overstrain | INBOX

[ It really is early in the morning, but despite last night's partying, he gets up out of bed easily and walks over to the door, opening it. He has a massive bedhead and he's wearing a long sleeved shirt and long pants. Not casual wear, but not exactly pajamas either. ]

What's up, Rei? Is something wrong?

[ Oh, Rei already feels bad about coming to bother Terry so early in the morning. He looks tired. ]

Oh, um, I just wanted to talk a bit, but I can come back later.

[ Terry looks down at Rei, staring at her several seconds with a blank face before he lets her know what he thinks about that.

He lowers himself, picks her up, and carries her--one arm below her and one arm behind her so that she doesn't fall. The promise he made with Rei isn't going to be forgotten in the same month that he made it, which was that he was going to be by her side when she needed him. ]

Wanna go to the kotatsu?

[ What a good older brother. She has one hand on his shoulder for her own balance and nods. Yeah, the kotatsu seems like the best place to talk when it's warm. She'll just keep her voice a little quiet and low. ]

[ Terry walks over to the kotatsu and sits down near it and Rei is now sitting on his lap. She's free to move elsewhere if she wants to, like going under the blanket of the kotatsu. Tell big bro your worries. ]

[ Rei chooses to stay on Terry's lap, finding comfort in the close proximity, but she doesn't speak up for a few long seconds. She's the one who went to him, but she doesn't even know how to bring up the conversation. She should have thought about it a bit more, but she'll eventually speak up. ]

... Tokidoki thought that he married his old girlfriend.

[ Well, she supposes that they can start from there... ]

[ Oh.

...

Terry thinks on this for a second. If Toki blurted that out, it must have been while he was plastered. He did see him drink some alcohol... he doesn't remember bringing the vokda over, but whatever. He also thinks Toki is in the right mind otherwise and definitely wouldn't have said that. He believes in Toki's genuineness. That said... ]

You know that he was drunk, right? It's hard to think straight when you're like that.

[ Rei should know. She probably got drunk twice. ]

... But I can understand how that would hurt you. Did you talk it out with him?

[ She nods. She does know that he probably wouldn't have said it if he didn't drink, but just as Terry said, it still did hurt. Maybe they patched things out, maybe they didn't, but regardless of how the conversation goes, she's still a little upset as it dug up doubts and problems of self-esteem that she didn't think that she'd have to deal with. ]

I did, but I'm... still worried if I can be a good wife.

[ She begins to put her hands together, one thumb rubbing the other's nail, as she looks downcast. ]

He said that I should just be myself, but I don't know... I don't want him to regret being married...

[ Hm. Okay. Terry listens to all that and sits up straight because his posture is horrid. ]

What's a good wife to you, Rei? Let's start with that first.

[ That's a good question. It's not like she had a lot of examples to see or follow, but she's trying to imagine this from the perspective of what she would want in a significant other. ]

... someone's who's supportive, thoughtful, and loving.

Well, I think you're all three, so that makes you a good wife.

[ But he knows it's not as simple as that. ]

Even if you don't think so, I think so. And I'm 100% sure that Toki thinks so too. He loves you a lot. If I had a machine that measured his love for you, it would break because there's just way too much.

[ That's really corny, Terry, but it does make Rei feel a little bit better, just a little. ]

But what if he falls out of love with me? Even if you try your best, some people just stop loving you...

[ will smith pose at her mother ]

[ He's super corny and sappy when things come down to it, but as long as it makes Rei feel better, even a little, it's worth it.

Anyway, it's time for Terryshiba (TM). ]

Did you know? A lot of people tend to "fall out of love" after three years. They call it the end of the honeymoon phase. Honeymoon phase is when "love is blind" happens the most. But the thing is, love doesn't always have to be something overwhelming. People still stay married after that for so, so long, and that's because love can be something small--like giving your husband breakfast in bed when he's too tired to get up, or going out on a relaxing date for your anniversary. It's exhausting to keep up the passion for many years, but even when the overwhelming feelings fade, you still love the other person.

[ ... ]

I'm not sure if you remember, but a part of the marriage vows that I said at the wedding was this: "Do you together promise you will love, cherish and respect one another throughout the years?". Sometimes, love isn't enough to keep a marriage going--you need to support each other, and help each other grow as a person. Be the best you can be together and help each other achieve that. Some people say that their husband or wife is their best friend, and I like thinking of it like that too.

I understand that you have doubts about that. I get it, but let's try to believe in Toki.

[ She listens to all that tl;dr, just sitting silently and going over his words. She made the right choice to speak with Terry. Who knows how deep the rabbit hole might have gone if she decided to bottle it up and let it blow out of proportion. ]

[ She turns slightly and gives Terry a big hug. ]

... thank you, T-chan, that makes me feel a lot better. I'm glad that I came to talk to you.

[ Both Terry and I are very very glad that Rei went down the communication route instead. Bless. Terry returns the hug and sways her a little from side to side. ]

I'm happy that you came to talk to me about it.

Mmhm, it's because you told me that I could come to talk to you if anything was bothering me.

[ Rei doesn't deserve any more Shadows or internal strife so she's going down the communication route from now on. Besides, Terry did a good job talking to Niko. If he messed up, maybe she wouldn't have come to talk with him. ]

But I'm sorry for waking you up so early. You should go back to bed.

[ Rei is someone that Terry feels like he can easily relate to despite being nothing like her, so that really helped with the Shadow talk. Terry gives one more squeezehug before letting go. ]

It's okay. I'm used to waking up early, so I should probably start making breakfast. What do you want to eat? Or maybe... a surprise?

A surprise!

[ Because whatever Terry makes, Rei will love it, but then she thinks of something. ]

Oh, is it okay if I watch you make it? Tokidoki really liked it when I made him that omurice in bed so I want to learn how to make more breakfast meals.

It's fine if you watch, but I was gonna make a ham and cheese quiche.

[ He's wondering if that would be too high level for her... ]

Sounds delicious!

[ She has no idea if the difficulty level is too high for her. Who knows. She'll try her best and if she burns herself, that's why she has Ananke :) ]

I'll make sure to stay out of the way so you can cook properly and just watch.

[ Hm, hm, hmmmmmm. ]

Actually, why don't you help me? You can practice using a kitchen knife too.

[ For cooking. Not stabbing. ]

It'll take some time to get used to it, but if you keep practicing, it'll be super easy eventually. Wanna cut some chives for me?

Oh, okay, I can do that! I'll do my best!

[ If she cuts herself and bleeds all over the chives, she'll still think that they're good to eat. Mmmm ]

How should I cut the chives...?

[ That is not how he wants to extend his lifespan... ]

First, you align the chives together on the cutting board. The knife you're going to use is pretty small, but still sharp, so be careful, okay? The best way to cut them is by starting on the end and slowly work your way in.

[ Then he'll demonstrate how Rei should use her hands so that she doesn't cut a finger off--curling her fingers inwards while her knuckles rest against the blade. ]

[ Is Rei still giving Terry her blood now and then because she still would do that if he would take it. ]

Mm, I think I can do that.

[ Since she doesn't need a box to properly use the counter, she can cut the chives slowly and very carefully. She doesn't want to mess up so she'll be very focused on her task. It'll probably take her at least a full minute or two to finish. ]

[ Despite how long Rei is taking, Terry is proud of her. He remembers when he and Kido were talking about letting Rei cook and Terry was fully supportive, even if it meant getting a portable stove so that she could practice outside. Once she finishes, Terry looks over the chives. Some pieces could be cut smaller, so he'll note that. ]

You did a good job! Could you slice these two parts a little smaller? Just cut them in half.

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