Work Text:
It was a quiet afternoon in the safehouse. Lupin was busy planning another big heist; blueprints, notes and parts of half-assembled gadgets piling on the table in front of him. He was silently muttering to himself while grabbing various pieces of paper, shuffling and rearranging them, seemingly for no other reason than to move his hands.
Jigen was lounging on the couch, as was custom on days like these, a smouldering cigarette butt hanging from his lips. He hadn’t moved in hours.
The couch was old and a little lumpy and he was starting to feel a little stiff, but what else was he going to do?
He shifted a little in hopes of finding a more comfortable position, while reaching for the pack of cigarettes on the coffee table only to find it disappointingly empty.
His gaze lazily shifted to the ashtray and the tower of dog-ends it contained, but none looked viable. He huffed in annoyance.
“Hey, Lupin.”
“Hm?”
“Do you have any cigarettes left? I’m out.”
There was silence for a while, only the rustling of paper and the clinking of small metal objects that had filled the room without pause ever since Lupin had sat down at the table.
No use, he wasn’t paying attention.
Jigen sighed and got up. After stretching his limbs a bit he tossed the empty cigarette packet in the direction of the overflowing trash bin, shoved his pitiful cigarette butt in the ashtray, adjusted his hat and walked to the door.
He was just about to turn the knob when he heard Lupin perk up behind him.
“Where are you going?”
He turned to the thief who was looking at him expectantly. “Just to the Bodega on the corner. Pick up some cigarettes. You need anything?”
Lupin jumped up “I’ll come with you!”
Jigen was a bit taken aback. "Why?"
Lupin and him had been partners for years and it wasn't unusual for Lupin to follow any whim that tickled his fancy, for better or for worse, but accompanying Jigen when going to buy a pack of smokes was beyond boring, bordering tedious. Why the hell would he want to tag along? What ulterior motive could possibly move him from planning a heist, let alone one of this magnitude?
Lupin ignored his question and puzzled look and pushed him out the door "Let's go!"
So they walked side by side down the street.
The journey from their hideout to the Bodega took about 10 minutes, 15 if you weren't in a hurry and wanted to enjoy the walk. The weather was nice considering it was late afternoon in early spring, maybe a bit warmer and sunnier than was to be expected.
Jigen was watching Lupin from the corner of his eye suspiciously. There had to be a reason. Lupin had been so caught up in his work, he hadn't even noticed when he asked him a question. A small errand like this couldn't possibly drag him away from that, unless there was something else to it, but Jigen couldn't possibly come up with an explanation. Not that Lupin made any sense to him otherwise, but-
"Something on my face?" Lupin asked and purposefully moved to look under Jigen's hat.
"What? No, nothing" He looked away.
Lupin picked up his pace and turned to look at him, walking backwards. "What is it then? You're acting strange."
'You're the one acting strange' Jigen thought. He tried to read Lupin's expression, but there was nothing unusual about it. Just the same old lazy smile and clever look in his eyes; maybe a little more inquisitive than the usual because Lupin was trying to read him as well.
"Something's bothering you"
Jigen wasn't in the mood to argue. "Why did you come along?" he asked flat out.
A look of surprise flashed over Lupin's face but he started to grin "What, am I not allowed to keep you company on an errand, Jigen-chan?"
Jigen rolled his eyes "You're deflecting"
"Am not! I just wanted to spend time with you"
They had reached the Bodega.
"Whatever" Jigen pushed past him and entered, walking up to the counter. A little bell announcing their entrance, alerted the owner who emerged from the back. "What can I get ya?"
"Cigarettes"
"Any preference?" The owner asked as he turned around and opened a drawer.
"Marlboros. Two packs, please" Lupin piped up and gave Jigen a meaningful look. Jigen didn't catch the meaning.
"That'll be 15 Euros then, if that's all"
Jigen started to dig around in his pockets, but Lupin gave him another meaningful look and placed the money on the counter "My treat" He winked.
'What the hell?'
"Thanks" Jigen muttered and shoved the cigarettes into his jacket pocket. He gave a quick wave to the shop owner and left without another word and decidedly not looking at Lupin, who followed his example with a bright smile, before he also stepped outside.
They had already walked a bit when Jigen unwrapped one of the fresh packs and got out a cigarette.
"You sick or something?" he asked, finally, before lighting it and taking a satisfying drag. "You never pay."
Lupin bumped his shoulder "Who knows.. You mind?"
Jigen offered the open pack and Lupin took one with a grateful smile, waiting patiently until Jigen had lit his as well.
They walked on, smoking in silence.
When the hideout was back in sight Jigen sighed "Come on. Out with it, what could possibly be so important about this that it would drag you away from your scheming?" He looked at Lupin, trying to read his expression again.
Lupin looked back at him with a small smile. A genuine one. "I already told you. Isn't it obvious?"
'That's it…'
Jigen breathed in deep before he stretched, one of his arms curling around Lupin's shoulder…
And putting him into a headlock.
Lupin yelped in surprise and dropped his cigarette, trying to escape Jigen's grip unsuccessfully.
"Spill it!"
"Let go! You-! It was you!"
Jigen froze, finally giving Lupin an opening to slip out of his hold.
"Seriously, you can be so slow sometimes." Lupin rubbed his neck. "I wanted to spend time with you. There! That's it!"
Jigen was still standing hunched over, unmoving. Lupin bent down, trying to catch a glimpse under the brim of his hat. "Jigen?"
Jigen straightened very slowly and shoved his hands into his pockets. "You're an idiot. You weren't even paying attention to me."
Lupin rubbed his neck again, this time looking noticeably guilty "oh.. sorry. It's just that.. I can focus better when you're around. I just like spending time with you, because-"
Jigen shoved him. "Just shut up, you moron. Let's get inside. You have plans to finish."
"And what are you gonna do?"
"Might take a nap. Maybe make dinner. Does it matter? I'll be around." Jigen took off toward the door of their safehouse.
Lupin started grinning and followed. "So, what's for dinner?"