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"Ad astra abyssosque. What can I do for you today?"
Katheryne's almost mechanical voice felt comforting, soothing, especially on a sunny day like this. Sethos smiled brightly, leaning over the wooden counter with one arm, the other was propped onto his tilted hips. It was a fresh new day, not too warm, not too cold, the sun felt good on his skin, the wind was gentle, and Sumeru City was bustling as usual.
Sethos was ready to start the day with some good work!
"Good morning, Katheryne! You don't happen to have some commissions for me?" He said chipper as ever.
"Surely. There is a young foreigner who wants to explore one of the desert ruins. He requested an experienced guide. A Mister Shikanoin Heizou from Inazuma. Would that be of interest to you?"
He thought about it for a second. So it was a young man on vacation, who had a special interest in Sumerian ruins. It wasn't up to him to question that, but especially someone from Inazuma was doomed to die in the desert without help. And it just so happened that he was very experienced with the scorching sands, in need for some easy mora.
"Sounds good to me. Where can I find the man?"
"He is waiting in Lambad's tavern. He is a red haired young man about your height, I'm sure you'll find him easily. Good luck."
Sethos smiled as he departed, quickly walking down the street to the tavern. It was actually quite perfect, that way he could have a good meal and get to know his client, giving ample time to also prepare what they needed for the trip.
As he entered the building, he was hit by a variety of scents; fried meat, a mix of spices, cooked veggies and wine. It was probably one of his favorite places to spend some free time in, especially to eat and drink. Not many people were here this early in the morning, so it was pretty quiet at the moment.
That also meant he could find his potential client easier too. His eyes scanned the room, looking over the placements of tables and chairs, which were so familiar, now that he lived in Sumeru City for a while. With the description Katheryne gave him it was indeed very easy to make out who he was looking for.
A young man with fair skin, foreign clothes, and red hair falling over his shoulders, easily spotted. The stranger looked up as soon as Sethos looked at him, almost as if he felt his gaze, jade colored eyes looking straight at him. His breath caught in his throat. Those were some very beautiful eyes; intelligent, perceptive and so captivating. He could stare some more if he wanted to, if he had the time, if he weren't here for a job.
But unfortunately he was here for business. Maybe — if luck was on his side — he could mix it with a little bit of pleasure. Not that he could stop himself, he was looking at a very handsome man that had a gaze more captivating than any trap in the Sumeru desert. This person was no pushover and if anything, he could already tell from the lean build shown off by the sleeveless top that he was experienced in combat.
Sethos put on a polite smile and waved as he walked over, relaxing his stance and opening himself up to be friendly and polite. He was here for a commission after all, he needed to be approachable.
"Excuse me, are you Shikanoin Heizou by any chance?" He still asked to make sure and open up the conversation easily.
"Yes? — Ah, you must come from Katheryne because of my request." The voice was soft, but direct, a mask of practiced politeness as smooth as silk.
Sethos was immediately curious what kind of background this man had. His behavior was intriguing, hiding so many things from the common glance. Ah, but he wasn't here for that, now was he?
"That's correct. I heard you want to explore the ruins. Hope to find any treasure?" He asked only playfully, teasing the conversation into a pleasant rhythm.
Heizou didn't stop looking at him, watched him just as Sethos was watching the stranger. Yet he still sat across the table uninvited, folding his arms on the clean surface and leaned forwards a little, showing genuine curiosity. This usually invited people to talk about themselves, but something was telling him that this time it wouldn't be that easy.
"Treasure? I'm sure whatever was hidden has been already plundered and excavated by now. I simply enjoy solving puzzles~"
There was a faint smile on Heizou's lips, present enough to distract Sethos for a second.
He couldn't deny it, he was beautiful, very pleasant to look at. On any other day, in any other situation, he would've ended up sitting here either way, taking in every little feature, every glance. Heizou propped his hand up, leaning his head against it while waiting for an answer.
Sethos cleared his throat, trying to get back to business. "You make it sound so casual, yet nothing about you is."
He had to make sure his company wouldn't be dangerous, after all Heizou could harbor malicious intent. Something was definitely dangerous about him, he just needed to determine if he himself would be affected by it. The smile grew on pinkish lips, even reaching the eyes (just barely). Sethos only noticed just now that there were two moles underneath the jade eyes, giving him a unique look.
"Oh my, but I'm just a simple civilian looking for some excitement on his vacation."
Sethos liked the teasing lilt in his voice, it really was fitting him. Truly felt so intriguing.
"Now you're straight up lying to my face." He crossed his arms and showed a small pout, a frown, playing along with the act.
Heizou laughed softly—a beautiful sound—his shoulders relaxed a tad, his stance changing a little. He wasn't on alert anymore, he seemed to have accepted Sethos' presence.
"You got me. But that was an easy one."
A little provocation and Sethos did feel challenged. He liked this, he was having fun with the conversation already. "I knew you aren't just anybody as soon as I laid eyes on you. Not a celebrity, but still some big shot in a way, probably at work." He did understand that he was going through the same examination, after all he could be just some bandit using Katheryne as an excuse.
"Impressive. So much is true. And you're not a small feat either, yet you still work on small commissions like any other normal guy."
Heizou almost seemed like a fox, focused on his newest prey. Sethos would lie if he said he didn't like being looked at like that.
"What can I say, I still have to earn a living." He shrugged and played it just as casual as Heizou earlier.
"I see. And here I was thinking you were doing it out of the kindness of your heart."
The way Heizou looked through hooded eyes made his heart skip a beat.
Focus, he thought, he was here on a job. Besides, he couldn't just lose at the very game he was so good at. The way Heizou spoke and chose his words was incredibly calculated, practiced and felt seamless. It almost made him shiver.
"Can't both be true?" He replied with a smirk.
"Certainly. Yet it makes me wonder why someone with higher education wouldn't pursue a career."
"Oh, now you're just flattering me. I do find joy in helping people. It gives me the opportunity to meet interesting fellows like you."
Sethos smiled satisfied, seeing the little reaction in Heizou's eyes. Flattery will get you anywhere, and it was a pleasure to flirt a little with someone as witty as Heizou.
"So you get to meet more people like me?"
"Actually, you're the most interesting so far~"
"Is that so? Then does that mean you'll act as my guide in the desert?"
Sethos could literally hear the trap snap around him, holding him in Heizou's clutch. He might've overdone it with the flirting and walked straight into it. But he found he didn't even mind as much, especially when looking at that satisfied smile and the shimmering eyes. Heizou truly was stunning like this.
He allowed himself to give his most charming smile. "I don't see the harm in it. After all you're just a harmless Inazuman on vacation."
"The 'harmless' Inazuman might cost you your head." The voice sounded sweet, accompanied by an innocent smile. A dangerous expression that did many things to Sethos.
"Good. Then we only need enough provisions and we're good to go."
Heizou did just confirm that he was more than capable of taking care of himself, so Sethos didn't need to worry about choosing a small weapon for him just in case they needed to fight. Something was telling him that they would be alright in a confrontation.
A soft chuckle escaped the other, his expression softening a little, still not dropping fully of course. "You got yourself a deal. I already ate, so I'm fine to just gather things and go."
"Perfect, we'll do just that. The name's Sethos by the way. How should I call you?"
"Heizou will do."
They both stood up—assuming Heizou paid for his meal already and had been just waiting—and it was then that something caught his eye. An anemo vision on the right of his hips. Oh, they would be perfectly fine in the ruins.
Sethos made sure he had his permit with him in case they would run into a matra or some other official—something Cyno procured for him—safely secured in his pocket and easy to grab. Each of them had a bag filled with water and food that wouldn't spoil until they made it to the desert, an additional waterskin hanging from their waist.
"It'll take us almost the whole day to make it to Caravan Ribat. We can stock up there and spend the night safely. Unless you want to camp in the desert." He teased with a smirk and winked at Heizou.
"I cannot say I know how bad the desert is, but I am used to camp outside. Though if given the choice, I do prefer a bed. I do have the time after all." The answer came out easy, almost casual. Sethos believed him when he said that.
"Right… vacation. How long are you going to stay in Sumeru?"
"That depends. I planned two weeks for my trip, but if I don't like it, I will return earlier."
Since it was his home, there was little to dislike for Sethos (ignoring the politics for the sake of the argument), but for someone who came from an island it might be hard to adjust. Thinking about it he grew curious about the climate and differences of everything, he might consider a vacation of his own at some point.
Maybe he would even have someone to visit if this job worked out well.
"Well I better do a good job showing you the best side of Sumeru then." He replied chipper with another wink, shouldering his bag and leading the way.
Conversation came easy as soon as they left the city. First Sethos made sure to explain to Heizou how to behave in the forest, not wanting to have a certain angry fox on their tail. Then he started asking questions about Inazuma, listening intently and doing his best to imagine the things he had never seen. In exchange he talked more about Sumeru, answering Heizou's questions.
It felt easy, soothing even, making time fly while they were traversing the forest, keeping to the safe path mostly. He knew a few good shortcuts—for which he was sure he would get a lecture about from Tighnari, if he ever found out—that were leading through some beautiful flower fields. There were also plenty of glowing mushrooms and occasionally some fungi gathering.
They were in luck today though, they could peacefully admire nature without having to fight off monsters. Another thing Sethos found he liked was whenever those jade green eyes were filled with joy when he got to show off something special. They were almost glowing with visible excitement, he could do this all day.
"And here we have Caravan Ribat and the Wall of Samiel." He presented as they finally made it out of the trenches.
"Mmh… Something tells me there is more to this than just a natural occurrence."
"Not bad. You're quite right. It is maintained by the akademia and is supposed to prevent the sand storms from ruining the forest. It was created a very long time ago though."
Sethos tried not to get too much into detail, not wanting to dampen the mood too much.
"It also acts like a barrier, separating forest and desert into two fractions. Maybe opposing even?" Heizou raised a brow, looking between the wall and his guide. "Inazuma was torn apart into multiple fractions not too long ago. I do know a thing or two about strategic fortifications."
"Nothing gets past you. Next up is a history class, huh?" Sethos chuckled playfully, impressed with Heizou's perception.
"Maybe tomorrow~ I bet the ruins and you can tell a lot about that."
"I'm very knowledgeable on that field if I do say so myself. Tomorrow it is then. Let's get you a room and some good food."
They made their way to Caravan Ribat, taking care of commodities and sitting down at one of his favorite shawarma places. It was exactly what Sethos got for himself and Heizou seemed to be experimental enough to try it out. He seemed to like it enough and—for some reason—it pleased him.
For today they kept their conversation casual, talking about food and drinks and other things. It felt comfortable, time flowing forgotten by both. It was only when the sun was long gone and the cold winds of the desert reached them that they slowly retreated into the warmth of the inn.
Sethos went to bed with a new feeling budding in his chest, a new kind of excitement for tomorrow filling his mind. A little part of him knew he was infatuated with this stranger (less of a stranger by now), other parts were telling him to stay focused on the job.
When he closed his eyes, he immediately was thinking of Heizou's beautiful face, his sweet smile, the spark in his eyes. The way his voice sounded when he spoke, when he laughed. Sethos fell asleep with his head full of the memories of today.
"Impressive! These buildings must be thousands of years old, at least!" Heizou sounded genuinely amazed by the sight of the ruins, his eyes big and a smile on his face.
Sethos felt proud, as if he had erected the buildings himself. He had doubted the interest Heizou showed in the desert for a while, but seeing the other like this, there was no mistaking it. He really was here for it.
"You're not wrong. These are the oldest man-made structures that Sumeru has to offer. Rich in history and puzzles. Most of them are still intact, though most ruins have been already excavated. Needless to say we still need to be careful."
"That is why I have you, my trusty guide."
The way Heizou said it made Sethos blush a little.
They got quite comfortable around each other, which was a good and a dangerous feeling. Sethos was here for a commission, he should focus on the job, yet it became gradually harder to do so.
"Ahem. We should get inside before the sun fries us."
Heizou gave him a knowing smile, and he let it slide this time. The pale skin was already reddened around the nose, cheeks and arms, despite all the care he took of it. They really needed to be careful not to overdo it, couldn't have the pretty boy passing out on him.
They entered the ruins, a sigh leaving both as they got out of the imminent heat. It was still warm, but in here it was bearable, especially for someone who wasn't used to it. One look at his company told him that much. His stance was more relaxed, his breath calmer. Both took a few sips of water and Heizou nodded, signaling he was ready to go again.
As they walked down the hallway, Heizou was already looking in all directions, taking in the corroded murals and trying to make sense of it.
Like the good guide he was, Sethos started talking about the history depicted on the walls around them, explaining what kind of building this used to be. Heizou seemed to suck in every bit of information, asking questions to get more out of it. Sethos couldn't help but smile, fully in his element now.
Naturally he had read a lot about the past eons, studied the rich history of Sumeru throughout the years he had spent in the Temple of Silence. Not only just to make sense of the things happening around him, but also because he had simply been interested in it. Just like Heizou was right now.
It gave him a sense of fulfillment to pass on knowledge like this.
They were passing statues and the remainders of shelves and lamps, normal things technically, that were still stared at as if they were national treasures. Looking at the Inazuman being so fascinated with it all was incredibly endearing, it made Sethos' heart skip another beat.
"You being so fascinated by all of this makes me wonder about Inazuma's ruins. Or is it just a special interest of yours?" Sethos said curiously, entering another room.
Heizou let out a soft hum. "It's both. Inazuma doesn't have much preserved, ironic considering how our archon acted. But I also like to learn about the history of a culture to put together how people reached the present. It trains my memory and skills as well."
"Interesting…" Sethos was thinking about it for a moment, and suddenly things started to make sense. "Are you some kind of detective?" He blurted out, still too curious about Heizou in general.
"Not just some kind."
"Oh, so you are famous. I knew it." He let out a soft giggle, feeling good about the fact that he had been right with his perception.
"Rather infamous. I try my best to strike fear in my opponents' hearts."
Heizou's tone might be playful, but he was meaning every word of it, Sethos could feel it in the little shiver that ran down his spine. He probably didn't want to get on his bad side, but he definitely wanted to get on his good side.
Something in him felt incredibly attracted to Heizou, this statement made everything worse. It hit him like a cold shower in the forest and he couldn't decide if he should just accept it or fight it. It would be unprofessional after all, but then again things just happened, you couldn't really control feelings.
"Well, I hope I never get in your crosshair then. Would be too much of a shame." He said with a sweet smile, his eyes reflecting his understanding of the underlying threat Heizou posed.
"Agreed. I'm probably not good at fighting an archer with a vision." Heizou smirked at Sethos, who blinked surprised.
Was he that easy to read? Or was Heizou just that good at it? His build probably gave him away, just like he already suspected that Heizou was more of a close combat type. It showed in his muscles, his stance, his movements, the way he carried himself. Thinking about it almost made him want to have a sparring match.
"I have a hard time believing that. You said you were here for a couple of weeks. We could put that to the test~" He said with teasing provocation in his eyes.
Heizou smiled, his beautiful eyes showing a challenging glint in them. "Now that sounds like something that would keep me here for the whole vacation."
"It's on then! But first we finish up here."
Somehow things came easy, they had found many common grounds already. It was safe to say that both didn't consider each other strangers anymore. It was rare to get along with a client this well. Usually conversations were kept strictly superficial and polite, yet that hasn't been the case since they laid eyes on each other. Their dynamic came naturally and Sethos wanted more of it.
So he continued talking and answering Heizou's questions, laying out his knowledge, less out of the motivation to do a good job, but rather to impress the other. He really liked the way those eyes were shining with fascination and demand.
"We have to be careful here. There were many mechanisms hidden in this room."
"Oh? Do you know what they were hiding?"
"In most cases a lot of books and scrolls. Knowledge was the most valued possession after all, still is. That is the reason why so many scholars are doing expeditions in the desert. There could always still be a hidden room that no one has found yet." He said it like he was holding a lecture or was telling a story at a campfire.
And Heizou seemed to burst at the seams with curiosity, giving him an almost adorable expression. "So you're saying there might still be some undiscovered secrets?"
Sethos wasn't sure if it had been the best idea to tell him that. The detective looked like he wanted to turn every little stone in this room just for the sake of a new discovery. Worse than any student. Sethos still smiled at that.
"Maybe. Just be warned, some of them are traps."
He didn't believe for a second that it would somehow discourage Heizou from looking and touching things, he just hoped that they wouldn't end up trapped in the ruins. It would take a long while for someone to find them, if they didn't manage to get out themselves. And he knew that his pride as a guide would be hurt. He better kept an eye on the detective.
"Okay, okay. I will be careful." He replied, keeping the teasing lilt to his voice. It wasn't very encouraging, but Sethos had to believe it.
They continued to the next room, Sethos talked about the murals on the wall, which depicted the establishment of the sages. He explained the rise and fall of it and how things was handled today. After all Heizou showed interest in both the past and the present, so he was keen to deliver on both ends.
He noticed that Heizou wasn't asking any questions, in fact he wasn't as close to him as he expected. As soon as his eyes looked for his companion, they widened when he watched one hand reach for a polished stone on a little pedestal. Between all the things in the room it looked like nothing, it could be just a leftover decoration.
But Sethos knew better. It was too deliberately placed there to not be an activation mechanism.
"Wait— don't touch that!" He said alarmed while running towards Heizou, but it was too late.
As soon as he reached the other, the mechanism shifted, a loud clang filling the room, and both lost their foothold as the ground moved. Stone rubbed against stone, opening up a gaping hole that swallowed both with ease. They weren't falling far luckily. Heizou was the first to hit the ground, a soft grunt escaping his chest, his back leaned against a wall. Sethos fell on top of him, catching himself on knees and hands so that he wouldn't end up using his client as a cushion.
Both were running on instinct alone as they realized their predicament, trying to move so they could escape. Stone was still scraping against stone, fine sand rinsing down, causing them to cough. Sethos tried to feel for the opening above them, but his hand touched stone, stone and more stone, still vibrating while the trap was closing around them.
Seconds later, the mechanism clicked into place and silence fell. Only the last grains of sand falling to the ground were audible. Four small flames lit up, filling the room with light. Luckily no real fire, that would've made this so much harder. Heizou was still moving around, while Sethos tried to feel the room for its size.
"Would you stop moving? There isn't much space left anyway?" He pressed out, frustration clearly showing in his voice.
Heizou only lifted a brow at that, raising his hands in mock defeat as his body stopped shifting around. His legs hung around Sethos' waist, upper body mostly laying on the ground, his head and shoulders leaned against the wall behind him. Sethos used one hand on the floor, his arm pressed against the wall to the left. He was leaned down, their faces inches apart, but the room didn't allow much space between them.
As soon as he tried to move, his back hit the ceiling. Moving his feet did the same. The room was barely big enough to contain both of them, crouched down and entangled. He looked at Heizou and was somehow surprised he didn't even blush at the compromising position he was in. Instead the detective took out his notebook and looked over the symbols he noted down along the way.
"So you were listening." He remarked, not trying to hide the sarcasm at all.
"Of course I was, that's why I'm paying you."
"Guess you forgot that in the last two minutes. You know when I told you about possible traps!"
"Hey, hey, no need to get angry with me. Can't fault me for my natural curiosity. Besides, you were supposed to keep an eye on me, so this wouldn't happen."
Sethos inhaled sharply, a prolonged gasp. How dare he put the blame on him?
"Excuse me for trusting your intellect. For someone who seems so smart, that was a pretty stupid thing to do."
"I never do anything stupid. It's all calculated risk."
"Calculated risk… well, since you seem to have planned this, how do we get out, detective?"
Sethos was in no mood to be flattering anymore. It could've been a simple trip into the ruins with no incidents, he even had planed a little picnic under the stars for when they got out. Right now he wasn't sure if that was still deserved.
"You're the expert for ruins, you tell me, Mr. guide~" His voice was sweet and provocative at the same time, and right now it got under Sethos' skin.
"The expert told you not to touch any unknown mechanisms, so we wouldn't end up in here to begin with."
"You really can hold a grudge, huh?"
"You have no idea—"
"How about you use that energy to help me get out of here?"
Sethos opened his mouth and closed it again, no word coming out. The audacity of this beautiful man, for a moment he couldn't believe it. He hated how stupidly infuriating and attractive he was at the same time.
"Help you… help you?"
"Yeah, or are you remembering that you're supposed to be my guide?"
That was it. Sethos was still too agitated to not fall for the obvious provocations and too agitated to be too proud to stand his ground. There wasn't much ground left, and he also couldn't stand anyway.
Motivated by his frustration, he grabbed Heizou's collar and pulled him close, a little grunt escaping him, a sharp glint in his eyes. The detective still looked smug, even if he didn't miss the little surprise in his pretty eyes. He didn't say anything anymore, he simply wanted the other to shut up.
So Sethos kissed him.
Lips pressed hard against each other. He looked at Heizou through half-lidded eyes, seeing the clear surprise in jade eyes, but it didn't shift into disgust or resistance. Instead the detective accepted the new challenge, one hand slipping behind his neck and pulling him as close as possible.
The kiss was reciprocated, urging Sethos to give more. Whatever has grown inside him over the past few days, it was flooding out in this moment, distracting him from his initial reason he was doing this. All his mind was doing was focusing on the soft feeling of Heizou's lips, the warmth of his skin, the way they parted to deepen the kiss.
Both still looked at each other as their tongues slipped against one another. Sethos grew almost dizzy with the taste, already feeling intoxicated. Heizou's hand slid into his curly hair, tugging softly and causing him to let out a rugged breath. Slowly their eyes closed, he was sinking into the hot feeling of the kiss.
His grip on the collar also softened, fingers slowly brushing along his warm neck to the back and pulling him in. He wasn't ready to let this end yet. Sethos pushed his tongue deeper, licking into Heizou's mouth with demand, where he was met not with resistance, but with challenge. And who was he to back down from it?
Their kiss turned heated quickly like that, he could feel heat rise to his face, their bodies shifting so they could be even closer. A dam had broken between them at their contact, Sethos could feel it in the way Heizou's legs squeezed around his waist, the way he was pulled down and met with the same demand.
He had kissed other people before, but none of them felt as electrifying as this. There was something about the detective that had him hooked from the start, and the more time they had spent together, the more he felt that invisible pull that he couldn't resist, even if he wanted to. It all broke down on him in this moment, the more he felt, the more he tasted.
Their breaths were hot, quick, the longer they kissed. A push and pull, met with the same hunger, with the same intention. Sethos couldn't decide between melting and wanting Heizou to melt. It was a feeling he had since they met, just intensified by the enclosed space they were in.
Minutes passed until they were finally willing to part, their lips red and slightly swollen, their eyes half opened. They looked at each other while processing what just happened, taking in the details on each others' face. Heizou was a little debouched, his hair messier than before, his cheeks flushed, this time not because of the sun.
Sethos still felt a little dizzy from it, probably not presenting a collected look, but that was hardly important right now.
"Did that help you calm down?"
Sethos pursed his lips, but let himself smile a little smug. Heizou wanted to be provocative again, but his voice was exasperated from the kiss. He might be able to mask well, but no one was perfect with that, especially not after the connection they just had.
"As a matter of fact, yes, thanks for asking."
And because he felt so smug about it, he leaned in to steal a small kiss again, just to ingrain the taste and feeling better. That did cause the detective to gasp dramatically, but his eyes showed playfulness.
"How dare you take advantage of me like that? Was that the plan all along?" He pressed the back of his hand against the forehead, making it even more theatrical.
"Yeah, yeah, exactly. I let you do stupid things and trap us both in here so I could kiss you." He replied with a matching tone, nothing to take seriously.
"You won't let me live that down, will you?"
"Not if you stick around."
Sethos put on his charming smile again and Heizou finally showed a genuine one, promising something unspoken.
"Well, first we do need to get out of here, so I can stick around~"
Working together to figure out the multiple puzzles needed to get out was much smoother than both expected. They were both perceptive and smart enough to figure things out as they went, the exchange and communication easy. It had been challenging, but despite their entrapment, they had immense fun with it. Sethos wanted to tell Faruzan all about it on another day.
When they finally walked out of the ruins, the sky was already dark and sprinkled with a multitude of stars. The moon was still rising, the soft wind mellow, already cooled down enough to tell him that it was past their bed time.
Sethos stretched his limbs, making a satisfied noise, and sighed relieved that they didn't end up spending days in there.
"Well, I hope that was worth your money and curiosity, detective."
"Certainly. I'm even thinking about giving you a small tip."
"How generous. Let's make camp over there, so we survive that long."
Sethos pointed at an oasis not that far from where they were standing. They should reach it in time before the cold would start to bother them. There they made camp, fire set up quick with practiced ease from both. With an exasperated sigh they both sat down on the rolled out blanket and looked at the crackling wood in silence.
"That was actually the most fun I had in a good while."
Heizou broke the silence, not looking away from the flames. His eyes were shimmering in the dancing light, showing a pristine green Sethos got lost in for a moment. He could never get tired of looking at him, despite the fact that they have been locked in together for hours, forced to look at each other.
"Heh… I'm relieved to hear that. Most people would be intimidated by that. Or traumatized."
"I hope you read me better than that. I've been in far worse situations without any help."
Heizou didn't really say it to show off, it was just a fact. Sethos rose a brow at that. Now his curiosity was piqued.
"Are you allowed to talk about those situations?"
"Sure. I can alter names without you even knowing~ It's not like you'll follow me to Inazuma to track all of my old cases."
"True, I would follow you there to track you."
Now that made Heizou look and Sethos couldn't hold back his smile. It was a little triumph each time to make the detective react, even if it was only subtle, he was catching every little shift.
"Now that is a bold statement. And rude. Instead of asking me about the cases now and here, where we have time."
Sethos stretched theatrically, laying on his back and still smiling, while looking up at the stars.
"I'm a little tired right now. How about… you go on a date with me tomorrow and tell me all about it?"
"Hmm…" Heizou pretended to think about it, but he could see the little smile. "I don't know. I still have this competent good looking guide with me, who needs to take me back to Sumeru City. I don't think I will make it."
Sethos let out a soft giggle at that. He completely forgot that they would need more than a day to return. Heizou was simply too distracting.
"Alright, fair point. How about after that then?"
"After that, yes."