[ right, so that's out of the question, then — which is fine, really, because charles isn't too keen on leaving junpei by himself here, either. and he's not exactly concerned about anything he's doing being, hm, hot in any way at all; he's all about being pragmatic right now, has been through all too many supernatural chase situations to think of anything else except the best plan to get them through it relatively unharmed.

so he ducks his head, to drop a kiss on gab's little head, then lifts it enough to kiss junpei, too, just because he can, and because it's a nice distraction from what the mirror is going to be like — and then he's just sliding his arms in place and scooping him up just as easily as before. ]

Sorry, buddy, [ he says to gab, ] You're gonna hate this, but I'll be quick. [ which he is; it's clear that it's not the first time he's walked the distance between their mirror and the one at the inn, and it takes perhaps half a minute total for them to be in and out — and as soon as he steps out of the mirror, it's clear something's different: the inn is still brightly lit as usual, and charles can't help but heave a relieved sigh. ]

Fucking hell, [ he says, and sets junpei back down gently. ] Think this'll be fine. They've got the lights on, that's got to mean something.