Emotions Released(Ma-Ti)

[IHeart]

(OCC: Bad title yet again. Ma-Ti/IHeart thread. March 19th, the middle of the evening)

IHeart couldn't sleep. She had been really happy and excited all her friends were here but there was something else keeping her awake. It was hurt and sadness. She knew Ma-Ti didn't mean anything by it but it still hurt her. She wouldn't really say that but it did. It just motivated her even more to continue trying her efforts. His bitterness couldn't help but motivate her to push. She was probably too stubborn but she couldn't help it. She needed to talk to him. She just didn't know how.

She got out of bed, put on a bedrobe and quickly went downstairs. Mostly to get her mind off things. She suddenly her slight bustle in the kitchen. Curious she immediately went there. She saw Ma-ti and she smiled softly. He however was shocked and slightly embarrassed and was on his way to the exit and IHeart couldn't take it anymore. She raised her arm to block him and said firmly, maybe rather angrily "Now you stop right there. I know you're embarrassed and don't want to talk and can't because of that damn spell. I know you're hurt. But you can't run away from me. I'm really trying to help you, Ma-Ti. I want to be there for you. Why do you keep pushing me away? I still love you. I don't care how you speak and are, I want you for you. Stop being embarrassed and just try to write to me or something!"

[Ma-Ti]

Ma-Ti smiled as he walked to the kitchen. Seeing Iheart happier with her friends had made him happy. He came here to grab a snack as he was hungry. He was wearing his clothes from the previous day as he hadn't thought to change. He'd forget to change or shower or even eat sometimes. If it wasn't for Joe or Spoony reminding him.

He paused freezing as he saw Iheart as he started to go but she stopped him from going. He heard her words and shook his head. He didn't want to talk. He'd thrown that dry erase board in the trash earlier today and he'd stoped writing in general. He was sick of it. And now she wanted him to write to her? He neighed softly trying to say something and was just blushed in embarrassment.

It was ironic. He'd craved to be human again to be back with his friends. But now he was back he couldn't even speak. Even if he could speak he didn't want to. Not anymore. He'd been through too much. Dying to stop Malachite. Losing his memories. Giving Goggles that ring. And just being Facilier and Malachite's puppet as a human and a horse. He feared they were still controlling him somehow. He saw she wasn't giving up so he grabbed a sheet of paper and pen from the counter and just scribbled a note to her hastily.

"It's bad enough what I went through. I used to like writing. I kept a journal back home. But now I never want to write again. It's humiliating. I'm not just avoiding you. I'm trying to avoid everyone. Sometimes I wish I was still a horse."

He paused turning away unable to watch her reaction to his note. He just wanted to curl up in a ball and not talk to anyone. Talking to Spirit, Magnus, and Linksano helped some but not very much.

[IHeart]

Ma-ti's reaction didn't stop her but she saw how angry he was getting. So when he hastily shoved the note to her she read it. She WAS hurt to be fair but she remembered that he just was humiliated to be forced into these situations. His hatred for writing was because his pride and control was completely wiped away. She realized that the only way to fix this was for them both to listen to the other and reach good communication. It was the fact that they had to reach an impasse and try to just let this all go. The problem wasn't that he was ignoring them. The problem was he was embarrassed and didn't know how to handle it. So IHeart decided to just let it slow and just let him know he didn't need to be embarrassed.

"Then don't talk. I just wanted you to listen. You don't have to write or anything. I just am tired of you running off" IHeart said softly. She was less angry. She was still hurt but his note wasn't meant to be hurtful. It was meant to be honest. "I know you've been ignoring people. I know you're afraid and everything but do you really think I won't love you just because you can't talk or that malachite might still be around?" IHeart gently tried to hold his hand. She wanted him to desperately know that she was here. However he wanted to deal with it, she would support him. But she just wanted to know for absolute sure that he knew this.

She looked at him and responded "Let's just make a quick deal. If you listen to me and just let me talk with you, I'll be honest and won't make you write or talk if you don't want. If I don't get through to you or you still feel like I shouldn't bother you, I'll leave after a while and I won't bother you ever. If you still care for me or anything, just nod. If not, shake your head and I'll go right now and we won't ever fix our problem"

[Ma-Ti]

Ma-Ti sighed and listened to her. He knew she hated it when he ran off to be alone. He knew everyone did. But he just couldn't face them. After everything he'd been tricked or forced into doing he didn't want to be around anyone. Spirit, Linksano, and Magnus were helping but two of them would be humans again soon and all he'd have was just Spirit. He paused at her words and shook his head. He knew she loved him. That wasn't the problem. He sighed grabbing a scrap of paper writing out to her. He paused as she spoke again saying if he listened to her and she wouldn't bother him again if he didn't want her anymore. He nodded as she asked if he still cared about her.

"I know you love me. I still love you but I've done so much damage here. I don't deserve love or friendship from anyone. Especially you. After all this time I'm still the gullible idiot who lets people trick him or force him to do what they want. Being a slave, then their pet, and now I'm just a freak. I just want to be left alone. All I've done is cause pain and misery since I was revived. Maybe I should have just stayed dead."

Ma-Ti was now in tears as he dropped to the ground leaving the note on the counter for her to read as he curled up into a ball. He wasn't sure if they'd ever fix their problems. He had missed her but he still felt like he should be alone. That it was his punishment for screwing up.

[IHeart]

IHeart watched as Ma-Ti nodded and breathed in slight victory. This meant Ma-Ti didn't want to end anything. Then what was the exact issue? IHeart watched as Ma-Ti hastily wrote on a piece of paper before giving it to her and crawling into a ball. She read it and her heart sank. He was so used to being treated like crap that he was not entirely sure whether or not he deserved love or kindness. Especially from her. He loved her dearly but the pain made it very hard for him to express it.

Seeing his ball of shame made her try to be a little less harsh. IHeart gently tried to pull him but it didn't work. So instead she quickly hugged the ball and gently rubbed the hair "I actually would rather go away then have you die. I would rather be tortured for the rest of my life then never have you around" She tried not to cry so she didn't, but she did tear up a bit "I love all my friends but this world just isn't the same without you. You're not a freak, or a slave, or a pet. At least not to me. I know you're in pain but I really do want to let you know you're not alone in this. You're not alone at all. I know being alone seems like the best option but that only gets you so far"

She sighed, holding him closer "If you don't want my help okay. But I would still like to be around you and just spend time with you. To make you feel better just a little at least" She teared up more and responded "I really love you. I'm not giving up on you"

[Ma-Ti]

Ma-Ti paused looking at her. He knew his words hurt her even though that wasn't what he intended. She tried pulling him up and he didn't move at first. But then she hugged him as he leaned into her hug uncurling and hugging her back. He reluctantly let go of her as he stood up grabbing the scrap of paper he'd written on before and scribbled something on his back.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I don't want to lose any of you but I just feel so worthless. Like you are all better off without me. And yet I feel selfish because I don't want to let any of you go. Especially you. I love you Iheart.

He handed the note back to her before pulling her into a kiss as he couldn't remember the last time he had kissed. Suddenly his body was enveloped in a flash of white light as balls of energy flew from Facilier's camp and flew through the walls striking Ma-Ti. He gasped pulling apart feeling better than he had in a long time.

"What just happened?" asked Ma-Ti.

He gasped realizing he could speak and he felt like he had before he had died fighting Malachite. Everything Facilier and Malachite had done to him in this war was undone. He could feel it. He was free.

"I can't believe it. One kiss brought everything they took from me back. My positive emotions, my soul, everything. I don't even have a telepathic link with them anymore. You saved me." said Ma-Ti.

He paused pulling her into another kiss while hugging her. He still felt guilty for what he'd done but it didn't weigh him down as much as before. She'd brought him from his despair and he was very grateful.

(ooc: couldn't resist ending ma-ti's pain already. at least part of it.)

IHeart

[IHeart]

(OCC: LOL no worries. I wanted him to have his pain a bit gone now. It's about time)

IHeart was relieved that her words seem to help, seeing as he didn't ignore her actions. Then he eventually pulled back to write down on something. She read it and her heart swelled with joy. He never needed to be sorry but the fact that he truly did care for her made her work seem all worth it. She frowned as he admitted from the note that he felt very worthless and that he thought he should disappear, but didn't want to because of her especially. That he loved her. She was about to speak her mind when suddenly she was kissed. The kiss was long overdue and the feeling felt relieving. She held onto him as they kissed, she felt something strange as they did but a good type of strange. When Ma-Ti gasped IHeart was about to ask if he was alright... Until he spoke!

"Ma-Ti! You can talk!" IHeart had a habit of stating the obvious when surprised. She then nearly burst into tears as the kiss was confirmation that he was free from whatever horrible spell Facilier caused. Then she widened her eyes as he explained everything positive about his, plus his soul and a majority of his basic liberties were given back because the spell was broken. IHeart nearly screamed in joy, but she covered her mouth with her hands. Then she felt pulled into another, slightly more passionate kissed as she was hugged. IHeart kissed back, expressing her joy and relief that her love was finally, finally free at last.

It lasted a while, but for her she felt that Ma-Ti needed this. That he needed to be happy and she was herself extremely happy. When it was over, IHeart held him close and peppered a side of his face with kisses before murmuring "No, you saved yourself. I just guided you along the way"

[Ma-Ti]

Ma-Ti was relieved as he kissed her and held her close.

"No. It was you. It's always been you. My light within the darkness. You brought me back. Thank you." said Ma-Ti.

He was probably hugging her too tight but all he cared about was he was back. Things were finally going his way again. He paused letting go reluctantly and smirked.

"Now I'm going to make Facilier, Malachite and the rest pay for what they've done to me. What they've put me through. They're going to wish they left me for dead." said Ma-Ti.

He chuckled bitterly. He was back but his time being abused and treated badly had left some scars on him. Physical and emotional.

"They'll finally know the true power of my heart!" said Ma-Ti.

He looked around for his ring but couldn't find it.

"That's right. I don't have it. I think I gave it to Spoony. Or was it Joe? Maybe it was Critic. Well once I get my ring back then things will be different." said Ma-Ti.

(ooc: figured perhaps we could do some ma-ti/splinter or ma-ti/morpheus thread at some point to help ma-ti deal with everything that's happened. like therapy sessions or something. mos could be done off screen but should do some talking. after all one kiss couldn't fix everything that happened to him or make him forget.)

IHeart

[IHeart]

(OCC: No you're right, one kiss can't solve a huge amount of mental/emotional pain. I'll make a Splinter/Ma-Ti thread asap)

"I don't have to be thanked. I love you. I always will" IHeart said, tears of joy spreading across her face. Sure he wasn't completely the same but a majority of himself had returned to her. And for that she was incredibly grateful. The love of her life was happier and more independent.

"You're damn right they will. They'll also have to deal with me. I'm not letting them hurt you ever again. I'll make them finally see us for what we are. Not just some dumb kids to push around but actual capable warriors" IHeart replied, anger evident in her tone. No, she too was not going to forgive or forget the two responsible for this in the first place. Facilier and Malachite were officially on her revenge list. At least Insano wouldn't be so cruel, at least all ATG wanted to do was take over... These two were evil. Plain and simple.

"You gave it to Spoony. He still has it. I'm sure he'll be more than happy to give it back" IHeart replied, a soft smile returning to her face. She was happy Ma-Ti had his confidence and freedom back.

[Ma-Ti]

Ma-Ti smiled at her.

"Of course you do. You never gave up on me. Not when I lost my memories. Not when you thought I was dead twice. Not when I was mute. None of it. You're the best friend and girlfriend I could ever ask for. I don't deserve someone as beautiful and kind as you. You're the one with the real heart." said Ma-Ti.

He nodded.

"I wish I could keep you safe. I don't want them to hurt you either. So many times I was afraid. Malachite and Facilier threatened they'd kill you so many times. Or kidnap you and hurt you. I'm glad they never succeeded and you're safe." said Ma-Ti.

He paused and shook his head.

"No. He should keep it. Ever since I got to this world I've been angry, jaded and bitter. The only things I seem to do are getting kidnapped or manipulated. Even my so called friends tricked me in the past. I don't deserve that ring. Maybe I never did. Gaia should have chosen someone else." said Ma-Ti.

He felt better than he had in a long time but he didn't believe he should retake his ring. It should be with Spoony, Nostalgia Critic or Nostalgia Chick. They'd all used it in this war and a lot better than he had.

IHeart

[IHeart]

IHeart's smile widened at Ma-Ti's words. Sure he wasn't completely the same but a majority of the real ma-ti had once again returned to her. She held him close and murmured "I would never give up on you. Not in a million years. I love you too much"

"I wouldn't be afraid of them if they tried. If they ever come, I won't let them intimidate me. They're all talk. They may have power but everyone's got a weakness. They won't win and they won't hurt us anymore" IHeart said positively. She was a bit arrogant in saying this but her anger made her forget some of the pain they actually caused on her.

IHeart was hesitant to agree with Ma-Ti's wording but nodded nonetheless "Okay. I'll let spoony keep it. But he may try to give it back to you. He doesn't think he deserves it either"

[Ma-Ti]

Ma-Ti smiled at her.

"I'm glad I have you." said Ma-Ti.

Ma-Ti paused as she spoke and he frowned.

"I don't know if I'll be ready to face them. I hate them but I'm also scared of them. They made me perform tricks in their stupid circus and punished me if I didn't do what they wanted. I don't want to go back there ever again." said Ma-Ti.

He nodded as she agreed to let Ma-Ti keep the ring.

"Good. It's where it belongs. Then maybe we should give it to someone else. If Spoony doesn't believe he deserves it then we could give it to one of the others." said Ma-Ti.

[IHeart]

IHeart beamed as Ma-Ti said he was glad to have her, she responded with a silent hug. She was so happy Ma-Ti had some parts of himself once more. She then froze in horror as Ma-Ti confessed the abuse he endured. Her blood boiled and she growled "Those bastards. Those selfish bastards" She then held close to him "You won't be alone when you face them. I'll be with you and I know many others will be too. We won't let you be intimidated by them anymore"

"Okay. If you want to. I still feel you deserve it but if it'll make you feel better to have it in someone else's hands that's okay too" IHeart replied as Ma-Ti talked about his ring. She held his hand and smiled softly "I'm so glad that you're free from them now"

[Ma-Ti]

Ma-Ti smiled feeling her close to him.

"I just worry about that. Will I lose myself to my anger. Or will I freeze in fear? I'm angry at them but I can't deny that part of me's scared of them. I don't know what to do." said Ma-Ti.

He nodded.

"Someone else can make better use of that ring. Maybe one day I'll feel like I deserve it but not now." said Ma-Ti.

He grinned at her.

"So am I." said Ma-Ti.

[IHeart]

"You'll have backup and you'll be able to face him someday. As long as you have your team and you train, you'll be able to fight back. They won't mess with you again. I promise" IHeart replied, holding him close, never even thinking about letting him go. She nodded understandingly as he replied he would someday feel like he deserved his ring but not today. She understood. She hugged him and replied "I'm never letting you go ever again. I'll never let you out of my sight"