[He almost cracks a joke. It's a natural impulse for Joseph to start making light of what just happened so no one has to feel bad about it. They can just acknowledge they were stupid for fighting and move on. That's what they're supposed to do, right? Instinctively, that's what he feels even if he's not sure to what part he's responding to that says now is a good time to put distance between them. He is fractionally a little more tense than he was just a few seconds ago, too. It's tempting to break whatever this is by pulling back in any way he can.]
[But the fingers in the back of his shirt seem to be silently telling him, not yet and asking him, stay. So he doesn't fall back into what should be a usual pattern for them. It doesn't matter what made Joseph feel like he needs that space because it's not about what he needs. (Besides, he can figure it out later if it's still bothering him.) He stays. Joseph stays with Caesar because he needs him to.]
I love you, too, Caesar. [Joseph holds him just a little tighter and lets himself smile some.] You're my best friend. I'm glad you're here with me.
[Joseph doesn't do so well on his own, after all, even though he'd probably be just fine in terms of making friends. It's something that comes very easily and naturally to him. But there's no one else he trusts more or that he'd rather be with than Caesar. He won't say it out loud right now, but... He's grateful. To have this second chance with Caesar. To have more time. Silently, he promises himself and Caesar to find a way to bring Caesar home. No matter how long it takes or how many things and people try to stop him, he'll find a way. What else is a good friend supposed to do if not that?]
spam;
[But the fingers in the back of his shirt seem to be silently telling him, not yet and asking him, stay. So he doesn't fall back into what should be a usual pattern for them. It doesn't matter what made Joseph feel like he needs that space because it's not about what he needs. (Besides, he can figure it out later if it's still bothering him.) He stays. Joseph stays with Caesar because he needs him to.]
I love you, too, Caesar. [Joseph holds him just a little tighter and lets himself smile some.] You're my best friend. I'm glad you're here with me.
[Joseph doesn't do so well on his own, after all, even though he'd probably be just fine in terms of making friends. It's something that comes very easily and naturally to him. But there's no one else he trusts more or that he'd rather be with than Caesar. He won't say it out loud right now, but... He's grateful. To have this second chance with Caesar. To have more time. Silently, he promises himself and Caesar to find a way to bring Caesar home. No matter how long it takes or how many things and people try to stop him, he'll find a way. What else is a good friend supposed to do if not that?]