#im thinking for more involved things to change a couple shades - make the colour i used for his nose and eyes darker

[peterofthedrakes]

the boy :0 did a quick lil doodle to remember how to draw him :)

[lesoleilxjulien]

tokyo - alternate.

if they wouldn't share the same flight Jerome would just stand defeated in the airport tbh if Julien had to leave first. He'd just let voices pass along him because he doesn't care to pay attention. BUT okay. He walks around and i feel Julien would spot him first because he's just paying attention to nothing in particular with him being so tired and emotionally drained and ;-; its so strange because Jerome hasnt felt visibly small since he arrived in Korea, in need of protection or a safety net. But Julien would just protect Jerome with these things when people question and bug him about it and Jerome just gets visibly uncomfortable and pained to Julien and oh mygOD

He overhears some idols talking about who's hooked up w who and the mention of Jerome and that model catches his attention; he's ready to yell at them and chastise them for their actions but it's a flash of a camera that stops him. It's a reminder that they're in public, and he can't be like that in public. But while waiting for Jerome he finally sees him and jogs over to catch his attention. There'd be a light touch of Julien's hand on Jerome's back, guiding him to an area in the airport lounge that's relatively quiet and empty before having a seat. "Hey;;" he'd murmur softly, sitting next to him "did you get some rest?

JULIEN MY SON IN LAW. The fact that he almost broke his public presence when it was about Jerome hurts me so much? But Jerome is hardly paying attention until he feels the hand on his back and he's startled but the second he sees it's Julien he relaxes instantly, eyes lighting up just like they did every time he received a text. He just follows him without a word, his expression telling enough even with half of his face obscured with the black mask. They walk until the lounge and Jerome can't stop looking at him, sometimes letting his gaze fall to the floor but never in front of him, trusting him enough to guide him. And when they reach the lounge they'd sit together and he hears Julien ask him that, eyes falling to concentrate on his hands folded between his legs. "No." He mumbles truthfully behind the mask. He felt like he should've lied, say he rested up nicely but he couldn't. He dodges questions with Julien but would never lie. Could never lie. He doesn't like lying. Lying hurts. And he could and would never lie to the person he cares for the most. That's what Marie did. Lie. And he hates her for it. "Not after you left." He'd look at him then with an expression that almost told him not to feel guilty about it. Because there is nothing to be guilty about, only to feel special over that /he/ was the one that got him to sleep. He'd pull his facemask down then to make himself more heard instead of muffled under the fabric. "Did you? You still looked so tired."

UGH YES. They're lucky he didn't clock them honestly. Especially bc they don't know the truth and they should be the ones that know how rumors go better than anyone. But they'd just be sitting in a corner and Julien has his book in his lap and his americano in his other hand while listening to Jerome. He'd frown that Jerome couldn't sleep, but he'd nod in understanding but smile softly and pull off his own mask. "No, I just ended up reading and getting ready. Couldn't sleep." But he'd hold out his iced americano "want some? If not, maybe you can sleep on the plane?

Ok but sleep deprived Jerome who is feeling all types of way and couldn't vocalize shit just when he was in such close proximity now feels a bit bold and he'd just sigh softly before humming. He'd stare at the drink for a moment before refusing it but showing gratefulness at the offer. He doesn't have much energy and even drinking would feel like a choir, even if the drink would help him get energized for moment. "I'd crash. Worse than now." He says, rubbing his eye before letting himself slouch down in the seat, eyes closing for a moment. head lolled back slightly. "Hmm. Plane. Maybe." He'd take in a breath. "Maybe I can even sleep here." and he'd stay like that for a moment, just eyes closed and looking like he was about to fall asleep before he'd open them again, looking directly at the other again. Boldness sets in. "Why didn't you stay? The night? We'd both would have a good sleep. I think... I think we could've come up with an excuse..You're my friend right? My best friend.. My.." He doesn't finish the sentence, instead starting a new one after a swallow and an averted gaze. "It wouldn't be that strange, would it? Two friends... together.. spending the night." He'd let his gaze fixate on something that happens in the distance, a couple walking, a few idols standing around, the lights of the signs. "It would've made you less reliant on that." Blindly he points at the coffee cup before he lets his hand drop to push himself up straight again. "Would've made me look less.. dead.:" He says this all in a very hushed tone, only speaking to Julien and no one else. He'd hunch forward, elbows on his thighs as he places the palms of his hands on his eyes to rub again. "Ah, I haven't looked like this in a while." PhOnE cAlL. He'd just sit like that for a tad bit until he moves his head so his hands are holding up his face as he looks at Julien again, his eyes slightly watery and red from the tiredness and rubbing he just did. He changes the subject. "Do we actually sit next to each other.. on the plane? Or..." and ok the reason for this sudden rush of boldness is everything combined. The location isn't just them. Though he was staring at him the whole way to where they are seated now it was more of a /Julien I can finally see you/ moment. And he was a bit in awe. But now he feels the need to talk, even if his words seem from wherever, he wants to talk to Julien. im- rip

And if Jerome wanted to get some sleep in the lounge, Julien would be okay with it. He'd even lend his jacket to cover Jerome like a blanket if he needed it;;;; although when Jerome asks him that, Julien kind of freezes. Why is Jerome asking for such a thing from him? Julien would bite down on his lip, dropping his gaze and giving a little shrug to feign nonchalance, but his ears start to turn a rosy shade. "Maybe if I stayed we'd still be in the room instead of here," he'd murmur, pausing to sip from his americano. "Wouldn't that be more strange than a slumber party between... best friends?" He asks. And he says best friends after a pause bc at this point, he's starting to feel a little confusion about what he and Jerome are. Are they more than friends? Just best friends? It's complicated, he thinks. But he throws the idea to the back of his mind. Instead, he takes another sip of his drink, watching as Jerome rubs his face before looking at him. "I mean. I'm sure we could probably sweet talk whoever is in the next seat over to switch, if you'd like that. It'd make the flight much more bearable." And they talk. It's soft and mumbled to each other but it's a talk;;;;;

Jerome would gladly fall asleep now, head resting on Juliens shoulder and jacket covering him. But he tries to stay awake. So he talks. And thoughts slip out. But Juliens answers peak his interest. He's looking at him then so he'd notice the reddening of ears but just barely because hes's registering Juliens answer. Would they? Would they still lay together then? Still with Juliens arms around his waist and his back against Juliens chest, just eyes closed and bathing in the warmth that left too soon. Did Julien just admit he'd hold him for so long then? Did Jerome hear it correctly? He just blinks and tries not to let his skin colour because it would be too noticeable on his paled skin, he flushing slightly though, not having the power for anything let alone stop something like that. "Mhm. Might be. Might not be. All I know is that I wouldn't mind. I don't mind things when they involve you." He admits, a slight play on the words he barely whispered in the night when the other asked him if holding him was okay. He ends up leaning against him when Julien finishes talking, his eyes closed against but this time he doesn't look like he's drifting off into sleep. "I'd like that. We'd be able to..." and he leaves his sentence there, eyes closed, head against Juliens shoulder, thoughts a jumbled mess. ;-;

TBH and Julien will shut anything down so fast. And Julien's ears would be rosy and his cheeks a light pink as he holds his book and drink while Jerome sleeps. And it's true, really. Julien would be able to sleep. They'd be curled up and the entire day would pass by but they'd be asleep until finally waking up after being well rested. But julien would hum softly. "I wouldn't mind either," he'd murmur. And honestly with Jerome sleeping, julien would sit and stay still, simply reading and drinking from his coffee before it's their turn to get on the plane. And he'd gently nudge Jerome, shaking his shoulder "time to board."

The sunlight would pour between the curtains like honey, illuminating the two sleeping figures but not awakening them. They'd just be close and intimate and in their sleep there is no things to hold them back but to curl against one another under the warm blankets. THEM WAKING UP AFTER THOUGH. Jerome would turn around in Juliens arms after just a while of just them wakening up and their noses would touch and both look like disheveled messes but they both look so beautiful and Jerome just stares at him in the low light of the sun through the window aND WOW I GOTTA STOP THIS DIDNT HAPPEN WHY AM I TYPING SM???? JUMPS but Jerome is against his shoulder and he catches only parts but he's content with letting go. Time would pass and when Julien would awaken him he's blinking his eyes open after moments and the lights would hurt, getting a bit teary eyed because of it but he's looking at Julien now before nodding and reluctantly moving his head off of his shoulder. He stretches, raised hand finding his eye to rub the sleep out of it, yawning. He stays seated for a bit, hands now on his lap, eyes half closed as he looks at whatever is happening in the background before getting up, extending a hand to Julien with not much thought, just natural impulses, as he tries to find his ticket-

he finds it much easier to sleep with Jerome around. ALSO AGREED THO. Like they probably would have overslept and woke up like that but it's so slow and lazy for them, neither of them want to get out of bed. Julien even probably wonders if they could stay another night so they can sleep;;; as soon as Jerome is awake and no longer leaning on him Julien stretches, rising up from the seat with his book tucked under his arm and drink almost finished. But julien actually reaches out and takes his hand in his for a few moments too, mostly bc he's telling himself that he's just leading him from his seat and it means nothing. Ugh these cuties.

Ugh but ok when Julien takes his hand Jerome actually doesn't let go. He doesn't want to. He's standing up and finds his ticket, glancing down at it whilst his hand sits comfortably in Juliens for moments too long but not to be let go of. "Lead the way." He'd say quietly as he glances away from his ticket

Julien would lead Jerome to the gate and would only let go to present his ticket to the agent but once he gets it back he's already grabbing Jerome's hand and heading to the entrance of the plane "I'm sure our managers are fine sitting together," he'd murmur, leading Jerome to where he was assigned;;;;;

rIP Jerome just follows him, shuffling along, almost looking disappointed when Julien has to let go of his hand but their hands are connected again soon after and he feels ok again. I think around this time he doesn't want to leave Juliens side, like at all, so he'd just nod and "They have no choice anyway." said in hushed tone as they walk through the plane. Because honestly tired emotionally drained Jerome will have it be known if his manager complains, but she wouldn't because Jerome rarely looks this bad and she remembered dealing with him during the times of his debut and the phone call and all that, that she rather avoids him like this all together. And Julien is a good influence, she thinks. If the seats would be empty still Jerome wouldn't let go of his hand, instead they'd sit down together and the second they do Jerome's head rests against Juliens shoulder, hair tickling Juliens neck as he just curls against him and gets comfortable, and he would just cover their connected hands with his other one, no time to waste. He has to catch up on what they had back in the hotel room.

and honestly Julien's manager knows how Julien gets and kind of lets him do his thing. He's had to sit next to people before e.g. Azumi bc she's afraid of flying, and his manager knows him so she doesn't mind either. Their managers would probably just be friends at that point. But with Jerome curled up against him and trying to get rest, Julien can't seem to sleep just yet. He's too worried about Jerome, hoping Jerome can actually sleep on the flight, so he instead spends the flight reading and keeping an eye on the man next to him during the entire flight;;;;

AND yo Julien is so precious. Jerome sleeps like a baby on the plane, having fallen asleep just moments after the plane took off. He'd murmur in his sleep some incoherent sentences, hands sometimes holding onto Juliens a bit tighter before relaxing and having his head turn a bit on his shoulder. A peaceful look is plastered all over his tired face that wasn't there when he opened the door to his hotelroom or when he came into the airport. He feels at ease now. Serene in the moment of just holding onto Julien and knowing nothing could hurt him. HONESTLY when Jerome eventually awakens he looks like a disheveled puppy, blinking his eyes open and yawning slightly before looking first at their connected hands he refused to let go off in his sleep and then up to Julien who looks so handsome behind the veil of awakenings.

he occasionally turns to watch Jerome sleep before returning to his book and he knows some people are glancing over bc they still can't figure out how the two are so close bc they're so different. But when he awakes Julien still looks hella exhausted but he smiles softly at Jerome. "Good morning, sunshine. We're back in Seoul." And he'd give his hand a squeeze ;;;;;

Jerome sees him as he blinks his sleepy eyes awake and notices the lack of sleep written over his face. But he also notices the smile and his heart leaps. "You're the sunshine-" He murmurs back quietly as eyebrows knit together in a slight frown of concern when he takes a second good look at him after glancing down at their hands again. With the one hand free from the warm grasp of Juliens, he lets it caress over his cheek for a moment, bumping up his glasses clumbsily in his sleepy state as he just lets the natural action play out. He only stops brushing his digits over his cheek when he comes to the realization that they are still on a plane, still in public, not under the warm blankets of a Tokyo hotel room. He lets his hand drop, retreat as you will, to have it fall in his lap. But not before he whispers. "You haven't slept, you should have slept." Thumb brushing along his cheek bone before eventually dropping his hand. "Why haven't you slept?"