Love Suite

You have unlocked a Love Suite Key. Would you like to use it?

Stranger: (...Ah. The Love Suite. I was told that whoever I meet here will have me play a role of their "ideal"...)

Stranger: (...Jasper's ideal...what would that be...?)

Jasper: "..."

He's quiet. Very quiet. He's staring at Stranger...perhaps, expectantly.

Stranger: And Stranger, confused as to what he wants, stares back. For a good few minutes, it feels like a stare-off between the two of them...

(...Does he want me to initiate this? ...Guess I have to.)

Stranger: "...Something wrong, Jasper?"

Jasper: "O-Oh, uh-"

Jasper wraps his tail around his leg, stepping back a little. "I just find it odd how...calm you're being toward me, hah."

Stranger: "Calm?" He's confused. What exactly does Jasper see him as...? "I don't think I'm normally too much, am I?"

Jasper: "No, no, but...with everything that's happened...I know you like using me as a bit of a punching bag."

Stranger: "Punching bag--? Hold on, kid, what are you talking about?"

His face has shifted to a rather concerned expression...is this guy alright?

Jasper: "Well, ah, it's just..."

He sighs.

"I don't like seeing you stressed, you know that. And with all of the things we're trying to do...I kind of want you to beat me up sometimes. I'm fine with it...so long as you're happy."

Stranger: ...He thought Jasper would have a normal sort of ideal, but this is quickly proving him wrong. If this is his ideal...does he actually enjoy stuff like that?

"I...I don't really like hurting you, bud. I might get angry sometimes, but...it doesn't make me happy, you know?"

Jasper: "...Oh."

He frowns. "I'm, sorry..."

His voice seems a little bit weak. Shaky. Wobbly. Tears well up in his eyes.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry..."

Stranger: "Hey, hey-"

Stranger can't help himself. He gently comes over and hugs the little guy, patting him on the back.

"No need to be sorry. You did what you thought was best for me...but I don't want you to suffer for my sake, alright?"

Jasper: "!!"

He seems surprised, his tail shooting up a bit...but he eventually calms himself down.

"P...Perhaps..."

Jasper speaks just above a whisper.

"...You still are the kind prota I thought you were."

Stranger: ...Those words...what did Jasper mean by them?

Who did Jasper know that treated him like this...did he really see them as an "ideal", or is this the only "ideal" he's ever known?

...Stranger was too nervous to try and probe the boy. It might shatter the illusion of this place, even, and how awkward would that be?

...All he found himself able to do was hug him tightly and provide some comfort, and he hated that it was the extent of his power.

[ Suite End ]

back?