No Clangs here, but there truly so much nsfw and that's your warning

[housewolf]

Comments

[housewolf]

It's terrifying in some ways, isn't it? To let somebody have that much of yourself.

Relationships aren't for everyone, but, at least for me, they're worth it.

[notaccurate]

If it works for you, then it works for you. But it's not for me. And it never will be.

[If it's not for him then why does he keep thinking about it? These are questions Luca can't answer.]

[housewolf]

... Have you been thinking about it for a while?

[notaccurate]

No!

[Yes.]

Why would I be thinking about it at all if it's not for me? I'm fine on my own, I don't need to go crying to him about feelings or anything. Feelings that don't exist anyway!

['him'.]

[housewolf]

[You okay there, buddy? Because that sure sounds like an outburst.]

It sounds like you're working through some stuff.

[notaccurate]

[He is not okay at all.]

Well I just recently found out you can marry another man in some worlds, my entire life has been turned upside-down.

[housewolf]

Some countries where I'm from will allow that too.

It's a lot to take in, huh?

[notaccurate]

You know, in my world, they don't ever talk about love when it comes to two men. Anything between men is purely physical. You can go have fun at a club or in a hotel room so long as you're being discreet, but you're expected to marry a woman and have a family as well. As long as you present the front of being an upstanding gentleman, you can keep those skeletons in your closet.

[housewolf]

[They sure are talking about feelings now. He pulls back and takes a seat next to Luca. Sounds like this is going to take a little while.]

That's the situation you were in at home, right?

[notaccurate]

[I totally forgot a massage was going on here. Whoops.]

It is, yes.

...my apologies. I asked you here, and now I'm dumping all of this on you.

[housewolf]

[Sometimes... you just need to deal with feelings.]

There's not much I can help with, when it comes to this kind of thing. But I can always listen.

[notaccurate]

You are quite good at that, yes. But sometimes I think my thoughts are better off staying in my head. Thoughts unspoken can't become reality, right?

[If he doesn't admit to growing a feeling, then it won't be real.]

[housewolf]

What? I'm pretty sure that's not how it works.

[notaccurate]

No? What about "Ignore it and you will eventually forget about it"?

[housewolf]

I don't forget about things.

[notaccurate]

But have you ever tried to?

[housewolf]

Hmm... I haven't. It's not a skill I've picked up.

[notaccurate]

Well I suggest you do, it's very handy in avoiding the unfortunate things in life.

[Like growing a feeling for someone.]

[housewolf]

I'll take life- the afterlife, as it comes.

[notaccurate]

You would just take it? That easily?

[housewolf]

Things happen. If I don't say what I think or what I feel, then it's just another regret to add to the pile.

I'm just not in the business of collecting more of those.

[notaccurate]

[Regrets]

Ah? How is that working for you so far?

[housewolf]

I spent my last week on the ship with Satoru, so...

[Very Well.]

1/2

[notaccurate]

[Oh.

For a moment there, an unusual expression comes across Luca's face. It's one he rarely shows here, despite how varied his emotions can be.

It's guilt. Guilt, regret, a wish to have acted differently.]

2/2

[notaccurate]

[But the slip in his mask there is only for a second, and he's covered it up with a smile again.]

It must have been a good week indeed, for you to smile like that.