Work Text:
"You're smoking again," The complaint was voiced with soft distress as the click of shoes growing closer filled the ears of the black-haired man.
He looks back, and sure enough, the prettiest person ever is there to catch him indulging in his bad habits again.
He can't seem to care enough to even feign embarrassment or shame right now. He does, however, apologize.
"Sorry," He exhales, and a toxic, cloudy puff exited from his mouth, "I'll stop soon, I promise."
Your frown deepens, "Don't make promise you have no intention on keeping."
"Who said I wouldn't?" He shoots out, side-eyeing you. You meet his sideways glance with a full head turn in his direction as you throw back, "Because you said that last time yet here we are."
"Point taken," He doesn't miss a beat. Turning his head back to gaze upon the horizon that hid away behind tall skyscrapers and other office buildings. It was truly odd sight — seeing him admit defeat so quickly, you mean — and it only made you worry more.
These past few days following Ihei's...Hairu's death, you've noticed Ui's been rather — what's the word — ...self destructive? You're sure that no one but you has noticed how the dark gullies underneath his eyes have turned into deep ravines. How often he has to downs medication ( that you may or may not have snuck into the CCG for him ) to combat his frequent migraines. How he seems to be more outwardly agitated by the little things like a cup of pens being knocked over or some documents being misplaced.
He's been sleeping less, eating less, and unfortunately, smoking and drinking a tons more — hell, a ton doesn't scratch the amount of bottles you found surrounding him at the downtown bar last night — and to say you're worried would be an understatement.
But what can you possibly do in a situation like this? I mean, you yourself are in the same shoes as the person lost was someone dear to the both of you. If it weren't for the comforting support you received from your coworker and good friend ( much to Ui's dismay ), Haise Sasaki, you'd probably be in a similar if not worst state.
But something as heartbreaking and final as death can do that to a person. It can completely reshape and break them and you can tell that the special class was teetering that edge and, as a result, cracking.
So, with no better ideas, you ask him, "..You'd seek me out if something was bothering you, right?"
"Of course," He says much too quickly not to be seen as dismissive. You decide to try again, "You promise? No alcohol binges or hour-long cigarette breaks or drowning yourself in work until you pass out...you'll come and seek solace in me, right?"
"Yeah," He throws out, and whether he's aware of it or not, it sounded even more halfhearted than before.
So you walk up to him — not as an investigator, but a dear friend who cares for him and his wellbeing greatly — and reach out, taking his face into your hands.
As expected, he's surprised; his drooping empty eyes seem to widen up and even spark for a moment as he seems to be at a lost for words. You use that as leeway to speak first before seniority has a chance to rule.
"I'll ask you again," You say as firmly as your being could muster, "Do you promise to come to me next time you feel like this?"
In hindsight, your wording my have been a bit too direct — may have breach waters more rocky than you may have liked — but you can't find yourself regretting it, especially when Ui's able to process what's happening and slinks away from your grasp with red beginning to stain his cheeks.
Because like that, though it's not exactly the same, he seems much more like himself and less like a hollow shell.
"You shouldn't touch your superior so inappropriately," He scolds, but doesn't meet your gaze nor does he do anything to reprimand you further. Instead, he lets silence fill the air and you take it as a less than formal end to this conversation. It leaves you less than satisfied, but more contempt than when you first walked in here.
You gather your things at a brisk pace, but take your time walking towards the large double doors of the spacious office. When you finally make it to the exit and reaching for one of the silver door handles, Ui's mumbling catches your attention.
You turn your head around. He's looking your way now, but still not exactly at you which you decide not to comment on and instead ask, "What was that?"
Thankfully, he repeats himself — something he's not the fondest of doing, "I said...that if you end up having to stay late for whatever reason and are still here by the time I finish all my paperwork for today, I'll....we can go out and grab some dinner together."
Most wouldn't bat an eye to the proposal as Ui sometimes indulges those he's closer to here at the CCG and goes out for food and drinks — mainly drinks — after work, but you couldn't help but pause as you heard his words.
But then, your face softens so much that your expression could no longer be deemed professional as you nod along to his proposal, "I'll keep that in mind."
Koori Ui broke his promise to you about quitting smoking. Couldn't look you in the eye or answer your question with words you wished to hear him say....but, at the very least, he was trying in his own way. Grieving in his own way. Coping in his own way. Healing in his own way. He simply needed the time.
..And now, you see it for yourself and you can't be more relieved — for it seems that your friend was farther away from the edge than you once believed ( and is willing to reach out if he finds himself slipping ).