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[matadorable]

If you're hearing this message, I am probably not here. Or I am furiously pressing every button I can because I forgot how this thing works. One of the two! Either way, I will get back to you...eventually.

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[medalsome]

[He heard his name called in that familiar voice but he didn't turn, not immediately. He couldn't look at manolo just yet. Instead he took a long drag from his cigarette and exhaled a cloud in a slow puff.

He still didn't glance over when he spoke.]

I'm fine.

[matadorable]

[That tone set off warning bells, the sort of tone that said "I really don't want to talk to you or anyone else right now", and while a more sensible person would have taken it as a hint to back off, Manolo just became more worried.]

Oh. Good. That's...good. You're fine, I'm fine...[He floundered for words, wondering how to segue into what he needed to say.]

Listen...Joaquin. After I saw that video of Pan killing Tetsuo, I...ended up coming back, but it wasn't done carelessly. I did...everything I could to help while still making sure I didn't get hurt like before.

[medalsome]

[A small part of Joaquin was relieved to know Manolo was fine but he stubbornly refused to acknowledge it, much like how Manolo consistently refused to acknowledge Joaquin's feelings on the matter. He took another puff and gave a hum, short and stoic.

He listened, he did, but Joaquin didn't give a shit about some guy like Tetsuo. He only really cared about Manolo but even that was starting to feel like a mistake. Finally, Joaquin dropped his cigarette and stepped on it to make sure it was ground out, then he looked up.

He froze, glancing up and down Manolo's form. He swallowed, managing to keep his voice level.] Good for you. I hope you're proud of yourself.

[matadorable]

[That pause caught Manolo off guard, and it was only then that he realized he still hadn't changed out of his Remembered form. Having spent the past several days like this, he'd simply grown used to it...but that still didn't mean he needed to flaunt this particular power in front of Joaquin.

Too late for that.]

...Joaquin? Are you okay? I'm sorry, I really should have changed back before I found you. I just...needed to see you as soon as I could.

[medalsome]

[And yet now that he had found Joaquin it turned out he couldn't say the same in return.]

Well, you've seen me.

[And he started walking away, back towards the nearest road. He needed to hail a taxi to get himself back to his motorcycle.]

[matadorable]

Joaquin? [He grew alarmed at the sight of his friend's retreating back.] Where are you going?

[medalsome]

Why do you care? [He spoke over his shoulder, not even taking a moment to look back.]

[matadorable]

[Manolo promptly ran after him.] Because you're my best friend!

[medalsome]

[Joaquin rounded on him then, not able to take a claim like that calmly.]

Well you sure haven't been acting like a friend!

[He felt heat rushing behind his face, stuffing and suffocating his thoughts.]

You clearly don't care about my feelings, and you sure as hell still don't actually care if you die! Why should I continue to waste my time and energy on someone so insistent on slapping my good intentions down like they're nothing!

[matadorable]

[Those words are like a sharp punch to the gut, freezing Manolo in place.

When he speaks, he's oddly quiet.]

I do care, both about you and about staying alive. That's...why I'm here.

[medalsome]

No you don't! If you did you would have stayed put and let the registered imports take care of things!

[There weren't too many people in the park but the few nearby were starting to stare.]

[matadorable]

[The accusations are met with a pained expression. Him coming here had nothing to do with how much he cared about Joaquin, and it hurts him to hear is friend conflate the two.] Joaquin, that's not true...

[medalsome]

Like hell it isn't!

[He wanted to keep screaming until Manolo could just get it through that thick skull of his that what he did was not okay but it seemed so fruitless and Joaquin was so tired... He deflated but that didn't mean he was going to come around. Not by a long shot.

When he spoke again his voice was soft but not gentle.]

Manolo, I love you, you know I do, but I just can't handle you right now.

[He turned away, starting back on his path. He didn't look back.]

[matadorable]

[He reached out toward him, as if he could will his friend to stop with a single gesture.]

Joaquin, I'm sorry!

[medalsome]

[He still wasn't going to look back, but he barked a few works over his shoulder.]

Go home, Manolo! Or get lost! Do whatever you want! You're going to just do that anyway!

[matadorable]

[And just like that, Joaquin had left Manolo out in the cold both figuratively and literally. Seeing his friend so angry tore at Manolo in the worst way. The man had walked off with a piece of his heart, and dread washed over him when he considered that maybe, just maybe...he'd crossed the line for good, that Joaquin would stay mad about this. At that moment, all Manolo could do was sag onto the ground, resting his back against a tree, and replay the awful conversation in his head over and over again...]