. ]
What? That I still care about you ?
[He shoots her a look.]
You think thats easy for me?
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I'm not trying to make this even harder. I just don't want to give Vecna any more ammunition. I knew if I told Jonathan the truth that he'd be upset. And there's a possibility that he would say something to you about it. I wanted you to be prepared. That's all.
DRAMA
Starcourt mall and the trauma left behind from being tortured. Not once did she ask him what happened. Why? She was so torn up about Jonathan moving.
There is a pattern here. ]
Right.
[Prepare him? When has she ever done that ? Certainly not when she fell in love with Jonathan behind his back.]
I don't need you to prepare me for anything, Nancy. I'm fine.
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Goodnight, Steve. [ She swallows, looking at him once more before moving to let herself out the front door.]
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[He watches as she scurries towards the door and his own jaw remains tight. He has so much He wants to say.
Needs to say.
And yet-]