Work Text:
The fact that Doppo felt well rested should have been the first sign that something wasn’t quite right. The redhead stared at the ceiling as he tried to process everything around him from the comfort of his bed. No light was filtering in through the windows, there were no sounds of birds or anything to indicate that it was morning or that Doppo had vastly overslept. Even with how tired he could feel sometimes, something (whether it was himself, his alarm, or Hifumi) would have woken him up before noon. And yet here Doppo was, blinking awake and somehow not having the urge to fall back asleep.
After some time of just doing this, Doppo groggily reached around for his phone. Flipping it open he finally saw the time: 4:21 in the morning. That… that can’t be right. Doppo feels rejuvenated, something he would never feel at 4:21 in the morning. Doppo finally sits up. Maybe there’s some kind of weird prank Hifumi wanted to test on him at work. Changing his phone time for no good reason or something. Yeah.
The longer Doppo stared at the number though, it never did seem to change. Alright so his phone finally broke after many loyal years of service- he should have seen that coming. It was a flip phone of all things, after all. Fine, the microwave clock then.
Doppo slowly padded his way out of his room into the darkness of the main living space. So Hifumi wasn’t home, huh. The blonde usually left at least one light on if he was busy doing his skincare routine or whatever Doppo figured he might be doing so that ruled the prank idea out. Doppo turned on the kitchen light, shielding his face from the sudden brightness, and made his way to the microwave.
4:21.
The numbers were spelled out clear as day on the small screen. No matter how closely or how far away he looked at it, 4:21. The microwave was new too, so it’s not like it suddenly broke in tandem with his phone, the redhead rationalized. There’s no way. So this was really happening.
Doppo checked the other clocks around the apartment for good measure and, sure enough, they all presented the same time. A quick look out the window into the Shinjuku streets also garnered a similar answer, men and women frozen mid-walk. So much for feeling rejuvenated. This had to be some kind of weird joke right? Doppo went through everything he had done in the past week that could somehow warrant getting stuck in a situation like this. Aside from his usual self loathing, nothing stood out as too heinous. But, then again, since when were the universe's punishments ever matching the crime.
Panic became prominent in Doppo’s mind. What if this weird time freeze is permanent then what would that mean? Doppo doesn’t know if other people are also walking around like him- for all he knows he could be the only one. And if he’s the only one… then he’ll be truly alone. Forever. ‘As you should be,’ a part of his mind spat out. Wait- that’s it. That’s what he should do. Doppo quickly began changing out of his pajamas. If he’s walking around while everything and everyone else is frozen- as far as he could tell- there’s always a chance there could be another one. And, with all his heart, Doppo hoped Hifumi was free.
Doppo slipped out the door, an action that would have been protested by Doppo’s mind given the similarities to when he leaves for work. But this time he actually wants to leave.
If it’s 4am that means Hifumi’s still at the club, right? Doppo weighs his options. The trains wouldn’t be able to run so it’s not like he could save some time on the way there. He’d have to walk and suddenly this panic induced trip became even less appealing. Despite the distance and being relatively out of shape, the salaryman managed to sprint the majority of the way there (nearly collapsing in an alleyway a couple of times, not that Doppo’s going to tell anyone that if this ever ends).
Kabukicho was crowded in spite of the time and for once Doppo felt safe, if that was the right word to describe it. Kabukicho itself is shady (as if other places in Shinjuku weren’t) and Doppo can still recall the many times he’d warn a fresh-faced host Hifumi to be extra careful on his commute. But now as Doppo weaves through those frozen in place, there wasn’t a physical threat he could think of. No weird stalker of Hifumi’s would pop out of nowhere to stab him for having the gall to room with Shinjuku’s number one host. It eased the redhead’s constant panic somewhat.
Pushing past the half open doors to Fragrance, Doppo began his search, checking the time occasionally. The current plan: look around every corner of the club for Hifumi and, if that doesn’t work, start yelling around because there’s no way Hifumi had gone that far from the establishment. And, if he had, Doppo figured Hifumi would have already been home by the time he woke up.
The women that filled the place were truly something else. Doppo had never really noticed it before when he had visited for Hifumi’s sake, being more focused on preventing the blonde’s host mode from causing too much trouble. The women were all holding drinks Doppo just knew he couldn’t afford with his meager salary and more often than not had some kind of obscene jewelry on- diamonds upon diamonds. So these are the kind of people that could afford his crush, huh.
It takes a moment for Doppo to spot a familiar spot of blonde, having half expected Hifumi to be in the center of everything like he always was. This time, though, Doppo found the host sitting in one of the more secluded booths, holding onto some woman, caressing one cheek and kissing the other. Unmoving. Doppo merely sighs. As much as he wishes he was the one being kissed he’s seen this image too many times for it to hurt. ‘The one person I wanted to not be stuck...,” he momentarily thinks to himself.
Fragrance is a lost cause and the only other person Doppo can think to check on was Jakurai, but a few minutes of knocking proved fruitless.
So he was really alone.
The walk home was defeatist, Doppo’s mind playing scenarios upon scenarios of what awaited him in the end. Time could resume and everything would be fine, but then again Doppo doesn’t know how long it’s been but time certainly doesn’t seem raring to go again. Maybe the situation would reverse itself as a remedy, Doppo being lost to time as everyone else moved onward. As if that wasn’t how Doppo felt already in his daily life. And then of course his brain’s favorite outcome to dwell on: he’s going to die stuck like this.
Settling himself into the kitchen, Doppo began work on what he would assume was lunch. He didn’t exactly want to make anything but Hifumi’s increased insistence that Doppo not eat a ton of junk food meant that there weren’t many microwavable meals- assuming that a microwave would work in the first place which it probably didn’t- and by his luck the leftovers had run out the night before. And, logically, anything that would require time to cook is out of the question… Doppo really has limited options, huh.
That left… mostly just the snack foods. Which there wasn’t a ton of. Curse Hifumi and his need to feed Doppo home cooked meals. Doppo began rummaging through the kitchen, settling on an apple. It’s not a lot but at least Hifumi could be proud of him for not immediately going for the chips.
What to do?
Doppo wasn’t particularly interested in finally cracking open the book Jakurai had gotten him for his birthday, as guilty as thinking that made him feel. Thinking through this, Doppo came to a realization: outside of Matenrou, he really doesn’t do much ‘fun’ on his own. Weekends were for sleeping and so was every moment that he was home from the job that worked him down to the bone. But he really didn’t feel tired, as miraculous as it was. The time stop probably allowed him to get a full night’s sleep and then some for once. He’d probably regret those words eventually. Probably.
That really just leaves two ideas in Doppo’s mind: more wandering (maybe he’d finally get to see Shinjuku not through the window of a train that was quickly lulling him to sleep) and sleeping. That sounds easy enough for him. Other than the wandering it’s not too different from what he usually did sans work. Wake up, wander, visit Hifumi just to be sure, maybe wander some more, go home, eat, sleep, repeat. Doppo can do that. Doppo can do that no problem.
The time that followed would adhere to that schedule. Doppo couldn’t tell how much actual time had passed by this time, just knowing that his body had demanded that he finally sleep around eleven times. At this point he had gone through half of the foods he could just eat as is and, even with what seemed to be all the time in the world, felt like he was just living from sleep to sleep.
Over those eleven days give or take, Doppo had ended up spending most of the time wandering just staying by Hifumi’s side in Fragrance. By Doppo’s train of thought, he didn’t want to go out so far that it became a hassle to get back and, well, Fragrance is just right there and just so happened to have his favorite person’s frozen body there. And it was here that he finally found something to do. Talking Hifumi’s ear off while the other has no clue.
In the beginning it was just simple “hello”s and “I hope you’re okay”s and then silence. Lots and lots of silence. Doppo was still getting into the groove of talking to someone who wasn't even listening. But that was the beauty of it, right? Hifumi can’t hear him so Doppo can say whatever he wants without Hifumi using it against him as a joke in the future. That logic stayed in the forefront of Doppo’s mind as he began talking more and more. Various frustrations with work that he hadn’t told the host prior. Doppo’s anxieties about the upcoming Division Rap Battle. Whatever came to the redhead’s mind he would talk about.
Once the usual anxiety driven words of Doppo’s everyday life were worn out- it’s not like he had as much to complain about at the moment, he can’t exactly go to work at 4:21am- things shifted to a more reflective tone. Talking about his memories of when they were in grade school. The time Hifumi wanted to pet a dog so bad he face planted on the sidewalk and Doppo had to bandage his nose. When Doppo treated a small plant he had gotten from school better than the stupid egg he and a random girl got assigned to treat like a living child. Hifumi still hasn’t let Doppo let that one down, especially not when he sees how Doppo babies the many succulents he’s bought over the years.
How Hifumi never really got past his habit of cushioning his falls with his face when he tried to impress Doppo by standing on the desk and it ended up slipping out from under him. Now that Doppo thought about it, Hifumi never really considered danger did he. Back then with his many trips to the nurse’s office and now with running head on to face his fears or to help others. Even if that person had recently plunged a knife into his arm, Hifumi still moved forward and helped her. It felt so, so foreign to Doppo. If Doppo didn’t see the benefit, he would just stay put. But here Hifumi was doing anything but that.
Doppo hated how reckless Hifumi could get. Wanted to scold Hifumi for not regarding his own health. And he did. But he could never stay too mad for long. That’s just how the world goes. Hifumi is a force of nature and Doppo just can’t help but be swept up by the storm. Sometimes it was fun, like how Hifumi always promised it would be, and other times Doppo knew he would have at least some regrets the following morning. In the end, though, it was better than truly being the hermit label Hifumi teased him with.
The glow Hifumi had under the shoddy lighting in the club was ever present as Doppo sat and talked. The glow that could melt snow- and Doppo’s heart- with just how bright it was. At that moment, Doppo was hit with pangs of loneliness. He wanted to see Hifumi smile, to have him actually respond to Doppo’s inane rambling. At the very least even if the response annoyed Doppo it would beat the lasting silence that followed him.
Would Doppo get to see that smile again? Would the universe allow him that now? The repeating realization was frightening to him. Others always told Hifumi and Doppo just how inseparable they seemed and having that separation had begun leaving Doppo at a loss. Would Doppo endlessly have to live his ‘days’ never hearing that voice ever again? It’s not like he could pull up any of the voicemails the blonde had left him. Sound needed time to travel, after all. Was this scene- the jacket tinged with narcissism, makeup reflecting the shine from the lights above ever so slightly, locked eyes with someone who with one simple removal could have the host in tears, holding her with the vague intentions of being her lover for however long she paid for- be the last Doppo would get to see? He didn’t want that… Not when he still had so much left unsaid.
Maybe… those worlds could come loose tonight. No repercussions. Just Doppo and the image of the person who will never have to know. Doppo hesitantly opened his mouth.
“Hifumi.” Doppo let the name hang for a moment, processing what he was going to say far more than he thought he should.
“I hope we’ll be able to speak to each other again soon. It’s… weird. I’m with you. I can see and touch you. But you can’t. You, the clingiest and chattiest person I have ever met, can’t do the same. I miss seeing you be you. Your smile, as much as it shows up at the worst possible times, I want to see it. I want you to knock me down to the floor when I come back home from work. I don’t care if it hurts my back when you do it I just want to have those experiences again. And I know it’s selfish of me. It’s selfish and I’m a horrible human being for wanting things like that again. But, again, I’m horrible, so I’ll try to indulge in that. When I thought that I wanted to be by your side forever, I didn’t think something like this would happen. But here we are, haha.” Doppo’s laugh was dry, his eyes nervously darting between his clasped hands and the host before him.
“I care about you so much, you know. You’re the most important person to me and maybe I’ll be able to say this when you’re moving again. Maybe I’ll be a coward like always and avoid it. Just… I love you. I love you and I want to be with you, not just as roommates and childhood friends. And- and if you love me back- I’ll do my absolute best to make you the happiest man you can be. My absolute best might not be up to your standards and I’ll just be a failure of a boyfriend but I want to put the effort in. Even if I’m exhausted, even if I don’t want to get out of bed. Just say the word and I’ll be there. I guess we kind of do that already though… this would just put an official label. Ahh now I’m making assumptions this was a bad idea.”
“Hifumi, I love you.” Doppo took a deep breath in and stood up from where he was seated across from Hifumi. Tentatively, the redhead placed a kiss on the host’s forehead. Minor guilt flooded through Doppo but he can’t exactly take back his actions at this point now can he?
It was 4:21am as Doppo made his way back to the apartment. His mind was racing with all he had just said. For a moment he wondered if he would be able to replicate the speech but quickly figured no since Hifumi would no doubt interrupt him not even a third of the way in.
With a sigh, Doppo’s internal clock began screaming at him to sleep. Easily enough he settled onto his bed, curling up in on himself. The pillow he grasped at would have to do for human contact for now.
A droning beeping sound blared, causing Doppo to quickly shoot up out of shock. Catching his breath from the familiar sound, Doppo stared at the time the alarm clock displayed. 7:00.
7:00.
The smell of something cooking in the kitchen drew Doppo out of his room in a hurry. This… this was happening, right? The redhead made his way to the kitchen, not bothering to close his door to hide the mess it had become from Doppo’s time spent alone.
Sure enough, a certain blonde was making himself busy with the final touches for their breakfast.
“H-Hifumi!” Doppo’s voice was panicked as he latched onto the other from behind.
“Uwaah- Doppochin~! You sure got out of bed quickly!” Hifumi looked over his shoulder at the man who had set his head there. “Did you get possessed by some energetic ghost or something?”
“No…” Doppo’s voice was muffled in Hifumi’s shoulder. “I… I was excited to see you.” Best to be honest, right?
“Doppochin excited? That’s a new one.”
“Shut up.”
“Hehe, I’m just about done so you can go and sit down at the table already~.” The salaryman obeyed the others' words (reluctantly) detaching himself and slouching down in his chair. It wasn’t too long before Hifumi set down their plates- omurice. Doppo perked up at the sight of it.
The two ate relatively quickly, Doppo more so than Hifumi. Hifumi laughed at him a little for it with a small “wow.” Doppo stared mid-bite as Hifumi opened his mouth to speak.
“So~ are you gonna tell me where all the fruit went?” Hifumi tilted his head towards the now empty fruit bowl. Doppo swallowed.
“Oh, uh, I got hungry last night.” Technically correct.
“Mmmm but you’re never that hungry.” Hifumi pointed his fork at Doppo as he spoke.
“Maybe my stomach just felt like a void for once…”
“Maybe~”
A thought came to Doppo. He had basically prepared himself for it last night and he felt an odd sense of courage (probably courtesy of the extra sleep he was able to get). He could- he should. He will.
“Hifumi, there’s something I need to tell you.” Here goes nothing.
“Oh? Is it about where the carrots went along with the fruit?” Hifumi's eyes widened a little at the small bits of confidence in Doppo’s voice.
“N-No. It’s uh…” No no no no don’t freeze up now. If Doppo didn’t say it now with this kind of setup Hifumi would pester him to no end about it. He has to say it. “I like you. A lot.”
“I would hope so! Other than Doc I’m, like, the only friend you’ve got.”
“I know, but hey! And that’s not what I mean. I like like you.” Why did his words feel like they were coming from a grade schooler? “I love you.” Hifumi merely stared at him for a good thirty seconds.
“I mean, I wouldn’t expect you to think the same of me. I don’t want to pressure you into a relationship or anything if you don’t want to. I probably made a mistake by saying that- I’m sorry-” So much for confidence.
“No no don’t be sorry, Doppyon! It’s just- it took you long enough.” Hifumi reached across the table and ruffled the other’s bird’s nest of hair.
“Huh?”
“I mean, you’re kinda really bad at hiding your crushes. You always were, but that just makes Doppochin all the more cuter, right?” Hifumi gave him a small laugh. “I love ya too, you dummy.”
Oh. So the best case scenario happened. This was the best outcome but why does Doppo feel like he’s going to spiral into a panic. Is it the coffee withdrawal? Maybe it’s the coffee withdrawal. Anything but the heart that was beating loudly in his ears.
Hifumi looked over at the microwave clock for a moment. “Not to ruin the moment but, like, shouldn’t you be getting ready for work?” 7:10am with 20 minutes to get to the train station. Oh no.
“Y-Yeah… I’m sorry.” Doppo got up and began to hurriedly make his way to his room. Shirt, pants, socks, tie, suit jacket, basic hygiene, Doppo tried his best to get all of that taken care of as quickly as possibly. In the genkan, Doppo slipped his shoes on and picked up his briefcase.
“Wait! Doppochin~” Hifumi came up to him, planting a kiss on Doppo's cheek and effectively making his face the same shade as his hair. “Have a good day at work!” Doppo was rewarded with a smile that could easily blind any passersby.
“Thank you, Hifumi. Get some good sleep before work, okay?” Doppo began exiting the complex.
“Doppyon being the one worrying about my sleep for once, be sure to be unpossessed by the time you get home!” Doppo shut the door behind him and began the panic induced marathon to the train station. This time around, though, he was looking forward to the day ahead.
Today is a good day.