Thy Stray Dogs

     ❝ DON’T worry about it. It’s a good reminder every now and then.❞ He was glad that he was looking out for him at least. It made him happy honestly but he didn’t want the other to be too concerned for his wellbeing since he usually managed to take care of himself.  

     ❝ Well, you know Shoichi, always determined to get what he wants. Though, I do think he needs to … chill a bit, you know ? Well, I guess that’s what makes him, well, him. I’m sure he needs a nice dark roast of coffee right now though. We’re all pretty wired out from this whole thing. ❞ If he could manage to get the straight-laced inspector to join their little celebration then that would be a miracle itself since Shoichi rarely did things for his own leisure. Honestly, the only way to even get him to have fun was to keep being persistent about it then eventually, he would give in. Fortunately for Shin, his partner had a soft spot for him so he could try something out later.

     ❝ You don’t sound too sure. Hey, if you really don’t want to then that’s fine with me but I’m just putting it out there. I’m planning to try and get everyone else to join too but I don’t know how they’d feel about it. Do you think they would be up for it ? I’m sure if I annoy Shoichi enough, I can get him to come. ❞ 

“Alright.” He said and briefly wondered if he had offended the other. But he wasn’t going to worry too much about it, seeing as he already said it, and he couldn’t take it back anyways. Being the backwards person he is, he has to navigate socialization like a blind person without a cane; if he runs into a wall, just go with it, it’s normal to run into walls. Hitoshi was glad, however, that Shin never made a big deal out of it. It was a nice feeling.

“Shoichi- does need to cool his jets sometimes... But I guess that’s what makes him so successful in the first place... That, and his dark roast coffee. He probably needs it at times because of me... I wonder if he’d ever share?” He asked himself with a concentrated look, trying to make a plan to carry out. 

“Hmm... It’s not that I don’t want to go, it’s just I’m not used to socializing outside of work...” The backwards enforcer had to wonder though, who would these “everybody” be? He really hoped there wont be anyone who has a thing against enforcers, that would be highly problematic. He could deal with Shoichi, but when it’s other people... He just didn’t want to be a problem.

     ❝ HEH. I get that a lot. I guess it’s one of my more redeeming qualities but … thanks. I’ll be sure to come to you whenever I need it but you too, alright ? And, I know how dangerous it is for someone of my position to give into stress so that helps a lot. ❞ While he did manage stress a lot more effectively these days, he had come close to having a clouded hue in his younger days, surprisingly enough. Though, that situation was an entirely different one. 

     Long story short, a former boyfriend of his mother’s approached her and begged for them to get together again but in a fit of rage, he tried to harm her. Being unable to stand by and watch, Shin defended his mother by beating the living daylights out of him. But he was stopped before his hue was clouded terribly but in the end, it still led him to go to counselling. It took a bit to clear up his Psycho-Pass but he managed to clear it up completely. After that whole incident, he hoped to never had to react that way again so he learned to become more patient and act as calmly as possible whenever he could. Well, obviously in some cases it didn’t bear fruit but at the most part, he was fine. He used to be a lot more impatient back in the day, as kind as he was but still.

     ❝ Huh ? Oh. I guess I like medium. It’s kind of the perfect balance. Not too grainy and the flavour is pretty balanced. I do like the dark roast too … gotta appreciate that smokiness and bitterness too but yeah it’s too expensive. Though, that doesn’t ever stop Shoichi from getting his hands on the darkest roasts. ❞ This conversation was pretty mundane but oddly enough, it made him feel better … or maybe it was Hitoshi’s presence that did the trick. ❝ After this is all over, do you want to have a like a tiny celebration party ? We could just have dinner or something or have some drinks but it’s been pretty rough lately so something as simple as that could be nice. ❞  

“I don’t want to nag you about it, I know it’s aggravating hearing it over and over again.” He looked out of the corner of his eye to see what expression Shin was giving, however, he was never really good at analyzing facial expressions; which also cost him in the field several times. “That doesn’t surprise me, I believe Shoichi could get his hands on anything if he truly wanted it.” He joked and chuckled to himself as he imagined a stoic Shoichi having a very rare item on his desk that Hitoshi “accidentally” knocked onto the floor.

    ❝ YEAH, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. It’s just work that’s all but I handle myself. If I couldn’t, I wouldn’t be here in the first place. ❞ He let out a laugh ( although dry ) as if to prove that he didn’t need to concern himself any further. This was by-far the most stressful case ever since he’s entered the MWPSB but this was what he signed up for.

     ❝ How about you though ? I hope you aren’t working yourself too hard. I would help you but it’s pretty hard for everyone right now but I do appreciate your hard work.❞ He briefly rested a hand on his shoulder as if to reassure him. ❝ Pft. It’s kind of sad to see you not being your usual self but I can’t blame you. ❞ He offered him a wider smile. ❝ And jeez, don’t go overboard. Otherwise, I might not even see you next day but you’ll be fine  … hopefully. Well, knowing you, you’ll be fine to an extent.❞ He slid his hand off his shoulder and rubbed at the back of his own head. ❝ Uh, why don’t we go together ? Honestly, I’m kind of dreading going back to work but that’s my last procrastination attempt, I swear. And, I’m not surprised that you have a hell of a sweet-tooth. I don’t know … it just sorta fits you. I don’t particularly like sweet things though … which surprises a lot of people for some reason.❞ 

“You’re a strong person, I’m sure you can handle yourself. But if you ever need to talk in your spare time, you know where to find me. ...Stress can be vary harmful if you ignore it. But I’m sure you know that already.” He knew in his heart that Shin was strong enough for the job, but he also knew that it was very easy to slip up. Stress could easily cloud one’s hue if they refuse to acknowledge it. Hitoshi had heard the stories of the first division, and how two of the best inspectors had fell, and he never wanted that to happen to Shin. If the inspector was stressed out now, he’d never begin to imagine what it is like for an enforcer. Inspectors were for the most part, respected. And if one decided that this isn’t the path they wish to take, they always had the choice of resigning for another job. Enforcers, however, were less than dirt to everyone in society. If their hues were to spike, there were only a few options available to them. Further enrollment in the PSB, locked away in a cell, or being removed permanently...

       ❝ WELL, who else would do it ? I know for sure Shoichi wouldn’t even think about doing it and the others … well, they have their own stuff. Not that I don’t but you know. I guess it was sort of for myself since I wanted a bit of a break from everything. ❞ He was glad that he wasn’t too bothered with the fact that he just cleaned his desk up so that ended on a good note. That aside, he found himself a bit concerned for his Enforcer, seeing as he was visibly more exhausted than usual. Well, that was no surprise since everyone was probably dying internally.

      ❝ You don’t have to be so formal but like I said, I just couldn’t help myself so don’t worry about it too much. Just … try to keep it up with it consistently if you can.❞ Just as he was about to return to his desk, Hitoshi inquired about the cup of coffee placed before him. ❝ Hm ? Well, if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t put it there. Just figured I’d do something for you since you’ve been working hard. Ah, sorry. I didn’t even ask how you took your coffee. Want me to get some sugar or something ? I just always take mine black so force of habit. ❞ 

“I mean, I would have cleaned it up when I arrived, but maybe this happened for a reason, like you said. Maybe the universe knew you needed a distraction for awhile... You are okay right? Is it stress from work, or something else?” he asked lightly, not wanting to sound overly concerned; trying to keep his “mother-hen” self contained, but this is the first time he’s ever heard of Shin having to “distract” himself.

· · ·SHIN wasn’t exactly in the greatest mood when he woke up this morning – well, to be honest he hadn’t been his best for a couple of weeks, mood-wise anyways. The case this time around was, well, stressful. While he was second-in-command for this case, he and his fellow inspector shared the same workload, seeing as they were the inspectors. Times like these made him just want to quit but alas, it was important to keep strong. Besides, if he complained now then Shoichi would sure scold him to no ends.·

· · ·He arrived in the office earlier than everyone else and saw that his subordinate’s desk was a bit … well, messy. He thought he might as well help him tidy up a bit to put things in order since it did bother him. Jeez. Hitoshi could at least spare some time to clean. It wouldn’t take long nor was it going to hurt him.

· · ·Once he was done with that, he left the room momentarily to go fetch a cup of coffee. Perhaps he should get some for Hitoshi and Shoichi. Yeah, it wouldn’t hurt to do that. He eventually returned with the coffee and saw that his Enforcer was here at last. He silently moved to set the cups down on his own desk, as well as Shoichi’s. He approached next to the other and placed the cup down in front of him. He offered him usual smile.·❝ Hey, Hitoshi – woah. You look really tired. Guess getting coffee for you was a good call. Oh and uh, I cleaned your desk by the way. I couldn’t help myself since … you know, it was a bit messy. You didn’t seem like you were gonna do it anytime soon so I just took the liberty of doing it and plus, I really didn’t want to deal with Shoichi’s yelling today so you know.·❞

“Oh... So you’re the culprit.” Hitoshi replied and visibly relaxed. If he was honest, he was glad that it was Shin who had cleaned it up. He really didn’t feel like getting yelled at today, especially since he had a rough night, but it seemed like a lot of people were pissy today as well.

‘Must be stress... or something in the water.’ He mused to himself.

Psycho Pass Aesthetic 

Makishima Shogo Aesthetic / Gif set

a series: my favourite openings and endings

Psycho-Pass (2012) ↳「abnormalize」 §  凛として時雨