coexist.

{ zeta!eren only joining in b/c of another dlc... considering whether he also plays a role in zz nyahaha }

'Something' indeed- and yet, when he returned here by some miracle ( but miracles don't happen twice, the bead was always with him ), Kamille felt like an old friend.

Back then, Kamille ended up being the friend with a reckless plan- and saved him. Even if the incident had become infamous in days that followed, the 'ghost' that used to stalk these same hallways was now just a person. A person 'returned' to form- but with a new future. He was apologetic for his past hauntings, bad behaviour, and of course, easily teased about everything. And he wasn't even weird around vending machines anymore.

Really- Jude still couldn't fully convey how grateful he was towards Kamille.

"Hah, punches-" That literal memory brought a fond and confident smile. Neither of them had held back at all. "Yeah, he sure doesn't..."

Jude paused. In this second rodeo, the links between people still tied them together. For instance, the slightly older pilot in front of him. But... while both of them knowing Kamille was one thing...

Right, I don't remember seeing him here last time. And wouldn't he have ( at least, eventually ) heard of someone else getting the same treatment if it'd occured back then? Unless he was really out of the loop this time... Just what had happened?

Console or PC?

Feed your dashboard by answering my question, blogger.

“Oh… I may look like this, but I’m definitely a human.” ‘This’ being the black cat ears on his head ( purrfetly blending in with styled hair spikes ), and a soft tail swaying under his lab coat. Both of these features have always been there, trust him. He has nine lives when it comes to overworking and beating people up to protect his friends, or however the saying goes…

"Oh, is today Cat Day?" The cat in his arms that's demanded a princess hug seems content. He glances downward, smiling softly, and gives a gentle pet. "Haha, that means it's your special day. I'm happy for you."

The cat suddenly tries to climb his shoulder, as if making eye contact with him is now too embarrassing for some reason...!!

( jude law SH!au or vampire au... your choice >:D )

Silence fell after those words, wrapped in a gentle breeze to carry them away. It wasn't warm, but even as his chest tightened, Jude could almost taste the sea salt in the wind.

Of course, he was imagining it. The trees and sky looked grey. The ocean felt and might still be impossibly far. But Law had painted a beautiful sight in his mind. Quietly, he took a step to stand closer to his friend, dull grass swaying slightly underneath. Around them, bushes of withered roses left nothing but thorns.

With the state of the things, the sea had also came to represent a dead end ( the sun rising on a new day wasn't meant for things inside darkness, either ). Unreachable beyond, but it was a place to go and finally stop worrying. He knew the feeling. He was already part thing, but he would always know. He still felt like himself... despite some technicalities ( an internal struggle ). And in Law's case... it was...

"... Good idea. I want to see it too." Jude's response was casual, gently blanketing the pain he felt like a thick fog.

--- Don't say things like that, Law. He let the thought go, into a fog he'd never knew... until he could no longer see it. Because Law was allowed to worry in front of other people and to himself, and he was allowed to wish for things... But a sunrise over the sea? Only if it wasn't his last sun. If they were able to change that-

I won't let you die like this. I'll never give up on trying to help you. Even if takes every last drop of blood I have inside- If it means taking your place in the end, I'll do it.

"I guess that settles it." The wind blew again, and Jude looked at him with a warm smile, nonchalant, fairly confident- the same as always. "I know you know this already... but you're stuck with me until you start feeling better- and after that too, alright?"

He paused. In the breeze, towards Law... was Jude's outstretched palm. And with an expression that had long casted all doubt aside-

"... Wait, is that another package of chocolates? Thanks, Law- I'm sorry about this." He's genuinely troubled about the overwhelming volume of mail the lab gets. On the same day, every year... The delivery person probably hates him! They've got so many packages that Law's helping out? ( and the amount of guys that would once again die to switch places with jude right now... )

He's about to ask Law who sent it, but the answer... the answer is-- Right, Asch and Natalia! It feels like it's been ages. "Oh, it is? Wow! That's-" Jude's shoulders relax as he smiles, and then-

"....?!" The memories of eating Natalia's speciality chocolates come flooding back!! The t a s t e. It's instinctual! Muscle memory! The T A S T e. He's sorry that he's like this...! He's grateful!! "Ah, r-right... haha... I remember. But it's safe, huh? Safe to eat... hahaha... Asch made them? Yeah, then it's okay..." Is this Jude worse or better than the passed out Jude Law had to save?! When they were on the cold, hard floor together?! Law didn't want his friend to endure something like that again, and yet...!!

"But, Law.... You know........" An unnatural calm envelopes Jude's voice. With a palm against on the wall, he slowly steadies himself, blankly staring into the floor. "Now I'm wondering... what kind of ingredients she brought....." He takes a few, slow steps closer to his friend. And once he raises his face-