Chapter Text
Shun massaged his temples, doing his best to try and pay attention to his current client as they went through the workout regiment Shun had crafted for that day. His mind kept wandering back to Sawatari.
How could he concentrate when he had a genie sitting in his home?
At least... he'd better be sitting in his home...
Shun had made sure stress quite firmly that he stay put until Shun got home that evening. There had been some protest on Sawatari's part, but he finally won him over by promising he'd bring him back a treat if he was good.
...For a genie, he seemed to be easily swayed by food or treats. He hadn't realized genies could have a sweet tooth. Honestly, he hadn't expected that old tactic he'd used on Ruri as a kid to work.
It was a little cute, all told. Not that he was cute or anything...
Besides, Shun was still very aware of the threat a genie on the loose could pose and it was his responsibility to make sure he kept that threat contained.
...Threat. Somehow it was hard to imagine when he thought about Sawatari. He was sure that that pompous genie was probably lazing about on his couch watching TV or... lamenting his own boredom. Maybe searching through Shun's apartment for something better to do...
He... hoped he didn't make too much of a mess of it by the time he got home. Not that he couldn't clean it with a snap of his fingers... Despite how much Shun insisted he not use his magic, he seemed set on it.
Much as he had the night before with Ruri... He mentally groaned thinking about it. Shun had been sure to scold him for it after, but he seemed to brush it off, convinced of his helpfulness.
What an annoying genie.
...He wondered what kind of treat he'd like...
“Ah,” Shun snapped back in attention when he realized his client wasn't using proper form. “Hold on, that's not quite right.” he noted before stepping in to help adjust them.
At lunchtime, Shun headed to a nearby cafe. Yuto had asked him to meet him there on his break. He'd insisted that it was urgent. It had to be about Sawatari. As he stepped inside, the bell jingling on the door as he entered, he wondered what other terrible secrets Yuto had uncovered about genies.
“Shun,” Yuto waved him over to the table he was waiting at. He was picking at a croissant, but there was an untouched sandwich and coffee sitting in front of the empty seat across from him. Presumably for Shun.
His best friend was quite thoughtful like that.
“Hey, Yuto,” he greeted as he sat down at the table. “Thanks,” he added as he picked up the sandwich to take a bite.
He'd long since given up on insisting he'd pay Yuto back. The other man always turned him down. He wouldn't even cash any e-transfers Shun had tried to send him in the past. He'd learned the best way was just to get Yuto's meal or drink the next time.
Yuto nodded. “Sure.”
Shun swallowed his bite. “So... what's up?” he took another.
Yuto bit his lip, seeming to consider his words for a moment. “So... Yuya told me that Ruri was asking him a lot of probing questions last night. About his relationship... with you.”
Shun raised an eyebrow. “With me? Why would she—?” and then it clicked.
“Oh. Fuck. Yuto, it— Listen, it's just a stupid misunderstanding. We aren't—“
Yuto raised a hand to stop him. “It's okay, Shun. I figured that out quickly enough. I would never doubt Yuya, after all.” Then he paused. “Although I am hoping you'll explain how it came to this.”
Shun heaved a heavy sigh. “I was trying to ask Sawatari some questions, so I thought I'd butter him up first with some tea... which he, I guess, drinks with sugar,” he massaged his temples. “But before I could get any information from him, Ruri showed up. I made him hide in my room, but she saw the tea cup... and the sugar... so I said it was Yuya's cup from when he'd been over. I... guess she found the idea of Yuya spending time with me by himself when you had the day off anyway was suspicious.”
He bit his lip, “And... then she saw the clothes Sawatari borrowed from Yuya...”
He was mentally cringing thinking about her accusatory eyes as she'd picked up the pair of pants. Truly, her judging him for things he didn't do was the last thing he needed right now.
Yuto eyed him carefully. “Perhaps you should have just told her the truth,” he took a sip of his coffee. “Surely that's better than her thinking that you're cheating with my boyfriend.”
Even if Yuto said it was okay, Shun could tell there was a slight edge to his voice. It wasn't entirely okay, it seemed.
Shun shook his head. “I don't want to get her mixed up in all this. You said it yourself, Sawatari is dangerous. What if he hurt her, Yuto? I could never forgive myself.”
Yuto was silent for a moment before he sighed. “I don't particularly like the image that it's reflecting on Yuya, but... I suppose I can see your point.”
It was Yuto's turn to massage his temples. “I'll explain the situation to Yuya and we'll try to go along with your lie for now. Although... next time, you should tell us the situation first. I trust Yuya 100%, but I'm sure it didn't feel very nice for him to be questioned like that.”
Shun nodded slowly, feeling a twinge of guilt. “Right. Sorry. I was so busy dealing with Sawatari after she left, I didn't even think about it. I'll... try and remember next time.” Yuto was still eyeing him sharply, so he continued. “And I'll apologize to Yuya next time I see him too.”
“Good.” Yuto seemed to relax at that. Shun hoped that meant he was out of the weeds. At least for now... It was like Sawatari was determined to get him into every kind of trouble he could...
Shun really did have terrible taste in presents... But he'd never expected it to get him in this much trouble. Maybe he really should just stick to gift cards...
Shun finished typing out his reports for that day's training on his laptop, then closed the lid with a sigh.
He leaned back, lacing his fingers together and raised them above his head in a stretch. Time to go home... Finally. Hopefully it wasn't too much of a mess from whatever that damn genie had done to it.
Which reminded him... he had to make a pit stop.
Shun made his way to where his car was parked and drove it to a nearby gas station. It worked out since he needed to fill his tank anyway.
Once he'd done just that, he stepped into the tiny gas station store. It was empty at this time, most of the patrons only there for gas and choosing to pay at the tank rather than come inside. It's what Shun would have done if he hadn't had other business to take care of inside.
He figured a chocolate bar was good enough. As long as it was something sweet, he was sure that qualified as a 'treat'.
He eyed the selection of assorted chocolates just below the front counter, pondering what would be a good choice. He didn't love sweets himself and, as far as chocolate was concerned, he preferred dark chocolate.
But... something told him with how much sugar Sawatari had plopped into his tea cup the night before, he wouldn't be too impressed with that.
He was definitely overthinking things. Did it really matter?
He snatched up a pack of M&Ms and set it on the counter to pay.
Shun trudged up the steps of his apartment building. He was tired from a long day, but he was only on the third floor and he couldn't bring himself to wait for the elevator. It was a waste of time when he had two perfectly good legs, after all.
He took out his keys when he got to his door, putting them in the lock. He took a deep breath, ready to face his next obstacle.
Here we go again... He thought to himself before twisting the knob and pushing open the door.
“Sawatari, I'm back.”
Silence.
Shun felt a chill run down his spine as he looked around the empty apartment. “Sawatari?”
He put his bag down, “Hello?” he called, then poked his head into his dark, empty room.
Nothing. Nowhere.
He felt dread slowly creep over him.
No, no, no need to panic just yet. His bottle. Maybe he was just sleeping.
He rushed over to it to snap it up off the coffee table. “Hey. Sawatari. Are you in there?” he peeked into the bottle to try and see inside. It was dark and he couldn't see a thing. He pondered for a moment how strange it was that he truly couldn't see anything inside, but he dismissed the thought. It was magic after all.
He hesitated, then tried rubbing the bottle, “Hey. I brought you your treat. Come on out,” he attempted. Surely that had to get him out.
However, once again, he was met with nothing. Silence.
Shun swallowed, eyeing his front door. That could only mean one thing...
He placed the bottle quickly on the coffee table where he'd found it, snatch up his keys once more and dashed out the door.