Yeah, like... what's that again, Dollar Tree? [ there wasn't one in port townsend but crystal had talked about one, so. ] Or, uh, Daiso? [ look, niko did mention some things!! he remembers, not least because she's no longer there to tell them anything. anyway —
he does laugh at the part about supermarkets, shaking his head like he can guess it's not entirely just a joke. ]
It was more the sneaking in here part that was supposed to be threatening, not the you getting better shirts part. Which, you will. Not getting out of that, now.
It's just one room... You don't even have to sneak, you can come in whenever.
[Like, what does he do in here besides stare at the wall and drink these beers? Nothing. He honestly isn't in the room that much, so he can avoid going stir-crazy. It's better than, well, wall-staring.]
And Daiso... I haven't been to a Daiso since I was a kid. [ah, nostalgia,] Do you know Don Quijote? Not the same genre of store, but Don Quijote is... the most store.
[He can't think of any other way to describe it. There's just so much in there. You had to be there.]
Oh. [ why does the quick offer make him feel so wrong-footed, all of a sudden? charles fidgets with his hands for a bit, mumbling, ] Thanks.
[ it's probably for the better that junpei is quick to start talking about a store with a weird name, definitely a store charles isn't familiar with — but the explanation makes him chuckle. ]
The most store. [ uh-huh. reaching out, he pats junpei on the head. pat-pat-pat. ] Right. Well, good to see the plan to get you drunk hasn't been a total waste.
[Hey, wow. Junpei reaches up to tug on Charles' sleeve again, then curling his fingers around his wrist to put a stop to patting his poor drunk head like that. But if he doesn't let go, well...
Anyway. Don Quijote!!]
Ask me again when I'm hungover and I'll say the same thing. It's the most store. I'd show you, but... [the obvious. so,] Maybe in five years.
[ he doesn't seem to mind all that much that his wrist is essentially held hostage, shifting to sit a little closer. ]
... yeah. I'll hold you to that.
[ it's a nice thought — one he wants to keep believing in. gently, he reaches over with the non-hostage hand, tugs on the pillow that junpei is still sort of hugging, just so he can move it next to his head. ]
C'mon, [ he says, tapping the pillow against his head to indicate that junpei should lift his so he can slide it under, to spare his poor neck. ]
[Oh, his pillow isn't being confiscated for his Don Quijote crimes, okay. He lifts his head obligingly, which means he actually just smooshes his face into the pillow at first, then lifts his head to let Charles slide it into place. There. Flawless.
He smooths his thumb over the back of Charles' wrist without really thinking about it, fond, and:]
[ there's something strangely sweet in the casual little touch, something that makes charles let out a little exhale, the corners of his mouth tilting up slightly.
a stray strand of hair keeps trying to fall over junpei's eyes, and almost on reflex, charles moves his hand from where it's still resting on the side of the pillow and tucks it behind his ear, absently carding his fingers through his hair. ]
Think it's time for the human to get some rest, yeah? It's pretty late.
[Part of him is ready to insist that he's not going to sleep, it's his birthday, he's not even remotely tired— but the hand in his hair could sway him. Maybe it is time to get some rest.]
I have no idea what time it is.
[Immaterial. He shuts his eyes anyway, leaning into Charles' touch without really thinking about that either. If he thinks about it he'll ask Charles to keep doing it, and even after everything else, that feels way too... vulnerable, perhaps. Too open about wanting that simple affection, when it's much easier to just have that simple affection happen incidentally.
He's too drunk to question his own flimsy logic, so he won't! Easy. Problem solved.]
I guess I could sleep.
Edited (do not observe my weird hour typo correction.......) 2024-08-14 06:21 (UTC)
[ it isn't something he has to think about, to keep running his fingers through junpei's hair — he registers the slight press against his fingertips and quite simply responds, repeating the movement over and over. it's not weird, he reasons, it's simply... soothing. he'd do the same for crystal back home, it's fine!
(the fact that he's never done so, nor has ever considered doing so, not to crystal or edwin or anyone else, well, it doesn't even cross his mind.) ]
You do that, [ he says, voice pitched low. ] You want me to go?
[Oh good, Junpei thinks, he just keeps doing it all on his own. And he just asks that particular question, totally removing Junpei having to bumble his way through and ask for things from the equation. Charles is so nice. So good.
So,] Nah, you can hang out for a while.
[Unless he has a packed schedule starting right now somehow that Junpei didn't know about, what are the odds, ha ha... Well, this is a major key reprise of the Gnos incident, kind of, almost, not really— but close enough, so it's definitely not strange if Charles hangs around to essentially watch him sleep.]
Thanks, [ comes his answer, and while the delivery is certainly a bit dry, well — he means it, because he asked and expected the answer to be "yes", and the fact he can be here is... good. somehow.
and yeah, the fact that this isn't the first time charles has stayed with junpei as he sleeps doesn't escape his notice, though this is miles better from the storage room and the cold floor (and the blanket pile that charles kept adding to with every passing day in the faint hopes it'd make things at least a fraction better).
feel free to ditch me, junpei says, and charles thinks no, never, and then promptly decides that that's something he probably shouldn't say out loud. instead, he lifts his hand that still has junpei's fingers curled around the wrist and gives him a crooked smile. ]
Well, I think that'll depend on if you're still holding me hostage, then.
[Oh my god, don't call him out like that, let him sleep in peace—]
You— shut up.
[Just for that, he won't let go, so there. Instead he pulls Charles' wrist back down to where it was, then shuts his eyes in a way that can only be called aggressive. Shut up, he's already asleep, zzz.]
[ oh, so the hostage situation continues! ] Great comeback, [ charles quips back, shoulders shaking slightly with suppressed laughter, very much not shutting up.
except then he does, only humming in response, as if he agrees that it's deserved — or maybe just acknowledges that he's heard the words.
a beat, two, three; charles leans forward and down, taking care to keep his form just this side of tangible, enough that neither of his hands feels any different but he makes no noise, now, moving... and then, once he's close enough to speak right next to junpei's ear, he says with that same low tone, ]
Sweet dreams, Junpei.
[ and yeah, his intention is fully to be a little shit back and startle him with this, but if some warmth sneaks into his voice, a layer of something too sincere for a joke hiding underneath, well! that's entirely an accident and he will never admit to it. ]
—Jesus! [—ah, and yeah, that makes him jump, eyes flying open and free hand immediately coming up to push Charles' whole face while Junpei continues to sputter something indignant at him. Not very hard; he's fundamentally just smushing his hand against Charles' cheek, but it's the thought that counts. Deserved, absolutely deserved—
Now how is he going to sleep. Ugh. A beat later and he's gotten past the initial literal jump scare, giving Charles a sidelong look with a frown.
...Until he has to huff and frown at the wall instead of Charles, leaned in close like that, mmph.]
[ meanwhile, charles nearly doubles over in laughter, not at all deterred by the hand pressing against his cheek; his laughter does have a tinge of apology in it, though, and eventually he does manage to wheeze out, ] Sorry, I'm sorry, couldn't resist.
[ he assumes his most contrite expression, his free hand finding junpei's chin and trying to nudge it a bit, to make him look back at him. ] Hey, look at me, yeah? Promise I'll owe you, whatever you want.
[ his hand slides from his chin to the side of his neck and just sort of. stays there. like he doesn't even contemplate actually moving it away. ]
what's gayer, being gay or whatever they're doing now
[Junpei makes another huffy noise, rolling his eyes, trying his best to maintain his totally righteous indignation and not smile at Charles' burst of laughter. Stop, he's so mad...]
Hey, what— [What's he doing with Junpei's face, hey!! Not that he resists in the slightest, turning to look up at Charles again. He maintains his frown for another few seconds before he cracks and smiles, but like, in a really exasperated way. For sure.]
Well, don't expect that to work a second time. I'm immune now.
[smother him so he'll shut up and sleep—
He doesn't move, though, not to move Charles' hand or to let go of his wrist. This is, well... well maybe he doesn't need to say anything. Sure. And it'll be fine like this.]
Can I sleep now...?
theyre the "homosexuality doesn't even begin to explain the behaviour these men are exhibiting" meme
[ because there's not a challenge in the world charles rowland won't at least consider, well, his response is — first, to raise his eyebrows, something sparking in his smile. secondly, to lean down, maintaining eye contact until he has to tilt his head so he can speak close to junpei's ear, again, lips so close he'll feel the air on his exhale as he says, smooth and quiet, ]
Sure you are.
[ no, not meant to jumpscare him, this time — though what he actually means to achieve with it is unclear, not least of all to himself. he then pulls back, quite comfortable to simply sit there, his thumb brushing absent circles on junpei's neck. ] Yeah, course you can. It's definitely bed time for humans.
[ perhaps he should find this more strange, but he doesn't, not really — perhaps what's strange is how not strange it feels, being here. he doesn't make any move to try and, well, move; and he keeps silent, then, to actually let junpei sleep for real, if he wants to. ]
[Ah, right, Junpei forgot that he says things and Charles does those things automatically. He remembers this fascinating fact moments after the brief panicked flip his heart does when Charles leans in closer to him again, only to not... do the thing that it seemed like he was doing.
No need to unpack that now. He reaches up like he'll push Charles' face again, only to sigh and pat him on the cheek instead. With another kind of exasperated little smile:] Uh huh. Bed time.
[See, he's definitely immune. He considers Charles for another moment, expression softening and then—closing his eyes again, now that it's time to sleep for real. Good night, Charles.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
he does laugh at the part about supermarkets, shaking his head like he can guess it's not entirely just a joke. ]
It was more the sneaking in here part that was supposed to be threatening, not the you getting better shirts part. Which, you will. Not getting out of that, now.
no subject
[Like, what does he do in here besides stare at the wall and drink these beers? Nothing. He honestly isn't in the room that much, so he can avoid going stir-crazy. It's better than, well, wall-staring.]
And Daiso... I haven't been to a Daiso since I was a kid. [ah, nostalgia,] Do you know Don Quijote? Not the same genre of store, but Don Quijote is... the most store.
[He can't think of any other way to describe it. There's just so much in there. You had to be there.]
no subject
[ it's probably for the better that junpei is quick to start talking about a store with a weird name, definitely a store charles isn't familiar with — but the explanation makes him chuckle. ]
The most store. [ uh-huh. reaching out, he pats junpei on the head. pat-pat-pat. ] Right. Well, good to see the plan to get you drunk hasn't been a total waste.
no subject
Anyway. Don Quijote!!]
Ask me again when I'm hungover and I'll say the same thing. It's the most store. I'd show you, but... [the obvious. so,] Maybe in five years.
no subject
... yeah. I'll hold you to that.
[ it's a nice thought — one he wants to keep believing in. gently, he reaches over with the non-hostage hand, tugs on the pillow that junpei is still sort of hugging, just so he can move it next to his head. ]
C'mon, [ he says, tapping the pillow against his head to indicate that junpei should lift his so he can slide it under, to spare his poor neck. ]
no subject
[Oh, his pillow isn't being confiscated for his Don Quijote crimes, okay. He lifts his head obligingly, which means he actually just smooshes his face into the pillow at first, then lifts his head to let Charles slide it into place. There. Flawless.
He smooths his thumb over the back of Charles' wrist without really thinking about it, fond, and:]
Thanks.
no subject
a stray strand of hair keeps trying to fall over junpei's eyes, and almost on reflex, charles moves his hand from where it's still resting on the side of the pillow and tucks it behind his ear, absently carding his fingers through his hair. ]
Think it's time for the human to get some rest, yeah? It's pretty late.
no subject
I have no idea what time it is.
[Immaterial. He shuts his eyes anyway, leaning into Charles' touch without really thinking about that either. If he thinks about it he'll ask Charles to keep doing it, and even after everything else, that feels way too... vulnerable, perhaps. Too open about wanting that simple affection, when it's much easier to just have that simple affection happen incidentally.
He's too drunk to question his own flimsy logic, so he won't! Easy. Problem solved.]
I guess I could sleep.
no subject
(the fact that he's never done so, nor has ever considered doing so, not to crystal or edwin or anyone else, well, it doesn't even cross his mind.) ]
You do that, [ he says, voice pitched low. ] You want me to go?
no subject
So,] Nah, you can hang out for a while.
[Unless he has a packed schedule starting right now somehow that Junpei didn't know about, what are the odds, ha ha... Well, this is a major key reprise of the Gnos incident, kind of, almost, not really— but close enough, so it's definitely not strange if Charles hangs around to essentially watch him sleep.]
Feel free to ditch me if I snore.
no subject
and yeah, the fact that this isn't the first time charles has stayed with junpei as he sleeps doesn't escape his notice, though this is miles better from the storage room and the cold floor (and the blanket pile that charles kept adding to with every passing day in the faint hopes it'd make things at least a fraction better).
feel free to ditch me, junpei says, and charles thinks no, never, and then promptly decides that that's something he probably shouldn't say out loud. instead, he lifts his hand that still has junpei's fingers curled around the wrist and gives him a crooked smile. ]
Well, I think that'll depend on if you're still holding me hostage, then.
no subject
You— shut up.
[Just for that, he won't let go, so there. Instead he pulls Charles' wrist back down to where it was, then shuts his eyes in a way that can only be called aggressive. Shut up, he's already asleep, zzz.]
Maybe if I snore now it's because you deserve it.
no subject
except then he does, only humming in response, as if he agrees that it's deserved — or maybe just acknowledges that he's heard the words.
a beat, two, three; charles leans forward and down, taking care to keep his form just this side of tangible, enough that neither of his hands feels any different but he makes no noise, now, moving... and then, once he's close enough to speak right next to junpei's ear, he says with that same low tone, ]
Sweet dreams, Junpei.
[ and yeah, his intention is fully to be a little shit back and startle him with this, but if some warmth sneaks into his voice, a layer of something too sincere for a joke hiding underneath, well! that's entirely an accident and he will never admit to it. ]
i'm closing my eyes
Now how is he going to sleep. Ugh. A beat later and he's gotten past the initial literal jump scare, giving Charles a sidelong look with a frown.
...Until he has to huff and frown at the wall instead of Charles, leaned in close like that, mmph.]
Now you owe me.
see no evil hear no evil--
[ he assumes his most contrite expression, his free hand finding junpei's chin and trying to nudge it a bit, to make him look back at him. ] Hey, look at me, yeah? Promise I'll owe you, whatever you want.
[ his hand slides from his chin to the side of his neck and just sort of. stays there. like he doesn't even contemplate actually moving it away. ]
what's gayer, being gay or whatever they're doing now
Hey, what— [What's he doing with Junpei's face, hey!! Not that he resists in the slightest, turning to look up at Charles again. He maintains his frown for another few seconds before he cracks and smiles, but like, in a really exasperated way. For sure.]
Well, don't expect that to work a second time. I'm immune now.
[smother him so he'll shut up and sleep—
He doesn't move, though, not to move Charles' hand or to let go of his wrist. This is, well... well maybe he doesn't need to say anything. Sure. And it'll be fine like this.]
Can I sleep now...?
theyre the "homosexuality doesn't even begin to explain the behaviour these men are exhibiting" meme
Sure you are.
[ no, not meant to jumpscare him, this time — though what he actually means to achieve with it is unclear, not least of all to himself. he then pulls back, quite comfortable to simply sit there, his thumb brushing absent circles on junpei's neck. ] Yeah, course you can. It's definitely bed time for humans.
[ perhaps he should find this more strange, but he doesn't, not really — perhaps what's strange is how not strange it feels, being here. he doesn't make any move to try and, well, move; and he keeps silent, then, to actually let junpei sleep for real, if he wants to. ]
that & clown to clown communication... 🎀
No need to unpack that now. He reaches up like he'll push Charles' face again, only to sigh and pat him on the cheek instead. With another kind of exasperated little smile:] Uh huh. Bed time.
[See, he's definitely immune. He considers Charles for another moment, expression softening and then—closing his eyes again, now that it's time to sleep for real. Good night, Charles.]