[It's been three days since his birthday. Things are still chilly around the apartment. And frankly, Ceodore's damned tired of sleeping on the couch. So despite actually appreciating his gift from his father, he decides it's maybe the better choice to take Cecil's advice and offer his sweetheart the gift as a burnt offering of appeasement. However, he's done his homework and combed every inch of every store in the village and finally finally found the item he was after.
After a moment's hesitation, he knocks on the door to their bedroom armed with two small packages wrapped in festive paper. Why is that stuff all over the village anyway?]
[Ceodore can sleep on the couch as long as possible but regardless, Selphie opens the door a crack and peers out of it. That eye might be red and puffy from silently crying but the room is dimly lit.]
[Sucking up? You've already made her feel like she's not good enough for you so what's he got planned now? Selphie stares at the bundles in his arms warily.]
[Really. This is Ceodore. Ulterior motives go way over his head. His dad thought he should get her one of these and it seemed like a good idea. Anything that improves your stats is a good thing.]
[She sighs before placing the apple on the dresser and turns to walk away. She'd hoped that he would've gotten it by now but Ceodore just doesn't get it.]
[He still doesn't see what the big deal about them is, just pictures on a page. But it's just not worth keeping them if it's going to upset her so much.
He sighs and shakes his head, not about to make excuses. It's pretty obvious that he's the one who doesn't measure up to standards here. He can't even manage an apology without irking her.]
I already did. [True, since they're sitting in her possession with matches to torch them.] They weren't worth losing you over.
[Although he's given up hope that this can be repaired now. The sinking feeling of worthlessness has reached an all new low. It's pretty obvious in his reasoning that he's no longer wanted here and he moves to leave.
But then he can't just leave her here alone. If she orders him out, he'll go but that need to protect her just won't go away. So he sits down on the floor outside the door, just like the time he'd brought her home when she was sleeping alone at her old apartment.]
[It takes Selphie a few moments to collect her thoughts but she opens the second gift and discovers a box of matches and the offending magazines in her hot little hands. Thankfully, she gets his drift as she wraps her hand around the matches and the porn before she ponders her next move.
Something inside her says that he's still there, waiting for her though. The ball is in her court as she opens the door and looking down, feels relief that he's still there. She sits down next to him in jeans and t-shirt and speaks carefully.]
We can't burn these inside and please don't get anymore of these. You don't need this kinda stuff to symbolize that you're not a child anymore.
[Ceodore's still in a somber mood and staring hard at the floor. It's not worth another fight to point out that they did dramatically increase his magic reserves. Not when she's so upset still.]
I... I still don't understand why pictures upset you. But I do understand that you're hurt. I don't want that. I never did, Selphie.
It's the content of the pictures. It makes me feel like I'm not enough for you. I'm not pretty enough, I don't do those things because I don't know how...
They make me uncomfortable and knowing that your Father gave them to you right in front of me...
[She places the books and matches on the floor beside her before she curls her legs up in front of her and hides her face from him.]
[Ceodore's head snaps up from surprise and it's just in time to see her curl up. He hates that and hates that he's the one that caused it. He places a hand on her shoulder, convinced anything more will only anger her more.]
I... I guess I haven't been good enough to let you know how much you mean to me. I thought you knew, but I...
Don't think you're not enough. Please. If anything, I'm the one lacking.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[action | december 24th]
After a moment's hesitation, he knocks on the door to their bedroom armed with two small packages wrapped in festive paper. Why is that stuff all over the village anyway?]
Selphie?
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What?
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I... I have something for you.
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What is it?
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A gift, something that will help protect you. Please, just open it.
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An apple?
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Understand what exactly?
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[Really. This is Ceodore. Ulterior motives go way over his head. His dad thought he should get her one of these and it seemed like a good idea. Anything that improves your stats is a good thing.]
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It looks like an apple, it's gonna taste like an apple so what makes it more than just an apple?
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I... I know you're mad at me, but... please trust me.
[He holds out the other box too, with both the magazines and a box of matches inside.]
This is yours too.
[action | december 24th]
[Trust? Ceodore, you just opened up a huge can of worms. Then she looks at the other package and frowns. Forgiveness is not bought with presents.]
Why should I trust someone who doesn't think I'm good enough?
[action | december 24th]
[See, you even got upgraded from 'girl'.]
I love you.
[action | december 24th]
[She sighs before placing the apple on the dresser and turns to walk away. She'd hoped that he would've gotten it by now but Ceodore just doesn't get it.]
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He sighs and shakes his head, not about to make excuses. It's pretty obvious that he's the one who doesn't measure up to standards here. He can't even manage an apology without irking her.]
They don't compare to you. Nothing does.
[He bows formally and steps back.]
I'll go now.
[action | december 24th]
[She warps her arms tightly around herself before sitting on the bed and staring at the floor.]
It's not fair.
[action | december 24th]
They're just pictures. And it means Father doesn't see me as a child anymore.
Do what you want with them.
[action | december 24th]
Just get rid of them.
[action | december 24th]
[Although he's given up hope that this can be repaired now. The sinking feeling of worthlessness has reached an all new low. It's pretty obvious in his reasoning that he's no longer wanted here and he moves to leave.
But then he can't just leave her here alone. If she orders him out, he'll go but that need to protect her just won't go away. So he sits down on the floor outside the door, just like the time he'd brought her home when she was sleeping alone at her old apartment.]
[action | december 24th]
Something inside her says that he's still there, waiting for her though. The ball is in her court as she opens the door and looking down, feels relief that he's still there. She sits down next to him in jeans and t-shirt and speaks carefully.]
We can't burn these inside and please don't get anymore of these. You don't need this kinda stuff to symbolize that you're not a child anymore.
[action | december 24th]
I... I still don't understand why pictures upset you. But I do understand that you're hurt. I don't want that. I never did, Selphie.
[action | december 24th]
They make me uncomfortable and knowing that your Father gave them to you right in front of me...
[She places the books and matches on the floor beside her before she curls her legs up in front of her and hides her face from him.]
You're fine the way you are.
[action | december 24th]
I... I guess I haven't been good enough to let you know how much you mean to me. I thought you knew, but I...
Don't think you're not enough. Please. If anything, I'm the one lacking.
[action | december 24th]
It's never been true.
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[He's so confused now.]
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