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Despite learning about domesticity, Jun Kurosu never had the chance to experience it firsthand. He came close, a few times, but alas any chance he had gotten was always ill-fated. His younger years had been cast away for him to spend time running away from impassioned arguments belonging to people who wouldn't even notice the clear absence of himself.
Most of the time.
And then his unlucky childhood became lucky, just for the briefest moment, when upon meeting Tatsuya and the others of the Masked Circle he'd be grateful to have met years down the line. He had felt a kinship with the group so strong it seemed like he could actually be a kid for once. It was nice. However, even nice things must end- and this one did, rather disasterly.
So much so he felt betrayed-cheated, even. He, unknowingly, played into the hands of someone sick and twisted. Someone who manipulated his memories, just so Jun could be exploited as some- pawn. With a corrupted mind came a corrupted soul- a soul bound on revenge towards revenge on someone for a crime he did not commit; for a life who continued to walk among the living.
His teenage years were spent isolated from true companionship, from Maya, from Tatsuya, from just-his own dreams, he supposes. Thus he became intent on stealing others- swiping away their dreams, their lives, to use as Ideal Energy. Became Joker, to claim an unjust punishment.
He was hated, but he was never hated by the others. Despite everything he did, they still loved him. Upon recalling him, they were determined to wake him up; when they succeeded, they gently scooped him up in their arms, smiling through buckets of tears as they held him. Jun had never felt more at home.
Jun knew he had to help them fix his mistakes, and did so without blinking an eye. He helped start this mess and he wanted to finish it. Doing this, somehow, brought him even closer with them.
Like when they were younger.
He felt- happy around them. Doing anything really, from eating at old diners after spending an entire day the dungeons, or shopping for accessories- some that Eikichi would dramatically flaunt around before buying- or exhausting study groups with Maya trying her best to tutor the students because they forgot to spare some time while prepping for a dungeon.
Or more one on one time, like Lisa deciding to use Jun as a make-up canvas to try and experiment on things she couldn’t exactly nail on her own face yet; Maya adorning Jun with affection he hadn’t felt in years; Eikichi teaching Jun how to play a song on they key-tar; even just silently being with Tatsuya, never an awkward silence. Jun, reading his books, and Tatsuya fiddling with the motorcycle; Occasionally their gazes drift from their center of focus to lock eyes, sharing a soft, adoring expression before nervously turning away. Face flushed and a small smile creeping on his face.
It was nice, it was almost- normal. But things could never be comfortable for him, could they?
It ended, again, but this time he was more prepared. He never really expected something good in his life to not just burst into flames or wither away- but not to this extent.
Maya-dying.
The world-ending.
He knew what he had to do, this time though. They all did- and no matter how much it hurt to see that sorrowful look up on Tacchi’s face, he knew it was for the best. To give up their memories; for Maya, for the world.
He will never know what Domestic is like, but he hopes he could in the new world, with everyone else.
-
Jun Kashihara, however, knew the term all too well. Lived it, from day to day, and never wanted anything more. Domesticity was in his blood, His relationship with his parents were strong, even if there were still a few kinks to work out, he was loved. He dreams, his own ones. One was to become a teacher, like his father he admired so much, He never ran away, never felt as if he had to. And maybe that meant he had to meet Eikichi, Maya, Lisa, and Tatsuya a little later. That was okay- because he still had them.
No universe, no situation, no world, would not be one worth living in without them. No amount of memory manipulation or lack of memories could stop their fates from gracefully intertwining with another. Maybe that’s just because their lives were never separate in the first place- crafted side by side, made to fit together like puzzle pieces. Though it could also just be extreme luck.
Regardless, he was thankful for it. Without it, he would not be who he is today. To not be allowed the miracle of a second chance with Tatsuya without it, to remain in the past and unaware of their previous lives together, to live as strangers...Jun finds the notion revolting.
Again, he's grateful- despite the circumstances. The reason was that he loves Tacchi- and he loves Maya and Eikichi like he loves Lisa.
He thinks about this, quite frequently, actually.
Like now, for example, as he walks through the streets of Sumeru, casually strolling around. He is feeling particularly on top of himself, so it’s not really surprising that he’s up this early. It's a Sunday, after all. As per usual, he is sipping some coffee with a straw, taking in the streets of his hometown.
“Jun…?” calls out a voice from his right, catching his attention.
The boy turns to see a tall, dark-haired man in a rolled up red sweatshirt. Tatsuya, his boyfriend of 2 years. Jun lights up.
“Oh hello, Tatsuya!” he smiles, eagerly walking towards the taller man, "You're usually not up this early."
The older one shrugs, lips twitching into an almost smile. “Yeah, I usually do some exercise on Sundays-usually runs.”
“Hmm…” Jun muses, “Now that doesn't sound too unusual for you.”
“Hey,” Tatsuya pouts, waving a hand, “You’re not supposed to notice these things.”
“Well, what am I supposed to say, then?” Jun replies cheekily, as he reaches up to quickly peck his partner on the cheek. Tatsuya flushes a deep red like he usually does at any sort of affection- this time matching his hoodie. Jun's always found it adorable when Tatsuya goes flustered.
"I dunno," the boy says with a sigh, shifting in his sweatshirt, "Doesn't matter I guess, not like you're gonna object or anything- I know you like using my chest as a pillow."
Jun nods solemnly. That is true. Tatsuya's chest area makes a most comfortable napping cushion. Something he usually likes doing when they're doing movie nights at each other's apartments. "Yeah, you're right, I take my statements back. However-," he pauses for a moment, sipping on his coffee while he thinks. "how far along are you on your run?"
"Almost done- why?"
Jun tilts his head at his boyfriend's quizzical look, gently smiling. "Well, Tacchi," he starts reaching out to grab his boyfriend's hand. It was a warm and calloused hand- and right now, pretty sweaty, but Jun decides to ignore it for now. "I was just walking around as I have nothing else to do today- but I passed a cozy cafe not too far. If you're free we could go together, hmm?"
Tatsuya's brows furrow slightly as Jun takes his hand, but grips back gently but firmly. "That sounds...nice." He hummed, looking down at their conjoined hands. And Jun beamed up at his agreement.
“Good! So I'm gonna head off now so you can finish-I'll message you the address, okay Tacchi?"
Tatsuya nods, slightly frowning as Jun let's go of his hand. He bends over and presses a kiss to Jun's forehead, and Jun easily leans into it. Tatsuya hummed again and pecks Jun again- this time on his lips before pulling away.
“You’re pretty,” He mumbles, slightly out of nowhere, and Jun feels his turn to be flustered. Tatsuya presses his lips together, before shrugging when Jun gives him a wide eyed look. “I'mma go finish my run- see ya soon." He began to jog away, and Jun watched him leave softly.
His heart was fluttering a little, a little more than it should have, and he feels a deep warmth growing within his body. He takes a sip of his coffee again before wandering back to the cafe he passed, feeling like he could just experience this everyday and not get tired of it.
After all, he's with the person he loves- in a more peaceful setting, one he could just settle into. For now at least.