[He doesn't step too far into the room. He's second-guessing everything now. Is Souji just... going along with dating Yosuke because it's what Yosuke seemed to want? Souji'd said at the start that he wanted to try but wasn't sure how it'd work out.
If Souji isn't actually wanting this for himself, if he's so quick to move on if Yosuke wanted to move on, then...]
Just- It... I dunno, man. You said all that and. I guess I just gotta ask, why would I be happier not dating you?
[Because I’m not good enough is the answer that Souji immediately thinks but doesn’t say. He’s too accustomed to not speaking about himself, about his fears and insecurities. Why trouble anyone else with what goes on in his head?]
Hm … well, I can imagine a number of reasons, but I think you could speak on that better than I could.
[He hadn’t been able to prevent Yosuke from being killed, after all. Yosuke may’ve said it wasn’t Souji’s fault, but Souji has a hard time believing that.
He may as well ask straight out and get this over with.]
[How long has Yosuke been holding onto these doubts? Souji’s heart sinks a little. He must not have been clear enough about his contentment with their relationship for some time now. He follows Yosuke and sits down near him, a comfortably close distance without crowding.]
Yosuke, I love you. You are so important to me, and there is nothing that makes me happier than being with you.
[Souji’s the one screwing things up, clearly. He folds his hands together on his lap.]
I didn’t say that you could date someone else because I’m not happy being your boyfriend. I said that because I want you to be happy, and I never want to be what holds you back from that. [He smiles ruefully.] I know I’m not the same as the guy you knew back in Inaba. A lot happened.
[He’s still grieving Nanako, and he’s closed himself off from most of his bonds. Without those connections, he is a hollower person. Souji’s at least self-aware enough to recognize that he may not be as much fun to be around now.]
I think … the worst possible thing would be losing you entirely. Especially if I’m the one who drove you away. Does that make sense?
[Listening to that, Yosuke feels like he's starting to understand Souji's feelings a bit better. And it makes his own heart ache a bit. That Souji would think he's holding Yosuke back...]
It does. I just- You've never held me back. [He says it firmly.] All you've done since I met you was make me want to run forward and get even stronger.
[But from there, he looks up to the ceiling thinking a bit. He can only imagine what happened with Nanako has affected Souji more than he's willing to let on. And that's not something Yosuke can really talk about, not without having experienced it himself.]
I don't think you could lose me entirely, not willingly, anyway. It'd have to be a literal god or something that kicks me out of your life. [He smiles at Souji a little, hoping that helps the anxiety.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2026-04-20 08:37 am (UTC)If Souji isn't actually wanting this for himself, if he's so quick to move on if Yosuke wanted to move on, then...]
Just- It... I dunno, man. You said all that and. I guess I just gotta ask, why would I be happier not dating you?
no subject
Date: 2026-04-20 01:39 pm (UTC)Hm … well, I can imagine a number of reasons, but I think you could speak on that better than I could.
[He hadn’t been able to prevent Yosuke from being killed, after all. Yosuke may’ve said it wasn’t Souji’s fault, but Souji has a hard time believing that.
He may as well ask straight out and get this over with.]
Are you happy with dating me?
no subject
Date: 2026-04-25 04:56 am (UTC)But no.
He forces himself to sit. Be patient. Let Souji figure his thoughts out; he's always been methodical and thoughtful, there's no sense rushing him.
But when he's asked, Yosuke looks a little surprised.]
I am! Yeah, I am. It's new, and I still feel like I'm figuring things out and screwing up sometimes. But... I am happy. I just... worry you're not.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-25 09:22 pm (UTC)Yosuke, I love you. You are so important to me, and there is nothing that makes me happier than being with you.
[Souji’s the one screwing things up, clearly. He folds his hands together on his lap.]
I didn’t say that you could date someone else because I’m not happy being your boyfriend. I said that because I want you to be happy, and I never want to be what holds you back from that. [He smiles ruefully.] I know I’m not the same as the guy you knew back in Inaba. A lot happened.
[He’s still grieving Nanako, and he’s closed himself off from most of his bonds. Without those connections, he is a hollower person. Souji’s at least self-aware enough to recognize that he may not be as much fun to be around now.]
I think … the worst possible thing would be losing you entirely. Especially if I’m the one who drove you away. Does that make sense?
no subject
Date: 2026-05-03 08:54 am (UTC)It does. I just- You've never held me back. [He says it firmly.] All you've done since I met you was make me want to run forward and get even stronger.
[But from there, he looks up to the ceiling thinking a bit. He can only imagine what happened with Nanako has affected Souji more than he's willing to let on. And that's not something Yosuke can really talk about, not without having experienced it himself.]
I don't think you could lose me entirely, not willingly, anyway. It'd have to be a literal god or something that kicks me out of your life. [He smiles at Souji a little, hoping that helps the anxiety.]