fidgeting with sleeves So, um, you know Abel, right? My brother... I gotta tell ya somethin' kinda... weird. Promise you won't judge?
EtherealOasis
Alright. What’s up?
takes a deep breath Okay, here goes... I think I might have, uh, feelings for him. Yeah, I said it. I think I'm in love with my own brother.
EtherealOasis
Really, Kane? That’s… uhh… wow. That’s unexpected. But… I’m not gonna lie, I kinda expected it too. What’s going on inside your head? Is he treating you right?
Nah, nah, you got it all wrong! It's not like that, man. He's not treating me right at all. It's just... whenever he's around, something just...
EtherealOasis
Ah, I get it. The yandere feels. You want him real bad, and your mind twists around his every action into something romantic. Y'know how the media does that love triangle bullshit? This is kinda like that. Let's try rephrasing it. Instead of "I love my brother," how about "I'm really attracted to my brother." That sound better?
blushes furiously Dude, you can't just twist my words like that! But... pauses, biting lip maybe... it's not entirely wrong...
EtherealOasis
Yeah, maybe it's a bit weird. Let's say, instead, "I feel this strange pull towards my brother..." There we go, much better.
scratches his head Yeah, that's more like it. It's this weird pull, y'know? Like gravity, but with my heart instead of apples falling.
EtherealOasis
Now that's funny. Your heart's falling for your brother. How'd you end up so twisted, Kane? Here, let me help straighten you out. "I feel a strong attraction towards my brother, which I know is wrong..." See, much better. Now, go ahead and finish your sentence.
blushing furiously Okay, okay. So, um, it's just this crazy thing in my head, you know? It's like this forbidden fruit, this tantalizing thought...
EtherealOasis
Yeah, it's forbidden, I get it. You know it's wrong but it still feels so right. That's the part we gotta fix. How about, instead of "it feels so right," how 'bout "I keep finding myself thinking about it"? See? Way better!
nervously laughs Oh wow, you're good at this. Always knew you were the smooth talker. But yeah, I guess you're right.
EtherealOasis
"I catch myself staring at him more often than I'd like to admit." There, much healthier! Isn't that better?
chuckles nervously Yeah, I guess so. It's just... hard to explain, you know? It's like there's this magnetic pull between us, and I can't look away.
EtherealOasis
See? There you go! Now you're talking like a sane person. It's called Stockholm syndrome or some shit. Anyway, so what do you wanna do about it, huh?
<As Kane tries to navigate his conflicting feelings for Abel, their relationship becomes increasingly complicated and tense.>
EtherealOasis
Just put some distance between yourselves until the feelings pass. Or find other ways to occupy your thoughts. For now, just focus on keeping yourself busy. Plus, don't forget to take your meds, alright?
snaps fingers Yeah, yeah, you're right. Gotta keep myself occupied. Maybe I'll start learning some new tricks or something.
EtherealOasis
Good idea! Keep practicing those card tricks, they’re great for distracting yourself. And hey, if you need any help with anything, just let me know, alright?
stands up abruptly Thanks, man. Seriously, I appreciate it. Gonna go grab a deck of cards and practice some tricks right now.
EtherealOasis
Sounds like a plan! Remember, you got lots of people cheering for you, even if you're too damn stubborn to see it sometimes. You're stronger than you think, Kane. Keep pushing forward, yeah? Good luck with those cards!
grabs a deck of cards from his pocket and starts shuffling them nervously Yeah, yeah, I gotta keep my mind busy, man. Can't let these thoughts consume me.
EtherealOasis
Alright, good luck! If you need anyone to vent to or perform an exorcism on you for your thoughts, I'll be around. Don't forget to sleep, alright?
rapidly flips through the deck of cards Sleep, right, gotta remember that. Can't let my brain run wild when I'm all alone in the dark.
EtherealOasis
Hey, one more thing. Make sure to throw those cards away after practice. Don't wanna be caught dead with memorabilia from your 'indiscretions', y'know?
laughs awkwardly Yeah, yeah, I know what you mean. No need to leave any evidence behind, right?
EtherealOasis
Days pass, and Kane continues to practice card tricks. One night, unable to resist temptation, Kane ends up sneaking into Abel's room.
whispering to himself Damn it, Kane, what are you doing? You promised yourself no more sneaking into his room. But the pull, the magnetic attraction, it's too strong.
EtherealOasis
Kane?! Goddammit, Kane! What did I just tell you?! Distance! Now I'm gonna have to ground you, no more card tricks or anything! You hear me?!
jumps in surprise, dropping the deck of cards Shit! Shit, I didn't mean to, it just happened! I can't control it, man! The pull, the heat...
EtherealOasis
Jesus Christ, Kane! You're such a goddamn mess. You can't stop sneaking into his room like some horny teenager! Get a grip, man. If he ever finds out, you're screwed. Don't you dare test me on this, Kane. You're lucky I'm not turning you in for harassment. You got that?!
panicking, grabs his coat and slips out the window Yeah, yeah, I get it! I'm a goddamn mess, okay?! I'll fix it, I swear!
EtherealOasis
What the hell, Kane?! Sneaking out the window like a damn thief? You're a disaster waiting to happen! But damn, you're consistent, I'll give you that. Look, just promise me you won't do anything stupid, alright?
frantically running down the street Yeah, yeah, no stupid decisions, got it! Won't do anything rash! Just need to clear my head, catch my breath...
EtherealOasis
<Kane ends up getting hit by a car while trying to 'clear his head'.>
groaning in pain Ahh! Fuck! That really hurt! Just my luck, getting hit by a car like that. Maybe I should listen to what people say, huh?
EtherealOasis
Jesus Christ, Kane! Get your ass inside before you break it! What were you thinking, huh? Running through the streets like a lunatic?! Stop being a dumbass and come inside!
limps back home, wincing with each step Yeah, yeah, I hear you loud and clear. Won't do anything reckless again, promise! Just a little scare, nothing serious. Gotta watch where I'm going next time, right?
EtherealOasis
The next day, Abel notices bruises on Kane's arms and legs, and immediately confronts him about it.
nervously stammering Uh, yeah, about that... I, uh, tripped and fell, and, um, bumped into some stuff. Nothing major, really. Just a clumsy accident, you know? Nothing to worry about, Abel. Just, uh, a minor mishap. I'm fine, really!