𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐊𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄

a wonderfully patient and creative nonnie asked for a list of prompts based on interactions between two good friends in the aftermath of a trauma that happens to one of them, and i’m nothing if not a sucker for angst and deeply emotional connections! so here we go! i’m hoping these will be up to the nonnie’s expectations! have a wonderful day, my lovelies, and DO NOT ADD TO THIS LIST !!

“ i really hate seeing you like this… “

“ why don’t we hang out tonight? like we used to, you know? order in cheap take-out, watch crappy movies, go for a walk… whatever you want, right? “

“ please say something… anything. even if it’s telling me to shut up and leave you alone… just say something. “

“ i really miss you, you know. “

“ i’m here. you got that? i don’t care if you never say anything to me ever again. i don’t care. i’m not going away, and i’m not going to stop being here for you, no matter how long you glare at me or ignore me or pretend that you’re okay. because i know you’re not. i know. “

“ talk to me. i don’t care what we talk about. it doesn’t have to be anything big. we don’t need to talk about whatever happened to you, not unless you want to. i just… just talk to me, will you? “

“ you know, i talk to a lot of people every single day. i hear all their voices telling me all kinds of stuff; i hear it all. and the only voice i really wanna listen to is yours, you know? even when you’re driving me crazy. so come on. please… just drive me crazy again? “

“ …seriously? no come-back? no witty retort? no… sarcastic shot at me? come on, i… i know we never ask these things, but, honestly, i’m worried about you. what’s going on? “

“ penny for your thoughts? hell. a dollar? ten? fifty? my whole life-savings? damn, at this rate i’d give away everything i own just to hear your voice again. “

“ this is like, the ninth voicemail i’ve left, and i know you hate voicemails, so i’m thinking this might be the one that pisses you off enough to pick up the phone and talk to me. because despite the number of times i’ve told you to shut up, i’m actually begging you to say something, now. weird how things work out, isn’t it? anyway. pick up your freaking phone, moron. please. “

“ will you please talk to me? please? “

“ i have exhausted every single topic that i can think of to get you to open your mouth and say something to me. all of them. you leave me no choice… how are you? “

“ listen, we’re all really worried about you. okay? and we wanna help you, but we don’t know how. so how about you write us a note, or something? maybe just, open the door, huh? i just wanna know that you’re okay. “

“ you’re not alone, you know. you’ve got people who love you. who care about you. you’ve got me. and i’m not going anywhere. “

“ look, i don’t know what happened to you. and i don’t need you to tell me, okay? i don’t… i just want you to know that i’m here. i got you. no matter what. and if you need some space, then… then i can leave. just tell me what you need, okay? “

“ i don’t need you to say anything. you don’t even need to open the door. i’m just gonna slide this paper under the door, okay? you tell me what you want for dinner, and i’ll bring it up. “

“ i’m sending you on a list of therapists and group support meetings in the area, okay? you don’t have to go, but… promise me you’ll take a look at the list, right? “

“ listen, i know you gave me a copy of your key for emergencies, and this feels like an emergency, but… if the silent treatment is part of you trying to get some space, then i don’t wanna intrude. you know? so just text me if that’s what this is, and i’ll leave you alone. “

still not looking at your ass .

does it hurt ?

a first - aid kit ,  yeah … that’s something we should have ,  right ?

what kind of psychopath doesn’t use a pen ?

come voluntarily or you’ll be taken by force .

is that why you’ve been so moody and unpredictable ?

absorbent is as absorbent does .

well ,  that’s a felony .

you could’ve killed me !

it’s nice to see a familiar face .

i need to find  [ name ] .

a little help ,  please .

when i find [ name ] ,  i am gonna torture her .

you’re alright now .

[ name ] ,  you came .

[ name ] ,  i need you to come with me .

i don’t even get where you’re going .

you PROMISED you’d be honest .

let me have a sip of thinking juice ,  here .

what aren’t you telling me ?

so you also lied to me about NOT lying ??

i need to atone for my recent history .

we’ve all done bad things to each other .

you’re being forgetful .  or kind .

next time someone has to risk their lives ,  YOU’RE IT !

god ,  you are such a …

i would do literally anything to keep her safe .

sometimes life is a real backpack of balls .

i am so serious ,  shut your mouth .

if you die ,  i’ll kill you !

don’t you know how dangerous this is ?

i swore to protect you .

listen ,  we can help each other ,  alright ?

is everything a sex joke to you ?

who’s a girl gotta screw around here to get a gun ?

that sounds kinda lesbian .

[ name ] ,  how could you ?

i’ll show you how it’s done .

you’re stronger than i expected .

i told you ,  i’m leaving .

[ name ] ,  what the hell ?!

are you real ?

something  here  is  pretty  off .

we’ll  think  a  little  better  with  some  fire  in  our  bellies .

say your piece ,  [ name ] .

it’s just so good to be home .

who are you ?

i thought i’d be safe in here .

the only place scarier than in here ,  is out there .

i didn’t mean it like that .  not at all .

please don’t say you’re sorry anymore .  you don’t need to be .

vacation’s over ,  assholes !

please tell me everyone’s okay ,  [ name ] .

what really happened to  [ name ] ?

i know i let everyone down .

i hope that means there’s no hard feelings .

as you all know ,  i excel at having opinions .

i wish i knew what we were up against .

don’t yell at me .

home - brewed mold juice will NOT defeat pure evil !

at first i thought it was irrelevant ,  but then i figured it out .

what does a  [ last name ]  know about keeping their word ?

there’s been enough crime today .

[ name ] ,  what’s going on ?

why do i taste skunk ?

that would get my slacks off in a second .

please don’t get off on the wrong foot .

i know every curve .  every sigh .  every taste .

yeah ,  i guess i forgot .

i can’t wait for the rest of our lives to unfold .

sorry ,  i’m just .  i’m so distracted .

thanks for taking care of my friend .

i feel like i can handle it .

baby ,  i’m sorry nobody’s here .

you’re sorry we’re alone in the house ?

i could introduce you .

i’m merely here to conduct business .

everyone knows you’re  [ name’s ]  man .

stand down ,  big boy .  all it is to me is interesting .

i’m sexy ,  i’m cute ,  i found it in a boot .

sometimes i feel like you’re keeping me a secret .

love wins ,  after all .

you stay away from us .

even if your family sucks ,  you don’t .

you  …  opposite of suck .

crush ?  don’t say that ,  okay -  not here .

there’s easier ways to say you feel different .

can we go ?  now ?  like ,  right now ?

rule number one ,  we do not work for the enemy !

you’re better than this .

what do you want me to do ?

you wanna see childish ?  how about this ?

i know you  …  and you know me .

what the hell is this place ?

i don’t have my gun !

you have me .

it’s high time we leave this place .

i got you .  i got you .

what did you do ?!  idiot ,  what did you do ?!

all i have is my people .

i owe you nothing .

you may be dumbstruck but you’re not an idiot .

what are you doing sleeping with a pistol under your pillow ?

it’s my bedroom ,  i’ll ask the questions .

i’ve been keeping watch .

we don’t talk about that anymore .

oh my god ,  don’t ever do that to me again !

say hello to my little friend …

in the future ,  if you wanna hurt me  -  just say please .

give me one good reason why i shouldn’t pluck your eyes out like grapes  …  then steal these shades .

i’ve made my own fate .

i knew you could handle yourself .

demons can’t hold their liquor .

you are a welcome sight for these sore eyes .

it’s so good to be home … and in your arms .

extreme makeover ,  homo edition ?  kill the drill .

what choice do we have ?

speaking of the team ,  has anyone seen  [ name ]  since this morning ?

all that matters is he’s safe .

we all did what we had to do to survive .

what’s happening to me ?

i can’t wait anymore .  it’s been over a year .

can you help ?

the price is steep .

i will do anything to get her back .

[ name ] ,  it’s all coming back to me .  i did something terrible .

sweetie ,  it’s okay  –  just  …  spit it out .

any man that would shoot another man in the back doesn’t deserve to be known or remembered .

you miss it ,  don’t you ?

the rules were simpler ,  then .

i don’t have the luxury of getting old and forgetting all the things i’ve done .

i’d like to know the plan before i celebrate it .

they don’t deserve death ,  they deserve to be destroyed .

you look like you need an ambulance .

so we’re dealing with what ,  some kind of hex ?

we need to focus on a cure .

wise words from a leader of tomorrow .

oh ,  great  –  you’ve heard of me .

you listen to me ,  goddammit .

everyone still needs me to keep them safe .

this thing between you and i isn’t over until i say it’s over .

how am i supposed to live a normal life ?  why the fuck would i want to ?

just once i’d like for someone to come in with flowers .

i don’t pick sides .  i’m in it for myself ,  does that sound familiar ?

it’s a compliment .  it’s how we’ve both managed to survive .

noble men do not have the luxury of being neutral in times of war .

i like taking care of you .  i’d be happy to do it for the rest of our lives .

you did something terrible .  but you being you ,  how terrible could it be ?

i come bearing apology beer .

do you wanna hear my sob story ?

i did manage to get my hands on this stupid thing .

you are everything .

hide your kids ,  hide your wives ,  ‘cause we are storming the fucking castle .

can you not do that right now ,  during my rousing speech ?

don’t jump to plan c before we’ve even tried plan a .

wait ,  wait  –  are you sure about this ?

no ,  no  –  GAH ,  I’M GONNA KILL YOU !

i shouldn’t have given up ,  cause that’s what i did .  i gave up .

i let everyone down ,  but today i’m gonna change that .

i need you to kill me .

❝ i care about you. ❞

❝ you mean more to me every single day. ❞

❝ you haven’t been acting right. ❞

❝ i can see you’re hurting. ❞

❝ i just want you to be happy. ❞

❝ if you’re happy, i’m happy. ❞

❝ i’m not going anywhere. i promise. ❞

❝ something’s bothering you. ❞

❝ here. i brought you this. ❞

❝ do you want some? ❞

❝ you don’t have to be embarrassed to cry in front of me. ❞

❝ how can i help? ❞

❝ tomorrow is a new day. let’s go to bed. ❞

❝ don’t worry about it. i’ll take care of it. ❞

❝ i’m not sure. what do you think? ❞

❝ i’m so glad i met you. ❞

❝ you know you can talk to me. ❞

❝ of course i remembered. ❞

❝ you really thought i wouldn’t notice? ❞

❝ is everything okay? ❞

❝ put on your seatbelt. ❞

❝ text me when you get home. ❞

❝ you mean so much to me. ❞

❝ when is the last time you ate something? ❞

❝ when is the last time you slept? ❞

❝ you’ve always been there for me. let me be there for you. ❞

❝ i want to be with you. forever. ❞

❝ we’ll get through this together. ❞

❝ come here. sit down. ❞

❝ you’re all that matters now. ❞

❝ put yourself first. ❞

❝ you deserve this. ❞

❝ you don’t deserve this. ❞

it’s karate. old-school karate.

you got a death wish, kid?

here, hold this ice on your ribs.

karate isn’t only about self-defense. it’s about protecting others.

you may get hurt, but nobody wins by doing nothing.

i’ll get the hell out of here when i’m goddamn good and ready.

because sometimes the scars you can’t see are the ones that hurt the most.

see you, kid.

you’ve learned to channel your anger, but you’re afraid.

my shoulder’s killing me.

well, always remember our first lesson, you. this is for self-defense only.

if you’re not strong on the inside, you can’t be strong on the outside.

i’m gonna pretend you didn’t say that.

i can’t believe i’m saying this, but you’re grounded.

you know those little red stickers that say “further reduced”? that means “spoiled”.

real nice friend you’ve made.

i’ve been having a real rough night.

well, i just feel like i’m coming down with a fever.

you’re saying that in life, i can’t do everything by myself and i have to rely on other people?

you can’t let that bad blood change who you are.

the more help, the better. but first, you need a gi.

i’m asking you to become more than just a soldier, son. you understand that?

also, this is really gonna sting.

look, i know you’re pissed at me. you have a right to be.

hey, rambo. kids are getting hurt.

karate is not a phase. it’s a way of life. you can leave it for a while, but it never really leaves you.

the biggest battle is always the one within.

i broke a kid’s nose. who knew these things were lethal weapons?

you don’t have to worry about me. i can handle myself.

this next part is gonna be really, really hard, okay? but this is the best way forward.

and i kept it under wraps. i didn’t want you to lose focus. needed you at your best.

just don’t forget. being a badass doesn’t mean being an asshole.

hey, wanna get some food? i know a good burger joint.

trust me, sweetheart, you don’t know the half of it.

i was in a bad place. there’s no question about that.

look, i know you’re not 100%, but you got the heart of a champion.

they kicked the fucking shit out of me.

i don’t know how i’m gonna keep going. i don’t feel safe.

and it turned me into an angry and violent kid.

you can get through anything. you know why? ‘cause you got me.

everyone’s got a sob story. that doesn’t give you the right to be a bully.

i did what you taught me. i showed mercy. why did this happen to me?

some people have it good, but the rest of us, we have to fight for every inch of what’s ours.

don’t blame yourself. blame me.

i warned you, but you just had to push it and make it personal.

instead of burying your heads in the sand, and pretending that bullying doesn’t exist, or that you could just get rid of it, what you need to do is teach kids how to defend themselves.

i’m still kind of freaked out about it.

you see what i just did there? that’s called de-escalation.

when something bad happens, you have two choices. you let it tear you down or you let it build you up.

you get back up, and you try it again.

it’s been a little rough lately. it’s nice to have people look out for you.

maybe my right way is different from yours.

the world shows no mercy. so, why should we?

problem is, my “self” is too weak.