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Cater Diamond ([personal profile] caycay) wrote2022-12-11 04:58 pm

the years aren't long enough


Cater Diamond x Vil Schoenheit PSL
treys_leches: (Default)

[personal profile] treys_leches 2022-12-12 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
[He can't help it, the sputtering and flustered explaining gets a small laugh.]

I believe you, I believe you.

[He starts heading over to the fridge with a smile.]

Still, you must've made a pretty big impact on him. A really big one if those feelings came up even after being separate for so long.

[He reaches over, clapping a hand on his shoulder.]

Good for you. How's some chili sound?
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[personal profile] treys_leches 2022-12-12 04:10 am (UTC)(link)
[As Trey gets out the ingredients, he can't help but mull things over in his head. The reason the proclamation had startled him so thoroughly was because... Cater. Cater, who hid underneath his masks, who was terrified of rejection... taking a chance with his old childhood friend? Trey was sure he'd be afraid of rocking the boat.

Then Cater speaks up, and Trey full-on freezes in his movements, back to him. Had he heard correctly? In all their years, for all of Trey's jibing, Cater had never actually talked to him about anything remotely like this. Sure, they had some meaningful conversations, but this was... different.

After a moment, Trey starts moving again to prepare the food. He keeps his voice fairly calm and casual like Cater hasn't turned his world upside-down twice in a matter of minutes.]


...heh, that's true.

[A white lie. Trey knew. He just pretended to never notice.]

What changed your mind?
Edited 2022-12-12 04:25 (UTC)
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[personal profile] treys_leches 2022-12-12 04:53 am (UTC)(link)
[A light, amused sound at the first part, before he falls silent again. Tossing all the ingredients together and getting it going. Finishing off what he had going before. His expression remains fairly neutral, but he's keyed in to what Cater's saying the whole time.

After everything's set to be on its own, he stops for a moment. Vil did, huh? That makes sense. Cater never would've opened up to him on his own otherwise.

This is... a lot more than he'd ever expected.

After gathering himself together, he turns around and walks over to Cater, gaze softened. He reaches out, putting a hand on his shoulder.]


What you're doing takes a lot of courage, you know.

[A gentle smile.]

I'm proud of you, Cater.
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[personal profile] treys_leches 2022-12-12 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
[Trey stays there, and his hand drifts to Cater's upper back, slowly rubbing as everything comes spilling out. His expression is somber and unchanging, eyes resting on the counter.

He lets out a small sigh at the end. That's... incredibly heavy. He'd always had a suspicion what was going on in Cater's mind, but never had this clear a picture. A lot of things make sense, now.]


Sounds like you have a lot of experience with abandonment.

[It's a quiet comment as he stews over what all he heard.

Finally, he goes with:]


I know this might be difficult to believe, but you aren't someone who I've just tolerated through high school and into college. You're my friend, and I care about you.

It wasn't ever as if I was just going to forget about you. Even if we both hadn't ended up here, I still had full intention of keeping in contact.

But... I guess I still didn't do it often enough to have you think otherwise.

[If there was anything he could have done, really. Cater seems to be fully immersed in this story where he's always alone. Besides being a self-fulfilling prophecy, any genuine attempts at connection are less likely to be noticed. Easier to doubt.]
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[personal profile] treys_leches 2022-12-12 06:16 am (UTC)(link)
[Trey can tell this is really taking a toll on him. And this... is definitely something he needs some professional help for. But that would have to come later. He was starting to take small steps in the right direction, and he had to expand his comfort zone by quite a bit before seeing a stranger for help was even in the cards.]

Deep, slow breaths, Cater.

[The rubbing of his back has slowed even more, his voice lowering, everything to emanate calm for his friend.]

Why don't you head to our room and lay down for a bit? I'll be there with food in about fifteen minutes.
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[personal profile] treys_leches 2022-12-12 06:52 am (UTC)(link)
Hey... don't apologize for that. You're going through a lot. It's only natural that you're overwhelmed.

[Trey stays there with him, slowly rubbing his back the entire time.

He's worried for him, but... he's relieved, too. Now, he had at least two people to help him battle the demons in his head. It would take time, but this is incredible progress all the same.

He gives him a reassuring smile as he stands. The words have his smile warming.]


Of course. You sharing all of this means a lot to me.

[A light pat to the back.]

And when I come to the room, I'm happy to go at whatever pace works best for you.

[His hand slides back up to his shoulder and gives a reaffirming squeeze before finally withdrawing, and Trey walks back to the stove to tend to the food.]
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[personal profile] treys_leches 2022-12-12 07:24 am (UTC)(link)
[Trey's mind is a whirlwind as he cooks, rinses the dishes and packages and serves the food.

He wouldn't tell a soul, of course. He wouldn't let anyone know anything had passed between them, and let nothing seem different in their interactions. He knew that persona was Cater's desperately needed safe space, and too many people catching on too soon was bound to spell disaster.

And he'd have to let Cater know as such, too. He didn't want his acting as if nothing had changed to come off the wrong way. He knew there was only so much he could do to ease such a distressed mind, but the least he could do was try his best.

So roughly about fifteen minutes later, he knocks, announces himself, then comes in with two servings of chili for the both of them.

Naturally, he grabbed the hot sauce for Cater, and he sets that and his portion on Cater's beside table.]


Feeling any calmer?
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[personal profile] treys_leches 2022-12-12 03:41 pm (UTC)(link)
It really is fine, Cater. [There's a lightly amused look on his face. Nothing about him suggests he was genuinely bothered by the outburst.] It's not like you were holding me there at gunpoint.

[Trey's not a person whose friendships are based on obligation. And Trey will keep repeating these sentiments as many times as the teen needs for him to really, truly begin to believe that.

His smile brightens as Cater perks up at the food, and he walks over to his bed, taking a seat. The question gets a chuckle.]


Lots of practice, mainly. It helps when food's a pretty central part of your family.

—geeze, slow down a bit or you're going to choke. If you're that hungry, just focus on eating.
Edited 2022-12-12 16:15 (UTC)
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[personal profile] treys_leches 2022-12-12 04:29 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't doubt it.

[Poor guy. Just the one with Trey had seemed like it could take someone out for the rest of the day. And he had two? No wonder he wanted to just retreat to the dorm.

He takes a bite of his own, and, after swallowing, he says:]


You know, it might not be a bad idea to give yourself a sick day tomorrow. You've been through a lot, and taking days off for mental health is both becoming more common and encouraged.
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[personal profile] treys_leches 2022-12-12 05:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[That's good enough for Trey. If Cater had completely blown off the idea, he would've been tempted to blackmail him.

So he gives a hum of acknowledgment and eats. As he nears the end of his meal, he gently lays the utensils on the dish.

His voice is quiet and sober.]


I really do want to stress how much it means to me. I've worried over you a long time.

Mostly... I'm just happy to see you making a change, at all. It's a huge relief.

But the fact you've also decided to come to me... means a lot. I've always wished I could do more.

Now, I finally can.

Even if you still think it's a bad idea... even if you didn't want to... I'm still grateful.

Thanks, Cater.
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[personal profile] treys_leches 2022-12-12 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[A shake of his head.]

What matters is you've made a pivotal change. Now we can work together to get you on the right track.

[A softened smirk at that.]

Good. You deserve to have that weight off your shoulders. Take it easy for a bit.

[And then he remembers and loosely crosses his arms.]

Oh yeah. Don't worry, I won't let on that anything's changed. That reveal is yours to decide if and when you want to do it.

When we're in public, it'll be same old, same old. Sound good?
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[personal profile] treys_leches 2022-12-13 04:12 am (UTC)(link)
Hey, hey. Don't be getting all sappy on me, now. What are friends for, after all?

[He gives a little grin, then gets up, reaching to take Cater's dishes.]

Soooo... you and Mr. Lucky. [Yup, the teasing is back.] How do you plan on making this work out? People already notice the two of you hanging out together. And you know him, eyes no matter where he goes.

[A grin.]

Is this shaping up to be the beginning of a forbidden love?

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