Work Text:
(3rd Person PoV)
“Honestly…this is the last time I’m ever taking advice from Lakia,” Hanto huffed, leaning against a bookshelf as Shouma tried and failed opening a door.
He and Shouma had met up at the library because of the jobs that Sachika gave them (and a little bit of Hanto’s digging for a new story).
Lakia was also there with Shouma but had shortly left after giving Hanto some advice to maybe spend some time alone with Shouma.
Now it seemed like a good idea at the time and they did have a relaxing time, reading up on books and looking at new recipes to hopefully try out. However, they spent so long in there that the librarian had closed up without even noticing them.
And now, they’re stuck there as Shouma accidentally broke the lock of the front door, jamming it. They both tried calling Sachika and Lakia but neither of them responded.
Shouma turned around and immediately rushed over to the table where they were at and promptly sat down on his chair, lowering his head on the table.
Hanto perked up and went over to his side. “What’s wrong?” He asked and Shouma sighed loudly.
“If only I was more careful, if I didn’t break the lock, we wouldn’t be stuck here,” he explained but Hanto shook his head.
“Come on now. It’s not your fault, this honestly could have happened to anyone. Granute strength or not,” he assured him and Shouma looked up at him.
“Even so…,” he muttered and took out his phone again. No new messages.
Hanto then took out his phone and made a face at it. “What could be so important that they’re not able to answer our calls?” He asked and Shouma shrugged.
“I guess…we wait? Wait until they notice the missed calls,” he suggested, putting his phone back.
“I guess so,” Hanto said and let out a groan, scratching the back of his head furiously. Seriously, he wishes that the two would answer their calls!
He heard some shuffling from Shouma and he looked towards him to see him emptying his pockets that were mostly full of candy wrappers.
“Uhh, Shouma?” He asked and Shouma searched through the wrappers. He was usually clean and never litters intentionally so him dumping the wrappers so carelessly was honestly a surprise to him.
Shouma then let out a sigh of relief as he took out an unopened pack of gummies and quickly opened it up to pop a gummy in his mouth.
After swallowing it, he lifted up his hoodie as his Gavv shook a bit before a Gochizo came out of it. It landed on the table and squeaked at him. Shouma then swiped the wrappers into a nearby trash can.
Hanto snapped his fingers, finally understanding what Shouma was doing. “You were trying to find a snack to make a Gochizo so it can go through hard to get places so it can go and get help. Genius,” he said and wrapped an arm around Shouma.
Shouma blushed and brushed his fingers against Hanto’s. “It’s nothing,” he whispered. Hanto squeezed his shoulder though and rested his forehead against his. Shouma was a bit taken back but leaned into his touch.
“Nah, I'll keep on complimenting you because I know you deserve it,” Hanto explained, lacing their fingers together.
“I-I do?” Shouma asked as the Gochizo understood what was going on and hopped off the table. It scuttered away to find a crack in the wall or through a window to the outside world as Hanto leaned in closer.
“Of course you do! I mean I could come up with all the reasons why I know that you deserve compliments and more! Like firstly, what you just did was make a Gochizo so it can go and find help. Secondly, you never give up on others like you were thinking of being there for Sachika when Dente died, you helped Lakia to not get too caught up in his revenge on Glotta and when…when we weren’t speaking, you had hope in me when I didn’t in myself. You’re amazing, Shouma,” Hanto gushed, squeezing his hand.
Shouma was getting redder and redder as he was getting flustered by Hanto’s words. He just did what any person would do, and yet here was Hanto telling him that he was amazing for that. Somehow, Shouma liked that Hanto was complimenting him.
It felt nice and a little different coming from him than say Sachika or Lakia.
Maybe being trapped at the library wasn’t so bad after all. He had Hanto and that Gochizo is going to get help!
They’ll both get out of there.
They both continued to hold each other until Shouma’s phone rang. He released himself from Hanto in order to answer it.
“Hello?”
“Umasho I’m so sorry!” Sachika cried out.
She continued, “I accidentally lost my phone with a client and Lakian was helping me trying to get it back. I’m sorry that neither of us could answer your calls! We’re on our way!”
“Apology accepted! We’ll be waiting,” Shouma chirped and Sachika could be heard sighing with relief on the other side.
She hung up and Hanto glanced at the door.
“They’re both finally coming?” He asked and Shouma nodded.
“Well that’s good. A little late on their part but still good,” Hanto noted and Shouma patted his arm.
“I’m just glad that they’re coming at all,” he said.
A little while later, the door finally opened and Sachika rushed forward to hug Shouma and Hanto.
“I’m so so sorry I didn’t notice sooner,” she apologized.
“Apology accepted, Prez. I really don’t blame you since you said that you lost your phone,” Hanto assured her.
Sachika was still bowing down apologetically and while Shouma was trying to reassure her that they were both fine, Lakia walked up to Hanto.
“And what’s your excuse?” Hanto demanded before Lakia could say anything.
“I left it back at my place by mistake. Anyway, did you spend your time with Shouma wisely?” He asked, narrowing his eyes.
“Yep, although getting trapped in here wasn’t what any of us would have wanted,” Hanto said.
“No shit,” Lakia murmured and Hanto rolled his eyes at him.
“Come on you two. We’re going back to HapiPari,” Sachika told them as she and Shouma were already walking out the door.
“We’re coming!” Hanto called out and grabbed his jacket that he placed on the chair that he was previously sitting on.
He walked out with Lakia close behind him. Shouma grabbed his hand and squeezed it, making Hanto blush.
They continued to hold hands as they walked back home.
HapiPari was home.