Shortly after T.A.B had left us to talk amongst ourselves, and the conversation with my friends was finished, I remembered something that I needed to do, and so I decided to talk to Magenta about it.
"That reminds me, I wanted to reward you, Magenta. Is there something you would like me to do for you?" I almost forgot to give Magenta a gift for being able to make us talk to T.A.B. I used to find her mannerism a bit annoying but, she's starting to grow on me.
"If you're talking about what happened previously, then don't bother because it's not necessary." Magenta suggested.
"It's not just about you playing apart in making T.A.B acknowledge me. After thinking it over carefully, I realize that you've always been there with me since the beginning and that I have never appreciated you for it." Lime clarified, She has always been with me even when I was alone and didn't make an effort to talk to the others. It makes me realize how little I appreciated her. he thought to himself.
"Even if you say that, don't you think that…" Magenta paused for a moment, If he's insisting this much, I might as well be selfish. "Okay fine then."
She concluded that she was better off accepting given the fact that Lime wouldn't allow her to refuse. That just goes to show how much she knew Lime's personality.
This would also be a chance for her to ask for something that she had always wanted, but never had the courage to ask.
"Good, I honestly thought you might continue to refuse given how stubborn you are, but I'm glad I managed to convince you." he responded.
Magenta didn't especially like how truthful that remark about her stubbornness was.
"Maybe I should play hard to get, since that's what you clearly want." She teased.
Lime regretted making his earlier statement, "That's not what I meant—"
"I was just teasing." She said with a barely audible chuckle.
The two were flirting, albeit in their own unique way. These back-and-forth banter between the two of them made them feel calm and relaxed. The topic of conversation didn't matter, they could be arguing with one another and still feel relaxed, so long as they were together–just the two of them.
"So, what would you like?" he asked.
"Before I tell you, do you promise that you will do it even if it's unreasonable?" I know that you will do it regardless but, hearing you say it is a nice courage boost.
"Of course, I promise." He asserted, Then again, I don't think that she's the type to ask for something unreasonable in the first place. Well, even if she does, I'll take responsibility and doing regardless.
Lime was prepared to do anything that Magenta asked of him–provided it was something that he was capable of doing in the first place.
"I knew you were going to say that." she said with relief, then she continued. "Before I tell you that, I would like to share a story with you first. Do you mind?" her tone was relaxed compared to before.
"Not at all, by all means please go ahead." She rarely ever speaks like this with me anymore, it's kind of nice when she does.
Magenta is usually careful on how she acts around or with Lime. She always behaves in a way that would leave a favourable impression on him. This meant that most of the time, she was careful not to show him her vulnerability thought at times, she couldn't help but slip up.
This left Lime feeling a bit distant from her though, he was also partly at fault for this. because of his reasons, he was unable to confront her about the matter and chose to revisit it much later on.
—Shortly after the entities had gained sentience —
When I came to, I was alone. I looked around only to see countless others like me. But unlike me, they had already grouped themselves up or grouping up amongst themselves.
For some reason, I was unable to go and join the others. I couldn't move to them, I couldn't call out to them.
I was afraid.
Afraid of being rejected by them. What would I do if I got rejected? Would anyone else ever accept me? I was pondering all sorts of things and before I knew it, everyone had already gone to a group, and I was left alone. All because I was too afraid, because of my own insecurities.
I felt lonely, to the point where I couldn't stand it. Just as I was about to sink in despair, I saw you. You were alone. You didn't approach anyone, nor did they try to approach you. I was relieved, it felt like you were there waiting for me or at least, that's what I thought at the time. That's when I felt a sort of kinship with you.
That's why I decided to approach you but to my surprise, there was more to you than what I initially thought.
"Hey there!" Since she's never talked to anyone, she just spoke as comfortably as she could.
"H-Hello." He was taken aback as he had never talked to anyone before.
"I saw you here being alone and all, so I decided to come and keep you company." Her tone was cheery.
What is she talking about? he thought, "About that, I actually—"
"There's no need for you to thank me." She interrupted, At least now I can finally not be alone. I was beginning to feel unpleasant being by myself.
"I meant that I like being alone. Gives me more time to admire the being that created me." He said, She's too loud and obnoxious and I can't deal with any of this right now. I'm too busy brainstorming ways to be able to talk with him. That said, I can't help but feel like she's sad or lonely…. Or both. For some reason I can't stand seeing her like this.
He had unconsciously started to analize her personality.
Lime had very keen observation skills. Just by having a single conversation with another person–even for a brief moment, he could roughly figure out the kind of person they were. His estimation had a 60% accuracy.
I thought that maybe you and I were the same since we were both alone, but I was wrong. I noticed something about you that made me realize that we weren't the same after all. You were alone but you seemed satisfied, as if you didn't care whether you were alone or with companions. Completely different from me.
You were alone by choice and liked it that way, whereas I was always chasing to be with others but lacked the courage to do so.
Lime and Magenta were opposites. One desired to be alone, and the other desired to be with others.
Looking back, I was too dishonest and impatient with my approach, maybe that's why you didn't want to be with me.
She tried to explain. "Even if you say that—"
He wasn't interested in whatever she had to say. "Look do you mind leaving me alone, you are bothering me."
Lime wasn't being cold or hurtful in his tone, he simply told things as they were.
I thought that I would be a nuisance to you and decided to leave you alone, but you saw through my pain and against your preferences, you let me stay by your side.
"Sorry for bothering you." She said while slowly floating away, I was really hoping that things would work out between us, but I just kept bothering him in the end. I couldn't even master the courage to approach anyone for all this time and the moment I did, I ended up being a nuisance to them. Maybe I should just be alone.
He looked at her and felt the sadness and loneliness that she exuded. From then on, something changed within him. It prompted him to make a decision, one that would forever change his life.
Maybe I was a bit harsh in sending her away, it's not like she has any ill will. Now that I think about it, she was also alone before coming to me and something tells me that she didn't choose to be. I guess it won't be bad if it's just the two of us.
Just when I had already accepted that I would be alone once more, you extended your generosity and allowed me to stay by your side.
"Wait!" He called out, "We can… stay together if you want."
"Really! Do you really mean that?" She asked without hesitation.
It's like she was waiting for it. Well, I have already made my decision so, there's no backing out now. he thought.
One wouldn't think that the two of them could be able to co-exist or live together considering their contrasting personalities. However, it's that contrast that enables them to co-exist together in the first place.
"Of course, I don't mind at all." I don't know why, but for some reason I'd feel guilty just letting her go like that–no, rather it's more like a part of me doesn't want her to feel sad but, I can't tell why that's the case.
"Are you really, really sure about that? Because if you're not then…." She paused, purposefully emphasizing him to confirm.
"Yes, I'm sure." He read her intentions and played along with her willingly.
"I guess I can stay with you then since you want me to. But why did you change your mind all of a sudden?" I'm glad he changed his mind but, I can't help but wonder why…. wait did he perhaps?
"No reason, I just felt like I would attract less attention if I'm with someone rather than being alone." I can't even think of a proper excuse to use.
That was when I realized that you were a bad liar, but your sincerity genuinely touched me and the way you went about doing it was also kind of cute.
She had intended to trick him to letting her stay but realized that her intentions were found out. Perhaps it worked–to some degree. She then became captivated by the fact that he still chose to play along with her regardless of her intentions.
"Hehe." She let out a soft giggle.
I couldn't help but let out a laugh at your response, but I quickly shut myself up out of embarrassment.
"Are you okay?" he asked teasingly.
"Just pretend you didn't hear that okay?" I'm so embarrassed, I just want to disappear.
Lime only continued his teasing. "I thought it was kind of cute, but since you want me to forget–"
"No!"
"No?"
"I changed my mind." All he did was complement me, but it makes me feel happy.
"Now look whose changing their mind." He said in a playful tone.
"Would you stop teasing me." She felt embarrassed, but actually liked it.
For some reason, I like seeing her like this. "Sorry about that, I don't usually act like this. I'll stop myself in the future."
"You don't have to stop, just do it moderately." It's embarrassing to ask but I don't have a choice. If he stops because I told him to, then I wouldn't be able to feel like this again.
"Alright, I understand." he complied.
"Good. Also, you should..."
After that, you and I were together ever since. Even when we met the would be our friends, I was satisfied as long as I was with you. However, I started to feel distant from you. This was because at some point, my feelings for you changed or to be more specific, they evolved. It was something I never expected, and I didn't know how to act in front of you.
Borne from selfishness, greed and perhaps desire, I wanted to be the only one to be with you, to be the only one to understand you, but I knew that you would resent me for that, so I kept those feelings to myself. I hid my feelings so well that even you didn't notice or maybe you were just too busy to do so.
It's ironic. I hid my feelings from you so that you wouldn't found out how pathetic I am but at the same time, I wanted you to know. I wanted you to realize that something was wrong with me. I wanted you to give me your attention like you used to. I wanted you to notice my feelings for you. I wanted you to feel the same way about me that I feel about you.
Once again, I was afraid of being rejected. I couldn't decide whether to tell you about this, or keep it to myself. The only thing I could think to do was hope that you realize my feelings, and make the choice for me.
—Back to the present—
"Well, what do you think? It sounds pathetic right?" After so long, I finally told him. It feels like a burden has been lifted off me though, at the same time, there's something else that worries me.
"…."Lime was silent.
He must be upset with me. I thought that a burden was lifted off me but, I only placed it on you instead. Forgive–
Just as she was struggling internally, Lime spoke.
"I'm sorry." he apologized.
The reason he was silent before was because he was still processing all that information he had just received, not because he was upset or anything like that.
"Why are you the one that's apologizing? There's no reason for you to feel that way."
"No. I knew all along how you felt but ignored it, using my need for recognition as an excuse. Even though I knew, I still left you alone while you were hurting." Lime said in a regretful tone.
Lime felt that Magenta had started acting differently towards him but overlooked it. This left him with immense guilt as he felt as though he was ignoring her pain.
"No! You had no obligation to–"
"You're wrong! I do. After all, I was the one to tell you to stay with me. I was the one who didn't want you to feel lonely and yet still neglected you. So for that, please forgive me." I should have treated you better than that. I'm sorry, Magenta.
"No! You're wrong. I hid my feelings because I wanted you to pity me! I wanted you to pay attention to me! I'm the absolute worst! So please–"
"It's okay to want attention, it's okay to be selfish and it's absolutely okay to want me to yourself because I don't mind. I will gladly do anything as long as it satisfies you. All you have do is ask, so ask me. Ask me and I'll will take responsibility. I will no longer live to satisfy my own desires and ambitions because you made them happen. You gave me what I've longed for and made my dreams come true so now, it's my turn to make your dreams come true."
Lime spoke with absolute confidence. It was the kind of confidence that makes you believe that a person can accomplish anything and everything that they say.
The feelings that were long since pent up inside me are welling up once more however, this time it's different. That's right, this is who you are, this is why I chose to be with you, always. "Really? Do you really mean that?" her tone was soft.
"Of course, I don't mind at all." He responded in kind.
"Are you really, really sure about that? Because if you're not then…."
Just like before, Magenta emphasized him to confirm and Lime, having read her intentions once more, gladly play along.
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Then, what I want....is for us to be together, forever." She spoke with relief in her tone.
"Isn't that already a given?" Lime was genuinely confused for a moment.
"Yes but, I want our relationship to evolve beyond what it is. Not as friends but something more." She elaborated.
"You mean like best friends?" he teased.
"…."
It wasn't very effective.
"Sorry, I was trying to tease you." She's very upset. I need to choose my next words very carefully. "Do you mean something like partners."
"Yes, but more specifically, lovers."
"Lovers? As in derived from the feeling of love?"
Lime had finally caught on.
"Exactly. I don't think someone like you can fully understand what it means but yes."
"You're right, I don't fully understand but I understand enough to know that it feels right." he confessed.
Whether that was true or he simply wanted to impress her will forever remain a mystery.
"Hehe, that's better than nothing I guess."
"I see that you're no longer embarrassed by your cute giggle." He said teasingly.
"Well, we're lovers now. It's only natural that I feel at ease showing you my cute side." She replied in the same tone.
"Alright, but since I also like your embarrassed side, does that mean you'll show me." He joked.
"Let's put it on hold for now, okay?"
Lime didn't expect a serious response to his joke, this made him momentarily startled.
"Take your time. By the way, I guess we have to tell the others about our special relationship." he realized.
"Yes, but there's no rush. Let's enjoy our private time a little while longer."
Unfortunately, we didn't get to spend much time alone. We were interrupted by our friends and decided to tell them about how my relationship with Magenta had changed.
I still don't understand everything about love but, as long as I'm with Magenta, and as long as she's happy, then I'm satisfied.
Perhaps this is what it means to love, being able to make the one who means the most to you happy, and the satisfaction borne from making them feel that way. At least, that's how I feel.
The two of them were polar opposites. One who desires to be alone, and another who desires to be amongst others. However, regardless of this fact, the two of them proved to be a perfect match for one another. Together, they would live their lives in happiness.