Chapter Text
Frostia’s was loud. Too loud.
Since there were no humans to occupy the place, there was a significant crowd of yokai gathered inside, all talking or laughing. That, in addition with the tinny music coming from the speakers made the experience of just being inside the place almost unbearable.
Maddiman’s grip on the glass he’d been holding tightened as he resisted the urge to get up and leave. But he couldn’t. Not now.
McKraken seemed… unbothered by the noise, for the most part. But the doctor’s discomfort didn’t go unnoticed by him.
”…you good? You look just about ready to chuck that at someone.”
The chairman’s brow furrowed as he reached over and placed his hand over Maddiman’s in an attempt to be comforting.
Maddiman tensed, loosening his grip on the glass as he snapped out of the half-trance he’d been in.
”Yes.”
He replied with a bit too much force in his voice, before clearing his throat awkwardly.
”I mean, uh.. yes. Yes, I’m fine.”
McKraken stared silently, raising an eyebrow. Had he been glaring? Did his voice give him away? Why was he just—
“You’ve got something on your face.”
McKraken hummed, his voice… surprisingly gentle.
”…eh?”
“There’s gunk on your face. Lemme get it for you.”
He reached up with his other hand and moved to wipe off whatever had been on Maddiman’s face. In all honesty, it was most likely blood that wasn’t his, but what the chairman didn’t know couldn’t hurt him.
”Thank… you?”
Maddiman felt himself tense again at the touch. This was a nice break from the chaos of Frostia’s. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of McKraken chuckling.
”You don’t gotta sound so confused. You act like I’m some kinda heartless bastard or something.”
”Sorry, sorry-“
McKraken elbowed him, causing the doctor to recoil reflexively.
”Relax. I’m just joking with you…”
He snorted, a grin spreading across his face. Maddiman relaxed a bit, letting out a breath. He didn’t get to relax all too often, so it was nice to just sit and let himself think about something other than work for once.
————
After what felt like hours, Maddiman desperately wanted to leave. Sure, the chairman had made the noisy bar a bit more bearable, but that was beginning to wear off. Plus, he had more important matters to attend to…
As he stood to leave, McKraken tilted his head slightly.
”Already had enough? I can walk you back if you want.”
Maddiman paused. It was far too late out to be walking alone. Though he was significantly stronger than the average yokai, that didn’t stop some from at least attempting to mug him. In fact, that almost seemed to motivate them more.
”That would be nice.”
Maddiman smiled at the chairman, hoping it didn’t come off as too unnerving.
McKraken grinned back at him, standing and following behind him.
”Great! You lead. I’ll make sure nobody’s following behind.”
He joked, patting the doctor on the back rather hard. Maddiman winced slightly and stifled a laugh. He didn’t want any more people to stare than there already were…
As he moved toward the door, a smaller yokai shoved past him, causing him to stop in his tracks as something was knocked out of his pocket.
Why had they just-? He had given them plenty of space, so why did they feel the need to go out of their way to shove him, let alone come anywhere near him? He watched as they turned to apologize, freezing before they could even get a word out.
The sound of metal hitting the floor caused him to be pulled from his thoughts. He’d been staring at the small yokai. And judging by their expression, he probably didn’t look too pleased.
”S-Sorry, I swear I didn’t mean to-“
They stammered out, but before he could speak, McKraken stood between them.
”C’mon, old man. Let’s get you home. Don’t waste your time on idiots like that.”
He said, his voice once again sounding strangely comforting. The chairman bent down, grabbing whatever’d fallen out of his pocket.
”Here, you dropped your…scalpel? Why the hell’d you have this with you?”
He asked as he stood up straight, holding the scalpel away as Maddiman reached for it.
”I… forgot it in my pocket?”
He shot McKraken an anxious grin, gritting his teeth slightly as the other held it away from his grasp.
”Don’t bullshit me. Why’d you have this with you?”
McKraken asked again, his smile morphing into a frown as his brow furrowed. Shit.
”I just- I, uh…”
Maddiman took a breath, before snatching it out of the chairman’s hand and bolting out the door. He was gonna regret this like hell later, wasn’t he?
————
Maddiman slumped into his office chair, still catching his breath. Why hadn’t he just moved his office to the first floor? That’d probably be a lot more convenient than having to climb those half-collapsed stairs every day.
Both his head and heart were pounding. He’d probably pissed the chairman off or something. He was just glad that McKraken didn’t follow him. It was probably better to let him cool off on his own, rather than risk getting his ribcage caved in. So much for a good night…
He stared at the scalpel on his desk, before his eye drifted towards the door. Leadoni was staring at him through the gap, but quickly ran off when they made eye contact.
…he may as well just get some work done. Not like he’d be doing anything else that night.
”Stupid- Come on…”
He grit his teeth as he tugged at the desk drawer. Eventually, it slid open as if it were never stuck in the first place. Maddiman let out a sigh and frowned as he grabbed one of the files that had been stored inside and a pen, before flipping through the pages…