[He puts an arm around Falco as he crumples, pulling the other into his chest with a soft wince. He doesn't want to admit how much things hurt right now, so he keeps himself silent. Instead he tries to busy his mind thinking of the implications.]
[Remembering home? More than he did? But... 'everyone's gone'. Oh. Well. That could mean a few different things, but he gets the sense that Falco's not in a mood to elaborate. He uses his sleeve on his free arm to wipe the other's face, even if he knows it's just going to get wet again.]
I see. I...
[He huffs a bit, trying to think of something... anything that could make things better.]
I don't really know where you sleep, but... if you want to stay over tonight, you can. Just... so you don't have to be alone.
[ it takes more than a moment for falco to reach composure again once he's started crying. it's a stifling few moments that no soul would enjoy, but one that hangs in suspension between hiccups of breathing and thick snorts. of he's anything now, pulling a hand back from him might cause a string of ooze to stick and ribbon until wiped or broken. ]
I stay with, [ a pause, but only so he's not accessively stuttering, ] m-my guardians. [ perle called them "fathers". they might as well be as such. ] But if I could stay with you for tonight that'd— be good.
[ there was a difference between being with your guardians and being with your friends, after all. especially at his age— jun was likely to understand with the same maturity he did, compared to levi or erwin. it wasn't bad— but they'd already comforted him the best they could the day before. he could use some of his own space with someone his own age. ]
[He strokes the other's hair, trying to calm him. It's... fine. He's had times when he didn't want to be around his adopted father. He understands the need for his own space. And he's had sleepovers with his friends in his world - or did before... well.]
My bed's big enough. We can share. As long as you don't mind a dog sleeping on your feet... my omen likes to do that a lot.
[He glances at the couch and shakes his head.]
Manabu sleeps here, so it's not like you can do that. And I won't have you sleeping on the floor. Not like this.
[ falco shakes his head stiffly, but still adds some sort of response. he's shared beds with gabi in camps, with other children when there was still a headquarters— not like he missed that, though. he'd highly prefer sleeping at home, with his brother. jun's omen was sweet— perle always found a way to sleep in the crook of his chin and neck, but there was still one . . . problem? he could feel it in how the borrowed clothes were sticking to him rather than falling cleanly. ]
I think I'd drench your bed at this rate . . . [ but at least his breathing has quelled enough to speak with the mimimal amount of pauses. he's trying to keep his mind wandering rather than returning to that spot. he focuses on the comfort. he doesn't want to reject the offer, he wants to. he really wants to, but he doesn't want to get himself caught in a hole too deep to climb out of. ] I need to— get my corruption down.
[He shakes his head and looks at him firmly. He's not budging on this. Not when his friend needs him.]
We can wash the sheets. You shouldn't be alone right now. I... I'd hate it if you turned because I wasn't there. We can figure out how to lower your corruption... I just don't want you to leave.
[He can feel an ache in his chest at the idea, and he frowns.]
I know you're not going to go nuts and attack me or something. You wouldn't do that. So just... stay with me tonight. Please?
[ he didn’t want to say no, either— he’d get worse if he did. so the answer comes easily enough, albeit with a concerned pause— he nods against fabric, his own chest feeling tight. ]
We could . . . Try talking about other things, tonight. Or watch a movie. [ he could try and bring his attention to other places, because it surely wouldn’t help to think about something there was no way back from. falco lifts his head from the chest he had earlier placed himself upon, easing his hand upon him and— kind of grimacing when his fingerprints leave little wet stains behind. ] I don’t want to stay far, either.
[ that makes his hesitation stretch, though, but only because he goes thoughtful, using the pause both for time to think as much as to wipe at his stinging eyes. ]
Like an adventure, or something . . . What kind do you like?
[ he’d prefer to watch something they both enjoy, and romance as a genre . . . was off the table. it’d remind him of a loss too recent, and the last thing he wants to do is spend a night that’s supposed to be better crying. ]
Documentaries are interesting. [ not boring. that brings him to the idea, said with a shivery inhale from the aftermaths of his tears and raw, stinging eyes. ] You choose one, I’ll choose the other.
[ he's cheeks are warmer, despite the slight slimy feel to them. he wants to stay. he's already feeling better, staying. with a brief nod, he figures— he'd like to get started with that. ]
I should— Go back and get my things. [ he could just . . . stay the rest of the day, here, after that. but he knows that there is a pull of not wanting to let each other apart again, so: a quick solution. ] Do you want to trade Omens? So we know we're both okay.
[He whistles, and his omen comes bounding down the stairs. He nearly slides on what Falco left behind on his way to the shower, but he regains his posture with some clicking of his nails against the floor. He trots up to Falco and barks happily.]
You stick close to Falco, okay? And let me know if there's any issue.
[The omen yips in affirmation before shoving his face into Jun's side. He sighs and takes a hand off of Falco to pet the dog, rolling his eyes.]
[ he's— real cute. the golden fur and the tongue rolling off a friendly grin, and even more jun who feigns disinterest. it's just . . . a part of him taking care of himself. it's sweet, much like perle does with him. puffing onto his shoulder, the pygmy falcon steps on falco's offered hand and is lowered to the sofa's arm to keep watch over jun. chirp! ]
Go on, now. The sooner you get your things, the sooner you can come back. [ she's gently encouraging with her words, blinking at the retriever's wagging tail and chirping with endearment. he wasn't saying goodbye, exactly, so . . . he sets a hand over jun's chest in reassurance. ] —I'll be back soon.
[ if anything were to remain of a smile . . . it was there. not exactly a smile, but not the pull of a frown, either. perhaps just lighter lips as falco gathers his feet beneath him, inclines his head and begins on his was with a golden retriever at his heel.
perle, on the other hand, waits for the door’s soft click to speak up; her voice is mature and sweet, like that of a charismatic auntie wanting to hear all about her younglings. ]
[He watches Falco go, his omen at the boy's heels. He'll remain close and smoosh against Falco if he shows signs of being sad. No sads, only pets!]
[Jun startles slightly, having been lost in thought. He's... not used to that kind of energy. His father - adopted father, rather - had never been close with relatives on either side of his family.]
I'm... okay. In pain, but it's... I'm getting used to it.
... Glad he's okay, though. He still didn't say what happened.
[ she wants to say “you’ll feel better soon”, but perhaps she shouldn’t spoil too much of falco’s plans. ]
”Everyone is gone” is quite vague, isn’t it . . . [ but she sighs, soft and melancholy. ] Those who have ever meant something to him are as good as dead. Perhaps worse.
[ as long as it would help and save falco some breath— ]
You remember “The Rumbling”, don’t you? Well. They almost had it. Out of all the odds, they destroyed the host. The colossal giants stopped walking. But the— thing— A nasty thing that came out of him, it turned the innocents into pure titans. A last ditch effort to cause trouble.
Everyone that was not already like Falco had turned. Mother, Father, beloved. You have never seen a pure titan, have you? I’d prefer we keep it that way.
It is like watching a loved one become a beast, and there is no way out lest they put them down. But even then— fighters below were outnumbered. No one could last that long in the middle of a storm of hungry creatures.
[ perle’s head tilts and her eyes closed to receive the scritch, all with the softest of chirps. she even sighs in a tired, endeared way with the way her voice comes melancholy. ]
It’s thoughtful of you to think of helping that way. [ the facts had been that they were gone, already. no amount of outrageous thinking would bring a solution. instead of breaking that, perle measures her words, and encourages the boy in a different light. ] But do you know what would help, more than ever?
Your company. Your camaraderie. A feeling that there is someplace he still belongs, with people who love him just as much as he does.
It will not erase what has happened, but it will renew his strengths to continue down a new path.
[ ah, what is this now— perle cannot help the softest of giggles, chittering like the chirrups of a song bird. ]
Oh, Jun. Love is so ambiguous. So many shapes and colors— Brothers, friends, clans, lovers . . . You don’t want me making a soliloquy out of Falco’s last project, I can assure you.
[ that was meant to be something of a joke to keep the spirits light. anyway! she fluffs up at the sight of his flush, but maintains a certain adult-like posture. ]
You’re doing wonderfully, being yourself. That’s all you need.
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[Remembering home? More than he did? But... 'everyone's gone'. Oh. Well. That could mean a few different things, but he gets the sense that Falco's not in a mood to elaborate. He uses his sleeve on his free arm to wipe the other's face, even if he knows it's just going to get wet again.]
I see. I...
[He huffs a bit, trying to think of something... anything that could make things better.]
I don't really know where you sleep, but... if you want to stay over tonight, you can. Just... so you don't have to be alone.
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I stay with, [ a pause, but only so he's not accessively stuttering, ] m-my guardians. [ perle called them "fathers". they might as well be as such. ] But if I could stay with you for tonight that'd— be good.
[ there was a difference between being with your guardians and being with your friends, after all. especially at his age— jun was likely to understand with the same maturity he did, compared to levi or erwin. it wasn't bad— but they'd already comforted him the best they could the day before. he could use some of his own space with someone his own age. ]
Thanks.
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[He strokes the other's hair, trying to calm him. It's... fine. He's had times when he didn't want to be around his adopted father. He understands the need for his own space. And he's had sleepovers with his friends in his world - or did before... well.]
My bed's big enough. We can share. As long as you don't mind a dog sleeping on your feet... my omen likes to do that a lot.
[He glances at the couch and shakes his head.]
Manabu sleeps here, so it's not like you can do that. And I won't have you sleeping on the floor. Not like this.
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I think I'd drench your bed at this rate . . . [ but at least his breathing has quelled enough to speak with the mimimal amount of pauses. he's trying to keep his mind wandering rather than returning to that spot. he focuses on the comfort. he doesn't want to reject the offer, he wants to. he really wants to, but he doesn't want to get himself caught in a hole too deep to climb out of. ] I need to— get my corruption down.
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[He shakes his head and looks at him firmly. He's not budging on this. Not when his friend needs him.]
We can wash the sheets. You shouldn't be alone right now. I... I'd hate it if you turned because I wasn't there. We can figure out how to lower your corruption... I just don't want you to leave.
[He can feel an ache in his chest at the idea, and he frowns.]
I know you're not going to go nuts and attack me or something. You wouldn't do that. So just... stay with me tonight. Please?
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We could . . . Try talking about other things, tonight. Or watch a movie. [ he could try and bring his attention to other places, because it surely wouldn’t help to think about something there was no way back from. falco lifts his head from the chest he had earlier placed himself upon, easing his hand upon him and— kind of grimacing when his fingerprints leave little wet stains behind. ] I don’t want to stay far, either.
[ that makes his hesitation stretch, though, but only because he goes thoughtful, using the pause both for time to think as much as to wipe at his stinging eyes. ]
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[Eh. He'll deal with the stains later. Right now he's more concerned about Falco.]
I'll even let you pick. Even if it's not a kind of movie I like.
[He's pretty sure Falco's going to pick some kind of romance movie which - ew. But he'll bear through it if that's what his friend needs right now.]
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Like an adventure, or something . . . What kind do you like?
[ he’d prefer to watch something they both enjoy, and romance as a genre . . . was off the table. it’d remind him of a loss too recent, and the last thing he wants to do is spend a night that’s supposed to be better crying. ]
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Adventure sounds... nice.
[He'll try to not criticize the thing the whole way through.]
But I don't know many adventure movies, so you can pick.
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[He moves his hand to wipe at Falco's face again. Hey, hey. It's okay. There's no need to cry again.]
I'm sure I can get some snacks from the kitchen... we can make a whole night of it. It'll be nice.
[He wants to ask just how Falco got to how he is right now, but he senses now isn't the time.]
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I should— Go back and get my things. [ he could just . . . stay the rest of the day, here, after that. but he knows that there is a pull of not wanting to let each other apart again, so: a quick solution. ] Do you want to trade Omens? So we know we're both okay.
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[He whistles, and his omen comes bounding down the stairs. He nearly slides on what Falco left behind on his way to the shower, but he regains his posture with some clicking of his nails against the floor. He trots up to Falco and barks happily.]
You stick close to Falco, okay? And let me know if there's any issue.
[The omen yips in affirmation before shoving his face into Jun's side. He sighs and takes a hand off of Falco to pet the dog, rolling his eyes.]
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Go on, now. The sooner you get your things, the sooner you can come back. [ she's gently encouraging with her words, blinking at the retriever's wagging tail and chirping with endearment. he wasn't saying goodbye, exactly, so . . . he sets a hand over jun's chest in reassurance. ] —I'll be back soon.
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Go on ahead. We'll be waiting for you. If you're going to be a while, just tell him. I... doubt anything exciting will happen here. Maybe a nap.
[Being in pain is hard work, you know.]
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perle, on the other hand, waits for the door’s soft click to speak up; her voice is mature and sweet, like that of a charismatic auntie wanting to hear all about her younglings. ]
And how are you, Jun?
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[Jun startles slightly, having been lost in thought. He's... not used to that kind of energy. His father - adopted father, rather - had never been close with relatives on either side of his family.]
I'm... okay. In pain, but it's... I'm getting used to it.
... Glad he's okay, though. He still didn't say what happened.
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”Everyone is gone” is quite vague, isn’t it . . . [ but she sighs, soft and melancholy. ] Those who have ever meant something to him are as good as dead. Perhaps worse.
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[He hesitates and pets her gently on the head with a few fingers.]
... What happened? If it's not too personal to ask. I just... want to understand, so I know how to help him better.
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You remember “The Rumbling”, don’t you? Well. They almost had it. Out of all the odds, they destroyed the host. The colossal giants stopped walking. But the— thing— A nasty thing that came out of him, it turned the innocents into pure titans. A last ditch effort to cause trouble.
Everyone that was not already like Falco had turned. Mother, Father, beloved. You have never seen a pure titan, have you? I’d prefer we keep it that way.
It is like watching a loved one become a beast, and there is no way out lest they put them down. But even then— fighters below were outnumbered. No one could last that long in the middle of a storm of hungry creatures.
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[Mostly he remembers how upset Falco was... it feels a little upsetting to remember it anyway.]
I... oh. So there was no way he could...
[He gives her a little bit of a scritch, for lack of an ability to give her a small hug.]
He needs help. I'm not really able to help him, though. I can't... fight things like that. If I had Zearth, maybe... but...
[But he can't get to Falco's world. But he doesn't have Zearth. And even if he did, he'd die after using Zearth.]
[If it could save Falco's people... maybe he could face it.]
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It’s thoughtful of you to think of helping that way. [ the facts had been that they were gone, already. no amount of outrageous thinking would bring a solution. instead of breaking that, perle measures her words, and encourages the boy in a different light. ] But do you know what would help, more than ever?
Your company. Your camaraderie. A feeling that there is someplace he still belongs, with people who love him just as much as he does.
It will not erase what has happened, but it will renew his strengths to continue down a new path.
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I'd like to bee there for him, but... uh. Love? I don't know that - I mean there's no way that he's...
[His face starts turning red and he fights against the urge to just hide his face in the pillow.]
I don't know that... love is something I can...
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Oh, Jun. Love is so ambiguous. So many shapes and colors— Brothers, friends, clans, lovers . . . You don’t want me making a soliloquy out of Falco’s last project, I can assure you.
[ that was meant to be something of a joke to keep the spirits light. anyway! she fluffs up at the sight of his flush, but maintains a certain adult-like posture. ]
You’re doing wonderfully, being yourself. That’s all you need.
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No, I don't.
[He glanced at that, but was utterly uninterested. He heard there was some chaos, but it didn't affect him, so... whatever.]
... You sound like you're someone's mom. ... He... mm.
['Must miss his parents' he wants to say, but it feels like not the right time.]
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