She tilted her head slightly. "No, I just it might be more beneficial to you.. I don't know what it's like for you, but.. I don't want you to be overwhelmed because of me." *** He huffed. "I care because what if you like him more than me?"
He laughed slightly, standing up and moving onto the next post. "It's not just you, Nas. Don't worry. It's me." * * * Her gaze intensified and she pulled away from him. "But it's a different thing. One is platonic love and one is romantic love. They're not comparable, because they're different. Right?"
She did the same. "Right, but I contributed. I'm sorry it happened, is all." *** He shook his head. "They're comparable. I don't want to be left behind.."
"You are not the problem," he repeated, shaking his head. "Don't worry." * * * Her expression changed and she reached up gently, cupping his jaw in her hands and turning his head to look at her, squinting slightly. "You will never be left behind, Osiris Nephrick."
He hesitated, looking at the ground for a moment. "Touch I'm not aware of. Unexpected touching. It's... it's fine if I do it. If I have control or awareness."
He laughed, but it sounded melancholy. "Oh, yeah. It makes perfect sense." * * * "Things aren't gonna change," she replied, waving him off. "One day, you're going to meet some girl that you love, and you're going to marry her and have babies with her and grow old together. That doesn't mean I won't be your best friend still."
He frowned, taking a moment before looking at her. "Am I sad?" * * * She laughed a little, sounding like she might have been exasperated. "Why not? It's a good future."
"I'm not sad. I'm... frustrated, I guess you could say. I'm irritated." * * * "Change is inevitable, Cy. You can't be scared of it."
He was quiet for a second. "I don't know if there's an answer that would satisfy you." * * * "Then don't be," she said stubbornly. "Think about the future. Your ideal future. Marrying your soulmate. Just think about that for a minute."
"Maybe not," she said slowly, "but I'm interested in knowing if you're willing to tell." *** He flopped back onto the bed. "Bleghh."
"That's just it," he said lowly, standing up. "I don't have a story to tell. There's nothing that would help you." * * * "Think about it," she insisted. "Some girl from your tribe that you never realized might actually be your type. You need a girlfriend, Cy."
She looked up in surprise. "Really?" *** He squinted at her. "Why do I need one? Do you want to get rid of me?"
He hesitated before giving her a small smile. "Not yet, at least." * * * She rolled her eyes before coming over to him, leaning down to put her hands on his knees. "Never. But I'm not your soulmate, you silly goose."
She squinted at him playfully. "What does that mean?" *** "You're my friend soulmate. That's good enough."
"It means that we've had enough conversation for the day." * * * "Ah, you know how to make my heart flutter, Cy," she said dryly. "I'm serious. I'm not enough for your life."
