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"So, now you know what sex is."
"I knew what it was before, I just... never did it before."
"Of course you wouldn't have. I would have been the first person who thought of fire-proof condoms."
Click!
Togata blew out some smoke and sat up. He looked down at Agni who was staring at the ceiling.
"You okay?"
"Yes."
"...Why did you agree?"
"..."
"...You're unsure yourself, huh?"
"No. I just know you're going to laugh at me."
Togata snickered and scoffed. "You don't know that. Try me."
"..."
"Was it because you wanted to see how it felt?"
"No."
"Was it because you wanted to get off?"
"No."
"Did you want to feel another person's touch?"
"...No."
"..."
"You figured it out, huh?"
"No... cause that definitely can't be why."
"What's your last reason?"
"...Is it because you love me?"
"...Yes."
They were both completely silent. Agni was looking away from him while Togata turned to look at him.
"...That's gay, man. You know I'm a man right?"
"I'm aware, yes."
"Then why do you love me."
"...I like men, I suppose."
Togata took another puff of his cigarette.
"That makes you gay, man."
"Then, I guess I'm gay."
"Damn, I slept with a gay guy."
"Are you not?"
"..." More smoke was blown out. "Most gay guys wouldn't like me. I've mostly had to be a straight girl."
"Why wouldn't gay guys like you?"
"Because most gay guys want another guy who has a dick."
"..."
"...It's kinda shitty, but I've resigned myself to living this sort of life." More smoke. "I've learned to accept my fate. Most guys won't like me unless I play up the femininity."
"...It is shitty." Agni stared at the ceiling again. "I like you. I like you just the way you are, Togata."
"I know."
"...Do you like me?"
The room was practically filled with smoke, however, neither of the two regenerative beings cared, their lungs being able to repair as quickly as they were damaged.
"I do."
"...Is there a 'but' to that statement?"
"...We're immortal."
"And?"
"And I don't know how to handle a partner who could live as long as I do. How to handle one I can't really touch. How to..." Togata took another puff of his cigarette.
"...Have all of your other boyfriends..."
"They're all dead. Living for 300 years will do that, you know." He looked up at the screen where Apocalypse Now was playing. "I don't think we should be together."
"Why?"
"It would get boring. Two depressed people in a world that only gets more and more depressing? Hell no." Puff, puff. "Audiences would think we're just enabling each other and the story gets dry at some point."
"...What does 'depressed' mean?"
"It means 'super sad'."
"I'm not depressed."
"Yes you are."
"..." Agni looked up at him. "You don't seem depressed."
"Thanks, I like not showing it." He blew out more smoke. "I'm kind of numb to everything and so are you, huh?"
"..."
"I knew it." Togata put his cigarette out on the nightstand next to the table. "It would make a bad story. This was a one-time thing. We don't love each other, got it?"
"Why can't we even love each other?"
"Because people who love each other kiss and have sex without protection." Togata stood up and began dressing himself once more. "We can never kiss, we can never fuck without you in a full suit with a condom. It's useless."
"..."
"...I love you, Agni."
"I love you too, Togata."