Work Text:
Knots
-o-0-o-
It had been an innocent suggestion.
Really, truly it had.
Naoto hadn't… meant anything uncouth about it.
She just…
He was stiff as a board, which… was again odd but the knot on his shoulder was … she shuddered as she increased the pressure on the absolute ruin of this young man's shoulder and arm.
“You should take more care with yourself.” Naoto's voice, muted as it was in the depths of this underground bunker, nonetheless seemed to echo as if she had shouted it for all the world to hear.
“S'all good, just gotta stretch more fore’ I smack shadows ova’ the head ya know?” He hissed as she pressed down harder.
“Regardless Kanji-kun, you are essential for the Team's continued survival, do forgive me for being blunt.”
The young man stiffened again,
“I just smack shit up.” He muttered.
“Again, I apologize for my curt tone but that is inherently incorrect. I have observed the team dynamics and you Kanji-kun, whether you are aware of this or not, have taken- it also seems of your own volition- the primary defensive role, especially towards Amagi-senpai and Rise-san-.”
“And you.” He mumbled, Naoto paused.
“… yes I have noted that in my observations as well. There is no need-.” Another pause. Another knot. Dear God. What had this boy done to himself? “It is appreciated regardless, Kanji-kun, although forgive me but I fear this may be beyond my capabilities.”
He pulled away slightly, “Nah, yer good Naoto-kun. See-.” He rotated his shoulder. “Good as new.”
“Those knots were concerningly extensive Kanji-kun.”
“Meh.” He shrugged now, “Comes with heavy liftin’ and stuff.
She gave him an odd look and his eyes abruptly widened.
“I-I mean, ya know…not… a big deal? Not that I uh… ya know lift! Well I mean I do yeah but NOT that I ya know am braggin’…bout it… Juuuust I'M FINE DAMN IT!” He suddenly yelled out, then rushed for and picked back up that monstrous shield back up.
It must have weighed... well that certainly explained quite a bit.
He handled that thing was as if it were made of paper mache versus the hardened steel she could infer by sight alone it was lined with(!) - dear lord this boy's strength was truly...
He could probably hoist Naoto up on his shoulders whilest still wielding his weapon without breaking a sweat... well as long as he did proper stretching first because clearly he had shown a distinct lack of preparation before battle and-!
"Err Naoto-kun?"
She jumped.
“W-We should catch up! Senpai is waiting!” He averted his gaze. "And it uh, it ain't safe to stick around in this place so uh-." He gestured with his head. "We should get goin'."
…yes. Quite. This was true- Naoto shuddered these shadows…these menaces of the warped human mind(?) - as Hanamura-senpai had ( badly) tried to explain it? It was all just so...bizarre.
Everything was truly skewed in here…
“Was my Lab as you all call it truly such a death trap?” Naoto murmured and Kanji-kun paused. “…I'm sorry for putting you all in such danger with my own...”
The tall blond, blunt as ever only threw her a thumbs up.
“Nah, mine was worse. Or that Kubo asshole's or even Rise-kun. Don't tell ‘er I said that, but yer fine Naoto-kun, I'm just glad yer safe is all.”
….badum?
“U-Uh I mean WE- WE ARE ALL GLAD - NOT JUST - I - UM - WELL… LETS GO BEAT UP SOME SHADOWS ALREADY!”
Naoto blinked for a long moment and for whatever reason Kanji-kun turned away and began striding at a break neck pace down the hall- paused again and then threw her a look over his shoulder- oh!
She hastened after him, yes it was very unwise to be alone in here at any time wasn't it?
Once again however the Detective noted the slight shifting of her person being positioned behind him, which should have been infuriating yes but…
Somehow with this specimen it… was comforting instead.
….how very odd.
End