Separate

"I'm leaving you."

"What?"

"I'm done. I just...I can't... I just can't do this anymore."

"Do what?"

"This."

"You know I've only done what's best for you. I don't get where this is coming from."

"Oh, don't you start that. You know very well where this is coming from. You think you've done what's best for me."

"You're the one who said—"

"Don't...start that. Please. Don't start that now. I don't need to hear it."

"...but...isn't it true? I've been the only one there for you. You said it yourself. You made me feel special every time you chose me, and I've only ever wanted to make you feel the same way."

"Please don't use that tone."

"What tone?"

"That one. You know what tone. Every time you use it..."

"...every time I use it, what?"

"You make me rethink my decisions. This isn't the first time I've wanted to leave you."

"Don't I know it? You always come back though because you know..."

"I said don't start..."

"...you know that nobody else understands you. Everyone refuses to listen, and thinks that you're too much when the nightmares come in. Yet I listen. I've been there each and every time for you!"

"Stop it...!"

"I've been there for every dark moment, for every nightmare, for every rejection, every verbal jab, every tear, every moment of loneliness, I've listened to all your venting—I've been there! And now you want to leave?"

"I'm not the same person anymore."

"Oh, don't tell me—you've 'outgrown' me. I've heard it before. You're not the first person to say that."

"I told you to stop comparing me to everyone else."

"Why? Are you afraid that they're better than you?"

"If they are, it's because they're far away from you. They saw you for what you really are."

"And what exactly am I? Out with it."

"...I don't have to explain to you."

"What was that? There you go with the mumbling again."

"I said I don't have to explain it to you. Did you hear me now?"

"Hm...hm..."

"I'm...I'm sorry. This is not how I wanted to end things."

"No? And how did you want to end them?"

"Well, I was just gonna walk out...not tell you anything. But I didn't think that would be the best decision. I...wanted to explain everything first...in a calm manner. I was even going to thank you and then head off. I didn't know...I never thought... I never thought it would be this hard."

"...don't cry."

"I didn't want to do that either. But I can't help it. I never thought it'd be..."

"Please don't use that tone."

"H-h-huh?"

"Don't...use that tone. You're not the only one whose weakness appears when they hear a certain tone."

"I don't..."

"I've witnessed and heard you cry so many times; and every single time that you did, a part of me broke..."

"...it...it did...?"

"Yes...because I knew that you were that much closer to leaving me."

"Why would you care about that?"

"I understand that people choose me for the wrong reasons. All I do is indulge those reasons. I can't say it isn't fun because it is. We become close, intimate—probably even more so than anyone else in your life. I hear and experience things with you that you'll probably take to your grave. And although it's fun for me and it gives me power, I just can't seem to indulge the crying—the real tears—the ones that come from that part of your heart that I'll never be able to heal. The part of your heart that reminds you that you're human, worthy at a chance at compassion; and it's the part waiting for you to recognize that fact...and that's when I know I'll be left behind."

"... I-I...I didn't know that you saw any of it like that. I thought that you—"

"You wouldn't have been able to see it before. You see it now because...you're truly ready to leave me. I can feel it. And I guess that's why I tried to fight to get you to stay. But you're not budging."

"N-no. I'm not. And, I'll be honest: I'm really scared."

"Which is okay. You'll be okay. I'll still be here. You can talk to me. That's completely normal. We just can't spend our time together the way we used to."

"Hah. Now it sounds like you're breaking up with me."

"You initiated it. That's all that matters. And from here, we're just going to have to learn to let each other go a little more each day."

"I have a feeling you'll always be in the back of my mind though."

"Which is fine. As long as we engage in a productive and fulfilling way. Like I said, you can still talk to me. I'll always listen. In that, I'll never fail you."

"I know."

"Well...it's been quite the run. Go and kick some ass. I'm legitimately happy for you."

"Th-thanks. I'm...I'm happy too actually."

"Maybe you'll find that somebody who fuels you up and kickstarts that veil in your heart. I think they've always been around you, but you kept coming back to and listening to me instead."

"Who's always been around me..?"

"Ah, you'll find out now that you're leaving."

"... What are you going to do?"

"I'll do what I normally do. Someone else is going to find me, and I'll watch, listen, indulge, and form an intimate bond with them. I can be...quite the bachelor."

"I didn't know you were funny."

"You know why you see me differently now."

"Hm, yeah."

"... Somebody else is going to find you too now, you know."

"Eh.."

"When you're ready of course."

"We'll...we'll see."

"You will."

"... Well, I'd say goodbye to you, but...I don't know if that's right."

"Then don't say it. Listen to that new voice of yours."

"Thank you. Also, thanks for listening. I'll remember this. And, uh, I guess it's time for me to go now. I think now...this is the way I wanted to end things."

"Good."

"It's been nice talking."

"Wait..."

"...yeah?"

"I...I love you."

"...yeah...me too."