[newlydead r2] day 4 - june

[unexpectedboner]

[There's a small cafe table nicked from somewhere set up in a relatively out of the way spot behind some of the other sets, and it's there that Junpei invites Akane. As promised, he's prepared dinner (sandwiches, they're safe) and tacked up a tasteful painting of a bud vase found in the prop room ("for atmosphere"). For his part, Junpei seems just a bit tense with nervous energy, but happy enough to be here, if the smile on his face is anything to go by.]

So, um, how're you doing today? Or is that too heavy of a topic for tonight?

Comments

[unexpectedboner]

N-no... I mean, I hope not? I mean...

[sighs, scrubbing at his face]

I'm not trying to argue that you shouldn't have lived, or tried to live, or whatever awful thing it might sound like I said. I don't want that at all. But I feel like everyone except me knows at least some of what I'm going on. I just...I wanna know what I'm signing up for.

[exequte]

[There is a moment of silence.]

All right. What do you want to know?

[unexpectedboner]

[He takes a few moments to consider this, mentally arguing over a couple different options before finally speaking:]

...Can you read my mind?

[exequte]

Of course I can't!

[Your face, on the other hand....]

[unexpectedboner]

But...we connected? I felt you in my head. So I didn't know if that was still happening. 'Cause I was gonna apologize.

[exequte]

That...

[She sounds a little sad.]

Remember what can affect access to the Morphogenetic Field? Danger and epiphany. I... I was about to die, when that happened.

[unexpectedboner]

Yeah, but...

...Maybe I should be apologizing either way.

[exequte]

... Why would you need to apologize, Jumpy?

[unexpectedboner]

I messed up, didn't I? I thought I fixed everything, but you still...

[shrugs helplessly]

[exequte]

... I'd wondered if you'd noticed I should be dead. I thought I was. I don't know what happened.

[unexpectedboner]

You shouldn't be! At least, not for me and the others... But for you and Santa...

--Anyway, even if it's kind of a terrible one, this is still a second chance. Uh, third chance? Either way, better than nothing.

[exequte]

It's....

[She can't really say 'it's all right,' or not truthfully.]

It was always a thing that might happen. And... And I really am glad that I got to see Jumpy one more time, before....

Besides, like you said, this is another chance. I'm trying to do my best.

[unexpectedboner]

I know. And--maybe you don't wanna hear it from me, but you're not alone. I'm here to help. And Santa. Working together this time, there's no way we'll mess it up.

[...he knocks wood, just in case]

So don't worry too much about it, alright?

[exequte]

Alright. But... don't you hate me, Jumpy?

[unexpectedboner]

...I can't agree with all your choices. But I couldn't hate you.

[exequte]

But... everything that I put everyone through... and...

[And it... hadn't worked.]

[unexpectedboner]

[He frowns, shifting as though he wants to reach out, but not making a move in the end]

It's...maybe not "okay," but definitely not something I'd hate you over. I mean, the others might have something to say about it, but that's my two cents, anyway.

[exequte]

[She moves instead, taking a hesitant step forward, one hand lifting briefly as though to reach out and dropping again immediately. She stills then, looking uncertain.]

I... I thought....

[unexpectedboner]

[He steps closer himself, then, attempting to pull her into an embrace.]

[exequte]

[There's that moment of hesitation before he reaches her, and then she steps close and lets him pull her into an embrace, clutching weakly at his shirt as she presses close to him.]

[unexpectedboner]

[He just holds her for a while, not to get fresh, but just to have her with him, alive and warm and (hopefully) not being hugged too tight. He works his throat a little but just sighs. It sounds closer to the contented type.]

[exequte]

[She hugs him back for a long few moments before finally pulling away, blushing a little.]

Jumpy's body is still... so warm....

[unexpectedboner]

Uh... Thanks.

[He shifts a bit, redfaced but obviously pleased]

...If you're feeling cold, you can always come to me.

[exequte]

... oh!

[Blushing and smiling!!!]

It's probably still a little early for that, don't you think?

[unexpectedboner]

Is it? That's pretty innocuous. So carpe diem, right? It's not like we don't know each other all that well.

[...do they??? well w/e]