iknowucan | Friends in Need; RL with Azula

...Okay, that wasn't a good idea. He slumped more and shook his head. "Don't say stuff like that. I'm just trying to cheer you up."

"I didn't ask you to come here." Truthfully, she was surprised he was sticking around after that.

Ryan didn't believe death threats. They just didn't register for him. "I know that, Azula. I came because I wanted to check in on you. Jeeze!" His head thunked against the wall and he sighed heavily. "I know you're upset, but please don't make threats. I didn't say anything to deserve that."

"Yes you did," she growled. And in her mind, of course, he really did.

He gave her a look. Ryan, being a drama kid and the brother to a drama queen, was very good at these looks. This particular one indicated that he was pretty sure he was the right one here, and that she probably should start considering lightening up. "No, I didn't. I told you that things might get better. There's nothing wrong with that."

"And you have no idea what you're talking about, so don't even bother." She pulled the pillow more firmly over her head, so that she couldn't see him.

"Yes I do! I know all there is to know about being optimistic when stuff gets really difficult." He was kind of glaring at her now, but since he's Ryan, he couldn't really do it very well. "There's nothing wrong with trying to keep a positive look, because if you don't you make those frowny faces that leave ugly wrinkles."

"It's naive. And it's easy for you to say all that; it doesn't even matter to you." She didn't even know why she was bothering to explain; he was obviously an idiot.

"It's not naive! You're happier when you try to be positive. Being happy leads to a longer life. That's why people try to be positive and do yoga and are vegetarians." Even if he's never been a vegetarian before. He knew what he was talking about! "And what do you mean, it doesn't matter to me?"

"I mean it doesn't matter to you." What did it sound like she meant? "You didn't even know her."

"So what?" Ryan looked honestly confused at the idea of not caring about something that wasn't directly affecting him.

Azula, on the other hand, was still always completely baffled by the concept. "So it doesn't matter to you!"

"...What does that have to do with anything?" He blinked at her. "It matters to you, doesn't it?"

She evaded the question. "You're not me."

"Well, no." And he was starting to think he should be grateful for that. "But if it matters to a friend, then it matters to me."

"We're not friends." She curled into herself tighter.

"Yeah, and Chuck's not secretly a nice guy." He looked at her and finally reached out to tug at the pillow over her head - not enough to pull it away, but enough to indicate that it should be gone. "Azula, come on. You're stronger than this."

"I don't want to TALK to you," she half-shrieked, resisting his efforts and even kicking out with her leg. Of course she was stronger than this-- wasn't she? She was supposed to be strong enough to not care at all, about anyone, but that hadn't worked out. And if it didn't deal with war and politics and business, she didn't know how to deal with it. She was angry at that, she was angry at the community, and-- though she wouldn't admit it-- she was angry at herself.

He was starting to believe that Sharpay might actually be easier to deal with than someone else. That was kind of frightening. He recoiled from the kick, even if it was a little impossible to hit him, and tugged harder on the pillow. "Then yell at me. C'mon. You don't need to do this, Azula! You're locking yourself up so no one can help you."

"I don't want your help," she gasped, continuing to resist the tugs. She could feel herself starting to lose control again; this was not what she wanted. If this kept up she might yell, scream, set the room on fire... or-- worst of all-- cry.

It was a sickening thought.

He pursed his lips. How the heck could someone be so stubborn? She was obviously upset about this doctor leaving the community, she was hurt and angry and... she didn't believe it, or something? How did that make any sense?

He gave one last light yank. "Well, I'm making you want it! I don't want to see you like this! I like you better when you're catty and smart - and kind of funny even though you're being super mean. Right now you're just... you don't seem happy!"

When did he decide that Azula had ever been happy? Whatever, he wasn't going to think about it.

Azula jerked up, her face inches from his. "OF COURSE I'M NOT HAPPY!" she shrieked.

Woah okay too close! He slid away from the wall and nearly fell over trying to get a little distance. "You keep acting like you're all right or that you don't need help when it's obvious you do, is all I meant!" He couldn't help but stammer a little bit at the get-go, upset that he had made her even more upset. "I just want you to talk to me so you don't end up... doing something dumb!"

"I don't do dumb things." Azula got to her feet and, with one last scathing look, stomped from the room. She hoped her wouldn't follow her, but she had a feeling that he would.

He frowned and watched her get up. Logically, he knew that when a girl stormed off, he wasn't supposed to follow. He was supposed to let them... calm down. It worked the same with anyone, really. "Azula, hold on," he finally sighed, climbing to his feet and following after her. "I'm sorry, I'm not good at talking to girls who aren't my sister and I know there are, like, rules for this, but I'm just trying to be here for you. You make it awfully hard, though."

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