Right, you did. [ he concedes the point easily, not sounding any less admiring, because there's just something about having seen junpei, who is usually so laid-back and nonchalant and almost deliberately downplaying things or making light of them, so full of protective anger on his behalf of all things... in hindsight, charles thinks that he wasn't really able to appreciate the sight properly then, but would, if pressed, describe it as pretty damn attractive —
which is a thought he doesn't have the wherewithal to unpack right now, so under the rug it goes!
as soon as the rug is back in place, charles sighs, soft smile still on his lips, and nods. ] Not many would have done something, though. So... thanks. Really. [ a beat. ] Glad we got out of there, too. And trust me, I know. I'm the last person to go and try to defend him.
[ for a moment, his own anger seeps into his voice, as he thinks of every single horrible thing his dad had done over the years, thinks of the scars that still mar his back even in death — but he tamps it down, then, because his dad doesn't deserve even that much. he'll give him nothing, because he deserves nothing; certainly not to ruin his mood right now.
so it's a good thing madam gia interrupts them, then, carrying with her two plates of penne all' arrabiata, placing them in front of them with an enjoy your food, boys! and then, leaning to whisper in charles' ear, he's really cute, her tone both teasing and approving and charles —
for the first time in thirty-five years, charles feels a flush cover his face, cheeks and ears entirely red. madam gia laughs as she leaves them again, and charles tries to open his mouth to contradict her assumption (because, god, she's assuming things) and then just closes it again when no words come out (because he'd have to say them loud enough that junpei would hear them, and perhaps most importantly, because the phrase to contradict is "he's cute" and charles couldn't disagree with that even if he tried). ]
he's going Through It
which is a thought he doesn't have the wherewithal to unpack right now, so under the rug it goes!
as soon as the rug is back in place, charles sighs, soft smile still on his lips, and nods. ] Not many would have done something, though. So... thanks. Really. [ a beat. ] Glad we got out of there, too. And trust me, I know. I'm the last person to go and try to defend him.
[ for a moment, his own anger seeps into his voice, as he thinks of every single horrible thing his dad had done over the years, thinks of the scars that still mar his back even in death — but he tamps it down, then, because his dad doesn't deserve even that much. he'll give him nothing, because he deserves nothing; certainly not to ruin his mood right now.
so it's a good thing madam gia interrupts them, then, carrying with her two plates of penne all' arrabiata, placing them in front of them with an enjoy your food, boys! and then, leaning to whisper in charles' ear, he's really cute, her tone both teasing and approving and charles —
for the first time in thirty-five years, charles feels a flush cover his face, cheeks and ears entirely red. madam gia laughs as she leaves them again, and charles tries to open his mouth to contradict her assumption (because, god, she's assuming things) and then just closes it again when no words come out (because he'd have to say them loud enough that junpei would hear them, and perhaps most importantly, because the phrase to contradict is "he's cute" and charles couldn't disagree with that even if he tried). ]