Petals.
"I can't do this any more. What is it with you and these sudden changes in attitude?" Yang Ling's voice thundered through the room.
"Attitude?" Shen Ruoxi scoffed. "You've never had a problem with it before. What—are you tired of me now?"
"You know that's not what I mean."
"It looks like it, because every damn time I bring this up, you avoid the conversation."
"I…" Yang Ling's voice dropped. "I just need time, Ruoxi. Why can't you understand that?"
"Oh, I understand perfectly."
Yang Ling threw up both hands. "Here we go again."
"I understand that you're trying to avoid all of this. You don't care about me or any of it." Ruoxi's words tumbled out faster. "Do you think I like being this way? I can't help it, you bastard. What the hell am I supposed to do? Tell me!"
His hands trembled at his sides. "You fucker! I'm sick of this bullshit. I don't even know what this is any more."
"Ruoxi…" Yang Ling's expression softened.
"No." Ruoxi raised a hand between them. "Don't give me that. I don't want to hear it."
"What else do you want from me?" Yang Ling's restraint finally snapped. He seized the vase beside him and hurled it to the floor.
It shattered with a loud crash making Ruoxi flinch.
"I've done everything for you!" Yang Ling faced him, chest heaving. "What more do you fucking want, Ruoxi? I can't keep doing this. It's draining me too."
Ruoxi eyes got teary.
"Sometimes…" Yang Ling's jaw tightened. "I think Ignite would be better without you."
Ruoxi staggered. He caught himself against the edge of the table, but the tears had already begun to fall.
Neither of them spoke. Then Ruoxi snatched the keys from the table and rushed from the room.
"Wait—Ruoxi, I didn't—"
The door slammed shut.
Yang Ling stood frozen for a moment before dropping onto the bed, his head in his hands.
"Fuck."
He shot back to his feet and went after him.
