( open ) it's 19c in london right now and i'm jealous

[apolly]

A. REDBRIGHT INSTITUTE: CLASSROOM

It's after hours for Apollo and he couldn't be happier, even though the feeling of exhaustion he could do without. While it's a job he loved he could definitely do with a vacation anyway.

He's currently struggling to erase the top of his chalkboard where a taller student wrote out the answers. Smart kid, but liked to quietly pick on Apollo for his size anyway, and he's close to stomping into the nearest library and grabbing a stepladder.

B. ON THE TUBE.

Apollo has a better idea of where to go for this and that, thanks to it being a few months since his move. He's currently sitting in one of the trains, coming back from Harrow, though there's one problem.

He fell asleep, earphones in, cheek pressed into the silver rail and leaving an opening for anything to be taken. Genius.

C. MISC tell me whatever and we'll do it. brackets are awesome

Comments

B

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji leaned over and slooooowly poked Apollo's cheek to see if he'd wake up. If not, hey. He was free game, right?

What a nerd, who fell asleep on the train?

[apolly]

Apollo sloooooowly wakes up before his groggy eyes shock into wide, hugging his bag closer to himself and his body jumping back, right before this weird sound between a yelp and high pitched scream escapes his mouth. It stops short when he notices it's Heiji and has the rest of the train staring at him, so he calms down and coughs. And stares at the seat across from them instead.

"... I pulled an all nighter."

[detectiveofthewest]

Oh my god Apollo, dial that tension back to like a 3. Even Heiji looked a little taken aback by the reaction, though he recovered quickly.

"W-well, you oughtta get a little more rest. You know, be all fresh and daisylike each morning. ...What was the all-nighter for?"

[apolly]

"Uh... I finished grading papers and I had some details on a case to work on. There wasn't any time for sleep."

Why did he work two jobs. Why. "I guess it's my fault..." He relaxes finally, though he comes from scared out of his mind to full on exhaustion.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Yeah? You should get an assistant to do that for ya." Imagine Sasuke, teaching assistant. What could go wrong.

"I bet the commute don't help much, either." He lowered his voice conspiratorially, which wasn't actually that effective because he had to whisper fairly loudly to be heard over the noise of the train. "So does anyone ever steal your stuff?"

[apolly]

"I have one at work and I don't want him around more than he already is." It's the honest truth. Apollo is masochistic sometimes, but never to that extent.

And I can barely hear you, dude. "... No, I'm usually good at staying awake. I was just trying to jumble too many things at once."

[detectiveofthewest]

What if Sasuke could hear you, Apollo. What if he was crying his poor ninjured heart out right now.

"Hmm... like casework? Come to think of it, I gotta stop by your office. Keep missin' my chance..." DON'T YOU WELSH ON YOUR PROMISE, APOLLO. LET HIM IN.

[apolly]

Crying is the least Sasuke could do for planet Earth, honestly.

"... Well, I'm on the way there right now if you don't have any plans." He's quickly starting to assume that Heiji wonders around the area on a specific search for dead bodies. He couldn't be that far off base.

"And we could pick up some snacks on the way. I don't remember the last thing I ate." Was it a pastry? Yeah, it was a pastry.

[detectiveofthewest]

Look, dead bodies didn't just find themselves!!

"Really? Let's go!" Immediate was the change in Heiji's attitude; he lit up at once, clearly looking forward to the prospect. "So whattaya feel like picking up? Sandwiches? Or are we talkin' chips and candy?"

[apolly]

You're such a keeper, Heiji.

"Whatever's on the street, I guess. Though a sandwich sounds good..." As if on cue, the train starts to slow and Apollo's head lifts to the lit sign to see if it was his stop or not. It must be since he stands up and slings the bag over his shoulder, heading over to the door and waiting for it to open.

[detectiveofthewest]

Wow. Wow. He didn't want to hear that from a lawyer with anger issues.

"Oh! Polish dogs!" Yep, that was a stand right outside the station and Heiji was approaching it at once. It was the sizzle and aroma of freshly-cooked meat, man. He was hungry.

[apolly]

Apollo is absolutely everyone's type, excuse you.

He follows behind Heiji, getting to the stand much slower but looking over and looking at the little menu of the stand.

Well, while he was here... He gives in and reaches for his wallet, popping it open.

"When was the last time you ate?"

[detectiveofthewest]

Everyone's got the hots for Justice.

"Oh, probably this morning. I'm usually good about it, but I had a busy day." Heiji read through the menu, deciding on toppings. So many choices! So little time. "You know what it's like!"

[apolly]

Hot damn.

"I, unfortunately, know way too much about that." He just orders one dog for himself, stirring the condiments to make sure they were still good. Years of cooking for himself made him an extremely picky eater, so he just goes with the simple stuff and calls it a day.

"What were you doing all day, then?"

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji sighed and restricted himself to one as well, though he looked a little regretfully at the stand as they walked on.

"Well, this dude almost ran me over at an intersection today, helped an old lady across the street, went to the library, ran into this one guy who came by the cafe a while ago, then it turned out someone had tried to dress up a suicide as a murder case..."

In other words, a lot. "I been thinking of quitting my cafe job, actually. I still like it, but there's a ton to do in London. I kinda want to see it all, y'know?" He sipped at the lemonade he'd bought. "Wow, that's sour."

[apolly]

... Heiji mentioned the murder thing way too casually. And it actually scares Apollo that he's way too used to it, and it shows in his shoulders and face. This guy was a piece of work sometimes.

He bites into his food as he listens, just savoring what was a real meal after what felt like days.

"I didn't even know you worked at a cafe. I guess we all need to have something to do if it isn't... stuff." Underground stuff, anyway.

"What, were you planning on moving?"

[detectiveofthewest]

Wait and spend a little more time with Heiji, Apollo. Then you'll understand.

"Only part-time -- I thought it'd be neat to meet other people. Basically, I didn't think I'd stay here past a couple months. But now..." He shrugged and took a bite of his hot dog. "Maybe I'll get an apartment. Where do you live, do you like it there?"

[apolly]

"I live in Hounslow. My apartment's small and a little compact, but it's really nice for someone like me." Apollo was deeply considering getting a cat, though he'd have to ask if it was alright.

Did Heiji live in the Other Realm or something? He never actually asked. ... He could technically ask now, so.

"Where do you live right now?"

[detectiveofthewest]

Apollo should definitely get a cat, it would definitely not spy on him or anything.

"Well, I guess you could say I live at a shrine...? And sometimes I just crash at someone else's place. Back home I had a proper address and a house and everything, but I don't technically need one."

Foxes had simple needs; he could probably just dig a burrow somewhere. "Still," he said thoughtfully, "It could be nice..."

[apolly]

... Oh right, foxes meant needing minimal living space. That would make sense.

"Well, in your case, I would recommend a roommate." Apollo nods in emphasis, like yeah dude, this is a good idea. "No sense in spending all that money if it's a luxury for you, y'know?"

[detectiveofthewest]

One day someone would give him a doghouse as a present and they would get their hand bitten.

"A roommate?" Heiji took another bite of his hot dog. "You wanna move in together? I dunno, I mean... I'm sure your place is nice, but you do work two jobs. You probably have to take phone calls, too, right? So it'd be pretty busy..."

[apolly]

"... No, not me. My apartment's way too small, anyway." He thinks about all the crime stuff Heiji would bring back and it makes his head spin.

"But I mean, I'm sure you can find someone around the office or... wherever the hell you hang out."

[detectiveofthewest]

But think of all the business it would bring in...

"Hmm... nah. I'd rather have my own place. Then I can come and go whenever I want." Maybe he'd find a house and install a little door for if he didn't feel like unlocking anything.

"You dating anyone yet?"

[apolly]

... That makes Apollo halt, holding his hot dog dumbly.















"Come again?"

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji looked back at him, like what's wrong dude. Is there something wrong with your leg.

"You been here for a little while, right? But I always only see ya at work."