Disclaimer: I do not own Pretear.

Rated for: Gloomy thoughts.

Enjoy!

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Quit Playing Games

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Written from a third person narrative

For the next few months life for Mannen was not easy. Having to hide from Goh and the others was not enjoyable especially considering that they were always around and trying to help, to desperately find out what has come about to make Mannen so upset. The usually vigorous Mannen was now constantly locked up in his room letting no one inexcept an occasional meal. His daily life was filled with only few events such as sitting by himself and contemplating, reading and other such things so unlike the young male ordinarily so full of life.

When asked to be talked to by others, Mannen would always wave off the request saying he has no need to speak to anybody for the time being, or at all for that matter. Many knights and even Kei missed him tremendously and worried daily.

And such was another casual day when Mannen would once again sit by his window and think of how horrid his life has become. Thinking of ways to come out of this situation, maybe even leave, which he would have done a long time ago if not for others guarding him constantly. All he wanted was to run away and not have to deal with pain which was once again tightening his already fragile heart. Unless Goh's mind will take an unprecedented turn of events or he by some miracle would fall in love with Mannen, no such pain will ever leave him. Mannen doubted that an escapade would be the correct choice either, considering that no matter which part of the world his feet would lead him to, Goh and Goh only will eternally reside in his mind and heart.

'How have I gotten into this misery, how –'

Knock! Knock! The light sound of someone tapping at his door was heard.

Checking the clock, Mannen knew that his lunch would not be delivered until two hours later, as scheduled, thus concluding that it's none other but one of his usual intruders. Mannen sighted heavily and tiredly rolled his eyes.

"Go away, I want to talk to no one!" came the familiar reply from Mannen's lips.

Yet the now more persistent knocking continued, strongly determined for victory. Even as Mannen's angry voice kept shoving it away, the mysterious person wound not let up, knocking louder and louder each time. Finally, Mannen, with more ire and irritation than ever stilled his screaming and marched heavily towards the door ready to pound the person down so brutally, that even the most robust of all giants would tremble in submission.

"I said I wish to speak to NO ONE !" he once again yelled before noting the one standing behind the wooden door.

As Mannen lifted his fist high, putting all the might and power into the punch the other would be forced to accept, he lastly opened his eyes and looked at the one he was about to pound.

Mannen's heart stilled and his hand involuntarily felllimply at his sideas he gazed down at the innocent trembling faces of Shin and Hajime. Shin's eyes watered with tears of fear and sadness, Hajime's cringed with emotion. Mannen instantly felt like a fool and the biggest idiot of all time. When seeing the trembling figures of both his friends, he realized that they have probably come to see him and to talk openly about his problems because they were worried. The last thing Mannen wanted was to bring pain and suffering to his friends, yet that is exactly what he ended up doing. His own state of being was never supposed to harm either of them, and as those thoughts flooded his mind, his heart and soul filled with self-hatred, forcing Mannen to drop to his knees. His head fell back, hitting the door frame and tears leaked out from under the shut eyelids.

'They must loathe me now more than ever, not only I am gay and in love with a close friend, I have now nearly harmed them as well. They have the right to scathe me if they want, I deserve it.'

As Mannen was about to fall deeper and farther into his dark state of mind, he suddenly realized that he is being enveloped in soft, comforting warmth, which he thought existed no longer.

Reluctantly he came to and opened his eyes which revealed the strangest thing. Instead of hurting or bashing him with hateful words, both Shin and Hajime were holding him from both sides right there in the floor next to his door. This action was so unexpected to him, that he gazed at both of them with childlike curiosity, for an instant forgetting his pain. Shin and Hajime raised both their gazes towards his and smiled.

They were now a mess on the floor hugging each other, smiling and crying simultaneously.

"Everything will be alright Mannen, don't worry" came the comforting voice from either one or the other. Mannen did not really care now, he was just happy to be still accepted by his friends. The instant feeling of being loved surrounded him wholly and began fulfilling him with all the right senses.

After a few minutes or hours, they crawled back to Mannen's room and shut the door. With a buckle of knees they slid onto the couch by the window, previously occupied by Mannen, and settled for a for an Oolong cup of tea, each.

As they sat quietly for a few more minutes sipping their teas, Mannen finally felt comfortable enough to talk to his friends of what has come about. So long he had secretly wanted to get everything off his heavy chest, that now consequences felt imprudent. All he wanted to do was share his painful thoughts of his love for Goh with his closest companions.

/to be continued…/

Once again thank you for reading. Write your honest response, and be fair. Hopefully I will write again soon.

Until next time.

kisses,

mirageangel