DICK;

[crashout]

Comments

[crashout]

I had a gun and a knife and I got defeated by a bunch of cables. You know how stupid that sounds, don't you? [But...hm.] Two other people walked away with injuries we can't even properly heal here, and...I got electronic fatigue, I guess. Maybe you're not mad, but I am.

[Sometimes...you have very high expectations because other people do.]

[unpredicktable]

What, did you want to shoot the magic cables? Sometimes you go into a job with the wrong weapons for it. It happens. You learn and adapt. Friend of mine nearly drowned twice in two days before she started bringing something to breathe underwater on missions.

[ it's an example, and just one off the top of his head, though at junpei's comment dick. stares, a bit ]

Okay, ignoring the part where you all got electrical burns-- you're mad the two trained warriors got injured worse than you did?

[crashout]

[There's just. A look.]

When you say it like that it sounds really stupid. [Maybe because it is.] That's not entirely what it's about though, no. I don't know, I don't know how to explain it.

[unpredicktable]

[ dick knows exactly what this is, though, because junpei is the person who's most like a bat on this ship. who's most like dick. ]

Let me guess-- you're mad at yourself for not getting it right and on top of failing, getting your team in trouble when you considered yourself responsible? On top of that they suffered the brunt of what you're considering your mistake, so it feels even worse? Stop me if I'm close.

[crashout]

[Somehow Dick manages to articulate it much better than he was hoping for, which means there's a low, almost distressed sort of noise from where his face is buried in Dick's leg.]

Is this the part where you say that none of this is my fault because I'm still trying to decide that for myself or not.

[unpredicktable]

[ he's still petting, though there's a little wince ]

I can say it if it'll help. [ he doesn't think it will, somehow. ] Look, you think you messed up, then figure out what you did wrong and make sure it doesn't happen again. That's it. Everyone's alive. They've seen better days, but they're fine. Whatever the worst case scenario was, this wasn't it.

[crashout]

[In hindsight he actually shouldn't be complaining to Dick of all people but it made sense. He also knows Dick is right, but there's a nod to show he's listening even if he doesn't know what exactly to say.]

Yeah. I'm already planning for next time. [Since Dick is laying down now at this point Junpei shifts to wriggle his way up toward his shoulder.] Maybe later though. Everything still kind of fucking hurts.

[unpredicktable]

[ some sort of tension leaves him at Junpei's wriggling? or maybe his words. ]

Definitely later. I was serious about that bed rest.

[crashout]

Yeah and I was serious about you doing the same so we're even. [He's not even being polite at this rate when he tucks his face into Dick's shoulder and neck, a displeased noise as he tries to stretch out sore muscles.] I told Shiraishi I'd try to organize us better for investigation on Friday. Can't exactly do that if I can't even move much right now.

[unpredicktable]

[ dick just kinda? lets him koala cling? ]

Yeah, yeah. I'm in bed, aren't I? [ he stayed there for like an hour before being hailed by the intercom but yknow ] Got a plan of action for that yet?

[crashout]

Yeah, for now. [Sometimes you're a dumb sleepy bitch and sometimes you assume if your roommate really didn't want to deal they'd just push you off. Ergo. Koala.]

We know it starts at the same time each week. The idea was to flag down as many people as possible to make sure they're sent in teams that can make up for weaknesses and enhance strengths so we get as much information as possible before going into Saturday's trial. For example, we send someone with an immense amount of patience and eye for detail with people like Grune or Higekiri. We send someone with quick reflexes or strength with someone who's more or less an average civilian. Things like that.

[unpredicktable]

[ dick hums, because that's very sensible, but: ]

Think they'll listen before rushing off?

[crashout]

Nope. But it was a solid idea and earned me some leverage with Shiraishi so it's still fine. I'll work with what I can.

[unpredicktable]

[ hm? ]

Leverage for what?

[crashout]

He reminds me of someone I know. Smart guy, but a lot easier to talk to if you earn his respect which is hard to do in the first place. So. I pitch him my ideas so that it's easier to go back to him later and get other answers.

[unpredicktable]

Yeah, he drives me nuts.

[ that wasn't the lesson here but. it's what dick settles on ]

[crashout]

He's not terrible once you figure him out. Snake was sometimes worse. [But he grins a little anyway.]

...you're staying here for tonight, right? [Dick has literally never slept anywhere else and yet he's asking. It's Thursday, after all.]

[unpredicktable]

[ it's an incredibly dumb question but dick hums ]

'Course. You?

[ neither of them have ever slept anywhere the fuck else ]

[crashout]

Probably. [So that's a yes, but he sighs tiredly.] Just checking. Forget it.

[But he's firmly establishing himself against Dick's side so like. Okay.]

[unpredicktable]

... Ha, am I ruining your sleepover plans?

[ he says that but he's, y'know, still petting ]

[crashout]

As much as I didn't mind last week, I kind of want to deal with less people right now as long as we know where everyone else is going to be.

[unpredicktable]

... Yeah. Same.

[ the sighs he lets out is almost bone-weary ]

[crashout]

[Yeah, that...makes sense.]

...break time, Grayson. Do whatever you need to do during the day but come back early.

[unpredicktable]

[ ... dick pushes lightly at junpei's face ]

Really don't wanna hear that from you.

[crashout]

[A light bat. Stop.]

That's not a yes I'm hearing.