underwhelms | ( bootycall )

[ Self-centered though he may be, JJ is not without kindness for others. He can sense it in his words, the lack of his usual cheer and jokes evident. ]

It's nice to get away, and the view can be exceptional.
But you're probably right.

[ He won't get any shuteye wandering the station. That's not really why he went, anyway. ]

I hear people can be found in cryosleep. Even those that are no longer with us.

[ Though JJ often has a hard time reading the room, he's fairly sure he would already guess why Yusuke is on the station, before he even offered to elaborate.

He's not sure that he can fully grasp what Yusuke had experienced, rushing into the Institute, and he's not sure that he wants to. The entire situation is too big for him to get a handle on, and certainly too big for him to try and struggle with using words.

So he doesn't reply. Instead, he gets up and gathers his blanket and pillow, and braces for the nauseating sensation of teleporting onto Thesa Station.

It's been a while since he's been up on the Station, which is probably a good sign, but he's familiar enough with it that he has no trouble wandering from the teleportation room to the Stasis Unit. It's cold, and he'd had the foresight to put on a shirt but not a pair of socks, so his toes curl against the metal as he roams the halls of cryopods, not looking at any of them as he forges on ahead (also, idk how he finds Yusuke but let's assume it's the power of ~friendship), stopping only once he's found Yusuke. ]

Hey. I'm pretty sure you're looking worse than the people in the pods right now.

[ The lapse in texts isn't that weird, or even very long a silence, though it's strangely lonesome when he's used to JJ's rapidfire back and forth. Yusuke assumes he's fallen back asleep, and resumes standing (or rather, sitting) sentinel in front of some pods, blazer draped over his shoulders like a makeshift cloak.

However, it seems like he's completely and totally wrong, because soon enough he's startled by—none other than JJ. He blinks up at him in surprise before his shoulders quickly droop back down. ]

King. [ He glances ahead, catching his reflection in some of the frosted glass, only now noticing the dark bags punched under his eyes. ] —Ah, you're right. How ghastly...

[ However carefully he keeps his appearance pruned, there's no hiding that much. Anyway, the answer is sort of obvious, but it seems prudent to ask: ]

What brings you here?

[ In the nearly nine months that JJ has known Yusuke, he's come to care about him a lot. It's not just that they're close in age or that they're both passionate about art, but Yusuke is caring and courageous in ways that JJ greatly admires.

But also, sometimes Yusuke is really thick. Why couldn't he read JJ's mind? ]

I'm here for you, obviously. [ He still sounds fairly gentle as he points this out, expression amused rather than exasperated. ] Or do you think I have a habit of sleeping alone in the Stasis Unit?

[ Because camping out alone would be sad, but with the two of them together, that's much more normal.

With a smile, he drops his pillow and his blanket on Yusuke before settling down on the ground next to him, legs stretched out as he leans back against the pod. ]

I figured I would make your stay here a little more comfortable. If the pillow and blanket isn't enough, feel free to get on my lap.

[ It should be apparent that he's here to visit him; Yusuke has never been very good at reading intent, but JJ was always ready to support him, even if he really liked to focus on himself, too. If he looks at it the right way, it's kind of a compliment, isn't it? That he'd be so self-centered and still take time to be with him.

Besides, it's not like Yusuke couldn't get lost in his own thoughts sometimes too. With his tunnel vision, he hadn't even realized how chilly it was—he smooths the blanket over his legs, thankful for the warmth. ]

I wouldn't know how you like to sleep.

[ Should he start watching people for that, too... hm. That's kind of what they're doing right now anyway. He gazes out, distracted by the pods and the foggy faces inside them. (There's so many—he hasn't found most of the ones he's looking for.)

And maybe he's just extra out of it today, but he has no idea what JJ's talking about. He looks at him, briefly puzzled, then carefully puts a hand atop JJ's thigh. He's not sure what this accomplishes. ] Like so—? [ ... ] Thank you, but I think I'll be fine without.

[ It's not easy being JJ sometimes. He'd come here to have a wholesome conversation with Yusuke, but it's obvious that his raw sexual magnetism isn't going to allow that.

He's a little tired too, and so he doesn't even connect the dots between his offer and Yusuke's hand on his thigh, but it's unlikely that it would've bothered him even if he had. In fact, he's entirely unaffected as he settles his own had on top of Yusuke's as he leans over to press their foreheads together, expression mischievous. ]

That's a very valuable asset you're fondling, Yusuke. My legs were worth a lot of money on Earth. [ Not that he'd actually insured them, but they had won him quite a few competitions, and with those a nice monetary prize.

Somehow, he doubts that Yusuke cares about any of that, but it doesn't matter. The fact that Yusuke can be so disconnected from common sense is one of the things that JJ likes about him, and he lifts a hand to ruffle his hair before reconsidering at the last second. His fingers still thread into Yusuke's hair, but instead of pulling away harmlessly, he uses his grip to guide Yusuke's head down toward his lap until he's resting against his thigh. It's then that his hand slips free from his hair, settling over Yusuke's eyes instead. ]

Relax. I'll watch over you.

[ JJ and his zero survival skills. But they're... probably safe here. ]

[ It's amazing that they seem to function in perfectly opposed directions, because how they can mutually miss each others' points and still remain friends is a mystery for the ages. At the very least, JJ isn't offended by his non-existent come-on, and Yusuke only responds to the forehead tap and everything else with mild surprise, the metal of the pods suddenly replaced with JJ's lap.

...He was just doing what he was told to, so this accusation comes completely out of nowhere, and JJ is the worst. Yusuke stops staring stupidly long enough to squint up at him, incredulous. ]

Fondling? Don't be ridiculous.

[ There's no real bite to his tone, and he doesn't scramble away either, too tired to raise a fuss. It's strange and he shifts for a moment, unsure if he can really get comfortable like this. But after a moment he stops his fidgeting, blinking against JJ's palm with a defeated sigh. ]

...I appreciate it. Though I'd rather you not see me in such a sorry state at all.

[ "Ridiculous"? Sure, tell that to his most definitely fondled thigh.

—But anyway, that's not really the focus here. JJ lets his hand drift from Yusuke's eyes when it doesn't seem as though he plans to fight back or struggle, and he grabs the pillow he'd brought for himself, shoving it between his head and the pod behind him as he leans back. ]

If you had to see me skinny and crusty when I was sick, I think it's okay that I get to see you with a few dark circles under your eyes.

[ Though the reminder that Yusuke is even in a sorry state in the first place brings a twinge back to his chest despite their joking around, and he brings his hand back to Yusuke's head to thread his fingers through his hair again. ]

Or do you really believe we're friends because of your pretty face?

[ Touching someone's leg is already far beyond anything he'd have done before, he's ruined for marriage forever.

But no, it's true they've been through quite a bit now. Though even when he was sick as a dog, JJ had taken the time to comfort him—Yusuke's starting to cast his emotional burdens on him quite a bit. The way they're arranged is odd, but not unpleasant. A good tagline for their friendship in general. He laughs quietly. ]

I don't mean my physical state. Though I'm sure I look quite the mess.

[ Jokes aside, he tilts his head slightly, glancing at the pods. Those slumbering inside are probably getting a better night's sleep than they would, but... ]

Truly, I'm grateful you're here. For all the people here, it's strange how desolate this place feels.

[ He's never liked it much, honestly. ]

[ JJ smiles slightly at hearing Yusuke laugh, and he hums in acknowledgment of his words. It's a miracle that he hasn't launched into a speech about how he's such a great friend and how of course Yusuke would be grateful to have him here. But that's character development for you.

For the most part, he has his own complex feelings toward the unit. He'd spend probably more time than he should've wandering the halls when he'd first arrived, and even when he hadn't been here physically, he'd been wondering about it. He honestly can't tell if he's better or worse off than the people who have no one to miss stored among the pods. ]

This place is all right in small doses. It is easier to be here with someone than alone...

[ His fingers stall for a moment when he looks down at Yusuke. ]

Who are you waiting for?

[ He hadn't wanted to peer into the pod himself, the people inside had a way of capturing your attention in a ghastly way, and he couldn't be there for Yusuke if he was too busy being unnerved. ]

[ dw JJ has a lot of friends that compliment him in his stead, the worst.

Anyway, he can guess why JJ had come by before. He has a large family, and that alone would warrant a trek through the rows and rows of pods. Meanwhile, Yusuke's just chasing ghosts. He closes eyes, musing. ]

Mr. Tozier. [ That one, he's sure of. A girl with shocking, red hair, too. There are more missing than that as well, though whether they're dead... who can be sure. ] Perhaps a few others.

[ There's a slight sinking feeling in his chest, but JJ hadn't come for those people. He'd stopped by to make sure he was all right. After a beat, he moves on. ]

If you ever need company here, I'll come with you.

[ It's the least he can do to return his courtesy today. ]

[ Despite being an older sibling, JJ's not particularly protective by nature. Maybe it's a byproduct of being so sheltered and privileged, but he's always been convinced that most things will work out for the best when approached with an open mind and a positive attitude. So the feeling that wells up then, alongside the tightness that follows the reminder of Richie being up here, isn't exactly something protective. Instead, it's almost like JJ's so entitled that sometimes it spills over to him being entitled on behalf of other people.

He doesn't really need to hear Yusuke's offer to accompany him up here, because he already knows that Yusuke would be there for him if he was in need—he has been countless times in the past. But what gets him is that Yusuke would wander up here alone, stand vigil completely alone for hours, and then not understand right away why JJ would visit him.

It's kind of annoying, but mostly it makes JJ feel sad, though he huffs out an irritated breath because it's easier to act like he's mad. ]

Okay- c'mere.

[ It's a good thing Yusuke is essentially a twig, because that makes him all the easier to manhandle as JJ pulls him back upright so that JJ can pull him into a hug strong enough that Yusuke probably can't panic escape. ]

I know. [ Yusuke is so dumb!! ] We're lucky to have a friend like you.

( bootycall )

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