Allegory of Virtuous Love, c. 1620, by Jean Ducamps

⠀ let’s just smash it😁 ⠀

⠀ let’s run up our credit cards together🫶 ⠀

⠀ you talk about him like he’s a dog with a chronic shaking disorder. 😭 ⠀

⠀ i’m sure he’d love the attention ⠀

⠀ ( mumbling, brooding, etc. ) ⠀

⠀ ( completely monotone. ) i support you. i know you can’t help it etc, etc. ⠀

⠀ i think you know why. how many times have we had this conversation? ⠀

⠀ i care about you. that’s all it is. ⠀

⠀ i think everything you do is lovely. i just think you deserve better than what you settle for. ⠀

⠀ we can drop it. do you still want to see each other later? ⠀

⠀ right, okay. apologies. can i ask how you’re feeling? ⠀

⠀ ( they’re unconfident of any notion to continue that wouldn’t further upset her, given mostly to the belief they are, at least in part, the cause. instead, they just nod to acknowledge her frustration indiscriminately, hoping it’s taken as a wordless cue to continue. ) ⠀

⠀ ( immediately, their gaze flits to the floor, casting her momentary privacy as their arms fold behind their back nervously. ) apologies. ( after adjusting, they glance back up at her, a little softer. ) do you want to talk about it? ⠀

⠀ ( their heart twists itself into a heavy knot. part of their mind begins to trail away at the thought of taking care of her again. ) no worries. i really am. please tell me, am i making it worse? you’ve had a long day as is. ⠀

⠀ ( they nod in acknowledgement, easing up once it seems the misunderstanding has simmered. ) i’m sorry you have a lot on your plate. what’s been going on? ⠀

⠀ ( ً. ) ⠀

⠀ you do have a lot going on. i’m sorry for that. i’m free tonight, & i know you aren’t——is there anything i can take off your hands? you know i run through paperwork fast. i know you have it under control. i just want to make sure you have some time to breathe, too. ⠀