irl meetups & phone

[dissimulative]

Time to touch some grass.

There is nsfw in here. Shhh.

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[dissimulative]

I...

[ Oria's voice trails off for a moment on the other end of the line. ]

... I saw the look in my mom's eye. She wants him back to us, and I...

[ He sounds a little muffled. ]

... might be replaced by what she wanted all along.

[insinning]

...have you spoken to her about it? Properly?

[ He wishes he could reach across the distance between them and pull Oria into a hug and not let go. Why is it that every time they find a measure of peace, something comes along to break it?]

No one could ever replace you, Oria.

[dissimulative]

I don't think we can have a proper talk in a while in this family, let alone her for a long time. It was not even the look on her face, but she just outright said it.

[ He quietly breathes out. ]

But I know what you're saying is your truth, Emil. Unfortunately, it's not everyone else's.

[insinning]

[ He can't argue with that, not when he doesn't know Oria's family that well. But he knows Oria is hurting and it bothers him a lot]

...then you should take a break from them.

[dissimulative]

... A break from my family?

[ He would sound incredulous if this wasn't Sinclair that he's talking to, so he waits to see what he'd say or suggest. ]

[insinning]

You'll be in university soon. Moving out and getting some space to prepare for that might help.

[ It's an excuse, a blatant one, but it was good enough. No one outside the family would question it]

Most teenagers are supposed to have a proper rebellious period, aren't they?

[ a soft pause]

...If you keep having to stay in the same space when no one can even look at each other, nothing will ever work out.

[dissimulative]

You know what, Emil. You're right. I haven't thought of that before because I was planning on staying home. I still need to go to business meetings and stuff, after all.

[ But... ]

Securing a residence near the school won't be a problem, but I'll have to give up on the beta earlier if that's what I decide to do. Would you be okay with that?

[insinning]

[Oh. If Oria moved out, he was basically declaring independence earlier than expected for him, wasn't he? But--]

Mm. I want you to be happy. And free from all of that. If you need to give up on the beta earlier because you've gotten busy, then, I'll just have to work out other ways to see you.

[ He is that hopelessly devoted after all]

[dissimulative]

We can still talk on the phone or leave emails... maybe I can drop by whenever I have a break. Then we can go to a skating rink and you can show me how much you improved...

[ His voice, hoarse but gentle, quiets down. ]

... I think that would be fun.

[insinning]

[ Sinclair hums in agreement]

Yeah. I could visit you too. We'll make it work.

[dissimulative]

Yeah.

[ Oria quietly breathes out and perhaps Sinclair can hear the smile in his voice when he says the following: ]

Thanks, Emil. I think I would have just sat in depressive anxiety if I was just by myself. I feel better. I can have things to look forward to in the future that isn't just business-related.

[insinning]

I'm not letting you become a workaholic. Just so you know.

[ He says softly. He can hear that smile loud and clear.]

I'll always be there for you. No matter what.

[dissimulative]

The workaholic life really isn't for me.

[ He even laughs a little! ]

Thanks...

[ He's starting to sound a little sleepy. It's late and he's exhausted. ]

[insinning]

We should get some sleep. Conference tomorrow, right?

[ He's tired too, but a part of him is wide awake]

[dissimulative]

Yeah... see you then.

[ and he just conks out immediately, not even having time to hang up the call. ]

[insinning]

[Ending the phone call properly and time to stare at the ceiling some more. Maybe he'll get to sleep eventually]