poly_chromatic

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murder by numbers - justin pendleton

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[As soon as it becomes apparent that the City is more crowded than usual, Justin does what is, for him, the unthinkable: he makes a post. There's no deliberation, no planning, none of the typical reluctance to interact with the world outside of his very small comfort zone.

Just a rushed public service announcement.]

If you haven't been here before, this is the City. It's difficult to explain and you likely won't be here long enough for an explanation to matter. Stay calm. You'll only be here for a day or two.

If you have been here before, try to set a decent example.

[But that's not the real reason for this post.]

Euphie? Are you here?

[ooc: Fourth wall post! Very much open, even if your name isn't Euphie. Absolutely anything goes, including face twins/movie spoilers/telling Justin he's a fictional character. Hit him up on the network or feel free to run into him somewhere in the City.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She wanted a kiss too, so it doesn't take long before she is kissing back. The intensity might surprise her a little, but she doesn't pull away, rather giving back as much as she can.]

[Three months of ~~drinking~~ ~~smoking pot~~ deep contemplation does a lot to chase away any misgivings or hang ups. Justin does, regrettably, have to breathe.]

I still love you.

[She smiles, cheeks feeling just a little warm. She hadn't doubted it, but it is amazing to hear it.] I love you too. [Her hand moves over his arm, just enjoying the feel of him solid against her.]

Can we go somewhere? I want to hear all about what's been going on with you.

[It's no less amazing to hear it from her.]

Of course. Neil and Todd shouldn't be home yet, if you don't mind the apartment. [He keeps an arm around her while they walk.] They got married. Neil and Todd.

[She blinks in surprise, losing track of every other thing she was going to say.] Who did they marry? [No, she had no idea they were together and even now it's still not her first guess.]

Each other.

[Justin is sworn to secrecy, of course, but he trusts Euphie more than he trusts himself.]

Ah, I had no idea. [She laughs softly.] Was it a secret? [Or was she just really dense?]

Rosella and I are the only ones who know, other than you. [sudden uneasiness!] You won't tell, will you?

Not if they don't want it known. I wouldn't tell someone else's secrets. [See also: Lelouch/Zero.] Should I not congratulate them either? [Also keeping the secret that he told her.]

I know. [He had to hear it, though. That's the first time in years he's let that secret slip.] You can, if you want.

Maybe I'll see them later. That is... Do you think I could stay with you tonight? [She doesn't want to lose any of the time they have together.]

I hope so. They'd like to talk to you.

[ajiwvm;iahsdfwhatnow? Justin looks down so Euphie won't catch how completely offguard that question takes him.]

If--yes, of course. I'd... yes.

[It definitely wouldn't be her first time sleeping next to someone she cares about. In fact, she did that often even if it never led to more. Well, never to a lot more. It helped with the nightmares to have someone close by, and she enjoyed the comfort and intimacy of it. At least she is assuming she can stay in his bed.

Tonight, it is also very practical since she doesn't really have anywhere else to go, but that's not really why she asks.]

I'd really like that. Thank you.

[As private and as touch-phobic as he generally is, Justin is honestly fine with sharing a bed with Euphie. More than fine, but she's the exception to every rule, isn't she? He wants to keep her as close as possible for as long as he can.]

You don't need to thank me. I'd like that, too. [That felt awkward to him. Was that awkward?] I... um. I hope the cat won't bother you. Electra is used to sleeping on the bed.

[She thought it was sweet.] I like cats. I won't mind at all. I'm glad you have someone to sleep with normally.

She isn't you. [NO that wasn't. Is there a hole to disappear into?]

[No disappearing please.] You mean you can't replace me with a cat? [Teasing a little, but she knows this has to be hard on him. She isn't sure how she'd be handling it in his place.]

[He wouldn't really! And thank you, Euphie, for knowing what he meant.] Exactly... or anything or anyone else.

[Justin's ability to handle this is questionable.]

That's sweet. [It is! She likes hearing it, but it also makes her worry.] How have things been, Justin?

It's true. [Ohgod. Sometimes he wishes he could lie to Euphie. Now is one of those times.] I've missed you.

I wish it wasn't that way for you. [She doesn't really remember the passage of time. It doesn't exactly feel like she never left, but she also hasn't been languishing in between visits.] I don't know how I would handle it if things were reversed. [Maybe prodding a bit.]

You'd handle it better than I do.

[Gently.] How are you handling it?

[He shrugs the shrug of someone who would rather not answer that question.] By working. Drinking, sometimes.

You don't need to worry.

[And yet this worried look says she is.] Where do you work? [Since he mentioned leaving the police before.]

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