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Jouno was nervous, today was the day he was finally going on a date with Kunikida. He was afraid that the spark that kept them retuning to the others bed would fizzle away and once again he would be alone. He shook his head trying to clear his mind, he wasn’t going to let his pessimistic thoughts ruin it this time. His phone jingled and he tapped his earring to start reading out the message.
SMS Received from Beautiful Hands – thirty seconds ago at 15:35
Jouno I’m sroot can we pleaee reassrgne
Jouno tapped on his earring to pause it, wondering why it was spelling out nonsensical words. He tapped his earring to start back up.
our dste I habe broken my glsses it woll be several days unroll my presxriptin is resdy o wss looking forward to ronigt depeet apologie Munikisa Doppo.
Jouno frowned at his phone, Kunikida usually texted in a clear and focused way, he didn’t think the man was capable of misspelling a word. Was Kunikida in trouble? The way Fukuchi spoke about Fukuzawa he was certain the Agency was skilled enough to save each other from any situation but what if? Jouno started pacing, was the message some sort of code for him to crack? Was he Kunikida’s last resort to save himself and the others from some improbably scenario only he and the Hunting Dogs could fix? He reached the door in his pacing and yanked it open. He needed help.
Tecchou jumped when the door to the break room slammed open.
“Jouno?”
“Why the hell are you in here? I’ve been to the meeting room, Fukuchi’s office, your bedroom, the bathroom. It’s not snack time!” Jouno paused gauging where Tecchou was in the room and stomped over to him.
“I…I’m sorry? What’s wrong?”
Jouno paused, suddenly realising he would have to explain things to Tecchou if he wanted his help.
“I had a strange text message.”
“I thought you had that fancy reader in your earring, Mr ‘I don’t need your help to use my phone anymore.’”
“Stop being irritating and read the damn message for me. Please.” Jouno held out his phone to Tecchou.
“Jouno I’m…” Tecchou squinted, “sorry.”
“Sorry? I thought you could read.” Jouno tsked and went to grab the phone back, but Tecchou blocked him. “I knew I should have asked someone else.”
“Hang on, that’s what it says, I’m just trying to read ahead so I can get the context right.”
“Fine, carry on.”
“Jouno I’m sorry, can we please rearrange our date. Oooh have a date have you? With this ‘Beautiful Hands’?” Tecchou teased.
“Shut up! Just finishing reading the message.” Jouno felt himself starting to relax, Kunikida wasn’t in danger, at least not yet.
“I have broken my glasses it will be several days until my prescription is ready. I was looking forward to tonight, deepest apologies, Munikisa Doppo. Munikisa? That’s an odd name.” Tecchou gave Jouno back his phone.
“Thank you.” He turned to leave before Tecchou could ask him anymore questions.
“So how long have you been dating that Agency member?”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s Kunikida, right? Fukuchi said he’s Fukuzawa-sans successor.”
“Don’t be silly, when would I have chance to meet an agency member? And I’m certain they hate us after that whole airport…kerfuffle.”
“Kerfuffle?”
“It’s a real word. Maybe use those working eyes of yours to read something more challenging than nursery rhymes and you’ll learn all these fancy words too.”
“So it’s definitely Kunikida. Not bad, he’s quite cute.” Tecchou paused, “Hang on, we took him prisoner, didn’t we? Ohhhh is that why you were so flustered after questioning him?”
“That’s none of your business.” Jouno could feel his face heating up. He had not behaved as a proper Hunting Dog that day and didn’t need Tecchou starting any rumours.
“So what are you going to do about this date?”
“I guess I’ll give him a call when his work day is done, and see when we can rearrange.”
“We have tomorrow off but you know we’re booked solid for the next three weeks after that, right?”
Jouno cursed under his breath.
“How about I drop you off at the Agency and you two go back to his? The Agency dorms are quite near their office and I know you can find your way around anywhere.”
“Why are you being helpful?”
“Can’t I just be nice?”
Jouno laughed, “Try again.”
“It’s rare you need help, maybe I want bribery for our next mission…” Tecchou paused, “Or maybe I’m just a romantic at heart, it’s rare to see you actually excited about another person in a non-torturey way.”
Jouno considered it for a moment, there was a nice takeout place between the Agency office and Kunikida’s place, and it wasn’t too long a walk.
“Fine, you won’t…”
“I won’t tell anyone, it’s our little secret, until you two are ready for it not to be.”
“Thank you.”
Jouno felt a little presumptuous with the backpack hidden under his cape, but Tecchou had insisted he be prepared for a sleepover and have an outfit that wasn’t his work clothes for the next day. He gently knocked, then opened the door to the Agency office when no one answered. The office was loud, between printers, scanners, people chatting and their breathing and their off rhythm heartbeats. Was that a cow mooing? Jouno took a deep breath as he was starting to feel overwhelmed. Why had he listened to Tecchou? He knew what hours Kunikida worked. He knew that Kunikida’s coworkers would also be in the building. He felt a hand on his arm.
“Atsushi-kun! I knew you’d look good in that cape.”
Jouno recognised that voice, he turned and grabbed the person’s arm.
“So eager to come back into custody are you Dazai?”
“Dazai-san I’m over here.” A grumpy voice sounded behind Jouno.
“Oh…” Dazai swiftly let go of Jouno’s arm. “Apologies.”
“Jouno? Is that you?”
There was a bang as Kunikida walked into the table and knocked over a chair.
“Yes. I umm…”
“He’s here to help Kunikida on a special mission!”
“What are you on about Ranpo?” Kunikida asked.
Ranpo? Jouno recognised the name from Fukichi’s late night rants about Fukuzawa and the weird little smart boy he’d taken in. He’d found it odd that a man who worked with Tecchou on a daily basis would call anyone else weird.
“Here’s your coat and bag Kunikida.” Ranpo continued. Jouno sensed someone near him.
“I’m going to put a hand on your arm, okay Mr Fancy Cape?”
“Fancy cape?” What was it with these people and his cape? He put out his arm for Ranpo to take and let the man lead him and Kunikida to the door. The office door shut behind them, and Jouno was pleased to finally have some quiet, although he could still hear a cow mooing.
“I want some nice sweeties for keeping this quiet, and none of that cheap stuff. I know you get paid well Mr Fancy Cape.”
“Sweeties?” Jouno frowned, “Are you five?”
Ranpo laughed, “Sweeties for my silence. Don’t want this five-year-old blabbing your secrets about town do you? I can be really loud when I want to.”
“Fine, I will sort the sweets by the end of the weekend. Does Kunikida have an address I can send them too?”
“Yes, and you don’t have to Jouno.” Kunikida replied.
“It’s fine.”
“Well, enjoy your date.” Ranpo replied and went back into the office.
“Didn’t you get my text?” Kunikida asked as the door closed behind Ranpo.
“I did, I had to get Tecchou to decipher it for me. This, turning up at your office was his idea.” Jouno sighed, “I don’t know why I listened to him.”
“I…don’t…” Kunikida trailed off in a mumble. Jouno noticed Kunikida’s heart rate picked up as he mumbled.
“What was that?” he took a step closer to Kunikida.
“I don’t mind that you did. It was nice seeing your blur in the office.”
“Oh.”
“Did you have a plan after coming here? I don’t think we’ll be able to stick to our original plan.”
“That’s fine. Let’s get out of here first.”
Jouno took Kunikida’s hand and led him towards the elevator, feeling the panel for the bumps that signified ‘down’. When the doors pinged open, they entered. Jouno went to the number panel on the right.
“What level can we get out on?”
“Level zero.”
Jouno trailed his hand down the panel, finding the zero and pressing it.
“Thanks, I think I’d still be trying to find the numbers.” Kunikida laughed.
“How bad is your eyesight?”
“I have astigmatism, so everything is very blurry. People I’m familiar with are a little more in focus, but anything with words and a lot of people and I’m useless.” He paused, “I have trained without my glasses, I used to be able to get around in rush hour without them on, but work got busy and I neglected my eye checkups and I lost or broke all my spares.” Kunikida sighed, “Once I get my new glasses and my eyes have adjusted, I’ll have to practice again.”
“Maybe if I’m free I can help you?”
“That sounds nice.” Kunikida smiled.
The elevator pinged and Jouno took Kunikida’s hand.
“For safety. Can’t have you wandering off on me.”
Kunikida nodded, then remembered Jouno wouldn’t see it. “Okay.”
Jouno took Kunikida’s hand, regretting the fact he still had his gloves on. He wished he could feel the softness of Kunikida’s hand next to his. He would have to wait until they got back to Kunikida’s.
“There’s a nice takeout place on the way back to your dorm. They’re one of the few places I’ve found that have a braille menu. I thought we could stop there, then go back to yours?”
“I’d like that.”
Kunikida was surprised at the speed Jouno managed despite his lack of sight. He’d never managed to navigate the busy streets of Yokohama so easily without his glasses on. Hell, he rarely managed this speed with his glasses on. Jouno expertly navigated them across several busy roads, and in and out of the takeout place without accident. They finally reached Kunikida’s dorm and as soon as the door shut behind them, Kunikida pulled Jouno in for a kiss.
“You are amazing.”
Jouno felt his face heating up. “All I did was walk you home.”
“Without accident and I got to hold your pretty hand the whole time.” Kunikida replied as he made his way towards the kitchen. He set the bag of food down on the table and went over to the cabinets, pulling out two plates. He finished setting the table, then grabbed two canned drinks from the fridge.
“Take a seat.” He instructed, pulling out a chair for Jouno to sit down.
“You seem more relaxed now.” Jouno remarked as they started to eat.
“Unless Dazai’s been in one of his irritating tidying moods, my home rarely changes, I know where everything is.”
“I guess that makes sense, I’m always more at ease in my room at the Hunting Dogs headquarters.”
“If I need to move or rearrange anything to make it easier so you can be at ease here too, let me know.”
“No, it’s fine. You think in a very logical way, I should be okay. Thank you.”
“Tell me if it changes.”
“I will.” Jouno paused. "By the way, when I was at your office, I kept hearing a cow mooing?"
"Oh that"s Hanako II. There was a bit of misunderstanding and the President hasn"t been able to get Kenji to take it home with him yet, so it"s living on the roof for now."
“That"s umm different." Jouno laughed "What would you like to do tonight?”
“I know we had a movie planned but my TV is broken.” Kunikida paused, “How about I put an audiobook on and we just relax. I know you said you’ve got a busy few weeks coming up.”
“That sounds nice.” Jouno smiled.
They cleaned up together and then settled on the settee. As Jouno relaxed into Kunikida’s arms, a blanket around them, and the audiobook for Howls Moving Castle playing in the background, he felt strangely content. Every now and then Kunikida placed light kisses on his cheek and neck, soft, affectionate gestures that Jouno found strange but perfect. He’d never had a partner so willing just to relax in companiable silence, he never wanted it to end. He closed his eyes, imagining a thousand and more nights like this with Kunikida. He felt a strange fluttering in his chest, it wasn’t fear, could it be…love?