(We see the Authoress sneaking around the room, hiding behind the couch; popping up from behind a chair and ducking down; peeking out from behind a curtain; before finally coming up to the laptop)
Lololol… *sees readers* Oh, hey everyone. Sorry for the long wait, but I'm trying to catch up on other stories. But, while seeking inspiration… *snicker* I kind of got this idea!
It's actually an extension of the drabble, "Talk To Me", on how the rest of the night probably went after Junpei and Makoto's moment. In truth, I actually wanted to make it longer, but since the chapter was running long enough, I decided to cut it short…
…then decided I would 'continue' it here XD
Now, you must be wondering 'Why was she being all sneaky in this intro'? …Well, in case you haven't noticed, the guys hate it when I include them in fluffs, so I'm taking precautions since they're on to me.
So, until they find me, ENJOY! *hides under table*
*pops back up, sliding plate of cookies forth*
…Keep quiet, okay? *wink*
Reviewer Thanks!:
Phoenix Blaire4869: *GASP!* Fan-art? REALLY? 8D *jumps with joy* Yay! ^-^; And so glad you loved the references and liked the pairings! (and Ryoji's torture lol). I hope to see that picture soon :)
theIdiosocracy: OMG I should have put that in! XD (Takaya in a wheelchair, lol.. maybe next time); And YAY so glad you liked the Ryoji x Aigis pairing- not as much as Yuki and Shinji's scene, but hey that pairings hard to beat. I hope to get the PSP version someday so I can unlock both social links... and Junpei's, even if it doesn't go too far. And my hiatus is almost over with- slowly I am recovering my muse, so expect more in the future ;)
Disclaimer: Skip it and get to the fluff before they find me!
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Setting: Continued from "Talk To Me"
Genre: Bromance/Fluff (lolz these guys are going to hate me!)
Summary: Junpei plays temporary room-mate with a recovering Makoto. Aigis and Koromaru help make sure they're both comfortable.
Pairings: Junpei x Makoto… HA! KIDDING! XD No pairings this time, sorry folks! (though a bit of Jundori will be hinted ^-^)
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Thunder rolled outside as lightening flashed, the rain slamming against the window. Aigis looked out at the streets as she walked back from the storage closet, having grabbed a spare blanket; when she took Koromaru for a walk that day (during the Eye of the Storm when things were calm), she saw that the streets were still flooded, several branches had fallen from the trees, and quite a few objects were tipped over; the power-lines were also bent, which would explain the random power-outs.
I wonder if we'll still be having rehearsal Monday, The blonde wondered; if the power-lines were still down come Monday Morning, chances are Director Akitaya would hold off the production until things were up and running- especially since the neighborhood was a mess! Unless he somehow found a way to incorporate a 'Post Storm' scene or two into the plot, they wouldn't be standing in front of a camera anytime soon.
In a way, it didn't bother Aigis too much. She liked being able to hang around without having to wear her android-armor; plus, it meant everyone would have more time to hang out with each other until the project was finished… that is, unless they were put onto a strict schedule. She had to remember the game did have a deadline.
She went up to the second floor, stopping at the second door on the right side of the hallway. She bit her lip, remembering the 'conversation' she overheard from this room between Junpei and his father. The always-joking class-clown, who was known for giving everyone a laugh, suddenly turned quiet and bitter after that; he didn't say a word to anyone, and only watched a movie on TV downstairs before falling asleep on the couch.
When Aigis had returned, he was smiling again, talking to Chidori, both of them exchanging lines over the phone in a mini-rehearsal; granted, the two were free to improvise, but since it was nearing the end of their arc, the writers came up with some 'dramatic' material, in which Chidori would tell Junpei to stop visiting her. (…That, and he needed help memorizing some other lines, as the director claimed if he didn't practice off-set, his character would be permanently killed off- then it would be bye-bye to the game's source of humor!)
He then turned slightly serious again, telling her about the phone-call, about how his dad considered him a screw-up…
Honestly, she didn't know how his father could think that. Junpei was doing well in school- after Mitsuru convinced him not to take his grades too lightly, and Makoto decided to help him study more often; he was doing great in his role in Persona 3, his wages helping cover tuition and meals; and he had been helping out around the Dorm- taking Koromaru out with everyone (they all took turns), helping Ken with his homework, and helping stock up on food- and when it came to Junpei's stomach, everyone was surprised he didn't buy out the whole store!
One of the best things he did was giving everyone a laugh- mostly during or after serious scenes. When it got to be too much of a tear-jerker, the class-clown managed to get everyone to crack up somehow. One of the funniest scenes was during Shinji's death-scene: Right after he stood up to walk off during the scene, Junpei cried out, "Wait! Before you go, I need to ask you something important… Can. I. Have. Your. Computer?" Shinji didn't laugh, though everyone else had to chuckle.
During the funeral scene he was required to be serious… though afterwards started cracking jokes, helping everyone cheer up a bit. It was like nothing could get him down!
Until that phone-call.
She was so reprieved to see him happy again. If only his dad could see how happy he made others.
Aigis continued down the hall, walking into Makoto's room- having to try hard not to smile too much.
Makoto had caught a severe cold, after getting caught in the rain on his way home from school. At first it started out as just congestion and sneezing…
Then he started having fever-dreams, crying in his sleep about his parents hitting him…
Junpei had heard the story while she was out, but claimed Makoto would have to tell her on his own. The two friends obviously exchanged a secret, and the protagonist relied on his best friend not to tell everyone all the facts without his consent.
She didn't like secrets, but as long as her friends promised to open up, she would abide.
Though there was one secret she was willing to keep… but mostly for the sake of saving face for her friends. Thus why she was trying not to giggle.
After Makoto returned to bed, his fever broke and he ended up with a case of the chills. Koromaru was already snuggled up by his legs, but wasn't supplying enough warmth. While Aigis had gone to retrieve a blanket, Junpei must have sat down on the bed to double-check his temperature or something…
The moment she had returned, Makoto had wrapped his arms around Junpei's waist, his head resting against his stomach as if his best friend were a pillow. Koromaru stretched out over them, as if to keep Junpei in-place. Having promised to keep the moment a secret, Aigis left to get Junpei a spare blanket and pillow, as he believed he would be there for a while.
Thus why she had to let out a giggle. "Shut up, it's not funny…" Junpei grumbled, taking the pillow from her and stuffing it behind his back. Makoto shifted, snuggling closer to him, deep in a slumber.
"I'm sorry. It's just… you two look so cute," Aigis said, trying not to chuckle.
"Woof," Koromaru responded, giving her a look.
"I mean, you three look so cute,"
Giving a satisfied grin, Koromaru rested his head back down.
Junpei took the blanket next, draping it over his legs (and Koromaru's head, much to the Sheba Inu's annoyance- the pooch only shimmied out and lied on top of it). "Just keep your mouth shut… If anyone else hears about this, we'll have slash-fans hounding us!" the class-clown replied, then looked down at the protagonist. "The things I go through to help you out…"
Aigis chuckled again, sitting down by his legs and rubbing Koromaru's head. She looked at the sleeping protagonist, feeling her heart at-ease seeing him so peaceful… as opposed to the other night, when he had been crying in his sleep…
"What exactly happened while I was gone?" She asked Junpei. "You were so tense earlier."
"Nothing… Mako-san was just having trouble getting up to his room. We talked a little, and… well, I just eased up." Junpei replied. "Like I said, he'll have to tell you everything himself."
Aigis nodded. "Well… whatever you said… I appreciate it. Makoto was so upset last night, and his illness only made it worse. Thank you for being there for him when he needed it,"
Junpei grinned. "Hey, we're best friends, it comes naturally!"
"Zzz… hmm…" Makoto lightly snored in his sleep.
Aigis smiled. "We'd better let him sleep… Want me to stay with you guys, in case you need anything?" she asked in a whisper.
"Nah, I think we're good. …But, uh, can you do me a favor? Go up to the Control Panel and erase this from his room's security footage? I doubt the others will be light on us if they catch this on tape. Then turn the camera off until he wakes up."
Aigis nodded, once again having to chuckle. She walked out of the room, leaving the two friends (and their beloved dog) alone.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Once Aigis was out of the room, Junpei sighed. "…What exactly are you dreaming about right now?" he asked Makoto; his friend only continued to sleep.
He tried to pull away from the protagonist… but Makoto kept his arms around him so tight that he'd end up getting pulled off the bed- and Junpei didn't want to repeat last night and make his friend hit his head on the ground, again. Plus, he was exhausted- it had been a long day; even though it was only 5 in the afternoon, the storm outside made it look as dark as midnight, which gave him the desire to sleep.
That had been his plan for the whole weekend- just sleep past the storm. He wanted to sleep in until noon that day anyway, but the thunder outside kept him up… then he had to get that phone-call from his dad…
What made it worse was when Aigis overheard it; when he opened the door, her face was a mix of shock and concern, staying that way until she took Koromaru for a walk. Makoto, being sick, had lied down on the couch- but still sensed tension, probably not knowing how to address it without causing a conflict.
Junpei decided to take a nap and sleep off his irritation. It didn't help- he only had bad dreams about his father getting drunk, lashing out at him before passing out, calling him useless and weak…
"I'm… I'm not weak!" he had cried in the dream, before running to the door… running to get away, like he always did…
That's when Makoto fell on his stomach, waking him from the dream. He had a look of distress on his own face… then bolted for the stairs.
Junpei forgot about his anger for a moment- Makoto never ran from anyone (unless they ended up pissing off Mitsuru and Shinji- something they only did once and never wanted to repeat). Concerned, the best friend went after him, catching him by the stairs.
He looked at the protagonist now, seeing how calm he looked. It was hard to believe that, just a couple hours ago, he had broken down in tears, having to deal with memories of a bad childhood.
He looked at his friend's side… He still remembered seeing the thin, pale scar…
Unlike his father, who once beat him in a drunken state, Makoto's parents abused him for no reason- they just didn't want a kid. Thank God he managed to get away from them… but the memories followed them, and he couldn't forget.
Junpei frowned. Once the production was over, they would all have to go home… He and his best friend couldn't hide from their problems forever at the Dorm.
…
But that didn't mean he would leave him behind. They were making good money in their acting- they could find a place to stay. There were also other dorms in town they could stay in until graduation. After all they had been through, there was no way he would let his friend go back to that hell-hole!
As for himself… well, he would have to return someday. He had to prove to his dad he wasn't some fuck-up and could make it on his own.
…Well, not completely. Makoto helped him out quite a bit- helping him study, helping him rehearse fight-scenes… and of course lending him answers in class. Granted, often he would have the wrong answer, which pissed off the class-clown… but he let it slide; it helped assure him that not everyone was perfect.
But before he met Makoto… well, he didn't think he'd make it far. He signed up on Persona 3- getting the job because Akitaya felt it was crucial to have a character who acted like a real teenager. His goal was just to make money and move into the Dorm. He didn't make any plans or anything on what to do afterwards- maybe just take the cash he saved up and move to another town… but then what?
Mitsuru always nagged him about his grades- he didn't know whether it was because she was a valedictorian, or if she was being a big-sister to everyone, wanting everyone to try their best; Akihiko always suggested he should work out more, mostly for battle scenes; Yukari criticized him every chance she got; Ken thought he was funny, but it was easy to tell the kid looked up to Akihiko and Shinji as role-models; As for Shinji… well, he didn't give a shit about much.
Makoto was the first to actually test Junpei's potential. Whenever they would rehearse or study, the protagonist always had him snap back to reality whenever he let his mind wander. At one point the class clown snapped at him. "Just because my grades are low doesn't mean you have to treat me like a dumbass!" he had snarled.
"I'm not. I'm just trying to prove you're smarter than people think," Makoto had told him. "I'm pretty sure you know it yourself… Prove I'm right, and I'll buy you the new Final Fantasy game,"
"Fine... if you really want me to flaunt my intelligence! But if Mitsuru gets jealous, you have to take the blame~"
"Hey, I said you were smarter than they think, not a super-genius,"
"Ha! Watch me prove you wrong… or right! Whatever!"
Junpei smiled a bit. While no one else, not even his old school-friends, thought he could be taken seriously, Makoto gave him a chance. Even when he would fail a quiz, Makoto wouldn't be that disappointed- he just continued to study with him. He wasn't wasting his time- he knew his friend had potential.
One thing he always complimented his friend on was his acting. Whenever Junpei would improvise, Makoto would break out of character and burst out laughing. "Holy Apocalypse Batman- Makoto is SMILING!" Junpei had cracked the first time, after seeing his friend stoic for so many scenes.
Not many understood the reference, but it still kept the laughs coming. The class-clown probably would have made a whole stand-up routine based on that one joke, had Akitaya not told everyone to settle down and do the scene again.
Everyone seemed to appreciate the laughs.
Maybe that's one reason he stuck to it- not just to earn some cash and get through school, but also because it made him feel… needed.
The first time it happened, he saw Makoto walking home from school in a melancholy; the teen was depressed about being a blank-slate… so Junpei cheered him up, walking home with him and swapping inappropriate jokes. By the time they reached the Dorm, Makoto thanked him for getting his mind off his depression.
It lifted his own spirits a bit.
He wanted to experience that feeling more often. He did in other ways, he realized after thinking about it; Chidori enjoyed it when he visited her- even on the phone, she wished the storm had started during his visit so he would have to stay, as the hospital was a gloomy place. He didn't have to crack a joke- all he had to do was show up and talk to her… even if it was about school (she needed someone to bring her the assignments so she wouldn't fall behind). All he had to do was smile… and it was like he just made her day.
Ryoji was appreciative too; being new on the set, he didn't exactly know what to do or where to go, so Junpei took him under his wing, teaching him how to improvise, and to keep cool even if he botched a line. …That, and sometimes they would team up to get back at Pharos for one of his pranks- sometimes it would end badly, but that's a story for another day.
Takaya showed him a little respect too. "You sure know how to bring something to the plot, don't you?" the hippie had stated once. "The game would be really depressing to play without your quirks,"
And just moments ago, Aigis had thanked him… just for looking out for his best-friend, who had been helping him out since the start.
He'd keep at it, too. He owed the protagonist that much. He'd be there whenever his friend needed a laugh, or smile, or… quite recently… someone to hold onto, and open up to.
It's what best-friends do, right?
With these thoughts in his head, Junpei relaxed. What was he mad about, again?
Shrugging, he slipped back a bit, adjusting himself so that his head was on the pillow; Makoto shifted a bit, waking up a little. "Zz… Junpei…?" he asked, groggily. He could barely keep his eyes open, still too exhausted from the cold's effects.
The best friend patted his back. "Go back to sleep, buddy. You need to sleep off that cold," he said.
The protagonist began to dose off, but tried to fight sleep. "What if you get sick…?"
Junpei smirked. "Don't worry. Idiots can't get sick,"
"You're not an idiot… but okay…" Makoto lied his head back down, this time on his friend's shoulder. "You're really warm…"
"And you're delusional."
"Ha ha… very funny," With that, Makoto drifted to sleep, still snuggled against his friend.
This time, Junpei wrapped his arm around him, rubbing his shoulder to keep him warm. Hey, his friend denied he was an idiot- he earned it.
Koromaru sprawled across them, adding to the warm, the Sheba Inu fast asleep. Junpei stroked the dog's back, then shut his eyes, drifting to sleep next.
He didn't notice the storm outside had calmed.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Aigis watched on the screen, smiling at her two friends. Junpei… you matter more than us than you think. I hope you remember that. She thought.
She then rewound the tape to the moment when Makoto fell asleep, then ejected it- she could tape over their moment once Junpei managed to get free, as she promised.
Going back downstairs, she entered the room and sat down in the chair at the bedside, resting her head on the edge- if the bed were bigger, she would just join them… but this was alright too.
Koromaru looked at her and moved closer, nuzzling her head with his muzzle and drifting to sleep beside her; Junpei's free hand ended up resting against her shoulder, giving it a subconscious rub before just resting on her back. She smiled, and dosed off herself.
Yes… she would remember this moment for quite a while.
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A/N: …Because Aigis and Koromaru needed something sweet too, that's why.
Now, if you'll excuse me… *holds up a certain tape* I have to return this, before they notice it's gone.
*click*
(I duck down)
Junpei: *enters* Alright, I know she's here somewhere!
Makoto: Aigis, next time… just burn the tape.
Aigis: Don't you think you're both overreacting?
Junpei and Makoto: NO. *continue to search*
(I sneak towards the door; Koromaru is standing watch, but I give him a steak and he lets me by)
*whispers* Please review, don't flame… and if they ask, you haven't seen me all week! *quickly bolts down the street*