Alternate Continuity Fun

[polemyname]

((Set right after these comments, ignore the collapsed ones.))

[Avoiding eye-contact when you stand up again, staring intently into the fire.]

Just, like, move the wood closer to here.

Comments

[polemyname]

[Going to grab the other can then, and try to stand up, wincing greatly and quickly shifting the weight over to the other foot. Trying to decide if getting closer is worth it, but in the end just deciding to throw from where he's standing.]

[polemyname]

Don't you dare compare me to him! And you totally know as well as me that we were both in on it! So, like, don't come and say I forced you into stuff! And if you're so intent to, like, not go there again then stop sounding like it! You're being way worse than Latvia about it right now, y'know!?

[lietmeupinside]

What does Latvia even have to do with this? He hated it there as much as I did! Leave my brothers out of this, Poland.

[polemyname]

Oh yeah? So what's that about, like, oh let's sing in Russian? Or, like, yes I'll do what you want Russia, cuz some stupid money deal. C'mon Liet, there's like a reason people are starting to call him a Swing State, y'know. And you're totally going the same way. Cuz unlike Latvia, you really want to, don't you?

[lietmeupinside]

[There will be a gasp at that- part hurt and part anger- and he'll be moving over toward your side of the island now, ignoring the fact that his leg is bleeding again and that the pain is making him limp just slightly.]

[lietmeupinside]

What I want? What do you know about what I want? Nothing- that's what. And nothing about what I wanted, either.

[lietmeupinside]

I used to want to go home. Not to my place from before- to our home.

I used to dream about it. I used to- used to make the food you liked, when I thought he would be away. Even if you didn't know- even if you weren't there to eat it. Even after he caught me the once, and-

-and-

-anyway. I wanted you.

[lietmeupinside]

...it's strange.

I can't seem to remember why.

[polemyname]

[artfagsfgf]

[Is just. Going to stand there and take it at first, taken aback by the confession. A flash of guilt going over him, and it's almost, almost, like he's about to reach out to you- when that last sentence comes.]

[polemyname]

Don't, like, let it get to your head! Who says you were even missed back then?! And who was it who, like, tried to recreate that home, but you had to, like, turn it down! So you have totally no say in it! Just cuz I've helped you out afterward doesn't mean I wanted to be with you, y'know.

[polemyname]

But fine you can, like, forget all those joint projects, cuz I don't wanna do them anymore.

[And he's going to do a complete turn-around, so intent to get away from you that he's not really thinking. Of course, he won't get further than one step away since the ankle won't be able to hold his weight and with a hiss he'll fall down in the grass.]

[lietmeupinside]

[Some of those words? Yeah. They hurt.]

[He's going to recoil from that as though hit, and when you turn to go, he's not going to make any move to stop you.]

[lietmeupinside]

[But it's funny how fast worry mode can take over, and how much habit undercuts what he's feeling right now- because he's on his knees beside you as soon as you go down, hand on your shoulder.]

-Poland?! What happened?

[polemyname]

[Freezing up as soon as your hand finds that shoulder, not turning around to look at you, just staring at some spot ahead of him. If you're really looking you can probably see how he clenches his fist before answering.]

Didn't you, like, want nothing to do with me?

[lietmeupinside]

[His breath catches for just an instant at that, recalling the last thing you said- and he ducks his head, looking away but not removing his hand.]

...you're hurt. Let me- let me take a look.

[polemyname]

[Taking a deep breath and a hand will reach up to grasp yours... and gently remove it from his shoulder.]