so you feel entitled to a sense of control

[unbreaker]

WHO: Alfie Solomons and Josuke Higashikata
WHERE: Maurtia Falls
WHEN: Bright and early, April 11th
WHAT: Probably a lot of regret
WARNINGS: TBD


[Still a little sore from having been hung up on the day before, Josuke makes good on his word when the sun rises. After confirming his probationer's address, the Porter in Heropa's outpost takes him to Maurtia Falls where, thankfully very familiar with the city, he's able to make his way to Alfie Solomons' home without much difficulty. Being registered doesn't mean the whole of his trip is short, though, especially not with his attention half divided between the task at hand and perusing the network for Alfie's most recent activity. He's not about to go into today as blindly as he did the phone call from last night!

And what he learns is...that the other man doesn't always seem to be as much of an ass as he was the night before. By the time stores are opening up shop for the day, Josuke's read enough to think maybe he and this fella just got off on the wrong foot. And if Alfie's interest in the Porter is really all about wanting to go home...hell, Josuke can understand why he put up such a fight about the damn thing.

Doesn't mean he's willing to bend over backwards and make all kinds of concessions, of course. But it does mean he'll make a small detour on the way to Alfie's house that morning to pick up a couple of steaming hot coffees, fixings on the side. Because staying in's not on the docket this morning. Provided he doesn't get the door slammed in his face.

When he arrives, not at all dressed in his typical over the top fashion, opting instead for a dark burgundy blazer, white button down, and dark jeans, he gives the door a solid rap before taking a step back, putting himself in proper view of the little peephole.]

Comments

[devoutish]

[It's a valid worry, because Alfie is absolutely considering ditching Josuke at the earliest opportunity.]

Yeah. So don't come by too early tomorrow. You might miss me.

[Alfie plans to make his schedule as erratic as possible.]

[unbreaker]

What makes you think I'll be by tomorrow at all? It's like you said, I got a life of my own to lead, I can't just drop it because you stepped into a seriously big pile of shit, you know?

I'll probably just call.

[And save the check-ins for around curfew, because making sure Alfie is home by 10PM every night is something he's unable to bend on unless there's some kind of an emergency.

Sure is gonna be a fun couple of months for them both...]

[devoutish]

[Alfie plans to be home by 10PM exactly zero percent of the time. This should definitely be fun.]

Yeah, well. If I can't answer, if I'm too busy to, I hope you won't be offended.

[unbreaker]

No reason to take offense. Haven't known you long, but by now I'm starting to expect that kinda thing. It's nothing personal, just you being you: a dick.

[The Alfie Solomons way or whatever.

Which isn't to say Josuke won't be frustrated or even angry, because he'll definitely wind up being both of those things.

Porter privileges are gonna get hella scarce...]

[devoutish]

Well. You stay out of my way, and I'll stay out of yours. Eh?

[He moves to the back of the line to order.]

[unbreaker]

[Josuke moves with him. He stares at the menu board but doesn't really seem to be reading it so much as using it as a place to direct a frown that isn't at the baristas who are working, the customers in front of them, or the annoyance at his side.]

You know I can't agree to that.

[devoutish]

Why not?

[He makes it sound like a genuinely perplexed question.]

[unbreaker]

Why do you think?

[He's got reports he has to make. People he has to answer to. Whether or not he believes Alfie was framed doesn't matter, because as long as he doesn't have proof, and as long as he can't speak for the man's integrity come time for the trial, Josuke can't really help him.]

[devoutish]

I think we're both fucking adults. Aren't we?

[unbreaker]

I know I am, but I can't really speak for you given the whole...y'know.

[He flaps a hand, a casual reference to the whole being arrested business.]

[devoutish]

Mm? The what?

[He raises an eyebrow at Josuke, shuffling forward in the line.]

[unbreaker]

The whole part where you got your ass stuck with a babysitter, that's what.

[Except a real babysitter would be getting paid for this shit.]

[devoutish]

Yeah, but I think you'll find that that's not really necessary.

[unbreaker]

Oh yeah, and why's that?

[devoutish]

I would tell you, but I honestly do not believe you care about my answer. So--

[He moves forward again.]

Here's the plan, right. You come meet me once per day, after my work. We take a little trip through the porter, you get your check-in done, and then we both go about our lives. Surely you've got heroics to do that keep you very busy.

[unbreaker]

[He nearly laughs at how well Alfie's got him pegged already, but instead shakes his head at the man's plan.]

Sounded fine up until that end part, but I get the feeling you got no idea what my responsibilities are. They not tell you anything? Or do you just think you can make your own rules and everyone will roll with them?

[devoutish]

They told me some things, yeah.

[They'd told him everything, and he'd listened carefully. He'd just made no plans to actually obey.]

[unbreaker]

Let's just grab our breakfast and then a seat. I'm sure we can work something out.

[As the customer ahead of them moves on down to the pickup counter, Josuke and Alfie are called up to the register. Ordinarily, Josuke would be all too happy to order half the baked goods on display, but he's becoming more and more aware of a need to watch his intake. Instead, he opts for bottled water and a single breakfast sandwich. Then he gestures for Alfie to go ahead and order on him.]

[devoutish]

[Alfie orders a yogurt - hold the granola - and a banana. His doesn't need to be cooked, so they hand it to him right away after he pays, and he immediately steps back from the counter and starts cutting through the crowd.]

[unbreaker]

[Alfie doesn't look back as he starts away, and Josuke barely spares him a glance as he pays and moves on down the line to wait for his sandwich, bottle of water in hand. He'll give Alfie a chance to move towards the tables without interference, but if he so much as blinks in the direction of the door (or unknowingly reaches the outer limits of Josuke's range) he'll find out what it's like to be suddenly stopped short with a tug on the back of his collar, Josuke's Stand holding on with a relentless grip.]

[devoutish]

[Alfie starts out heading for the tables, but once he's about ten feet from the counter, he does indeed abruptly veer towards the door. Or he tries to, anyway. The yank pulls him back, and he grits his teeth in annoyance. Great. That's fun.

But without any fuss, he heads towards the trash can instead like that's where he was going the entire time. He tosses his receipt away, then takes a seat at one of the empty tables.]

[unbreaker]

[Meanwhile, Josuke continues to pretend as if nothing's the matter, and once he's given his sandwich, joins Alfie at the table with a shit-eating grin.]

Nice spot you picked out!

[As if he'd given Alfie much of a choice. But the other man had forced his hand, so-to-speak. And even now, Crazy Diamond is left to stand sentinel next to their table, its arms folded, bright eyes observing Josuke's charge with a sort of gentle curiosity, but also a readiness to pounce.]

So... [As he begins to unwrap his sandwich, he looks at Alfie.] I'll be honest with you. I don't want shit to be hard for either of us. Seems like you've got enough of that coming your way as it is, and I'd be delusional if I said I couldn't say the same for myself. But...I still can't back out of my responsibilities. My ass is on the line here as much as yours.

And...who knows. Maybe if things go smoothly I can try and get you off probation early. At least...that's what I'd like to do.

[devoutish]

[Alfie just stares at him, for what is probably (hopefully) an uncomfortably long time.]

Tell me about yourself.

[His voice, while not completely friendly, is at least not hostile. But his eyes are cold and calculating.]

[unbreaker]

[Unwrapping his sandwich, Josuke picks a piece free and stuffs it into his mouth. His mannerisms are casual, but there is an intensity to his gaze as he lifts his chin, eyes meeting Alfie's.]

What do you wanna know?

[Because, depending on which area of his life Alfie wants to pry into, there could either be a lot or very little to tell. Or at least, very little Josuke is willing to share. After all, the best way to protect some things, or some people, is to keep them close to the chest.]

You asking after hopes and dreams and shit, or something else?

[devoutish]

Tell me what you do. I know fuck-all about you, mate.

[He leans forward in his chair.]

That's not very fair, is it.