#kaen 2 seconds later: hahaha... ANYWAYS--

[ilbound]

@nexarerum has requested a story : “  i don’t think hearts break. shattered things can only be broken once. but torn things can be mended again and again until it’s all scars and stitching.  ” gabs to kaen!

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

Hard to say exactly WHAT got them onto the topic ; as usual , when the two get together it is either extremely lighthearted or extremely involved in terms of conversation ( not that kaen ever held much complaint either way , as much as the witch enjoyed picking their brain on certain things , they liked to do the same to her ; such is friendship , they suppose ) .  As she talks , Kaen hovers by the microwave , waiting for the popcorn to finish so they can get on with their movie-night.  Furred ear flicks to attention , quirking back in her direction to l i s t e n intently to what she has to say.  Kaen tosses their best friend a quizzical look , a frown beginning to tug at their lips ; the current subject is one that is assuredly dredging up some UNPLEASANT / UNCERTAIN FEELINGS ( & it shows in the unspoken storm beginning to descend on their person , darkening their ever-bright glow to an uncharacteristic dim glimmer ) .  But Kaen is more than aware that Gabriella will neither push them for a response nor judge them for whatever they might think to say ( good or bad ) .

❝ … ‘S tha’ really better , though ? ❞  Kaen asks ( more to themself than her ) , turning back to collect the popcorn and dump it into a large bowl , walking with her back to the small living room to unceremoniously p l o p down on the couch causing an upstart in the snack still held in their hands.  ❝ Y’know , Ah’m not so sure tha’s true , ❞ They wait , letting her come join them before continuing , ❝ Ah think- Ah think hearts c a n and d o break. ❞  Why else would there be a WORD for it ?  Why else would there be a SICKNESS dedicated to the phenomena of its effects on a person ?

They tip their head , looking over at Gabriella ; their expression is t i g h t and tense in the way it always tends to be when the poor thing starts OVERTHINKING about something that’s been said or done , their mind rushing far too fast for their tongue to keep pace with the overwealth of thoughts coming forth.  ❝ An’ Ah’m not really sure there’s a difference , either ; shattered , broken , torn — ❞ Lists these things off by ticking their fingers , ❝ — ‘S all th’ same thing , innit ?  ‘R at least , it seems like it.  Ah wanna say tha’ th’ real difference lies in ‘ow people learn ta’ recover from it when it ‘appens.  Puttin’ yerself back t’gether , makin’ sure y’e’en got all’a yer pieces so ye can be WHOLE AGANE … Tha’s th’ part tha’ matter mos’ , fer me anyways. ❞  A pause , ruminating for a second whilst they munch on some popcorn.  ❝ … ‘Onestly , Ah dun’ think many people would come outta’ shit like tha’ WITHOUT scars , either.  But , y’know , scars’re sexy so who cares ! ❞

Rather like the godling to launch into a sudden diatribe , isn’t it ?  Kaen s m i l e s and l a u g h s to punctuate the lingering humor at their final sentiment , but there’s a hidden sorrow there just the same … Like speaking from EXPERIENCE .  Well , hopefully it was a good enough response.  ❝ Oh , uh … Wha’ movie did ye say ye wanted us ta’ watch , by th’ way ? ❞  And , as usual , the KING of changing the topic.