do it for love

[penduli]

[ Every week is the same song and dance, but it never really gets easier, or works, or ever seems like it’s going to stop.

There will be time for everyone to rest before Black comes knocking on their doors (a moot point, given the soundproofedness of them) and slipping a note beneath them. He needed the respite too, and they needed to prepare food, and… he still thinks it’s a little weird to have a party after a trial, but he’s starting to really understand why it’s not a bad idea, either. ]

[Name],

Misa would’ve wanted us to keep a smile on our faces, or at least put a smile somewhere. There’s a pancake bar up in the chapel, if you’d like to come by and make a few happen. If you don't want to come, that's fine, too. The offer's open all night.

Ever yours,
Black

[ …the ending is something he’s never quite shaken, unfortunately.

Those that make their way up to the chapel will, indeed, find a pancake bar, courtesy of Yosuke and Stan (because Black never feels that hungry after trials and someone needs to stress bake here). That is, there are pancakes! There are syrups, whipped cream, fruits, berries, candies, etc! Sprinkles! Hot chocolate, ice cream… everything you could want for your build-your-own-pancake masterpiece. It’s all set up on some tables shoved against the chapel’s walls.

…special Stancakes (or pancakes with a hint of Stan in them, aka some of his hair that might’ve gotten in there accidentally, whoops) are also available.

There’s also alcohol—dessert wines mostly, to pair with their overwhelming sugar bias, but there’s some ordinary stuff there too. Pancake bar.

The framed photos are where they’ve always been on the center area, along with their matching stuffed animals. …or most of them; some haven’t been made, some pictures haven’t been put up, you get the idea. ]

Comments

[amygdalae]

Especially now.

[Just a touch wry, as Bruce settles down beside him.]

I tried my best, but its probably nowhere compared to the tea that you make.

[cherryblooded]

It's one of the few things I can do here, so I'll accept that compliment.

[He takes a sip.]

It's good. Thank you.

[amygdalae]

I'm glad its good for you.

[Tiny smile here.]

Drink as much as you want - there's more where that came from.

[cherryblooded]

[Sip, sip.]

Is there anything I can do for you in return?

[amygdalae]

[A small shake of his head.]

As long as you look out for yourself, I'm alright.

[cherryblooded]

I will. Don't exactly intend to get stabbed just because I've decided to be more honest.

[amygdalae]

[...honest, huh?]

...it must have not been easy, being able to do this with everyone.

[cherryblooded]

It's terrifying, honestly. And painful, losing friendships like this. But I have to do it.

[amygdalae]

Because of what Miss Misa said.

[Its not even a question. With this its easy enough for Bruce to put two and two together.]

[cherryblooded]

What if you suspected anyone else of being the killer she mentioned? I'm not allowing anyone else to take the fall for what I've done. Care about all of you too much for that.

[amygdalae]

...you really are too kind.

[Far, far too kind. Bruce knows he probably doesn't deserve this, even if Cherryblod was doing it for everyone in general.]

[cherryblooded]

Don't know how you can still say that, but thank you.

[amygdalae]

You could have not said anything. You could just as easily made use of the fact that everyone here trusts you to shift blame away from yourself. You could have just used what she said to your own advantage because you know the truth.

[There are so many things Cherryblod could have done, but he instead chose the hardest path. That's something to be commended, if anything.]

I think the fact that you decided to do this instead says a lot more than anything else.

[cherryblooded]

...Alright. I'll admit that I'm a better person now than I was. Not that that's hard.

Even so, it doesn't clean the blood from my hands. Never will.

[amygdalae]

[...no, nothing can ever clear off that amount of blood. Bruce knows that very well. He knows others who think that as well.]

...back in my world. [He starts, voice soft and slow.] I... somebody I knew--she was a former assassin. One of the best. If the dreams are true as Captain Eide said, we're now close friends.

[...so, you know, Bruce isn't the best person to judge. For that and for more personal reasons.]

[cherryblooded]

Since it's you, I'm sure she's become a far better person.

[He gives a low chuckle.] Well, I can't argue with that. It's easier to say when it's not me.

[amygdalae]

She was already better before we met.

[And now she's... Bruce doesn't know. What he remembers dreams about Natasha feels so--oddly complicated.

Anyway.]

We all have things that we regret, or mistakes we don't like to talk about. [...Bruce knows this well. Perhaps too well.] It's not quite 'forgive and forget', but... hate won't change anything either.

[cherryblooded]

No, it won't. All we really can do is move forward.

...Thank you. It means a lot to me.

[amygdalae]

...its the least I can do.

[They all have their dark and sordid pasts, but as terrible as they are its what shaped each of them. Cherryblod may have been a terrible criminal, but its clear he's repented from it. That's the best he can ask for.]

[cherryblooded]

You could do nothing. Would be very easy to.

[He doesn't get to praise Cherryblod on taking the hard road when he's taken one of his own.]

[amygdalae]

[Ah, well.]

It wouldn't be fair to you.

[cherryblooded]

...We're both a bit hypocritical, aren't we.

[amygdalae]

[Bruce is very hypocritical, but that's nothing compared to everything else that he is.]

That's one way to put it. [Says with a small quirk at the corner of his lips.]

[cherryblooded]

Don't mind having something in common with you. It's flattering, really.

[amygdalae]

[A small sound of amusement here, although it certainly doesn't show on his face.]

People usually don't want to have anything in common with me.