♨ IC Contact

[slothly]

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[hurricanechef]

Then if we do that, you won't be upset anymore?

[slothly]

[ A firm frown. ]

I'm not upset. I just want to do more.

[hurricanechef]

You're... not upset with me?

[slothly]

Of course not. If anyone should be upset, it should be you.

[ And not just about the distribution of chores. ]

[hurricanechef]

But I've been a terrible friend to you recently... I'm always picking on you, and teasing you... being around me must be humiliating.

[slothly]

It's not really picking on me when we're friends... and since I don't really mind. We've... always been that way. We're open and honest with each other, and sometimes we tease each other.

So you're not a terrible friend. You don't even know how to be a terrible friend. And furthermore, I'm not humiliated being around you. If you weren't here, I'd suffocate and die.

[hurricanechef]

[ He looks absolutely relieved when basically says they were completely fine. He just sort of lets himself fall to a sitting position on the floor. ]

[slothly]

...Atsushi?

[ Is he okay? ]

[hurricanechef]

I just...

[ he laughs as he stares at his lap. ]

I thought you were upset with me... and I didn't know what I'd do if... you grew tired of me too.

[slothly]

[ En silently slips off his bed so that he can sit beside Atsushi on the floor. ]

I can't grow tired of my best friend. You're...

[ His everything, really. ]

...no, I can't even imagine being here without you. Not even for a second. And I know after what happened between you and the President that this is asking a lot of you, but I need you to believe me that if I were truly and genuinely upset with you, I would tell you. Even if I needed a day or two, we would talk about it. We'd work it out and we'd be even stronger friends because of it.

I'm sorry, but like it or not you're stuck with me for the rest of your life.

[hurricanechef]

[ He can't bring himself to look at En, but if emotions were any indicator for feelings, then the fact that a few clovers sparkled above his head and disappeared showed he... was happy. ]

I-I understand, I'm sorry. That... I couldnt just come out and ask...

[slothly]

Stop apologizing. You... haven't done anything wrong. Okay? Besides, you tried. You apologized, not that you needed to. It's okay that you couldn't ask me directly.

[ En leans heavily against him and rests his cheek on Atsushi's shoulder. ]

It was... kind of written on your face, anyway.

[hurricanechef]

It was?!

[slothly]

Don't worry. It was the kind of expression that would only be obvious to me.

[hurricanechef]

You're... probably the only person who can read me as well as you do. You know that, En-chan?

[slothly]

That's because you let me in.

[ He says it quietly, his voice gentle. ]

You're not afraid to be yourself around me. You joke and wax philosophical and tell me off because you trust me.

[hurricanechef]

...I'm really bad at this, aren't I.

[ He laughs softly and shakes his head at himself. ]

[slothly]

...Yeah. You are. But I also think you're starting to let other people in, which is a good thing... even if it's a little scary.

[hurricanechef]

[ He lets out a soft sigh and ruffles En's hair a little. A small smile was forming on his face. ]

How do you put up with me?

[slothly]

Hmm.... Well, how do you put up with me? I expect your answer will be the same as mine.

[hurricanechef]

Your my best friend, I'm not sure it's really putting up with when I'd lose my mind if I were alone here.

[slothly]

[ Atsushi wasn't supposed to say it aloud. He was supposed to reach the conclusion and make a shocked but knowing "oh!" kind of reaction. But it sounds like Atsushi got the point -- that there's no "putting up with" involved. ]

Exactly.

[ En reaches up to finally grab the cup of tea from the nightstand, then offers it to Atsushi for the first sip if he wants. ]

[hurricanechef]

[ He takes the cup of tea and takes a nice long sip before handing it back to En. ]

I'm sorry for... kinda freaking out.

[slothly]

[ WOW DID YOU EVEN LEAVE HIM ANY? Who, exactly, did you make this tea for, Atsushi? ]

You weren't freaking out. And I appreciate that you came to me in the first place.

[ En takes the cup with both hands, allowing a moment of appreciation for the extra warmth in his hands before he takes a sip of the tea. ]

[hurricanechef]

[ Rudeeee, of course he did. ]

Is this... what it's like to not be a coward?