“What do you mean a break up is a must?”

Despite the severity those words carried, he couldn’t help but laugh, the sound dry and laced in sheer disbelief. You cannot be serious. A look of irritation flashes across his face as his lips curled up around the edges, not quite a smirk but something akin to incredulity. It’s like a fever dream. And he finds himself narrowing his eyes at you, scanning your expression like he was searching for a crack in your resolve, some kind that would give away that this was some pointless prank.

But you weren’t joking.

Gen lets out a soft breath, rubbing the back of his neck as he leans back against the couch. Tonight was supposed to be a quiet and relaxing night, spent in each other’s presence as he played one of his games while you did your own thing. It was supposed to be a night where he didn’t have to worry about anything — not a kaiju attack, not a meeting, and certainly not the prospect of being broken up with.

He hated this, hated how reasonable you sounded right now. Because he knew being in the Defense Forces meant your lives were constantly on the line.

But that didn’t mean he didn’t want to let go of you.

“You’re really serious about this?” His voice was quieter, lacking its usual lilt. “You think this is for the best? For who — me? You? Don’t give me that crap. We’re not breaking up because I know we love each other.”

Because how could he not when he knew love was when you stayed with him no matter what. He knew it was real when you’d always look for him during missions, how he’d always make it a point to prioritize your time together despite Hasegawa constantly pestering him, and how you never flinched at the reality of your jobs — well, until now.

“No.” He blurts out again, letting out a scoff at his own realization. “If you think I’m not fighting for this relationship — for you, then aren’t you underestimating me?”

If you thought he was going to let you walk away without a fight, then maybe you didn’t know him as well as he thought.