✕▌ this is not love.

     Consider him SHOCKED at the suddenness of the question, cold dread already gnawing at him, that familiar tightening deep within his chest whenever the other was involved now difficult to ignore. SUFFOCATING ISOLATION. At the back of his mind, he knew he would feel exactly that if Takano did pas – if such a thing should happen. At the back of his mind, he was well aware that SORROW - far too strong to be cloaked with lies & denials & constant reassurances that everything was fine - would eat at him. EXPERIENCE of having to deal with Takano being out of his life before has told him so. 

   For another minute Ritsu remained as he was -- silent, rendered speechless. How was one supposed to put into WORDS emotions that even now he had no idea what to do with? Had no idea how to deal with. Emotions that even now have NOT been uttered outwardly lest he’d feel as if he was to LOSE himself. There were no words for this, not ever.

                                                ❛ I’d rather not think about it… ❜ 

                             ❝    the past is in the past.                     the person I love is the present you.   ❞