[Oh, he can read between the lines all right. Considering what happened the last time they spoke, there's no question as to why Atsushi would get something like this for Ranpo.]
[Even with everyone back home, he still managed to die. So this is an insurance policy-- so it doesn't happen again. He's touched, really, even if his smile looks a bit sad.]
[He picks up the barrierette and looks it over, before smoothing a bit of his hair down and pinning it in.]
...hmm, what do you think? Maybe it'd still work if I pinned it to my hat instead?
[...Alright, now Atsushi's lips are quirking up a bit more at one corner, amusement sparkling in his eyes as Ranpo shows off the barrette. It was certainly... cute. A bit silly looking though, with how fluffy his hair was.]
Well, I'd say you're always pretty cute... But it'd probably look better if you pinned it to your hat, yes.
[Yep, even his tone is amused. But he's terribly glad that Ranpo didn't seem to take offense to the gift.]
[wait what excuse. Don't do this to him, Ranpo. A double whammy of being called cute and suggesting he's going to buy him a gift? Rude, now he's blushing.]
Ah... y-you don't have to do that! I did buy it for you without asking, and um... A gift isn't something you have to repay, is it?
[THERE SEE HOW YOU LIKE IT-- oh heck now they're both just sitting here blushing.]
Well, no... if you had to repay every gift with a gift, you'd get stuck in an infinite gift-giving loop.
But I want to do something for you, too. [And as if he wasn't already blushing enough, his cheeks dust a bit more as he looks a bit sheepish.] ...you've been a big help to me ever since I arrived. And I want to make sure you know just how much I appreciate it-- and you.
Ranpo's words are really not helping that blush, either. Atsushi is just sorta comically sitting there with a chicken skewer held inches from his face, forgotten in the face of Ranpo's words.
He... appreciated him? The statement sends a rush of warmth through him for a moment, and Atsushi looks downright flustered as he tries to come up with a response to that.]
But I-I wanted to help you. You're my friend... and I appreciate you just as much, Ranpo-san!
I know all that! And it's true for me too-- but you're missing the point!
[Does he even have a point? Sorta. It's a thought he had back then, after that game ended and he held Atsushi in his arms, trying in vain to comfort him. Atsushi's done so much more Ranpo since he arrived-- but what has he done for Atsushi? Without the ADA around, it's not so clear what he's doing, if anything, for the people he cares about.]
Because of all that... I want to do more for you. I just don't know what yet.
[Atsushi was right in pointing out that he clearly needed to be doing something. And if not a new job-- then he just had to find something else.]
[Atsushi doesn't really think about it in such lines of thought. Mostly because he wouldn't be as happy as he is now without Ranpo and everyone else at the agency. They truly were the most important people in his life, bar none.
Is it even possible to repay that sort of thing? He isn't sure. But he wants to be there for Ranpo more than ever now, knowing what he knows.
He doesn't what to think about the fact that if he goes home, there might not be a next time.]
You really don't have to, Ranpo-san... I-I'm just happy that you're here.
[He pauses, hesitating a long moment. It might be wrong of him to request as much, but...]
...But maybe, if you want to do something for me... you could try not to spend all day in bed? Do something for yourself.
[A hobby, a job, whatever it is-- he knows Ranpo needs something, has always needed something.]
It's not Poe-san's writing, but the bookstore I work at has a mystery section! I could bring you some.
[But also-- he leans up and reaches out over the table, and flicks Atsushi on the forehead.]
Look-- I don't make a habit of this. Do you really think I could get away with sulking in bed for days on end when I live with Yosano-san? I'm out almost every day, you know-- this world has too much to see and do to waste my days sitting around! I even learned how to ride the trains all by myself so I could see all of it!
[...]
But... you know I eventually lost that game, right? And spent a few days as a ghost. It was...
[He pauses, forcing his face into a smile for a few seconds before dropping it, as if remembering he doesn't have to do that around Atsushi anymore.]
...it was the most frightening thing I've ever experienced. I thought I was going to stay that way forever. And all things considered, it wasn't exactly good timing. And I only actually came back the day before last.
So just-- let me sulk about it right now! You said to do something for myself, and letting myself actually deal with this instead of pretending it's fine is doing something!
[And then, sitting back in his seat, mumbling:]
Even if that something is just... sitting around sulking until your friends notice.
[Oh.... oh. That flick gets a tiny jump and a widening of eyes.
Atsushi listens as he speaks, and feels bad as he continues. Of course being a ghost would be upsetting for Ranpo, especially considering what had happened. Of course he just needed time to deal with it, to process and relax. He shouldn't be prodding him like this for taking care of himself.
Honestly, it's probably a healthier way of dealing than some of them had, all things considered.]
[...Okay, that gets a bigger smile out of him. Which is probably a little mean, but Ranpo looks so cute--
He quickly remedies the problem however, by getting up and tugging his chair with him so he can sit right next to Ranpo, wrapping his arms around him in a big hug. Now he can hug him as long as he likes!
It's good that Ranpo is just a bit smaller than him, he fits nicely in his arms.]
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[Even with everyone back home, he still managed to die. So this is an insurance policy-- so it doesn't happen again. He's touched, really, even if his smile looks a bit sad.]
[He picks up the barrierette and looks it over, before smoothing a bit of his hair down and pinning it in.]
...hmm, what do you think? Maybe it'd still work if I pinned it to my hat instead?
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Well, I'd say you're always pretty cute... But it'd probably look better if you pinned it to your hat, yes.
[Yep, even his tone is amused. But he's terribly glad that Ranpo didn't seem to take offense to the gift.]
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[No matter how many times he's called cute, he'll never get used to it -- his face is already turning red.]
Besides, you're the cute one, buying me something like this... now I have to find a way to return the favor!
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[wait what excuse. Don't do this to him, Ranpo. A double whammy of being called cute and suggesting he's going to buy him a gift? Rude, now he's blushing.]
Ah... y-you don't have to do that! I did buy it for you without asking, and um... A gift isn't something you have to repay, is it?
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Well, no... if you had to repay every gift with a gift, you'd get stuck in an infinite gift-giving loop.
But I want to do something for you, too. [And as if he wasn't already blushing enough, his cheeks dust a bit more as he looks a bit sheepish.] ...you've been a big help to me ever since I arrived. And I want to make sure you know just how much I appreciate it-- and you.
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Ranpo's words are really not helping that blush, either. Atsushi is just sorta comically sitting there with a chicken skewer held inches from his face, forgotten in the face of Ranpo's words.
He... appreciated him? The statement sends a rush of warmth through him for a moment, and Atsushi looks downright flustered as he tries to come up with a response to that.]
But I-I wanted to help you. You're my friend... and I appreciate you just as much, Ranpo-san!
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[Does he even have a point? Sorta. It's a thought he had back then, after that game ended and he held Atsushi in his arms, trying in vain to comfort him. Atsushi's done so much more Ranpo since he arrived-- but what has he done for Atsushi? Without the ADA around, it's not so clear what he's doing, if anything, for the people he cares about.]
Because of all that... I want to do more for you. I just don't know what yet.
[Atsushi was right in pointing out that he clearly needed to be doing something. And if not a new job-- then he just had to find something else.]
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Is it even possible to repay that sort of thing? He isn't sure. But he wants to be there for Ranpo more than ever now, knowing what he knows.
He doesn't what to think about the fact that if he goes home, there might not be a next time.]
You really don't have to, Ranpo-san... I-I'm just happy that you're here.
[He pauses, hesitating a long moment. It might be wrong of him to request as much, but...]
...But maybe, if you want to do something for me... you could try not to spend all day in bed? Do something for yourself.
[A hobby, a job, whatever it is-- he knows Ranpo needs something, has always needed something.]
It's not Poe-san's writing, but the bookstore I work at has a mystery section! I could bring you some.
1/3
[He's touched, really.]
[But also-- he leans up and reaches out over the table, and flicks Atsushi on the forehead.]
Look-- I don't make a habit of this. Do you really think I could get away with sulking in bed for days on end when I live with Yosano-san? I'm out almost every day, you know-- this world has too much to see and do to waste my days sitting around! I even learned how to ride the trains all by myself so I could see all of it!
[...]
But... you know I eventually lost that game, right? And spent a few days as a ghost. It was...
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...it was the most frightening thing I've ever experienced. I thought I was going to stay that way forever. And all things considered, it wasn't exactly good timing. And I only actually came back the day before last.
[...]
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So just-- let me sulk about it right now! You said to do something for myself, and letting myself actually deal with this instead of pretending it's fine is doing something!
[And then, sitting back in his seat, mumbling:]
Even if that something is just... sitting around sulking until your friends notice.
1/2
Atsushi listens as he speaks, and feels bad as he continues. Of course being a ghost would be upsetting for Ranpo, especially considering what had happened. Of course he just needed time to deal with it, to process and relax. He shouldn't be prodding him like this for taking care of himself.
Honestly, it's probably a healthier way of dealing than some of them had, all things considered.]2/2
Well, he'd always had slightly better hearing than most, even without activating his ability.
He... wanted them to notice?
....He wanted to be comforted.]
....You know... you could have just said that last bit from the start.
[He smiles softly, sheepishly.]
I'm sorry for pressuring you, though. I was just worried about you.
1/2
[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
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[HE'S BAD AT THIS]
[BUT HE WANTS COMFORT]
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He quickly remedies the problem however, by getting up and tugging his chair with him so he can sit right next to Ranpo, wrapping his arms around him in a big hug. Now he can hug him as long as he likes!
It's good that Ranpo is just a bit smaller than him, he fits nicely in his arms.]
Nope, I think I got the message.
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...thank you.