purgastory inbox

[oversea]

HELLO

"What do you want?"

GOODBYE

TEXT | VIDEO | VOICE | ACTION

Comments

[transmit]

So that's how you felt about me at first…

[ He's just kidding around. Maybe. ]

[oversea]

[ he kicks him.

or tries to. it's awkward from this angle. ]

Annoying.

[transmit]

Ow.

[ All everyone does is bully him……

There's a small pause. ]

Are you feeling better now?

[oversea]

... Yes.

[ elysium leaving when he did hurt because he was the only person thorns had wanted to be with after returning. but it's a consequence of his lack of openness; they were a let to get away with skirting by certain conversations at home without difficulty, but purgatory is a place that forces you to let others in to try to progress. his normal method of getting by would never be enough here, and thorns realized that a little late. ]

You?

[transmit]

[ If there's one thing Elysium has been good at, it's been giving objective accounts. Adding how he personally feels about something is trickier—but being open is a start, especially for Thorns, and while he knows that 'yes' is not the whole truth, it is still more than they'd ever disclosed to each other than before. ]

Yeah.

[ Maybe if it were a day earlier, he would have caught the 'not really,' but he knows, now, to force thoughts back. He is better now, technically, knowing Thorns is back with them. But that does not change what they both went through.

If he had killed Thorns, would he be able to face himself? Would he still be able to reach for him, to hold onto him now? No. It took him a full week to face Dahut properly, and he still hasn't quite forgiven himself, what more the person he thinks he'd do anything for. ]

… Do you want to check out the maze together later? It feels like we haven't really since the first week.

[oversea]

... We can.

[ next week because thorns is already on one this week. he doesn't icly know there's an ooc limit.

it's difficult, because he knows their problems aren't solved, and there's the chance they'd just revert to how things were. but even if it hurts to try, that pain is worth it if it's for elysium. ]

Is there anything else you need to tell me?

[transmit]

[ For what it's worth, Elysium actually seems to be thinking about the question instead of immediately trying deflect it with a 'not really,' closing his mouth when it instinctively opens to form the sound. He closes his eyes for a brief second, then shifts just enough for his hand to find Thorns' bangs, brushing them aside gently. ]

… I'm not as close with anyone as you might think I am. There are people I worry about more than others, but you're still my best friend. There isn't really a comparison.

[ Read: in a place where they are constantly forced to make hard choices, there is one thing Elysium has always reminded himself of. If he is ever forced to choose between people, he isn't someone who can afford to consider a third option. Not here, not in this situation.

That is why Thorns is kind and he isn't. ]

[oversea]

[ he's not sure how he feels about that, coupled with not knowing exactly what elysium means. but he can understand the general message of what elysium's priority is, for better or for worse. ]

Mm. [ ... ] Remember to work towards your happiness, too.

[ whatever that means to him. ]

[transmit]

Mhm.

[ "I'll be happy when you get out of here." ]

… Be sure to keep that one necklace on you. I worked hard for that.

[oversea]

[ ...

he sits up so he can look at him. ]

You're impossible.

[ the tone is fond though. ]

[transmit]

[ They are once again on different wavelengths because Elysium needs Thorns to rest&helllip; He gently shoves him back down with a huff. ]

Do you still have that one ring we got a while back, too? If you do, I changed my mind. Don't give it to anyone else. It's yours.

[oversea]

[ OKAY

down he goes. ]

You should keep it. You get into more trouble.

[transmit]

No.

[oversea]

[ NO? JUST NO? ]

Explain.

[transmit]

[ No to both statements? Obviously? ]

I don't want to. I don't think I can say it any clearer than that.

[oversea]

[ elysium is so annoying. ]

Then I need something in return.

[transmit]

[ Thinks about it. ]

I'll consider it.

[oversea]

I know where you sleep.

[ well. in theory. no idea what the sleeping arrangements had been like the past few nights. ]

[transmit]

[



The sleeping arrangement has been no sleep, but Elysium has been coming and going from the room so they are technically still roommates. He looks away. ]

[oversea]

[ ah.

well, he was trying to playfully joke that he will get his revenge while elysium sleeps (via balding), but he realizes it may have not come across as teasing. ]

... You do so much for me, Elysium. I want to do something in return.

[transmit]

[ Thorns calls Elysium others' pillars, but Thorns is his, and that alone already means more than he knows how to name. Still, he understands Thorns wants something more tangible than that.

He goes quiet for a few more beats. ]

What did you have in mind?

[oversea]

[ well, the question would be easier to answer if elysium made his wants more known, but he does not, so here we are. ]

Help me unlock the box again.

[transmit]

[ If Thorns is still looking his way, he can catch the expressions that flit across Elysium's face over the span of a few seconds: surprise, then consideration, then something like joy before he lets out a soft laugh. ]

… I wouldn't be surprised if it's already unlocked.

[ He glances over to the box he'd left for Thorns the other day. Has he opened it yet? ]

Is yours still by the river? I can—um, we can go pick it up together later.

[oversea]

[ it's opened, and tucked out of the way.

but seeing elysium look so genuinely happy brings relief for thorns; his best friend had been running himself ragged, so it's nice to see him relaxed. ]

We can. You still have to stay with me, anyway.

[ he says this, but if elysium genuinely had to go somewhere thorns would not stop him at this point, they already had their talk. but it's nice.

[transmit]

Mm. I have to take responsibility for your arm.

[ The world's shittiest excuse, but okay. ]

We'll see how tired you are of me after, heheh.