( imeeji ) IC Inbox

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He hasn't set up a voicemail.

Figure it out. ]

Comments

[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.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He's silent for a long moment, just watching Intensity's expression.

. . . Then sighs and leans forward, resting his forehead against Intensity's chest tiredly. ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[After many longs beats of silence]

Say something.

[puzzlekeeper]

. . .

[ He shifts one hand so he can peer down at the ring Intensity gave him. ]

You're the first selfish thing I've ever chosen, in any of my lifetimes. I don't regret that. I never will.

But I don't want you to regret it.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Another pause and the tension starts to bleed out of him slightly. Just a fraction.

Probably something that only someone like King would notice.]

I've never lived my life on anything but my terms. No matter how shitty of a hand I was dealt.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He leans back to look at him for another long moment, then reaches up to drag his face down, until they're forehead-to-forehead. ]

Okay.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[As one hand travels lazily down King's spine]

You absolutely are still going to be fussed about it, aren't you?

[puzzlekeeper]

Yes.

[ . . .

Another long sigh ]

D.Va's more upset than I realized.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

["She also tried to kill you four times?" he doesn't say.]

Are you going to try to solve her problem for her?

[puzzlekeeper]

No. For this, there's nothing more I can do.

If I'm not enough, she'll have to keep searching for whoever is.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Holy shit.

What did King just say?]

[puzzlekeeper]

. . . What?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

You're hot when you're selfish.

...

Hotter.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ this face ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Adorable, really.]

What was she upset about in particular?

[puzzlekeeper]

Us making things . . .

[ Waves a hand ]

Official.

Not that she would ever actually say that, but I know better. She wants something like that for herself, but with the two people she's asked so far, it hasn't worked out.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

She's already asked two people?