[ as junpei mutters to gab, charles does a sweep of the room, just in case — and he does end up hovering somewhere near the door, so junpei's assumption is... not altogether wrong, really. ]
But I — [ he starts, and then swallows the rest, because the rest is definitely need to go and take care of that snake; richard's got some swords, he's pretty damn sure of that, so maybe he can just borrow one and go cut the snake's head off. he dealt with the bigger one on his own, this one shouldn't be a challenge, either.
but he's also incapable of saying no when junpei asks him for anything, and after a moment, he sighs and sits down, too, right next to him, wrapping his arm around his shoulders and pulling him close. ]
Yeah, alright. I'll stay as long as you want me to. [ or at least as long as he's awake; when the night comes and he's asleep, well. won't matter if he's gone then, will it? ]
[See, he's doing it, he's thinking about it—Junpei continues to give him the same look, knowing and fond despite the circumstances (knowingly throwing oneself into danger, please, he wrote the book on that one). That holds until Charles sits down and Junpei leans against him, putting his head on his shoulder and winding an arm around his waist. There's a touch of intensity in it, because he really doesn't intend to let Charles run off anytime soon.
Surely he can stay awake forever— Eh, they'll get there.]
It'll still be there later. We didn't see anyone else out there, so...
[So that's blatantly an excuse, a hasty balm slapped over the situation, Junpei can selfishly monopolize Charles' time for a handful of hours, at least.]
I know. [ there's an attempt at a smile, there, a kind of reassurance that he's not going to go out there right this second — but whether he's trying to convince junpei or himself that it's all fine for him to remain here, well.
but it's fine, it has to be fine, because junpei is his first priority, always — and this is no different. the entire world could be full of snakes, out there, and he still wouldn't run out on him, not when he's explicitly asked him to stay.
so he sighs again, and turns his head to drop a kiss on junpei's head. ]
You don't need to thank me, love. Nowhere else I'd rather be. [ a pause, and then, softly, ] You matter to me more than anyone or anything else, yeah? So if you want me to stay, I'll stay.
[The snakes can wait, there are other people in this town who can swing a sword or a bat or whatever, but there's only one Charles. Junpei doesn't want to sit in this room with nothing but the dog and his thoughts, and since he's comparatively useless against a big snake (or snakes! who knows how many there are!) he can't go back out there with Charles...
So, this: sinking into Charles with a sense of, hm, dread? Guilt? There are other people in this town but what if they're one short— No, it's stupid to think about it like that.]
I always want you to stay. [And yet, is he going to fall asleep sooner or later, yes...] Just keep me posted if you go out.
[... ....... .....,] The rock baseball thing you did back there was pretty cool.
And I always want to stay, [ he says just as easily — he leans against junpei in turn, and thinks for a moment about the truth in his own words. because really — as much as he's determined to give junpei his space, if it was only up to him, he'd really never leave.
so he just nods; yes, he won't go without letting him know.
and then, with a slight grin, ] Couldn't have done it without your good throwing skills, could I?
I know you do, [Junpei says, and he does, just as much as he knows Charles can't resist rushing in to do all the heroics he's capable of. It's too bad that becoming shut-ins for the rest of time just isn't an option for either of them, honestly, much as Junpei would like that right now.
And ugh, please, he's cute. Junpei scoffs.]
It was a lucky toss.
[He slouches down a few inches more, leaning more heavily into Charles. This is where he will fall asleep and give himself a cool crick in the neck, yes indeed...] But I guess we still make a good team.
[ he rests his head against junpei's, turns it slightly so he can look down at him fondly — and yeah, sure, this can be where he falls asleep, and then charles will gently carry him over to the bed so he can sleep there, properly, possibly with gab settled over his legs. ]
Course we do. [ softly, ] The next time I need someone to throw me projectiles I can hit with my bat, I know who to ask.
[He pantomimes a pitiful little throw, at this angle, but the sentiment is there. Should he really take up ranged rock throwing, for real? The agreement to keep out of danger is getting harder to actually stick to, the way things keep coming right into the city instead of being past its borders, huh...
Well, whatever. He's tired for real; whatever he thinks about the inn right now, the comparative warmth and light and safety cool the panic adrenaline right out of him. He reaches up blindly to find Charles' cheek and give it a fond pat.] Love you. Remember to leave a note.
[Just a helpful reminder, before he lets himself drift off for real.]
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But I — [ he starts, and then swallows the rest, because the rest is definitely need to go and take care of that snake; richard's got some swords, he's pretty damn sure of that, so maybe he can just borrow one and go cut the snake's head off. he dealt with the bigger one on his own, this one shouldn't be a challenge, either.
but he's also incapable of saying no when junpei asks him for anything, and after a moment, he sighs and sits down, too, right next to him, wrapping his arm around his shoulders and pulling him close. ]
Yeah, alright. I'll stay as long as you want me to. [ or at least as long as he's awake; when the night comes and he's asleep, well. won't matter if he's gone then, will it? ]
no subject
Surely he can stay awake forever— Eh, they'll get there.]
It'll still be there later. We didn't see anyone else out there, so...
[So that's blatantly an excuse, a hasty balm slapped over the situation, Junpei can selfishly monopolize Charles' time for a handful of hours, at least.]
Well, thanks. It's just— thanks.
no subject
but it's fine, it has to be fine, because junpei is his first priority, always — and this is no different. the entire world could be full of snakes, out there, and he still wouldn't run out on him, not when he's explicitly asked him to stay.
so he sighs again, and turns his head to drop a kiss on junpei's head. ]
You don't need to thank me, love. Nowhere else I'd rather be. [ a pause, and then, softly, ] You matter to me more than anyone or anything else, yeah? So if you want me to stay, I'll stay.
no subject
So, this: sinking into Charles with a sense of, hm, dread? Guilt? There are other people in this town but what if they're one short— No, it's stupid to think about it like that.]
I always want you to stay. [And yet, is he going to fall asleep sooner or later, yes...] Just keep me posted if you go out.
[... ....... .....,] The rock baseball thing you did back there was pretty cool.
no subject
so he just nods; yes, he won't go without letting him know.
and then, with a slight grin, ] Couldn't have done it without your good throwing skills, could I?
no subject
And ugh, please, he's cute. Junpei scoffs.]
It was a lucky toss.
[He slouches down a few inches more, leaning more heavily into Charles. This is where he will fall asleep and give himself a cool crick in the neck, yes indeed...] But I guess we still make a good team.
no subject
[ he rests his head against junpei's, turns it slightly so he can look down at him fondly — and yeah, sure, this can be where he falls asleep, and then charles will gently carry him over to the bed so he can sleep there, properly, possibly with gab settled over his legs. ]
Course we do. [ softly, ] The next time I need someone to throw me projectiles I can hit with my bat, I know who to ask.
slaps a beautiful 🎀 on this
[He pantomimes a pitiful little throw, at this angle, but the sentiment is there. Should he really take up ranged rock throwing, for real? The agreement to keep out of danger is getting harder to actually stick to, the way things keep coming right into the city instead of being past its borders, huh...
Well, whatever. He's tired for real; whatever he thinks about the inn right now, the comparative warmth and light and safety cool the panic adrenaline right out of him. He reaches up blindly to find Charles' cheek and give it a fond pat.] Love you. Remember to leave a note.
[Just a helpful reminder, before he lets himself drift off for real.]