[IC]

[woodfortono]

[knocking on the door of takeru's cabin and not bothering to wait for an answer as he pushes it open when it's unlocked]

Hey, Takeru, I--oh.

Comments

[woodfortono]

Yeah, it will, but it's still not your fault. [stepping away from the door]

Stop wanting what?

[blueondeck]

[watching you]

I didn't mean to say that.

[woodfortono]

That doesn't mean you didn't mean...

[he's looking at you hard, but then his eyes widen as the bottom starts to drop out of his stomach and he sits down on the bed next to you suddenly, staring down at his hands]

Oh. [drags his eyes back up to you, looking helpless and uncertain] Joe...

[blueondeck]

[Was not looking at you as you realized but just stares as you sits down. That look...]

What?

[woodfortono]

[swallows hard, his belly knotting]

...why didn't you say anything?

[blueondeck]

About...

[OH. Oh. Oh you mean... Goes back to long looking at you]

You think I knew something like that?

[woodfortono]

You--

[stares at you for a second before he huffs out a laugh, turning to butt his head gently against your shoulder]

...I'm sorry.

[blueondeck]

Sorry for what? You have no reason to apologize.

[woodfortono]

Yeah, well... still. [still leaning against you a little]

[blueondeck]

Still? [Watching you carefully...]

[woodfortono]

I mean. [looks up at you, drawing back a little] I didn't know you... you wanted anything more from me. Especially with what a mess everything ended up being. But that--that still sucks. And I'm sorry.

[blueondeck]

I didn't want anything more. I was content with what ...ever you could call what we had. It's fine. I'll just miss the way we were.

[woodfortono]

[ducks his head in a nod and just leans against you again]

...me too. [his eyes half-lidded] Still friends, though?

[blueondeck]

When I don't want that anymore, maybe.

[woodfortono]

[hesitates, then leans away, nodding]

All right. I'll be around. Glad you're talking to Takeru more again, though.

[blueondeck]

Although... Takeru said he doesn't care.

[woodfortono]

Eh? What about?

[blueondeck]

Whatever I do with you, because I'm me and he trusts me. I wouldn't do anything intentionally to hurt him and he knows that.

[woodfortono]

...oh. Well--what's the problem, then? [sounding a little bewildered]

[blueondeck]

He only just told me that a few hours ago.

Plus, I don't want to do anything you both don't like. I can't decide that on my own.

[woodfortono]

Well, Takeru told you how he feels about it, and I don't mind if he doesn't, so we're just waiting on you, then, I guess. [arching an eyebrow at you]

[blueondeck]

[... That's terrible. You're both terrible]

You don't mind?

[Don't just say only that.]

[woodfortono]

I said I'd miss it too. I didn't even think to ask Takeru about it, but I guess I should have.

[blueondeck]

. . . You really are terrible at this.

[woodfortono]

Hey! Terrible at what?