#vipwatermelon

"Is there value in your pain?" Sylus tried a different approach.

"What?"

"How much is your pain worth?" His hand spread on the arm rest as he leaned in, his face inches from their own. This time, they shrunk away from him, unsure how to answer.

"That isn't the point-"

"Then why do you let yourself suffer?" They've been on this unmerry-go-round before, and Jay continued to give deflecting answers. This time, however, Sylus was not backing down. He gently grasped their chin to look into his ruby eyes, an eerie glow within them, or just the one, but it vanished as soon as Jay could notice. After a moment of silence, Jay answered.

"It's weird, but when I get really happy with you, it feels weird. It feels wrong. When I get these aches or I feel bad, it makes up for that joy."

"Makes up for it?"

Jay's gaze lowered to the ground. "I know how you feel about this, but it doesn't change that I- it doesn't feel right. I am supposed to be sad or in pain. If I'm not then, something is wrong."

Sylus didn't move for a moment. The air conditioning system turned on, an almost imperceptible switch. The sound of ruffled feathers denoted Mephisto perching just outside the window. The discomfort in vulnerability began to subside as Jay hoped this was the end of the conversation, their confession. But as he tried to get up, Sylus grabbed their wrist and gently held it in his hands, which engulfed their own.

"Who made you feel this way?"

There was no hesitation, only a thoughtful moment. "I grew up not having good friends. My friend group manipulated me, but being a naïve, undiagnosed neurodivergent child, I thought they were my friends." Their eyes became hazed in a collection of memories. "I spent half my childhood being manipulated by peers, and the other half being taught reality slightly wrong. It's hard to unwork that kinda shit."

They looked at him, "Sylus, please say something."

His red eyes met theirs. Something melted in his eyes, to something Jay didn't recognize was in their expression. They became wrapped in his embrace, warm and safe. "Your joy is worth more than your pain." When he pulled away, he held their face in just his palm and spoke in almost a whisper. "You've been through enough pain. Let me take care of you, sweetie."