inbox, texts, etc.

[aiwillneversmile]

Comments

[fallingleaf]

I see.

Then, I'm listening.

[aiwillneversmile]

[fidgeting with his hands for a beat, not comfortable yet]

. . . From the beginning, Sarina was diagnosed with cancer and brought to our hospital for treatment. I noticed that she rarely had visitors, so I spent my off time with her. Her case was terminal. We could intervene as much as we wished to, but it was just pushing back the clock, not solving the problem.

[fallingleaf]

[ a nod. ]

I see.

[ he really is giving him the space to talk ]

[aiwillneversmile]

She was very cheerful. Always talking about idols and her dreams. She mentioned wishing to marry me, too. Somehow, I think I was only the person in her life to treat her kindly.

She died there. Her family wouldn't come, no matter how much we called. It was just me and a few nurses that stayed with her until the end.

[gripping and shifting his hands]

She was the same age as Ai. If it weren't for her cancer, they could have shared a stage together.

[fallingleaf]

... And now, you are siblings.

[ he says, thoughtfully. ]

[aiwillneversmile]

[blinks, surprised]

We're twins, yes. We were both caught in a strange situation and did the best we could considering our circumstances. Everything could have carried on peacefully if it weren't for him.

[fallingleaf]

... Most of what you've told me so far matches what Ruby's told me as well.

I don't doubt that it was complicated between the two of you. Fate is... a strange thing.

[aiwillneversmile]

[inhale and shaky exhale]

There's a reason we were born together, but I don't know why yet . . .

[fallingleaf]

[ a nod. ]

... I agree. However...

[aiwillneversmile]

However?

[fallingleaf]

... I think part of that would include caring for yourself, as well. Not just your sister.

Her past-- and yours- are tragic. Your current lives also bear the marks of tragedy, but your current story is not finished.

[aiwillneversmile]

[does get a few laughs out before covering his mouth, steeling himself]

It was decided before we were born. There isn't an alternative, so we just keep pushing forward like this.

[fallingleaf]

Aqua.

[ firmly. ]

[aiwillneversmile]

What?

[fallingleaf]

[ he stands at this point. ]

... You have no reason to feel guilty. At least, I do not think so. But even an otherworlder like myself can see the clear signs of it blocking your vision, excluding all other actions and people.

But you shouldn't be alone.

[aiwillneversmile]

You don't know me. And you're never going to. How am I supposed to not be alone like this?

[fallingleaf]

... That is the choice you are choosing to make.

[aiwillneversmile]

[..............deflating]

We can't be friends, but I don't want to be enemies. You make her happy, and she does love you.

[fallingleaf]

I see absolutely no reason why we can't be friends.

[ he approaches, ]

I can understand if you would view me with suspicion. I accept that you don't trust me, and that perhaps in some ways, I am not "real" to you. But if you truly wanted to be friends, I would gladly accept that as well.

[aiwillneversmile]

[slight startle, leaning away on instinct]

Don't throw my first instinct in a new place back at me. You had to have been skeptical of this place at first, too.

[fallingleaf]

That wasn't the point of what I was saying.

[aiwillneversmile]

[thinking . . . but eventually shaking his head]

I can't. Not with you. I hold some value in myself.

[fallingleaf]

What do you mean?

[ ... is he assuming something weird?

he's assuming something weird, isn't he. ]

[aiwillneversmile]

Why did I become a doctor?

[fallingleaf]

I don't know.