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[ Maybe it's not his duty, but his responsibilities don't just end with being a normal teenager. He responds quietly, but there's a string of tension there that's usually missing from his distant demeanor. ]

That isn't how it goes.

[ He won't abandon JJ to his boredom or sickness alone, but Yusuke's able-bodied still, and he can't help but go back out there eventually—he's never gained anything from accepting his circumstances. Things don't get better because you wait for them to; maybe the most childish thing about him is the belief that he could make a difference. Typical teenage arrogance. He moves as he continues speaking. ]

Just as you need to stay here and rest, I must do everything I can to make this situation right.

[ He hands him that blanket he's been eyeing. ]

Besides, there's only so much the police can do.

[ When Yusuke had first told him about his abilities, JJ had reacted with enthusiasm and wonder. It's like he was a superhero, saving people left and right, fighting bad guys. And that sounded great, because that's what he's supposed to think: using your abilities to create good is the right thing to do. Maybe if JJ were in a better mood, he'd believe it more.

No, it's not that he's bad mood, but there's a disconnect there, between his thoughts and Yusuke's. He's always in a constant state of missing his old life with various degrees of longing, but the yearning had been particularly strong since he'd gotten sick. He misses a life without terrorist attacks and monsters, and space ships, and aliens. JJ had never considered his life ordinary, but in comparison to all of this, it's obvious that it had been, painfully so.

But it had been so good, which is why he can't really comprehend why Yusuke wouldn't want that. He'd said his powers were recent, so he must know what it was like? ]

Why?

[ He takes the blanket, relieved, and wraps it around himself. ]

You don't have to... do everything.

[ Work, sleep, eat, socialize, try to survive, and then try to catch criminals on top of that. ]

[ They had a few similarities—both adept in their fields, capable of building a bright future off the foundations of their talents back home. But their circumstances are nothing alike. What was his life before he'd started fighting back? Not bad, not in all regards, but nothing he could go back to.

It's too fundamental a difference. JJ's tired, and he really shouldn't be badgering him with something like this. But he'd asked, and Yusuke rarely holds back his thoughts once they're rolling. Since the food still has a way to go before it's ready, he crouches beside JJ, helping straighten his blanket before he sits down too. ]

It isn't everything. [ And it won't be forever, not when he has to devote his life to art... ] Wouldn't you want to right a wrong done against a friend? Those that would turn a pox upon an innocent crowd deserve retribution.

[ They got some of his own sick, and frankly, that's enough for him to beat the crap out of any of these associates. Besides, it's not like he can help with the cure, or really do much to help the sick. The growing harshness in his expression softens again. ]

I can't very well turn my sword against an illness anyway. If only I could.

[ Retribution... Despite the lack of comprehension on JJ's part, he's not angry or annoyed with Yusuke for spending his time chasing villains. That would be stupid of him—he has no authority over Yusuke, and he wouldn't want to keep him from something he feels passionate about anyway. It just baffles him.

But Yusuke sounds almost angry. (Or maybe huffy, right now.)

JJ shifts when the other teen settles beside him, leaning against him, as he mulls this over. He still doesn't understand why Yusuke jumps straight to chasing villains as a show of support, when, if it were JJ, he'd just settle by his friend's side to make sure they were okay. But he's not a fighter, and maybe he needs to start understanding that Yusuke is.

He hadn't known that Yusuke fought with a sword, either. ]

Wait... your sword? [ He pulls back so that he can look Yusuke in the eye, slightly alarmed. ] Have you... stabbed someone? Killed someone? Would you?

[ And there's another difference, honestly: his bedside manner obviously isn't much to speak of. His shows of support are better served as a comrade in arms. It doesn't mean he's a murderer, though? He responds firmly. ]

I've fought people and struck down shadows—monsters. But there are lines that shouldn't be crossed.

[ Ones that he hopes he never has to, though he's already started to see some with more... brutal approaches around. But killing isn't on the agenda for him. ]

I would rather people be crippled by the guilt of their crimes than by a blade.

[ Though he's not sure what he would've thought if Yusuke told him that not only was he catching criminals, but killing them if necessary, the response does earn something of a relieved smile from him. Granted, it's easier to accept that Yusuke would only hurt people for the sake of pursuing justice, it's still a lot. Especially coming from someone three years younger than him.

He starts to laugh a little, thought it quickly turns into a cough—the dry kind at least, and not the gross kind where he'd been coughing up phlegm earlier. ]

That sounds weirdly cruel. But I guess they deserve it.

[ Relaxing again, he slumps to the side so that he can rest his ahead against Yusuke, eyes falling shut. ]

You should be careful though... fighting with weapons and stuff. I don't really get why you think you need to be an instrument of justice, but I guess it's better than using your powers for evil.

[ Well... maybe it was cruel. He doesn't fight evil with kindness. Or maybe he's just letting his personal feelings get the better of him; it's sad, when a sick man has to be the composed one, pointing out his obstinance. Yusuke looks at the opposing wall, idly interlacing his fingers to keep his hands busy, wondering if JJ would just fall asleep if he didn't respond long enough. Probably so. But he does pipe up eventually—because he's not an island. It could be that he'd like to confide in someone, too. ]

They do deserve it. [ He pauses, sighing like a vent for a low-simmering anger. ] Sickness took someone dear to me before. Sickness, and a very wicked man. Between illness and injustice...

[ Maybe that'd make it easier to see where he was coming from, if that was even possible. Yusuke is quiet again, JJ's head heavy on his shoulder. At least it was just the flu this time. The circumstances behind it were so pointlessly malicious, though. Of course it upsets him—how could it not? ]

Since I can't do anything against one, I should try my best against the other.

[ He wouldn't have fallen asleep—mostly because he's a princess. Despite his constant travel back home, he'd never been able to sleep on flights or on buses; he can't sleep on couches or in sleeping bags. He needs a bed. But at least Yusuke isn't the worst to doze off against, and at least JJ can push all his weight onto him without worrying about tipping them over.

Moreover, he's listening, intent despite his sleepy appearance. ]

Someone? A situation like this?

[ It offers a lot more clarity; that Yusuke would be incensed because this particular crime reminded him of a much more personal tragedy.

And now that he knows, he regrets being baffled by his words about justice earlier. It would be easier to swallow if it were just Yusuke's morality that were motivating him; his ambitions and big dreams about saving the world, maybe acting as a vigilante because he found Spider-Man's motto to be particularly inspiring.

He regrets that this might be personal. ]

[ Outrage is a cornerstone to being a Phantom Thief; his version of it is often on the colder side, but he is still unwilling to be perfectly calm with these sorts of situations. Though inevitably, some topics hit closer to home than others. And JJ doesn't seem satisfied at leaving it vague.

It's not difficult to talk about, just a bit macabre given the fact that half the city seems to be getting the flu. Which he should be more mindful of catching, but he's never been quite so sickly as she was. ]

I'm told my mother was often in poor health.

[ Her passing was more complicated than that, but it's usually enough explanation. He shifts himself up slightly so he can better look at him as he speaks, trying to head off any concerns of meeting his mom's fate over a headcold. ]

It's not exactly the same as what's happening now. Forgive me for being nostalgic.

[ It's not that unusual that JJ might not know much about Yusuke's family or home life; he's often too busy talking about himself to question others. It's not just that he's self-absorbed—which he is, and he's spoiled considering how patiently Yusuke tunes him out—but he expects anyone he speaks to share information as freely and without prompting.

Now, he feels so, so stupid not having known that Yusuke had lost his mother all this time.

He's not sure what to say, and the reason behind Yusuke's apology is lost on him, but uncertainty had never stopped him from barreling forward. ]

You should've said something.

[ A frown flits over his features, chest tight with questions: what disease? how long ago? what about the wicked man? He's too worked up, between his own longing for his family and thinking about Yusuke, only sixteen, having lost his mother—he's too wound up, and he doesn't hesitate before pulling his blanket open, the cover following his arm as he winds it around Yusuke's shoulders, bringing the other teen into a hug despite how unappealing it might be. ]

You never said anything...

[ His frown deepens, wondering how much if this reminded Yusuke of his mother's passing, and how oblivious JJ had been the entire time. How could he stand it? When the knowledge that his own parents were sleeping in the Station, but alive, was enough to wear JJ down. He knows he'll see them again, but whenever he lets his imagination wander and wonder if he won't...

He squeezes his eyes shut, forehead dropping to rest on Yusuke's shoulder. ]

[ The fact of the matter is that he doesn't remember his mom. It is an absence, a curiosity and sense of loss that comes from never having had something in the first place, but not a sharp grief—the magnitude of JJ's emotion seems greater than his. It startles him, tensing slightly at the sudden hug, too dumbfounded to come up with a good response.

Instead: ]

Sorry.

[ He says, stupidly. How else is he supposed to respond? He's received support from his friends before, quiet sympathy that he can accept and shrug off in favor of their collective, fighting spirit—but this, he can't. His hands hover, uncertain (when was the last time he'd been embraced like this?), before he pats JJ on the head, choosing not to voice how his fever is warm enough to feel. It's a wobbly, inexperienced gesture. His words are more level. ]

I don't mean to keep secrets. [ It isn't as though he's a bad friend for not knowing... Maybe it's just the flu making him emotional. ] It was a very long time ago—I'm at peace with it.

[ It's probably because of the sickness that's making him all the more keenly feel the absence of his own mother. His father, though JJ has no complaints, never had the same gentle touch as his mother. Nathalie could be firm when she needed to, and as his trainer, she'd never held back her criticisms and harsher opinions, but JJ was a mama's boy through and through.

He understands that Yusuke might've come to peace with having lost his mother, probably had to for the sake of his emotional health, but it still stings to know that Yusuke didn't get to have so many of the experiences that JJ holds in such high regard. He deserved them. ]

You don't need to apologize.

[ He lifts his head eventually, giving Yusuke's shoulder a squeeze as he exhales. The proximity was causing him to overheat. ]

I'll share my mother with you when she wakes up, she has like ten kids anyway, she won't notice another one.

[ His comment comes with a small smile. ]

[ He has a decent idea of how huge JJ's family is by this point, though it's hard to keep every name and face straight—he is not lacking in siblings. But as overwhelming as the idea of ten JJs running around is, he laughs a little at the invitation before he gets up to go check on the food before it has a chance to boil over. Even if he isn't hiding some great, hidden grief, it's a kind gesture. What he lacks in blood family, his friends make up in little invitations to their lives, like these. ]

I'm quite all right on my own—but that's very generous of you. It'd be an honor to join the Leroy clan.

[ For whenever JJ gets married for real and starts raising spawn of his own, he guesses. ]

Allow me to meet them someday.

It's not a clan.

[ It kind of is; his immediate family is large enough, but factoring in his extended family, they could probably power a small village.

That aside, he doesn't really buy Yusuke's claim that he's fine on his own. It's just not something that he can comprehend, when solitude has plagued him since he'd first awoken in his pond; a monster that he just can't seem to dodge.

Maybe he should ask Yusuke how he stands it, but he's not sure that he even wants to. Just the fact that Yusuke had gotten up to head to the kitchen is enough to make him frown, grabbing his blanket with a sigh. ]

But sure, you're welcome to join. You could probably woo one of my sisters or brothers.

[ Then they really would be brothers. ]

[ He's prepared meals in the past, but consistently taking care of someone is a bit alien—JJ must have more experience if he's had to nurse dozen family members with the common cold. But Yusuke does what he can, pouring the soup into a bowl and rifling through the rest of the bag he'd brought by. The rustling doesn't quite cover a quiet huff. ]

I have higher priorities than courtship.

[ So whatever possibility of being brother-in-laws will have to be put on hold, even beyond stasis issues. Meanwhile, JJ seems to have found his soulmate by 20. That's a feat in and of itself, though perhaps it speaks to his neediness too. ]

Though there's nothing wrong with focusing one's life ventures on love...

[ Somehow, Yusuke's response doesn't surprise him much, and JJ smiles as he pushes himself up, lumbering toward the kitchen both in search of companionship and food. The hunger's come suddenly, even as an ache starts to crawl up his legs at the movement, the tremble of his knees isn't enough to slow him down in his quest for the kitchen table. ]

Uh huh. Are you still in the "girls have cooties" stage of development?

[ He doesn't really think that's the case, but he can't help but tease as he settles down, grimacing and feeling like an old man as he does so. ]

I guess you're still kind of young... even though I started dating Isabella when I was sixteen. But I wasn't moonlighting as a superhero in my spare time.

[ Though he was flying around the globe for skating competitions. Maybe it really is his neediness. ]

[ He doesn't even know what a cootie is, stop it. By straining his social muscles, he can guess that this is some kind of jab; he makes a face that's much too haughty for a simple task like preparing a tray of food, breaking a small bread loaf in half. It's all ridiculous, but the conversation brightens a little for it. ]

I wouldn't put it like that, but I did keep myself busy.

[ It's more like vigilantism, and something he's still not quite used to sharing. That's a flattering way to look at it, though. Western comics are pretty cool. ]

Regardless, you're hardly any older than I am. [ don't talk like you Know Things, JJ...... Yusuke's clearly got his life in order when he's the one setting dinner in front of him. ] I would surmise that our aspirations are not so different.

[ Besides matters of romance, clearly. ]

[ This is the life. Hanging out in his pyjamas, having friends over and serve him food. JJ looks ridiculously pleased as Yusuke sets the soup and bread on the table, it's not the first time since he'd gotten sick, but the novelty has yet to wear off. He's sure to offer Yusuke his thanks as he does so, offering a quick prayer before he tears off a piece of bread to dip into the soup. ]

You're probably right about that, we're both artists at heart.

[ Albeit ones with radically different hobbies. It doesn't really matter to him however, and he's surprised at how little his image of Yusuke has changed after finding about his dalliances in crime fighting.

He's shooting the other teen a smile as he blows on the piece of bread, but the bite never makes it to his mouth when pain, sudden and strong cracks up his legs, sharper than the dull aches that had been plaguing him before this. It's stark, the bread falling from his fingers and splattering back into the bowl but his fingers don't stay numb for long, one hand forming into a fist that bangs into the table, and the other gripping his thigh, nails digging into the bare skin there.

His eyes are already squeezed shut, blind to Yusuke's expression as he kneels over, mind overrun with the feeling of his muscles cramping so hard it's as though they're trying to tear away from his bones. ]

[ Yusuke's already onto dishes midway through JJ's sentence (mostly annoyed at his own clutter), and it'd be a domestic scene (a running sink, idle chatter, not much else) if one of them wasn't sick. Even then, JJ's been pretty energetic since he got here, occasionally fading in and out of his usual energy, but always bouncing back. It's probably stupid of him to expect things to stay that way. He of all people should know better.

The sudden bang and clatter makes him start; the noise catches his attention, but seeing JJ suddenly go taut as a wire—pale and curled into himself—is what has him hurrying over to his side. ] JJ—!?

[ His brow's furrowed as he grips JJ's shoulder, surprised at how he can go from feverish to clammy in the blink of an eye, eyes darting about uselessly in the face of a new symptom. There's not much else he can do until the spasm passes—he just reaches for his hand, trying to pry his fingers loose before he hurts himself. ]

[ JJ's aware of Yusuke there, hovering and trying to help, not that JJ can acknowledge him. It's fear and pain both that have paralyzed him; scared that any movement he makes, even as slight as breathing, might make the situation worse. He can't even cry, even though he wants to, and he wants to ask whats even happening to the citizens of this city— if they're going to die from this disease— he'd rather just die.

His fingers dig deeper into his skin, drawing blood and looking almost like he'd rather rip the muscle out himself than deal with the steady build of tension. It's almost accurate, and pain can drive people to extreme lengths, but he's gotten banged up before. It's a natural byproduct of being an athlete: sprains, strains, and stress fractures, some injuries more excruciating than others, and all of them with the chilling fear that he's messed up too badly and won't be able to compete anymore.

But it always gets better. The memory of the hurt always fades, and the body always heals.

He breathes and there's a moment of respite where Yusuke can take his hand, red under the fingertips, but it's brief and the ache explodes back into his senses, and now he's gripping Yusuke's arm like it intends to break it, Yusuke's skin giving way under his nails too in a sharp spike that leaves him trembling for a second, ready to split apart.

And then its gone, the numbness exquisite in comparison to what preceded it, JJ's head falling forward with a deep gasp, forehead resting on the table as he gathers his breath. ]

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