Accidentally stealing handcuffs from Teo's party last night was kind of funny. Handcuffing yourself to your favorite emo during breakfast was just as funny, for all of fourteen seconds. But then you remembered you had work. And then you remembered that you never took the key.

And then, of course, when you suggested the obvious idea of cutting them off, suddenly [REDACTED] had morals against property damage.

Turns out a life of crime was not for you.

"You're enjoying this too much," you mutter as you walk through the aisles. Stubbornly, you refuse to admit to also enjoying this. Because then he wins.

The matching cuff on your wrist hardly feels uncomfortable thanks to your partner's willingness to stay as close as physically possible. All that signals its presence is the telltale faint metal clinking of the chain connecting you. And the occasional stares and giggles of whoever happened to notice. Mostly Elanor, who took to spying around corners and hiding her smile behind the monitors at the front desk.

"How could I not?" they practically brag. "'Stead of stayin' home, you wanted t'show off that I'm all yours."

That wasn't what you had in mind at all and he knew it. "You are so…" You huff and sort through the pile, ignoring the grin on his face. "Unbelievable."

"It's like we're already married," they tease as the chain jingles again. "Our wedding bells."

You reach up to lightly thump a cover against his forehead. "Once Teo comes back with the key you're getting chained to the break room table 'til my shift's over. Not in the fun way."

He dramatically sighs as you finally shelve the last of the books. "If y'say so. 'N here I was lookin' forward to it."

From the moment the lock on the cuffs clicked in place, their pale blue eyes were locked on you just the same. It was easy to guess how he imagined the day would go.

Somehow, you thought forcing him to play nice at your job would keep his head out of the clouds for a while. If anything, it was rocketing his ego straight past the clouds and into space. The few patrons that noticed kept their distance, and the ones oblivious enough to approach quickly left thanks to his confusing aura of smugness.

"Hmm. I could forget the key again when we get home."

"Promise, Angel?"

You hold back a laugh and grab his cuffed hand in yours, leading them over to the book return bin. "If I don't get fired for causing a scene, sure."

"Seashell! Where are youuu?" Jae suddenly shouts from the sliding doors. A chorus of various shhs rounds through the stacks, and he hurries over to you with a sheepish grin, almost panting from the effort. "Here's that key you needed. Hey, Ren!"

For once, [REDACTED] acknowledges him with a nod. Who knew handcuffs could make them act moderately decent, if not polite?

"Thanks?" you question as Jae drops the silver key into your outstretched hand. "What happened to Teo?"

Jae shrugs and scratches the back of his neck. "Who knows? He caught me just before I went surfing and offered 500 dollars to bring this to you ASAP. Said you can keep it."

You vividly remember Teo coming by earlier after you texted him, ready to laugh at your circumstances. It hadn't gone so well on his end, what with your partner's unshakeable confidence over the situation. "Oh. Of course he did."

"Anyways, I've got some money to waste. Later, seashell! You too, Ren!" Jae waves over his shoulder and leaves just as quickly as he came, a trail of sandy footprints in his wake.

"Well uh… guess you can go home now?" you offer and look back at [REDACTED]. "Oh come on. It's only three hours."

His eyes lose that playful sparkle as you undo the cuffs and put them in your pocket along with the key. "Three hours unsupervised and without a leash. That's very irresponsible, love."

You wander off towards the staff area. "Shush."

Even without the handcuffs, they're immediately trailing mere inches behind you. You attempt to sneak past the story time circle where Elanor's sitting with a few kids from the nearby school. You're hoping she doesn't notice, but the sound of a gleeful smile starts ringing in her voice as she reads softly.

The staff door creaks open to an empty, darkened room. Conan must've disappeared into his office, no doubt questioning why he lets you keep your job. The hacker's footsteps and yours tap along the floor as you approach the supply closet.

You pause halfway into the room and turn around to whisper, "I thought I said you could go home."

"You also said you'd chain me up back here."

"Not in the fun way," you immediately correct.

"Not in the fun way," [REDACTED] repeats with a nod. They patiently hold up their wrist for you.

Sighing to yourself, you have to decline. "I think I'd actually get fired if I did that. So… if you leave now, you may handcuff me on our walk home." While you fish the offending items from your pocket, you have to clarify, "As long as no one else sees us."

He happily takes them, swinging the cuffs back and forth on his finger. "Oh, then what happens once we're home?"

- dr harlow took them in to work at the hospital half due to his own fascination with his coherence and him not being completely feral like other anomalies, and half because it gives him hope for a cure being possible

- intern cannot differentiate an anomaly from a regular patient for the LIFE of him 💀 but he makes up for it by handling them efficiently when they get violent!

- mimics other staff's behaviors sometimes to blend in more... even their more personal mannerisms (e.g. secretary pushing up his glasses when stressed = intern pushing at his nose even tho NOTHING'S there // psychologist crossing his arms when deep in thought = intern crossing his arms stiffly for no reason)

- less 'happy-to-help' like everybody assumes and more 'its my obligation i NEED to'

- has noooo idea what to do with himself when not working . just Stands there 🧍‍♀️