caughtinanetwork

where are u?

Outside the laboratory. Because I was trying to avoid you and this conversation.

I mean - oh never mind. Just come join me.

[A few moments later, the front door to the lab opens and Marie steps out.]

Azusa?

[kJFKA;JFKA] I was hoping you wouldn't actually come out here.

It's fine that you did, of course! But I just. Was hoping... [Wow she hates being this honest.]

[Jeez Azusa way to make things super awkward.]

Would it be better if I were to go?

...No.

[She sits down next to Azusa.]

So? Why did you call me out here? I'm curious.

...I didn't want to get rejected in front of other people via text.

Azusa...? [There was no way.] Do you mean?

I do. [Azusa is going to just. Withstand the urge to run away.]

Azusa...

[There are a few moments where Marie is silent. When she does speak again, her voice is quiet, barely above a whisper.]

We can't love each other, me and Stein. I'm not his and he's not mine. He's from a different world. A different place where his Marie is not mine, because his Marie succeeded where I failed. Even if he was from my world, it wouldn't work out. He's just... He has a hard time showing his affection.

It's kind of petty, isn't it? [She chuckles lowly, disguising her self loathing as amusement.] Not wanting to be with a man when he loves me but can't show it. Even if this Stein could, I wouldn't have him. He deserves his Marie, and I don't deserve him. I don't even deserve you. In your world I either end up a failure, or you get to know the amazing Marie who defeated Medusa, brought back Stein, and saved the day.

Who would want a failure anyway?

[Azusa doesn't quite know what to say to that. At least, nothing that won't hurt Marie's feelings. So she keeps herself quiet until she can come up with something better.]

He doesn't view Maka as a failure, even though the one here didn't do what his Maka was capable of. And you're not a failure either.

[A few more moments of silence. She's trying to hold back the tears.]

Then why do I view myself as one?

I don't know, but you're not one. Don't cry. [Tentatively, Azusa pulls Marie into a hug]

[Marie clings to Azusa, burying her head into the other woman's shoulder and sobbing.]

[She's just going to hold Marie and try to be a good friend and not say anything to make her more upset.]

[It takes her several minutes to calm down, but as she speaks she's still choking back the sobs.]

You love me?

I always have.

[There's a moment's pause before she answers in a hushed voice.]

Then I love you too.

...What.

[She just nuzzles a bit deeper into Azusa's shoulder before looking up. Her face is stained with tears, but she isn't crying.]

I love you.

...You do? [Yeah, don't mind her, she's still blue screening]

[She gently kisses Azusa's cheek. Azusa is potentially the only thing Marie can rely on at this point. She would be a fool to discard her. Perhaps her fire didn't burn as intensely as the other death scythe's, but even an ember could be turned into a blazing inferno, couldn't it?]

I do.

[Azusa's face flushes.

Oh.

Okay.]

I. Alright. That's fine by me.

[text]

[text]

[text]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]

[In Person]