twisteddelights | (no subject)

...did you make them?

[Because he is eying that box like a man in a desert eyes water.]

[Nodding.]

... Wouldn't have felt right if I didn't make them myself.

Give me those.

[Grabby hands!]

Jade's forbidden me from sticking to my diet anyway.

[... There's some part of him that's incredibly relieved as he hands the box over with a soft laugh.

His smile's quick to drop, though, as pieces start clicking into place. Seven, he really was an idiot...]

[Azul doesn't notice, too focused on his cousin's crab cakes and everything that comes with that.]

I'll regret this later, but for now...

[If nothing else, that draws Vert out of his thoughts, and he lets himself smile again, even if it's a bit weak.]

Enjoy.

[There's a few moments of quiet pleased noises as Azul helps himself.]

God, I forgot how good a cook you actually are.

Heh. Glad to hear I haven't lost my touch.

A shame you'd never work for me, honestly.

[Wincing a bit.]

Um, actually...

[Azul looks up.]

Hm?

About that. I'm... more open to that idea now than you might think?

[And that gets Vert looking away again as he rubs at one of his arms.]

[Azul's fork clinks against the plate.]

What? Since when?

... Let's just say it's a recent development.

[Aaaaaand excuse him while he internally dies on the spot for the way his voice wavered at the end of that sentence.]

...Vert, if this is pity--

[Vert's head snaps back over so he can glare at Azul.

... The effect is almost undoubtedly lessened by the fact that he's obviously on the verge of tears.]

It's not pity! It's... [He lets out a soft, frustrated noise as he runs a hand through his hair and looks away again.] I withdrew because of one stupid fight when we were kids and I... I'm sorry I left you all alone like that. I should've tried to stick around, but I was hurt and I-- I thought you hated me.

I did.

[Welp. At least it's past tense?]

You've always been the prettier one, the more athletic one, the one who doesn't have to be on diets and count calories just to look normal, the one who never cried when we were kids.

[That modifier is obviously needed since...Vert is near tears? That's weird.]

And then you come over, start trying to get into my pot, talking about how the boy you liked complimented your tentacles when he was the boy I liked and he'd just insulted my tentacles and I was trying to eat my feelings so I wouldn't cry and get ink everywhere. Again. Of course I hated you.

[Azul pauses, trying to calm down before he starts having another issue with blot. That's apparently a risk, right now.]

[..................]

You actually thought I liked that guy?!

Yeah? Are you telling me you didn't?

Yeah, I am! I knew he was a two-faced bastard and I was going to complain and you never let me fi--

[...]

... All this grief over a misunderstanding...

Oh my god.

[They are so fucking stupid.]

...I mean, I still hated you like any middle schooler hates the popular kids--because you were popular, Vert, and I was the one everyone picked on because I'm fat and slow. But you were also my only friend, and then you weren't.

I... very genuinely thought you didn't want to deal with me. And already had the habit of isolating myself when I got upset. I may have been popular, but you were basically the only person I actually liked talking to, so when I thought you hated me, I...

[... Well. Now he just feels like a moron.]

I didn't that day, but...dammit, Vert. I cried for days after Mom told me you weren't coming over to play anymore.

I... I'm so sorry, Azul...

[Aaand this is the point where the dam breaks and Vert just... finally starts crying.]

---Vert?!

[What the hell, he's crying? Azul sets his box of crab cakes aside and floats the tissue box over to his cousin since he's on strict bedrest and can't get up.]

Are...are you okay?