Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

June 30

• Are you okay Claire?

Doi and Claire were sitting together during lunch break at their job. Claire didn’t say a word since the day began, thus Doi was worried something was wrong, perhaps it was about yesterday?

• Yeah! Yeah. I’m fine, you don’t have to worry – Claire smiled ever so slightly.

But that didn’t make him believe her. Even though Doi may seem foolish, he has a kind and understanding soul, he can instantly know how someone feels by the looks of it, and right now, he feels that she seems troubled.

• We are f-friends, you can tell me, I don’t mind.

Claire dropped her silverware, which made Doi jump up a little, then let out a deep sigh.

• It’s just, no one stood up for me before like you did, and I don’t know what I can do to thank you… you know?
• That wasn’t a big deal, that bully needed to be put back in place! – Doi shoved down a big chunk of lasagna.

Claire giggled at how silly Doi was, the way he spoke and his choice of words, or how he eats and prepares orders at work, it's cute and innocent. She thinks that he might be the most gentle man she has ever met.

• You know, at first you seemed cold, and even rude to me, but I like how you’ve changed there.
• Yeah? Well, I like you – Doi smiled kindly, looking at Claire.

She obviously didn’t expect that, but Doi only meant it platonically. Since then Claire couldn’t help but get shy around him as if she was back in her teenage years around her high school crush – such a nice feeling when you think about it.

It was lunch break for Harry now as well, and he came prepared. Finally, Casandra wasn’t on his sight, so he sat somewhere peaceful and opened what Robin cooked for him. Inside were some left overs from dinner, which didn’t look so appetizing and a sticky note signed by the chef.

“For my favorite person ;)” was written there. Is this supposed to be some irony? Harry just rolled his eyes, Robin did like joking around a lot so this one is no difference.

• Could have at least done something new… - He said out loud.
• What was that?
• GAh!

Casandra was right behind him, as if she creeped out just to spook him, then she started to laugh until she noticed the sticky note on Harry’s hand.

• Oh, what is this? – She asked.
• This? Oh it’s nothing, just something my friend prepared for me.
• Oh, so just a friend…?
• Yeah? – Harry looked at her, but her face has grown disappointed, and then angry, but just barely so it wouldn’t show.
• Haha! That’s great, but uhm… we won’t go out today?
• Not really, probably never actually. – Harry just ate the food, tasting the victory and smiling a little bit.
• Oh… okay…

Casandra quietly walked away, and Harry didn’t even bother looking back. But why does it feel like this is not over?

Robin heard a knock on the door, too early for his friends to come back. He opened to see who it was.

• Oh, hello!
• Yeah, can I come in?

It was Reginald, dressed up as a detective, in a long beige coat with a hat on his head, even though it was hot outside. He sat at the armchair across Robin’s chair.

• Nice house.
• Yeah, I know. Why did you come by? I don’t like uninvited guests; you should know that! – Robin said in an annoyed manner.
• Aren’t you the one that comes by people’s houses and then refuses to leave until you finish all of your stories? – Robin was about to blow up, but before he could Reginald showed him some papers – Take a look at that, there are some details I got about Roy.

Robin browsed through them papers. Most of it said what he has done for the past 5 years. His achievements, public appearances, crime record, agreements, and etc.

• Where did you get these?
• I have friends that work for the government, but that’s not the important part! – He took one of the papers and showed it up close – This is Roy in suspect list of people who kidnapped those poor kids, but then he was taken down from it.

Robin just raised an eyebrow, he didn’t really get what he was trying to say.

• The thing is that he is a fraud, he must have paid someone to get out of this situation. If we can prove it, then he should face consequences, considering the kids were never found.
• Oh that’s good! Do you think you can do that?
• *Sigh* I did sign up for this already, might as well finish the job. – Reginald started to pick up his stuff.
• Thank you, I will make you a cake for your help!
• Yeah, yeah.

He walked off and closed the door.

Why was Robin doing all of this? He didn’t wanna get involved in this at all. But to be fair, he didn’t have anything to do anyway. It’s so boooooring… Robin just wants to spend time with Harry or Doi, mostly Harry.

Something clicked in his brain, he’s got a brilliant idea.

July 1

Doi was asked to come to Mr. Peter’s office today. Worry stroked him, as he thought he did something wrong, but Claire reassured him, saying that it was going to be a nice surprise actually, that only their company’s policy allows.

He opened the door and was greeted with a messy room, filled with empty coffee cups from different cafés.

• Good to see you David! I have some good news!
• Hello, what’s the surprise?
• Here, this is for you.

Mr. Peter gave him an envelope, inside was some cash, 240 $ to be exact.

• I don’t understand…
• Well, this is your salary for the last month, but since you only worked for 3 days, this is what you get.
• Oh cool!

What can he spend this money on now? It’s not a lot, but it’s something nonetheless. It was now lunch time once again, he returned from the restroom but saw a scene play out.

• Andy, stop asking me such questions, I won’t answer them… Now can I eat my food? – Claire said desperately.
• What? It’s not inappropriate, we are friends! – Said Andy not backing away.

Claire went silent as if disagreeing to his comment, holding onto her seat. Andy went closer to her face.

• Listen Claire, either answer, or I’ll find out myself.

Andy tried to grab her hand, but Doi pushed him back.

• What are you doing?? Stop it, you act like a creep! – Doi smacked his hand away from Claire.
• David? This is none of your business, so back off.

But he did not, he stood between him and Claire.

• Oh, playing tough huh? You’re a literal man-child, stop acting like a hero here, nothing is wrong mate!
• Really? You’re the one bothering her, this is not a school or anything, we are at a workplace, if anything, you are acting like a child here Andy!

Doi’s voice came out cold, not natural for him to speak like this, as if it wasn’t even him talking. After some time, Andy once again walked outside, grabbing a lighter on his way out.

Poor Claire couldn’t even look up. She felt pathetic, not being able to speak up for herself is embarrassing.

• What was that about? Claire? – Doi sat near her to comfort her.
• Andy is just a pervert… I don’t know what I can do anymore, maybe I should just quit this job – Claire poked her food with a fork, losing all of her appetite.
• B-But, you can’t give up like this! We can do something, together, okay??

Claire looked up, seeing the bright face of Doi did cheer her up. At least someone out there wanted to help her. She couldn’t help but smile, still it was a very sad face expression.

Harry was finally done with his first ever project, and it was going to air on the channel the next day. Millions of people will hear his performance, something to worry about he reckoned. But on the good note, Casandra stopped following him around all day, but now it was kind of awkward to not talk with anyone anymore, maybe he should try and talk with others, but there are simply so many people out here, it was hard to connect with anyone truly. But if this job was going to be his for a long time, talking with colleagues should get prioritized more, unless he finds friends outside of work to talk to during breaks.

Lunch break, Harry opened what Robin prepared him today. And inside was… nothing. Only a single sticky note. “Wait for me!” was spelled on it.

“The hell does that supposed to mean?” Harry thought. He decided he should check out the lobby. And to much surprise, Robin actually came here. He knows his address? Not only that, he actually dressed out nicely today (imagine his outfit yourselves). A heated argument that robin was involved in got everyone’s attention with… Isn’t that Casandra?

• How dare you!? So it was you who ruined all my chances…!
• Guess who is special to him after all~ - Robin said in a teasing way.

He then noticed Harry watching them from a far. The man just stood there awkwardly and anxiously looking at them both.

• Sorry Casandra, but you have no chance with him, give up. – And so Robin walked away -+to Harry greeting him.

Casandra then rushed to go outside, her face all red, and sweat running down ruining her nicely done makeup, or was that a tear? Harry just looked at it in total stupor.

• Wha- What was that all about? – Harry was given a bug of something heavy inside by Robin.
• Hmph! That woman was the one bothering you right? Now you don’t have to worry, I resolved the conflict.
• More like started it… What did you say to her? – They moved towards the cafeteria.
• I simply stated that she is annoying, and you don’t find her attractive, isn’t that’s true? – They sat at the table by the window.
• Yeah… But why do I feel like you said something else?
• Hmm… well I also said that I’m far more superior than her, and that I have far more chances to be with you than her, that’s also true right?

Robin began unpacking something. Harry felt like he is missing out on something. Is this supposed to be a hint of Robin liking him??? No, no, impossible. Seems like Robin didn’t get what he said either.

• What? Okay, whatever.
• But I didn’t come here to talk with her, I came here to get you this!

Robin pushed a lunchbox towards Harry. Inside was fully Italian based foods with pastries and drinks, how did all of this didn’t get ruined by the time it arrived.

• Tada! I heard you like Italian kitchen, so I did all of this.

Harry looked at a very serious and excited Robin and couldn’t help but laugh really hard.

• Hey! What are you laughing at??
• It’s just funny how nice you started to act, but your attitude stayed the same. Also, are you a stay-at-home husband now? – Harry started to chuckle again.
• Oh shut up! It’s better for me anyway… Didn’t I promise I’d change?

They continued to eat and chat together until the lunch break was over, and Robin had to go. Harry was really proud of Robin’s change, he became a better person, and that is attractive to him.

A week passed by which was peaceful enough. Their routines continued, two of them went to work, then the other one visits one of them for a chat. Then they learn every new information from their trusty neighbor, and then all over again. Sometimes Robin would still scare off anyone who made Harry uncomfortable, and Doi would help Claire get Andy fired from their job. How will they do it?

They thought they could film him on a camera since the building didn’t have any installed. They just needed to catch Andy being inappropriate again, and then all done.

• *Are your sure this is going to work? He seems to stop bothering me since the last time. * – Claire whispered to Doi.

They were wrapping and preparing orders they’ve just done, and Andy was present, so they couldn’t raise their voices high enough.

• *Yeah, I’m sure of it, don’t worry. – Doi looked at the time, almost lunch – Okay, I’ll go somewhere and film, and you- *

Claire got sad, once again Andy will terrorize her, she did say it was okay, but now Claire wasn’t so sure.

• *Hey, if you don’t want to, we can find some other way to sabotage him? *
• N-No! It’s okay, it’s cool.

Doi sighed then disappeared to another room, but keeping his camera on. Good thing Robin led him use his phone. All there is left to do is wait, and of course, Andy was at it again.

Duncan just left the room too, only Claire and Andy remaining. He pulled his chair closer to hers, then sat down, not saying anything. Surprisingly, he pulled out some photos, Doi couldn’t tell what was on it, but the look of worry on Claire’s face made him wonder even more.

• *Sabotage me, I’ll bring you down with me. *
• W-wait.. how did you get these--?

Before Claire could say anything more, Andy quickly shoved the photos away in his pocket, and left outside with a pack of cigarettes in his hand.

 Doi came back. Claire’s face was hard to read; she was shocked in some matter but just didn’t let him see it.

• W-what’s wrong? What were those photos? – Claire was silent – Claire?
• Doi, I changed my mind. Andy can stay, he was just kidding around, no biggie – she stood up – We should talk later okay? – She quickly grabbed her stuff and started to leave.
• W-Wait! Where are you going? – Doi said, his voice cracking up.
• Home, tell the boss I was feeling… ill.

She left without turning her head. Doi just stood there, not understanding what was going on with those two. “stupid, figure this out” said yellow grabbing onto his head in a desperate attempt to understand Claire and her actions just now.

It was dinner time, the guys were sitting around the table, talking about how their day went. It was a ravioli, another Italian dish they had this week, prepared by Robin.

• So, our detective said that all evidence should be ready by this weekends – Robin drank down his cup of tea – Cool right? I expect a genuine thank you for my hard work.
• Thanks? But you didn’t even do anything to help Reginald… - Harry looked at him, tired from him talking the whole evening.
• What? Yes I did! I connected it all, when it should have been your work to do!

A sudden thud on the table stopped them both from starting another argument. It was from Doi dropping his head on the table with a terrible groan. The other two looked at him than at each other with confusion.

• Uhm, are you alright? – Asked Harry.
• What did you say? – Doi looked up at them, he seemed tired as well.
• Is your head alright?
• Yeah… It’s just, my colleagues are all weird. – He said sighing.
• What’s up with them? – Robin asked pouring some more tea into his cup.

Doi then told them what happened over the period of this week, the other two just sat there, surprised that Doi never mentioned any of that at all.

• That’s… horrible. – Robin said, in a calm yet sad manner.
• Why didn’t you tell us about it? We could have helped.
• Ugh… I thought you guys won’t care. Besides, Robin’s stories are much more interesting, I think.

Robin hit Doi’s head from behind.

• Ouch! Why did you do that?
• So you won’t say anything like that again! My stories are great, but they are nowhere near with what you just told us! – Robin crossed his arms.
• Yeah, and besides we do care. We’re friends, okay? - Harry's words came out very geniune.
• But what should I do? – Doi looked at his half eaten food – I don’t want to be annoying with questions to her.
• That’s not annoying, that’s considerate. If she doesn’t want to talk about it – fine, so be it. You will just ask that creep about it. – Harry said, his voice sounding uninterested though, but that’s just natural for him to sound like that.

Doi stayed quite, but then smiled ever so slightly. He then looked up with a satisfied face since he was finally able to talk with someone about this.

• Thanks guys, I appreciate it! – He smiled widely like a little child.
• Oh shut up!

Robin covered his eyes with a newspaper to avoid looking at Doi’s silly expression while Harry chuckled a bit.

July 2

To Doi’s disappointment – Claire wasn’t at work. But the urge to know what’s going on got the better of him so he went to Andy to have a little chat.

Since it wasn’t a busy day, Andy and Duncan were talking about something and laughing.

• Hey Andy? Got a minute? – Doi said coming up between them.
• Hm? – Andy saw how serious Doi was, so he smirked a bit before shooing Duncan off.

They stood outside. Andy lit up a cigarette.

• Want one? – he said – but I guess someone like you won’t smoke. – He continued to let out small clouds of smoke with an unamused expression.
• I just want to know what you showed to Claire, you know, p-photos? – Doi’s voice showed his annoyance in Andy’s presence.
• Hah, so you did try to catch me eh? – Andy tossed his cigarette away – Alright I’ll show you too. But, you can’t tell anyone, it’s her secret.

Doi was confused at first, unsurely he nodded his head. Andy then grabbed one photo from his pocket, and showed it to Doi.

• What the heck…?

The photo was something that he hasn’t expected at all. No wonder it was a secret and why Claire suddenly decided that Andy could stay – he was manipulating her with this…

• Yeah, yeah, I know! She is a slut. Surprising, right? – he hid the photo again.
• No… it can’t be. S-She wouldn’t do something that disgusting…

“Poor Claire” was his only thought.

• When was this taken? Did you stalk her??
• What? No! I bought these, I didn’t know she was going to be here! And I don’t know when that was taken, sorry mate.

Doi wordlessly started to get back inside, looking down. Andy just shrugged and lit another cigarette alone.

“Surely she didn’t want to do these disgusting pictures…? I don’t think anyone would! Is this for money? But she has a job…“ These thoughts just continued to circle his mind. But she doesn’t want anyone to know, and Andy is using it against her, so now he is able to terrorize her all he wants, and she can’t do anything with it!

God this is awful. But Doi can’t just stay there and watch it play out every day. What If he confronts Andy himself, Doi doesn’t have any weak spots – he is fine. No, he should wait for Claire to come to work to talk with her, or else se might get upset, Doi wants that the least.

July 3

Saturday.

Today Harry decided to meet up with their next door detective – Reginald. So he dressed up, and went to his house, to be exact the garage, since apparently sir Reginald has been working there.

He gently knocked on the garage’s door, excited if this whole investigation did in fact worked out for them. The door suddenly opened upwards revealing their neighbor with a cup of coffee.

• The hell you’re doing here? It’s 9 am! Didn’t I say to come in the morning?
• Oh sorry, didn’t know 9 am was too early…

Reginald yawned and then led Harry inside.

• It’s whatever, I haven’t slept because of what I have found. I bet you would be as furious as I am once you hear it!

He placed some papers on the desk inside the garage, which was lit up by a small amount of a practically dead lamp. Once Harry opened it, inside were documents about kids who were put in mental hospitals. As he looked through them, he noticed a weird pattern – none of the kids had any mental illnesses until the moment they got in those hospitals and also the fact that a lot of them were sent there in a short period of time, one by one.

• Robin did mention that Roy was a suspect of kidnapping, but they were all sent into mental hospitals? – Harry frowned.

Reginald was just sipping from his cup, gesturing to him to continue looking inside the files.

There was a case called “D.H.M.I.S.” shortened for “disease, health and mental illnesses search and research” program. One of the lead researchers was Roy.

• I-I don’t understand… what is this program?

Reginald sighed, then put down his cup and sat down as well.

• Basically saying, Roy was researching for “mental illnesses”. To do that, he needed test subjects, and one of them was his kid, who I believe had autism?
• But autism isn’t an illness…
• That’s what I’m saying! I don’t have a single clue why did they research that and how?? Like what is there to uncover?

Harry started to theorize. Okay, it now makes sense why Doi was involved but what about Harry and Robin? What did they have to do with any of this? As far as they know, they don’t have any illnesses.

• Well, okay. Is this enough to put that bastard in jail? – Harry said as if he rushing with his speech.
• Quite enough, but the police can still refuse to do anything with this, so we are going straight to court room.
• H-How will we do that?? How long will it take?
• Nah, don’t sweat it, I have some connections, they will take this case as soon as possible. And no need for any negotiations since he can’t dodge this bullet! HAH!

Reginald started to laugh like a cartoon villain when really he was a hero.

• Thanks Reginald. You helped so much, is there anything I can do to thank you perhaps?
• No need neighbor, I want to put him in jail as much as you want to! No kidding! But Robin did promise me a cake so…

Harry came home. This meeting has made it clear – no matter how much this goes on for, only Roy can fully answer all his questions so Harry can finally sleep peacefully. He wished he wouldn’t care about the past as much he does and be more like Robin or Doi. But the past makes as who we are right? We learn from it and grow, we can’t change it and it’s fine, what’s done is done, Harry just wants to know what was done…

• What did he say? – Robin appeared from behind the armchair.
• Something… weird. I’ll tell you once I figure it out myself.
• Yeah, whatever. Look, I’m baking a cake! – Robin pointed at the mess in the kitchen. – It’s Doi’s mess not mine.

Though, Doi wasn’t even baking with him.

• Impressive I reckon. – Harry said, unimpressed.
• Of course it is, I want to make it in a size of a wedding cake to really thank our detective.
• Wedding? – “Such a strange word” Harry thought.
• Yeah, something wrong with that?
• Nothing! It’s just, have you thought about what your wedding will be?
• Oh, I already know, it will be fabulous and very much expensive, only that can impress me! And also east asian cuisine, cuz it’s my favorite.
• Huh, you did put some thought into this… And who will be the partner? You’ve met quite a ton of people for the past week or so.
• It can only be someone I know for the longest time! You can’t date someone you’ve known for only a week, even an year won't do! Don’t you agree?

“For the longest time?”

• You can say that again.

“Could it be me?”