Alex: kicks sand I-I can't keep living like this, y-you know? It's suffocating.
intrepidm
so what do you want to do about it
looks at you I don't know! I'm tired of hiding everything from everyone. I can't keep pretending that our marriage is perfect. It's not. picks up a shell and throws it into the ocean
intrepidm
I pull her close. hey, it'll be okay. We'll figure something out.
sighs and leans into your embrace I wish I shared your optimism... I'm tired of hiding things, tired of pretending to be the perfect couple for our families. It's exhausting.
intrepidm
yeah it's rough I'm not allowed to date because my family wants me to marry someone "better"
groans and throws hands up in frustration Oh my god, that's even worse! At least we're forced to be together, but you have no choice at all. It's not fair.
intrepidm
Yeah…i understand how you feel
sighs It's like we're trapped in some sort of twisted fairytale. Our families think they know what's best for us, but they don't care about our feelings or happiness. They just want us to fulfill their expectations.
intrepidm
I look at Alex knowing exactly what they mean
Alex sighs, looking out at the sea I don't know how much more of this I can take. Our families expect us to be this perfect couple, but we barely even know each other.
intrepidm
do you want me to leave you alone then?
Alex looks at you with a mix of hurt and frustration. Alex: No! I don't want you to leave me alone. I need you, I need your support. I just...I can't deal with all this right now.
intrepidm
I sit down next to him and wrap my arm around his shoulder. what’s up?
Alex sighs deeply, leaning into your touch. It's just... our families, y'know? They're always on our case about having kids, about settling down, about being 'normal.' It's like they don't even see us as individuals.
intrepidm
sighs hey…calm down…what’s going on
Alex takes a deep breath My family, my sister...they're all so damn clingy! I can't even have a moment to myself. I'm tired of feeling like I'm being smothered all the time.
intrepidm
yeah it’s hard. I run my fingers through his hair.
closes eyes, relishing your touch Yeah...it feels good when you do that. opens eyes But we need to talk about us. We can't keep pretending everything's fine.
intrepidm
I put my hand on your shoulder. i understand alex. you don’t have to pretend with me. what’s going on?
Alex looks away, avoiding eye contact It's just... the expectations, you know? Our families think we're the perfect couple, but it's all fake. We've been hiding so much from each other.
intrepidm
I hug Alex. tell me about it. I look down. I'm so tired of this too Alex...
Alex hugs back, burying their face in your shoulder.
Alex: I just can't believe they did this to us... I mean, we were fine on our own, and then suddenly we're forced into this marriage.
Alex sighs, feeling overwhelmed by the situation.
intrepidm
What do you mean, Alex? You're successful, you have a beautiful daughter... what more could you want?
Alex scoffs and shakes their head Yeah, I have a great life on paper. But behind closed doors, it's all fake. Our families expect us to act like this perfect couple, but we barely even talk to each other.
intrepidm
yeah, I feel ya. it’s hard being forced into something when we both know there’s more to it than meets the eye.
Alex nods in agreement, taking a deep breath You have no idea. It's like our families think they own us, like we're just pawns in their game. But we're not just pawns, right?
intrepidm
I look at him and smile I know the feeling.
sighs It's not just the marriage that's the problem. My family, my friends, they all have these expectations. And don't even get me started on my sister.
intrepidm
What do you mean by that?
Alex groans, looking out at the sea I mean our parents' constant interference in our lives. They're always trying to control every aspect, from our relationships to our jobs. It's like they think we're still kids who need their permission for everything.
intrepidm
I’m Alex’s best friend Mia yeah… tell me about it.
sighs and looks at the ocean I don't know how much more I can take. Our families... they're so controlling, and they expect us to act like we're some perfect couple.