(no subject)

[orenosei]

doppo is like a cat under the stairs
you just gotta coax him out



and jakurai is really good at that.

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[orenosei]

[The progression is slow. Still slow. Doppo is still nervous to take up too many places in Jakurai's home. But he'll do it when he's completely sure the other man is settled.

It's a Saturday night, one of Hifumi's bigger nights at the host club, he was lonely, and longing for company (for once) is what brought him to shuffle into Jakurai's apartment at some weirdly late hour of the night.]

I'm home.

[He's tired, and that just sort of slipped. He realizes it quickly. Maybe Sensei wasn't even here.] -- ah, I mean. I'm here. I'm here, Sensei. I brought some take out.

[medicative]

Welcome home.

[Jakurai responds to the first way of speaking - because he isn't going to make Doppo apologize for feeling familiar. not in this space, which doesn't have the distance of the clinic. though his apartment is as tidy as one would expect from a doctor, there's a quality that makes it feel lived in, and Jakurai stands from where he'd been reading on the couch.]

You didn't have to do that, Doppo-kun. But I thank you all the same.

[which is why he's coming over to take whatever Doppo's carrying, or his coat. whatever he'll allow. it's about being comfortable, he's stressed before - about simply giving himself permission to exist.]

[orenosei]

[Some part of him is really appreciative that Jakurai is like this. Familiar but not pushy. Doppo allows him to take the food from him, and he will hang up his coat on the peg he always hangs it on.

It really is late, why is Sensei even awake? Why is he even awake?]

Coming over without something in hand seemed a little rude. It isn't much. Just some containers of soup from the place down the street from here. It's cold after all.

[Can Jakurai even tell he's lonely? That he came here because he was tired of staring at a wall when he COULD be staring at something much nicer?]

[medicative]

Let me make tea, then, for the both of us.

[there's a way he says things sometimes that still sound like doctor's orders - but he couples them with a smile, to make it less authoritative. he also gestures Doppo into the living room, where the sofa he'd been sitting on has a blanket that can help warm him up while Jakurai lets the water boil.

he can read the loneliness like an illness, knows the lines between solitude and an absence. and if Doppo was to come over, even if he brought nothing but himself, then it is Jakurai's responsibility (and, he'll admit, something of a fondness) to take care of it. the key Doppo has is meant to be used, the same way anything else is.

tea is fast, and if Doppo's hungry, then they can go to the soup, but first things first. it's not long before Jakurai is pressing a mug into his hands, taking up his own seat again, but with the book abandoned.]

Tell me what's on your mind.

[orenosei]

[He won't protest, he will only take his spot on the opposite end of the cough. Yes, that's right, his spot. When Hifumi came along there was an arrangement. For all of them. They all had a place, and they all had their own thing.

Doppo resided a little closer, though. Sometimes he would dare to take the spot in bed next to Sensei. Sometimes he would lean comfortably if they decided to watch television. This was the trust the that other man had earned from him already.]

Nothing in particular today? Work is still hell, my life is still a series of unfortunate mishaps....

[A bitter laugh.] I don't know what to do about this tight, empty feeling in my chest.

[medicative]

[the spot next to him is always open, the offer to bring himself closer as well. Jakurai arranges the blanket over them both and sets his tea down - it still needs to steep.

that sensation Doppo describes could be anything, though. stress, guilt, sorrow...a combination of so much, welling up in him. instead of saying anything at first, Jakurai pauses, and then pats the space next to him. he doesn't have to hide in the corner for this. there's a time for treating this as a doctor, and one for treating this as a friend.]

[orenosei]

[ He sets his cup down as well. Internal struggle says not to move, desire says to move. He wants to move closer, but he doesn’t. He decides it’s far better to suffer in peace in his corner.

It’s going to take a little more convincing if Sensei really wants him to move closer.]

I haven’t been sleeping well again.

[medicative]

Really? Can't sleep, or nightmares?

[fine. if Doppo won't come to him, there's no helping it. there's only Jakurai moving closer, willing to meet him halfway about this.]

[orenosei]

Can't sleep, nightmares, all of it. All the time.

[His work is a personal nightmare that he refuses to quit. He likes the work, hates the environment. It's kind of the worst.

He notices Jakurai shift over, peace offering? There never any reason for Jakurai to be this nice to Doppo. He just was.]

Sensei... it's nice when you're closer. But I can't help but feel selfish for being in your personal space.

[He just....he just needs a little encouragement. To be given the okay.[

we even had a post holy shit

[orenosei]

[This is....probably round two of Doppo appearing at Jakurai's doorstep without too much of a warning. This time he seems a little more lax even? Street clothes and two coffees in hand for himself and the good doctor as he knocks on his apartment door. Maybe he really should ask Sensei if he could just leave him a key out.

...but he couldn't do that. TOO BOLD.]

Sensei, I'm here.

[He still sounds tired, but maybe not as exasperated? ]

[medicative]

[letting him in, his smile is warm when he sees who's on his doorstep, ushering him inside.]

It's good to see you, Doppo-kun.

[the difference in his tone is noted - good. whatever's making him less done with the world is something he supports.]

Should I be worried that you're drinking two coffees at once?

[he's teasing. his voice makes it very obvious.]

[orenosei]

I would only be concerned if both of them were for me.

[He...manages a laugh.]

That is not the case, however. One of these is for you.

[Offering it out for him.]

[medicative]

[he takes it with a small bow of his head, a softer look.]

Thank you. You really didn't have to go to all that trouble.

[but he very much appreciates the consideration.]

You look well.

[orenosei]

It wasn't trouble, it was on the way here.

[He...has a confession to make right now.]

I...took vacation time. I am off of work for the rest of this week.

[medicative]

Oh, Doppo...

[his eyes widen at the admission, and then he breaks into a broader smile.]

I'm glad for you. This is what you've needed for so long.

[orenosei]

It wasn't easy convincing my manager. But I think you or Hifumi might have had a stroke if I worked any more overtime.

[So here he is. In Jakurai's place. Again.]

Though I'm not sure what to do right now.

[medicative]

Do you have anything that you need to do in particular? If not, I'd say then it's just whatever you want to do that should inform your next steps.

[orenosei]

[And so, as fate would have it. Doppo is at Jakurai's door again. He has become quite used to coming over and spending a good bit of his evening hours with Jakurai. Fond of his presence. It wouldn't be far off to say that he was really just fond of everything. Tonight however, started his weekend and for the betterment of his mood he had decided against overtime even this week.

He hesitates for a moment...ring the doorbell and come in from the cold or don't and walk back to the train station. The better part of hm ends up knocking and ringing the door bell.

Let him in Sensei.]

[medicative]

[the time spent with Doppo is dear to him, the hours spent not as patient and doctor but as the two of them, growing closer and fonder of one another. him showing up unannounced was always a welcome surprise - it filled Jakurai's place with the warmth of a guest, after all.

he's been at home for a while, relaxing into his weekend, and so he's rather more dressed down than his formality at work. hair unbound, collar unbuttoned, sleeves higher in casual disarray. still, when he hears the bell, he dares to hope that on this weekend night-

and his hopes are answered by the man at the door.]

I was wondering if you were well.

[and he'll step aside to let him in.]

[orenosei]

I haven't come by in a while, sorry.

[Said while he is incredibly distracted by the fact that sensei just looks so...casual? Maybe a little more lax than usual. It's nice to see. It means that Jakurai is relaxing and that is something that he can feel happier about.

He steps in, finally... toeing out of his shoes and shrugging his coat off. He did have the sense to change before coming here. Just wearing some black jeans and a loose sweater under his jacket.]

Did I interrupt your relaxing time?

[medicative]

No interruption, I assure you. It's simply that if I hadn't agreed to take an extra day off, I think the nurses would have barred me from coming in.

[he laughs, returning back in the direction of the living area.]

Can I get you anything to drink?

[water, tea, something gentle and hydrating? no coffee, it's evening.]

[orenosei]

Coffee.

[Of course, this is a natural response. No matter how late it is. His normal drink just tends to be coffee or beer and maybe that isn't quite healthy. He's not so certain.]

I am glad to hear that your nurses are even making you take time off.

[medicative]

I can't exactly argue with them when they point out that my health and wellness is tied to me being there for others.

[he pauses in the kitchen door.]

Coffee? It's rather late, though...are you sure?

[but if Doppo insists? he's only so strong a man.]

[orenosei]

Coffee, because it is not like I will rest well tonight anyways.

[ Looks like something MIGHT be bothering Doppo lately.]

[medicative]

Doppo...

[crossing the distance between them, Jakurai looks down at Doppo with nothing but warm concern on his face.]

Tell me what's weighing on your mind. You know you always can.