An Ornament.

"Don't."

"What?"

"Don't apologize, Ole. It... I can't do it."

"Emil-"

"It doesn't give you the right to be someone else."

And Emil picked up his jacket and walked out.

+

"Talk to me, Emil," Andreas pleaded, watching as tears stung at the other's eyes.

"I... can't."

"Why not? Is it-"

"Don't bother, Andreas."

"I'm not going to sit back-"

"I can't tell you. I don't even know anymore."

And Emil locked himself in Andreas' guest room.

+

"Next time, do it your-fucking-self," Ole hissed down the phone. "I thought you were-"

And Emil hung up, curling himself up on the couch and pressing his eyes shut.

+

Emil pulled the blanket closer, tighter. he hadn't moved in half an hour.

Andreas walked in, sitting on the bed beside him.

"He's a wreck too, you know. In a way."

And Emil said nothing.

+

"He shouldn't have interfered."

"I had to talk to someone-"

"Andreas?"

"He was the only way I had to turn, Ole."

And Emil turned in his chair, lighting up another cigarette.

+

"I... can't. Don't-"

"You have to do it, Emil."

And Emil threw himself back into the car, moving into the driver's seat and taking off.

+

"All I want is that you love me," he whispered. "All I wanted. That was all I ever wanted."

And Emil jumped.