bakerstreet | getting comfy now .

[See, this is why you don't go out late at night for useless snack runs when you've been having trouble sleeping and have just been generally exhausted for who knows how long. Sitting on a bench, waiting for a bus that seems like it'll never come... Of all places, that's where the sleep deprivation claims him, and he falls to his side. Fortunately, there is someone there to keep him from smacking into the bench itself!]

( in a sense, komaeda's a wanderer that goes where hope and despair lead him — so it's always pretty much a gamble. even now with it being late at night, he wonders if his luck will take a turn for the worst leading him into a despair-filled scenario. that would be an unfortunate turn of events, oh no, actually he welcomes it considering he'd overcome something like it soon enough. that chance only brightens the hope he's in search for. sometimes, he has to be in search for that hope himself and it's why he has a duffle bag in tow.

now that he's come to a stop, he's finally realized how parched he's become. with every swallow, his dry throat repays him with an uncomfortable scratchy feeling. he pauses, clearing his throat to find the same sensation so what other choice does he have here? looking around, he makes a mental note of his surroundings which is a bench to his left where someone already resides, and a vending machine located on the other side of the street. he figures that's the best he's going to get at the moment, and so he sits his bag down carefully on the bench next to the dozing bystander. he's particular on how much distance sits between the bag and the other, and once he's satisfied, komaeda draws back with a cool smile along his features.

with that done, he's beginning to make his way across the street towards the vending machine and withdraws a chain purse from his jacket's pocket. it's just when he turns his head to check on his belongings that he can see the body of the other beginning to tilt, angling towards the bag beside him. the amount of time it would have taken for him to get to the vending machine is exchanged with rushing over to the drowsy body to catch him by the shoulders to prevent him from colliding into the bag. sadly, just as komaeda touches him is the exact moment where a car — driving past the speed limit — had crashed into the vending machine. hm, that's normal in komaeda's life, even as he firmly shakes the person he has his hands on. )

Haha, this is kind of dangerous. ( he speaks casually, like nothing is wrong with the situation behind him. it's honestly quite jarring to say the least, but even then he continues. ) After all, if you sleep here, you might not wake up.

— eh?

[The screeching tires and scraping of metal upon metal as the car collides is certainly enough to jolt him from his slumber, but before he can begin to process what happened, he's aware of someone holding him, shaking him. A light voice that's speaking calmly despite the chaos just past him.]

What?

[He hears the words and yet doesn't. He's so dumbstruck by the sudden and intense development that he can only manage to stammer out standard notes of confusion and shock. He's been so exhausted lately, and so he fell asleep. That much is clear, but the scene before him now is so surreal that he truly questions whether he is actually viewing it in reality. But it continues— there doesn't seem to be any implication of waking up a second time— and so, stunned as he is, he starts to accept that he needs to get a real understanding of what's going on.]

What happened...? Did you... save me?

( he's stirring, 'finally,' that's what komaeda thinks as he removes his grasp from the guy's shoulders. he doesn't know how long he'll remain this way considering he was falling asleep on a bench in the middle of the night. for someone coming to, he really does ask the important questions, but that's natural when a person doesn't understand. the event behind komaeda hasn't startled him at all, and he recognizes the situation as a sign of good luck. if this person didn't almost crash into his bag then komaeda would have been the one crashed into. )

No, not really!

( it rolls off his tongue easy, very practiced considering he's said the same words before. despite the circumstances, his tone rings off quite merry if anything. ) From what I gathered, you were here before I was. ( the car's alarm blares from behind while smoke erupts into the air, but while none of that catches the youth's attention.. it's something else that hits the back of his shoe. his eyes fall towards the ground, glancing at the two cans of juice that's rolled over. he leans over, picking them up to see the flavor brand written across and with a nod. )

Haha, how lucky! These are my favorites. ( he offers one to the person before him. ) Here, maybe it'll give you energy to find a different place to sleep?

[The alarm and burst of smoke cause Subaru to flinch in response, his eyes flicking over to the scene before returning to those unwavering eyes before him. The thought that they ought to help whoever's in the vehicle... does cross his mind, obviously, since the thought has so carelessly floated through, but he can't really say that he's feeling any urge or sense of responsibility to act upon it.]

Lucky...?

[His gaze now lowers to the offered can, where the nearby smoke dances upon the metal, tying the two realities together. He finds that his hand reaches to accept it, even though he doesn't feel that it's a decision he's consciously informed his body to perform. It's cold to the touch, but it doesn't jolt his senses as it ought to.]

Who are you?

( as the can's taken, komaeda releases it from his grasp so the other can have it. at times, he can be kind, but there's no reason to be greedy and have two when he can share. he should have known doing such a thing wouldn't deter the confusion that he dwells in, but he didn't expect him to start with komaeda of all things. there's a car rammed into the mass of a vending machine, and the person inside (or if there's anyone in it at all) is in pain. )

I don't think this is the best place to exchange introductions, we could go somewhere quiet?

( in his defense, it's super noisy behind them, and the repeating blares of the car's alarm isn't good on his ears. he proves this by raising one hand to his head, covering one ear as the other reaches out to grab the bag situated next to the other. he unzips it, slipping the beverage for himself inside as he quickly closes it back up after. )

Besides, you look tired, and it'd be for the best.

Ah, but—

[The people(?) in the car...! There's that part of him that feels like it's irresponsible and inhumane to just leave, but another part is saying that professionals should be along soon enough to help and are more qualified to do so. As if he needs more of a reason to hate himself, he justifies it with the latter thought and gathers his belongings as well.]

We should at least report it to the police.

[Yes, good; that'll serve his civil liability and ease some of the guilt that's freezing him in place. He fumbles for his cell phone and starts to dial the authorities, looking back over at the scene to see if there's been any change, if someone has emerged from the vehicle at all.]

( authorities? understandable, they would indeed be the first group to inform on this situation, and that's what someone normal would think. for komaeda, his eyes watch as his newfound stranger pulls out his phone, quickly dialing for the police. with a sigh, he raises a hand to wrap it gently around the other's wrist, and he waits a moment as if contemplating what to do. his eyes widen once he has an idea, and they return back to normal right after while his hand slides up to take the male's phone to end the call. )

Aha, you're a really thoughtful person, but you shouldn't clean up my mess.

( "a mess," is what he calls it, especially when there are people inside who seem to be unconscious. one person with their head pressed against the steering wheel, and an arm sticking out the passenger seat window. it's hard to make out considering the smoke that wafts from the vehicle. with the other's phone in his possession, he begins to send a text message to someone he knows, and then right after.. )

I wonder if he'll text back.

Hey, w—!

[He starts to protest as the cell phone is closed, ending the call, and subsequently taken from his grasp. Had he known to anticipate such a move, he could have fought against it, but as it stands, it's easily removed. He starts to make an effort to retrieve it after, but this guy's demeanor and his words keep disarming him. "My mess," he says. And what is he doing with his phone?]

Text... Who did you message? [He's asked once before, but it bears repeating:] Just who the hell are you!?

( it's probably a lot to take in, considering komaeda just randomly walked into this guy's life — especially when he was trying to rest. all he's able to offer is sheepish laugh, a smile still plastered on his face and a nod to reassure the other. )

The Yakuza — the Ultimate Yakuza, that is! Everything I do is so small and insignificant, something like this shouldn't be a problem.. ( first there's people in danger and now he's looking for help from the yakuza? isn't there a chance the police will trace the call back to this phone and find their location? not only that, let the police find out that someone has been messaging the yakuza.. not looking too good.

his gaze drops back down to the phone in his hand, seeing a notification of someone texting back. )

Well.. I'm practically nobody, really.. my name's Komaeda Nagito, sorry about the circumstances you've met me in!

—Yakuza!?

[Each thing he says only adds to the confusion. It's not as though Subaru's been properly voicing the questions that he wants to ask, but even so, he feels like he's getting really dodgy responses intentionally meant to distract him. But the tangible words that he does catch are always incredibly out of place, such as this recent mention of yakuza. Not only that, but the Ultimate Yakuza? At any rate, it's clear that he's gotten involved with a very shady individual. What's left now is what to do with that information?]

I didn't mean your name! [Though that helps a bit.] You're saying that everything you do is small and insignificant, but it looks to me like you've got a hand in something big and important that's going on.

[Right, the crash! It all started with that. Subaru glances back over— the proper authorities have yet to arrive, what's taking them!? Forgetting about Nagito, forgetting about his hesitation and confusion for now, he finally runs towards the car to offer assistance.]

( the worst part about this is that he doesn't have the body strength to pull him back, so the other running to the car would be.. he doesn't trust it. setting his bag back down on the bench, he turns around to follow after him as he pockets his hands into his coat. as they come closer to the vehicle, komaeda peers into the passenger's seat from the open window — the body appears limp, their head pressed against the dashboard and bleeding. )

...Yeah, small and insignificant. ( he repeats to himself slowly, confirming for the other that what he does isn't much. with that said, he removes one hand to pull at the door's handle to see if it'll unlock and unfortunately, it stays put together. that's more than enough for komaeda to pull his hand away, plucking the male's phone out from his pocket again to check something.. the time. )

You know, if you move these bodies, something bad might happen. ( he's not sure how the pendulum will swing with him here, and part of him isn't sure he wants to find out. ) The — ( he coughs from the smoke, turning his head away as he takes a step back. ) ...humans are fragile.

[At this point, he isn't paying the slightest bit of attention to Nagito. As he sees the lifeless bodies before him— what was he really expecting to see?— it's as if the reality finally sets in. Had he moved sooner, could he have done more? Done anything?

He starts to reach for the handle of the car, but before he moves enough to be even be considered an attempt, Nagito grabs it first. Having no luck without, however, he seems to instantly give up. Since that leaves room for Subaru to continue his attempt, as if it would produce a different result, he reaches and grasps the handle. Unsurprisingly, it doesn't open.

Immediately, he turns to search for anything— some rubble perhaps— to shatter the window, but once again, he doesn't get a chance to start before he's stopped, this time by Nagito's warning. With each development, he finds his frustration increasing and yet Nagito's demeanor remains the same, which only further infuriates him.]

Something "bad" might happen!? Are you seriously ignoring what's happening in front of you right now!? How could it get any worse than this!?

[He slams a fist into the car, though it hardly leaves a dent. Really, he's frustrated by his own inability to do anything, but even so, he can't understand or forgive the attitude that Nagito is taking with all of this.]

( komaeda's normal on certain days, more often than not, he does better at portraying emotions. he's able to stay positive no matter how bad something may seem, and even the smile he wears now must appear disgusting. his life has been full of ups and downs that he doesn't see a reason to frown when he believes something good will happen in the end. if he allows despair to overcome him because of something that can't be helped, then his entire life will come crumbling down. )

Man..

( he looks off to the side, sighing, disappointed in the other because he's been saying this entire time.. someone else will deal with this. ) I didn't think I'd meet someone hard of hearing.. ( even his voice sounds sad with this new information. ) ..how unlucky. I texted someone already to clean this up.

( he can tell from the other's tone that he's irritable, but maybe he should have moved the moment it happened. perhaps this really subaru's fault for being hesitant since every second counts, it's a big factor that even komaeda's dealing with today. he watches as the other slams his fist into the car, and despite not leaving a dent, more smoke happens to erupt in its place. )

...Well..

( to the male's question. komaeda looks away, staring at the bag that sits on the bench as if it'll answer subaru's inquiry. )

[Nagito may think that he's giving answers or even sufficient information to assume them, but Subaru probably couldn't pick up on them without being in a situation that's throwing him off his guard. So the sighs and side glances and vague monologues are only exacerbating Subaru's anger.]

You... Did you...

[It's time to ask the question he's been wanting to but has been too afraid to ask.]

Did you cause all of this!?

( the blame. this isn't the first time he's been in this situation nor will it be the last. truthfully, this never gets old because somehow it comes back to him. how does he explain this is because he's lucky, and sometimes he gets rather unlucky occurrences. this happens to be one of the unfortunate, but is asking someone to help fix this not enough to redeem him? well, not like he deserves it. )

Hey, calm down.. ( he crosses his arms, keeping his eyes on the bag sitting across from them. ) Don't worry, you shouldn't be so pessimistic, you're acting as if they're dead. ( again, he avoids the other's question as he brings them to a more important subject. )

You asked what's worse than this right? Well.. we're wasting time by standing here.

[It's ineffective— no, it's worse than that; no matter how much Nagito tries to explain himself, it's having the absolute opposite effect in assuaging Subaru's fears. Even though, if broken down to its base understanding, what he's saying is logical, it's completely unacceptable in Subaru's eyes.]

"Wasting time" is worse than this!? [He gestures wildly to the car, to the people that Nagito has so confidently proclaimed aren't dead.] How can you be so calm...? How can you be so sure that they're still alive!?

[You know what? Nagito's right. Standing there, wasting time arguing with him is counterproductive. Since he's so resolved to doing nothing, why is Subaru even bothering to get permission to take action? In reality, he wanted someone else to decide how to proceed, and when he realized that he didn't like the results of that decision...

But that's not important now. Turning his back to Nagito, he goes back to his original intent to smash open the window of the car to gain access. He coughs, having turned directly towards the smoke once more, and it stings his eyes as he steps further into it. But there ought to be something he can use here, something small enough to hold but heavy enough to serve his purpose. That's what he feels, but the closest he can see are cans of juice and soda, most of which have already been punctured as well— not that they would have worked, anyway.]

( what he's learning about his new companion is that he's passionate and his feelings leak profusely unlike how composed komaeda is. he doesn't blame him, no, but he thinks that the other should get ahold of himself. there's no hope in worrying about such an event when things will work out in the end, but not everyone can live a carefree life like komaeda. explaining anything to the other will be met with disbelief, just like now. )

We have quite the opposite outlook on life, huh.. if they're dead, you wouldn't be going through all of this to save dead bodies, would you?

( actually, that's not the perspective that komaeda's looking at this from. instead, he's looking from the direction he asked for help — an ultimate — and if one ultimate knows another, who's to say they can't get help from a nurse in the same field? but he won't tell subaru that, oh no, he questions his morals instead to see how that would have an effect on him. not just anyone would do all this in hopes to pull a dead body out from the car, komaeda has a faint suspicion that the other is hoping that they're alive. )

I'd wager my life, that's how certain I am. ( he says this without hesitation, his gaze falling upon the male's back to see if he'd react in anyway. ) ...Especially with that ticking bomb in my bag.. that should be proof enough, right? ( there's that classic smile of his, and a voice filled with hope curious to if subaru will believe him. ) If they die.. we should die, would that make you feel better?

( "we". )

[His hands freeze at the mention of "dead bodies." That's right... Of course he's trying to get to them because they could still be alive. Despite how they look, there's a chance... He keeps trying to reaffirm this to himself, but the situation does look rather grim. Even so, nothing's for certain until he can actually verify it, himself. With that in mind, he starts to move once again, but that disconcertingly lucid voice has to interfere. He'd wager his life, he says... What the hell kind of game was he playing at?

Subaru slowly turns back towards Nagito, more cautious than curious. The smoke continues to billow from the car, but a wind blows by as if to grant Subaru the clarity to observe Nagito's expression— that indescribable smile as he continues, his words becoming less and less fathomable. Ticking bomb... Die?

Slowly rising to his feet, Subaru stares in disbelief, his mouth agape. This guy is absolutely crazy! What is he supposed to do against that? He's already seen that he can't even communicate with him on the same level. What could he possibly say now?]

What are you... talking about? [His voice is trembling, and his words are so quiet; it's hard to say if his sounds rise above the noise between them.] What proof...? Who...

Who are you!?

[Though he's asked it so many times already, he hasn't received an answer to his satisfaction; does one exist? Maybe it's just that he doesn't know what question to ask in order to find the answer he needs.]

( there he goes asking the same question yet again, even though komaeda answered it. he must have not been satisfied with his name, but what more is he in search for? there's only so much to explain, and here he thought that stating there weren't any lives at stake would calm him down. sadly, the situation they're in would make it difficult for him to accept komaeda's reasoning or to make sense of anything he says.

he decides to focus on the one question and maybe figure out the second. so much time has already elapsed since his departure in the night, he wonders if his assailants had possibly stopped the time on the bomb and gave him a few extra minutes. he did manage to pull someone else into his problem so they could at least take pity. )

You almost fell asleep on them.. ah, that would have been bad. ( his hand now raises to his chin, cupping it in thought as he thinks back to when the other started stirring from his slumber: "what happened...? did you... save me?" maybe komaeda did when he prevented that collision. ) They're watching us right now, and can shoot at any moment if I don't take this bomb where it needs to go.. I tried to warn you.

( "energy to find a different place to sleep?" and "i don't think this is the best place to exchange introductions, we could go somewhere quiet?" so that the people watching wouldn't hear, but unfortunately, they know how helpless this guy is.. of course, komaeda walks towards subaru to grab his hand softly like the frightened animal he is to calm him down. ) My identity is as important as I am so remember it well! ...Which isn't important at all for scum like me.. ( he sounds defeated while pulling subaru away from the vehicle, now whether he'll budge is a different story. ) ...Anyway, I'm lucky..

[Again with an explanation that, while understandable, is beyond comprehension. Just hearing that he almost fell asleep on a bomb is enough to make him feel sick, but there's active shooters watching them as well? You've got to be fucking kidding. He suddenly remembers that this guy introduced himself while apologizing for the "circumstances;" that much is finally becoming clear. Rather than being the culprit behind all of this, he's been forced into it...?

He stands still as Nagito approaches. He's pulled along easily as his hand is taken and he's led away. He stumbles, not quite making the effort on his own, but he allows it. He doesn't have the energy anymore to fight about it. All that he's come to understand now is that he's powerless in this situation and that he has no choice but to comply.

Nagito calls himself scum, but what does that make Subaru? Without understanding anything, he demanded so much, only to be dragged away like a disobedient child. Even so, he wants to ask more, but he can only try to sneak glances at their surroundings, looking for signs of the aforementioned shooters. The fact that he can't see anything somehow makes it that much worse.]

( once subaru finally relaxes — if you can even call it that — komaeda walks together with him across the street. the car behind them is none of their concern anymore, not when they have other matters to attend to. it shouldn't even be "they," but the other had undoubtedly put a target on himself for meeting with komaeda nagito. if only his "luck" didn't work in ways like this, then maybe they could have met under better circumstances where there wasn't people trapped in a car with its fumes slithering down their windpipe. )

It's going to be a long night, I hope you're excited! ( and then the phone's — subaru's phone — alarm begins to go off to which komaeda plucks it out his pocket. he squeezes the male's hand firmly to catch his attention, since he noticed him looking around. komaeda cants his hand to the side towards the direction of a building, and beside it is a shadowy figure that's quickly recedes into the darkness so they can't be seen. suspicious. after, he settles the phone back into his hand. ) I forgot to give this back, you must've had something to do or check on to have an alarm this late.

( and checking is right because if subaru looks at the screen, he can see a few text messages between someone else and komaeda. though, that's not as important as the notepad formatted post on the top that's titled: "READ THIS". inside: if you're seeing this, then i couldn't run you off and i told you my secret. how unlucky.. but, we have three hours until something unspeakable happens! this is how ransoms normally work, but that's enough time to get yourself out of this situation. killing me might be the only way to prevent what happens later though.. they think it's a bag of money. if you want to help the side of hope, play along.. yes, it might be odd why he said aloud that it was a bomb, but wouldn't anyone say something so they continue their timed ransom? besides, he doesn't think their shooters are smart enough to realize that komaeda was being honest. )

I'm not familiar with this location, I need to find an abandoned building... ( once they're at the bench, komaeda releases subaru's hand as he proceeds to pick up the bag which does appear rather heavy. ) Do you know a place like that? ( as he looks at subaru, he smiles softly with a small chuckle afterwards. )

[A long night... Subaru feels sick. The sudden alarm from the phone sends a jolt trough his body, signaling that he's clearly on edge, and the hold upon his hand tightens. Why? Is he trying to comfort him...?

As Nagito holds up the phone, Subaru remembers that it's his; he had completely forgotten about it. That being the case, there absolutely wouldn't be any alarms set on it, especially at this random time of night. So what the heck is he talking about?

Seeing as it's returned to him, he flips it open to silence it, and there are those mysterious texts and that even more mysterious message. He opens it, as instructed, and reads through its contents, his expression growing more troubled with each word. Something unspeakable; ransoms; killing. What the hell... He never asked to be any part of this. And yet he's being asked to play along. He clearly doesn't have any choice but to do so, but isn't that asking too much? It's all he can do to keep himself together right now.

He stares at the bag, eyes like death, as Nagito picks it up. What's in there is... a ticking bomb. Should he be moving it like that? He doesn't feel comfortable being anywhere near it, but from the sound of it, he'll be shot if he tries to get away. This just can't be real.

It isn't until his gaze finally finds Nagito's, until he meets with that unsettling smile, that he realizes he's been asked a question. He had heard it as it was asked; he simply couldn't process it until now.]

Why... would I know a place like that? I'm just a student...

[-ish. And judging by his appearance, his new acquaintance might very well be, too. It's amazing how different the two of them can be, though.]

( the expression worn on the other's face is more than understandable, and komaeda reads it as him being defeated. most people usually romance with the idea of despair around this time, but to see subaru hold on despite not being able to save the people in the car is something. the fact that he still wanted to help those people despite not knowing their living condition .. there must have been hope. that alone is enough for komaeda to sigh softly, relax in this situation and hum a little merry tone as he watches him.

while komaeda appears cheerful, inside his mind he finds this problem they're in no big deal. as long as he does everything correctly, the chances of him getting out of this while protecting hope is around 75%? it's hoping that the bomb doesn't go off before they hit their destination. )

Aha, I get it! You're not from here either. ( komaeda can't read whether subaru is just saying that so their shooters won't know he's a local or if he really doesn't live in these parts. that's smart of him, really, even though he doesn't know it. though, the student bit does raise a brow from him, they really aren't too different. no, they are different, and it's because subaru is beneath him. but, because he's willing to help be a stepping stone for hope, he gets a pass today. ) ....How lucky, to share this experience with someone as clueless as me.

( as he says that, he turns towards subaru and tosses the bag in his direction for him to catch. )

Here, hold that. I'll find us a map.

[Nagito gives Subaru entirely too much credit. As he's going on about how Subaru's also not from around here and being clueless, he fails (yet again) to pick up on the subtle cue and is completely ready to tell him what an idiot he is for assuming that—

Fortunately(?), he doesn't get the chance before the bag is tossed at him. The bag, containing a highly explosive device, is tossed at him, and chokes out a noise that's somewhere between a cry and gasp as he awkwardly catches it. He doesn't have a choice but to catch it, and yet he doesn't know how to handle it. He tries to not grab it too tightly but with enough force to secure it. Instantly, he finds that the ticking resonates through his whole body... or rather, it's his heart beating wildly against it.

It can't be helped that his legs give out the moment he's caught the bag, falling to his knees but clutching it close to him so that it doesn't slip away. His eyes stare forward blankly after another shocking development has rattled him to his core. He doesn't know how much more of this he can take.

He tries to get his breathing back in check as he turns his gaze toward Nagito, a mixture of indignation and exhaustion.]

What were you thinking...? What if I had missed it!? And what am I supposed to do with this now!?

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i feel like i should apologize for komaeda

apologize for this treasure?? never

its because subaru is letting him be a treasure

he does tend to bring out the best(?) in people

good i can't wait for him to see komaeda at his best so when they both get arrested

Nagito why are you like this

what do u mean i think him and subaru look like a couple of besties from this

＼`•̀益•́´／

natsuki kun...

（￣^￣）!!!

looks at u with puppy dog eyes.. bats eyelashes... natsukun....

is someone saying something?? that's weird cause I don't see anyone here... hmmm

wtf natsukun are you playing hard to get we're friends we're here for each other

more than just hard it's like expert ultimate hardcore insane punishment mode

this is true despair natsu~n, it's bc im cute and lucky that you punish me smh

is it just me or are these nicknames getting shorter and weirder...

why does it seem like you never had friends na~n

YOU'RE NOT WRONG BUT PLEASE SPARE HIM