Private Finished Sorry Doesn’t Always Cut It

It had been a rough 24 hours for Eli. He felt like he could possibly drag himself to the community center, find Tomomi, apologise. Instead, he left in pain, exhausted, and with more apaologies than before. He wanted to take it all back, he shouldn’t have reacted like that, especially to a child.

But, ever since he was informed he was half-demon, he’s had doubts. He always believed his parents were his parents, but... he didn’t actually look like his father. He knew in his heart that his mother had an affair, but he couldn’t admit it to himself.

He had avoided his apartment. After a recent visit from the police, he wanted distance. He didn’t want to be a bother to anyone anymore, even if he was dying. He’d just... wandered after the community center the previous day. He wanted to go back, but instead, he decided to sit on a bench in the park. He’d probably been there for a couple hours, staring off into space.

@Keen

Eli saw Rei as he walked through the park. Eli still sat on the bench, and he felt like a deer in headlights. He’d been getting that feeling a lot lately. He didn’t know Rei well, but from what he could tell, sorry doesn’t usually cut it. He didn’t want to sacrifice more family... if Rei was family, if he really was, Eli didn’t want to mess up. Not again.

But truthfully he was scared. After how he tried to apologise the previous day, after he had some issues to think through, he got the response he deserved. But, he couldn’t help wanting to make it right. Besides, he could possibly learn of his own heritage this way. He needed to accept the circumstances of his own existence, but he wanted to find out how they came to be as well.

He stood up, his head swam a little. He had one idea that could possibly work. Ever since these vaccine canisters were put up, Eli had felt like something was so close to happening. He just had to give in. He got the gut feeling it was his demon side. The back pain and eyes only happened when he was stressed. But if he had family, family from his demon side he could get close to. He’d risk it.

He approached Rei, and he lost confidence with every step he took. Until finally he was there. “Um, hello Rei. Look, before you... leave, which I wouldn’t blame you, I want to apologise again.” He truly sounded apologetic. Honestly, he looked about as bad as the last time he went to the community center. Not the time he couldn’t walk and felt overwhelmed by everything, but the time he worried his friends and felt terrible ever since.

@Keen

Eli didn’t look down, and tried to not flinch at Rei’s words. He was an adult, he needed to at least try and act like it. “I haven’t had any family for a long time. It surprised me when you said I was a relative.” He tapped his fingers against his leg, as quietly as he could. It probably was his most noticeable tell for anxiety.

He quickly stuffed his hands into his pockets. “I was an ass. I shouldn’t have gotten angry at you, and I understand you being angry with me.” He was really trying the heart to heart approach. There was no lie in his words, and he wasn’t trying to sugar coat.

He wanted to risk it. He had family still. Even if Rei didn’t want to speak to him again, there was likely other family. He hasn’t had the hope of family for a while. “Look... I am half-demon. Ever since these canisters went up, I can feel it there. Honestly, I feel just giving in... would bring it out. It’s... a risk I think I am willing to take.” The reason he said risk was because of the pain. His back and eyes. He had the distinct feeling that if he did this, if he gave in, he would be in for a world of pain.

He really tried hard not to flinch, but he couldn’t help but to flinch a little. The circumstances were wildly different, and the words didn’t cut nearly as deep, but Eli got a little bit of deja vu. Not the good kind.

He tapped his fingers in his pockets. Glad that Rei couldn’t see his obvious anxiety. He slowly nodded with a deep exhale. “Okay. I understand.” He sounded upset, hurt. But he sounded like he accepted this, like he wasn’t surprised. He didn’t sound angry, or completely upset.

He wanted to clutch onto a little hope, that he could feel like he had family again. But, he felt it’d be better to distance himself. He nodded again. “I wish you a good day, I once again apologise. Goodbye.” He started walking away from Rei. With every step, he felt a flare of pain. It was gonna be a rough day.