(no subject)

[implausibility.livejournal.com]

[All-nighters are plentiful now. Of all the lame options in the Inaba police department, Adachi had to be saddled with the one with an actual work ethic. As in all facets of life, he was just exceptionally lucky. Elbows sliding forward on his desk, Adachi's forehead hits the mountain of papers in front of him with a muffled thud. Going through them will be useless, he knows (and after all, he surely knows best). They won't find their killer in here, wedged between words and fine print text, ink smudged because newspaper is cheap, but if Dojima looked up from his own immersion into the articles, searching so desperately for clues, he might find the culprit sitting across the desk.]

Do we really have to go through all of these again?

Comments

[implausibility.livejournal.com]

[It's harder than it sounds, trying to look for something that he already knows the location, identity, and, in fact, every single detail of. Adachi reaches into his own pocket, fishing through one and then another, before he finally finds the lighter in his coat's left side. Dojima makes more use of it than he does, and that's exactly why he carries it around. He tosses it over the table to his partner.]

Don't set the office on fire, sir.

[inabapd.livejournal.com]

Yeah, sure.



A smoke isn’t any more of a fire hazard than these heap-a-junk computers,

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[Adachi lets out a noise of amusement as he finally gets to his paperwork, straightening them into a neater stack before bringing a few up to eye-level. He leans back in his seat.]

With all due respect, sir, now you're sounding like a geezer.

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Will you can it already?

I'm not that old.

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But I mean it in the best way!

[inabapd.livejournal.com]

The hell is that supposed to mean?

1/3

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[Put on the spot, Adachi realizes he really didn't think that out very well.]

I-I don't know! I guess, normally you act younger than your age...?

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...Wait, that didn't come out right. I mean, sir, not that you're not mature or anything. I'm not saying you act like a kid or-

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...You know what, nevermind.

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What the-

For crying out loud, Adachi! If anyone acts like a kid around here, it's you!

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[Jerking at the loud tone of voice, Adachi slumps in his seat after, head lowered and eyes glued to the page. He has pretty much come to expect it by now. Dojima just wasn't the type to even know what a joke was let alone take it. But this was good, he told himself, this was great. As long as he was underestimated, then December would take them all by surprise. He just had to last until then. He didn't have to like it.]

...Sorry, sir.

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‘Know what,

Maybe you’re right and I need a break. Why don’t we call it quits for the night?

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What's the catch?

[There has to be one; there never isn't one.]

[inabapd.livejournal.com]

A catch, huh?



Gimme a minute. Haven't thought a one yet.

[implausibility.livejournal.com]

[A small smile.]

Tell me when you remember it, huh?

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Yeah, I'll do that. Guess for now we'll just say you owe me one.



So you looking to head home, or..?

[implausibility.livejournal.com]

[It's a rule of the game. Adachi has to be 'all right' as much as possible. No matter how many insults, how many errands, and how many chores he's sent off to do like a kid being babysat, he had to be okay. Otherwise, why, the other man might start paying attention. Once he did, then he might start noticing all the millions of odd ends that didn't match up under Adachi's easy-going smile. It took a lot of teeth-gritting, and a lot of practice, but Adachi was rather skilled, if he could say so himself.]

Well, that offer to go grab a bite to eat's still open. Unless you've got to get home to watch some special program or something.

[inabapd.livejournal.com]

Yeah? I’m sure there’s something still open around this hour.

[implausibility.livejournal.com]

[That was easier than he thought. Adachi pulls his coat over his shoulder from the back of his seat as well, standing up. All those papers could wait for tomorrow. Or next year, because there wouldn't be one. Even better. He's the first one to the door, of course, holding it open after himself for Dojima (like a good partner should).]

Oooh, let's try to see if that barbecue place is open-

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Yeah? You even got enough on you for barbecue?

[implausibility.livejournal.com]

[Sure he does, if he doesn't want to eat for the next two weeks, based on that chicken scratch they paid him. Inaba took him for a greenhorn, after all, rather than considering his prior experience in the city. Adachi's pace slows.]

...Yeah, guess not. Maybe the ramen stand.

[inabapd.livejournal.com]

Ha ha, don't worry about it. I'll cover you. Can't say I'm in the mood for ramen tonight.

[implausibility.livejournal.com]

[Like a cat in the bag. Adachi pockets the lighter again, excitement seeping back into his expression.]

R-really? I mean, you do it all the time, sir, it's kind of imposing, isn't it?

[inabapd.livejournal.com]

Ain't any point in sounding all sorry about it now. Either take it don't.



C'mon.

[implausibility.livejournal.com]

[Easy as pie. Looking excited, Adachi is quick to follow, right behind Dojima, rather than beside. (It was the little things like that, that mattered.)]

Man, it's been ages since I've had barbecue! This is gonna be great!