poly_chromatic

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murder by numbers - justin pendleton

video;

[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 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.]

[Oh, Euphie.]

I'm still with the police. [He smiles ruefully.] I'm the most senior officer. I feel obligated to stay.

That seems like a good position. Do you want to stay or is it only obligation that holds you?

It's not bad. I don't have to be in charge and I'm not limited to one department. If I didn't feel obligated to stay, I think I'd quit and work for Neil in his bookstore.

Do you have many friends in the department?

Euphie... when have I ever had many friends? [His tone is gentle and teasing, but he does mean it.] I get along with them.

Justin, when have I ever not been optimistic? [She guessed as much.]

Never. I'm sorry I can't be more optimistic, too.

If you were then you wouldn't need me. [She likes being needed.]

[He pulls Euphie a little closer.] I always need you.

Justin... [She blushes lightly and shifts in closer to him.]

Sorry. [He isn't sure what he's apologizing for, exactly.] I don't want you to worry.

[Are they still walking? Because if so she's going to put that to a stop right now.] And I don't want you to be alone. I also don't want to waste this time. [There needs to be another kiss. Her lips are coming for yours, Justin.]

[They were, kind of. Stopping works. Yes.] Okay. [He'd give her a longer reply, but there is kissing that needs to be done.

It beats apologizing.]

[It's the best of all apologies, greetings, partings, and showings of affection. That's probably why she's happy to let it linger.]

[Justin isn't about to rush important things like kissing, either.

But it's not warm out.]

We should get inside.

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