[It's been years since Junpei has even owned a yukata, let alone dressed up and gone to a festival. He probably wouldn't have if Charles wasn't going with him, maybe just wandered through in his crummy shirt and jeans, gotten food and left, but— well, here he is. Part of him is still hung up on the deluge of shitty things happening - the distance of a few weeks doesn't make it easier to swallow - so at first he's not very into the whole... festival aspect. Blah blah, people celebrate to feel better, blah blah—
Whatever!!
It's fine; it doesn't take much wandering around for him to mostly put those thoughts on the backburner again, a credit to both good free food and, as always, Charles. He scoffs at the compliment, because of course he does.]
Sure, thanks. You could've gotten changed if you wanted. [does he kind of want to see Charles in many different outfits, maybe-] Do you want to? We can go back.
[Just to like, browse patterns for inspiration, because ghost. Still.]
this fucking callout im so. dont look at me ever again
[ hey, he means it, silly! as if to emphasise his point, something he'd not have done if not for junpei's quick dismissal, he actually turns and looks at him, from head to toes, before smiling at him a tad pointedly, like saying see, you really do look good.
anyway — ]
Maybe? I could change into a sherwani, but I guess it's not for this festival, specifically. [ a bit sheepishly, he scratches the back of his neck. ] Don't wanna be a bother, though. We should probably just keep going.
[ read: yes, he does want to go back, but also feels like doubling back is going to inconvenience junpei and thus won't do it. ]
[Junpei sees that look and raises one mostly facetious pose-slash-gesture down at himself, like, yeah? This is the fit? This is the look? He can take this compliment if he acts unserious about it.
That said, what's this now, hey, hey—]
I don't know what that is, so I think you've got to show me. Festival rules.
[Like, he does want to learn what a sherwani is, both out of genuine curiosity and to see Charles dress up fancy, but he's fluent in the language of "no, it's fine, don't worry about it," so here: festival rules. Time to go back.]
[ he rolls his eyes at festival rules, because, ] You just made that up.
[ no way there's any festival rules like that! though, it's with a small smile that he does actually turn to follow junpei as they start back towards the nearest tailor shop. ]
A sherwani's this traditional outer coat. You can call it the achkan, too, or achkan sherwani — [ a shrug, don't ask him more, this is already straining his memory ] — it's worn on special occasions, like formalwear. Wore one to my cousin's wedding.
[ he could, technically, change into one right here on the street, as it'll literally happen by thinking about it and requires absolutely no undressing at all... but he doesn't want to freak people out. so maybe it's better to duck into a store or something, first. ]
[Ha ha, anyway, it's shopping time. He's so pleased with himself as they start to head back, let him have this.]
Is there a whole outfit? Shoes and stuff.
[Junpei, wearing his new sneakers and not the appropriate sandals to go with his yukata, asking about matching shoes. Charles would look nice in anything, he thinks as they move closer to the store. That's a thought, for sure; he's decided not to unpack it, shuffling ahead to open the door with another silly flourish.]
[ at the mention of shoes, charles can't help but glance down, at the sneakers junpei is wearing, and duck his head to hide his pleased smile at the sight of them. he's done this, oh, maybe four times already in the span of time they've been out.
right, he was asked a question — ] Sort of? There's traditional pants and shoes, too. Sherwani you can wear with other stuff, too, though.
[ it's with a laugh that he steps inside the store, turning to junpei to say, ] You know you don't need to open the door for me, yeah? Like, at all. [ and yet his fond tone says thanks, while the look in his eyes says it was cute.
anyway, the second the door swings shut behind them, charles turns fully to face junpei, one moment dressed in his usual polo-bomber jacket-trousers combo, and the next in a decorated overcoat, at first black, then turning more burgundy. ] This is a sherwani, [ charles says, and then concentrates; the coat, otherwise looking the same, suddenly gains a row of buttons slanting towards his shoulder, and loses a few inches of length. ] And this is an achkan.
[ he looks down at the garments, as if to check he's done it correctly — it's been a long time, after all, and it's not like he can look in the mirror and see how it all is. once he's satisfied that he's done an okay job, he tilts his head up, spreads his arms a bit. ] So? Festival rules complied with?
[And Junpei is goofily pleased with himself every time he catches Charles looking at the sneakers—]
Hey, you told me it's uncomfortable... I'm a gentleman.
[Well, he'd said partially phasing, but leave it to Junpei to apply that logic to all phasing through any door. He doesn't see the point in not doing normal polite behaviors just because they might not technically apply to Charles; they came all the way to this store when it was not factually necessary, after all. Sure, there are some unquestionable differences, but treating him like Charles The Ghost instead of just Charles feels weird when it comes to polite human things?
So let him hold the dang door, damn.
As for this ghost fashion show, oh, he's handsome, hang on a second. Very smoothly, Junpei gives a thumbs up.]
[ i'm a gentleman, junpei says, and though it's said with levity, it still makes charles look down, suddenly feeling at once like he wants to hide his face and smile so wide his cheeks will somehow remember how to hurt again.
and then he's smiling, anyway, when junpei compliments him; though, really, they're equally bad about taking compliments. which is why charles sort of takes is as the kind of polite thing you say and don't really mean. ]
Festival-y, is it? So I should just stay in this?
[ honestly, as much as he kind of wants to try a yukata... if junpei decides he should wear this instead, he won't mind. and the reasoning behind that — well, not relevant right now, yeah? ]
[Charles, please. This must be the logical conclusion of Junpei saying stuff and Charles just doing it.]
I think you should wear whatever you want. You're going to look good in whatever, so... Up to you.
[He shrugs, and this too is genuine, because Charles is a good-looking dude no matter what. Junpei tilts his head to look past him, at the handful of yukata on display in this shop. It occurs to him now that they're in the store again-]
Do you know how to put on a yukata, actually...? I don't really know how deep the ghost closet goes.
[ oh, he's not in any way prepared to hear that, said in such a matter-of-fact tone — so it's a good thing junpei switches his attention to the row of yukata, while charles is still rebooting his brain.
when he finally manages to have all systems online again, it's to say, a bit sheepish, ] Right, that's a good point. No clue about any of it. Might have to do it for real, just to get the hang of it.
[ it's not like he can't wear real clothes, he just usually never does, because they show to living people while ghosts do not, and clothes walking by themselves on the street is, well, you know. not ideal. here there's no such problem. ]
[Junpei speaks only the truth when it comes to Charles being good-looking, sorry... He shuffles over to look at the yukata, trying to find one in a similar burgundy color to the sherwani Charles had conjured. Or close enough...]
And then you can pop it out whenever?
[Fascinating if so... Junpei might wear more than the same 6 t-shirts all the time if he could do that, but as a non-ghost version. Anyway, as he considers the rack of options, he just... says, without thinking about it:]
[ thank you for the support of his continued effort to only wear shades of red — ]
Yeah, pretty much.
[ it does require a bit of focus, and so the more familiar the clothes, the easier it is for him to wear them — hence why he usually sticks to the same outfit. (in fact, ghost clothes depend entirely on the will, to the point where his shirt will change colour depending on his mood; during the gnosia incident, his polo had gone from red to burgundy to black, eventually; this morning, it had been an absolute bright shade of red.) ]
I — [ charles starts, and then promptly ends, too, because — well, he really should be pointing out the obvious, shouldn't he? except when he tries this whole talking thing again, what comes out is, ] I mean, sure. If you want. Just, uh, pick one. The pattern doesn't matter, I can adjust that later.
[Can't believe Charles has a mood ring shirt... It goes without saying that Junpei has not noticed this, but when he does: sorry in advance.
Anyway, let him find a nice reddish yukata, nodding. He's about to joke that Charles should get one with fish on it and they can match, but ah, no... maybe not. That, and not this other thing, would be pushing it.
He holds up the sleeve of one yukata, brighter than burgundy but still a deep red.]
You like this one? [he gives the end of the sleeve a little wave, like an adult,] You can just wear a t-shirt under it, no one's going to flip out.
[ because charles is a snob about clothes, he actually steps closer, grabs the sleeve and inspects the fabric — he can't really feel it, of course, but he can at least see how it looks up close. and then he nods. ]
Yeah, it looks good. [ with a grin, ] What, t-shirt? Nah, mate, I've got an undershirt. That'll do.
[ yes, you heard him right: so on the daily, he wears an undershirt and a polo shirt and a bomber jacket and his overcoat when outside. it's a whole ensemble.
anyway — ] Right, let's see, then. [ gently, he takes the yukata and drapes it over his arm, reaching out with his other hand to grab junpei's sleeve and drag him with him to the back of the store where they have one whole dressing room, separated from the rest of the store by a curtain. as soon as they make it there, the achkan flickers out of existence, leaving charles wearing his usual trousers, a white tank top and suspenders. ] So... [ he eyes the yukata with some apprehension; please instruct. ]
[The looming presence of a Hanes 6-pack of shitty v-necks is the real ghost haunting this moment as Junpei gives Charles a look that can only be described as incredulous about undershirts. Really, he's that fancy... wow.]
A t-shirt would still be fine...
[Just in defense of t-shirts here, and now no one has to wonder what's under Junpei's yukata, because it's absolutely the shirt he put on this morning.
It's only once the curtain on this little dressing room is drawn that Junpei realizes exactly what he's done in offering to help with this, and possibly only because he's fiddling with the curtain to make sure it's going to stay closed, who doesn't put an actual door on their changing room, come on—and then he turns, only to be faced with... suspenders. This is maybe 15% when it comes to a state of undress, but suspenders and a tank top have momentarily short-circuited the rest of his thoughts.
Oh jeez.]
Uh— Yeah, give me that. And hold your arms out like this. [He demonstrates, and once he has the yukata, shuffles around to make quick work of getting Charles' arms through it. That's the easy step; the rest is slower going, admittedly,] It's, uh, been a minute.
[Maybe the last time he helped someone else with a yukata was with his parents, which generously would have been six or seven years ago, so let him fuss and drape at a snail's pace, thanks.]
[ charles just raises his brows at that incredible attempt at defending t-shirts, and bites back a quip about how proper t-shirts are fine, thanks —
anyway. he doesn't think much of his state of undress, mostly because this is his downtime outfit, the clothes he wears when back at the agency and not dealing with clients; so it's just fine, right?
what he thinks a bit more of, then, is the rest of all of this: junpei, standing close to him when instructing him, walking round him to help him into the yukata, fiddling with the garment slowly and carefully. really slowly. and with the way he has to swallow down a sharp intake of breath every time junpei's hands touch him instead of the fabric, the way he can't seem to look away even when his mind is telling him that maybe he should just stare at the ceiling instead so he wouldn't have the visual of junpei fiddling with his clothes in his head from now on — ]
That's fine, [ he manages, finally, voice only slightly strained. ] Won't know if you do it wrong, will I? So don't worry.
[It's objectively still a shirt (and suspenders, jeez!!), but now that Junpei has the forbidden knowledge that Charles is always wearing way too many layers (like someone who knows how to dress, go figure), the tank top is so... Well, his mind has assigned it a critical level of importance, and he's doing his damnedest not to linger.
Lucky then that he has the yukata to occupy his eyes and hands with. He scoffs lightly, as Charles says that at the precise moment he's noticed he did these steps in reverse because he was thinking about how it would look to put it on himself, so hang on, he has to start over.]
I'll know. And so will people at the festival, so just- hold still.
[He's folding, he's draping, he's idly wondering if they should have stopped to pick out an obi Charles liked instead of just the one that was paired with this yukata, but Charles said don't worry about the patterns, hmm... It's another few moments of quiet, which he finds to be pretty cozy and comfortable despite his fumbling. Hmm...]
You gonna remember how to do this? I know you don't have to, but... [well, since he wanted the experience...!]
[ oh, god, is he starting over? why is this happening to him, specifically. he spares an idle thought to be grateful for the fact he doesn't need to breathe, before muttering, just a tad petulantly, ] I am still.
[ is he, though? not really. he has a hard time standing still on a good day, usually fidgeting with something, bouncing his leg, some part of him in constant motion; right now, he shuffles his feet every few seconds, his fingers curling and uncurling, as if he's trying really, really hard to not do something impulsive — but, for the most part, he's actually not moving all that much. watching junpei is keeping him occupied, quiet for once, eyes trained on him.
and from how carefully he's watching, one might think it's all to commit to memory how exactly to wear the yukata. and yet, it's with a sinking feeling charles realises he can recall absolutely fuck-all of the proper yukata-wearing etiquette. in fact, the question makes him blink, like shaken back into the present. ]
Bloody hell, [ he says, sounding a bit embarrassed, ] Forgot I was meant to be keeping an eye on that. [ he clears his throat. ] So, uh, no.
[ and because apparently his mouth is running on autopilot, what comes out next is, ] Wait, does that mean you'll help me put one on the next time I need to wear one, too?
[Junpei looks up from the yukata to raise an eyebrow, and,] Uh huh.
[Don't fidget any more than this baseline level of fidgeting, at least. Then he laughs, because really? Should he start over a second time? He won't, but wow, at least pretend to be paying attention to this critically important yukata lesson. Or, well, don't, he's not particularly bothered by Charles not committing this process to memory. The sheepishness he has about it is kind of cute, actually, if Junpei thinks about it for more than a few seconds.
And, oh,] Uh... Yeah, I could do that. Maybe I'll even get it right the first time.
[Haha. Whenever the next time someone hosts a festival, he figures, which is - fine. He'll help Charles do this again next time, which makes it kind of a routine, and routines make this whole place feel a little bit more permanent. Huh. Something to think about.]
You're not just asking so you can get out of remembering the steps, are you...?
[ it's with a quick, sheepish oi that charles objects to the laughter — not very much of an objection, really, when he knows full well he kind of deserves it. who just up and forgets the entire point of this whole thing? him, apparently. it's junpei's fault, though — he doesn't quite know how it's his fault, only that it definitely is. ]
Hey, I don't mind, [ he says, because truly, junpei could start over ten times and he'd be just fine with that. (which, considering the half of a heart attack he got when he realised they'd be standing here twice as long, well, maybe it's a thought he should examine in more detail, at some point. eventually.) ]
No. [ and then he surprises himself with how much he means that — that he's really not just asking because he knows he'd mess it up completely if he tried on his own. junpei is hardly the only one he knows, here, who would be able to do this, help him with it all, and yet he's the only one he wants to help him, which. another thought to maybe examine later at some nebulous point in the future! ]
No, [ he repeats, softer, ] Not just because of that. [ and because he's feeling strangely unmoored, then, he adds with a joking edge, ] I mean, that is part of it.
[Charles earns himself another raised eyebrow for that - they do have to get to the festival eventually, after all. Or any number of future festivals where a yukata might be appropriate to wear. That is to say, they can't spend the entire day in this changing room; it would be... unfair to other patrons... or something like that. But if they were at the inn Junpei could spend however long it takes to get Charles into a yukata properly—
Which is immaterial. The point is. There's a point. He's circling it, he'll get there eventually.
In any case,] Oh yeah? At least you're admitting it...
[With the yukata finally properly on, where is that boring obi... It gives him something to look at besides Charles, so he can ask,]
[ as junpei turns to look for the obi, charles lets out a breath, shaking out his arms a little and making the sleeves flap — a move he repeats then just for the fun of it. but the question catches him unawares, too fast for his mind to deflect from it. because i like this, he thinks, because i like you. because getting ready like this, together, means something different, and i don't know what that is but i know i want it.
he swallows every single word back immediately. and man, but sometimes the fact ghosts can't exactly blush is a really, really nice thing.
and then, because he really needs to respond with something, he does what he does best: rallies by deflecting, summoning up a pointed grin, lets mischief leak into his voice. ] Maybe I just want an excuse to spend more time with you. And it gets you to come to a festival with me.
[ when in doubt: flirt to cover up actual emotions, works every time — ]
[Obi in hand, Junpei pauses, to pointedly consider the words if not the flirting. He sighs, exaggerated, and hangs his head in a way that doesn't entirely hide a little smirk.]
Man, it's tricking me into going to the harp concert all over again.
[Ha. Wordlessly he gestures for Charles to hold his arms still again, so that he can tie this thing without getting a faceful of sleeve. It shouldn't take nearly as long as the yukata itself, but it's a process reduced entirely to fussing around Charles' waist, and Junpei is extremely aware of every time he has to tuck a hand between belt and body. Worse, he can't even rush to the end, or else it will look bad and fancy-pants clothing snob Charles shouldn't look bad because of his fumbling...
He's made it to maybe the second to last step before he stops and says to the belt,] Goddamn it.
[And then up to Charles,] I just know you weren't paying attention to these steps, either.
[Note to self: Say them out loud maybe next time?? He'll learn. Well, let him finish this, and,] You don't need an excuse. To hang out with me, I mean.
[ but otherwise... well, if the plan works? though he's not entirely sure about what the trick is, this time, if he's outright just making clear he wants junpei to go to the festival with him — but oh well! can't ponder on that for too long anyway, not when junpei starts to put the obi in place, and charles finds he suddenly needs his entire focus on staring at absolutely nothing, trying his very best to think of absolutely nothing, too, and certainly feel absolutely nothing.
it's a good thing he doesn't have to breathe, because not a single breath leaves him the entire time he simply stands there while junpei fusses with the belt —
and then the light cursing makes him look down, anyway, and the words that follow make him blink, and then laugh sharply in surprise and realisation because, oh yeah, he has no fucking clue what exactly junpei has been doing.
the grin doesn't go away even when his laughter does; and he can't quite help but lean forward just a bit as junpei finishes his job with the belt, hunch down so he's more or less eye level with him as he says, ]
You sure? Cause then you'll be seeing a lot more of me. [ he means for his tone to be joking; it lands rather closer to something else, low and pointed. and he'll blame the distraction of junpei's hands still there at his waist for then continuing with, ] You know there's plenty people here who know how to do this, put this thing on, yeah? But you're the only one I want to help me with it.
[Until 6-pack t-shirts and the same crummy jeans as always are festival-appropriate attire, it's all suits and harp concerts in spirit—
Still, Junpei assumes that, obi all squared away, they will leave this very small room and go to the festival in earnest, but oh - there's Charles, dashing that idea upon the rocks with his insinuations and his proximity and his pretty eyes. Ah. Junpei runs through a whole litany of ways to respond to that first comment, from oh, is that a promise? to I wouldn't mind seeing more of you right now, but he is, sadly, A Dingus, so what he says is, mumbled:]
Uh—sure. I'm sure.
[And he blinks a few times, like that will stave off the many mental images he now has of being just like this, only no yukata and no obi. Charles in his tank top and his goddamn suspenders, Junpei's hands on his waist, and...
Well, never mind that now. Junpei shakes his head lightly, biting back his immediate urge to say Charles just has low standards if he's so set on getting Junpei's clumsy, bumbling help.]
That's- that's cool. [perfect. nailing it.] Anything you need, right? I guess that includes folding help...
[He's not sure what else to say that wouldn't be, hm, way too much and way too awkward, so he settles,] I'm glad I get to be... that one. Who helps.
[Anyway, he's going to bury himself at sea, never mind—]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
never. 150 more tags coming up--
Whatever!!
It's fine; it doesn't take much wandering around for him to mostly put those thoughts on the backburner again, a credit to both good free food and, as always, Charles. He scoffs at the compliment, because of course he does.]
Sure, thanks. You could've gotten changed if you wanted. [does he kind of want to see Charles in many different outfits, maybe-] Do you want to? We can go back.
[Just to like, browse patterns for inspiration, because ghost. Still.]
this fucking callout im so. dont look at me ever again
anyway — ]
Maybe? I could change into a sherwani, but I guess it's not for this festival, specifically. [ a bit sheepishly, he scratches the back of his neck. ] Don't wanna be a bother, though. We should probably just keep going.
[ read: yes, he does want to go back, but also feels like doubling back is going to inconvenience junpei and thus won't do it. ]
i perceive us every time i open my inbox tbh
That said, what's this now, hey, hey—]
I don't know what that is, so I think you've got to show me. Festival rules.
[Like, he does want to learn what a sherwani is, both out of genuine curiosity and to see Charles dress up fancy, but he's fluent in the language of "no, it's fine, don't worry about it," so here: festival rules. Time to go back.]
Come on.
just don't open it then problem solved--
[ no way there's any festival rules like that! though, it's with a small smile that he does actually turn to follow junpei as they start back towards the nearest tailor shop. ]
A sherwani's this traditional outer coat. You can call it the achkan, too, or achkan sherwani — [ a shrug, don't ask him more, this is already straining his memory ] — it's worn on special occasions, like formalwear. Wore one to my cousin's wedding.
[ he could, technically, change into one right here on the street, as it'll literally happen by thinking about it and requires absolutely no undressing at all... but he doesn't want to freak people out. so maybe it's better to duck into a store or something, first. ]
i'll be tagging with my eyes closed from now on
[Ha ha, anyway, it's shopping time. He's so pleased with himself as they start to head back, let him have this.]
Is there a whole outfit? Shoes and stuff.
[Junpei, wearing his new sneakers and not the appropriate sandals to go with his yukata, asking about matching shoes. Charles would look nice in anything, he thinks as they move closer to the store. That's a thought, for sure; he's decided not to unpack it, shuffling ahead to open the door with another silly flourish.]
probably a good plan
right, he was asked a question — ] Sort of? There's traditional pants and shoes, too. Sherwani you can wear with other stuff, too, though.
[ it's with a laugh that he steps inside the store, turning to junpei to say, ] You know you don't need to open the door for me, yeah? Like, at all. [ and yet his fond tone says thanks, while the look in his eyes says it was cute.
anyway, the second the door swings shut behind them, charles turns fully to face junpei, one moment dressed in his usual polo-bomber jacket-trousers combo, and the next in a decorated overcoat, at first black, then turning more burgundy. ] This is a sherwani, [ charles says, and then concentrates; the coat, otherwise looking the same, suddenly gains a row of buttons slanting towards his shoulder, and loses a few inches of length. ] And this is an achkan.
[ he looks down at the garments, as if to check he's done it correctly — it's been a long time, after all, and it's not like he can look in the mirror and see how it all is. once he's satisfied that he's done an okay job, he tilts his head up, spreads his arms a bit. ] So? Festival rules complied with?
no subject
Hey, you told me it's uncomfortable... I'm a gentleman.
[Well, he'd said partially phasing, but leave it to Junpei to apply that logic to all phasing through any door. He doesn't see the point in not doing normal polite behaviors just because they might not technically apply to Charles; they came all the way to this store when it was not factually necessary, after all. Sure, there are some unquestionable differences, but treating him like Charles The Ghost instead of just Charles feels weird when it comes to polite human things?
So let him hold the dang door, damn.
As for this ghost fashion show, oh, he's handsome, hang on a second. Very smoothly, Junpei gives a thumbs up.]
You look great. Real festival-y.
no subject
and then he's smiling, anyway, when junpei compliments him; though, really, they're equally bad about taking compliments. which is why charles sort of takes is as the kind of polite thing you say and don't really mean. ]
Festival-y, is it? So I should just stay in this?
[ honestly, as much as he kind of wants to try a yukata... if junpei decides he should wear this instead, he won't mind. and the reasoning behind that — well, not relevant right now, yeah? ]
no subject
I think you should wear whatever you want. You're going to look good in whatever, so... Up to you.
[He shrugs, and this too is genuine, because Charles is a good-looking dude no matter what. Junpei tilts his head to look past him, at the handful of yukata on display in this shop. It occurs to him now that they're in the store again-]
Do you know how to put on a yukata, actually...? I don't really know how deep the ghost closet goes.
no subject
when he finally manages to have all systems online again, it's to say, a bit sheepish, ] Right, that's a good point. No clue about any of it. Might have to do it for real, just to get the hang of it.
[ it's not like he can't wear real clothes, he just usually never does, because they show to living people while ghosts do not, and clothes walking by themselves on the street is, well, you know. not ideal. here there's no such problem. ]
Think the sales assistant could help?
no subject
And then you can pop it out whenever?
[Fascinating if so... Junpei might wear more than the same 6 t-shirts all the time if he could do that, but as a non-ghost version. Anyway, as he considers the rack of options, he just... says, without thinking about it:]
What for? I can do it.
no subject
Yeah, pretty much.
[ it does require a bit of focus, and so the more familiar the clothes, the easier it is for him to wear them — hence why he usually sticks to the same outfit. (in fact, ghost clothes depend entirely on the will, to the point where his shirt will change colour depending on his mood; during the gnosia incident, his polo had gone from red to burgundy to black, eventually; this morning, it had been an absolute bright shade of red.) ]
I — [ charles starts, and then promptly ends, too, because — well, he really should be pointing out the obvious, shouldn't he? except when he tries this whole talking thing again, what comes out is, ] I mean, sure. If you want. Just, uh, pick one. The pattern doesn't matter, I can adjust that later.
[ why is he saying this someone send help. ]
no subject
Anyway, let him find a nice reddish yukata, nodding. He's about to joke that Charles should get one with fish on it and they can match, but ah, no... maybe not. That, and not this other thing, would be pushing it.
He holds up the sleeve of one yukata, brighter than burgundy but still a deep red.]
You like this one? [he gives the end of the sleeve a little wave, like an adult,] You can just wear a t-shirt under it, no one's going to flip out.
no subject
Yeah, it looks good. [ with a grin, ] What, t-shirt? Nah, mate, I've got an undershirt. That'll do.
[ yes, you heard him right: so on the daily, he wears an undershirt and a polo shirt and a bomber jacket and his overcoat when outside. it's a whole ensemble.
anyway — ] Right, let's see, then. [ gently, he takes the yukata and drapes it over his arm, reaching out with his other hand to grab junpei's sleeve and drag him with him to the back of the store where they have one whole dressing room, separated from the rest of the store by a curtain. as soon as they make it there, the achkan flickers out of existence, leaving charles wearing his usual trousers, a white tank top and suspenders. ] So... [ he eyes the yukata with some apprehension; please instruct. ]
no subject
A t-shirt would still be fine...
[Just in defense of t-shirts here, and now no one has to wonder what's under Junpei's yukata, because it's absolutely the shirt he put on this morning.
It's only once the curtain on this little dressing room is drawn that Junpei realizes exactly what he's done in offering to help with this, and possibly only because he's fiddling with the curtain to make sure it's going to stay closed, who doesn't put an actual door on their changing room, come on—and then he turns, only to be faced with... suspenders. This is maybe 15% when it comes to a state of undress, but suspenders and a tank top have momentarily short-circuited the rest of his thoughts.
Oh jeez.]
Uh— Yeah, give me that. And hold your arms out like this. [He demonstrates, and once he has the yukata, shuffles around to make quick work of getting Charles' arms through it. That's the easy step; the rest is slower going, admittedly,] It's, uh, been a minute.
[Maybe the last time he helped someone else with a yukata was with his parents, which generously would have been six or seven years ago, so let him fuss and drape at a snail's pace, thanks.]
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anyway. he doesn't think much of his state of undress, mostly because this is his downtime outfit, the clothes he wears when back at the agency and not dealing with clients; so it's just fine, right?
what he thinks a bit more of, then, is the rest of all of this: junpei, standing close to him when instructing him, walking round him to help him into the yukata, fiddling with the garment slowly and carefully. really slowly. and with the way he has to swallow down a sharp intake of breath every time junpei's hands touch him instead of the fabric, the way he can't seem to look away even when his mind is telling him that maybe he should just stare at the ceiling instead so he wouldn't have the visual of junpei fiddling with his clothes in his head from now on — ]
That's fine, [ he manages, finally, voice only slightly strained. ] Won't know if you do it wrong, will I? So don't worry.
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Lucky then that he has the yukata to occupy his eyes and hands with. He scoffs lightly, as Charles says that at the precise moment he's noticed he did these steps in reverse because he was thinking about how it would look to put it on himself, so hang on, he has to start over.]
I'll know. And so will people at the festival, so just- hold still.
[He's folding, he's draping, he's idly wondering if they should have stopped to pick out an obi Charles liked instead of just the one that was paired with this yukata, but Charles said don't worry about the patterns, hmm... It's another few moments of quiet, which he finds to be pretty cozy and comfortable despite his fumbling. Hmm...]
You gonna remember how to do this? I know you don't have to, but... [well, since he wanted the experience...!]
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[ is he, though? not really. he has a hard time standing still on a good day, usually fidgeting with something, bouncing his leg, some part of him in constant motion; right now, he shuffles his feet every few seconds, his fingers curling and uncurling, as if he's trying really, really hard to not do something impulsive — but, for the most part, he's actually not moving all that much. watching junpei is keeping him occupied, quiet for once, eyes trained on him.
and from how carefully he's watching, one might think it's all to commit to memory how exactly to wear the yukata. and yet, it's with a sinking feeling charles realises he can recall absolutely fuck-all of the proper yukata-wearing etiquette. in fact, the question makes him blink, like shaken back into the present. ]
Bloody hell, [ he says, sounding a bit embarrassed, ] Forgot I was meant to be keeping an eye on that. [ he clears his throat. ] So, uh, no.
[ and because apparently his mouth is running on autopilot, what comes out next is, ] Wait, does that mean you'll help me put one on the next time I need to wear one, too?
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[Don't fidget any more than this baseline level of fidgeting, at least. Then he laughs, because really? Should he start over a second time? He won't, but wow, at least pretend to be paying attention to this critically important yukata lesson. Or, well, don't, he's not particularly bothered by Charles not committing this process to memory. The sheepishness he has about it is kind of cute, actually, if Junpei thinks about it for more than a few seconds.
And, oh,] Uh... Yeah, I could do that. Maybe I'll even get it right the first time.
[Haha. Whenever the next time someone hosts a festival, he figures, which is - fine. He'll help Charles do this again next time, which makes it kind of a routine, and routines make this whole place feel a little bit more permanent. Huh. Something to think about.]
You're not just asking so you can get out of remembering the steps, are you...?
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Hey, I don't mind, [ he says, because truly, junpei could start over ten times and he'd be just fine with that. (which, considering the half of a heart attack he got when he realised they'd be standing here twice as long, well, maybe it's a thought he should examine in more detail, at some point. eventually.) ]
No. [ and then he surprises himself with how much he means that — that he's really not just asking because he knows he'd mess it up completely if he tried on his own. junpei is hardly the only one he knows, here, who would be able to do this, help him with it all, and yet he's the only one he wants to help him, which. another thought to maybe examine later at some nebulous point in the future! ]
No, [ he repeats, softer, ] Not just because of that. [ and because he's feeling strangely unmoored, then, he adds with a joking edge, ] I mean, that is part of it.
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Which is immaterial. The point is. There's a point. He's circling it, he'll get there eventually.
In any case,] Oh yeah? At least you're admitting it...
[With the yukata finally properly on, where is that boring obi... It gives him something to look at besides Charles, so he can ask,]
Soooo, what are the other parts?
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he swallows every single word back immediately. and man, but sometimes the fact ghosts can't exactly blush is a really, really nice thing.
and then, because he really needs to respond with something, he does what he does best: rallies by deflecting, summoning up a pointed grin, lets mischief leak into his voice. ] Maybe I just want an excuse to spend more time with you. And it gets you to come to a festival with me.
[ when in doubt: flirt to cover up actual emotions, works every time — ]
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Man, it's tricking me into going to the harp concert all over again.
[Ha. Wordlessly he gestures for Charles to hold his arms still again, so that he can tie this thing without getting a faceful of sleeve. It shouldn't take nearly as long as the yukata itself, but it's a process reduced entirely to fussing around Charles' waist, and Junpei is extremely aware of every time he has to tuck a hand between belt and body. Worse, he can't even rush to the end, or else it will look bad and fancy-pants clothing snob Charles shouldn't look bad because of his fumbling...
He's made it to maybe the second to last step before he stops and says to the belt,] Goddamn it.
[And then up to Charles,] I just know you weren't paying attention to these steps, either.
[Note to self: Say them out loud maybe next time?? He'll learn. Well, let him finish this, and,] You don't need an excuse. To hang out with me, I mean.
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[ but otherwise... well, if the plan works? though he's not entirely sure about what the trick is, this time, if he's outright just making clear he wants junpei to go to the festival with him — but oh well! can't ponder on that for too long anyway, not when junpei starts to put the obi in place, and charles finds he suddenly needs his entire focus on staring at absolutely nothing, trying his very best to think of absolutely nothing, too, and certainly feel absolutely nothing.
it's a good thing he doesn't have to breathe, because not a single breath leaves him the entire time he simply stands there while junpei fusses with the belt —
and then the light cursing makes him look down, anyway, and the words that follow make him blink, and then laugh sharply in surprise and realisation because, oh yeah, he has no fucking clue what exactly junpei has been doing.
the grin doesn't go away even when his laughter does; and he can't quite help but lean forward just a bit as junpei finishes his job with the belt, hunch down so he's more or less eye level with him as he says, ]
You sure? Cause then you'll be seeing a lot more of me. [ he means for his tone to be joking; it lands rather closer to something else, low and pointed. and he'll blame the distraction of junpei's hands still there at his waist for then continuing with, ] You know there's plenty people here who know how to do this, put this thing on, yeah? But you're the only one I want to help me with it.
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Still, Junpei assumes that, obi all squared away, they will leave this very small room and go to the festival in earnest, but oh - there's Charles, dashing that idea upon the rocks with his insinuations and his proximity and his pretty eyes. Ah. Junpei runs through a whole litany of ways to respond to that first comment, from oh, is that a promise? to I wouldn't mind seeing more of you right now, but he is, sadly, A Dingus, so what he says is, mumbled:]
Uh—sure. I'm sure.
[And he blinks a few times, like that will stave off the many mental images he now has of being just like this, only no yukata and no obi. Charles in his tank top and his goddamn suspenders, Junpei's hands on his waist, and...
Well, never mind that now. Junpei shakes his head lightly, biting back his immediate urge to say Charles just has low standards if he's so set on getting Junpei's clumsy, bumbling help.]
That's- that's cool. [perfect. nailing it.] Anything you need, right? I guess that includes folding help...
[He's not sure what else to say that wouldn't be, hm, way too much and way too awkward, so he settles,] I'm glad I get to be... that one. Who helps.
[Anyway, he's going to bury himself at sea, never mind—]
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🎀 hell....................yea