( imeeji ) IC Inbox

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He hasn't set up a voicemail.

Figure it out. ]

Comments

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Settling across from him and pulling out his deck, which somehow is not narration innuendo either.

Making a "bring it on" gesture. ]

Then prove it.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[And like the Little Engine That Could, Intensity goes 110% into the duel. To do anything else would be an insult to his rival.

Also, he desperately needs bragging rights.]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ And here's the miracle of miracles, that moment Intensity always craves, that one he can savor more than anything else.

Intensity wins. ]

Wow . . . that was incredible.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Wait.







What?

He still has his hand on his final monster card and is just waiting for King to flip that final trap card.

And yet. It never comes.]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He leans forward, concerned.

The villain laugh should have started by now. ]

Intensity. You won.

1/2

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[He studies King's face closely. Ready to raise holy hell if he even thinks for a moment that King has thrown the match. Is testing him.]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[But no, that is actual genuine concern from his rival.

And Intensity immediately shoves all the cards out of the way with a wide sweep of his hand so he can pull King into his lap.]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ ?????

Is this a "claiming his prize" thing? ]

Intensity!

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Yes!

Wait, ---- no!

And he's pressing the back of his flesh hand against King's forehead while the other one is secure around his middle.]

What is it?

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Craning his neck to peer up at him.

--Oh. Intensity is actually concerned. ]

Something has to be wrong for you to defeat me?

I won't accept insults to my rival so lightly.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Can he hear as well as see Intensity's eyes rolling? (Flattering statement or not.)]

If it was just me winning, that would be a different story.

But you're also preparing to try and sleep by yourself.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He huffs a bit and then deflates. ]

I'm fine.

Just worried about some things.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

More than the usual?

[puzzlekeeper]

. . . Yes, I suppose so.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

. . .

Had a bad kissing game?

[puzzlekeeper]

What? No.

Did you?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Didn't play.

Something lingering from the House then? Or D.Va?

[puzzlekeeper]

Both, but more than that.

Why doesn't it ever bother you . . .

[ Trails off, opens his mouth, then hesitates.

And blurts out the rest: ]

--Your relationship to me always creates problems for you. It did with Glory. Now Man Eater. And D.Va is upset, too.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Just gives him a long stare that seems to say "are you just worrying about this now?"

Intensity's "relationship" with King has been causing him problems for literal years.]

Of course it bothers me.

But if you ask me whether I want a life with or without you, I'll make the same choice every time.

It's a conscious choice. Not one that I stumbled into without knowing the consequences. And one that I refuse to regret.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Worst fears confirmed

Which means pure unadulterated anxiety just falls out of his mouth ]

How can it be worth all of your relationships? How can you not resent me for that?

And why does it keep happening even when I try to avoid it?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

It's worth it because that's what I decided it was worth.

[puzzlekeeper]

. . .

[ His shoulders slump as he tries to push away ]

Are you satisfied?

[ Since he can't say "happy," obviously ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[He tries to grip King tighter in an almost panicked motion.]

Why are you doing this?

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He doesn't move any further or fight it, but he does meet Intensity's gaze. ]

You didn't answer the question.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Yes, you dipshit. I'm [ makes a face ] satisfied.

[With no minor amount of sarcasm:]

Surely that is the most accurate word that can describe showing up at your window on a flying dragon in the middle of the night just because I wanted to see you.

[Huffs]

And these problems you're worried about. They exist without you.

Glory is so desperate for human connection, it doesn't matter who it's with. She's already moved on.

And D.Va's practically the same except she can't decide whether my usefulness outweighs how much of an asshole I am on any given day.

Man Eater ... that one was my fault. I misjudged two data points as more significant then they actually were. But that's on me, not you.