[Shuichi sighs as it becomes clear that he's not going anywhere until Kokichi wakes up. Alright. Guess he's just...going to lay here and wait for that. Kokichi may be a troublesome gremlin when he's awake, but he looks so peaceful and innocent like this...Shuichi just doesn't have it in him to wake him up. It's not like this is an emergency, he's just not sure what's going on and some answers would be nice.]
[The other boy must have had a nightmare, but if that's the case...where's Kaede? Why wouldn't he wake her up first and then bring her with him? He likes being sandwiched between them, doesn't he? Hmm...]
[That's the question, isn't it? Especially since, before now, he's never invaded Shuichi's bed when he's broken into his cabin. Sure, who knows how long he's ever been there, but it's likely always been long enough that he could have snuggled under his covers too if he wanted.
Luckily Shuichi won't be trapped there for too long. Kokichi is both a light sleeper as well as one that doesn't sleep for long periods of time usually. The detective trying to pull away had sort of kicked him into the slow, slow process of waking up, and it's maybe half an hour later that he seems to stir. He shifts a little with a sleepy sound and a few moments later his eyes crack open. Barely, the boy blinking a few times to start really waking up...the usual morning process with him.
Though this time around, he's much quicker to actually start moving. Usually the most he'll do is allow people to come and go from the bed, maybe reaching for them when they get done with their morning business and are close enough to try and pull them back under the covers, but for the most part he just lazes around while he wakes up.
After only half a minute of the sleepy blinking however, his eyes snap open as he inhales sharply as if waking up from a nightmare. His gaze darts around to take note of his location before settling on Shuichi's face, fingers tightening their grip on his shirt.]
[Half an hour gives him enough time to try and puzzle this all out. It's not like he has anything else to do, may as well try to figure things out on his own, right? Those Super High School Level Detective instincts never sleep.]
[There was nothing stopping him from waking Kaede up. Sure, he can't get into her room, but she's not as heavy of a sleeper as Shuichi is. If he'd knocked on her door loud enough, she would have woken up. And he's fairly sure the leader would have no qualms whatsoever with doing something like that, even if it was the middle of the night and therefore kinda rude to go banging on people's doors.]
[So since Kaede isn't here, Shuichi can only assume that was intentional. Kokichi chose not to wake her up, because...]
[Because...]
[Because she would have asked questions? Yeah...yeah, she would definitely try and make him talk about it, he had gone to her first. He probably didn't want to deal with that, which means...oh.]
[Oh.]
[Sure, Kokichi wouldn't want to talk about any of his nightmares, and he could have always lied his way around Kaede's questions, but...she's an unpredictable force of nature. There's always a slim chance she could have forced him to talk about it somehow. He must have wanted to avoid that at all costs, which means his nightmare must have been something really bad. Something that he wouldn't want Kaede to know, but something he felt safe going to Shuichi about.]
[And there's only one thing Shuichi can think of that fits that description: The Gore Square Encounter.]
[Yeah...that had definitely disturbed Kokichi and messed him up, enough that the memory of it could send him running to a friend for comfort like a frightened child. It might even explain why he's attached himself to the detective like a baby koala, as opposed to just curling up at his side.]
[Yeah...that must be what happened. It's the only theory that makes any sense to Shuichi. And it just makes him all the more determined to wait patiently for Kokichi to wake up on his own.]
A-ah! [...though, when he finally does, he manages to startle Shuichi in the process. He'd been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't realized what Kokichi's shifting meant. He hadn't noticed the leader's eyes start to open, had completely missed the sleepy blinking...it's the sharp inhale that finally gets his attention, jolting him out of his musings.] Um...y-yeah, it's me, Oma-kun.
[There are a few tenses moments more that he continues to stare at him, as if he's expecting him to not actually be real, or he expects Shuichi to do something unpleasant. But soon that tension melts away, eyelids heavy and drooping pretty quickly afterward again as he goes to press his cheek against him once more with a relieved whimper.
Yeah. Definitely a nightmare he doesn't want Kaede asking questions about. Technically one he didn't want Shuichi asking questions about either, but then again here he is. Running to him like a frightened child. He's trembling some, though it's difficult to tell if it's from relief or lingering paranoia and fear.]
[Ah...he had another one, didn't he? He must have, with that kind of reaction. Shuichi shifts a little, bringing his hand up to pat the top of Kokichi's head in what he hopes is a comforting way, rather than a patronizing one.]
[Yeah, his actions are comparable to a child's right now but...Shuichi can't really see Kokichi himself as childish, not over something like this.]
[Though that will definitely change once he bounces back from this and starts acting like his usual, fun-loving self. But being frightened by nightmares and seeking out physical comfort like this, after the things he's been through-- the things they've all been through-- there's nothing childish about that.]
You can go back to sleep, if you want. Sorry if I woke you up...
[It's very comforting, honestly, helping the last of the tension drain out of his muscles completely. He relaxes easily now, even the trembling slowing to a stop as his hands move to find better places to hold onto him by, his body shifting a little so he can curl up more into the other boy. Relying on him like a shelter from a storm.]
...d'dn't wake m'up...
[His voice is very soft when he replies, words a little slurred in his grogginess. For a moment he seems to do as suggested, silent with his eyes closed, breathing gentle and even...but then he speaks up again.]
Is that really okay...? Sleeping a li'l longer like this...?
Mm, it's okay. [It's not like he has anywhere to be today. Or tomorrow. Or any other day in the future, really. Their lives are pretty much all free time here, after all. He didn't have any concrete plans with Kaede today, and she's the only other person Shuichi spends time with, so...] Go back to sleep.
[Just going to go out on a limb here and assume Kokichi probably needs it. Why are your sleeping habits so terrible, Kokichi?]
[That's a good question, but he's definitely correct in his assumption. There's a tired but grateful sigh and a little nod from the smaller boy.]
Thanks...just a li'l longer then...
[He won't keep you in bed all day. Or at least he won't sleep the whole time if he does, anyway. But the idea of a little more sleep is too enticing to pass up, especially when it can be done curled up with the detective like this. Just let him sleep a little bit longer in the comfortable warmth of another person...hope you don't have to pee for another hour or so though, Shuichi. He's definitely back in baby koala mode once he's passed back out...]
[Okay, well...he just woke up so, yes, he actually does have to pee, but...it's fine. This is fine. He can wait until Kokichi wakes back up. He knows he won't sleep the whole day on his own because, again, the leader's sleeping habits are complete shit.]
[So he'll just...patiently wait this nap out. Kind of doze off himself a few times...though never for more than a few minutes...]
[It's true. It's surprising he took the offer to sleep longer, honestly, and an hour later his eyes are fluttering open again. He yawns, lets go of Shuichi to stretch his arms over his head before snaking them back around the detective. He doesn't close his eyes again though, instead glancing up at his friend. So is this one of those minutes where he's dozing or is he awake?]
[It WAS a dozing moment...until Kokichi woke up and started moving. Dozing and sleeping are two very different things, and while he's a heavy sleeper, Shuichi dozes off like any normal person.]
[So by the time Kokichi is glancing up at him, he's rubbing his eyes as best he can with his one truly free hand.]
Good morning, Oma-kun. [Again. For real this time.]
[There's a little hesitation at first, almost as if he's about to be his usual stubborn self about letting them just get up and leave first thing after he wakes up, but Kokichi relents fairly easily after that small pause. He grips the blanket a little instead, keeping his eyes on the detective.]
[Knowing full well what that pause and that look mean, Shuichi does his best not to keep the other boy waiting. He just slides out of bed and disappears into the bathroom for a few minutes to pee, wash his hands and face, and brush his teeth as long as here's there. May as well.]
[And then, sure enough, he comes right back. Kokichi's trust was well placed, as usual. Because when does Shuichi NOT come right back in instances like these? Never, that's when.]
[Ugh. This is why you're such a good friend, Shuichi.
Kokichi's eyes light up when the detective exits the bathroom once more and, continuing the trend of doing childish things, both of his hands peek out from under the blanket. They're reaching for Shuichi, fingers curling and uncurling in a grabbing manner. Come back to bed!! Curl up under the blankets with him again!]
[Yup, there it is. Kokichi's inner child making an appearance, exactly as Shuichi expected.]
[Okay, NOW he thinks you're kind of childish, friend. Grabby hands? Really? How old are you?]
[Shuichi sighs and shakes his head,slipping back under the blankets but not actually laying down. Instead, he sits down, resting his back against the headboard.]
[Yes really. What's wrong with grabby hands? Sitting up and leaning against the headboard doesn't seem to be a bother, as Kokichi just migrates to flop into his lap a little, resting his chest across most of it with his arms crossed in front of him, giving him somewhere to put his head. At first he hums a little in response, the tone sounding somewhat cheery.]
Not really. [Ah, so the cheery tone and generally upbeat attitude is just an act then.] It's more like I don't feel like being upset about it or anything, so I'm refusing to let myself be upset~ Oh, but don't worry. Waking up next to you did at least calm my nerves a little.
[What are you, a cat? A kitten? Between this and the way he couldn't move earlier, he's really beginning to wonder if Kokichi isn't part cat. Nekokichi.]
Oh. Well...I'm glad to hear that helped, at least. Um...do you want to talk about it? Your nightmare, I mean?
[Not said with a whole lot of conviction because he's pretty sure the answer is going to be "no".]
[Just on the very slim chance that he DID want to talk about it. Apparently this isn't a problem, though, because Shuichi isn't going to push it. If he doesn't want to talk about it, then he's not going to. Even if he pushed, he's sure it wouldn't make a difference. Kokichi would probably just lie to get him off his back.]
[He's not nearly sleep deprived enough for Shuichi to be able to force the truth out of him.]
Can I at least ask...why just me? I thought you preferred having both Akamatsu-san and myself around for situations like this. Why didn't you wake her up first?
Mmm... [He turns over, laying on his side rather than his chest across Shuichi's lap. Not really so that he can look at the other boy, since he just kind of focuses off at some other part of his cabin, but he does steal a glance at him as he starts talking.]
I guess I can answer that at least. I like cuddling with both of you, but sometimes I'd prefer to cuddle with one of you over the other, depending on the situation. Akamatsu-chan...she wants to talk about these things. She wants to help, and it's nice, but I don't want to talk about some of them. Sometimes all I want is to be cuddled and to feel safe and get over it that way instead.
[So Shuichi's guess was correct, though he has the nightmare wrong.]
Though most of the time when I feel that way I just sit at home and deal with it instead. [This is the first time he's snuck into bed with him over a nightmare.] But that's why it's nice to go to you alone...you won't push unless you think you can actually get me to talk, and even if you did manage I'd at least have the comfort of knowing I wasn't disturbing Akamatsu-chan with it... She says she can handle nightmares about the trials and executions and stuff, just because she saw them in those ornaments, but...these are different. And...well. Admittedly, of the two of you, I kind of feel safer with you. No offense to Akamatsu-chan, but I know you better than I do her still.
[And now he shifts onto his back, looking up at Shuichi.]
Likewise, there are nightmares I don't really want to talk to you about. Not that I don't trust you with those too but you just don't need to hear about them. So I'd feel more comfortable going to just Akamatsu-chan with them...and those ones I do want to talk about usually...
[He thinks about this a little more, humming to himself.]
Taha~! Actually, thinking about it now, I really only like cuddling with you guys together when I'm trying to avoid nightmares all together! I never have them when I'm with you both, so that's more like...prevention~
[Shuichi listens quietly, keeping his eyes on Kokichi for the entire explanation as the boy shifts around in his lap.]
[He feels safer with him? More comfortable, he'd understand, but safer? It's kind of hard to believe...Shuichi just isn't the sort of person who inspires a feeling of safety. Outside of murder trials, that is. He's not like Kaito, Gonta, Tenko, or Maki...hell, even Ryoma and Kirumi manage to have more of a protective presence than Shuichi.]
Really? Never?
[Hey let's talk about that last part, instead, huh?]
[Safer. And he'd feel safer with you than any of those others as well.
...though that's not saying much for Maki, but still.]
Yeah, never! I mean, you guys are the SHSL Hypnotists, so that's not really surprising~
[But of course that's a lie. He glances away, just a little smile playing at his lips.]
...I told you this once already, but I'm really not used to being alone. Even having one person around is nice, and it's really comforting. It's not always enough to keep me from having nightmares, but I have them a whole lot less. Like...a lot, a lot. And so when both of you are around, they just...never happen. It feels a lot more like home. I mean, it's not like you can feel all nine people in a big cuddle pile, no matter where you're sleeping, right? Having one of you on each side though...that's close enough. And that...makes it nice enough that I can just stop thinking for a while. Like really stop.
[After all of that, he gives Shuichi abroad grin again, laughing all of that off as easily as always.]
I'm an attention whore, basically! Which I'm sure anyone with eyes could have guessed.
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diffidentive) wrote2017-11-13 11:58 am
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[The other boy must have had a nightmare, but if that's the case...where's Kaede? Why wouldn't he wake her up first and then bring her with him? He likes being sandwiched between them, doesn't he? Hmm...]
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Luckily Shuichi won't be trapped there for too long. Kokichi is both a light sleeper as well as one that doesn't sleep for long periods of time usually. The detective trying to pull away had sort of kicked him into the slow, slow process of waking up, and it's maybe half an hour later that he seems to stir. He shifts a little with a sleepy sound and a few moments later his eyes crack open. Barely, the boy blinking a few times to start really waking up...the usual morning process with him.
Though this time around, he's much quicker to actually start moving. Usually the most he'll do is allow people to come and go from the bed, maybe reaching for them when they get done with their morning business and are close enough to try and pull them back under the covers, but for the most part he just lazes around while he wakes up.
After only half a minute of the sleepy blinking however, his eyes snap open as he inhales sharply as if waking up from a nightmare. His gaze darts around to take note of his location before settling on Shuichi's face, fingers tightening their grip on his shirt.]
...Saih'ra-ch'n...?
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[There was nothing stopping him from waking Kaede up. Sure, he can't get into her room, but she's not as heavy of a sleeper as Shuichi is. If he'd knocked on her door loud enough, she would have woken up. And he's fairly sure the leader would have no qualms whatsoever with doing something like that, even if it was the middle of the night and therefore kinda rude to go banging on people's doors.]
[So since Kaede isn't here, Shuichi can only assume that was intentional. Kokichi chose not to wake her up, because...]
[Because...]
[Because she would have asked questions? Yeah...yeah, she would definitely try and make him talk about it, he had gone to her first. He probably didn't want to deal with that, which means...oh.]
[Oh.]
[Sure, Kokichi wouldn't want to talk about any of his nightmares, and he could have always lied his way around Kaede's questions, but...she's an unpredictable force of nature. There's always a slim chance she could have forced him to talk about it somehow. He must have wanted to avoid that at all costs, which means his nightmare must have been something really bad. Something that he wouldn't want Kaede to know, but something he felt safe going to Shuichi about.]
[And there's only one thing Shuichi can think of that fits that description: The Gore Square Encounter.]
[Yeah...that had definitely disturbed Kokichi and messed him up, enough that the memory of it could send him running to a friend for comfort like a frightened child. It might even explain why he's attached himself to the detective like a baby koala, as opposed to just curling up at his side.]
[Yeah...that must be what happened. It's the only theory that makes any sense to Shuichi. And it just makes him all the more determined to wait patiently for Kokichi to wake up on his own.]
A-ah! [...though, when he finally does, he manages to startle Shuichi in the process. He'd been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't realized what Kokichi's shifting meant. He hadn't noticed the leader's eyes start to open, had completely missed the sleepy blinking...it's the sharp inhale that finally gets his attention, jolting him out of his musings.] Um...y-yeah, it's me, Oma-kun.
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Yeah. Definitely a nightmare he doesn't want Kaede asking questions about. Technically one he didn't want Shuichi asking questions about either, but then again here he is. Running to him like a frightened child. He's trembling some, though it's difficult to tell if it's from relief or lingering paranoia and fear.]
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[Yeah, his actions are comparable to a child's right now but...Shuichi can't really see Kokichi himself as childish, not over something like this.]
[Though that will definitely change once he bounces back from this and starts acting like his usual, fun-loving self. But being frightened by nightmares and seeking out physical comfort like this, after the things he's been through-- the things they've all been through-- there's nothing childish about that.]
You can go back to sleep, if you want. Sorry if I woke you up...
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...d'dn't wake m'up...
[His voice is very soft when he replies, words a little slurred in his grogginess. For a moment he seems to do as suggested, silent with his eyes closed, breathing gentle and even...but then he speaks up again.]
Is that really okay...? Sleeping a li'l longer like this...?
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[Just going to go out on a limb here and assume Kokichi probably needs it. Why are your sleeping habits so terrible, Kokichi?]
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Thanks...just a li'l longer then...
[He won't keep you in bed all day. Or at least he won't sleep the whole time if he does, anyway. But the idea of a little more sleep is too enticing to pass up, especially when it can be done curled up with the detective like this. Just let him sleep a little bit longer in the comfortable warmth of another person...hope you don't have to pee for another hour or so though, Shuichi. He's definitely back in baby koala mode once he's passed back out...]
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[So he'll just...patiently wait this nap out. Kind of doze off himself a few times...though never for more than a few minutes...]
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[So by the time Kokichi is glancing up at him, he's rubbing his eyes as best he can with his one truly free hand.]
Good morning, Oma-kun. [Again. For real this time.]
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For now, he just admires his face a little, a small and sweet smile finding its way to his mouth at the good morning.]
Morning, Saihara-chan.
[While not as quiet as it was earlier, his tone is still soft when he replies. A little sleepy still, but content and happy.]
Is it my turn to say sorry for waking you up?
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I never really fell back asleep, so...it's okay.
[He attempts to gently nudge the smaller boy into letting him go. Come on...stop being a koala for just a few minutes so he can go pee.]
Can you let me up for a minute, though?
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Sure.
[He's trusting you to come back, so you better!!]
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[Knowing full well what that pause and that look mean, Shuichi does his best not to keep the other boy waiting. He just slides out of bed and disappears into the bathroom for a few minutes to pee, wash his hands and face, and brush his teeth as long as here's there. May as well.]
[And then, sure enough, he comes right back. Kokichi's trust was well placed, as usual. Because when does Shuichi NOT come right back in instances like these? Never, that's when.]
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Kokichi's eyes light up when the detective exits the bathroom once more and, continuing the trend of doing childish things, both of his hands peek out from under the blanket. They're reaching for Shuichi, fingers curling and uncurling in a grabbing manner. Come back to bed!! Curl up under the blankets with him again!]
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[Okay, NOW he thinks you're kind of childish, friend. Grabby hands? Really? How old are you?]
[Shuichi sighs and shakes his head,slipping back under the blankets but not actually laying down. Instead, he sits down, resting his back against the headboard.]
Feeling better already?
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Not really. [Ah, so the cheery tone and generally upbeat attitude is just an act then.] It's more like I don't feel like being upset about it or anything, so I'm refusing to let myself be upset~ Oh, but don't worry. Waking up next to you did at least calm my nerves a little.
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Oh. Well...I'm glad to hear that helped, at least. Um...do you want to talk about it? Your nightmare, I mean?
[Not said with a whole lot of conviction because he's pretty sure the answer is going to be "no".]
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Sounds like you already know the answer to that.
[Yup. It's definitely a "no".]
That's probably selfish, since I bothered to come over and sleep with you over it, but...I'd just rather relax and forget it. Y'know?
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Thought I may as well ask anyway.
[Just on the very slim chance that he DID want to talk about it. Apparently this isn't a problem, though, because Shuichi isn't going to push it. If he doesn't want to talk about it, then he's not going to. Even if he pushed, he's sure it wouldn't make a difference. Kokichi would probably just lie to get him off his back.]
[He's not nearly sleep deprived enough for Shuichi to be able to force the truth out of him.]
Can I at least ask...why just me? I thought you preferred having both Akamatsu-san and myself around for situations like this. Why didn't you wake her up first?
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I guess I can answer that at least. I like cuddling with both of you, but sometimes I'd prefer to cuddle with one of you over the other, depending on the situation. Akamatsu-chan...she wants to talk about these things. She wants to help, and it's nice, but I don't want to talk about some of them. Sometimes all I want is to be cuddled and to feel safe and get over it that way instead.
[So Shuichi's guess was correct, though he has the nightmare wrong.]
Though most of the time when I feel that way I just sit at home and deal with it instead. [This is the first time he's snuck into bed with him over a nightmare.] But that's why it's nice to go to you alone...you won't push unless you think you can actually get me to talk, and even if you did manage I'd at least have the comfort of knowing I wasn't disturbing Akamatsu-chan with it... She says she can handle nightmares about the trials and executions and stuff, just because she saw them in those ornaments, but...these are different. And...well. Admittedly, of the two of you, I kind of feel safer with you. No offense to Akamatsu-chan, but I know you better than I do her still.
[And now he shifts onto his back, looking up at Shuichi.]
Likewise, there are nightmares I don't really want to talk to you about. Not that I don't trust you with those too but you just don't need to hear about them. So I'd feel more comfortable going to just Akamatsu-chan with them...and those ones I do want to talk about usually...
[He thinks about this a little more, humming to himself.]
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[He feels safer with him? More comfortable, he'd understand, but safer? It's kind of hard to believe...Shuichi just isn't the sort of person who inspires a feeling of safety. Outside of murder trials, that is. He's not like Kaito, Gonta, Tenko, or Maki...hell, even Ryoma and Kirumi manage to have more of a protective presence than Shuichi.]
Really? Never?
[Hey let's talk about that last part, instead, huh?]
1/3
...though that's not saying much for Maki, but still.]
Yeah, never! I mean, you guys are the SHSL Hypnotists, so that's not really surprising~
[But of course that's a lie. He glances away, just a little smile playing at his lips.]
...I told you this once already, but I'm really not used to being alone. Even having one person around is nice, and it's really comforting. It's not always enough to keep me from having nightmares, but I have them a whole lot less. Like...a lot, a lot. And so when both of you are around, they just...never happen. It feels a lot more like home. I mean, it's not like you can feel all nine people in a big cuddle pile, no matter where you're sleeping, right? Having one of you on each side though...that's close enough. And that...makes it nice enough that I can just stop thinking for a while. Like really stop.
[After all of that, he gives Shuichi abroad grin again, laughing all of that off as easily as always.]
I'm an attention whore, basically! Which I'm sure anyone with eyes could have guessed.
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