#Yes. Hayte was the catalyst for all this BUT that specific comment wasn't a dealbreaker for them as friends

[tripping-tennis-ball]

Morgan doesn't utter a word. Sol has sat up by the end of his rant. His knees are tucked into his chest, arms wrapped around them. He stares blankly at a wall. Exhaustion pours off of her in waves. The silence persists for long enough that most would usually mark the conversation over by now. Xe gets a feeling, though, that she's not quite done yet. They're right, of course. Sol looks towards them, eyes wide and alert despite the medication coursing through his system. "Hayte," he whispers, "It- It doesn't think I'm people."

She doesn't say anything else. Morgan nods in understanding. They don't ask how he found out. They wouldn't. There are no reassurances xe could possibly give, not any that would mean anything. At least, not right now. Instead, they stand up. "I'm gonna grab you some water. Alright, sunshine? You stay right here." She acknowledges their departure with just a small nod. Instead electing to stare blankly at the wall again. Morgan walks into the kitchen to grab a cup. They'd known Sol had a lot more to him. Xe always had a vague sense of what could have caused some of her behaviors. It's unsurprising, at least to them, that he'd struggled socially growing up. The specifics are what interests xem. It's depressing, to say the least. The pressure to conform, to be liked, It's something Morgan has always despised. They'd rather be themself and drive people away than give in to what others expect from xem. That mindset has caused issues in the past, sure, but it's worth it. They don't think Sol would agree. For as long as Morgan has known her, Sol has been a people pleaser. It's clear in the way he holds himself around those who's opinions matter to her. It shows in how she smiles and laughs to hide any emotion that he doesn't think is "necessary." That's not to say he never shows negative emotion or that she can't assert herself. He wears anger well. When someone crosses a line or ignores a clear boundary, she isn't afraid to do something about it. They've seen it themself. Too many people have come out of an interaction with Sol with a broken nose for xem to say otherwise. Whether those lines are drawn well or if there's enough of them, however, is a different story. Not to mention the attachment.

(He's spent so long trying to be normal for other people that he practically throws himself at anyone who doesn't hate her "differences". She's so desperate for someone to know him that he lets too much slide. I think she knows that as well as I do.) By the time Morgan returns with the water, and a couple of painkillers, Sol has passed out in her seat. They smile, setting the water and painkillers down on a nearby counter for when he wakes up. They grab a blanket and place it gently over his shoulders. They'll have a lot to talk about once she's awake and sober. There's no way xe are going to pretend nothing happened, come late evening. For now, though, they'll sit and watch over her. Maybe even take a nap of their own once they process everything. Morgan glances over at Sol. "Rest well."

Sol knocks harshly on the door.

"Morgan? Morgan, open up!"

He takes a deep breath. A futile attempt to calm her already fraying nerves.

" I can hear you. I know you're in there."

"Alright, alright. I'm coming, jeez."

Morgan grabs their shirt off the back of their chair and shoves it on. They stumble a little as they make it to the door.

They unlock the door, swinging it open. They raise a brow as they take in Sol's disheveled appearance.

His clothes are wrinkled, and the bottom of her jeans damp from coming through the grass. He's breathing heavily, as if he'd been walking for a while.

"The hell happened to you?"

Xe usher her in.