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It is pretty common knowledge by now: Seth does not like the rain. As water seeps into his shoes with every step he takes, the cat thiren regrets not insisting a little bit more on working overtime. Had he stayed in the office he won't be soaked and his fur won't be ruffled by now.
Atlas, what's done is done, with a sigh he turns left finally close to his destination he quickens his pace hand searching for the keys in his pockets when a familiar figure enters his line of sight. Seth's steps come into a halt, he closes the umbrella taking shelter under the porch, amber eyes meeting his. The cold wind of the evening makes him shiver.
"Oh, it's you." The agent takes a step to the side crossing his arms, Seth thinks it's unnecessary, there's still plenty of space.
"Senior Asaba" Seth takes a moment to catch his breath "Got caught by the rain?" Internally he cringes, anyone could tell that by looking at his senior soaked form. Water is still dripping from his hair.
The agent lets out a snort "It seems it has gotten you too"
Seth tries to shrug the annoyance away "Umbrellas are pretty useless when the rain is paired with the wind"
"Mh. True."
Maybe it's the slight blush on his cheek, or the slight quiver in his lips or the quiet not-almost-as-usually-playful tone but Senior Asaba looks.. different. Seth can't really place what it is exactly.
"Cat got your tongue officer? Aren't you out and about chasing the wrong fugitives?"
Ah.. there he is.
"Senior Asaba...! You–" Seth feels his tail wip out in annoyance, he opens his mouth before closing it biting his tongue, he's not going to win this argument if he decides to entertain it. He leans closer to the door, keys finally on hand "You're not on duty. Do you wanna come in?" He holds the door open in waiting.
That seems to take the agent aback the mischievous glint disappearing from his eyes, a blink. Has Seth read the situation wrong again? Is he actually here for work?
"Don't mind if I do."
———
Seth lets out a sigh of relief getting himself comfortable on the couch enjoying the dryness of his new clothes, he gave some to Senior Asaba too, who surely was taking his sweet time to change. Seth's ears twitch alert, all he can hear is the drier in the bathroom.
After walking up plenty of floors Asaba's breaths came in short labored pants, Seth didn't think about taking the lift, he usually takes the stairs and he didn't think an Agent of H.A.N.D. would have had any problems with that either, when asked about it his senior just let out a long suffered whine. Seth wondered if he was doing alright.
Seth's ears twitch again at the sound of the door opening, despite being slightly taller than him, his clothes looked a bit loose on his senior. How curious. This was the first time he'd seen him in casual clothing, Asaba even got rid of his signature bandana. There's a slight sway in his steps and he looks...
"Are you sick?"
His senior lets out an exaggerated whine joining him on the couch with a flop, despite the extensive use of the hairdryer Asaba's hair still look damp, Seth wonders if it has anything to do with their thickness. Or perhaps they were really just that soaked. How long has his senior been standing in the rain? "I think so, ah.. My weak body can't really handle this ugly weather" another sigh.
Seth blinks. Admittedly he doesn't like talking to his senior that much. Senior Asaba's way of speaking always makes him question his sincerity. Although... His senior really looks sick. The slight flush still persist on his cheeks, his eyes are a little droopy. His body also seems to be shaken by slight tremors. Perhaps he should have given him warmer clothes.
"You can take some sleep if you want to."
"Sleep? I have a night shift in a few hours" a yawn. "Miss Tsukishiro will kill me if I call in sick again" another whine. He must really loathe his job. Seth doesn't understand why did he join H.A.N.D. in the first place.
"What time? I'll wake you up."
"Mh... You're being so hospitable Mr. Officer, do you have any favors you want to ask?" Here's that tone again.
Seth frowns "...What? No I don't. You just look like you're about to pass out —his tail wips in annoyance— and I'd rather you be already on a bed when that happens. Also can't I just be–"
"Alright, alright.. I'm fucking with you Officer, no need to get defensive" Asaba's lips curl in slight grin "please wake me in 3 hours."
———
When Seth wakes him up his senior is burning up. And he objectively looks way worse than he did before, it's almost concerning "You should really take sick leave"
"Aw.. Are you worried, kitty cat?" Seth considers strangling him. Officer Qingyi will certainly help him hide the body without asking too many questions. "You don't have to. My body temperature often.. Fluctuates weirdly after waking up. It'll settle down"
Seth wants to argue that his body temperature isn't the only concern but before he does Asaba reaches for his poach which seems to contain... Quite the assortment of medications.
Seth frowns again. Did he just count seven pills on his senior hand? No matter, they all went down with the glass of water Seth previously left by the night table.
"One question" amber eyes greet him again "You can ask me one question about —he gestures towards his poach and himself— this, I'll answer."
Seth stares at him tail swaying slowly as he ponders. "Is this actually normal for you?"
"Yes."
Silence stretches a beat too long.
"It's so unfortunate isn't it?? —Senior Asaba puts a hand on his forehead sighing dramatically— as I said, I have a weak frail body, oh.. the pain.."
See? Now Seth can't tell if he's serious or not. Ultimately He just sighs. Tail drooping. He levels his senior with a questioning look but the Agent wastes no time and gets ready for work, he gives his thanks to Seth and promises to bring him his clothes back next time they meet.
Seth truly hopes it won't happen anytime too soon.