IC Continuations

[twindividualism]

Comments

[completionism]

I can't.

[twindividualism]

That's why there's no point in talking about it! It's just going to upset us both.

[completionism]

I don't understand how to move past it, though.

[twindividualism]

. . . I don't think we can.

[completionism]

But—

[twindividualism]

I know.

[completionism]

I don't know what to do.

[twindividualism]

I don't have any ideas either!

[completionism]

Well, fine, just don't leave m—

[fuck nnnhhh flops over onto the bed again]

[twindividualism]

I can't—I don't want to, but I need . . . someone who can listen to me. And not stop just because it feels inconvenient.

[completionism]

[almost near tears with frustration]

It's not about inconvenience!?

[twindividualism]

[No tears yet, but his voice is beginning to crack here and there]

Then what was it?!

[completionism]

I'm . . . not used to—people? Um . . . I was starting to become friends with you, and with him around the same time, so . . . it's not like I was deliberately trying to betray you! But by the time I got close to you it was already too late. And now I have two people I don't want to betray and I'm . . . stuck. Now that I really care, it's—I didn't realize. I was stupid and not good at this.

[twindividualism]

I-I thought we were friends. That was why I told you about him!

[completionism]

Well there's friendly friends and then there's like sincerely pained and miserable because you've hurt them and like maybe there's not that big a difference but I didn't actually have any friends in my life ever so this is literally the first time something like this happened to me . . . you were one of the first people I became friends with?! I didn't know . . . how . . . feelings . . .

[he's slowly going red, a little ashamed]

[twindividualism]

Just being friendly isn't friends! That's just—it's polite . . . but from our first meeting I thought—I . . .

Should I have said it? I'm . . . I'm not good at this either. I can't keep any friends . . .

[completionism]

[squishing Kaoru's face in both hands]

We're friends! We're . . . we're friends. Really, truly! And I won't let that change.

[twindividualism]

[puts his hands over Mikogami's, but he doesn't quite meet his eyes]

I—y-yes. I believe we are! I just—I'm . . . still scared of that guy.

[completionism]

Are you worried for you, or for me? Or both? Because I promise I can take care of myself.

[twindividualism]

Both? And other people you know.

[completionism]

[shakes his head]

We're much stronger. Much, much stronger. Mutsu and I by ourselves could take down an army, so it's fine.

[twindividualism]

Not everyone is that strong.

[completionism]

I know! And there are people that are stronger, and scarier, too. When it comes down to it, you just have to be better and better and believe in yourself and the people around you. Some people are awful. And some people can and will hurt you. But I'm not going to let that happen.

[twindividualism]

That's what people always say! I can't do that! I tried and I just— And there's not always going to be someone there to stop things from happening!

[completionism]

[. . . smooths a hand over his hair]

No . . . maybe there's not. But that doesn't mean I'll ever stop trying to make that true.