MM   () ughh. ()

MM   () it is so bothersome. ()

He doesn't respond. You glare at him.

MM   () i said ughh. it is so bothersome! ()

MM   () this time of year. ()

MM   () when everyone is acting all stupid. ()

MM   () stupid with each other. ()

MM   () i despise this more than anything and wish to do something about it. ()

Finally picking up the hint, he squints.

AR   are you...

AR   looking for...?

MM   () what? speak up. ()

To his credit, he clears his throat.

AR   are you looking to be in a relationship?

MM   () WHAT??? ()

You let out a combination gasp and shriek, and he dutifully leans away to protect his ears. You nearly slap him silly, before you remember that it would hardly do any damage. Curse his strange forest-man physique!

MM   () lincoln! how could you? ()

MM   () thats none of your business and you know it! ()

AR   you’re the one who started talking about it.

AR   complaining about couples, acting needy...

AR   it seemed clear to me.

He shakes his head, as if you were the unreasonable one.

AR   and i thought i was picking up your hints for once...

MM   () whatever you thought was too personal. ()

MM   () what insolence! ()

MM   () only people in mimis deepest inner circle gets to know. ()

AR   what... her hints are?

MM   () no ()

AR   about... her love life?

MM   () yes. precisely. ()

MM   () that is information securely sequestered for the worthy. ()

MM   () you earn it once youve earned my utmost respect. ()

AR   hm.

AR   we're acquainted.

AR   that doesn't count?

MM   () hardly! ()

Well, perhaps a little. But that's not the point!

AR   you're saying that i'm not eligible? why?

AR   i've saved your life before.

MM   () that doesnt count! ()

AR   i don't understand the criteria.

MM   () its simple. ()

MM   () 1: is mimi all you think about? ()

MM   () 2: would you lay your life down for mimi? ()

MM   () 3: do you agree with all of mimis opinions no matter what? ()

He mulls over it. He even strokes his chin in thought.

AR   depends.

MM   () denied! ()

MM   () you have failed mimis test. ()

MM   () try again when your devotion is ceaseless. mi hi hi. ()

You laugh to yourself, but his expression doesn't change.

AR   ...

MM   () what? are you reconsidering? ()

MM   () i might reconsider if you swear fealty according to the criteria! ()

AR   are...

AR   are you still interested in godfrey?

MM   () WHAT?!?!? ()

You gape at his continuing audacity and, this time, you do smack him. It hurts your hand more than it did his chest, probably, but you'll never admit that.

MM   () can you not spout nonsense for one mimisecond?! ()

AR   you can't tell me that wasn't a bad guess.

MM   () well it was! ()

MM   () do you take mimi for an small ugly fool?! ()

MM   () small and ugly and stupid??? ()

MM   () why would you ever presume such a thing! ()

MM   () him of all people! the gall! the audacity!!! ()

AR   i don't know.

AR   it just seems like you're expecting something.

AR   or someone.

AR   and you want to talk about it.

AR   but if that's not it, i'm sorry for guessing wrong.

AR   clearly i... need to work on my miminese.

You huff, temporarily at a loss for words. How dare he be so... well, if he wants to do it that way, then you'll reluctantly oblige. He knows you too well for you to pull the charade any longer.

MM   () even if... ()

MM   () if... ()

MM   () mimi had such plans... ()

MM   () she wouldnt need to talk it out with anyone. ()

MM   () there will be no embarassing risks taken when - ()

MM   () i mean - when slash IF mimi plans on courting anyone! ()

AR   ah. so you have been thinking about it.

MM   () that should have been obvious. ()

AR   you can just tell me, you know.

AR   i wouldn't mind talking about it.

MM   () its too late. ()

MM   () youve brought up you-know-who. ()

MM   () who is FAR from mimis taste anyway!!! ()

AR   he is?

MM   () yes!!! ()

AR   weren't you two -

MM   () you dont want to finish that sentence if you know whats good for you. ()

AR   ...

He doesn’t seem very convinced, but he shrugs.

AR   alright.

AR   i thought you brought all this up in anticipation of something.

AR   sorry.

MM   () hmph. you should be. ()

AR   i mean it.

AR   i'm sorry.

Hearing it doesn't lessen the tightness in your chest. If anything, it makes you feel worse. You turn away and exhale.

MM   () and godfrey? really? ()

MM   () you cant bring him up so casually lincoln. ()

MM   () you know how complicated that is. ()

AR   i do see you two together now and then...

MM   () the same can be said for you two but i dont say anything! ()

AR   i hardly ask for his company.

AR   but, fair enough.

AR   we can both agree that he isn't worth the trouble.

MM   () agreed! ()

MM   () ... ()

MM   () and... in regards to relationships... ()

MM   () mimi isnt planning on doing nothing you know. ()

AR   oh.

AR   good luck, then.

MM   () ... ()

AR   it's none of my business.

He simply stands there and doesn’t prod. It irritates you to no end.