wipesfaith | ( appointments )

[When Jean punches him in the arm, he flinches mildly. Not because he was startled or because Jean put too much force behind it, but because his muscles are incredibly sore right now. He can't wait to take a hot shower and then crawl into bed. Even so, he shoots Jean a wide grin.]

I'll try and stop you from being a moron too, but no promises. There's only so much I can do on my own.

Gee, thanks. [But even through the sarcasm, he can't help but keep grinning.]

It's good to have you back... [Back to normal, and just...back.] I guess I never said that before.

[When they had first crossed paths the day Jean arrived, they moved so quickly through the dissonant torrent of emotions and came out on the other side already trying to fall back into the way things always were. He never had a chance to tell him.]

You didn't really need to say it.

[He knew it from the moment he'd had time to process Jean's initial response to seeing him here in Luceti. He realized just how hard his death had hit Jean. They should be enjoying the time they have left here, because once either of them leaves, that's it. They'll probably never see each other again. Then again, it's the same way back home. You always run the risk of losing someone close to you, especially when you're in the military.]

But... It's still nice to hear.

Just thought you should know.

[He'll have to go back eventually. He knows this. While it's far easier to acknowledge his own return than Marco's, it still feels like a looming deadline. But it's one he has to accept. Instead of fixating on the endpoint, which could be tomorrow, or it could be a year from now - he won't know - he'll try to keep himself in the time they have until then.]

[He stands, stretching his arms over his head and looking back at Marco over his shoulder.]

You've gotta be exhausted, right? [And he won't say "I told you."]

[That's still kind of an "I told you so" in Marco's eyes, but he doesn't mind. Jean has every right to say that, and more. He's got no one to blame but himself for being this exhausted.]

Are you kidding? I feel like I could sleep for days. [In fact, part of him doesn't even want to bother getting up from the couch anymore. He could curl up right here- it's comfortable enough.]

Hey, I'll give you a free pass to ditch school tomorrow if you wanna catch up on sleep instead.

[He snorts loudly. School isn't mandatory in Luceti- heck, he's the one who had to drag Jean over there in the first place- but the idea of 'ditching' class still brings a smile to his face. It's a good thing Professor Sage is nothing like Instructor Shadis.]

You'll really let me? Thanks, Jean. You're a real pal.

I know, I'm just too nice. I'll even lie to Professor Sage for you, tell her you're sick or something.

[He has turned to face Marco straight on now, and he throws together an impression of a good, meek student, raising his hand to speak.] Sorry, Professor, Marco couldn't make it to class today...he's suffering terribly from the shits.

[The- What-

He's become acquainted with Jean's bad sense of humor and foul language over the past years, but every so often he still gets caught offguard by it.]

J-Jean! C'mon, that's not funny!

[A burst of laughter, because the look on Marco's face is priceless, and this feels so effortlessly normal in a way that it hasn't the whole time he's been here. He holds both hands palm out in a lazily placating gesture.]

Okay, okay...I'll cut you a break. You can be boring and have a cold instead, alright?

[Marco just kind of frowns and wrinkles his nose at the way Jean's laughing at him. Come on, poo jokes stopped being funny years ago.]

Fine. I'm okay with being boring.

[Poo jokes never stopped being funny and you goddamn know it.]

Hey, don't get your panties in a bunch.

[Oh please. Poo jokes are for kids. At least go with the hip adult crowd and make boner jokes. That's what Reiner does.]

I'm not- I just... [He draws a deep breath and leans back in the couch again.] Sorry. I'm just tired.

[Should he start making jokes about dropping the soap too?]

...Sorry, I just meant...relax.

[He looks toward the kitchen area, then back to Marco.] You should eat something before you go to bed. At least a little bit. [As they had avoided each other all day, he has no idea when the last time his friend ate was... Lunch? Breakfast?]

[It was sort of a brunch, really. A small one. By now, Marco's passed the pont where he's hungry and moved onto mild nauseau. He's not stupid enough to let that stop him from eating, though. Jean's right, he should get something into his stomach before going to bed.]

Do we still have some bread?

I got a new loaf today. [He'll walk over to check for it among their growing stash of provisions. When he finds it, he lightly tosses it over to the table.]

Already sliced and everything.

[The idea of putting anything on the bread makes his stomach churn uneasily, but as it is, it's probably fine. He takes the bag from the table so he can reach inside for a slice.]

Perfect. Thanks, Jean.

Need anything else? [While he's up and all.]

No, this is fine. [He takes a cautious bite of the bread and waits to see how his stomach will react to the notion of approaching food. ...So far, so good.]

[He rejoins Marco, taking the bag back and grabbing his own slice. Distracted by his thoughts, he hadn't eaten as much for dinner as he usually would. Already hungry again, he doesn't chew with the same caution as Marco, tearing off half the slice with his teeth.]

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