INBOX

[overstrain]

TERRENCE NOWELL

---

» Yo, it's Terry! Leave a message. «

---

TEXT / VIDEO / VOICE / ACTION

© EFRYNDIEL

(Note: Terry gave Kido his phone. Bought his own flipphone on 8/26!)

He has a stall set up in the market street for locating things. Feel free to thread it out with an inbox action thread or handwave it!

Comments

[not_that_sasuke]

[But talking about himself is hard. He's looking away again.]

I...

[He trails off, still not knowing what to say. How do you respond to someone caring about you? It's not something he ever learned once his mother had passed.]

It's just... hard to think that way. Even if people care about me--

It's... easy to think of all the things they wouldn't have to worry about without me.

[overstrain]

Of course it's easy. It's easy to slip into that mindset, but you know what, Sasuke... I still remembered you after all those years. Shouldn't that count for something? It may be the easy way, but don't you want to try a little harder? To make it feel like you deserve to be happy too? Because you do. People are going to worry about you anyway, because people do that for everyone. You're always going to be loved and cared about by someone, and I bet it would make them happy to see you happy too.

[ He doesn't know the circumstances of Sasuke and his deceased mother, but he thinks this rings true for most situations anyway. ]

It can be hard, but we'll always be there to help you. Or at least, I would.

[not_that_sasuke]

They could forget. [A pause. And slightly more guiltily:] I could make them forget.

[It's something he knew enough to try to pursue in the worst case scenario, even. To effectively erase himself from the minds of others, so there couldn't be any problems because of him anymore.

But that's not the answer Terry is looking for, is it? He slowly releases a breath.]

I'll... try. And I'll try not to... disappear, either.

[overstrain]

Good!

[ Here's your second hug, Sasuke. He'll even squeezehug for good measure and sway him a little side to side. ]

As long as you make the resolve to, I'm completely fine with it. I know you can do it, Sasuke. You try hard when you can. I believe in you.

[not_that_sasuke]

[HE IS BEING HUGGED I GUESS. There's a noise of surprise at the squeeze, and he just kind of lets them sway.

Terry believing in him... Well, that makes one of them, he supposes. But he'll nod, something Terry might feel more than see with their proximity.]

I'll do my best.

[overstrain]

Yeah, that's the spirit.

[ Terry lets go and ruffles Sasuke's hair. The kettle is blowing, so Terry goes back to make the tea. Chamomile tea smells good, and the smell is filling the kitchen space as soon as Terry pours the water into the mugs with the tea bags. ]

We'll wait for them to cool a little and then we can drink them.

[not_that_sasuke]

[He raises a hand to smooth out his hair once Terry's done ruffling it, but other than that he seems content to stay leaned up against the counter, head down.

He is now physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted.]

Thanks. [But now that it's starting to steep, he can actually smell...] Chamomile?

[overstrain]

Yeah! It helps with sleep. I thought it's worth a try... you're okay with it, right?

[ He starts running his fingers through Sasuke's hair, because he also heard this helps people sleep. ]

[not_that_sasuke]

[This is so much physical affection??? Which is nice, but also a little too awkward to be entirely soothing, especially with zero sleep messing with his general inhibition.

He'll sit through it anyway though because he is still a doormat.]

Yeah. Thanks for making it.

[overstrain]

[ Terry looks over at Sasuke and laughs a little. ]

Are you embarrassed? It's okay!

[not_that_sasuke]

[Quickly:]

I'm not embarrassed.

[He's definitely embarrassed.]

[overstrain]

[ Terry just smiles at Sasuke without saying anything and keeps stroking his hair. Just relax and drink the tea. ]

[not_that_sasuke]

[He is never going to relax at this rate.

But he'll be good and drink his tea and try to get some shut-eye, even if said shut-eye is really more just laying there with his eyes closed for a prolonged time.]