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3336 Cream Puff Way

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[aigue]

[Sorry Bucky, that's going to eat away at her for a while.]

No. I'm not going to tell anyone. This message is big enough without people sticking their noses into it.

[advanced]

You need to lean on someone, you shouldn't have to go through this alone.

[That's not fair, and only adds to the damage Monty is responsible for.]

I'm not saying tell the world what he did, but someone you trust. Someone who can help take care of you through this.

[aigue]

[Now she can't help being stubborn.]

I can handle this on my own.

Will John do that for you?

[advanced]

[He's not going to talk it out ever if he has a choice in the matter.]

You're not going to be able to handle this alone, nobody would.

[aigue]

I can. I'm not going to make things worse by telling someone.

[She's firm about that, regardless of whether that is true.]

What about you?

[advanced]

Then lean on me.

[He's not going to discuss him, stop asking.]

I might not be the best at it, but you need someone who already knows and I guess that's me.

[aigue]

[She pulls back enough to glare at him for being equally stubborn.]

I'm not putting that burden on you. I've already done enough to fuck up your life.

[advanced]

[He kind of wants to shake her now, continuing to put the blame for this on her own shoulders, but he settles for scowling at her.]

That's such bullshit.

[Plain and blunt.]

You might not have noticed, but I'm not the most social of people. You and John, you help me feel more like a human and less like a weapon, that's the opposite of messing my life up.

[aigue]

[God, he's way too much of a sweetheart. It isn't fair. None of this is fair.]

I'm happy to hear that, but... I'll try harder, so I don't mess up again.

[advanced]

Are you deaf or stupid today?

[Is she trying to rile him up? Because it's working.]

You didn't mess up, you don't need to try harder, if I have to say it again then I'll pull your tail for being so stubborn.

[aigue]

[Okay that has her frowning.]

You're the one who needs to stop being stubborn. I did mess up. Monty did too, but I'm not completely blameless.

[advanced]

[He reaches over and tries to tweak at her tail. Not a firm tug, he's always careful not to hurt anyone with his stupid strength, but enough to feel it.]

Want to run that by me again?

[aigue]

[That seemed like an empty threat, so when he actually does it she starts and squawks. Her reaction is purely out of surprise, leaving her staring at him, baffled.]

Did you just-??

[advanced]

I warned you.

[He folds his arms, utterly unrepentant.]

And I'll do it again, every time you're idiot enough to say any of this was your fault.

[aigue]

[Normally she'd be offended. Angry, even. But with things as they are she's only shocked he actually followed through on his threat.]

Then I'll just think it.

[Because she's pretty sure he'll do it.]

[advanced]

Then I'll just have to pull it every so often, to make sure I'm still telling you off for it.

[This is getting kind of dumb, but he'd rather it be dumb and perhaps get the point across, rather than it stay heavy and painful.]

[aigue]

[Okay now she is looking offended, her tail wrapping around herself so she can hold it protectively.]

You wouldn't.

[advanced]

[He's not backing down, even if he can tell this is probably a bad idea.]

Do I look like the kind of guy who makes idle threats?

[aigue]

... No.

[It's the guilt that's keeping her from getting way more offended.]

But I don't think it'll make me change my mind.

[advanced]

Then I guess I'll just have to stick around and show you, as many times as it takes, that I don't blame you at all.

[And if that involves tail pulling, so be it.]

[aigue]

[Okay she's starting to get flustered over this threat.]

You're more stubborn than I am.

[advanced]

Then I guess you don't have a choice but to be the one who gives in, huh?

[Because he is going to use all of his stubbornness on this.]

[aigue]

I wish it was that easy.

[If this was some petty argument it would be, but it isn't. This is one of those few times when a tail pull isn't going to change her mind.]

I'm sorry I'm being difficult. This is just... hard.

[Being the reason someone she cared about nearly dying permanently is terrifying, actually.]

[advanced]

...I get it.

[And he really does, he knows all too well what it's like to have guilt for the actions of others.]

That's why I'm gonna stick around, keep reminding you that I don't blame you, and maybe one day it'll sink in.

[aigue]

[Geez, she can't stop herself from hugging him again. She might also be sniffling a tiny bit.

Shut up, she totally isn't crying.]

You're far too good of a friend. I don't deserve you.