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[truthstranger]

Here it is!!

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[truthstranger]

[ Shuichi exhales slowly, grateful that seems to have helped some, and then, after another long moment of holding completely still, lifts his free hand to settle, lightly and hesitantly, on the back of Ouma's head. ]

[fabling]

[ If he were awake, he's be embarrassed about the soft, pleased noise that follows the hand resting on his head. His head nudges back, almost like a cat, and a soft smile graces his lips while he slumbers.

It doesn't take long after that (another 5 or 10 minutes) for him to wake. His eyes flutter, fingers twitch and the confused hum in his throat says how confused he is for a moment. ]

[truthstranger]

[ It's strangely nice, even if it's not particularly relaxing from this side; Shuichi's heart is beating quickly, like he's been making life-or-death decisions or something. He calms down a little eventually, though, settling in.

He panics a little again when Ouma shifts, wondering if he should pull back, or pretend to be asleep or something, but eventually he does neither, instead just petting his head a tiny bit to try to show he is awake. ]

[fabling]

[ It's actually more relaxing than he expected when he first came here. He'd woken up in cold sweats again, had already visited Momota's the day before and didn't want to go again because once is enough--it's already showing too much weakness--yet here's already here now.

His eyes flutter again, struggling between waking up and falling back to sleep with how soothing the petting is. All he says in response is a soft mumble of: ] Saihara-chan?

[ It sounds so sleepy though, like even he isn't darting awake for once. ]

[truthstranger]

Yeah.

[ It comes out softly, just an acknowledgement. ]

You can sleep more if you want...

[fabling]

[ His eyes flutter again, head tilting up as he squints up at him. His breathing is still steady, at least for a moment, until he realises just how close he got.

His eyes go wide, freezing in place, and it's like a cat ready to bolt with the way his entire body tenses like he's ready to dart. ]

[truthstranger]

[ Shuichi also freezes, immediately returning to worrying he'd handled this all wrong and ruined everything, but he at least doesn't pull his hand back. ]

I-It's okay. Really.

[ He's not sure that's helpful, or if that's even the right thing to say, but he can't think of anything else. ]

[fabling]

[ His breathing is all off, faster than it should be but thankfully not heavier. It takes some effort to calm down, his fingers that are still holding Saihara's hand twitching as he tries to decide what to do.

It's a good minute or two before he manages to relax enough to let his eyes flutter half shut again. His breathing starts to slow again. ]

It's warm. [ A soft admission once he finally lets himself feel it again. ]

[truthstranger]

[ Shuichi exhales a quiet breath of relief and relaxes a little more himself. ]

Yeah. You seemed like you were... cold.

[ Of course that it not at all what he seemed, but it feels like a good thing to say. ]

[fabling]

[ It's awkward, yes, especially as his fingers curl tighter around Saihara's then gently, cautiously, slide over his thumb as a means of saying thanks. For not addressing it. ]

Mmm, I was.

[truthstranger]

[ Shuichi's heart jumps again. He feels like he's driving blind, and every moment he doesn't go careening off a cliff is a success. ]

Then... I'm glad I could help a little.

[fabling]

[ He blinks once, hiding the swallow of saliva as his throat feels dry. He doesn't remember what time he got here anymore, nor does he have any idea what time it is now, but... ]

Is it late already?

[ He uses his free hand to reach up and rub his eyes. ]

[truthstranger]

No, it's still pretty early...

[ The morning announcement wouldn't be for another twenty or thirty minutes... if there was a morning announcement. ]

I just woke up too.

[ More or less. ]

[fabling]

[ Alas, there is now nothing to wake Saihara up in the mornings, except for when this loser sneaks in. ]

Ahhh, waking up after Saihara-chan... that's a first.

[truthstranger]

H-Hey, I wake up early sometimes...

[ ...Probably... ]

[fabling]

Mmm, more than this time?

[ But at least talking about this has lifted the focus from him. He's relaxing more now, sinking more towards him in a way that's almost like he's snuggling up. ]

[truthstranger]

If there's something I need to do in the morning.

[ Defending himself also makes this feel more natural. A little bit. Even if Ouma snuggling up to him in bed is still extremely strange, he's at least passed the threshold of constant panic. He just feels a little bit warm. ]

[fabling]

Liiiiike? [ He definitely still sounds like he's teasing him, but at least it's softer as he lets himself sink back into the warmth, eyes shutting as if he can pretend everything is okay now. ]

[truthstranger]

Like... an early meeting with a client?

[ He hasn't actually had any personal meetings with clients yet, in the morning or otherwise, but it could happen. It gives him filler words as he pats Ouma's head a little again. ]

[fabling]

Make your appointments in the afternoon instead.

[ It’s a softer mumble once the headpats come again, keeping the conversation going to try and make things more comfortable. ]

[truthstranger]

I'm the junior detective at the office, I'll meet with people whenever they need. Especially if it's urgent.

[ He smiles a little, though. ]

I thought you were making fun of me for waking up late. You want me to stay in bed longer?

[fabling]

How boring. [ It’s teasing though, still trying to keep the mood. Besides, even here he isn’t actually doing a normal job. ]

But no, not all the time.

[truthstranger]

It's satisfying to have a job where I can help people, Ouma-kun.

[ That's only very gently pointed, though. ]

But, if there isn't anything urgent, I think Kirigiri-san would understand if I came in a little later some days...

[fabling]

[ He makes a soft disgusted noise at that, though it’s probably obvious he doesn’t fully mean it. ]

I help people sometimes. For a price.

[ He helped a lady get her stolen necklaxe back for around 750,000 sylvs shared between him and Pyrrha afterall. ]

Mom would understand if you let her know in advance anyway, just don’t tell her it’s my fault.

[truthstranger]

Mom?

[ That surprises him into a laugh. ]