#foolofzero

     “Do you ever get so bored that you don’t know what to do with yourself and you kind of just like...drift off somewhere between time and space? Because I have. And I’m pretty sure time just stops. I’m in boredom purgatory and I think I’m literally gonna die here, dude.”

     A whiny note had crept into Yosuke’s voice, the type of high-pitched whimper that likened him more to a lost, lonely puppy than an actual human being. The textbook lying on the table in front of him was figuratively (and possibly literally) gathering dust, its pages left ignored and un-turned. Rather than study, Yosuke had started playing around with his phone, which somehow managed to disappoint him in record time.

     “The test is like forever away, anyway, and you probably know the whole book by heart or something. Can’t we just like..go do something that’s actually fun? There’ll be time to study later. Probably.”

Of course he doesn’t answer. He only called in an attempt to give Souji some space. Independence. But on nights like this he couldn’t help but worry. Maybe it was because it reminded him of their first meeting. Or maybe it had to do with the things he saw now... The rain did... something though he wasn’t sure what yet. 

Hanging up the phone, he stands from his own bed and shuffles across the hall, knocking on the door before stepping inside. He doesn’t say anything though, he just comes to sit beside Souji, reaching over to check his temperature, among other things. 

He’s pretty sure Yosuke is better at this kind of thing. Or maybe he should say that Yosuke’s are better at this kind of thing. But he couldn’t let it sit. Not after what his Shadow Self had been privy to the other week. He was worried about him... this other world version of himself.

The issue now was how in the hell was he supposed to introduce himself and strike up a conversation?

“...Hi?”

{Angst Starters. Accepting.}

     Silence fell over him the moment he ripped open the paper, the child-like excitement that had been plastered all over his face fading into something softer. Maybe disbelief, maybe something akin to awe or maybe even fondness--or some combination of everything. He wasn’t an idiot; the headphones in his hands were more expensive than anything he had ever expected. They were the same headphones he had looked at longingly for months and told himself he didn’t need them and to save his money. His own parents hadn’t even got him something so nice...

     “Partner...” 

     He wasn’t choked up, or anything. Manly men didn’t cry over presents, that would be silly.

“Souji!” The relief in Yu’s tone is more than obvious as he rushes forwards and takes his brother into his arms and holds him tight, rubbing circles on his back to try and help him calm, if he could.