spirits_and_such_offices

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Minegishi was in the greenhouse. They spent a lot of time there, even when they weren't practicing at using their powers. They felt more comfortable, somehow, being around plants rather than people. Not that they were particularly fond of the people they had surround themselves with.

Minegishi flipped a page int their book, only to glance up as they heard someone approaching. They were hardly surprised when they saw who their visitor was.

"What is it?" they asked. They should probably set their book aside, but they didn't particularly care to. And even if they did, their visitor wouldn't be able to see it anyway. With his eyes, anyway.

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Shou grinned back at him, though it was strained; he was determined to make Shimazaki think that his patronizing tone wasn't irritating him. "Some of us are just learn faster than others."

If Shimazaki was capable of directing a look at anything he would have shared one with Minegishi. There were a lot of moments like that. Still, he could sense whenever they glanced his way and he always acknowledged it with a soft hum.

“Well, if you were looking for feedback, your aptitude for stealth is good enough for anyone in the lower divisions. Now all that’s left is a good cover story.” The lower divisions weren’t privy to any details about who operated at HQ after all.

Shimazaki ran a knuckle over the underside of one of the leaves hovering over him as a way of prompting his quiet colleague. “Minegishi-kun, think he could pass as an intern?”

Minegishi was on the verge of opening their mouth to speak when Shou spoke up instead.

"I'm not going as an intern. I'm going as myself."

“So they can suck up to you?” Shimazaki sighed. “You’ll never get a real picture of any new recruits that way.”

"It's not like I'm going to announce who I'm related to," Shou complained as Minegishi picked up their book. He couldn't help but feel insulted Shimazaki thought he would.

“Suit yourself. Cover stories create the most fun though.” Shimazaki lazily crossed one leg over the other. The greenhouse was so warm, it was hard not to lounge the moment you stepped in.

Still, they’d be upgrading soon. He wondered if Minegishi was excited about it.

“Don’t be gone too long. Serizawa-kun’s gonna have no one else to talk to about his new comic release without you here.”

"He'll be fine with you two here," Shou said in a casual drawl. Minegishi looked up from their book just long enough to shoot Shou a look before turning their gaze back to their book.

"And what do you know about cover stories, anyway?" he asked challengingly. "When's the last time you went undercover?"

“Pssh. Three months ago, remember? …Well, maybe not. You were busy with your long division. My bad.”

"I'm actually doing algebra now!" Shou snapped back, trying his best to sound totally not-at-all-bothered-by-Shimazaki. Minegishi let out a sigh. So much for being able to read peacefully.

"If the two of you are going to squabble, could you try doing it somewhere else"

Shimazaki frowned momentarily—it was a pout, really. He had gone out of his way to spend time with them and now he was getting chastised because the kid was doing what he liked doing best when he got antsy: antagonizing him.

“I guess we’ll talk later…over drinks?” Shimazaki then motioned to Shou. “Come here.”

"I'll be busy later," Minegishi said, putting a stop to it before it could start.

Shou approached Shimazaki with warily.

Shimazaki unceremoniously grabbed Shou by the top of the head and in an instant they were in the boy’s room.

“Okay. Bedtime.”

"Ow, ow, ow!" Shou said, slapping Shimazaki's hands. "Come on, quit it. I'm not a kid anymore!"

Shou’s hair was prickly to the touch, made even more so with the electric pinpricks of energy radiating off him. Shimazaki released him and gave the air a little sniff. There was the scent of spruce in the air—Shou probably just changed the hamster bedding.

“Right, right. You know, if you want my attention that badly there are less painful ways of getting it.”

"I wasn't looking for attention." Shou jerked away and rubbed his tender head.

Why did everyone around him insist on being difficult?

…

Oh, who was he kidding. It was more fun that way. At least, coming from Shou, it was still kind of endearing.

“Don’t be like that. I really was going to commend you.”

"What? Commend me?" Shou was clearly suspicious.

Shimazaki followed the soft sounds of squeaking to the hamster cage. Their silly little sounds were full of pep and vigor. Shou really took good care of them.

“Taking up recruitment duties? Of course. It’s a very mature task.” His voice lacked the patronizing edge it usually had. “I know you’ll take it seriously.”

"Yeah, of course I will."

"Good boy."

Shimazaki released a sigh and turned back to him.

"Now, with that said, let's stop pretending."

"Who's pretending?" Shou retorted challengingly.

It wasn't often Shimazaki elected to use pure telekinesis--he really did prefer to use his hands whenever possible, whether it was fighting or otherwise. But he didn't feel like moving at that moment to make his point. One of Shou's drawers snapped open and a tall bottle of Grand Yozakura scotch flew back into his hand.

"This makes number 3."

Shou grit his teeth. "What, you're going to rat me out?"

“Seriously? You stole this from me, remember?” ‘Just because Hatori is too distracted and Shibata is too stupid to notice their beer going missing you get cocky? Stupid brat.’

Shimazaki swirled the bottle and sighed. It was definitely a little lighter than the last time he remembered holding it.

“Are you trying to show off to your friends at school or something?”

"Who do I have to show off to?"