trash king

@acrasiia

Akrasia, ancient Greek ἀκρασία, "lacking command (over oneself)", occasionally transliterated as acrasia, is the state of acting against one's better judgment. Multi-muse Persona blog!

58 posts

The box king (During game)

What he was into? The color within his tan cheeks deepened. He hadn’t given sex or unique ways of doing so much thought. His wife had always been quiet and gentle and the act almost came out of necessity than desire. He loved her dearly but even he couldn’t think of one time the act had been creative. It was always simple and to the point. Now here he was, pinning his younger partner to a wall like he was half attempting to subdue a criminal. He’d never admit it, but the idea was thrilling, “Never had the need to-“ He muttered, ignoring the statement entirely. It was obvious what he wanted now. What they wanted.

Though the quiet whispering in his ear did cause his grey eyes to glance sideways as his hands resumed gripping at his partner’s hips to return the favor. Strange… he felt horrendously thin, “Tch. Shut up Adachi.” It was practically his catch phrase at this point, though it was more loving than vindictive has it had been in the past. His hips nudged forward into the slender hands that toyed with his belt, as if demanding him to stop teasing, “You’ve lost weight.” He finally commented before a heavy breath paired with stronger arms hoisted the young detective up and off the ground. He couldn’t help but laugh, “Now I really can toss you around-“ This really was thrilling, if not fun. He’d have to thank Yu at some point for all of this, without knowing of course. The last thing he needed was the boy to relay to his sister on how much of a deviant he had become again.

Adachi noticed Dojima's flustered moment and grinned wickedly. He knew Dojima wasn't very creative in the bedroom, and took special joy in pushing his limit. He'd never had anyone else to take it out on, so Dojima got the full extent of Adachi's pent-up sexual frustration and loneliness every time. Never a big fan of taking it slow. He kissed Dojima's ear with another laugh, nibbling at his earlobe, before undoing that belt and sliding it to the floor with a clatter.

Ignoring the command to shut up as he always did, he prattled on. "Lost weight? You'd think with all the fast food I'd get fat."

He wrapped his legs around Dojima's waist when he was lifted up, moving his arms around his shoulders as if he didn't trust Dojima enough not to drop him. It was still amusing to hear Dojima laugh like he was genuinely enjoying this - not like he was guiltily nudging him into things while drunk. "C'mooon, Dojima~" He dug his nails briefly into the other man's shoulders, pushing at him and pressing their hips together.

The box king (During game)

The faintly audible confirmation had been all the older detective needed before his grip on the thin dress shirt tightened and ripped downwards, pulling what was left of the buttons and leaving them scattered at their feet. It left his partner bare, but his thin fingers were working at keeping them on a level playing field. His tie was pulled down and his shirt was removed in a kinder fashion. He made a mental note to get the kid a nicer shirt than he already owned, but for now his mind was on other things.

“My worst?” He grumbled, pulling back enough to stare down the pale face that looked imploring up to him. Dojima wasn’t one for trickery but keeping their gaze locked made it easier to wedge his right knee between the young man’s legs, adding just enough pressure for it to be questionable if the sensation was pleasurable. Either way, a side long grin emerged on his stubble ridden expression. This wasn’t horrendous, even if he was sober, “What, are you into something you’re not telling me?” He nudged forward again and pressured the younger detective alongside the wall beside his television screen. To Dojima, it was just another obstacle in his way.

Adachi dropped Dojima's tie to the ground among all the scattered buttons - just a few little bits to add to the mess, and he wasn't worrying about it at all. He was about to kick the tossed clothes out of the way when his back was pressed to the wall, and a leg between his own that prompted a small half-pleased, half-surprised noise.

"Maybe." He chuckled. Into a lot of things Dojima didn't know about, like, say throwing people into TV's. He kept one hand still in Dojima's hair while trailing the other up his leg to rest on his belt. "It's not like you've told me what exactly you're into, either." He leaned in to kiss Dojima's neck, brushing his lips over the rough stubble that dotted just beneath his jaw, toying with the belt buckle as he did.

"Bed's that way," he muttered into his ear, "unless you like being more creative with where you do it." He'd threatened to crawl under Dojima's desk at work before. Maybe he should make good on that one.

#ic #Adachi #don't smash the tv

The box king (During game)

The kiss had been both expected and unexpected. Regardless, the older man sooner responded with a soft nip to keep the younger man in check, “Don’t let that go to your head- if I see you slacking off again-“ There would be more than just a smack to worry about. Though that was the end of his aggression and while he wanted another tasting of liquor, he took the second best thing by sampling what taste was left from his partner’s mouth. He had never been a true romantic and perhaps it would have had his own marriage suffer, but the rough affection seemed to work well between the two. He had thought at times the two had unresolved rage to dissolve and what better outlet than this?

The kiss was broken for the older man to suck in a heavy breath. After making a mental note to attempt quitting smoking again, his eager lips descended his partner’s neckline only to find a collar in his way. A moderate sound of annoyance resounded in the middle aged man before he went to pulling heavily at the white dress shirt Adachi wore. He could hear the whining now of how he couldn’t afford another one and as if to stop him before he started, he muttered, “You’ll get another one-“ before his teeth pulled on the lapel till one of the buttons came undone. There, now there was slightly more skin to sample.

His reply was cut off with Dojima's lips on his own again, barely a noise of protest escaping him before he just let it go. The other detective always tasted of tobacco and alcohol - Adachi had come to enjoy it so much he wouldn't even pester him to quit, despite how much it was probably needed. It wasn't as if Adachi had much of a romantic bone in his body either - he was always all lust, aggression, and possessiveness more than anything, his kisses messy and rushed.

He whined softly as Dojima kissed over his neck, just for the sake of doing so; if he didn't have to worry about replacing his own shredded clothes, then no worries. He slipped his other hand between them to pull at Adachi's tie, loosening it so he could pick at the buttons of his shirt underneath. "Do your worst, then."

The box king (During game)

A careful look was given to Adachi given the tightening of his jaw. Maybe it was too personal to bring up in regards to the teenager, but the boy had done so much to help improve his life. He had to admit, he wouldn’t have ever changed had it not been for him or his gaggle of odd friends. Still, the kiss along his scruffy jawline caused his gaze to flutter a moment. He hadn’t let the kid do that in quite some time, and as if to apologize for his previous statement, the younger detective would find the favor returned, though it lingered with the older man taking a step forward to close the gap between them, “Or, you can clean this place at some point.” A puff of air drifted down the young man’s shirt at his superior chuckling, “And… you’re right. You have us.” Like he had him.

The thought of having another romantic partner hadn’t crossed his mind much aside from fretting over what apprehension he had towards the idiot he was currently nuzzling. Sure he was absent minded, slacked off and made strange points, but Adachi was as close to a true friend he ever had. It just so happened this friend wanted to evolve into something more. Thankfully for the two of them, each got over their concerns of having a same sex partner for the most part. The older man extended his reach to finally grip around the slender torso of Adachi and gripped him tightly, “And… maybe if everything goes well and you don’t get whisked away back to the central office…” He didn’t finish his invitation but the notion was there. If wanted the space within his home, he was welcome to it. Hell, the kid practically lived there anyway.

"At some point." He echoed with a light chuckle, the edge taken off his anger. It was surprisingly... nice to experience this level of honesty and affection from a non-drunk Dojima. As he was pulled closer, he threw an arm over the older man's shoulders and ran a hand through his hair.

He was wanted. As shitty and angry and alcoholic and pathetic as Dojima was, he wanted Adachi in his life, and the thought was a little overwhelming. For someone who hadn't had anyone return his feelings before, let alone a serious partner, it was a big deal. It only came with a giant side helping of guilt and deception, of course. But Dojima knew nothing so far. What he wouldn't know wouldn't hurt him, and for now, Adachi mused, he'd rather not hurt him.

"You're serious...?" He murmured, looking Dojima right in the eye. "We'll hope everything goes well." Namatame would have to go down for all of this. It could be perfect. He could make this work - he pressed his lips to Dojima's for lack of anything else to say, tugging lightly on his short dark hair.

#ic #Adachi #'not lonely' my ass

The box king (During game)

He hadn’t expected his wrist being caught, nor to have Adachi implore for him to stay. It caused the older man’s brows to arch and stare off to where the young man was, looking at him like he was a kid who wanted a new toy. It was enough to cause Dojima to give him another half lidded look of disapproval but he was here for a reason, wasn’t he? Everything he said wasn’t meant to be taken and tucked away into one of the many storage bins that littered the apartment, “I never said-“ Well he didn’t say he wasn’t going to go to work at some point today, he just didn’t think to bring up the case, “Tch, nevermind.” A broad hand twisted in Adachi’s gentle hold and the thinner detective would find himself being tugged roughly forward.

It was enough to cause Dojima to chuckle briefly, loosening his hold and allowing his hand to simply rest within his partners. It felt strange yet comforting to be able to do such a simple act. Adachi’s hand certainly didn’t feel like Chisato’s or Nanako’s. His fingers were thin and his knuckles were knobby, but it held it’s own charm about them. If only he knew they were hands that did more bad than good, “Yu was right, you really are lonely.” Unknowing if mentioning the teen would upset the younger detective, Dojima gave another squeeze, “But then again, he was right about me too. I’m no different.” It was only then his warm grey eyes shifted away from the thin face peering up at him and gave another unpleased look with the space around them, “But… no offense, I feel claustrophobic in this place. “

He barely had a second to be happy with getting to hold Dojima's hand before Yu was brought up and he felt a surge of anger at the mention. What has that brat been saying about me? It took an immense amount of self-control not to shove himself away from Dojima right in that moment. His lips briefly pressed together in an annoyed line, and he straightened up.

"None... taken. We could go somewhere. But if you've really got places to be... well." His tone was very forcibly even. To distract Dojima from noticing his reaction, he gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, squeezing his hand in return.

"I'm not lonely. I have you and Nanako." A phrase he'd repeated to himself thousands of times while sitting in this apartment alone.

#ic #Adachi #Adachi be nice to him for one day before you ruin his life

The box king (During game)

Silence kept his lips sealed as he finished his drink moments after his younger partner had. Why did he bother going this far? Was it the fear of being alone again? Reverting back into his old self and making Nanako suffer at the same time? Or was it something else more selfish? “Just for today-“ He was quick to resume his stern tone, settling the bottle onto the table with a rough thud. He gave Adachi a flat look, though it was sooner replaced with another slight grin to match the growing devious look on the younger man’s face, “And when we get back to work- it’s just that, understood? No, trying to pull what you did before-“ He almost strangled the kid the one time he tried to show affection in a public place.

But with such things out of the way, he nudged the bottle back away from him and rolled onto his knees with a slight creak before getting up to his feet, “But, I don’t want to bother you with, er, whatever the hell you were doing before I got here.” He rubbed the back of his neck faintly, as if trying to will to embarrassed color in his face, “So unless you want to come with me, I have to go pick up a few things for Nanako’s school project. You heard that guy who used her quote on the news? If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she sounded a lot older than she is.” That’s right, talking about his daughter made it less awkward, “I, uh, just wanted to give you that and let you know about the other things.” Now Yu couldn’t chastise him for holding back to everyone who mattered to him. The teenager just didn’t need to know what extent.

So typical of Dojima to withdraw back as fast as possible after coming out of his shell for even a minute. As he got up, Adachi followed him, but instead of showing him to the door, he caught the older detective's wrist.

"I wasn't doing anything too important." That was not a lie, for once. He had so many things to do, so many emotions and plans to sort through in his head, that he wanted to do exactly what he always did best when faced with a big workload: slack off and procrastinate. Dojima was a good distraction.

"You said you were taking the day off, right?" His fingers brushed over Dojima's hand. "You've got plenty of time to pick up whatever Nanako needs. Stay for a bit?" He gave Dojima his best innocent puppy look. God, he'd been getting lonely.

#ic #Adachi #NOPE

The box king (During game)

Dojima took his partner’s expression at face value. He was just tired and perhaps didn’t expect him to say such things. Why would he? His older partner had made every attempt to keep him at arms length until desire was too great. Now here he was, fearing Adachi might up and leave once all of this comes to an end, “…Well, let’s just say it’s overdue.” He finally admitted, leaning forward and watching the thin young man pick at his food. Normally he was devouring by now. Maybe the topic of conversation made it hard to enjoy it. His lips twisted to one side slightly as he leaned into one fist. Something else had gone on long since said, “…And as much as you piss me off sometimes, I enjoy spending time with you too.”

Should the young detective look over, he’d find his superior smiling lazily at him, “I don’t, er, regret it. That time-“ Times, “…I just needed to get my head on straight. With the case and dealing with Yu running around like a maniac, I haven’t had much time to think of anything but what workload is in front of me.” He pointed a broad finger in Adachi’s direction, “So, I’m taking a page out of your book today.” And he left it at that without pushing the topic further. Despite the red tint to his face, Dojima was rather pleased with himself on how he handled it. Now it was just a matter on how the dumbass in front of him responded to it all. If he wanted to continue acting like nothing happened, he could live with it. But if he wanted something different, well, he’d have to find the right words to say to Nanako. The older man inwardly groaned at the thought and reached for his drink once again. She was too young to even understand that sort of thing.

Adachi picked quietly at his food as Dojima spoke. He might have been hungry before, but now that all of this was on his shoulders, he didn't feel so much like eating anymore. Not quite half done, he put the lid back on the takeout box and moved it a little aside, tapping his fingers nervously on the neck of the beer bottle as he tried to get words straight.

"I... I don't regret it either." He averted his gaze - Dojima might think it was his usual shy awkwardness, especially with the little bit of colour in his cheeks as the full sum of memories came rushing back. But it was a lot of guilt, as well.

"I like you a lot, sir. But you already know that. So, haha, slacking off today? Glad you decided to come over and do that with me." He offered another sly grin before downing his drink, because god, would he need it right about now. He had no idea how serious this was getting.

#ic #Adachi #LOSERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

The box king (During game)

The senior detective watched Adachi fluttered about his apartment like a worker bee in a crowded hive. He always made it sound like he didn’t have much to his name, but this sight certainly said otherwise. Unless, all of this really was trash. The stern look etched onto Dojima’s features gave way to quiet worry. Maybe he really was working him too hard, “Yu always mentions you slacking off at Junes, but come to think of it, I haven’t seen you there since the last time I chased you out.” He smirked faintly and finally took a seat at the table, not reaching for anything but the beer settled in front of him. Good, it was a brand he liked, not the cheap stuff either. He paused on how Adachi could afford such a thing but shrugged and sipped anyway.

“I thought about not coming to be honest.. but I wanted to make a few things clear.” Though instead of diving straight into his point, he found himself taking a longer swig than anticipated. Being open was horrendously difficult for him, “…I really do appreciate… everything. I don’t say it enough. But you’ve been good to the team, good to me and… good to my daughter.” He waited a moment to see Adachi’s reaction before pressing on, “…She… really does like you.” Alongside ‘Big bro’, he didn’t hear the end of it between the two of them lately. Though each conversation grew a bit more desperate. Yu had to return home in the spring and Adachi… well, was he going to transfer out once all the praise rained down on the police department? Dojima took another contemplative sip.

Just as Dojima wasn't the best at being honest and giving praise, Adachi wasn't the best at receiving it. Even though it was the thing he craved, he spent so much time feeling sorry for himself and telling himself that no one appreciated him that when it did happen, he didn't know how to respond.

His own beer was popped open, but he didn't touch it and went for the food first. When Dojima brought up Nanako, he paused with the chopsticks halfway to his mouth.

It was a good thing Dojima couldn't detect the nervous backflip his stomach seemed to do at that moment. Why now? His poker face was well trained, however, so he only gave Dojima a blank look for a moment before giving his best grin.

"Thanks, sir. And I'm glad she does! Good to know she likes spending time with me as much as I do with her." God, he could throw up. "You must be in one hell of a good mood to come out here, bring food, and tell me this stuff."

#ic #Adachi #YOU LIFE RUINER

The box king (During game)

“You’re working this hard when we’re about to close this? Look, even I have my reservations about those first two murders but,” He blinked as the door cracked open further to grant him access, “Ah, forget it. I’m not here to talk about work.” For once. It was hard for him to even say such a thing, as work usually was the only pastime he had to keep himself sane. That or drinking, “It’s a little early to be drinking,” Dojima started, taking one last hit from the cigarette before rubbing out the embers along the brick edge of the apartment, “…but maybe it can be a quiet celebration.” The smile didn’t last long on his face however as he stood at the doorway peering into the expanse of the tiny apartment.

“…You weren’t kidding about the mess.” It wasn’t like he ran the kid ragged where he didn’t have time to clean up after himself. Granted, he had Nanako who did some of the work but any self respecting person was meant to keep their room clean. A college student kept their room better than this. After some hesitation in removing his shoes, the detective continued inwards only to stand awkwardly by what he guessed was the dining table and what seemed like a collection of take out boxes from Aiya’s, “If you, er, need help tidying up- I’m sure we could make a day out of it. Nanako’s been pestering me about what a magician’s place looks like-“ Well it certainly looked like a rabbit (or a rat) could pop out of anything in this place. It was then he took notice of a collection of letters in the old box, all sealed with nothing written on the front. He couldn’t help but crease a brow at them but didn’t say anything more.

Since when is it ever too early for you to drink, Adachi thought scathingly while dumping some of those takeout boxes into the kitchen trash bin, but outwardly kept smiling.

"No!" Afraid he'd denied the offer a little too quickly and firmly, he prattled on, "Uh, I can clean by myself. I just said, I've been busy lately." Not only did he not enjoy people being in his space and going through his things, there were things he certainly didn't want Dojima to see. He followed the other's gaze to the box of letters and quietly moved them to a higher shelf.

The table looked clear enough, at least, and he started taking out the food Dojima had brought.

"You surprised me. I didn't think you'd ever show up around here, or I'd have tried to make it more presentable..." What did Dojima really want to talk about?

The box king (During game)

Even if it was only for a second, the tired look in Adachi’s grey eyes were noticed. Perhaps he came at a bad time. Dojima’s expression shifted slightly from it’s annoyed outlook to something softer. Regardless, he didn’t look the younger man in the face just yet, “I hope you weren’t sleeping, it’s the middle of the day.” It would figure he would sit around doing nothing on the days he had off. Maybe he wasn’t so work minded lately after all. After feeling somewhat foolish, the older man pulled the cigarette from his lips and expelled a bit of smoke to the side, “Anyway, I wanted to check in. You looked more tired than usual yesterday.” It was likely all those extra hours he was putting in compiling files for Kubo and some other list he hadn’t been briefed on yet. Something about delivery trucks, “…And, ah, I wanted to say I appreciated how hard you’ve been working lately. It shows that hot shot detective you keep talking about from the city.” He finally gave Adachi a wry smile.

Paired with Dojima’s grin a plastic bag with a number of sealed trays was seen from within. The kid liked katsu and it was cheaper than buying a whole slew of sushi, “So if you haven’t eaten yet- here’s my token of thanks.” There. He did something good that didn’t involve smacking his partner around or yelling at the top of his lungs at him. It made up for times he’d rather not mention. Though he did think of it and with a touch of color flecking his cheek, he quickly shoved the bag towards to opening as the cigarette returned to his lips, “So here, if you’re not going to be grateful and let me in. What do you have in there, cats up to the ceiling?”

"Sorry," Adachi apologized to Dojima instinctively, rubbing beneath his eyes, wondering just how badly tired he looked. He wasn't doing a good job of not letting his stress show. "Lots of work. I was just... trying to relax a bit."

The next few words almost stumped him. He narrowed his eyes slightly at Dojima, as if he wasn't sure that praise was really genuine or if Dojima was playing at something else. Before he replied seriously, he let himself get distracted by the food, remembering he forgot to eat today, among all things.

"Ah-- thanks! I haven't, uh--" He stepped back a little to let Dojima in, suddenly hyperaware of how the messy small space he lived in compared to the family home Nanako kept neat.

"Sorry 'bout all of this stuff. But I have some beer in the fridge if you want some." Adachi picked a few things up off the dining table he rarely sat at himself to clear it.

The box king (During game)

The case was tentatively solved. While it didn’t sit right with Dojima on the first two murders, there was evidence that said otherwise to the third. Kubo had admitted it, showed signs of being a sociopath and had even come into contact with Saki Konishi. But despite the inkling that something else was wrong with his case the older detective had other things on his mind. His daughter’s interview did well on the local broadcast stations, even if it wasn’t her own voice airing. She was getting wonderful praises in school and many of her teachers were already approaching him for having her attend a higher education school. The last thing he wanted to do was move but Nanako deserved the attention.

Apparently so did someone else, “Is this really the right place?” He muttered down at a slip of paper with a cigarette between his lips. Adachi’s address had been scribbled down from his file at work while the young man wasn’t looking a few days prior. He had held off visiting his partner on his day off, but with how he reacted to Rise’s performance and earlier the fireworks, Dojima felt the need to check on him. It wasn’t like Adachi to take work so seriously. A heavy thud resounded from the back of his knuckles resounding off the worn wood of the apartment door. Maybe it wasn’t right to see him on his day off… but he wanted to get something straight and out in the open. Yu made him realize something a few weeks back and now had every intention of doing what he could to make the lives of those who mattered to him know. That included the airhead who needed a haircut, “Adachi?” He finally spoke loud enough to be heard from the other side, “It’s me- get the door will you?”

The blinds were closed even though it was still light outside, shrouding Adachi's apartment in a comfortable warm darkness; he sat on the floor in the middle of the dark mess, slowly organizing a pile of small trinkets into a box open next to him. There were many boxes just like it stacked around the apartment, accompanied with tossed old clothing and miscellaneous garbage. Not pretty. What did he care? No one came by.

It was all nothing important, and probably stuff that deserved to be thrown out, like half-dead pens and old letters, that he was shoving into that box. He felt bad throwing things out, though, and getting things put away was a good stress killer. Stress, there was a lot of that right now.

He was gazing blankly at the turned off television when a knock at the door startled him. Please, not one of the annoying neighbours again. He was ready to ignore it before he heard Dojima's gruff tone, jumping up to his feet and shoving some of the worst of his mess aside under the coffee table with a foot. Quickly putting some other things out of the way, he opened the door just a little, peering at Dojima but not letting him in.

"D-Dojima. Hi." He let the vapid, innocent look he wore so well come back, and smiled a little at the older detective.

#ic #Adachi #trash king or box king???#both??

Two minds alike

The older detective remained silent. Even if everything was truly ‘taken care’ of and that the world has been restored to a state before the fog drifted in, it did not aid in this growing sense of helplessness. What if it happened again? Nor did this help with Adachi’s case. Calloused fingers grabbed at short bits of greying black hair before he slowly drifted back. For now, Dojima’s expression was hard to read, “Yeah, it’ll give you long enough to contact him.” He saw through Shirogane’s planning. Even if the detective was continuing her schooling her, she was often more absent then present. Perhaps she would try to see the silver haired young man in person before golden week came about.

“I’ll tell you one thing though,” His thin legs twisted and pulled him up from his seat, “ As long as people are harassing this town in trying to figure out what happened, I’ll be there right along side them trying to figure it out too.” His old grey eyes shifted back to the small television that sat in the living room. People were getting paranoid about them thanks to Adachi’s present public statements. It was like they actually believed him and went about in throwing out their old televisions. He had to sit there and stare at the technological junk yard outside of work everyday. It was enough to annoy the hell out of him, “If you don’t need any information from me, then you can see your way out.” He was already pawing in his breast pocket for the pack of cigarettes he had stuffed there this morning. The package already felt light. By time he had one hanging off his lip, he was already out the back door and onto the porch. He didn’t think the detective prince would stick around anyway.

The fear of it happening again was not one exclusive to Dojima. She might not show it in her words and demeanor, but Naoto often felt the same way - lying awake at night, worrying about the threat of it all happening again, and this time they wouldn't be able to save everyone. Her gaze became a touch gentler; she really did feel sorry for Dojima, but didn't know how to help.

She considered asking him a few more things - about what Adachi had said, exactly, perhaps - but once she opened her mouth to ask, she noticed him reaching for his cigarettes and decided maybe it would be best to leave it be. She should call Yu.

"That's all. Thank you for the drink." She deposited the empty cup politely in the sink before turning to the door, glancing back at Dojima shuffling away to the porch.

"Sorry I couldn't be of more help."

Two minds alike

The older detective watched solemnly as Naoto moved over the expanse of the living room and touched the screen. When nothing occurred, Dojima released a slow aggravated sigh. With there being little proof behind this ‘fantasy’ world, there would be no way to be at ease regarding the case. No hopes of lessening Adachi’s case, and should anything else occur, he would be utterly in the dark. The feeling of being trapped an unarmed welled up within the middle aged man, and with that, Naoto would catch a look of quiet torment in his eyes. If Dojima hated anything more than not being able to conclude a case, it was feeling helpless.

“…I suppose asking you to go to Junes won’t matter either, huh?” He finally strangled out the words before allowing his tired grey eyes to close. “…Why, all of a sudden, does it not work? Is it because whoever was the master mind behind this got dealt with?” That day in march, they all disappeared for several hours and finally came back looking ragged but overjoyed. He hadn’t understood the group’s disposition then, but it made sense now. However, it still didn’t help him.

It was only then Dojima leaned over the table beside the neatly stacked files and allowed his head to rest in his hands. His head absolutely throbbed. “…Damnit.”

Naoto caught the distraught look even from where she stood across the room, and it made her nervous - she was never really good with dealing with other peoples' emotions, especially when it came to someone difficult to comfort like this.

"Yes." She said simply in response to his question, returning to her seat at the table, and did not offer any more. "The details of that are most likely unbelievable to you, and not something I'm sure I'd like you relaying to Adachi." She folded her arms, resting her elbows on the table as well.

"But suffice it to say, no one can return to the TV. At least for now. It really is over. You could ask Yu for details when he returns..." That wouldn't be long now, and maybe then it would be prudent to call Yu before he came home and warn him of Dojima's intent to interrogate him again. "... though I can't promise he'll tell you anything, of course."

#ic #Naoto #poor Dojima-san

cutie pie alert all hands on deck

Two minds alike

This wasn’t getting anywhere, was it? Dojima’s thick brows twitched once before a chair was pulled out and he took to sitting. The craving for a cigarette was almost as overwhelming as wanting to get to the bottom of this crap. He took notice of the teen’s eyes flaring for an instance at the drawing and found himself glancing back down to it. Personally, he didn’t understand it fully, “It was something I scribbled up while I was on the phone with the warden.” He had to go through the same questions to prove his mental stability regarding the situation. Low and behold, the four pearled dragon sat clear as day.

“Nevermind that-“ He leaned forward on his elbows as Shirogane poke through his evidence. She admitted it, it was all he needed to continue, “…He explained it while I was panicking about telling his parents that their son was a potential murder suspect. Why would I have believed it then?” Especially with the chain of events that unfolded that same night. An audible scowl resounded before another drink was taken, “…But even after the accident and Nanako disappeared… I asked him to find her, to make sure she was safe. Whether that meant inside some sort of television world or god knows where else.” It was the only time he had accepted the supernatural in hopes it would bring his daughter back.

It did, but at a price, “…Shirogane… She’s staying the night at a friends house.” After being briefly honest with the blue haired detective, Dojima moved on, “…I want you to show me that I’m not crazy for believing you all.” Another sip and a prolonged silence, “…I think you’re the one I trust the most in asking this of. But I know you’re a busy detective.” He refrained from using the term ‘busy girl’, “…So if you don’t have the… ‘inclination’. I’ll ask Yu when he comes back for golden week.” And the boy wasn’t going to be asked as nicely.

As Dojima leaned forwards, Naoto leaned ever so slightly backwards. She wasn't enjoying how angry the man was looking, and how much he was drinking - her gaze flickered towards the door for an instant, as if measuring the possibility of an escape attempt should she need it.

"So in that moment, when Nanako disappeared, you believed in it. Because you would believe in anything that would save her." She sniffed at the admittance that Nanako wasn't coming over; she had surmised that already, but it made being tricked no less offensive.

"I am not sure what you want me to show you. You tried to force Adachi to show you how to enter a TV, and it did not work, correct? I cannot do it either." She got up from her seat, leaving the files neatly straightened, and went to place her hand against the living room television. Nothing happened, of course.

"It's difficult to prove any of this."

Two minds alike

“Exactly. There’s always more to it.” Whether it was a psychological analysis, background check or outside influence. The moment Dojima had heard news of his gas station attendant, a door opened to several possibilities. But when this person had practically disappeared from existence, the door slammed shut with all hope of settling this once and for good. It ate away at him. Adachi would likely be made an example of considering his affiliation with the police and who knew if this could happen again with this person on the loose?

As Shirogane pushed the topic of the trafficking ring, a gruff sound of annoyance came from the older detective. He knew it wasn’t that, most of them returned after their prolonged ‘two week’ vacation, “…Be straight with me here.” The last bit of beer was downed before the bottle was abandoned on the sofa’s arm rest. Dojima was quick to rise up to his feet to fetch another, “…When Yu went on about ‘personas’… I didn’t believe him. It sounded like some sort of drug trip or fantasy story he was coming up for class.”

The next bottle was cracked open and he wandered back to the table where a number of files sat. A number of them didn’t make much sense as they were all fragments of photos, articles and formal reports. Though he did find himself grabbing at one slip of paper where a rather crudely drawn golden dragon sat upon it, “…I’ve done background checks left and right on this ‘Teddie’ guy… and between his slip ups and Amagi’s… Even Nanako has said a few things-” He dropped the paper down for Naoto to see. It was obviously the persona Kohryu that Yu had managed to summon, “…It all leads back to this ‘midnight channel’.”

Another long swig was taken before a heavy hand leaned on the table’s surface. “I need to know. I need to know the truth behind this.” To think every time his daughter dragged him to Junes, he would find himself in the electronics section, staring down the television that had yet been removed. There was no need, as far as the regular world was concerned, it wasn’t ‘evidence’.

Naoto avoided Dojima's gaze, looking instead at the living room floor. She could tell Dojima that the gas station attendant had been taken care of and take a weight off his shoulders concerning Adachi's case, but simultaneously incriminate herself as having something to do with them. Or let him cling onto this forever. Judging by how easily his drinking was going, maybe this wasn't healthy for him.

She glanced to the door. Was Nanako ever going to come home? Dojima then joined her at the table and she looked back up, at the files. She picked up the drawing of the dragon, mind racing.

"A golden dragon? Where'd this come from?" She set the nearly-empty cup down on the table, picking through some of the files - acting calm and nonchalant in the face of Dojima's clearly mounting agitation.

"Yes, and Yu took care to explain the Midnight Channel to you, didn't he? I could repeat what he said, and I doubt you'd be any more inclined to believe it."

#ic #Naoto #( sorry so slow dfjsdgf )

Two minds alike

“Temporary…” He muttered while the bottle swirled gingerly in his hand, “I guess it would depend on what you would call temporary. They were working there little over a year. I’d say that’s more than a season position.” His grip tightened ever so slightly along the neck. They were all by passing his inquiries as if it were a childish oversight. The rage boiled within but the older man withheld his displeasure. He had years of practice by now to not show the emotion he felt, “…It’s more than loose ends. My whole town was spun on it’s head and people got sick, hurt, others died.” Dojima picked himself up and leaned over his knees, taking his thoughts and eyesight to the floor below.

“…Were you happy to put it to rest after we dragged in Kubo and you were taken off the case?” No, he didn’t think so. Shirogane went about in acting restless and even did as much to get themselves kidnapped. All he knew was that she had disappeared, but lo and behold she emerged with Yu and the others and proceeded towards this ‘truth’ they all whispered about.

His brows kinked heavily as his annoyance boiled over him, “I’m missing that one piece and the rest of your are hiding it. I can’t tell if you’re all a bunch of lunatics are apart of some sort of trafficking ring.” His head dipped further, “…I even had him try that ‘putting his hand in the tv’ thing. Nothing.” The older detective shook his head, “I mean… why would it work?”

Naoto hid her cringing behind the lip of the coffee cup, pondering any answer she could give carefully before setting it back down. She had grown accustomed to thinking of Yu as a leader, and it felt odd to be thinking about this case without consulting him on what he wanted to do.

"No. Because I knew there was more to it." She knew Dojima felt the same about this particular case. But she had to stop herself from almost rolling her eyes at the accusation that it was a trafficking ring, of all things, an accusation she'd heard tossed around before.

"Trafficking ring? In Inaba? You would think we'd choose a better market than a small town." Her eyes flickered to the television.

".... why would it work, indeed."

#ic #Naoto #being sooooooo difficult

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