♥ 𝓓𝓮𝓶𝓸𝓵𝓲𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓼 ♥ ~ A Your Boyfriend Game Fanfic/AU

Chapter 9: Part II - Aftermath

Soundtrack:

Voice of a Friend by Blue October (TK)

When TK pulls into my apartment complex's parking lot, they turn the car off and face me in their seat.

"I'm sorry about earlier, Lily," they say.

I say nothing, sensing that there's more.

"It was out of line for me to say the things I did, or pretend I could read your mind."

I nod.

"I just wish... you'd let me help you." They chew their lip. "Peter isn't the only one who cares for you."

I frown at their choice of words.

They clear their throat. "I want to be there for you, that's all I'm saying."

"Thanks, TK," I say shortly, not quite past their previous actions.

They sigh. "I ask this with genuine curiosity and not any venom, but... Why don't you trust me?"

I shake my head. "It's not that I don't trust you."

They purse their lips, frustrated by my short responses. "Then what is it?"

I fidget with the ring on my finger. "It's that..."

Talking won't help anything. How could it? No matter how I describe the nightmares that plague my mind or the way my anger suffocates my fear, it won't undo the past. All I can do now is move forward.

I shake my head. "It's complicated."

They look down. "I don't have to understand everything. So long as you know that—"

I grimace. "It's difficult to talk to someone who wouldn't get it. And it's okay that you don't. It's not your job to babysit me."

TK snorts. "If it was, I'd be severely underpaid."

I laugh. "Bullshit. You love the drama."

TK snickers, then sobers. "I want to understand."

I grimace again. "You have done nothing wrong, TK. It's just..."

They lean back in their seat. "Peter understands more? Is that why it's easier for you to go on night walks with him and have dinner with him?"

Jealousy sure makes people ugly.

"It's not about Peter. He just reacts differently."

"I can change the way I—"

"No." I wish I could explain to them in a way they understood. But their lack of understanding is exactly the problem. "Peter doesn't..." Peter doesn't coddle me. He doesn't look at me as though I'm broken.

He looks at me as though I'm art.

But maybe that's all a lie, too. A projection of something I wanted to be there, but isn't reality.

"I'm sorry, I don't have the words," I say. "Maybe it's not any one thing that Peter does. Regardless, that's ruined now."

I shake my head. I need time to think about everything. Maybe my thoughts will change after I process.

TK raises an eyebrow. "How's it ruined?"

I shake my head. "I don't date." Ever.

"Was he asking for a date?" they ask.

I frown. "I don't know. He just said he loved me, and then I freaked out."

TK chuckles.

I glare at their unexpected response, ready to jump out and slam the door hard enough it cracks the window on this piece of shit car.

"I'm sorry, it's just...that's such a you-thing to do." TK laughs a little harder.

I take in their shaking shoulders and tentative laughter, as though they're trying to get it under control.

Then I shake my head and smile.

I punch their shoulder, only letting a little of my anger affect the heaviness of the hit.

"God damnit. I'm still mad at you." I frown. "At everyone."

TK nods, still chuckling. "You should be. This is a lot for you." Then they shake their head and calm down. "I'm sorry this is all happening, and that I've been a prick about it." They sigh. "I try not to add to your problems, but I sucked at it this time."

I nod. "You really did."

They snort and shove me. "Ass."

I roll my eyes, still smiling. "Well, now we're equal. We're both assholes."

TK snickers. "Yeah, yeah. Get out of my car before you stain the upholstery."

I get out of the car and turn to face TK before I close the door. "Thanks for coming to pick me up. I know that's not the ideal way to spend your weekend."

"Nah, don't worry about it. I'm here if you need me. Goodnight, Lily."

"Goodnight, TK."

I quietly slink up to my apartment.

~

My, my. I wonder what Peter's doin' about now? ;)

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