After awhile James took a deep breath, "I attacked you... didn't I?" he muttered.

--

Laurel pulled away from Yue a bit, "What?!" she exclaimed.

Nic paused before nodding.

--

Yue didn't let go of Laurel's arm. She shook her head a little, struggling with the stark realization of the truth. "... He can't help it..." she whispered.

James started cussing, still not moving to get up.

--

Laurel frowned, "What the terra are you talking about, Yue?"

Nic still didn't move to let him up.

--

Yue took a few deep breaths, not wanting to explain this to Laurel of all people.

James continued to cuss, "... I don't like her," he whispered as if reassuring himself.

--

Laurel stared at Yue, "But he likes you, not me," she stated.

Nic continued to glare at James.

--

"... He's attracted to you," Yue explained quietly.

"She's... not that pretty... her personality is so troublesome... she has no breasts... at all..." and he continued to list off all the annoying traits that Laurel had. Which probably didn't help his case with Nic.

--

Laurel shook her head, "That doesn't make any sense!" she argued.

It didn't. Nic started to grind his foot into James' gut a little.

--

Yue shook her head, she knew. "If he sees you, it will start all over again," she said tiredly.

"I don't know why this keeps happening!" he spat at Nic as he grunted at the foot in his gut, "It's only with Laurel! Do you really think I'd be stupid enough to actually attack you?!" he demanded.

--

Laurel shuttered again, "Why?" she asked, not getting it.

Nic grinded a little harder. Maybe he did think he was stupid enough.

--

"I-I don't know," Yue replied, voice a little shaky as she turned away.

James stared up at Nic, eyes conflicted, "You really think... I'd willingly leave Yue behind and sprint after Laurel? That makes no sense, Nic!"

--

Laurel blinked, "... He loves you, Yue," she whispered.

"Hmm," Nic mused, letting up just a little. But it seemed like he wanted a better explanation.

--

Yue didn't say anything. And after a moment she started to walk away.

James didn't have an explanation, he continued to look up at Nic with an expression asking for help.

--

Laurel paused, "If he sees me... he'll react like that again?" she called after Yue.

Nic helped him, by keeping him on the ground.

--

Yue paused just long enough to nod before continuing to walk off.

James didn't say anything else.

--

Laurel paused, not sure where to go. Eventually she ended up back in Nic's room.

Nic kept James down for a few more minutes before finally letting him up.