There weren't any windows in the large room, so it was hard to tell what time of day it was – a figure walked over to the bed, tired, strained, and could probably use some fine tuning. He noticed someone sleeping in it and recognized the Soul – they hadn't met in a week or so, and he couldn't help but giggle at his undying trust and loyalty.
He gently sifted his fingers through the sleeping person's hair as the bed quietly creaked under both of their weight. Any signs of gel or hairspray had long since vanished, and in turn his hair was soft and silky, though it was a far cry from the satiny feel of his own. The sleeping mass stirred slightly, but the eyes remained closed. He giggled, sighed, retracted his hand, and quietly walked over to a loveseat placed in front of a glass tank filled with fish. He stared into the tank, his mind blank and his face void of expression. A thought did come to mind after many minutes however; while he was here "alive", the fish would eventually disappear. The circle of life. Along with that, death. The world will keep turning, and he will still be here, immortal. Hopefully.
The body in the bed shifted.
He contemplated whether or not he wanted to make eye contact, but in the end, passively kept his eyes focused on the fish tank as the young man began to awaken. He heard the rustling of the blanket and the quiet footsteps falling in place behind him. The young man had taken the privilege to wrap them both in the very blanket he slept under, and they both watched the fish together.
"What are you thinking of now?" the young man carelessly asked, a yawn soon escaping his lips as he rested his head on the other's shoulder.
"I'm thinking of why you don't like bouillabaisse." He stated, feeling the warmth of the young man's body heat spreading into his physique. He could feel the 'why the fuck do you care' stare which caused him to giggle. "I'm thinking about life, Neku." He paused. "And I'm thinking about you. If you were to disappear one day… Or if you'd miss me." He said with what seemed to be a sad smile as he finally turned to face him. Because I will remember you for as long as I live.
Neku looked away, staying quiet. They had reconciled a couple months ago some years after the Game; Joshua had a hell of a lot to pay for those crazy weeks, but he seemed to take his punishment seriously, albeit with some snide remarks, constant teasing, and harassment on the side. He sighed in frustration at the last statement.
"Like hell I'd miss you."
"Thanks for the reminder, dear."
Neku rolled his eyes, and wrapped more of the blanket around them. He was currently in a place that resembled The Pad, but he hadn't seen the actual room since the Game ended. The floors had the all-too-familiar fish that were swimming nonchalantly underneath, despite the additional fish in the large tank in front of them. Neku began to notice that Joshua did not let much of his personal life show through his living quarters. Even now, Joshua refused to utter anything about his previous self.
"Can you make me your Conductor?" Neku suddenly asked.
"No." was Joshua's simple and quick response. The seconds of silence echoed the room, making it feel like an eternity.
"How's college?" Joshua quietly asked.
"Decent, I suppose. I really am enjoying my art classes though. Too bad Mr. H stopped spreading his works, I'd love to get more inspiration from him." To this, Joshua hummed an acknowledgement. A random thought was brought to Neku's mind that Joshua may have never gone to college or high school for all he knew.
"No need to wrap your head around it, I'm quite knowledgeable. I bet I could teach you a couple… tricks." Joshua said with a smirk. Neku tsked and wriggled away from Joshua. He had read his mind.
The loss of heat from the side of his body left Joshua to think again about if one of them were to leave. After all, one of them would die eventually, in some sort of way. Whoever left first would leave a huge dent in the city, and just plain misery for the other.
Neku closed his eyes and concentrated to his surroundings. Joshua had this air around him that sung – Neku didn't know why – but he understood that the way the "music" resounded around him, he could tell how "healthy" Joshua was.
Neku opened his eyes in surprise.
He could hardly hear anything at all.
And if he did, the notes never lasted long.
"Josh." Neku demanded, sitting once more against Joshua's side.
"If you're going to demand my name you might as well have a question to follow it."
"Josh…" Neku stuttered for a moment. He didn't really want to ask the question, but if he wasn't straightforward about it, Joshua would play devil's advocate with him. "Joshua… Are you… Dying?"
"…"
Joshua knew Neku would be able to pick it up; it was part of his qualities that led Joshua to make him become his Proxy.
And Neku had assumed so.
"…What did you do during the week you weren't here? I want actual answers Josh; I'm not going to take any of your bullshit. No devil's advocate here either. Or confusing statements."
How to explain indeed, Joshua thought. But since Neku became very straightforward with his questions nowadays, he might as well answer truthfully. It would be a waste of energy to play around anyway, especially with those irresistible eyes staring into his own.
"I'm making variations to the Original Tune. Over the past years I had been rephrasing them slowly, but now I just want to get it over with. So I sped up my tempo."
"Why are you making variations? Why do you need to rush?" Neku demanded. "Are you trying to waste your life away-"
"I'm wasting my life away to make a better world for you." Joshua calmly interjected, and silence fell between the two. Neku wanted more answers, but Joshua's now expressionless face which now peered into the tank stopped him many times.
"I… I'm fine the way my world is, Josh."
"Apparently you can't seem to see the problem on the subconscious level. You may be fine with it, but I am certainly not."
Neku had no more words. He thought that they finally were able to patch things up. Start something new. To begin in a brighter world. And now… Joshua's dying. He snuggled closer, despite his normal personality to shove away. He felt like their time was limited.
"How many days do you have left?" he murmured.
"A week." was the answer after much of a pause. Neku inhaled audibly, a burning sensation under his eyes. It reminded him of the Game.
"Is there any way to prevent you from dying?"
"If I were to rest for a couple years, perhaps. However, you of all people know how powerless you are to stop me. You are still human, so unless you find a way to get power, which by the way you are no getting from me, there is nothing you can do." Neku winced at that. "No way am I going to cause your death again. Unless you're truly reckless enough to ask for it."
More silence.
"When I die, I will give you two options." Joshua finally said, his eyes closed. His body became more relaxed, and he felt like drifting off into sleep. He took this chance to lean into Neku. "Come back here by nightfall then."
"…Please tell me one of those options is for you to rest." Neku muttered under his breath, shifting his body to make it more comfortable for Joshua as if on instinct.
"Hee hee… You're too predictable Neku. Too… Predictable."
