The World Overflow

[justonezero]

Nsfw threads marked accordingly.

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[justonezero]

It really is okay, you know...

[deto]

[ he quietly wipes his eyes before his emotions really get the better of him. inside his pocket, he squeezes yoshi’s hand to let him know that he’s listening. no, he doesn’t think it’s okay, but yes he acknowledges that yoshi thinks it is ]

… I kept my promise.

[justonezero]

-?!

[Well now he just looks concerned.]

Are you...?

[deto]

[ for all that he says yoshi is soft, maybe deto is the real softie. tender heart and all. it’s not very manly, but he can admit it ]

Well, I did say…

[justonezero]

...

It didn't hurt. I just got a little wet, that's all.

There's no need to worry about it - really. It's... not like the other times.

He just played a little prank.

[So please... stop crying for him. It isn't anything that deserves that at all.]

[deto]

[ he does appear a little mollified at yoshi’s words and his smile, though owen is definitely getting wasabi frosting for his next cake ]

… Will you tell me sooner next time? If it’s really nothing… then don’t keep it a secret.

[justonezero]

Mm... I didn't tell you right away because I didn't want to cause trouble during the party, but...

Next time, I'll speak up sooner.

[deto]

I wouldn’t have fought him or anything. [ probably ] You would’ve been upset if I did, and you were so cute at the party, I wouldn’t want to… to ruin things.

[justonezero]

...Sorry.

Next time, I'll just tell you.

[deto]

No. [ he squeezes yoshi’s hand, tone soft but firm. if his boyfriend felt like he couldn’t tell deto, then… ] It’s my fault. But I did promise to do better - after that. I’m still trying to do better.

[ and then again, like a promise: ]

I can do better.

[justonezero]

...Mm. And... I really am happy, that you want to protect me.

[He feels treasured, even if not wanting to make a fuss wins out more often.]

[deto]

N-not protect, exactly. I know you’re not helpless.

[ treasure for sure ]

[justonezero]

But you're always trying to make sure no one hurts me? That's pretty much the same thing.

[deto]

I think ‘defend’ is a better word. Maybe.

[justonezero]

Is there a big difference between the two?

[deto]

Defend is more… I’m on your side. And protect makes it seem like I’m your big brother or something.

[justonezero]

I guess...?

[They feel synonymous to him...]

[deto]

[ lamely trying to explain something that doesn’t matter: ]

It just… doesn’t feel like we’re even with protect. You’re my partner for life, you know?

[justonezero]

Eh- but couldn't we be protecting each other?

[deto]

We could - we do. And you’ve definitely, literally saved my life more than once.

[ but the word doesn’t fit right… ]

[justonezero]

...But you still don't like the word?

[deto]

Do you like that word?

[justonezero]

Hmm... I guess I don't mind it either way?

It just surprised me that you had a strong reaction to it.

[deto]

[ hm. he leads yoshi around the corner as he thinks ]

Because of the game… probably? It kinda changed my perception on things. I’m not as strong or capable by myself, but I learned what it meant to fight with everyone by my side. At the same time, well, the game felt like it was trying to protect us from the reality of life. There’s probably more to it, but I haven’t thought about it too deeply.

[justonezero]

[Following without a second thought!]

I guess, but... a lot of the people who died in that world never came back in any form. The only people who did are the ones whose bodies in the real world had survived.

Harald's precious world didn't protect us from anything. The dead couldn't come back, and instead all of us were thrust into danger... some even being lost for good because of it.

...I think Harald's world was a lot scarier than the real one in all kinds of ways.