JuPeter // JuSkinny Scene Comparison
Experimenting on writing a scene if it's JuPeter vs JuSkinny.
Concept: 1980s. Aged-up characters (late 20s - early 30s). Jupiter Jones was the lead detective in the recent serial murders. He caught the murderer in the act, but the victim was beyond saving.
Pete -- his partner at Rocky Beach PD.
Skinny -- a businessman, inherited his father's business.
Relationship Status: Budding relationship.
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The television hummed, its glow being the only light source in the dark living room.
Jupiter Jones hunched over the small table, a half-empty glass of whiskey in front of him. Eyes peered on the news about the solved mystery of the Shadow Killer-- a serial killer who had taken four lives, with Jupiter solving the case after two grueling months.
And yet, the detective sat quietly, lost in thought. No sign of victory in his tired eyes.
Pete Crenshaw knew that when Jupe chose to sit in darkness, he had to step in. He walked over, took the whiskey glass from Jupe's hand and put it away.
"That's enough for tonight."
Jupiter reached out. "Give me that."
Jupe frowned, but he knew it was no use fighting Pete on this.
"I hate you sometimes," he muttered.
Pete smirked and rested his head on his elbow. "Sometimes?"
A beat of silence stretched between them, a comfortable understanding between two people who had known each other longer than they had been partners at the force.
"How did the press conference go?" Jupiter finally asked.
Pete shrugged. "Standard. Too many unnecessary questions. Bob saved the day, as usual. He's one of the only few journalists who actually wanted to report the truth rather than exaggerated shit."
Jupe smiled slightly, thankful to have a friend like Bob Andrews in the press.
Pete considered him for a while.
"I know that look, Jupe. You think you should've solved the case faster to save the last victim."
Jupiter stared at the television, though his attention was not on it anymore.
"...You've gotten good at reading my mind, Pete."
Pete gave a small smile and sat nearer.
"Do you blame me for not running there fast enough?"
"Then why blame yourself?"
"I'm the lead detective for this case, Pete," Jupiter frowned. "My duty is to protect the citizens from bastards like the Shadow Killer."
"And you did that," Pete said gently, facing him. "You stopped him from killing more people by putting him behind bars."
"You did your best," Pete interjected before Jupe could put in more words. "And I can attest to that. You saw clues when no one else didn't. You made his assistant crack in record time. You didn't slack off one bit."
He looked at the empty cups and ashtray, testament to the amount coffee and cigarettes Jupe had consumed in the past week just to cope with bringing his work home.
"If you can't trust yourself for now," Pete said softly, "can you at least trust me?"
Jupiter looked up, his dark eyes meeting Pete's concerned gaze.
No judgment there. Only care.
And maybe something deeper.
For the first time that night, Jupiter's heart was slightly lighter. To answer Pete's question, he nodded.
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The television hummed, its glow being the only light source in the dark living room.
Jupiter Jones hunched over the small table, a half-empty glass of whiskey in front of him. Eyes peered on the news about the solved mystery of the Shadow Murderer-- a serial killer who had taken four lives, with Jupiter solving the case after two grueling months.
And yet, the detective sat quietly, lost in thought. No sign of victory in his tired eyes.
He was about to take another sip when Skinny Norris walked into the living room, swiftly took the glass out of Jupe's hand and drank it himself.
Jupiter reached out. "Give me that."
"Nah. I'll buy you a better one. Throw this cheap thing away."
Jupe frowned, but he understood. Skinny didn't want him to drink any more that night. So he crossed his arms and sat back, eyes still fixed on the television.
"Bad mood from your case?" Skinny asked.
"It's not just a case!" Jupe snapped, his tone harsher than he meant.
Skinny waited. By this time, he knew that Jupiter needed time before he could express what he was feeling.
His voice was shaky when he spoke again. "...Someone lost his life because I failed to track the murderer fast enough."
"No," Skinny replied. "Someone lost his life because a murderer fucking killed him."
Jupiter turned to look at Skinny. His stubborn gaze was met by an equally firm stare.
"The world doesn't revolve around you, Jones," Skinny continued. "You gain some, you lose some. From what I heard, you arrested that bastard and saved the day."
Jupiter chuckled despite himself. "You sound annoyed."
"Hah," Skinny scoffed. "It's just like you to be the star of the show and then spiral from your own impossible standards."
Skinny sat back and exhaled, weary. After all these years, he knew that sometimes what Jupiter Jones needed was just straight facts.
He couldn't deny that he was starting to truly care for this man whom he used to hate so much. Skinny had seen moments that made him realize that they were not that different after all.
Then he reached out to ruffle Jupiter's hair, surprising the detective.
"You're doing good, kid."
Jupiter narrowed his eyes. "...You're only two years older than me."
"And yet, I'm infinitely wiser."
"You're a jerk." Jupe let out a sound of mock disgust. But his heart was slightly lighter.
Skinny grinned. "Takes one to know one."
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