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]

[It always surprises him a little every time people ask him how he is even though he knows it shouldn't be anything special. People do that all the time. He knows that.

Then again, how long has it been since anybody ever treated him normally? Before Tony, that is.]

I'm managing. [A small shrug as he says that. He knows better than to say 'alright' since it clearly hasn't worked, but he doesn't want to worry anybody either.] You should focus more on yourself.

[prismbloom]

[ That's what friends do, right? Right. Aqua knows that, but... Ugh, poor Bruce. She knows him well--as well as he'll let her, anyway--and coupled with the way he's been worrying her... with the whole offering himself up thing...

Of course she worries.

Aqua sips at her hot cocoa, laughing lightly at that. It's getting to be the norm for her, isn't it... ]

I feel like I've heard that more than once before. But it's no burden to worry about my friends here. It never has been.

[amygdalae]

[Bruce never had the best self-preservation skills - perhaps even less so, really, after everything he's been through. Why be concerned about himself when he knows he can't die? Of course, its not the same here, but still... its not as if it matters if he lives or dies.

But with that said... 'friends', huh. Its weird, how rare that word is for him.]

I suppose I can't stop you. [He goes with a small smile.] ...though if you ever need some time for yourself, I'm sure we can all understand.

[Misa... the loss of her is hitting Aqua hard.]

[prismbloom]

[ Harder than you could ever imagine, Bruce. Aqua considers his words for a moment. It's... true, she doesn't really pay all that much attention to herself... so lobg as her friends are alright... ]

If everyone keeps saying that, I may just have to eventually take them up on that offer.

[ ... ]

I think some of the others could use a break, too.

[ Like you, Bruce, and Sigrun. ]

[amygdalae]

[Bruce totally isn't thinking of himself here. Why should he? It's not like he matters in the long run.]

Everyone probably needs a break of some sort at this point.

[They've all been though so much in this past month.]

[prismbloom]

[ ... it's a moment before she speaks again. ]

I hope you're counting yourself, too.

[amygdalae]

[...

Yeah, Bruce has no response here.

You pretty much caught him by surprise here, Aqua.

His expression pretty much says 'but why would I do that'.]

[prismbloom]

You do matter.

[ She turns to him, and her face is firm, eyebrows almost knit together. ]

I can't pretend to know what you've been through, and while we haven't known each other for very long, I do know what kind of person you are.

You're better than you believe you are.

[amygdalae]

[Bruce hears the words and he knows that Aqua does mean them and does believe in them and that is just... its just not right, hearing that. He doesn't deserve any of that kind of belief and trust.]

...you can't just say that. [He says quietly as he glances away, voice soft.] How do you even know that what you know of me is true?

[He could very well be lying to her, after all. And he has been.]

[prismbloom]

Because I've seen your reactions to a friend dying. It's worn on you, maybe more than anyone here.

[ ... ]

A bad person wouldn't react the way you do, Bruce.

[amygdalae]

It could just be an act. You may never know.

[Not that he was acting, but...]

[prismbloom]

It could be.

But I don't believe it is.

[amygdalae]

[...and Bruce sort of deflates at that. He really wishes he could say something else here, but Aqua has just been through a lot and... he doesn't want to ruin what is already between them. At least while he's actively aware of it. It would be unfair.]

I wish I could have that same amount of faith. [...mostly in himself, but also in others too. He can trust enough in others to do what is right but... more than that? It's hard.]

[prismbloom]

[ She notices that--it's difficult not to. For a while Aqua stays quiet, turning the mug of cocoa in her hands, squeezing it lightly. ]

I think I have enough to make up for it.

[ She says it simply enough because for her... it really is that simple. ]

[amygdalae]

[She really does - even though she doesn't have to, and shouldn't. It's not hard to be impressed about that, or admire her for it.]

You're too kind.

[So very kind. He doesn't deserve that sort of kindness, honestly.]

[prismbloom]

I mean every word, [ she says simply, but she's sure he knows that already. She's not much of a liar, after all... ]

We all can be our own worst enemies. But... don't push your friends--us--away.

[ ... don't make the mistake she did. ]

[amygdalae]

...I'll try.

[That's the best he can promise her. He's been used to being himself for so long, being unable to trust, that trying to undo all that is... hard. On a superficial level of course he can trust them to do what is good and right, but--letting them in closer? Possibly them seeing what is underneath the surface? The thought of that is--hard.

But he will... try. As much as he can manage.]

[prismbloom]

Like I told Cherryblod earlier... trying is all I can ask of you, really.

[ God knows they're all trying as hard as they can, even if it's... it's hard. Really, really hard, she won't ever dispute that.

... Aqua takes another sip of her cocoa, mostly because that's a good distraction from all the awful things right now. ]

You should drink yours before it gets too cold.

[amygdalae]

[Trying is really all that Bruce can do. And who knows if it'll work out, but... he supposes he owes Aqua that much. As he does for everybody else.]

...yes. [He stares down at his cocoa and after a pause, takes a drink from it.

...it's sweet.]

[prismbloom]

It is hot chocolate.

[ She lowers her mug. ]

Does it taste alright?

[amygdalae]

[Bruce nods only after half a moment.]

Yes.

[A bit sweeter than his usual, but its not like its a dealbreaker.]

[prismbloom]

I was worried I'd made it too sweet, but I'm glad you're enjoying it.

[amygdalae]

A little bit of sweetness isn't bad.

[And in a way, perhaps he needs it right now.]

Did everyone else like it?

[prismbloom]

There haven't been any complaints yet.

[amygdalae]

That's good. I'm sure everyone likes and appreciates it.

[A small smile as he takes another sip.]