A short scene between our OCs Lyrik Cross and Blake Hamming.
"I wish I was like you," the words stumbled out of Lyrik's mouth before she could stop them. Their body then froze, the joints all locking in place, and they averted their gaze.
"Like me?" His friend chuckled, giving him a glance. "I don't believe you should be comparing yourself to someone like me."
"... I'm aware." A sigh escaped Lyrik along with her murmured reply. Why did they say that, anyway? Nothing about their conversation prompted such a statement. He anxiously messed with his long ginger and brunette hair, running his fingers through each thick strand.
"You are, huh." The man's grayish blue eyes lingered on her face. "But I haven't told you anything about my past, have I?"
"Oh-" Lyrik gasped, and then proceeded to giggle, shaking her head. "I didn't mean it like that, Blake." They corrected him honestly. "I just... Have a habit of making comparisons, is all."
"Mm..." Blake nodded slowly with a hum. "Why is that?" His wonder slipped into an innocent question, causing the other to flinch. Her shoulders stiffened.
"Why?" They echoed instinctively. Surely, he couldn't be serious about this.
"Yes. Are you afraid to tell me?"
"No, no... I just--" Lyrik's voice cut out, followed by a pause. "It's difficult for even me to understand. My mind is quite the enigma, you see." A long few beats of silence passed.
"That's a lie, isn't it?" The blonde one challenged. "You don't have to be dishonest with me. You're aware of that much, are you not?" Silence stretched between them as he contemplated his options. Blake could practically see the gears turning in her mind, calculating outcomes and testing the waters. "I promise, I won't tell anyone." A warm grin spread across his face. He tried to reach for them, to put a hand on their shoulder, but their body shifted and turned away from him. He quietly put his hand back in his lap.
"... Promises are always empty under the right circumstances."
"For most people, perhaps." He shrugged, leaning against the icy wall. "But I am a man of my word. You can guarantee that, Lyrik."
"Only in your mind, my friend." Blake attempted to assure him. The young adult bit her lip, the couch creaking under her weight as she moved further from him. "This isn't healthy for you."
"What do you know?!" Something snapped inside their mind, and they whipped around to face the short-haired blonde again.
"Many things, across many lives. As do you." His reminder made something click. A forgotten time flooded his mind-- a time where he and Blake were different, and perhaps... Closer than they were now. A warm sensation filled their chest. Maybe... She could trust him. But just this once.
"... Fine, you win. Congratulations!" Lyrik remarked, their words dripping with a sarcastic tone. "If you must know, and clearly you do... I envy everyone around me. Not their entire character-- just bits and pieces. Traits that I want for myself, but am forbidden to have, as is my nature." His confession came out all wrong-- sharp and demeaning-- in a way that made Blake's brow furrow as his smile turned to a frown.
"Nothing but." She confirmed with a short-lived, forced grin.
"I see..." Blake's eyes darted around as if he were searching for something important. He then returned his gaze to Lyrik, his face hardening with a serious look. "You are not forbidden anything, Lyrik. Do not restrict yourself of any right."
"Hmph. And here I thought you would understand..."
"I do. But I likewise know of a greater truth-- the truth of expectations." He began to explain. "When you assume something to be right, your mind has no reason to disbelieve. If you do not go searching for proof- you will absorb whatever information you were fed, much like a sponge, and grow weak with lies."
"Yes, they are mighty strong. But they target people's strengths and break them." A pause. It gave Lyrik time to breathe-- to think-- and they were starting to see Blake's perspective. Not that it was correct in his eyes, but... "I am trying to convey an important lesson: your thoughts will shape your character. If you believe that you are incapable of growth and change, then you will be. It is very simple."
"Sure, but I'm really not--"
"Because that is the reality you created for yourself." He cut her off to continue making his point. "Now, will you tell me what it is that you envy?"
"Oh, please. I've said enough. You're just scolding me now." They huffed and crossed their arms.
"Not at all! I am attempting to help you. But if you seriously do not want my assistance... I will leave you alone."
"That would be appreciated." Lyrik's eyes wandered back to Blake's face, their own barbed with hostility. "Go on, then. Leave."
"Alright, alright." Blake huffed and stood up, cracking his back and knuckles as he did. "I will see you later, Lyrik. Please think about what I said in the meantime." His thumping footsteps faded away into the background after he left the room, leaving him to his solitude once more.
"What a headache..." She groaned. "Who does he think he is? Last I checked, he was not the fallen god of wisdom." The room around them seemed to shrink a little, so they sprawled out on the couch to give themself more room. "Meh meh meh-- your thoughts will shape your character! Oh, give me a break."
He buried his head into the nearest pillow, punching it once before he settled down, and then whined softly. Was he actually right? No, he couldn't be... Lyrik had sealed her fate long ago.
Their thoughts began to spiral as they drifted into unconsciousness, thereafter enjoying a dreamless sleep.
Maybe one day they would understand each other.
