CP   So?

CP   You don’t hate it, right?

You hold up the sketch close enough to huff the graphite.

JU   Hmmmmmm.

Truth be told, you already made your decision the first moment you saw it. But it's fun seeing him squirm.

JU   A lot to think about.

CP   Oh, come on.

JU   What? Does it matter to you or not?

CP   I-It does! of course it does!

CP   But if I knew you were going to make it feel like an assignment, I would've -

JU   It’s fine. We can go with it./p>

Finally, you grin.

CP   ...what?

CP   Really?

He sounds genuinely surprised. You shrug, hoping to alleviate any misplaced emotion.

JU   It's not like I had any better ideas.

JU   What? You thought I was going to be an asshole and just say no?

JU   Get real.

JU   It's not like I can draw this well anyway.

As you shove the paper into your pocket, he's hovering close to you. A nervous laugh is laced in his voice.

CP   But, you are? actually?

CP   I mean, no, I don’t mind, but really?

JU   Caspian.

CP   If you're actually unsure, I get it.

CP   I can try making some more drafts.

CP   i have other ideas. this one just came to -

You punch him, and a satisfying yelp erupts.

CP   Oww!

JU   Yeah, really. Idiot.

JU   I said so, didn’t I?

He matches your smile, rubbing his shoulder mournfully.

CP   Then, it's really settled?

CP   Wow.

CP   Now all that's left is to do it.

JU   Yup.

JU   Can't wuss out now.

JU   You're in this shit with me for good.

His fingers graze the area where your fist landed and he winces, even though it's not even bruised. Probably.

JU   Weakass.

He does that adorable little whining sound that would piss you off if anyone else made it.

CP   I’m not a fighter, you know.

JU   Then, what? You're a lover?

CP   Phah hah.

CP   Love and peace. that's what i always say.

JU   Wish you would stop saying it.

CP   I can't help that I'm not a natural born fighter like most people here.

CP   I don’t recover from punches easily.

CP   I'm a big fan of diplomacy, actually.

CP   It's the future. look it up.

You roll your eyes. You've seen him get into his fair share of fights, all while focusing on dodging attacks rather than landing any. The 'peacekeeper' shtick is his own kind of battle strategy. You don't know why he bothers; it's much more fun when people know what you're capable of.

JU   Well, get used to it.

JU   Because my fists are diplomats, too. And they do a lot of talking.

JU   And, y'know.

JU   That's what you signed up for.

You elbow him as he makes an exaggerated sigh of defeat.

CP   True, true.

CP   It's my fault that I'm a delicate soul in such a harsh world.

JU   Heh.

JU   Delicate my ass.

CP   Is it, now?

JU   Shut up. You know what I mean.

CP   Phah hah.

CP   I'll get better.

CP   You wouldn't want a man with weak shoulders, right?

You laugh as he rolls his shoulders back, attempting to flex. He does have some muscles on him - you've done a fair share of peeking whenever he layers down - but you like that he's humble about himself.

He's a good guy. Being around him makes you feel like one, too.

JU   Pfft. That's what I signed up for.

JU   I guess we're both getting our licks.

CP   Guess so.

You kick your feet, feeling the hard wall at your heels every time they swing back.

JU   Plus, if you think that’s bad, the needle will hurt way worse.

CP   Didn't think of it that way.

CP   We should make it nice and small instead.

CP   Maybe the size of one of those temporary sticker ones.

JU   No way! I'm not a coward.

CP   Phah! good.

CP   Me neither.

JU   Yeah, I hope so.

JU   You're in this with me, and there's no backing out.

JU   A warrior's pact or whatever.

Then, he makes that stupid smile at you, and you feel an even stupider fluttering in your chest.

CP   I'd never back out, Jun.

The two of you sit there for a bit. All you can hear is the autumn breeze rustling the trees. Some kids playing a block over. They must be Cheng's age... no, Cheng hasn't been that young for a while. How the time flies.

If you close your eyes, it's like the world is at peace. Weird how he can do that, even when he's just sitting next to you.

CP   What're you thinking about?

JU   ...

JU   It actually is a big deal.

JU   You know that, right? I'm not just... saying it for show.

CP   'Course I know.

CP   That's why I wanted you to be sure.

CP   Phah. but it's hard to tell with you, sometimes.

JU   What does that mean?

CP   Because. you're the toughest person I know.

You look away, because you're having trouble fighting back a big, shit-eating grin.

JU   Oh yeah?

CP   Yeah. it feels like nothing would faze you.

CP   Even things that scare me. a lot.

JU   Heh. Yeah.

You direct your focus downwards, digging the back of your shoe into the wall.

JU   But I get it.

JU   That's why I wanted to wait.

JU   You know. Prep myself mentally.

He looks at you, visible confusion on his face.

CP   Prep yourself? for...?

JU   I've heard about it hurting a lot.

JU   So, I get it.

JU   Being a little... you know.

JU   That doesn't make you a coward. It's just realistic.

You can almost hear gears turning in his head as the sides of his mouth perk upwards.

CP   Hey.

CP   If anything goes wrong, I'll protect you.

JU   Oh my god.

You start scootching away from him.

CP   Do you want to hold hands while it happens?

CP   We could move our tables right next to each other...

JU   You asshole!

JU   I try to say one sensitive thing, and you just...!

CP   I don't know. you sounded pretty scared just now.

JU   Like hell I’ll get scared!

CP   Are you sure? its a big needle.

CP   In the skin, over and over...

CP   It's like getting a shot, but a lot, for a good couple of hours...

JU   It's just ink, dumbass! Fuck off!

JU   You know what? Screw your drawing!

JU   I'm going with a viper, like I wanted!

CP   But you said it was perfect ~

CP   And you promised ~ you had the sweetest smile when you promised ~

JU   Shut up! Shut up!

You would punch him again, but you're too busy laughing.