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[selfconcept]

HELLO

"..."

GOODBYE

TEXT | VIDEO | VOICE | ACTION

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[transmit]

[ At some point, he pauses just long enough to ruffle Hien's bangs before returning to his book. But beyond that, nothing.

How long before he gets tired of this? An hour? Two? ]

[selfconcept]

[ Hien is very patient, but he eventually falls asleep. ]

[transmit]

[ damn… he wanted to stop at the cliffhanger (like either of them really care who Felicia ends up with), but this works too.

He drapes his jacket over his shoulders and goes back to reading—this time a denser physics text that makes for anything but light reading. This is probably the shortest post-CYOA thread because Elysium is lame… but sometimes? You do need a little lame in your life and that's how you stay sane. ]

[selfconcept]

[ i can drag out a thread or cut it where it stands... i am good with either

Hien, though still asleep, clings onto Elysium's arm and buries his face into his shoulder. It's warm... ]

[transmit]

[ i don't mind dragging things out with infinite timeskips either because they're fun. At the clinging, he furrows his brow as his arm slowly goes numb under the constant weight and pressure, but sacrifices must be made for friendship… ]

Weren't you the one complaining about the pain last time…? This position's going to be hell for your back. … Don't say I didn't warn you.

[ But he doesn't really do anything about it either, and after a moment of staring, he sighs and goes back to reading. ]

[selfconcept]

[ poor elysium

Hien eventually wakes, because somewhere in his dream, he remembers that Elysium wanted to meet up and he's done nothing with him. The hold on Elysium's arm loosens and his back hurts a little, but it's nothing he hasn't dealt with before. He sleeps anywhere, anytime, any place, and in any position. ]

"... You're still here. Sorry, were you waiting for me?"

[transmit]

[ Why does he think he's done nothing? They've done soooo much. He picks up and waves the trashy YA book idly to draw attention to it. ]

Why do you seem surprised? We never finished our book.

[ He kicks Hien under the table. ]

And hearing you apologise for that after everything else you've done without apologising feels weird. Stop that.

[selfconcept]

"I don't regret doing those things."

[ Hien feels the kick, but he doesn't kick in return. He does hug the jacket though, like it's some security blanket. ]

"... So, what is it? Did you need me?"

[transmit]

You regret falling asleep?

[ ignores the question ]

[selfconcept]

"The more you ask me, the less I'll regret it."

[ binch ]

[transmit]

[ He just rests his chin on his hand and stares. ]

Then go back to sleep. You're better behaved that way.

[selfconcept]

"You wanted to know where I was for a reason, didn't you?"

[ circles back around to the question ]

"So spill."

[transmit]

Yeah. For this.

[ Just says 'this' without bothering to define it. ]

What, did you want to spar instead? [ He puts down his book and arches a brow. ] Then you should've picked somewhere other than the library to meet me.

[selfconcept]

"What do you mean by 'this'?"

[ He's going to keep pointing it out. Stop dancing in circles!! ]

"I already sparred with Thorns, so I'm good for now."

[transmit]

Okay.

[


He swaps back to reading the YA novel…. They are two brats in a room. ]

[selfconcept]

[ They sure are... Hien tries to swipe the book out of Elysium's hand. ]

[transmit]

Are we taking turns now? That's considerate of you.

[selfconcept]

"... I just don't see the point of you asking me where I am like you want to talk to me about something and then... not talking about it."

[ just throws the fuckin book over his own shoulder. goodbye book. ]

[transmit]

[ The book makes a solid bonk against something it definitely shouldn't, followed by a cascade of crashes somewhere in the distance. He winces, but that's okay. No love for Felicia, damn. ]

There's nothing in particular I want to talk about. Whatever you want to say, I'll listen. And if you've already said everything you needed to everyone else, that's fine, too. I'm here just to be here.

[ A hum. ]

I already told you that you're free to be whoever you want to be.

[selfconcept]

[ Hien just stays there, unmoving for a bit before he takes the jacket and puts it over Elysium's head. ]

"... Did I do something wrong?"

[transmit]

[ Sure, this is his hat now… ]

Why do you ask that?

[selfconcept]

[ Elysium's very long hat...

Hien pauses, unsure if he wants to say it or not. It isn't like him to hesitate, but. ]

"You feel even more distant than before."

[transmit]

[ He pulls his jacket low enough to only obscure half his face, brow quirked. ]

Did you want me to start asking what happened? How else you feel?

[ like that's ever been what their relationship has been about. ]

[selfconcept]

"No, it's..."

[ He feels a familiar sensation crawl up his throat, but he tamps it down. ]

"It's nothing. Never mind."

[ He backs up, just like how it was when he was a monster, unsure of what to do. But he turns and walks off this time. ]

[transmit]

[ …

He doesn't chase. Not only does he have no right to, but it'd be irresponsible. Only when the footsteps recede into the distance does he sigh, leaning back in his chair and staring at the ceiling, unfurling a familiar feather to twirl it idly in his hand.

Eventually, he closes his eyes. Breathes in, breathes out. ]

Buen camino, Hien.