#quests.

It was a Wednesday. The fight, the dumb argument. I don't remember all that it was about -- blankets and pillowcases, I think? I forgot to wash them. I don't even remember why I forgot to wash them, but I know that's why it happened. I wish I said I was sorry. I should have, but I'm an idiot sometimes.

I wish I apologized but I said something stupid instead. That was a dick move of me. I'm sorry, I'm really, really sorry. I'm an idiot, I know.

You're a saint.

You forgave me.

Shutter frowned. His brows knitted, evident frustration in the creases; a pang of guilt tapped against his chest as he wrote these words. These words not trapped, not only in the game but also within himself. 

I wonder how long I'll be in here for. I hope I get out soon. 

We pushed the date back already - you thought June was too cliched, remember? I said it was fine, but you wanted it to be less cliched. What did you say that time, "A special day is supposed to be special, not some cliche that every girl dreams of when they're five!" 

I thought your five year old self was cute.

Especially her dreams.

He looked at the scrawlings he put on the paper. His writing had never looked too neat. He wished they did, especially since what he was writing about was worth more than just chicken scratch. 

A diary. That's what it was supposed to be. So chicken scratch could have been acceptable, but Shutter decided this wasn't going to be a diary entry.

It was a letter.

I don't think I'm going to be walking on graduation alongside you and everyone else. I missing it this year. I'll miss all of it, but I'm proud of you! 

I knew you'd get to the end, even if you would claim the world was crushing you with defeat. I didn't mind driving to get you milkshakes and curly fries at two AM, you know. Burning the midnight oil needs a lot of fuel! Besides, it gave me a reason to visit you.

I might not be at graduation, but I was there with you through every step. I was your biggest cheerleader and we both know I look horrible in a skirt - I still owe you a skirt, sorry for ripping it.

I'm proud of you.

When I get out, I'll be the first person you should tend to. I'll be extra whiney, since I've missed you.

... I miss you.

I can't get over how much I miss you. 

I don't think I've ever missed anyone this much.

A lot of things here remind me of you. The mountains here look amazing - you'd love them if you were here. I'll climb the tallest one and look at the view for you. I wish I had our camera, so you can see it too.

Shutter stopped. He took a deep breath and looked up. It was hard to write when his vision had suddenly become blurry; when tears threatened to fall, it made it hard to see clearly. He rose his arm up, gently wiping away those unfallen tears. 

There was some solace in night's blanket surrounding him, after all.

I know you're going to blame yourself for this, but you shouldn't. You were right, Wade would open up to me in the game and it worked for awhile. We talked and joined forces - we're closer than before.

He worries me still.

I'm trying.

I don't think I'll stop trying, but it gets tough. You always told me to quit whining and get to going - everyone thinks I'm a tough guy, but really, you're tougher than I am. You're kinder, sweeter and more selfless than I am; I'm trying to be as kind and generous and optimistic as you are.

You'd do a better job than I would.

But I'm getting there.

Everyone here is having a tough time. I am too, but you taught me that even the slightest glimmer of hope is enough to help you find your way out.

You're my hope.

Shutter leaned back against the tree trunk. He closed his eyes and only one person showed up. Briefly, he swore he could smell that faint floral scent that graced him in the mornings; those lips he'd tasted so often formed a smile he wished he could see in person again. He didn't want to open his eyes, but as he did, he felt his heart drop.

Virtual reality may have been what some people wanted, but Shutter had something better in the real world.

She was in the real world.

Remember when we went to the beach? You said you already started working on vows and I said I didn't start yet? You shoved a marshmallow in my mouth and told me I was lame, but you said you had faith in me. I told you that I'm no good with words, but right now, I'm looking forward to getting a chance to tell you:

I love you.

I know I did, I have and I do.

You are perfect. You always complain to me when I say that you are - you said you don't believe in perfection. But when I say you are perfect, it doesn't mean Webster's definition - when I say you are perfect, I mean that despite anything and everything that has happened and will happen, I love you wholly and completely. Everything about you is perfect.

You are perfect.

And that's why I'm trying so hard to get out of here. 

I want to see you again.

We have a date to get to and I know you're waiting for it. I don't want to keep you waiting too long. I hate making you wait, so soon.

I'll see you soon.

“So, this is what Thoreau must have felt like,” Levi mused.  Walden was one of the many books that were often left on his desk;  plenty of books were scattered about his apartment, a cacophony of mixed genres and authors.  He wondered if Naxis had any books, or old scriptures and scrolls about the lore of the world.  Video games had their backgrounds and stories.  If the creator had been this detailed in making the world as realistic as possible, he wondered if she managed to make the civilizations of Naxis have their own history.

It wouldn’t surprise him if that were the case.

At this point, Levi had decided to suspend the reality he knew.

Naxis was a different reality.

Gently, he placed his arms behind his head - a more comfortable position for him.  His eyes watched the dark skies above, enjoying their vivid view.  A wave of quiet tranquility washed over him, claiming his entire being.  Despite knowing the dangers that loomed around him, for this moment, Levi felt safe.  His lips pressed together into a gentle smile as he gazed at the stars above.  How many other players were looking at the night sky?  He hoped they felt just as safe.

The man sat up, opening his menu interface.  After pressing a few of the floating images, he held two of his most favored items:  a pen and journal.  As a writer, Levi never left without either.  This game included.  Luckily, Naxis allowed them to write journal entries.  He picked up the familiar pen and jotted down a few lines:

“There's a galaxy in your eyes, One you have yet to realize. A world of wonder to amaze, Let me enjoy your gaze. The skies are bright tonight, But they'd be dimmed by your sight.”

Levi smiled, resting himself back down against the grass.  There were many things in the world of Naxis that he hadn’t fully grasped in its entirety, but at the very least, he still had his words.  Words were the stars to his constellations - as long a he can connect those solitary words together, he can construct a beautiful creation.