Not even for a second... [If Inigo's crying there's no way Vero can keep it together any longer. He sobs into Inigo's shoulder and keeps gripping at Inigo's back, catching the fabric of Inigo's shirt tight in his hands.
They stay there for a moment until Vero slowly pulls himself together. He takes some deep breaths, nuzzles into Inigo's shoulder. Really makes sure Inigo is still there and there to stay before he starts speaking again.]
Some things changed while you were gone. I know I wrote about some [Like Joja closing down] but you need to see some in person. Can [sniff] I show you? Do you want to rest first?
[Inigo's not allowed to leave his side but they can't stand around in the lobby all day. Harvey probably wouldn't like that very much.]
[ Inigo smiles so, so brightly through his tears and nods, maybe a little eagerly. ]
I don't think I could sit still right now, even if I wanted to. [ Which he 100% doesn't, by the way, unless resting involves taking a nap in Vero's arms. He kisses his hair, his temple, anywhere he can reach, really. ] Would you show me around town?
[They will rest later; Vero's gonna spoon the heck out of Inigo.
Vero kisses Inigo once more on the lips before taking his hand and leading him out of the clinic. Before they go anywhere, though, Vero needs to make a quick stop at his house. There, they drop of their bags and make sure they're a a little more prepared to head out and stay out for as long as they need.
On the way back out, Vero stops to cut a couple sunflowers from the small plot he has in front of his house. He takes Inigo's hand again and gesture to the large flowers with a large grin of his own.] The seeds were from your farm. I didn't expect them to grow so well, but look at them. It took them a bit but they've been going strong since they bloomed.
[He squeezes Inigo's hand as they start going up the steps into the plaza above town.] They always reminded me of you.
[As if there was ever a second of Vero not think about Inigo. But y'know. He'd come home after a long day at the clinic to the sunflowers smiling at him and it made everything a little better.]
[ uuuuuuuuuuuuu vero you're going to make him dokier than he already was!!! He gives him a big ol' doofy smile and an even bigger kiss on the cheek. Has he mentioned that he loves him? So incredibly much??? Because he loves Vero so incredibly much.
But his attention shifts from the wonderful boy holding his hand to the community center as they finish climbing up the steps and it comes into view. ]
Ah...
[ When he left Pelican Town to pursue dancing, he had two worries: that the distance would be too much of a strain on his relationship with Vero, and that the Junimos and community center would disappear while he was gone. So to see the building he loved so dearly, the place he secretly (or, mostly secretly - he took Vero to see the Junimos on some occasions, and told his parents after they wondered where their highest quality melons were disappearing to) spent his days trying to restore to its former glory still standing, and even looking better than before, turns his smile wistful. ] It's still here. And it looks even nicer now... [ He's really so relieved. ]
He grins at Inigo, cheeky, and tugs him along.] Yeah. C'mon let's go inside.
[Inigo had worked so hard to complete the Junimo's requests before he left for dance school. Vero remembers him scrounging for some of the local foraging items and religiously visiting the traveling cart on Friday and Sunday. He remembers Inigo diligently going to the community center whenever he had something for the Junimo and the delight on his face when small portions of the building were fixed up. He'd managed to complete the pantry, the crafts room, and a decent chunk of the vault (much to Vero's dismay) before he had to go away.
So he shouldn't be surprised to see those rooms tidy and kept in good condition. The surprise should come with the other rooms - most of the interior honestly. The Junimos have worked their magic and the rooms have been restored to their prior pristine condition - not a crack left in the fish tank or etcetera.
The only that still looks a little dingy is where the bulletin board is posted in the hallway. Below it sits one basket with a red mushroom, duck feather, sea urchin, aquamarine, and red cabbage inside.]
[ Inigo, for a moment, forgets how to breathe. His hand slips from Vero's grasp and he steps forward, taking a moment to just look around and really take in the interior of the community center.
It's beautiful. He remembers on many occasions sitting in those worn down rooms, daydreaming about carpets and wallpaper, and how beautiful the rooms must have been before time and neglect took their toll. And now there's a fully functional broiler in the broiler room and a safe much larger than him in the office, and though he doesn't want to cry for the second time in less than an hour, his vision begins to blur. Restoring the community center is something he tirelessly worked for until the day he moved, for the sake of the Junimos and everyone in town. He wanted to do it for everyone because he loves Pelican Town so much. And now it was almost complete?
He rests a hand against the fish tank (there are actual fish in this tank, oh my god) before finally turning back to Vero, tears rolling down his cheeks. ] Vero, what- d-did you do this?
[Oh, honey.. Vero cups his darling's cheek, hoping to catch the tears as they spill over.] Aaah well... not alone. [This will probably make Inigo cry harder but..]
Your mom and dad helped a lot. Like a lot, a lot. I don't think I would have been able to find everything without them. [He had gone into the mines for a lot of the boiler room bundles but things like the fish bundles. Had Vero known what a Tiger Trout looks like or where to find one. Absolutely not.]
But y'know... the bulletin board is still missing one last item. [His smile is cheeky again as he takes his hand back to hold out the sunflowers for Inigo. He would have preserved the flowers for as long as it took for Inigo to come back from school. He never asked for credit for this project but it was still his so it was only right for Inigo to finish it.]
[ Inigo does indeed cry harder. Hearing that his parents helped with all this is already a lot, but then Vero holds out the sunflowers and it suddenly hits him exactly why Vero grew them in the first place. It wasn't just to have flowers in his front yard, or to have a blooming reminder of his boyfriend while he was away - it was for this moment in time, in a community center almost completely restored, with the Junimos asking for just one more item to finish working their magic.
Inigo doesn't take the sunflowers. He wraps his arms around Vero tight and cries into his shoulder, holding him as tight and close as he can because he has no other way to express how much this means to him. How much Vero means to him. He could say a million things but they all would miss the mark when it came to describing how he feels.
The closest he gets is ] I- I love you...! [ wet and teary, choked out between sniffles and sobs. ]
It has to be you. There's no way we could see the Junimo off without you here. [Vero too, feels his eyes well up with tears for the second time in less than an hour as Inigo holds him. He's a sympathy cries but it really is just overwhelming how touching and magical this moment is. He had no idea this is how his day would go when he woke up and made his way over to the clinic this morning.
He kisses Inigo's hair again, and again, and again while his boyfriend cries himself out.] Whenever you're ready, Inigo. Take your time. [And he means it. Inigo can take all the time he needs before handing off those flowers.]
[ After what feels like an eternity (to Inigo, at least) his tears begin to slow and he lifts his head up with a particularly wet sniffle. ] T- together. We'll do it together. [ Because while Inigo started this project, it was through Vero's efforts that they've gotten here, so it's only right they finish it hand in hand.
With Vero by his side, Inigo squats down and gently places the sunflower in the basket. A familiar spark of magic shoots out, leaving a strange machine in its place that Inigo doesn't even acknowledge. Not with the Junimos suddenly popping up around them, chirping in their mysterious and cute way.
"The last bundle... Farewell... Inigo, Vero..."
Inigo blinks back his tears and follows the Junimos to their hut, one last time. The final star appears above the mantle of the fireplace and as the Junimos jump with glee, their bodies begin to fade - a sign that finally, finally, it was time for them to leave.
He drops to his knees in the dirt and holds one of their little arms in his hands, a warm but shaky smile on his face.
"Gud-Bai!" "Bai!" "Bai!" ] ... Goodbye, my friends. Thank you for everything.
[ And in the blink of an eye, the Junimos and their hut vanish, leaving a solid wood floor beneath Inigo's knees, and a beautiful, spotless community center surrounding them. ]
[No matter how many times Vero sees the Junimo, they’ll still weird him out a little. They’re cute and all, but he can never quite place what they are. Forest spirits? Aliens?
That being said, seeing Inigo on his knees and hearing their goodbyes is bringing tears to his eyes again. Inigo has worked so hard for this, put so much love and care into the project, and in an instant it’s gone. The Junimo are gone, leaving only a sparkle and the awe of the community center in their wake. Life is weird but beautiful.
Vero lowers to the floor next to inigo and puts an arm around his boyfriend’s shoulder.] You okay?
[ He's sure the sadness will hit him harder later, though. The pain of having to say farewell to these dear friends who've done so much for him and his community.
But for now he slumps a little against Vero, his arm winding around his waist in turn as a hint of exhaustion-fueled laughter hits his voice. ] Though a nap sounds appealing right about now. [ All of the emotions over the past hour or so have left him very drained. ]
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They stay there for a moment until Vero slowly pulls himself together. He takes some deep breaths, nuzzles into Inigo's shoulder. Really makes sure Inigo is still there and there to stay before he starts speaking again.]
Some things changed while you were gone. I know I wrote about some [Like Joja closing down] but you need to see some in person. Can [sniff] I show you? Do you want to rest first?
[Inigo's not allowed to leave his side but they can't stand around in the lobby all day. Harvey probably wouldn't like that very much.]
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I don't think I could sit still right now, even if I wanted to. [ Which he 100% doesn't, by the way, unless resting involves taking a nap in Vero's arms. He kisses his hair, his temple, anywhere he can reach, really. ] Would you show me around town?
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Vero kisses Inigo once more on the lips before taking his hand and leading him out of the clinic. Before they go anywhere, though, Vero needs to make a quick stop at his house. There, they drop of their bags and make sure they're a a little more prepared to head out and stay out for as long as they need.
On the way back out, Vero stops to cut a couple sunflowers from the small plot he has in front of his house. He takes Inigo's hand again and gesture to the large flowers with a large grin of his own.] The seeds were from your farm. I didn't expect them to grow so well, but look at them. It took them a bit but they've been going strong since they bloomed.
[He squeezes Inigo's hand as they start going up the steps into the plaza above town.] They always reminded me of you.
[As if there was ever a second of Vero not think about Inigo. But y'know. He'd come home after a long day at the clinic to the sunflowers smiling at him and it made everything a little better.]
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But his attention shifts from the wonderful boy holding his hand to the community center as they finish climbing up the steps and it comes into view. ]
Ah...
[ When he left Pelican Town to pursue dancing, he had two worries: that the distance would be too much of a strain on his relationship with Vero, and that the Junimos and community center would disappear while he was gone. So to see the building he loved so dearly, the place he secretly (or, mostly secretly - he took Vero to see the Junimos on some occasions, and told his parents after they wondered where their highest quality melons were disappearing to) spent his days trying to restore to its former glory still standing, and even looking better than before, turns his smile wistful. ] It's still here. And it looks even nicer now... [ He's really so relieved. ]
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He grins at Inigo, cheeky, and tugs him along.] Yeah. C'mon let's go inside.
[Inigo had worked so hard to complete the Junimo's requests before he left for dance school. Vero remembers him scrounging for some of the local foraging items and religiously visiting the traveling cart on Friday and Sunday. He remembers Inigo diligently going to the community center whenever he had something for the Junimo and the delight on his face when small portions of the building were fixed up. He'd managed to complete the pantry, the crafts room, and a decent chunk of the vault (much to Vero's dismay) before he had to go away.
So he shouldn't be surprised to see those rooms tidy and kept in good condition. The surprise should come with the other rooms - most of the interior honestly. The Junimos have worked their magic and the rooms have been restored to their prior pristine condition - not a crack left in the fish tank or etcetera.
The only that still looks a little dingy is where the bulletin board is posted in the hallway. Below it sits one basket with a red mushroom, duck feather, sea urchin, aquamarine, and red cabbage inside.]
What do you think? Not bad, huh?
no subject
It's beautiful. He remembers on many occasions sitting in those worn down rooms, daydreaming about carpets and wallpaper, and how beautiful the rooms must have been before time and neglect took their toll. And now there's a fully functional broiler in the broiler room and a safe much larger than him in the office, and though he doesn't want to cry for the second time in less than an hour, his vision begins to blur. Restoring the community center is something he tirelessly worked for until the day he moved, for the sake of the Junimos and everyone in town. He wanted to do it for everyone because he loves Pelican Town so much. And now it was almost complete?
He rests a hand against the fish tank (there are actual fish in this tank, oh my god) before finally turning back to Vero, tears rolling down his cheeks. ] Vero, what- d-did you do this?
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Your mom and dad helped a lot. Like a lot, a lot. I don't think I would have been able to find everything without them. [He had gone into the mines for a lot of the boiler room bundles but things like the fish bundles. Had Vero known what a Tiger Trout looks like or where to find one. Absolutely not.]
But y'know... the bulletin board is still missing one last item. [His smile is cheeky again as he takes his hand back to hold out the sunflowers for Inigo. He would have preserved the flowers for as long as it took for Inigo to come back from school. He never asked for credit for this project but it was still his so it was only right for Inigo to finish it.]
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Inigo doesn't take the sunflowers. He wraps his arms around Vero tight and cries into his shoulder, holding him as tight and close as he can because he has no other way to express how much this means to him. How much Vero means to him. He could say a million things but they all would miss the mark when it came to describing how he feels.
The closest he gets is ] I- I love you...! [ wet and teary, choked out between sniffles and sobs. ]
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He kisses Inigo's hair again, and again, and again while his boyfriend cries himself out.] Whenever you're ready, Inigo. Take your time. [And he means it. Inigo can take all the time he needs before handing off those flowers.]
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With Vero by his side, Inigo squats down and gently places the sunflower in the basket. A familiar spark of magic shoots out, leaving a strange machine in its place that Inigo doesn't even acknowledge. Not with the Junimos suddenly popping up around them, chirping in their mysterious and cute way.
"The last bundle... Farewell... Inigo, Vero..."
Inigo blinks back his tears and follows the Junimos to their hut, one last time. The final star appears above the mantle of the fireplace and as the Junimos jump with glee, their bodies begin to fade - a sign that finally, finally, it was time for them to leave.
He drops to his knees in the dirt and holds one of their little arms in his hands, a warm but shaky smile on his face.
"Gud-Bai!" "Bai!" "Bai!" ] ... Goodbye, my friends. Thank you for everything.
[ And in the blink of an eye, the Junimos and their hut vanish, leaving a solid wood floor beneath Inigo's knees, and a beautiful, spotless community center surrounding them. ]
no subject
That being said, seeing Inigo on his knees and hearing their goodbyes is bringing tears to his eyes again. Inigo has worked so hard for this, put so much love and care into the project, and in an instant it’s gone. The Junimo are gone, leaving only a sparkle and the awe of the community center in their wake. Life is weird but beautiful.
Vero lowers to the floor next to inigo and puts an arm around his boyfriend’s shoulder.] You okay?
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[ He's sure the sadness will hit him harder later, though. The pain of having to say farewell to these dear friends who've done so much for him and his community.
But for now he slumps a little against Vero, his arm winding around his waist in turn as a hint of exhaustion-fueled laughter hits his voice. ] Though a nap sounds appealing right about now. [ All of the emotions over the past hour or so have left him very drained. ]
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than you were expecting when you came home, I bet.
[He helps Inigo off the ground.] Let's go back to my place
then. ... my bed has been lonely without you, anyway...
[And so they made their way back to Vero's house and took the nap they deserved. Wrapped up in each other's arms, warm, in love, and finally home.]