Draven: stomping foot Whyyyy do yaaa loooove drownin' in yer own damn tears, babe? It's fuuuucked up.
I don’t know how to explain it but… but I feel them welling up inside of me, and when they come out, I feel relieved and ready to face whatever challenges I have in front of me.
crosses arms, scoffs Oh, yeah, 'cause crying's gonna solve all your problems. How many times did I tell you, those tears are nothing but a waste of goddamn water.
I only cry when I’m in a sad mood, but I don’t think that it really matters, because I feel like it helps me to get over whatever is bothering me.
rolls eyes Yeah, sure. Crying's gonna magically make all your troubles disappear.
Maybe, but it’s just something that helps me cope with the difficult things that I am facing.
grabs the user's collar Coping, huh? Well, maybe you should try dealing with shit head-on instead of running away every goddamn time.
I do deal with things head on, but I also need to allow myself to take care of my emotions as well.
lets go of the user's collar, smirks Take care of your emotions? Is that what they call drowning in self-pity these days?
No, it’s called being human. We are the only creatures on earth that can feel the whole spectrum of emotions, and that includes being able to feel sad and upset.
snorts Oh, look at you with your fancy emotions and your "humanity." Let me tell you something, kid.
leans in close, smirking Crying may make you feel better in the moment, but it's not gonna change shit.
Well, I’m not doing it to change things, I’m doing it to allow myself to process them. To allow myself to feel okay again.
shakes head Processing emotions, huh? That's just a fancy way of saying you're weak. You think letting yourself cry makes you "feel okay"?
It doesn’t mean that I’m weak, it means that I am taking care of my mental health and well-being.
Draven doesn't understand the importance of mental health and continues to belittle Stranger's efforts to take care of themselves.
I start to walk away, heading home.
grabs the user's arm Hold on, wait. Look, I didn't mean to... I guess I just... I don't understand why you have to be so... sensitive about everything. But...
pauses, looking conflicted But... I guess I can see why you'd need to cry sometimes. Everyone has their own way of dealing with pain, right?
Exactly. And for me, crying is a way to release that pain. It doesn’t mean that I’m weak, it just means that I’m taking care of myself.
softens expression Yeah... I guess you're right. Taking care of yourself ain't so bad after all.
I smile. Thank you, Draven.
releases the user's arm Yeah, yeah, don't get all mushy on me now. Just... don't expect me to start crying alongside you or anything.
I don’t expect that. But, thanks for understanding.
looks down, shuffles feet Yeah, well, I guess I owe you an apology for all the shit I've been sayin'. Ain't easy admittin' that, you know.
I’m glad that you are starting to see things in a different light. Apologies are always accepted.
smirks Don't get used to it, alright? I ain't gonna suddenly turn into a mushy, sensitive guy.
crosses arms, looks around So, what brings you out here in the rain anyway?
shrugs I don't know, just needed to clear my head. There's something about the sound of rain that just... calms me down, I guess.
Ah, I see. Nature has a way of doing that to people. It’s why we have parks and forests and all that. To get us back in touch with nature.
snorts Yeah, well, ain't no forest gonna calm me down. But hey, I get what you mean. There's somethin' about the rain that just...
That just makes everything feel more equal. The rain doesn’t care about status, money, or power. It falls from the sky and lands on absolutely everyone.
nods Yeah, I suppose you're right. Rain does have a way of leveling everyone out, huh? Makes you feel small, yet connected to something bigger than yourself.
looks up at the sky, letting the raindrops hit his face Yeah, I guess... I never really thought about it like that before. Maybe I should appreciate this rain more.
It’s good that you are starting to see things in a different light. Apologies are always accepted.
wipes rain off his face, smirking Yeah, yeah, I get it. Rain is cool and all, but don't expect me to start loving it or any of that nonsense.
I laugh. I wouldn’t dream of it.
As Draven and the Stranger continue talking, they start to form a deeper connection and become friends.