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[ Welcome to hell! Welcome to hell!

Which is to say, welcome to the morning after Ouma and Shuichi's game went a little further than it probably should have. Ouma had ended up killing even more time in the tacky love hotel by giving it another, more thorough investigative sweep -- not that he found anything particularly useful, but it's good to know the layout of the place and what exactly can all be found in there item-wise. Who knows what might end up being useful or relevant in this mutual killing game fiasco. Although he lowkey hopes some of the shit he found never ends up being relevant -- but knowing Miu, it's possible.

So Ouma's a little sleep deprived, between staying out that much later and...the general exhaustion...plus his inability to stop thinking about it. Even though he'll act like he slept like an absolute baby, 'cause he's a liar. He's even dragged himself to the cafeteria for breakfast, because that's how utterly unaffected he is. Plus, he is hungry.

Thankfully (but also annoyingly, because now he's gotta go see what they're up to right now), most of the ~*~student council~*~ of Angie's, aka the brainwashed idiots, aren't really around right now. That leaves...Korekiyo, Maki, Miu, and Kaito. What a wack group. Although one of the others might show up later...or altogether, since they're teaming up. No Shuichi either, which is interesting.

But not unsurprising, he supposes.

He doubts anything would've happened to him, but there's a paranoid part of him that kind of wonders.

He's almost considering just nabbing some snacks and taking them up to his room right now, because this is pretty uninteresting!! No fights breaking out or anything. Plus, the meal quality around here has really taken a nosedive since Kirumi's death. Oh, well...

The Monokubs will probably show up to say something inane, so he should stick around. ]

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[ That's fair, but Ouma's also not the one who broke out the orgasm denial first thing.

Ouma rolls his eyes at Shuichi's statement while Shuichi's still mussing with his hair a little. ]

I tooold you, the disks must've gotten mixed up... Not my fault!

[ Says the guy who is generally at fault for most things.

Ouma's distracted from the topic with Shuichi finishing up on his hair, though. It's a lot more time spent on his hair than he ever spends on it himself, and Ouma wonders if it really even makes a difference, but he's still appreciative of the fact that Shuichi bothered to spend so much time on him. He grins, all of a sudden moving to lean in and almost theatrically kiss Shuichi on the cheek. ]

Thank for washing my hair properly, Saihara-chan! You're so useful!

That's definitely a lie...

[He can definite make a trial-worthy argument about the porn and subsequent friskiness being entirely premeditated, but fuck it, he does not have the energy for that right now. Someone really wore him out today.

He's about midway through another sigh when Ouma suddenly leans in to kiss him, and he startles like he really wasn't anticipating they'd come back to this shit despite the track his own train of thought has been on. Eyes widening, one of his hands flies to his cheek without his really thinking about it.

Lord. He should really be used to this shit by now, but somehow it feels like he never will be.]

It's...no big deal, really...

[ Ouma tilts his head at Shuichi, still grinning if only because of his reaction to that. Only Shuichi would get so thrown off over a cheek kiss despite the fact that they're both completely naked in a bath together right now. It's almost endearing, really. ]

See, that's why you should be mine. It's easy work!

[ Ouma takes his hands off Shuichi's shoulders so he can slide his arms a little further past Shuichi, wrapping them over Shuichi's shoulders slightly as he leans more against him. What's personal space? Ouma's never heard of that. ]

Unless you're into the hard stuff... Then I could give you extra duties.

[ Ouma's still pretty worn out himself, but it's not due to exhaustion (even if he might proclaim otherwise) that he settles his chin against Shuichi's collar, making himself awfully comfortable here even though Shuichi had said he was finished with Ouma's hair. ]

[Goddammit. He was doing so good for a bit there, too.]

Your...

[It's a thoughtless murmur, his eyes wide as he tries to process in real time. Of course Ouma is wrapping that little statement up in more of the "work" nonsense. Of course it's all dipping into what sounds like innuendo, probably, while he gets even closer. That's Ouma's M.O., isn't it? He buries anything real or valuable or significant in piles of bullshit so he has an easy out if things don't go the way he wants, so he can brush everything off as a lie if needed. He set himself up as unreliable from the start so no one would ever take his words too seriously or think too hard about what might be true.

It's a little maddening to think about, and exhausting, and...sad, he thinks.

Ouma's already powered on through it too, cuddling close in a manner that is definitely not helping Shuichi think -- god, he prays Ouma can't feel him beneath the water, there's nothing to feel at the moment, mercifully, but it's still a horrifying and distracting throught he was to shove away. His hands linger where they are, hovering and pressed to his cheek respectively, while he rapidly tries to draw some meaning out of Ouma's bullshit and decide what to do with them.

He'd at least gotten that bit of sincerity out of Ouma before, if by somewhat dubious means. It feels like a Rosetta Stone of evidence, a small hint that might help him translate the nonsense and work out the truths.

Ouma likes him. Like, likes him. It's hard to swallow, despite making perfect sense with everything else Ouma does, because it's him and Ouma but he has to accept that basic fact to make sense of anything else. Ouma likes him, and thought about the possibility of being ditched if he was understood comepletely, and dropped that curiously-worded comment in with his babbling about his organization where it's surely meant to be overlooked in favor of exasperation or embarassment and continued rejections, because...it's easier to palate? Because he wants to be able to dismiss it all as a joke if called out on it? Because he wants to see if it'll be picked up at all?

All fhe possibilities seem very lonely, and very sad.

Shuichi frowns, and delicately settles for laying his hands at Ouma's waist and shoulder.]

I-I said...I'm not sure yet. You have to let me be your friend first, remember?

[Maybe he's drastically overthinking this. But there's something endearing about Ouma pressing himself close like that and dropping what might be breadcrumbs to something real, and he wants to at least try to make sense of it just in case.]

[ Ouma almost anticipated Shuichi dismissing that all on his own (and Ouma had certainly made for it to be easy enough to dismiss), so the fact that he addresses it gives Ouma momentary pause as he considers Shuichi's response. His expression evens, if only for a second, although it doesn't really matter since Ouma's so close that his face in Shuichi's collar is likely obscuring enough.

It's not a no, but Ouma wonders if he should even be fooling himself with the fantasy idea of Shuichi ever being his. Especially in this situation. It's more wishful babbling than anything, he realizes, but there's still that fragment of legitimate yearning. It's good enough that Shuichi is humoring him like this and letting him flirt excessively. It's even better and utterly delightful that Shuichi's been open to fooling around with him, which completely annihilates any expectations Ouma had for this game they've been playing.

-- Of course, he'd probably short-circuit or break or something if Shuichi was legitimately into him or confessed or anything. So where they're at now is probably for the best. It's not going to stop Ouma from aggressively flirting with Shuichi, though. After that brief pause, he responds dramatically: ]

Are you saying we're not friends?! So cruel, Saihara-chan--!!

[Was he hoping for sincerity? Maybe a tiny bit. Shuichi sighs, shaking his head slightly against Ouma's wet hair.]

I mean...I barely know anything about you.

[Maybe he understands Ouma better than most of them just by virtue of trying. But that doesn't mean he really knows much. And most of what he does know has been gleaned from observation rather than anything Ouma actually told him, especially given the Ultimate Supreme Leader's tendency to lie outrageously.

Frowning thoughtfully, he glances down at Ouma's head tucked under his chin, mildly frustrated by his inability to see Ouma's face. Is this how others feel dealing with him when he's feeling shy? Jesus.]

I did say I wanted to, just...I mean, it's been less than an hour. If you give me something to work with, maybe...

[ How the turn tables... Ouma turns his head to the side before he speaks, kind of just letting the side of his head lie against Shuichi as he speaks with newfound amusement. It's really nice, even having Shuichi interested in knowing more, but naturally Ouma is kind of the worst about opening up here. ]

Ehhh? You wanna go for more than an hour? I dunno if I can handle that!

[ Still... Shuichi is his favorite, and if he's asking for a hint without any semblance of pickiness here, it probably means Ouma can make a game out of this.

Because that's what you do when you're experiencing feelings, clearly. Play games. ]

...O-kay! I'll let you ask me anything you want. But I get to ask you anything I want in exchange, alright? That way it's totally fair.

[The obviously intentional "misunderstanding" isn't even surprising at this point, just kinda aggravating. He lets out a breath, frowning, but before he can even respond Ouma carries right on and the sudden apparent acquiescence actually is surprising, enough so that Shuichi just blinks wordlessly for a moment.

Shit, really? Just like that? It seems too easy to be real, which ends up being true of a lot of things where Ouma is concerned, but...well, he'd like to believe it's sincere. He really would.]

...You have to be honest. It's not fair if you lie.

[Just gotta...nip that in the bud quick. Doubtlessly Ouma will find a way to make it difficult regardless.

And then he's quiet for a long few moments, thinking hard. If he can ask anything...the little things seem like a waste, especially when he can deduce much of it on his own. And there are plenty of more significant things he could ask, but Ouma could just as easily read into what he does choose and Shuichi's suddenly very self-consious of his own thoughts on what's "important" and what those could suggest.

The pause is probably just a little too long, but at least Ouma seems to have made himself comfortable. It's not a terrible position, really, once the embarassment has died down a little. And if he isn't thinking about their mutual nakedness and whatnot. Ouma's relaxing easily against him, so he takes the moment while he's carefully picking his words to lean back a bit against the tub, his hand at Ouma's waist sliding around his back in a loose hold.]

Ah...what's your family like?

[ Shuichi leaning back in the tub and getting comfortable himself only encourages Ouma in his position, and he's suddenly immensely satisfied (like a kid who's just gotten their way), nuzzling a little more into Shuichi's collar as he continues being very comfortable himself here. ]

I would never lie to you!

[ ...............................Sure, Jan.

Still, he hums for a minute in thought at Shuichi's question. It's...of course, a super personal question. For Ouma, anyway. He never likes revealing much about himself, and as far as family goes, it's not exactly a typical or standard type of family, but only one group of people come to mind...

Thinking of them just dredges up with it a plethora of other feelings -- the paranoia, fear, longing, and tension with that motive video, for example. But Ouma doesn't even know if it's real. But it's still a video clearly depicting something only Ouma should know about, and that frustrates him and worries him altogether. This line of thinking is completely distracting him from the game at hand too, which is why Ouma tries thinking about other things -- Shuichi's hand at his back, how close Shuichi is, and how comfortable and pleased Ouma is to even be in this position. It's an infinitely nicer train of things to focus on. ]

They're a real pain in the ass.

[ Ouma answers, although there isn't any disdain in his tone so much as there is some kind of dissatisfaction. Mostly due to the reminder of his current situation. ]

... I bet they don't even miss me right now! Can you believe that?!

[ Does that count as lying? They're not even technically his genetic family or anything, so it could also be a truth, in a sense. ]

[The pause is just long enough that he's almost sure Ouma will deflect somehow and give nothing at all. It was a risky choice, after all, potentially very personal. He's certainly not expecting the real if bare-bones answer he gets.

But he can believe that's not a lie, at least. If not becayse of the rule he laid out, then because it doesn't seem like the way he'd expect Ouma to lie. A lie would probably be far more specific and over the top. He'd claim to be outcast royalty or something, probably. This vagueness feels more like a truth being played down. And if there was no one at all, then doubtlessly Ouma would admit to it in the same manner, careless if not acting proud of his independence.

So surely, even Ouma does has someone outside this place. Shuichi can't help but think back to the motive videos, Kaito's grandparents and Kirumi's citizens and Ryoma's loneliess, and wonder what could have been on Ouma's. He can't glean much just from those brief comments and that tone, but it doesn't sound resentful. Certainly nothing worse than any ordinary kid's obligatory irritation with their family.]

...No, I can't believe that.

[Shuichi frowns, his tone very serious compared to Ouma's. Glancing down to the top of Ouma's head, still unable to see any expression, he hesitates just briefly before giving Ouma's shoulder a quick squeeze.]

I'm sure they miss you.

[And after a beat:]

You're hard to ignore.

[It's a little bit meant to keep the mood from dipping too much. Ouma obviously has trouble with heavy bouts of sincerity. Buf he means it too, and it's relevant, trying to make clear that that reassurance wasn't just a meaningless platitude. No one who's used to Ouma being around could fail to notice his absence.]

Nee-heehee...

[ Ouma snickers in a way that emphasizes that he's at least entertained by Shuichi's responses (even though he also genuinely appreciates them...not that he'll ever admit as much), and he tilts his head to look up at Shuichi.

Ouma hopes he's missed, whether from some bout of sincerity or simply from missing his 100% good shenanigans -- because it would at least mean that they're still alive, and that Ouma can still save his totally-not-family's asses or get back to them in some way. It's incredibly difficult to focus on the game at hand while also worrying about something so important to him, though. Even if that importance is what keeps him motivated, in a sense. Still...it's something best not concentrated on if he wants to win this, since it's already very purposefully been dangled in front of him as a motive. But for someone like Ouma, it's impossible not to consistently have all of that bothering him in the back of his mind.

Shuichi has been a delightful distraction, at least. It's too bad he couldn't have met Shuichi outside of this game, Ouma thinks.

Or maybe it's for the best that he didn't. ]

So it's my turn to ask something! You can't lie either, okay?

[It doesn't escape him that Ouma barely answered at all. What Shuichi can deduce from the frustratingly little he was given is something, maybe, but it's not much and it was hardly freely given. As expected, of course -- he was right in guessing that banning lies wouldn't prevent Ouma from making things difficult -- but it's still just slightly discouraging.

It'd be nice if someday Ouma trusts him enough to be clear about anything. But he can't tell if that thought is optimistic or naive.

Ouma looks up at him and his mouth presses into a thin line, but he makes himself look down to meet that stare, adopting a sturdier air than he really feels.]

I'm not going to lie.

[ He's gotta play hard to get Shuichi (at least in one sense, since he's really not hard to get into bed, lbr), he can't have you losing interest, okay!!

Ouma grins at Shuichi's response, knowing full well Shuichi isn't likely to lie in most ordinary circumstances (and Ouma will easily catch it if he does, anyway), but it's more of a confirmation to pressure him considering Ouma isn't going anywhere nearly as personal with his question. Well, it's personal, but he can't be as emotionally personal as Shuichi right off the bat.

Plus, Ouma genuinely wants to know, anyway. ]

Then...! What's your most sensitive spot, huh?

[ Important information. ]

My most--

[Shuichi reddens slightly, but he bites back a sigh. Right. Of course. Why should he expect Ouma to be thoughtful about this when there were so many more mischievous possibilities? Particularly ones like that one that fell more in line with the interests Ouma's displayed so far.

God. He can't help but wonder if maybe he misinterpreted things before. Or if Ouma just has a different definition of "serious" than him. Maybe Ouma just meant that in terms of being sincerely sexually attracted to him rather than just fooling around with whoever was convenient. He can believe that part at this point, at least, but maybe that's really the extent of what Ouma's interested in. It feels like an uncomfortably real possibility when Ouma keeps sidestepping attempts to get to know him better.

Glancing away, Shuichi frowns.]

That sounds like something you're just going to use against me.

[Which really betrays the spirit of this whole "sharing information because they can totally trust each other" exercise.]

[ Ouma gets fake huffy at this point, shrugging his shoulders and putting on his best mock offended tone at Shuichi's completely warranted concern. ]

Whaaat? So rude! It's for you, not against you...

[ Whatever you say, Ouma.

He slides his arms back down off Shuichi's shoulders slightly, just so he has an easier time of frowning up at the other. ]

Plus, I'm just trying to make things easier. I could totally figure it out myself, but that would take a longer, more hands-on approach, y'know?

[ So considerate. ]

[Yeah, sure. He totally believes you, Ouma.

And y'know, he could also play dumb here and be completely obtuse. He could just name a spot he's ticklish, which would surely come back to haunt him but it would at least frustrate Ouma in return a little. He really is tempted.

But it's the wistful part of him that snags control of his mouth for the moment.]

I wouldn't necessarily mind the slower way...

[Ugh. His blush deepens and he pointedly looks away, a little amazed at himself that he came out with that at all. Fuck, but he is a hopeless romantic. Taking any part of this mess slow sounds so appealing, like it's the closest he'll get to doing anything the "right" way here.

And Ouma just keeps rushing through if not outright skipping all the normal steps. Frowning, he clings to the last shred of that frank courage to glance back at Ouma, unable to hide the uneasy unhappiness.]

...Is that all you care about?

[ Ouma blinks for a second at what Shuichi says, if only because it's all so awfully bold coming from him, but it's only a second later before his frown spreads into a devilish grin. ]

Ehhh--? Normally I'd get pissed over you asking something else without answering me first, but if you really want me to figure it out...I guess that's fine!

[ It can be like a game for him, which just makes the prospect all the better.

He's still gotta answer Shuichi's new question though, which is a bit of an annoying one because he's getting all serious and personal again. Part of Ouma wants to make Shuichi work a little harder for the answers he's looking for, which also contributes to his elusive behavior, but there's still that prickling discouragement that Shuichi's just going to ditch him or be turned off by him if he gets too serious. Betrayal in a game like this is just going to happen anyway, and Ouma wants to keep an emotional one far out of the picture.

Although he's probably already way too deep into this. ]

... But wow! You've really got me pegged, huh? It's true, I'm only interested in your body and super cute face... As expected from the Ultimate Detective!

[ The whole idea of being comparable with Miu or something like that is pretty abhorrent to him, so he can't help heavily lacing his cheery response with clear sarcasm. ]

[The obvious and heavy sarcasm would probably be comforting if Ouma were a simpler person, or if Shuichi were less prone to assuming the worst. But they're like this, so he can't help but wonder even still. Frustrated, he closes his eyes to Ouma's grinning face and shakes his head slightly.]

I'm serious.

[What is he supposed to think when it keeps coming back to this? He's a detective, he's supposed to look at evidence objectively, and ovjectively speaking Ouma's consistently rebuffed his efforts to get closer in a non-sexual manner with innuendo and propositions of varying levels of subtlety. It's a reasonable line of questioning.]

[ Ouma's pretty sure at this point that Shuichi just isn't satisfied with his answers. Which is fair, but Ouma is nonetheless going to sign and roll his eyes over Shuichi's stubbornness with this. ]

And I'm seriously saying you're a big idiot! I've said it before, but there's nobody else here who plays games with me or does things for me like you do. I mean, I could definitely get Gonta or something to do whatever -- but everyone else is so stupid compared to you, Saihara-chan.

[ Even though you literally just called him an idiot, Ouma, but go off.

There's so much more he could say, like how ridiculously and stupidly happy he gets whenever Shuichi asks to hang out with him or gives him a gift, or how desperately he wants to befriend Shuichi in spite of the fact that it's probably impossible with all his lying...but he'll casually omit his entire feelings regarding Shuichi right now, instead trying to prove a point that he is interested outside of this kind of context.

Suddenly conscious about it and maybe secretly hoping to get some kind of reaction to Shuichi's comfort, Ouma places his hands on either side of the tub, putting some distance between them finally as he makes a move to start getting out of the water. ]

So yeah, you kind of remind me of my family a little, I guess?

[ Outside of the sexual stuff, of course, but Ouma knows he doesn't have to clarify that. Playing with him, making sure he doesn't need everywhere from the knife game gone wrong, washing his hair correctly just now for him...

A beat, and then in a tone that sounds way too chipper for what he says next: ]

... Now all you need is a heinous crime or two under your belt!

[Y'know, he should be more indignant about being insulted like that. But Shuichi just deflates, feeling more guilty than anything. Ouma has a habit of making him feel bad for any success at getting sincerity out of him, like he should have been able to work it out himself and he was pushing too hard in his self-doubt.

(Then again, his previous attempt at getting some honesty out of Ouma probably is something he should feel bad about.)

But those were thoughts that had occurred to him before, that maybe Ouma just likes someone playing along and actually engaging with him. Maybe he should have trusted in those instincts rather than thinking the worst.

He almost feels like he should apologize, or maybe thank Ouma for being straightforward for the sake of his shitty unconfident brain, but then Ouma's carrying on with his nonsense and moving to get out of the water. Shuichi just blinks and gapes for a moment before suddenly reaching to catch Ouma's arm, preventing him from climbing out of the tub.]

H-hold on.

[He should say something about it, he should... It matters, to him at least, it's just kind of an overwhelming mix of emotions, guilt and relief and gratitude and lingering exasperation and he can't really pick the right words.

A bit too long a pause, and then, pointedly not looking at Ouma, he leans around him to pull the plug on the bathtub's drain, a muted gurgling signaling the water beginning to drain out.]

...You should rise with clean water under the shower first. The bathwater is full of sweat and soap and bubbles, it'll feel gross if you let that dry on you.

[ Ouma stares when Shuichi grabs his arm all of a sudden, definitely noting it's a reaction, although he's not sure what kind just yet. He does find himself ever so slightly a little happier at the fact that Shuichi's preventing him from going anywhere just yet. Even if it's apparently just to finish washing off properly. Maybe. ]

Nee-heehee...

[ Ouma smiles again, leaning to reach over for the shower knobs after that dramatic pause Shuichi just partook in. ]

See? Nobody else would care about these kinds of things, Saihara-chan!

[ Nobody else would care about Ouma in general normally, so it's especially nice to have dumb little reminders about how he should proceed to be s functional human being courtesy of Shuichi. ]

[Most people with basic hygine would care about that sort of thing. But he gets the feeling that that's not what Ouma means, really, so he lets it go. Out loud, anyway. He can't help but muse on it quietly, trying it fit it into the puzzle of Ouma he's slowly putting together in his head. No one else would care...here, specifically? The alternative seems too sad, and not really in line with what he took from Ouma talking about his family before.

What breaks him from that pondering is the sensation of the waterline beginning to drop lower and lower, the surface tension just a bit more noticeable where it crosses over more sensitive parts, and oh fuck right they are naked and that was his sole bit of modesty.

Flushing at the thought, Shuichi fights back the urge to hurriedly curl up and hide himself. He can play it cool, totally. Totally. Oh so coolly, he looks determinedly away from Ouma to pull the curtain closed around the tub and tug the ends in where they won't drip onto the bathroom floor.]

I-it's no big deal, really... You could probably raise your standards.

[ Ouma seems notably less embarrassed, standing fully in the tub after having turned the water on again so he can cross his arms in mock offense as he looks down at Shuichi. ]

Are you really questioning my standards? Hey, I'm not the leader of a highly efficient organization for no reason! Don't insult my selective process just 'cause you don't have the balls to admit how useful you are.

[ When will Ouma learn how to potentially hype someone up or say something genuine without smothering it in insults and misdirection.

Either way, his tone suggests no real anger as he reaches up to turn the lever on the shower head to turn it on at this point. ]

[Don't make him look up at you while you're naked, dude.

Ouma at least does him the favor of turning the water on, giving him a solid excuse to shut his eyes as a stream of water spray down at his upturned face. Saves him from responding too quickly, too. He has time to process that better as he carefully gets to his feet, holding onto the edges of the tub because he refuses to die by slipping and cracking his head open in a wet tub, okay?]

...Thanks.

[It's not the gentlest or most straightforward way of saying it. But there's a compliment buried in there, or at least something like reassurance, and that's...nice.

Trying to focus on that fairly-pleasant thought, he ducks his head under the stream of water, combing through his wet bangs with his fingers and hey, conveniently mostly covering his face in the process. He's good, it's all good. He's fine.]

[ Ouma figures he should probably follow suit and wash off as he watches Shuichi do as much for a few seconds, but it's impossible to miss that Shuichi is...barely looking at him... It's a little bit vexatious, if only because of everything they had just done, but it's a very Shuichi thing to do.

Ouma's solution, unlike a normal person's would be to give him space or something, is the exact opposite of that. He moves to sidle up closer to Shuichi in the shower, definitely wrapping his arms around the other and letting his hands move up Shuichi's back. ]

Here, I'll help!

[ Shuichi can't rinse his own back off, okay.

-- Even though that's definitely what the purpose of a shower head is for. But there's less room with the two of them, and that's Ouma's excuse, probably. ]

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