rw percy aka jumpy-san

[leggymaru]

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[crashout]

[Noooo puppysword!! He immediately looks like he regrets asking.]

It's okay. There's really nothing wrong with that, and I won't tell him either. I just didn't know.

[leggymaru]

[He seems mildly relieved, but not completely.]

I should tell him... [He wants to try to be strong, too, and do some things on his own, but...! Twins, sorta...] I shouldn't keep anything from him. I'll tell him later.

He may have heard something, too.

[crashout]

Only if you want to. There's stuff I still haven't told Carlos even though I probably should. Nothing says you have to share everything all the time if you want to work alone first. Just...remember that, okay?

But you'll do what's comfortable. I don't doubt that.

[leggymaru]

[This manages to get a small smile out of him. It's toeing the edge of praise, and he hikes his shoulder very slightly like he may be getting ready to blush.]

I'll remember. I'll tell elder brother when I'm ready, if I haven't found anything myself. Thank you, Junpei-san.

[crashout]

Yeah, sure. [Not unkindly, but more like "what else would I say to that?" He takes another sip.] ...and if there's anything you want to tell me first before telling Higekiri, you can. Keep that in mind, too. Someone told me that it's better for people to have at least one person to talk to even if they want to handle things themselves.

[He got read the riot act on Saturday, it's fine...]

[leggymaru]

[Relieved, he smiles weakly and nods in understanding.]

I know, Junpei-san. You're very kind. [He raises his glass and then has a careful sip of it. It still burns, but this time he manages not to break out in a fit of coughing.] I'll tell you if there is something I am unsure of telling elder brother.

I think... you might not need me for much, however. You're very smart, Junpei-san. Elder brother, too. It would be more helpful talking to him, or Nightwing-san, or Kagachi-san.

[crashout]

[There's a shrug.] Maybe that's true, but there's still plenty that I tell you that I haven't really told them. Do you know why that is?

[Even though he trusts and likes the other three, Hizamaru somehow puts him at ease enough to be more open and honest with what he's doing.]

[leggymaru]

[Honestly, Hizamaru looks surprised by this? Not unlike a kid who had expected to be passed over when picked for groups. It doesn't seem like he's necessarily bothered by that outcome, just... surprised when it doesn't happen for once.]

No... Why?

[bc him baby]

[crashout]

Because you have a tendency to listen. [Which for someone like Junpei who usually doesn't get to make his own choices before they're made for him, and for people like Junpei who has had enough people leave and meddle with his life...it says something.] You're consistent and you're smart and you constantly want to do better even when things here keep getting worse. You're easier to talk to because you don't try to come up with an answer that "should" be, but instead "could" be.

So...why wouldn't I trust someone like that?

[leggymaru]

[Oh nO. Oh no, oh no, oh no. Very quickly, heat climbs right up his neck and into his face. He stares, lips parting, and raises a hand somewhat like he's getting ready to wave away Junpei's words, to tell Junpei to stop.

But Junpei keeps going, and all he can do is very softly keep shaking his head.]

Junpei-san...

[He's DYING.]

[crashout]

[Oh my god. He just blinks in surprise at that reaction.]

What? [He doesn't get it because sometimes Junpei just says thing and then never shares anything again for months.]

[leggymaru]

Junpei-san...

[He! can't figure out what to say! There's so many compliments, and he doesn't think he deserves a single one of them. His eyes lower bashfully.]

Thank you, Junpei-san, but... you don't have to...

[crashout]

When have I ever done anything just because I had to? [Just pointing that out.]

[leggymaru]

Elder brother...

[But he stops. How many times has he said that since being here? Before being here? "Elder brother" this, "elder brother" that. How many other things has he done on his own and been okay, and none of it affected Higekiri?

But Higekiri means so very much to him, and... it's so hard to forget being cut for being longer.]

Is it really okay... to be that way on my own?

[crashout]

Yeah...why wouldn't it be? I think your brother would want you to also be your own person and be happy with that, don't you? [The genjis are very confusing.]

[leggymaru]

[He actually doesn't look very sure about that, but perhaps as if he's wishy-washy between believing it or rejecting it.]

I'm not sure... Elder brother can sometimes be... [He glances off distantly, like he's trying to find the right phrase.] ...proud.

[crashout]

...of being your elder brother, you mean. [He's interpreting this as Higekiri prides himself on being someone Hizamaru relies on.]

[leggymaru]

[He doesn't know if he can confirm or deny that. Well, he knows he can confirm it.]

He can be a proud sword. He is a treasure, after all.

[crashout]

[A shrug.] I'm standing by what I said. And I think you both have your own jobs to do here that are important.

[leggymaru]

[His smile is a little wry.]

You're very kind, Junpei-san. Why do you believe in us so greatly...?

[crashout]

[A good question. Sometimes he doesn't even know the true answer himself.]

You've never given me a reason not to. I just had to learn to do it myself. [He just learned pretty fast, like, after weekend zero.]

[leggymaru]

[This time, he doesn't have to get embarrassed to show gratitude. His smile lingers, and he nods his head in acknowledgment.]

Thank you, Junpei-san. There is a lot we do not understand about these bodies or about some of the things in this world, but we will still assist you if you need us.

[crashout]

I know. [And he's actually incredibly grateful.] You're actually helping a lot right now even if you don't know why. So...thanks.

[For the distraction. For the information. For trusting him enough. Any of the above works.]

[leggymaru]

[He peers at Junpei through his lashes, still smiling a bit in relief. It falters some, though not because of either of them.]

You don’t have to thank me, Junpei-san. If you ever want company, even if mine may not be very entertaining, you can ask.

[crashout]

Your company's perfectly fine, Hizamaru. It's his turn to look at him for a moment.] Sometimes I just want to be around people who're okay with something like this.

[Sometimes you just want to be around one or two people, quietly, and not bombarded with people looking for answers or excess energy.]