puzzlekeeper | ( imeeji ) IC Inbox

Surely you've heard the saying that if everyone's special, then no one is.

No, actually, I haven't.

[ But that does sound like something Intensity would say . . . ]

Surely being open to many kinds of people should increase her chances of finding happiness rather than reducing it . . . ?

For flings and casual romance, yes. But that's not what she's jealous of.

She needs to risk being alone if she ever is going to want anyone to stay. Otherwise why would the other person bother throwing in their ante?

[ He considers that for a long moment ]

And yet, in a similar scenario, you threw your ante in for me anyway.

Whether you said yes or no, one thing would have remained the same. You will always be my one and only rival.

I was betting you'd throw in the same chip.

[ That earns a slight smile. ]

. . . Of course.

Then people being jealous of things I was never going to give them anyway is not my problem.

I thought friendship was supposed to be bullshit about being happy for people anyway.

[ Thinking back on something D.Va said . . . ]

Did you end things with her?

End what in particular?

We haven't slept together since she was high on bees if that's what your asking.

And I told her before she got involved with Kohime, that if us being friends with benefits would upset Kohime, I wasn't interested. She said it would be fine. Shot to the head proved it wasn't.

So I'm not interested in starting anything again until at the very bare minimum she sorts herself out.

[ Winces a little.

That's all . . . a lot. ]

I see. Understandable.

[ He shoves lightly at Intensity, trying to get him to lie back on the bed. ]

[And down he goes easily because he's distracted, hitting the bed with an oof]

What?

[ Pretty much curling up entirely on top of him, head on one of his shoulders. ]

What we were talking about earlier. You were worried.

Why?

[And wrapping his arms around him reflexively even as he gives him a look]

Because you're a paladin.

Someone has to.

. . . I don't know what that means.

[Is he still walking around with only one wing? Because if so, Intensity is going to trace what remains of it lightly with his fingertips]

Edited 2020-09-17 05:35 (UTC)

[ Naturally.

And he tenses slightly when Intensity's fingers trace too close to the stump of it. ]

[He pulls his hand away at the first flinch, resting it on the small of King's back]

Worried about me.

Worried about D.Va.

And yet leaving this for days. And dealing with nightmares on your own.

That's what I mean.