chippedsoul | The Journal (Inbox

[NOPE.

BANG BANG BANG ABOUT TO GET READY TO KICK THE DAMN DOOR DOWN WHEN HE REALLY PROBABLY SHOULDN'T—]

[It's honestly amazing the door hasn't been knocked down from the banging.] Shizuo!

[He shouts hoarsely, still getting the sleepiness out of his throat. There's a click as he opens the door.] Calm down, I'm okay.

[It's probably already near off the hinges let's be real—

His leg is raised and about to swing when Kazuma opens the door. This actually surprises him so—]

Kazu—!?

[Since it's still kind of snowy and slippery, because he tries to stop himself from kicking his friend, he instead loses his balance and falls flat on his back.]

-!! [Holy crap leg-] S-Shizuo! [It's too late for him to stop his fall. Dammit. He kneels down beside him, sliding a hand under his head for support.] Are you all right!?

[There's only a slight grimace. Thanks to his body's constitution, despite the hard fall it didn't really hurt as much as it normally would. Doesn't mean it was painless.]

Ah...yeah, I'm fine...[Wait no—looking up at Kazuma, he suddenly sits up.] What about you?? What the hell was that message about you being dead!? Was that Hyde??

I didn't write that, nor was it Hyde. [He wraps the coat more tightly. Cold.] Sometimes my journal acts on it's own. It's been like that since we came back from the last campaign.

...Huh? Act on its own?

[That...really confuses him, but he sees Kazuma looking like he's about to freeze.]

Whatever, as long as you're okay. Let's go inside.

[He just nods to that, as he stands back up. He'll wait for Shizuo to get up as well before going into the house. Strangely, the home felt just as cold inside.] I think the heater broke down.

[There's only a small wince as he stands, but he pays no mind to the dull aches as he steps inside and also feels the cold.]

Did it? [....Hm.] It's not electric, is it?

It's a hot water system. Must have frozen over or... [Without another word, he wanders towards the back of his home and into one of the rooms. He'll return a few minutes later with a disgruntled expression.]

Hyde caused the floor to collapse onto the heating system. It needs to be replaced. [If Shizuo felt like checking it out himself, he'll see a corner of the room had indeed collapsed onto the basement beneath, along with an opening in the wall to the outside. He must have smashed his way out instead of taking the front door.]

[Shizuo would have waited politely, but upon hearing that...he frowns. Just going to walk over there to investigate himself before clicking his tongue.]

I can clear things out, but I can't fix it. Damn bastard...

[Sighs as he runs a hand through his hair.]

In that case, wanna just stay at my place until it's fixed? Even with a fireplace it'll be cold and you could get sick.

. . . [He doesn't give Shizuo an immediate response, currently lost in his own thoughts. Why wasn't he saying something...? Ever since that Story Eater incident, Hyde had been acting more erratic than usual. Lashing out all on his own...or that could just be his hold weakening.]

Are you sure that's all right? [Yes, Shizuo was the one who asked, but he may just be a little wary of being in someone else's home. Even if it is a friend's.]

I wouldn't have offered if it wasn't.

. . .A few days then. If it takes too long, I'll stay at an inn. [He doesn't want to be too much of a burden. Who knows when Hyde will strike again.]

Let's clear out this debris first. [He needs to take inventory on what else needs replacing before filing a report.]

Leave it to me.

[Rolling up his sleeves. Shizuo walks in and starts lifting up the heavier pieces first.]

Should I just pile it on the side? ...Or should I try piling it around the opening...gonna need to cover that either way.

Opening, on the outside. [There's no point in leaving the rubble in here.]

I'll find something to cover it.

Got it.

[And off he goes to dump everything outside of the house. Of course he'll try to do it "neatly" so it won't get in the way of future construction.]

[He'll keep out of his way while he investigates and jot down the damage.

Or at least he tries to. He keeps dozing off on his feet. Eventually he fails to fight it off and falls asleep where he stands. Just need to rest his eyes for a moment.]

[Just working steadily along...even if he actually shouldn't be lifting such heavy things right now and should be taking it easy but it's fine. Wiping off some sweat from his brow, he turns to Kazuma to ask something—and then notices he's...asleep?]

...Oi, Kazuma?

Hm? [He returns to the waking world, staring back at Shizuo.] . . .Sorry. What were you saying?

Have you had enough sleep? It's almost noon...

...I slept plenty. [He really has, more than enough.] Haven't stopped feeling tired since the Story Eater's attack. [Probably didn't help that Hyde went around town the night before. Actually, now that he brings up the Story Eater-]

What about yourself? Everything all right since the incident?

[There is so much doubt in his eyes. Dude you just fell asleep. But...it's also a little concerning, too.]

Maybe you should see a doc about it... But I'm all right now.

["Now."]

I'm fine. More than likely it's a response to Hyde's recent activities. [Trust him, he's technically a doctor.]

Now? [He didn't miss that.]

[Aren't doctors the ones that usually don't take care of themselves as well because they think they're fine when really they aren't— In any case, he doesn't look convinced, but he won't push it. Fall asleep again, though, and he's carrying you to the clinic, Mister.]

...I had a few internal injuries, but they've mostly recovered.

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