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“So this is where Arys works? How…quaint.”
The building that housed the so-called Armed Detective Agency was cozy looking, the atmosphere warm as she entered the cafe on the first floor. A young waitress greeted her as she entered, smiling apologetically as she did so.
“Oh, hello! I’m afraid we’re not quite opened yet, ma’am.”
Giving the woman a small polite smile, she gestured to the nearby stairs. “I’m here to visit the Armed Detective Agency. Are they in?”
The waitress nodded. “They are! You came at a great time, they’re all in today so they should be able to get to you pretty quickly. Just head up those stairs.”
Following the young woman’s words she headed up the stairs, easily finding the office due to the name written on the door. When she entered, she spotted her child immediately.
He had changed alot in his absence, and a pang shot through her at the bandages covering most of his visible skin, too reminiscent of the past.
Long mahogany hair had been cut short, reaching just above his shoulders in a messy array of loose curls, crimson-tinted cinnamon eyes closed as he hummed along to what he was listening to on his headset. He was thin, much thinner than he should be, his vision cleverly hidden on the underside of the blue gem on his tie.
Throughout the office, the other detectives’ attention locked onto her but she paid them no heed. Instead, she moved forward, gingerly reaching to remove her child's headset. He blocked her, eyes shooting open, only to freeze as they met her own.
“Arys,” She greeted, “it has been a while.”
“Father,” He replied, gaze going blank even as his expression remained friendly. “I see, so it's finally time.”
She blinked, a small frown making itself known as she took in the resignation and relief hidden behind the emptiness her child portrayed. She was missing something here.
“If you suspected I would come to retrieve you why did you not contact us? Why have you not been home?”
He matched her frown with one of his own, sitting up and gazing at her silently. Then a low incredulous laugh left him.
“Ah, so that's how it is.”
The Knave frowned. “Explain.”
He huffed, not the slightest put off by her brisk tone which sent alarm bells through her. Arys was the only other person who had been present when she’d faced off against the previous Knave. As such he’d always held a healthy, if not completely necessary, fear of angering her. Yet-
That slight smidge of fear was missing. Instead, he hummed, glancing subtly at his coworkers who were watching them with wide eyes.
“Perhaps that is a discussion we can have in a private place.”
“You shitty waste of bandages! Who is this? And why are you calling her Father?!” Yelled a blonde man and her gaze went cold. Arys seemed to sense her displeasure because he placed a hand on her arm, sending the other a bright (fake) smile.
“Maa, Kunikida-kun, if you give me a moment I can introduce you.”
The man nodded tersely, glowering at her son.
“Everyone, allow me to introduce my Father, Arlecchino. And before you ask, yes I did say, Father. It is what she prefers to be called.” He finished pointedly, and a younger detective with gray hair sheepishly put his hand down.
Another, older than the others, sat up in his chair at her name green eyes watching her cautiously.
“The Knave is your Father, Dazai?”
Her lips twitched. “You are aware of us? I was under the impression that your city didn’t concern itself with the affairs of the rest of the world. Let alone Teyvat.”
“I lived outside Yokohama briefly. I have only heard whispers. But you being Dazai’s father somehow makes sense.”
“Dazai? Is that the name you’ve chosen to go by now?”
He nodded. “Dazai Osamu.”
“I see. Come, we should “catch up” as they say. And you can tell me why you haven’t been home.”
He nodded once more, standing obediently and she couldn’t stop herself from pulling him into a hug despite herself.
“I am glad to see you well, Little Flame.”
He stiffened as if unused to touch then melted against her seeming so small even though he was much taller than her now.
“I missed you too, Father.”