Desire

Part 24 - boiling point

**NOTE** This chapter DOES NOT contain smut

WC: 1485

Summary: Tamaki and Y/n's ideologies clash once more, and frustrations surrounding Y/n's profession finally spill over. What do people say in the heat of an argument? 

Includes: angst/plot

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once you're at the door, you fumble with the keys, hands still shaking. Tamaki takes them from you gently, opens the door with ease, and leads you inside. You don't say anything, embarrassed at how helpless you are.

"I'm fine, Tamaki. Don't you have work"? You try to distance yourself as you collapse onto your couch. The guilt hits you in a second. Did you really drag Tamaki from his life as a pro-hero just to coddle you in your pathetic moment of weakness? Who are you? Who does that?

"I-", he rubs the back of his neck, looking at you.

"I'm fine", you repeat adamantly. He looks at you sideways.

"Are you sure? Cause I- I... want to stay with you", he admits and you soften a bit. Still reluctant to have him around, you frown.

"Okay. Yeah, stay", you concede after a moment, knowing you made the right decision when he smiles at you.

"Do want to eat anything"? He looks towards your kitchen and you hope to God that the sink isn't piled with dirty dishes. You shake your head. "Do you...want to talk about what happened"? His voice is tentative. He sits on the end of the couch, your feet touching his thigh. You think for a second.

"I didn't really understand how much people hated strippers". It sounds like a question when you say it. He frowns. "I guess...I just- thought this would be easier". You rub your temple.

Tamaki's brow furrows as he shifts uncomfortably on the couch, fidgeting with his hands. You can tell he's trying to find the right words, but the silence only feeds your growing frustration. His nervousness makes you ache for him, but tonight, you're too worn out to indulge his hesitation.

"Say it", you snap, sharper than you intended. "Whatever you're thinking. Just say it".

He flinches, shoulders curling in a bit but he forces himself to speak. "I was just...maybe you should quit". The words come out in a rush, soft but still real, like he knows he can't take them back.

Your chest tightens. "Quit"? You repeat the word almost like you can't believe he's said it. He nods, the movement small but definite. "Why do you always say shit like that"? You demand, sitting up a little straighter. The air between you feels like it's all getting sucked out of the room. "Like quitting would magically fix everything".

His eyes widen, clearly not expecting this reaction. "I didn't mean– I just thought it might help", he stammers, his voice barely above a whisper. "If people didn't– call you things..."

You scoff. "People like Kashi and the media will always find something to hate. Something new and vile to call me. You think walking away from my job would stop that"? You shoot him a condescending look. "They think I'm trash, Tamaki. That's not gonna change if I start waiting tables instead of pole dancing".

"I just don't want you to have to deal with it", he mutters, hands clenching into nervous fists. He looks worried and cornered. "You shouldn't have to go through that". There's a hint of guilt to his tone.

You shake your head at his flawed logic. "And what. Quitting will solve that? Stop them from commenting? No, Tamaki it won't". You pause, trying to stop your emotions from spilling over. "It won't erase the way people treat me".