coolerjunpei: (022)
bitcoin scholar junpei tenmyouji ([personal profile] coolerjunpei) wrote2024-07-01 10:02 am

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USERNAME: junpei
Junpei Tenmyouji
Zero Escape

TEXT • AUDIO • VIDEO • ACTION • OVERFLOW
incorrigibles: (( 18 ))

[personal profile] incorrigibles 2024-10-04 01:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[ his sad little smile turns, well, a little less sad at that reassurance — he echoes the squeeze to their joined hands, and then falls silent; not because he wouldn't have things to say about the whole trying to fix things part, but because the way junpei speaks, eyes trained at something at the end of the street, is the way he sometimes starts some distance away from the point he wants to get to, circling it until he can finally push himself into facing whatever it is. and for that, he doesn't need charles' words; he needs his silence.

and that stays, even through the moment junpei takes to find the rest of his words; meanwhile, charles watches the red that stains his cheeks and oh, that's a sight that never gets old, never fails to make his heart flip. and then, a few seconds before junpei actually gets to the point, right around "i can't stop thinking about it," it flips again, and again, until it just... stops. in fact, charles could swear everything stops — the sounds from the town, the slight wind, anything and everything... because nothing really matters to him except junpei, and the way his arguably incredibly dorky (and yet so, so endearing) confession makes charles feel like he's somehow forgotten to let gravity affect him and is floating in the air.

he doesn't think he's ever felt as happy as he does, now.

though words are something that are beyond him, in the moment that junpei's question hangs between them, well, the way he looks at junpei belies it all: if he'd thought that the way charles looked at him before was openly affectionate, that holds no candle to this, here, his immediate answer not spoken aloud but no less obvious for it.

and then he's tugging on their hands, using his own to pull junpei close, his other hand cupping the back of his head gently as he leans down to press a kiss to his lips. and he means it to be a short, sweet thing, really, except he's wanted to do this for months and one kiss turns into two, three, until he's finally able to pull back just enough to touch their foreheads together, his hand moving from the back of junpei's head to the side of his face.
]

Yeah, [ he says then, smiling softly, ] Yeah, it's aces. [ with a quiet exhale, he straightens up so he can actually look at junpei properly, thumb brushing against his cheek, and the words — yeah, they're there, now. ]

You, Junpei Tenmyouji... I love you. [ in the end, it's a simple thing to say — like the words have just been waiting, all these weeks, for him to be brave enough to speak them aloud. ]
incorrigibles: (( 06 ))

[personal profile] incorrigibles 2024-10-04 04:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[ holy shit is about right — he's feeling far too much to coherently put words to it, the staggering relief and the bubbling happiness and the way all the love he feels doesn't quite seem to fit inside him, like every single atom in his spectral body is already made up of nothing but the sheer strength of how much he adores junpei and still there's more left spilling over. he thinks he gets it, now, why people describe a love returned as giddy — he feels almost light-headed with it all, and can't help but laugh as junpei just abruptly rests his head on his shoulder like he, too, is suffering from the same affliction.

which — he is, and the knowledge makes charles smile wide and bright and joyous.
]

Oh? [ he can't help but feel just a tad bit smug when he says, voice lilting, ] Thought about that, have you?

[ well, maybe it's a good thing junpei now has a very effective way to shut him up — one he uses to his advantage, and charles is all too happy to oblige him. and if his smile after matches junpei's, well! that's just fine. he thinks they deserve this, after everything, a moment to simply beam at each other in the middle of a goddamn street of all things. ]

That makes two of us. [ who should have said it sooner, he means — and then, voice soft and tender, ] Good.

[ and really, it's hardly charles' fault if the only possible answer to that is to lean down again, letting his hand slide down to the back of junpei's neck, fingers curling in his hair as he kisses him in earnest, this time... and while the earlier kisses were sort of, vaguely, still public-appropriate, this one is skirting the line, what with charles being very intent on leaving junpei breathless when they finally break apart. ]
incorrigibles: (( 32 ))

[personal profile] incorrigibles 2024-10-04 06:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[ in response to the eyebrow raise, charles just cocks his head back with easy confidence, a kind of you said it, not me. when junpei slides his arms around him, he doesn't waste time to wind his now-free arm around his back, and while he doesn't really need to pull junpei closer — he's done that all on his own — well, it doesn't hurt, either.

the street could just as well not exist, for how little thought charles spares it; even as they break apart, even as he, too, feels breathless despite not even needing to breathe, all he has eyes for is junpei. and hell, but he can't really believe his luck — why on earth junpei would love him is quite frankly beyond him, and if he allows himself to dwell on it he's not entirely sure he deserves it, either; but he won't think of that, now, will avoid thinking of it as long as he can, because if junpei for some unfathomable reason seems to think him worth it... then charles won't doubt him.

what he will do instead is aim a grin at junpei, shrugging his shoulders.
]

That's not a complaint. [ and despite his tone, his eyes are full of warmth — and then he's leaning forward to press a kiss to his temple, his fingers untangling themselves from his hair as he moves his hand to join his other one around junpei. not for a moment does it occur to him they're still on the sidewalk; all he knows is the world could literally end right now and still he wouldn't let go.

the suggestion gets a hum from him.
] You mean, I'll get to see you in something else than a t-shirt? [ where's the nearest clothing store —

no, but joking aside, why is this even a question?
] Of course I do. [ he feels compelled to add, with a kind of devastating honesty, ] Junpei, love, you know you could ask me to go mountain climbing, or learn Ancient Greek, or watch seventy hours' worth of reality tv with you, and I'd say yes. Because it's you.
incorrigibles: (( 105 ))

[personal profile] incorrigibles 2024-10-04 09:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[ he chuckles at the promise of the two out of three, and then his heart soars again, like it's grown wings and learned to fly within the past five minutes — will he ever get tired of this, junpei speaking halted but honest words about how much charles means to him? no, he doesn't think so. he has equal trouble believing he'll ever really get used to it.

and then you've been the best thing that's ever happened to me hits him with the force of a bloody missile — not least because he can't quite believe he could be the best thing to happen to anybody, but also because this is junpei, who so often chooses actions over words, and to hear him actually say this out loud —

it's staggering, is what it is, and it makes charles have to glance away just for a second to gather his bearings.
]

You — [ no, his voice still sticks in his throat, but he tries his best, tightens his arms around junpei as he looks back at him, ] Sometimes I love you so fucking much I don't know what to do with myself.

[ and that 'sometimes' is not entirely accurate — perhaps 'increasingly often' might work better. still, he smiles, just a bit tremulous, and yet no less adoring than before. ] It's just you, [ he says, because in the end, that is what it all comes down to. ] Of course it's you.

[ it is an echo of what he'd said, back in that dressing room — back when he had been saying this same thing even without knowing it.

and when he bridges the already small distance between them, it's to press one of those chaste, loving kisses against junpei's lips. as he pulls back, he huffs out a slight laugh.
] Right, can't keep kissing you forever on this sidewalk, can I? Should we...

[ he trails off, because he's not entirely sure what to suggest except move — keep walking? he's not really interested in seeing the city, right now. go back home? certainly an appealing idea. get junpei something to eat? probably sensible but also not very romantic — ]
incorrigibles: (( 54 ))

[personal profile] incorrigibles 2024-10-05 07:35 am (UTC)(link)
[ it's all too easy to get lost in junpei's eyes; but the overwhelming surge of feelings calms into something no less strong but steadier, an ocean instead of a waterfall, and charles exhales slowly and smiles as their hands find each other once again. and they've done this so many times now that it's almost routine, but it feels different, more somehow, with both of them knowing the meaning behind it now. ]

Right, [ he says with a little grin, and well, charles would be lying if he tried to say junpei's frank correction and the implicit and explicit permission to kiss him whenever doesn't make him want to do just that, despite just having decided otherwise; he compromises by lifting their joined hands and pressing a kiss to junpei's knuckles instead.

and then the question makes him look around, considering.
] You mean, more than they should be for us blocking the sidewalk for ten minutes? ... Huh. Yeah, guess they do.

[ and that's probably something to look into, because that definitely wasn't a thing before... but does he really care? really, truly? ]

Well, that's different and all if we're not just imagining it, but... being honest? I don't really give a shit. Not right now. [ instead, he fixes junpei with a look. ] When's the last time you actually ate something? Like, an actual meal?

[ because it's been three days and he's having a hard time believing junpei bothered to make anything proper for himself if he spent the entire time worrying. ]
incorrigibles: (( 75 ))

[personal profile] incorrigibles 2024-10-05 02:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[ in response, charles lets out a fond sigh; this is just about exactly what he expected, really, and he gives junpei one (1) look of gentle admonishment — before he does what he explicitly said he wouldn't do and just, you know, ducks his head and leans in to give him yet another kiss. oops —

anyway, pulling back,
]

Yeah. You got anything back at the house? No, [ he corrects himself immediately, ] Probably not what I'd need.

[ and then he seems to realise he's being a little cryptic, and directs a sheepish smile at junpei. ] I'm not a great cook, but I do know some recipes, yeah? Used to help Mum out with chores. One time when her wrist was broken, back when I was twelve, I did all the cooking with her instructions, so I kind of kept helping after that, too. Dad never did much in the kitchen, so...

[ so it was a win-win in his eyes, spending time with his mom while avoiding his dad. and the implications of how his mom's wrist got broken aside, ]

Anyway. You fancy some curry?
incorrigibles: (( 30 ))

[personal profile] incorrigibles 2024-10-05 05:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[ as they wander along the street towards the closest grocery store, charles lets out a genuine chuckle over the curry it up, and if that doesn't show how far gone he truly is then nothing does — and then, with a bright, somewhat nostalgic grin, ]

Yeah, she's brills. Her chicken curry was the highlight of all the potlucks, you know, my cousins and I would fight over who got the biggest portion. And shit, her baked plum tart? Wish you could taste that... but I don't know the recipe. She only made that on special occasions, and wouldn't let me help with it.

[ he sighs as he stops in front of a store called 8-twelve, which, hm! but he pushes the door open even as he says, ] She loved cooking. Reckon she still does.

[ there's a touch of wistfulness there, enough for him to drop the topic as he starts gathering ingredients, spending the longest time in front of the spice selection. but maybe it explains why he is strangely invested in cooking despite thirty-five years of not needing to do it at all. ]

How about you? What's your favourite dish? [ he tries to sound very innocent, like he's asking just out of curiosity and not so he can just learn how to cook whatever it is... ]
incorrigibles: (( 26 ))

[personal profile] incorrigibles 2024-10-05 06:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[ it's really not his fault that he finds junpei incredibly charming when he's making little jokes like that — or perhaps it is, but it's a fault he's happy to embrace.

at the little offhand comment of him being hungry, charles blinks and nods.
] Right, so we'll get you a snack. It takes a bit to simmer, so...

[ anyway! junpei doesn't need to stand idle for long, because charles starts handing him the things he picks out, one packet of spices after another. and then, ] Hold on a tick, [ he gives junpei's hand a squeeze before letting go and phasing through a few shelves, returning in maybe half a minute with a basket that's somehow half-full of an assorted collection of vegetables and a plastic-wrapped piece of chicken.

as he entwines their hands again, he does, in fact, give junpei a look that's half-flat and half-amused, because instant ramen and fast food, seriously, he hopes it's not been the case here because then he should have been cooking for him months ago.

but oh, an actual answer,
]

Cold soba, huh? Right, sure. I'll look into it. I was already gonna learn how to make a ramen broth or whatever that's called. You're gonna have to taste-test for me, though. Got no idea what the authentic thing tastes like... and it's not like I can taste it myself, can I?

[ he then tries to sort of wave his other hand at their surroundings, except it's holding the basket, and so all he ends up doing is jostling it and nearly tipping it over — he manages to balance it with a sharp snap of his wrist, but not before swearing under his breath. ] Uh, so, pick a snack? Or two. Or ten.
incorrigibles: (( 85 ))

[personal profile] incorrigibles 2024-10-05 07:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[ the way his eyes light up at this nugget of ramen broth wisdom is maybe a little silly, but his enthusiasm is entirely genuine when he squeezes junpei's hand and declares, ] Aces, then you can help so I don't muck it all up. I was told it's a whole process, but... [ but, well, he doesn't really have too many things to do, so he might as well spend some of his time perfecting specific japanese dishes.

and then he glances at the basket he almost upended in the middle of the store and winces.
] No, it's fine. Just pick whatever you want, yeah? And then we can go.

[ they've made it to the last aisle before the cash register, the one with the snacks, and the cashier is ignoring them with an attitude best described as frigid, and, well. when junpei has picked what he wants, and after charles doubles back to grab a few treats for gab, he will hold his smile steadily in place through paying for the groceries, and only lets out a sigh when they finally make it outside again. ]

Jesus. If this is how it's gonna be from now on...

[ he falls silent for a moment as they start walking back to junpei's house. ] You think my landlord's gonna be like this, too?

[ because if so... well. he can handle people he doesn't know disliking him for no reason, but people he's sort of got along with before this? wow, he hates that. ]
incorrigibles: (( 16 ))

[personal profile] incorrigibles 2024-10-06 09:38 am (UTC)(link)
[ there's a difference to it all: strangers hating him for no reason? well, that he's used to — half the people he met back when he was alive had taken one look at the biracial guy with an earring and judged him as not enough, in the best case, or treated him as something lesser in the worst one. it had grown a little less common as an occurrence in his death, but still they'd come across clients who'd died well before charles with similar attitudes. but those people, well, the one thing he refuses to do is show them that he minds it; if he's friendly and polite and not offended, then it just shows they're the ones who are wrong. the biggest fuck you he can give them is to not waver in his own friendliness, at all.

but people who he's met before? who he's gotten along with before? who he likes, at least well enough, changing their opinion of him on a dime? that's a little too close to his very real memories of his death, and though he's usually very good at hiding his apprehension, some of it bleeds through into the way he visibly tenses up when junpei says probably, the way his eyes stare at nothing for a second or two before he shakes himself back to the present with a blink.

and then he smiles, because some reflexes are just too ingrained in him to beat.
]

Nah, it's fine. I'm sure it's fine, but thanks. I just — [ he shrugs, ] Well, wouldn't want you to get sick of me, would I?

[ his tone is very light and joking, but he absolutely means it. ]
incorrigibles: (( 94 ))

[personal profile] incorrigibles 2024-10-06 04:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[ it's impossible for him to not give junpei a warm smile at that as they slow to a stop in front of the house. ]

I know you do. [ there's not too many things he's certain of in this place, but that is one of them; even before they spoke of their feelings, charles never once doubted junpei's care for him. ]

But that goes for you, too, yeah? The being on part. I mean, and the part about having your back, but — well, the thing is, I'm used to sharing my space. But you're not, are you? So if you ever feel like you want to be alone, or just... exist quietly in the same room, you let me know. Cause I —

[ the warmth has now migrated to his eyes, too, and the tension has bled out of the line of his shoulders. ] I can't imagine ever not wanting to be around you. So if you'll have me...

[ he shrugs; then it's entirely possible he'll never leave, and he can certainly live with that. ]
incorrigibles: (( 41 ))

[personal profile] incorrigibles 2024-10-06 08:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[ really, charles is willing to have him no matter his mood — that's the point about love, after all, to want someone around even when others might consider them poor company. he's never going to love junpei any less, whether he's happy and joking or angry and sharp or quiet and sad; his love isn't dependent on anything else than junpei simply being himself.

when junpei tugs on his hand, it is charles' turn to go willingly, and he kisses him back with a soft, content sigh. briefly, he wonders whether they could simply forget about the rest of the world and keep kissing, because every time they do he's reminded of the fact he's wanted it for so long and is now allowed to do it and the fact he's doing something else is an affront, frankly —

except when junpei steps back it's first with a contemplative look and then with words that leave charles' chest expanding with warmth once more, and he knows his smile is small and pleased and embarrassingly besotted... but he can't really bring himself to care.
]

Love you too, [ he says, because he can, and because he does.

and then he's biting down a laugh at the swear and the glare at the poor innocent doorknob, and they can proceed with the whole lunch plan. except —
]

Oh, bloody hell. It was cute on you, but seriously? [ what is he saying. of course seriously. it's the kind of a joke where junpei also means it, and charles stops in the middle of sorting the groceries on the kitchen counter and sighs. ]

Right, sure. Might as well.

[ so what was it about junpei being able to ask him to do anything and he'd do it... ]
incorrigibles: (( 80 ))

[personal profile] incorrigibles 2024-10-07 05:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ meanwhile, charles shrugs off first his overcoat and then his jacket and takes a few steps to throw them over a chair; on the way back, he's crouching down to scratch gab behind the ears with a fond hi, buddy.

as he stands up again, he is faced with the apron (which he's still unsure of) and junpei's smile (which is still the loveliest thing he's ever seen, even when it's half at his expense) — and ha, right, the quip makes him roll his eyes... but he does duck his head and then ties the apron behind his back to hold it in place properly.
]

Course I do. [ though he adds, before junpei can be too anxious about this news, ] You're gonna help by keeping me company. Think you can do that?

[ as he reaches for the cutting board and a knife and starts peeling and chopping up vegetables, he can't help but think that all this — them, cooking lunch, gab circling their feet, it's all horribly domestic... and it makes him so, so overwhelmingly happy. ]

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