014 | Double Bass

[mortal_son]

Who: Shinjiro and Akihiko
Where: Genessia City, at their apartment
When: late night 11/05/2017
What: holy crap a lot happened on that Sunday, Shinjiro can't quite process
Warnings: strong language, probably a bit of impostor syndrome, insecurity, getting punched in the face for being dumb



It was almost, but not quite, midnight when Shinjiro finally stumbled back to his apartment. The key took a minute to actually fit in the lock. Damn it, he was tired.

And his mind was spinning.

Between getting bought at that date auction - because, what - and then finding out that he somehow became the co-owner to one of the best bakeries he's had a chance to -

- all right maybe the second part was throwing him more than the first one was.

Orihime did a good job. A really damn good job. The menu was great, the decor was great, she found all of these great games for guests to play, she helped out great with all the new people, and. And he. Well. He.

It was one thing when he was helping her out temporarily.

Now? Now, surely the whole business was going to fall down around their ears.

Good things didn't happen to him, not without a catch.

Finally he got the door open, and after latching it behind him, found the nearest wall and banged his head against it.

Comments

[southpaw_senpai]

"It also means you'll have someone watching your back when the going gets tough."

Always the pessimist. "Ever consider you're finding more of us 'crazy idiots' that believe in you because there's something worth believing in? Shinji, you kept me going after losing Miki, you had my back every time I got in over my head. You were the rock I needed to keep myself from giving up. You're so much stronger, smarter, and talented than you give yourself credit for, and I get everyone is their own worth critics, but I don't get why you can't see why we believe in you. You're worth it, Shinji."

[mortal_son]

Always the optimist.

"Tch. You're worth all that, Aki, and then some. What was I gonna do - you ... you both were just as much family to me, y'know."

His eyes burned just a little, but there wasn't any moisture, so Shinjiro was still in the clear. "All this sappy shit ..."

Shinjiro looked at his friend, that confidence for him almost literally shining out of his face - and. Well. He had to give in.

This is why he largely avoided him, except for meals to check up now and then, and visiting while the idiot landed himself in the hospital - which happened too damn often - during those two years outside of SEES.

"... I already said I wouldn't let 'er down," Shinjiro agreed, grudgingly. "Maybe I won't end up bein a liar, either."

[southpaw_senpai]

Akihiko just grinned, standing and heading for the refrigerator now that he's hungry. On his way he reaches over and ruffles Shinji's hair.

"I know you won't. You're far more capable than you know. You just gotta open up your eyes and take a look in the mirror."

[mortal_son]

"Yeah, sure." His tone was sarcastic, but he was actually touched. Shinjiro closed his eyes, didn't think about how little he'd liked looking in that mirror. Hadn't liked anything he saw there - not for a long time.

Things might be slowly changing, now.