If You See Him Run Away! (Phoenix)

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I do know Phoenix is a good person because he is Phoenix. Phen blinked at this, his brain trying to process the sweet message that Junpei was giving him, before he suddenly choked up, bringing his hand to his mouth as he made a small, whimpery noise. "Oh, Junpei..." he managed to get out, trying to keep himself from losing it completely. It was just... Jun was so kind, so giving, he didn't know all the things Phoenix had done... "Th-thank you..." He didn't know what else to say. "I'm... I'm so glad you're my friend..." He reached out and clasped his hand onto the back of Jun's forearm, giving it an affectionate squeeze.

He took a deep breath, feeling far more emotional than he had been just a few minutes before. "Yeah... I really liked her," Phen murmured. "I thought she cared about me, too, but she... Ended up abandoning me." Wasn't the first one to do it, wasn't the last. "It's... It's okay though. I know... I know Oriel would never do that." And Oriel meant everything to him now, so Phen could look back on his memories as just that - memories.

And the memory of the kiss the two of them had shared was still fresh in his mind, especially as Jun began to freak out over it. "W-well... She'll be the first girl you've kissed, at least," he mumbled. "Junpei, it's alright, it's gonna be okay..." He took both of his friend's hands in his own, tugging to try to snap Jun out of it. "Just try not t'worry about it. It's done and over with; there's... No point in dwelling on the past, right?"

He hoped Yue wouldn't be too mad, though. Phoenix adjusted himself on his crutches, wavering. "If you need any more advice or just... Someone t'talk to, I'm here for you, alright?" He managed a small smile. "It's gonna be alright."

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Eh? What'd he say? Was that wrong? Junpei didn't mean to make Phoenix cry! Junpei sat up, flustered and worried about his friend. Then a thank you came. Was it really that big a thing to hear? Junpei managed a smile and brought his hand up to reciprocate Phoenix's appreciation, covering Phen's hand with his own and nodding. "Hai… I am very glad too."

Phoenix's story, though, of the girl he had his first time with, was sad. At least Phoenix looked sad as he was telling the story, Junpei had to wonder what exactly happened. He could only imagine how hard it would be to find out the person you had your first time with didn't reciprocate your feelings. Junpei wouldn't know what he'd do if that happened between he and Yue, but merely imagining it left him…very sad. And lonely. "I am sorry that happen."

It was good that Phoenix had confidence in his boyfriend. Even Junpei could see how dependent they were on each other. Though that dependency was what concerned Junpei the most. If something were to happen to Oriel again, would Phoenix be able to take care of himself? And Oriel himself was….really scary! Junpei worried that it'd be more damaging for Phoenix to stay in that relationship than it would be for him to leave. Should he say something? "Phoenix….I worry. I am sorry to say, Oriel is scary. I worry he will not be good for Phoenix." There he said it. With a bit of a wince, but at least he got it out.

Junpei shook his head as if doing so would erase the fact that his first kiss was with his good friend and not his girlfriend. "That is not..!" He let out a little whine and threw both hands into the air then rested his head into them. He let Phoenix grip his hand and pull them close. Phoenix was right, there was nothing he could do about it now. It was just incredibly frustrating, his lack of self-control that night! It had ruined so many things and nearly a really good friendship! What if Yue found out and she decided she didn't like Junpei anymore because of it?

He nodded, only barely feeling better about the situation. Not completely though. "Hai…," he uttered, clearly discouraged. Junpei sighed, hoping that would clear up his tension.

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Phoenix was aware that not everyone saw his relationship with Oriel as a positive one. Teachers labeled them troublemakers (even if they were trying harder, really they were), other students mocked them, and then... Well, some, like Junpei, were worried about Phoenix. Phen supposed he could understand why, with how volatile Oriel tended to be, but... He just knew Oriel would never hurt him. So when Junpei brought it up, Phen's brow furrowed, and he looked down at his now clenched fists. He wasn't... Angry. Just a little upset. "Don't worry about me, Junpei," he said quietly. "Oriel... He's good t'me. I know he can be intimidatin' and kinda violent sometimes but... He's never that way t'me." And that was that. Phen hadn't realized how sore of a subject it was until now; he offered a small, weak smile to try to reassure Jun he wasn't mad.

He really, really felt bad that Junpei was so upset over the loss of his first kiss, but... What could Phen do about it? They couldn't take it back - it was in the past now. "It... It might be better to tell her and get it over with, maybe," he mumbled. Otherwise what if Yue heard later and got mad at Jun for not saying it before? There was no easy answer. "I'm sorry, Junpei," he mumbled. Phen really hoped it hadn't ruined anything.

And Phen didn't want to leave on a sad note, but he was afraid Oriel might start wondering what was taking so long, and he didn't want to keep his Squishy waiting. "I mean it, okay?" he said quietly. "I'm here for you. You were for me, it's the least I can do to repay you." He hesitated, then pressed his mouth to the top of Jun's head, a soft, genuine gesture without any sort of darker intent (and he hoped Jun didn't see it that way). "You're... You're one of my best friends, Jun. Don't forget that." He gave another small smile. "I'll see you later, okay?" With a last hand squeeze, he hobbled off towards the stairs, not sure if he felt better or worse than before their confrontation.