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[truthstranger]

Here it is!!

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[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. ]

[fabling]

[ His response can only be described as sulky. ]

She kept nagging me.

[truthstranger]

[ Even if Ouma can't see his smile, he can probably hear it in his voice. ]

I'm glad you two are getting along.

[fabling]

[ He hums in response. ]

She fed me ice cream too, I guess.

[truthstranger]

She mentioned I was free to bring my friends by, if I wanted.

[fabling]

Are you asking me to go to your work with you?

[truthstranger]

I mean, not all the time. Just if you're not doing anything. And you want to.

[fabling]

Saihara-chan, how busy do you think I am here?

[truthstranger]

I don't know, you might have a packed schedule of breaking into people's apartments and stealing cheap plastic toys.

[ He's smiling, though, and his voice is soft rather than accusatory. ]

[fabling]

[ This time he definitely gets pouty. ]

I only do that with three people.

[truthstranger]

Three, huh? Me, Iruma-san, and...? She was complaining to me about the slime, you know.