[He takes the drink and cradles it closer like a petulant child with a juice box. This is his now.]
I don't know, she also said she'd be the death of me. [Which was also annoying in its own way.] ...Tamamo and I aren't married, obviously, but we formed a contract on the first day here because we both have wishes we want granted. I don't like breaking my promises, and I don't like having my choices made for me. So I don't want her deciding these things for me, or not giving me an option to at least try to save her.
Not that I don't understand where you're coming from, but I do think she has more of a right to a say on matters regarding her own life.
[Though he waves a hand shortly after.]
I'd argue it more thoroughly in any other circumstance, but I don't think she fully wants to die in the first place - otherwise she wouldn't have mentioned anything to you at all and would have simply disappeared once this was over. So! What will you do about it?
[And then, a little toast in Junpei's direction. TO HIS BULLHEADED NATURE... His unshakable determination... His General Junpei-ness.]
—Don't tell her I told you this, but she's been asking me to check up on you, haha. Not that I wouldn't have done it on my own, since you're very worrisome!
[But, y'know. It is KILLING HIM to see these two idiots be fuckin idiots.]
Oh, don't even try to give me that. [WAVES A HAND. Junpei is worrisome and he himself is more than aware, he's sure!!] But yes, she did - more than once. On Friday, today... She's really quite concerned about you, even if she's also frustrated. You're very dear to her! She's always asking to make sure you remember to eat, this and that, the things fretful people fret over, you know.
[LOOK. He's kind of used to yeeting himself into the abyss and dealing with consequences later. It's fine!!! And yet Wei Wuixan starts talking about Tamamo and he looks a little embarrassed, or at least cowed]
...is that why you brought me soup on Thursday. [Kind of flatly, but. It's fine. It was good soup.] I'm doing fine and she doesn't need to worry. I do know how to take care of myself.
[Until an insane drive to figure stuff out and also depression combine into a disgusting mess and he forgets, but whatever.]
Nope! That one was just me being worried, considering you almost died without even bringing me along.
[He can't?? Stop Junpei from yeeting himself into death's loving embrace if he isn't there??? He's become very fond of this goblin and he'd much rather be the one to perish if anyone's going to, between the two of them.]
I can't believe you can actually look me in the eye and say that with a straight face, though. We keep roughly the same habits, don't we?
[Correct. He looks a little surprised to hear that for a moment before he gives him a flat look.]
Take it up with Nikkari, I was just helping him out. But thanks. I'm pretty sure Dick might've killed me if I tried to go get food myself.
[Please let him yeet, damn. But also, WWX isn't allowed to perish so guess they're both just fucking stuck!! As it is, he continues to stare him in the eye and try to prove his point, but...hm. Fair.]
...yeah, I guess we do. But I can still pretend, can't I?
[Guess he's gonna fight Nikkari now!! Except not since he's fond of Nikkari which is truly cursed, but, y'know. So it goes.]
Haha, probably! He does seem very strict on the injured getting bedrest. Silly thing to expect in a place like this!
[Dick sure does his best though... ALSO WOW only Junpei is cursed to survivor pool, he doesn't get his nap. Their stupid staring contest continues, but Wei Wuxian just grins.]
If you'd like, I suppose? I don't really see much of a point in it, though!
The point lives with me. [Which is his way of saying he wants to pretend he can take care of himself so he isn't worrying dick.] And the point is in the people who trust me to fix everything and solve puzzles and help lead us. Then again, I think I might've lost that position in the last week or so but maybe it doesn't matter anymore. If people are going to trust me and rely on me, can't exactly let them see weaknesses.
[Ah... Junpei really is a good person, huh? Which is maybe why he can't help but laugh, just a little. It's a fond sound, at least.]
The people you try to hide your weaknesses from can usually see them more clearly than anyone else, unfortunately. [REASSURING.] Though I do understand the feeling of necessity! In any case, it's probably somewhat reassuring to know that the person you put your trust in is still just as human as everyone else, you know?
...[He rubs the back of his neck.] Yeah, I know. Maybe I wanted to pretend a little longer is all. [But there's a short smile.] I don't know if that's entirely reassuring considering what it means to be human, but I get the point you're trying to make. Everything sucks for everybody so there's no point pretending otherwise. Right?
Haha, something like that, more or less. No one expects anyone here to be doing perfectly well, and that goes double for those of us who have had a hand in moving things silently from behind the scenes.
[He gives Junpei a pointed look first, but the smile that follows is fond.]
Don't forget about yourself under the weight of everything else, hm? Carrying trust and expectations is a heavy thing, but it won't do at all to have you collapsing so close to the finish line.
[He makes a face but...again, point taken. Nobody's perfect, they're all collectively losing their minds, and Junpei's doing his best to keep things stable but that's not always easy either.]
I'm not gonna collapse. At least not until this is over. [Also reassuring, but he seems to believe that.] It's...hard sometimes, sure, but sometimes it's the only way to keep going.
[REASSURING IS RIGHT but it's not like he doesn't understand. They are unfortunately in the same boat of bad coping mechanisms... Drinking, being manic with figuring things out instead of sleeping, and keeping themselves glued together through sheer bullheadedness alone.]
Mm, no need to thank me! [HE HATES THANKS.] Just as long as you know there are people who will be here when the collapse does come. Every push forward meets an end eventually, after all!
[THAT. THAT WAS MORE OMINOUS THAN HE INTENDED he's trying to be reassuring, really.]
...hah. Yeah. I get what you mean. [Mm...but he shakes his head.] I have a few people I should go check on, speaking of. I'll catch up with you later though? Get some rest or something.
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I don't know, she also said she'd be the death of me. [Which was also annoying in its own way.] ...Tamamo and I aren't married, obviously, but we formed a contract on the first day here because we both have wishes we want granted. I don't like breaking my promises, and I don't like having my choices made for me. So I don't want her deciding these things for me, or not giving me an option to at least try to save her.
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Not that I don't understand where you're coming from, but I do think she has more of a right to a say on matters regarding her own life.
[Though he waves a hand shortly after.]
I'd argue it more thoroughly in any other circumstance, but I don't think she fully wants to die in the first place - otherwise she wouldn't have mentioned anything to you at all and would have simply disappeared once this was over. So! What will you do about it?
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[He can still be angry though.]
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Exactly what I'd expect to hear from you!
[And then, a little toast in Junpei's direction. TO HIS BULLHEADED NATURE... His unshakable determination... His General Junpei-ness.]
—Don't tell her I told you this, but she's been asking me to check up on you, haha. Not that I wouldn't have done it on my own, since you're very worrisome!
[But, y'know. It is KILLING HIM to see these two idiots be fuckin idiots.]
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I'm not that worrisome, thanks. [...] She really asked?
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Oh, don't even try to give me that. [WAVES A HAND. Junpei is worrisome and he himself is more than aware, he's sure!!] But yes, she did - more than once. On Friday, today... She's really quite concerned about you, even if she's also frustrated. You're very dear to her! She's always asking to make sure you remember to eat, this and that, the things fretful people fret over, you know.
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...is that why you brought me soup on Thursday. [Kind of flatly, but. It's fine. It was good soup.] I'm doing fine and she doesn't need to worry. I do know how to take care of myself.
[Until an insane drive to figure stuff out and also depression combine into a disgusting mess and he forgets, but whatever.]
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Nope! That one was just me being worried, considering you almost died without even bringing me along.
[He can't?? Stop Junpei from yeeting himself into death's loving embrace if he isn't there??? He's become very fond of this goblin and he'd much rather be the one to perish if anyone's going to, between the two of them.]
I can't believe you can actually look me in the eye and say that with a straight face, though. We keep roughly the same habits, don't we?
[CALLING BOTH OF THEM OUT IN ONE FELL SWOOP.]
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Take it up with Nikkari, I was just helping him out. But thanks. I'm pretty sure Dick might've killed me if I tried to go get food myself.
[Please let him yeet, damn. But also, WWX isn't allowed to perish so guess they're both just fucking stuck!! As it is, he continues to stare him in the eye and try to prove his point, but...hm. Fair.]
...yeah, I guess we do. But I can still pretend, can't I?
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Haha, probably! He does seem very strict on the injured getting bedrest. Silly thing to expect in a place like this!
[Dick sure does his best though... ALSO WOW only Junpei is cursed to survivor pool, he doesn't get his nap. Their stupid staring contest continues, but Wei Wuxian just grins.]
If you'd like, I suppose? I don't really see much of a point in it, though!
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The point lives with me. [Which is his way of saying he wants to pretend he can take care of himself so he isn't worrying dick.] And the point is in the people who trust me to fix everything and solve puzzles and help lead us. Then again, I think I might've lost that position in the last week or so but maybe it doesn't matter anymore. If people are going to trust me and rely on me, can't exactly let them see weaknesses.
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The people you try to hide your weaknesses from can usually see them more clearly than anyone else, unfortunately. [REASSURING.] Though I do understand the feeling of necessity! In any case, it's probably somewhat reassuring to know that the person you put your trust in is still just as human as everyone else, you know?
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[He gives Junpei a pointed look first, but the smile that follows is fond.]
Don't forget about yourself under the weight of everything else, hm? Carrying trust and expectations is a heavy thing, but it won't do at all to have you collapsing so close to the finish line.
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I'm not gonna collapse. At least not until this is over. [Also reassuring, but he seems to believe that.] It's...hard sometimes, sure, but sometimes it's the only way to keep going.
[...] But that means a lot, so...thanks.
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Mm, no need to thank me! [HE HATES THANKS.] Just as long as you know there are people who will be here when the collapse does come. Every push forward meets an end eventually, after all!
[THAT. THAT WAS MORE OMINOUS THAN HE INTENDED he's trying to be reassuring, really.]
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[...a bad joke...]
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Mm, right, right. You, too!