Red or Blue (i love you) | The Stanley Parable

Love

Stanley gazed upon the specks of fire lights, a small smile on his face. It was hard, coming back here, but he knew it'd have to be done. This time he'd do it right, this time he would stop, he wouldn't run anymore. Lifting his arm above himself and toward the lights, he mimed caressing them, the lights captivating his gaze once again as he watched their performance. He wasn't lying earlier when he said they were beautiful, the flecks so enchanting as they swirled and flicked around, ebony emptiness illuminating them even further. He found himself sitting down, resting his knees as the cacophony washed over him, emotions ebbing as the time ticked by, marked by nothing but the sound encompassing him.

Raising his head above him, Stanley tried to imagine the Narrator. Was he smiling? Was he frowning? Or were they doing nothing at all, only gazing surface level at the lights in front of them both. He wanted to talk to the voice, but they might just ignore him again. Seeing no harm in trying, he lifted his hands, the sign methodical and slow, each phrase deliberate. He didn't want the Narrator to misunderstand anything.

'I'm sorry.'

Blinking, the Narrator stared harshly at Stanley's hands, the words rattling inside his brain but he found he couldn't process them well.

After a few moments of consideration, they spoke.

"No need to apologise, Stanley. It's all in the past now. No need to dwell on upsetting memories."

'No, you're not listening to me..!'

"Well, yes, it's not as if you are talking physically toㅡ"

'That's not what I mean and you know it!'

They fell silent, not having a rebuttal to that. Seems like this was one of the times they needed to sit down and shut up. Stanley brushed his fingers through his curls, the action grounding as he thought carefully of his next words.

'Look, just... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you, and I know I shouldn't have kept going when I did. I didn't want to hurt you but I did, and for that I apologise.'

Narrator was about to interrupt, a protest weighing on their tongue as they opened their mouth to speak. Hah.

'No! It's my turn to speak now. Okay?'

"..."

'You didn't deserve to go through that, nobody does. I should've listened, I should've stopped, like you said. And... so I want to do it right this time, we'll just stay here, okay? Even if time keeps going and never stops. I promise.'

"You shouldn't make promises you're not intending to keep, Stanley." They scoffed, their voice turning softer as they mentally considered the other's words. Continuing on, they decided to acknowledge the statement. "But... thank you. I appreciate your apology." It still hurts, but he apologised sincerely, I really do appreciate it. "One thing, what about you Stanley?"

'What?' Stanley signed back, dread creeping into his thoughts as he prayed the Narrator wouldn't ask him what he knew they were about to.

"Well, I mean - and I try to say this lightly - you leapt off of a ledge multiple times, injuring yourself permanently, or well, as permanently as can be in the process." Narrator explained, his voice steady now that the attention was away from them. "Surely that must have some lasting damage on your psyche, yes?"

Stanley really didn't want to answer this, mostly because of the turmoil his emotions were currently in, but also because the Narrator was attempting to deflect by putting it all on him.