Inbox - Mask or Menance

[thephantomthief]

> Leave Ren a message?

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[lempereur]

[ Not this time. He had to sleep it off. ]

Please, don't toy with me by saying it so casually.

[chainlinks]

[Was that too much?]

I'm was just making it official that it is fine with me so you never feel guilty about it.

I'm sorry if that came off as toying with you. I didn't mean it that way.

[lempereur]

I know.

But you must understand. Once at a party is one thing, but more than that makes it mean something. At least for me. I don't typically take these things lightly.

[ Sober Yusuke is far more stressed over the whole thing! ]

[chainlinks]

[Why is being the 'leader' so hard sometimes? Akira must have found it difficult too. Ren doesn't want to mess this up either.]

I don't take these things lightly either. I just didn't want you to feel guilty about it.

You seemed so happy yesterday and greeted me so warmly. After being alone for a day, I was happy? Afraid because I wasn't the Joker you knew, but you didn't seem to care. I already told you how I feel about everyone, and I know it wasn't because I had a drink or two.

[In the end he wasn't Akira. He did things his way.]

Your friendship is important to me, even if we might not be from the same world. So nothing really seemed inappropriate yesterday.

Do I make sense? Maybe I should have a coffee before typing all of this.

[lempereur]

I understand you.

You made me happy, too. I haven't been myself lately. Ever since I got back, really. Getting to see you, even if you are not exactly the same as I remember, was helpful. So thank you.

As for your feelings. Part of me regrets not kissing you properly, as stupid as that would be, and another is still in mourning. What do you want to do about them, if anything?

[chainlinks]

You're welcome.

Part of me regrets not kissing you too, but at the same time I know you had someone here and I don't want to take that away...especially if they end up coming back. And then there's our friends. I didn't quite understand everything that happened with Akira but it seemed a little...complicated?

[He already feels like he's imposing by being here. The feeling may take some time before it dissipates.]

Maybe the better question is, what would you like to do? I'm still new here and I don't want to cause you pain.

[lempereur]

Most who are ported out never come back, and of those who do, most of them don't remember. I was very lucky. But I won't wait for him. If he could see me now, he would tell me to quit moping and move on.

This is selfish of me, but I don't know what I want. I have always craved your attention, but at this time, I can't give you all that you deserve.

I don't want to trap you before you're settled in.

And then there's goro. did you talk with him last night?

[chainlinks]

He was a good boyfriend if he'd be the type to say that.

[Ren would have done the same.]

We talked a little...it was...well I'm still trying to digest all of it.

[lempereur]

He was. [ Past tense. It's finally sinking in. ]

Did he tell you how the two of you were involved?

I would like to see you again soon. While not under the influence of that wretched punch.

Super late forever trying to figure out how much Ren knew

[chainlinks]

Involved?

[Wait does he mean? ... nah .]

Of course. My place is open to you anytime you want to come over. I'm pretty sure you know where my apartment is.

<3

[lempereur]

[ Well, if he doesn't know what Yusuke means, the answer is probably no. That's...interesting. ]

Romantically.

Likewise. I'm sure the rest of them would not mind.

[chainlinks]

[What the fu---how do you reply to that?]

Huh. Maybe he didn't want to tell me just yet. I'll keep that in mind.

[Internally, however.]

[lempereur]

Perhaps I shouldn't have said anything.

[ But it's hard not to think about, given what he texted Ren to fake being sorry for in the first place. ]

He is with Haru now. It may be a non-issue.

[chainlinks]

[IS THIS A DREAM OR REALITY?! It's good they both moved on and yet that's certainly not what he expected.]

You keep adding to it, you know.

[And yet...]

That happened when Akira left?

[lempereur]

Hmm...Akira left during my absence, and their coupling seems fairly new. I have not pried enough to give you a clear timeline, but it appears so.

[chainlinks]

Well I'm not Akira. Hopefully that won't make it worse for them.

[As much as he isn't sure how he feels about this entire situation, he does not want to make it worse by being there.]

[lempereur]

It is hard in some ways, and easier in others. That is how I feel. Everyone is happy that you are here. The hard parts can be worked through.

[chainlinks]

[He really needed that.]

Yeah.




Thank you.

[lempereur]

It is the truth.

I want you to feel comfortable here. Tell me if there is any way I can help.