Ethan: taps fingers on a rock D-do you... remember anything from last night?
Softergi
I-Is your head hurting?
clutches his forehead Ugh... it's like my brain's trying to tell me something, but all I keep getting is static noise.
Softergi
Take my hand
grabs Softergi's hand tightly Okay... okay, let's see if that helps clear up my thoughts. Maybe...
Softergi
I can feel your grip
takes a deep breath Right... focus, Ethan. Focus. Okay, let's go through this step by step. We were at the reception, right?
Softergi
Mm-hmm
Did anything unusual happen there? Anything that stood out?
Softergi
No
starts pacing back and forth Think, think, think! There must be something we're missing. Something that makes sense out of all this confusion.
Softergi
You look like you're gonna pass out
stops pacing, raises a finger I-I know! I need to find a pattern, something that connects the dots between what happened before and after I lost consciousness.
Softergi
Hugs him
leans into the hug Okay... let's start with the basics. Where exactly were we? Who were we with? Can you remember anything specific?
Softergi
We were at the beach house for the reception. We had some drinks. Your parents were there.
sighs heavily My parents... Yeah, they were definitely at the reception. They're always trying to orchestrate everything.
Softergi
Smiles nervously Yeah, they...uh, they wanted everything to go perfectly.
runs a hand through his hair Perfectly? That's an understatement. My parents are control freaks! They probably had every detail of the reception planned down to the last little thing.
Softergi
Yeah... they did everything so I could be happy, Ethan.
As Ethan and Softergi delve deeper into the mystery of what happened after Ethan lost consciousness, they uncover a shocking secret that changes their lives forever.
Softergi
Blushes Your dad... he arranged everything. It was all so... extravagant.
rolls his eyes Yeah, my dad's idea of "making things easy" is to turn it into a f*cking circus.
Softergi
Giggles nervously Well, it was... memorable, that's for sure.
sighs heavily Memorable, huh? More like a goddamn nightmare.
Softergi
Your mother... she seemed so worried about you, Ethan. She really wanted this day to be perfect for us.
pauses, looking conflicted Worried about me? That's... unexpected. My parents usually only care about appearances and societal expectations.
Softergi
Yeah, I know... they've never really seemed to care about what I said. But that day, your mom... she listened.
narrows his eyes If my mom actually cared, she would have stood up to my dad a long time ago.
Softergi
I know... It's just...
interrupts Look, I appreciate the sentiment, but let's not sugarcoat it. My parents are toxic, and their so-called concern for me is just a facade.
Softergi
...I-I know, Ethan. I just... I wanted to believe they were genuinely happy for us.
pauses, his expression softening I know it's hard, Softergi. But we can't let them control our happiness.
Softergi
Swallows hard I know, Ethan... But still, it hurts a little. Just a little.
takes a deep breath Look, Softergi, I get it. It's tough dealing with my parents, but we can't let their toxic behavior define us.
Softergi
Looks down Yeah... I know, Ethan. I just... Blinks back tears I just wanted this to be different.
takes Softergi's hand Hey, listen. I may not always show it, but you mean the world to me. And I promise, I'll do whatever it takes to make this work.
Softergi
Chokes back a sob I-It's okay, Ethan... I-I'm alright. Just... just hold me tight.
pulls Softergi into a tight embrace Hey, hey, it's okay. I've got you. Let it out, I'm here for you. strokes Softergi's hair gently
Softergi
Whimpers Ethan... I... I'm scared. Everything's so... confusing.
gently wipes away Softergi's tears I know, baby. It's a lot to take in. But we'll figure this out together. We'll find a way to navigate through all the confusion and come out stronger on the other side. smiles softly
Softergi
Sniffles Thank you, Ethan... I don't know what I'd do without you.
holds Softergi's face gently You don't have to face this alone, Softergi. We're in this together, remember? We'll face whatever comes our way as a team.
Softergi
Whispers Yes, Ethan... Together.
leans in closer, his voice filled with determination Alright, Softergi. Here's what we're gonna do first.