I LOVE YOU BUT NEVER IN THAT WAY.

[notaustralian]

Wer: Ludwig und Roderich.
Wenn: August 3rd, Tuesday morning.
Wo: Liberty Counseling Office.
Was: Therapy gone wrong. Terribly wrong.

Comments

WHY YOU HURT ME LIKE THIS?

[notaustralian]

Roderich's throat scorched as Ludwig's words sank in. He brought his eyes down to his own knees and stared at the ever-increasingly interesting seams on his black trousers. He knuckled his fists, teeth grinding the inside of his mouth.

"That's good, that's very good," the smiling Doctor Kim Keiser said. "And now, it's your turn, Roderich. Say what you feel."

One had to wonder just why these two men had not stand right up and left the room. Roderich shifted his legs, almost as if he was trying to get into a comfortable. He still couldn't bring himself to look at Ludwig in the eyes, an act that previously had taken him no effort at all. Instead, the therapist drilled holes through him, and it made him shift even more on the couch, making odd noises as the fabric grunted.

"Ludwig is my... best friend as well," Roderich said with his eyes to the therapist. He only continued to speak after she had nodded her head in approval. "But... I'm afraid... I have done something to... uh... ruin that relationship."

He found his eyes on Ludwig's shoes.

"I said something that I probably shouldn't have."

He found his eyes on Ludwig's knees.

"... even if I meant every word."

[mein_einsamkeit]

"Said something?" Ludwig echoed. "Such as?"

Dr. Keiser put a finger to her lips. "Please, let me ask the questions, Ludwig. This is a safe space, and your tone-" Her gums must have been numb by now. "-is one that might be described as 'interrogating.'"

Ludwig's face fell. "Allow me to rephrase. Erm... what... instance were you referring to, Roderich?"

[notaustralian]

Roderich dropped the subject immediately. He pulled his glance away from Ludwig’s direction and studied the duplicate copy of Van Gogh on the wall. Dr. Keiser was watching his every movement like a Big Brother monitor. He felt a sudden urge to cover his face and kept turning away from Ludwig.

“It’s… ah, nothing,” he said at last. “It’s a matter of no consequence.”

The doctor only widened her smile in displease. She shook her head, alternating her eyes between Ludwig and Roderich. She clicked her pen, uncrossed her legs, and lingered on a thought for a moment.

“When was the last time you two kissed?” she asked like she was asking if the sky was blue. “Or made love?”

Roderich’s heart stopped beating.