genessia | V i d e o || 001

[ When the fog of waking up somewhere new lifts enough, Jean moves into the shocked stage of wandering around Genessia. He doesn't know these streets and little by little he's forcing himself not to think about the likelihood of not knowing someone being extremely high. He's also purposefully not thinking about how much of a relief it had been the last time this happened and Armin was there. Or about the Maeve dicking him over.

But it's only after chasing down a slim blonde figure wearing a powder blue dress, mistaking it for someone he cared for, that the shock shatters. He dumbly apologizes and steps back a few paces, looking panicked and lost. They shrug him off and walk away, leaving Jean to run his fingers through his hair. Soon, he presses his back against the cool concrete of a building and fumbles for the phone he was given.

It's different from his other one, but it's not something he can't navigate now. He exhales, thumb hovering over the video button. There's a chance that Armin and Eggsy are here, but there's also a chance he's alone. Either way, it didn't change the facts. He turns the video on, trying to look as calm as he can despite the pit of his stomach feeling hollow. ]

Can someone tell me where the hell I can rent a room here?

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In a manner of speaking. I did not come to this place straight from home.

[Wait, actually, there was something in what Jean said...]

'Again?'

[ Yep. There's a sinking starting in his stomach that definitely has everything to do with Armin asking for clarification. ]

What do you remember from home?

The last thing... [Armin starts to answer, then looks away at something off screen, distracted. When he turns back, he doesn't continue, shaking his head.]

Sorry - I'm at work right now. And this conversation will probably take a while, so we should continue this later. Once we both get back home to the mansion.

Do you need directions on how to get there?

[ As disappointing as it is to cut the conversation short, he understands. ]

Mikasa's coming to get me, so I'll see you there.

[ A little reluctantly, he shuts his end of the video off and lets his head thunk back against the concrete wall behind himself. At least he doesn't have to wait too long until she's swinging down to get him. ]

All right. I'll see you tonight. [If Armin had realized Jean's position, he might have made more of an effort to find a better place to pause their conversation - but then, how could he know? In all honesty, he doesn't even know Jean that well, there's no reason he would suspect they'd been together in another universe.]

*****

[Armin gets home late, as always, already tired when he comes through the door. Only this time, he actually has something to look forward to. Actually smiling, he greets Jean with a quiet embrace.]

Jean! It's so good to see you again.

[Not that they're up close, however, it'll be impossible not to notice that Armin is an inch or two taller and several years older than Jean remembers. Beyond that, there's a weight of experience behind his eyes that wasn't there before, a knowledge and an understanding of the world that he had previously lacked.]

[ Once Jean was left to his own devices he shut his eyes, just trying to take things in. This new place - Genessia - seemed a million times bigger than Eros ever did, but he still managed to be with friends. That should have comforted him, but more than anything he already felt out of place when he was alone.

Eventually he found himself wandering the mansion, learning his way around and back again. Checking behind doors that weren't locked. The usual, really.

Somehow he managed to be there when Armin came home and for a brief moment he felt like he found a ray of light among all the unsurity. He smiled at Armin exactly like someone would if they cared a great deal about that person. ]

Welcome home.

[ He helps breach the gap, sliding his arms gently around Armin. The relief is enough to make him not notice the differences immediately, but the way Armin hugged him made his stomach sink again.

This wasn't an embrace of lovers. ]

You're taller.

[ Excuse him for his stupidity as he steps away, his hands falling to his sides clenched. It's not the experience and understanding he notes in Armin's eyes, either. It's the lack of ghosts and shared experiences. Jean can't take his eyes off of Armin, though. Even when he clears his throat lightly and asks: ]

Do you know what happened to Eggsy?

[ Please let his stomach be wrong. ]

Yes, that does happen.

[His voice is lightly amused at first - but then Armin starts to notice the little cues, the body language that says something's not right. When he pulls back from his friend, his expression is serious and concerned.]

Jean? What's wrong? [He frowns, quietly confused.] Who's Eggsy?

[His stomach is not wrong.]

[ Someone important Jean wants to say, but the words don't leave his mouth, wedged in his throat with the rest. Just like you.

He clenches his fists, more white-knuckled now but probably imperceptible with the fact he's gone pale. ]

He's... It's a long story, and I don't think I feel like telling it.

[ Now? Ever? Who knows. ]

You probably didn't come here from Eros, did you?

V i d e o || 001

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