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[icanhearscreams]

"... Leave a message."

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[icanhearscreams]

[He presses his lips together in a thin line and then sighs.]

I guess. I just... I didn't really expect you to... ngh. I'm just... I feel like I don't deserve this.

[There. He said it. Happy?]

[siriusly]

Yeah, well... [he fills a glass with water.] This is why people don't get to decide what they do and don't deserve for themselves. What we feel...it's real, but it doesn't paint the whole picture.

[he turns around, leaning on the counter.]

You don't have to feel like you deserve it for it to be happening all the same. You gotta take in other people's feelings and convictions, too.

[icanhearscreams]

[He looks away from the other, trying to compose himself.]

I'm not good at that part. Dealing with other people... has never been my strong suit.

[He prefers books and facts and science and logic. Not people, who are so messy and complicated.]

[siriusly]

[with a chuckle in his breath:] That's just something you gotta work at, like a muscle! Just because you're not good at it now doesn't mean you can't get better, bit by bit. It just takes work.

[icanhearscreams]

[He groans at that, rolling his eyes.]

Great, more exercise. As if I'm not getting enough, jumping around rooftops.

[Wait, he hasn't told Manabu about that, has he? Whoops.]

[siriusly]

Jumping around rooftops? [Manabu looks understandably concerned.] First of all: When have you had time to do that since moving books from one building to another...and second of all...

What?

[icanhearscreams]

... Right.

[He sighs and is glad for his long-sleeved shirt that keeps his bruises hidden. He doesn't need Manabu worrying more.]

Vi's been teaching me how to get around fast. I've been meeting with her after work, usually while you're still closing up. I'm... I'm not a fighter, and we both know that. So that leaves running as my only option.

[siriusly]

[Vi's launching kids off rooftops for their personal development.

this............................doesn't surprise him in the slightest.

but considering he watched her get kicked square in the head by a murderhorse, he has to be that voice of concern:] Ooookayyyy, are...you at least wearing gear for this? A helmet?

[icanhearscreams]

[Absolutely not.]

... Yes?

[siriusly]

[wow sound a little less confident Jun i dare you.

frowning frownier:] At least wear a helmet, Jun... Vi of all people should know head trauma's no joke.

[icanhearscreams]

... I'll... see if I can find one.

Wait, what do you mean? Did something happen to her?

[siriusly]

[he makes a sound pre-sip, pausing to have a drink, sighing when he's had one and lowering the glass.]

Yeah. She's okay, of course, but... Not just everyone can get kicked right in the head by a horse and be okay. So. Maybe don't take her as a sterling example of playing it safe.

[he has 0 room to criticize given his own experiences but this isn't about him.]

[icanhearscreams]

[He snorts a little. Really? He'll have to tease her about that later.]

I'm being careful, though. I'm learning how to turn falls into rolls, for one. I've almost got it down.

[Though not... quite.]

[siriusly]

Okay, well, turn those falls into rolls with a helmet on. [sound more like a mom Manabu i dare u.]

[icanhearscreams]

Yeah, okay mom.

[If you're gonna try to act like a mom you're gonna get sass for it!]

[siriusly]

Haa-? [he squints, his mouth twitching on one side.] Is that you getting sassy instead of just apologizing to me a thousand times?

[icanhearscreams]

[He puts his hands on his hips and tilts his head.]

Well, it's not like I really know what moms act like, but you're sounding like one.

I'm a teenager, I'm supposed to sass you.

[siriusly]

[he exhales a low, surprised sound, holding a stare with him for a long time before he breaks, bursting into laughter.]

No, that's perfect, Jun! Haha-!

[icanhearscreams]

[This... was not the intended effect. Jun just stares for a moment, his brain utterly confused as he tries to work out what to do.]

[siriusly]

[the laughter tapers quickly enough, but it was still enough of a flag for Magnet to come trotting into the room to investigate. WHO AUTHORIZED LEVITY WITHOUT HIM?]

Ehehe... [he shrugs his shoulders up when he catches the bewildered look on Jun's face.] Sorry, but it just made me think...the shoe really is on the other foot! This must be what Mamoru felt like, back when I used to talk back to him.

[icanhearscreams]

Mamoru? Is that your - brother? Or...

[Some kind of father figure? He doesn't really know anything about Manabu's past, now that he thinks about it.]

[siriusly]

Mn-! Big brother, yeah. I was much more a pain than you are, though, eheh...

[icanhearscreams]

I mean I can be more of a pain if you want, but I think this place will do it for me.

[siriusly]

No, no-! [he shakes his head.] The fact you did that without me even suggesting you lighten up is the thing! That's the first time you've bantered with me, Jun. [and Manabu's pleased as punch about it.]

[icanhearscreams]

[He sighs and rolls his eyes, going back to his toast. ... It's good toast. After swallowing a bite he looks back up at Manabu.]

It's not like I never do. It's just... been... well. Not a normal time for me.

[At least the nightmares are starting to fade in intensity.]