[Tristan breathes out a soft laugh.] I wonder about it. Sometimes, it feels so easy... And other times, I feel so very...small and lost that...that being trusted to follow my instincts seems to court disaster. The omen of my name doesn't seem to hinder him, though... And I trust him.
[how nice they're speaking to this now, in this place, as opposed to uhhhh two weeks again in campaign when Ul'grimm fucking kicked off WW3 or whatever]
But I think...I just mean to say that... Those who know you will trust you as you are. And...will help you when they can. But they have to know that you need the help. So...so being scared isn't always the weakness it feels.
[a bit of red has begun to tinge Tristan's features as they speak, a self-consciousness they're unused to holding of late resurfacing.]
Forgive me, Junpei. I...I won't tell you it's easy. It isn't. And I cannot heal that harm in you, no matter how much I wish to. But I hope I can help put you at ease should it resurface.
[ Junpei steps up with reassurance. He likes seeing this side of Tristan -- this bolder side that can reach into themselves and offer a great wisdom. Tristan's strength, it seems, is watching others and consistently learning. About them. About the way their mind works. And in turn about Tristan themself. Junpei would love to see more of it. Even if he will find himself the unfortunate subject of much of Tristan's observations.
Well, maybe that alone can give him strength. To try and be the best version of himself he can be! And maybe trust a bit more. Trust he won't be looked down to speak about his weaknesses and failings. Trust that it's okay to not always smile. Trust that his humanity can be something helpful to Tristan in their lack of true self. ]
I don't think the nightmares will go away entirely. But it's not every night. Not anymore. Maybe you just need to mix some sleeping potions or whatever in with dinner. Maybe something to totally knock me out?
[ He laughs a little. The laughter fades off into an honest smile. ]
Thanks, though. For listening. Is there anything I can do for you? I'd like to return the favor if I can...
[with a gentle laugh in their voice:] Junpei... You've already done so much! That I've been able to do this much means...I've managed to own up to the good you've done me.
[their expression sobers, sincere.] What I do understand beyond that is...that I've learned something important. To...take care of it properly. You've my word that I'll respect that knowledge as yours, to not treat it as my own to share. [though there'll be little to stop them from impressing it upon themself, to keep it as some benchmark; that part's very difficult to police from within.]
But if I hear you struggle again...what is it you would want me to do?
I wouldn't have told you if I didn't think I could trust you.
[ And it's a fairly significant step forward. Trusting someone. Talking to them about things. For so long Junpei kept so much to himself. It feels a little strange to have been open like this, but hey. Maybe it's a step in the right direction. Maybe Tristan's here to help Junpei be better than he has been. An equivocal exchange out of this rooming arrangement!
He chuckles a little at the question, shaking his head. ]
Maybe don't stand right at the door next time. But I dunno, dude. If you wanna put on some water for tea, and be out here waiting with a light on, I don't think I'd complain about that. It'd be pretty nice to know I can escape my nightmares to a safe, cozy place with some good company.
[it is always very humbling to be told they're trusted...well, trusted with more than doing simple labor. early on, lacking memory made it difficult to relate to others, and with that ignorance came the impression that they were unreliable. people spoke to them as though they were a child, and...maybe they were right to. but it only makes moments where they are given responsibility over something greater all the more important to Tristan.
not to be dramatic or anything, but they would die for Junpei's sake.
Tristan's smile is warm, gracious, and they only look back at mention of the door. they have enough self-awareness to laugh sheepishly by way of apology and nod.]
Tea and light, then. I can provide both. Do you want some now, or would you rather try to go back to sleep? I would hate for you to lose time for proper rest.
Doubt I'm getting back to sleep now, so yeah. Some tea would be great.
[ The good news is Junpei doesn't have a set schedule anymore. No school days to adhere to. So if he gets tired, he can just hunker down and nap at any point he wants. (Although he'd often doze off at school too so it's not much different. It's just back home, he'd typically get in trouble for sleeping through class.) Tristan's not likely to yell at him for dozing off here. In fact, Junpei has a hard time imagining Tristan yelling at all. ]
If you're not tired, we can stay up and read some of this cool baseball manga I got!
[ He reaches over for the book on the nightstand, waving it with a grin. ]
You'll love it!
[ Will they, though? Well. Junpei hopes they like it just as much as him because there's nothing more fun than sharing a hobby! ]
They really lean into the hero being this underdog who has what it takes to be a greater hitter, but for some reason keeps choking under the pressure. So the whole team thinks he's pretty useless. And the coach is all threatening to bench him for the rest of the season! But then, he--
[ His eyes widen. ]
Wait! Don't let me spoil it! You'll see!
[ ....Junpei will probably still spoil it even as they read it together. But it's just because he's excited, okay! With his smile back in place and the nightmare fading behind him, Junpei takes a moment to place a hand on Tristan's shoulder before they head off to make the tea. ]
Thanks, though. For hearing me out. For being a real friend. You staying with me is probably the best thing that coulda happened, yanno?
[oh, Junpei. Tristan's chest swells with gratitude and affection. they smile warmly to themself, wiping at their eyes while Junpei's futzing around at the kichenette. being considered the best of anything is a new concept, and while they're not sure they can believe it wholly true, they wouldn't call Junpei a liar, either.
all the more reason to be grateful and ever-so-careful to not betray that kindness. it may mean more confusing comic pages and cultural concepts beyond them, but they will be dutiful in engaging with it, to ask for more context that Junpei is a master in.
they're probably never going to understand that 'moe' concept, though...]
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momijizukamori
no subject
Date: 2026-03-13 03:38 pm (UTC)[
how nice they're speaking to this now, in this place, as opposed to uhhhh two weeks again in campaign when Ul'grimm fucking kicked off WW3 or whatever]But I think...I just mean to say that... Those who know you will trust you as you are. And...will help you when they can. But they have to know that you need the help. So...so being scared isn't always the weakness it feels.
[a bit of red has begun to tinge Tristan's features as they speak, a self-consciousness they're unused to holding of late resurfacing.]
Forgive me, Junpei. I...I won't tell you it's easy. It isn't. And I cannot heal that harm in you, no matter how much I wish to. But I hope I can help put you at ease should it resurface.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-16 03:20 pm (UTC)[ Junpei steps up with reassurance. He likes seeing this side of Tristan -- this bolder side that can reach into themselves and offer a great wisdom. Tristan's strength, it seems, is watching others and consistently learning. About them. About the way their mind works. And in turn about Tristan themself. Junpei would love to see more of it. Even if he will find himself the unfortunate subject of much of Tristan's observations.
Well, maybe that alone can give him strength. To try and be the best version of himself he can be! And maybe trust a bit more. Trust he won't be looked down to speak about his weaknesses and failings. Trust that it's okay to not always smile. Trust that his humanity can be something helpful to Tristan in their lack of true self. ]
I don't think the nightmares will go away entirely. But it's not every night. Not anymore. Maybe you just need to mix some sleeping potions or whatever in with dinner. Maybe something to totally knock me out?
[ He laughs a little. The laughter fades off into an honest smile. ]
Thanks, though. For listening. Is there anything I can do for you? I'd like to return the favor if I can...
no subject
Date: 2026-03-16 03:31 pm (UTC)[their expression sobers, sincere.] What I do understand beyond that is...that I've learned something important. To...take care of it properly. You've my word that I'll respect that knowledge as yours, to not treat it as my own to share. [though there'll be little to stop them from impressing it upon themself, to keep it as some benchmark; that part's very difficult to police from within.]
But if I hear you struggle again...what is it you would want me to do?
no subject
Date: 2026-03-20 04:53 pm (UTC)[ Junpei says softly. ]
I wouldn't have told you if I didn't think I could trust you.
[ And it's a fairly significant step forward. Trusting someone. Talking to them about things. For so long Junpei kept so much to himself. It feels a little strange to have been open like this, but hey. Maybe it's a step in the right direction. Maybe Tristan's here to help Junpei be better than he has been. An equivocal exchange out of this rooming arrangement!
He chuckles a little at the question, shaking his head. ]
Maybe don't stand right at the door next time. But I dunno, dude. If you wanna put on some water for tea, and be out here waiting with a light on, I don't think I'd complain about that. It'd be pretty nice to know I can escape my nightmares to a safe, cozy place with some good company.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-20 05:21 pm (UTC)not to be dramatic or anything, but they would die for Junpei's sake.
Tristan's smile is warm, gracious, and they only look back at mention of the door. they have enough self-awareness to laugh sheepishly by way of apology and nod.]
Tea and light, then. I can provide both. Do you want some now, or would you rather try to go back to sleep? I would hate for you to lose time for proper rest.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-24 12:27 pm (UTC)[ The good news is Junpei doesn't have a set schedule anymore. No school days to adhere to. So if he gets tired, he can just hunker down and nap at any point he wants. (Although he'd often doze off at school too so it's not much different. It's just back home, he'd typically get in trouble for sleeping through class.) Tristan's not likely to yell at him for dozing off here. In fact, Junpei has a hard time imagining Tristan yelling at all. ]
If you're not tired, we can stay up and read some of this cool baseball manga I got!
[ He reaches over for the book on the nightstand, waving it with a grin. ]
You'll love it!
[ Will they, though? Well. Junpei hopes they like it just as much as him because there's nothing more fun than sharing a hobby! ]
They really lean into the hero being this underdog who has what it takes to be a greater hitter, but for some reason keeps choking under the pressure. So the whole team thinks he's pretty useless. And the coach is all threatening to bench him for the rest of the season! But then, he--
[ His eyes widen. ]
Wait! Don't let me spoil it! You'll see!
[ ....Junpei will probably still spoil it even as they read it together. But it's just because he's excited, okay! With his smile back in place and the nightmare fading behind him, Junpei takes a moment to place a hand on Tristan's shoulder before they head off to make the tea. ]
Thanks, though. For hearing me out. For being a real friend. You staying with me is probably the best thing that coulda happened, yanno?
/wrap c':
Date: 2026-03-24 02:28 pm (UTC)all the more reason to be grateful and ever-so-careful to not betray that kindness. it may mean more confusing comic pages and cultural concepts beyond them, but they will be dutiful in engaging with it, to ask for more context that Junpei is a master in.
they're probably never going to understand that 'moe' concept, though...]