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[risorto]

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[silvercrusader]

Why?

[He wiggles again, restless despite his exhaustion. Chariot does the same, moving against Sticky Fingers, fingers curling against the blankets.]

[risorto]

I like doing nice things for you.

[That's probably the simplest and safest answer. Bruno rubs Polnareff's back a little to subtly get him to settle again, though Sticky Fingers doesn't mirror the movement on Chariot.]

[silvercrusader]

Oh.

[Bruno's tactic works: with a little sigh Jean settles back, leaning heavily against him.]

You're . . . [A yawn.] You're a nice person. Nice knight. [Which are a fun two words to say, and he mumbles them to himself once or twice more. Nice knight, nice knight . . . oh, wait, he had a point, which is:] You can stay, if you want.

[Oh, was that in debate? Apparently so, but there you go, what a grand little gesture of kindness that is. Jean pats his chest again, the action fond enough.]

[risorto]

[Bruno smiles anyway.]

Thank you, patatino. I think I will for a little while.

[At least until Polnareff is asleep and sleeping deeply enough that he can be tucked in without disturbing him. Then Bruno will quietly make his exit. Until then though, he continues rubbing Polnareff's back.]

[silvercrusader]

You keep calling me that.

[An observation, not an objection.]

What's it mean?

[risorto]

It's an Italian way of saying "little one."

[Not an exact, literal translation, but that's the heart of what it means.]

But I won't be able to call you that forever, will I? You're going to be much bigger and stronger when you grow up, aren't you?

[silvercrusader]

[Oh, that's a good distraction. He was about to object to little one, but yes, he can be persuaded to talk about himself when he's older. If he must.]

Yeah!

[He offers Bruno a brilliant, buck-toothed grin.]

I'm gonna be a fencer! Or a football player, maybe, I dunno which yet. Or baseball, I like baseball too. But whatever I do, I'm gonna definitely be really strong when I do it! Me and Chariot both!

[Pami, Chariot offers, and flexes a skinny arm for Sticky Fingers' inspection.]

[risorto]

[Oh. Well. Sticky Fingers gives the skinny arm a small, gentle squeeze. He does well to feign surprise at how strong he obviously is (not). Very nice, little Stand. Very nice.]

[Bruno looks from Sticky Fingers and Chariot back to Polnareff.]

Just don't forget to do well in school while you're playing all those sports, hm? A strong mind's just as important.

[silvercrusader]

You sound like Mama.

[Bruno. Don't be lame. Jean wrinkles his nose up at him.]

[risorto]

[Bruno chuckles.]

I'll take that as a compliment. You wouldn't be the first person to say that.

[silvercrusader]

No, it wasn't. Don't tell me to do my homework, that's so boring . . .

[But he's not so put out as all that, as he sticks out his tongue.]

I'm better at sports than school anyway.

[risorto]

I'm sure that's true, but what if you were to get famous one day for playing sports? Would you really want to tell the kids who look up to you not to bother with school at all?

[silvercrusader]

[Oh. Well. That's cause for some thought, and Jean frowns, staring down at his hands for a long few seconds. Hm . . . ]

I guess not.

[But!]

That doesn't mean I have to do school, though. I can just lie to them.

[risorto]

[That Mom Look™ on Bruno's face? He's not mad. He's just disappointed.]

[silvercrusader]

Why not!

[risorto]

How would you feel if someone you looked up to lied to you?

[silvercrusader]

[That requires more thought. Jean sighs and stares down at his hands, trying to work through that line of thought. Eventually:]

What if they didn't find out? Is that all right?

[It's a genuine question, clearly.]

[risorto]

Would you really feel good about something like that?

[silvercrusader]

I'm asking.

[It's a whine. Don't make him think, Bruno.]

[risorto]

I could only answer based upon my own feelings, not yours.

[Sorry, but there's no getting out of thinking, kiddo.]

[silvercrusader]

[He whines wordlessly, an expression of frustration and irritation that might not have come so quickly were it not dawn. Jean shoves himself back against Bruno, mashing his cheek against his chest, his eyes closing. Finally:]

No, I guess not.

[risorto]

[Bruno knows better than to laugh right now, but boy is it hard not to at that dramatic response. He purses his lips, rubbing Polnareff's back a little.]

I'm glad to hear that. You were starting to make me worry there for a second.

[silvercrusader]

No-o-o-o . . .

[Mumbled out, and he squirms, pushing against Bruno's hand. That feels nice. Jean pulls back, just far enough that he can peer up at Bruno without dislodging his hand. Very gently he pats his cheek.]

Don't worry. I'm really good all the time, no matter what.

[risorto]

[Nope. There really wasn't anything to prepare Bruno for how sweet Polnareff is at this age. Not that he isn't sweet at 22, but there's something even more so at this age. Bruno smiles.]

Giurin giurello? Pinky swear?

[Bruno offers the pinky of his free hand.]

[silvercrusader]

Gir-- Giur--

[No, forget it. He can't with the odd sounds that make up Italian. Jean sighs heavily and offers his pinky, hooking it securely around.]

Yes. I swear and sh-- junk. I swear I'll always be good, all the time, forever.

[A beat, and then he offers a yawn, long and wide.]

Except now I want . . . I wanna lie down. I'm not going to sleep, I just . . . I wanna lie down for a while.