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“Now that we have been dating for a bit,” Nahyuta stirs the honey in their tea. “Perhaps we should start calling each other by name. After all, I did use Panda in a demeaning way. You do deserve a new namesake. One for better beginnings.”
“If you’d like. I don’t care all that much.” Simon sips his coffee, glancing at his book. “You’re still a Sad Monk to me.”
With that, Simon flashes a smile at the King Regent. Nahyuta does chuckle a bit, closing their book as they stare at the black clothed man. It’s true, he still does look like a reverse panda, but with his admiration of birds, there must be something else that resonates with Simon…
“Oh, how about Blackbird? That would be quite amusing since your love of birds.”
Simon stops sipping as his face becomes pale. He takes an uneasy gulp as his eyes widen in shock. He doesn’t look like he recognizes them at all, his lip trembling as he stares at them. He places the cup down and steps away from the table and out of the cafe, walking out in the rain.
Nahyuta looks in confusion, not trying to jump to conclusions.
They decide to follow Simon out, calling after him. However, each call seems to be falling on deaf ears. Nahyuta isn’t sure if they should just let Simon go at first, but when he nearly steps into traffic without looking, they bolt after him, desperately calling out his name over the heavy rain.
Something isn’t quite right.
*
He's back in prison, the shackles tightening around his wrist as every smell he's tried to forget hits him all at once. The dim lights of the small cell, someone else having another coughing fit in the background. Simon can only hope it will be silent soon. When the door to the prison entrance opens, Simon knows he won’t be lucky to get his wish today.
“Hello, Simon!” Bobby greets, opening the door to his prison cell. “How are you today?”
Simon looks up at the energetic detective, now hovering outside of his cell as he’s looking at a zoo exhibit. He’s got his hands on his waist, a beaming smile on his face as if there is nothing wrong with the world. They’ve only worked with each other a couple of times, but they’re like oil and water.
However, Simon knows better than to bite back too harshly.
“Good morning, Fool Bright.” Simon snarls with a bit of rebellion with that retort. It's really the only thing he can get away with.
At the least, if he doesn’t respond, another jolt of energy through his cuffs isn’t worth arguing about. Guards usually have a field day with the controls if left alone, even when he is behaving. That detective should have access to the controls for the handcuffs too.
He has to be careful.
“Good morning. Lovely day out, huh? Are ready to investigate today?” Fool Bright smiles, ignoring the blatant insult, “Or do you want to just stay in your tiny little cell?”
“What type of question is that?” Simon snorts, looking away. “...I heard the aquarium has penguins.”
It’s not if he actually has a choice...
“Excellent choice. Come on,” Fool Bright opens the cell, offering a false sense of freedom. “It’ll be fun! Let’s deliver justice to that whale. You better not botch it though. The Chief Prosecutor gave you a second chance for a reason. I can see it in you, Blackquill.”
“Huh?”
“An innocent man.” Fulbright smiles. It’s not that stupid dorky smile he has, but one with admiration. “I believe in you. Even if you don’t.”
Simon’s a bit confused, but decides to look away to avoid eye contact. Besides the Chief Prosecutor, he knows better than to try to get cheeky with anyone that can hurt him at whim.
He definitely knows better than to befriend his co-worker. It’s only professional after all. No, something in the back of his mind…
No. It ended up getting out of hand.
Simon doesn’t even pause as he follows Fool Bright out of the cell. He sits on the passenger side of the cruiser Fool Bright is using. The sudden blast of coconut incense fills the car from those tree scent tags as Simon tries to not gag. Though, the car is cleaner than his cell. He gets in the car as Fool Bright buckles Simon’s seat, crawling over to his own spot. What a weird man. He turns on the car, and humming to the horrible selection of seventies music, he turns down the volume.
“You know, Blackquill.” Fulbright doesn’t take his glance out of the road with a serious tone in his voice, “I know what you’re doing. With that ‘Fool Bright’ and all. I may be a bit dense but I’m not that stupid.”
This should have been a red flag, but it flies over Simon’s head at that moment. That is the first time he actually recalls Fool Bright’s tone changing. A crack of his mask…
Though, at that moment, Simon doesn’t care. He is just relieved he can see the sun again and how beautiful Los Angeles is. Simon doesn’t even blink as he looks out of the window, enjoying the scenery.
“Quiet, are we? If a bit of backchat is needed to get some of your aggression out,” Fool Bright laughs, taking the tension out of the car. “There’s no need to hold back. I find it a bit amusing. You can keep calling me that until someone catches on to what you’re doing. Like...a personal joke? Oh! Since we’re going to be investigation buddies, how about I give you a punny name too?”
“Do what you like,” Simon shrugs, looking out of the window. He doesn’t care too much what that detective is babbling about. All he sees is the beautiful scenery and freedom. Something he’s never going to get.
He may as well enjoy it now.
“Maybe not a pun, but oh, you looking out like that reminds me of birds.” Fulbright hums, tapping the steering wheel, “My poor little Blackbird, stuck in his cage.”
Simon is about to slap him, well, if he could, but the cuffs are a heavy reminder that he’s not free. He glares at the detective instead. When they stop at the intersection, all he can see is pity in Fulbright’s eyes when the detective turns towards him.
Oh, how Simon misread that facial expression…
“I promise, we’ll get you out.” Fulbright smiles, “Then you’ll be free to do what you please. As a lovely bird as yourself should be able to.”
Simon hears that word again. Lovely...that’s the last thing he is, and he rejects the kind compliment with a scoff, turning back towards the window. Perhaps he’s right, though. Trapped like a bird…
Simon can’t help but admit that he’s thought of that analogy before when Taka visits, but it’s validating that someone else is saying what is in the back of his mind. He knows it’s unlikely but if the Chief Prosecutor and this detective have some hope for him, maybe it wouldn’t be selfish to think there is a bit of hope.
“So, it’s settled! Blackbird, I’m parched. Are you a fan of lemonade?” Fool Bright offers, “As one friend to another!”
“I haven’t had lemonade for years.” Simon mutters, “I’m not sure.”
“No need to be shy. We’ll getcha some at the aquarium.”
For the first time in years, there’s an actual, genuine smile on the taller man’s face. Oh, if only it weren’t a ruse-
*
“SIMON!”
Simon is startled when someone grabs his shoulder. The hand immediately pulls away with an apology in their native tongue. He looks up to see his partner, soaking wet with their jacket barely covering their body. Their green eyes are full of fret and concern as Simon realizes where he’s at.
The park. He must have wandered away again…
Another flashback…
“You almost got hit by a car-”
Taka squawks at Nahyuta, not out of friendliness but as a warning when they try to grab Simon’s shoulder again. Taka has never done anything like that to them before. They pull away, nodding in agreement with the hawk's judgement as they come to sit next to Simon on the soaking bench.
“Simon-”
“You bloody followed me? In this storm?” Simon mutters, turning to Nahyuta. “I just needed to get some air.”
“Of course I did! You just got up without a word and left.” Nahyuta’s voice raises a bit in the rain. “Why did you think that was acceptable? We’re on a date. If it was going poorly, you could have said something and we could have parted ways.”
“I was planning to come back,” Simon retorts. “You know I wouldn’t leave a king regent on their own like that.”
Even in his dazed state, he’s covered Taka in the rain with his jinbaori, shielding the bird from the droplets. Simon turns back towards his shivering partner.
“Even if so, you didn’t tell me you were. I can’t read your mind! I could have been in there for hours!” Nahyuta’s voice stays surprisingly calm as they look down, “Why did you leave?”
Simon’s silent for a bit as he looks away. Then, he takes a deep breath. “I’d rather not talk about it.”
Nahyuta looks away as the air becomes colder. It’s definitely not the weather.
“Oh, I see. The nickname…”
“Yes.” Simon affirms, “Don’t expect to find out either. I haven’t even told Athena about it.”
“I don’t care about why,” Nahyuta sighs. “Though I think you’re missing the point. You left me stranded in the cafe without a word when you initially said you didn’t care I gave you a nickname. Then, the first one I picked, you ran out of the door.”
Simon pauses, “I…”
“I know things that happened to you that no one would ever dream would be possible,” Nahyuta whispers, looking around for bystanders. “I must confess, I haven’t fully opened up to you either. There’s a lot we still don’t know about each other, but if we have triggers, it may be best to know them so we can make this work out.”
“Alright. Perhaps we should have that conversation in a private place. Like the apartment.”
Nahyuta can only nod. “Yes, there’s actually another thing I’ve been meaning to tell you that would definitely be better behind closed doors. First off, let’s get you grounded.”
“I should be fine,” Simon mutters.
“I doubt that. Your breathing is still shallow and you’re still easily startled. I’m going to bundle you up in blankets and make a pillow fort.”
“We are not children,” Simon snickers a bit. “Are you bloody serious?”
“About the grounding? Absolutely.” Nahyuta sighs. “The pillowfort? No, probably not. I was merely trying to get you to laugh, which seemed to help. Come, let’s get back to the cafe. I had to leave my stuff behind to follow you.”
“Why did you?” Simon finally asks. “I’m sure you didn’t have to.”
“Well, you nearly stepped in front of a car. After that, I figured you weren’t just bored of the date after that. Even if I was not entirely sure, I knew I had to make sure you were okay.” Nahyuta frowns, trying to grab Simon’s shoulder again. Taka doesn’t object this time. "I know I have insulted you from time to time with the nickname I gave you, but you do mean a lot to me."
Simon can't even look up to meet their eyes as he mumbles, “...I’m sorry.”
“It’s quite alright. I can tell you aren't quite here still. Though, I think you need to get some professional help. Wandering off like that isn’t normal. And no, Miss Cykes does not count. She’s talented in the world of psychology, yes, but she’s not a registered therapist. Let’s get you to a safer place. At least where I know you won’t wander into traffic.”
They walk without another word back, grabbing their stuff and Nahyuta thanking the barista for watching their table as they get into the car.
“Do you need me to drive?” Nahyuta offers.
“No, I’ll be okay. I just want to blast some music. Get my mind off things.”
“Okay. I’ll make sure to keep an eye on the road.”
“Thank you,” Simon finally mutters. “Panda is okay.”
Nahyuta buckles their seatbelt, looking over. “Huh?”
“It may have started poorly, but I’ve grown fond of it,” Simon confesses as he starts the car, putting some music on.
Nahyuta seems a bit unsure, but nods. “Perhaps we should discuss this when you have a clearer head. Okay?”
“Yes, I think that would be a good idea.” Simon focuses on the road as they drive to the apartment, not another word between them.
Simon sighs, closing his eyes for a second, trying to collect his thoughts. He really wishes the nickname hadn’t been corrupted by such an awful person, because he loved the loving way Nahyuta had said it.
Blackbird…