ryusei flashing is grounds for no joy

[asteroidbelt]

[shirtless]

... This isn't going to hurt, is it?

Comments

[mathemagician]

. . .

[reluctantly lets go, taking a few steps back]

Figures.

[asteroidbelt]

[why]

. . . [I was trying to—] That's right. [bitter so bitter] So stay away. [That way, in addition to— everything else, I won't have to watch you die.]

[mathemagician]

For once in your life, you should think about what someone else might want.

[hey look there's the bitter. it came back. Kengo's just going to go wander a little further away, but he's still here.]

[asteroidbelt]

[how did you somehow paralyze me. if i bite my lip hard enough and look down to hide my eyes, would i be able to sob completely silently]

[mathemagician]

[it takes a minute for him to notice and there's the awkward heart drop.]

... why are you doing that?

[asteroidbelt]

[does it look like i am capable of speaking coherently right now]

[mathemagician]

... Sakuta.

[dammit no stop pulling at my heart i'm supposed to hate you right now.

sigh.

walks back over, grabs arm.

god this is the stupidest...

fine, screw it. you're getting pulled in closer and an arm around your shoulders. welcome to the most awkward hug ever because Kengo clearly has no idea what he's doing.]

[asteroidbelt]

[don't touch me. don't—

if this is you attempt at hurting me i swear on jirou's life i'll—





I am so... annoyed. How could I let Kengo of all people see my weakness

—Don't touch me.]

[pulling away, turning around]

[mathemagician]

[fine i'll just try harder.

grabbing again, pulling back over, now a better attempt at a hug.

dammit you are not leaving.]

[asteroidbelt]

[I don't want to hurt you.

why are you doing this to me]

Let go.

[mathemagician]

Why? So you can keep being selfish?

[and just like trying to avoid being thrown off by an angry animal, he's just going to hold on tighter]

[asteroidbelt]

[if i don't struggle will you let go sooner rather than later]

Selfi— Is there something you want from me?

[mathemagician]

[I might loosen my hold a little if you're good.]

You don't see it? Everything you've done up until now...

[asteroidbelt]

[... you want everything i've done until now?]

. . .

[mathemagician]

[sigh no.]

If you knew there was something I wanted, would you care?

[asteroidbelt]

[you're the one who keeps calling me selfish.]

... What do you want?

[mathemagician]

[well that's because it's true.]

At this point, I don't really know anymore...

[asteroidbelt]

[if you don't know, then why should i care what you want]

Why are you keeping me here?

[mathemagician]

[because you should start caring about what other people actually want and not what you think they want. USE YOUR WORDS.]

... because I'm starting to think I've lost my mind.

[asteroidbelt]

[... what do you think I think you want? Because you made it quite clear with your words. It's your actions I'm confused about. Let go.]

For... doing this? [if you hadn't stopped me I might have been able to get myself back under control in private and then this wouldn't have had to happen. I'm sure you know all about hiding your emotions. Doing this wasn't a kindness, Kengo.]

[mathemagician]

[but what if you never came back? what then?

also no, not letting go until you make me. you should know better than to trust my words over my actions by this point.

also hey lets avoid that topic now. it's getting awkward.]

Do you think I've hurt you enough?

[asteroidbelt]

[nope nope nope ryusei.exe shutting down]

Is that what you're doing? [i should shove you away but even despite that comment i don't want to hurt you] Would you continue if I said yes?

[mathemagician]

[no, that's not what i'm doing.]

I'd stop if you told me the truth.

[not that I trust you, but...]

[asteroidbelt]

The... truth... ? [you want me to tell you how much you've hurt me? if i gave you the right answer, would you let go?

what is the right answer?]

... Yes. [i'm not going limp on purpose jsyk]

[mathemagician]

[that's enough to get you freedom and by the way I'm just going to wander off and sit down somewhere nearby and keep my back to you without saying anything else.

no everything's fine, why would anything be wrong.]