24 (forward dated slightly)

[takethat]

[In the early morning hours of Sunday, there are some smudged words appearing in the journals, written in blue ink and a sloppy hand. For once, he's heeding the possibility that most of the castle residents are likely still sleeping--and he's trying to be quiet.]

It's November 11.

I've been here for a year today.

[He pauses, considering how far he's come in that past year, contemplating what he does and doesn't want to list out for the whole castle to see. In the end, he settles on a very brief little written list, more for the benefit of his own memory than anything else.]


In November, I got here.
In December, I kissed Maya Fey and Geoffrey Chaucer, and I went to Paris.
January brought Miles.
In February, I gained my voice back again.
March saw some really amazing birthday gifts.
In April, Sunflower found me.
In May, I was a mermaid, a phoenix, and a father.
In June everything started to make a lot more sense.
July took away my closest friend in this place, and also gave me something more.
In August, I tried to lead artists.
In September, I met my daughter.
And in October, I broke my leg, lost my arm, became a pony, and existed in others' nightmares.

Let's see what you've got to throw at me for this next year, castle.


[And then, because it's been far too long coming, he scribbles in a filter.]


[ Maya Fey ]

Maya. I need to tell you something.

Comments

[takethat]

So I get to sit next to you while you judge me? Breathing the same air as someone and celebrating a holiday with them are two vastly different things.

[cantacquityou]

[A silent sigh.] ...I'll get you a gift.

[takethat]

It's kind of... past the point now. Forget it. Maybe Trucy will celebrate with me.

[cantacquityou]

I am sure she would if you ask. Emphasis on..."ask".

[takethat]

...if you're heavily implying that I should have asked you... then no, I shouldn't have. There are some things that are just a given in a relationship. Or should be.

[And were the roles reversed, he'd do whatever Miles wanted in an instant. He sighs.]

Maybe I'll spend Hanukkah with GLaDOS and Wheatley. They'd probably be interested.

[cantacquityou]

I do not think it works quite like that. After all, you're saying that I should have prepared for a tradition that I've never once in my life celebrated nor know a great deal about. I do not expect you to read the books that I read, to attend the lectures or debates that I do, nor to share in many such other enjoyments that you've oftentimes deemed "boring," even though I'd love you to. Yet these, too, are very central to my way of life. The concept of expecting someone to have made such an adjustment prior to at least discussing it with them contradicts a bit with the idea of accepting them as they are, does it not? And here, I thought that was given.

[takethat]

I'm only saying you should've prepared to deal with the fact that I'd want you to be involved with the holidays with me. That's what seems like a given.

You want me to read something you've read? You want me to go to a lecture with you? I will. Compromising and... and... you know, sharing interests and hobbies and traditions... that's all a part of this. And I'm more than willing to do all that.

[cantacquityou]

Phoenix, just what good would it do to have you take part in that of which displeases you? It certainly would defeat the purpose of hoping that you would enjoy them with me. I thought that "First Date" of ours proved so in of itself.

[takethat]

I seriously doubt I would be displeased by sharing in your interests with you. That's part of a relationship, Miles. If we just carry on both doing our own thing forever and never trying to get involved, then... that's not really a relationship.

And heck. I might actually like some of the stuff you like if you'd give me a chance to. You never know.

[cantacquityou]

...It has already happened many a time before, Phoenix, in which you've expressed discomfort at my attempts, claiming that you've felt "stupid," not..."classy enough," or otherwise "inadequate."

I am not preventing you from doing any of these things...the chances are there. I generally let you know of my plans. My room and bathroom are lined with the sort of books I read. You are more than welcome to join me in anything should you wish to. All in all, is it not better to simply share in mutual interests? After all, no two people are going to be exactly alike. I do not like the beer that you drink and you don't like much of the wines or teas that I prefer, and in many cases, no amount of sharing is going to make us like what we do not. There is nothing wrong with that. Having individual interests is inevitable and does not necessarily mean that we are "doing our own thing forever."

[takethat]

Regardless of how I feel, I can keep trying.

I don't mean that we have to share everything, but the holidays are important to me--they were important to my family when I was growing up and they're important to me now. And you're equating these books and lectures and interests of yours with being as major in your life as a religion. If they're that big of a deal, then I just didn't realize that, and I can try... even harder.

And clearly you don't know all that much about what I will or won't like. I love wine.

[cantacquityou]

[An amused eyeroll]..."The wines and teas that I prefer," I specified...

Look, I simply equated them only in the regard of both being parts of our ways of life. When I entered into this, it was after a long time of deliberating and accepting that I could not deny the feelings I had despite being keenly aware of our differences. Therefore, try if you feel you must, Phoenix, but I do not want you to force upon yourself any of my interests to appease me. It is not, and never was, my intention to turn you into me.

[takethat]

I'm not trying to turn myself into you, either. I don't want to be just like you! But just think how happy you'd be if I surprised you... read a book you really liked and could talk with you about it. And maybe I wouldn't love the book, but I would adore making you that happy.

[cantacquityou]

...I suppose it would be rather nice to be able to have more discussions of the sort with you, but it would also once again mean that you're doing it to appease me, rather than out of enjoyment.

[takethat]

You're missing the point. I'd get something out of it too... I'd be happy because I'd be making you happy. That's what I'd enjoy.

That's being in a relationship.