Page 13 of Pandion
“Oh, sorry, excuse me.” Kagesawa hurried over.
“What happened?”
“Is he all right?”
As the neighbours turned their attention to the sofa, Kagesawa checked the link.
Ah shit, I’m sorry,he projected clumsily. He set his beer can on the coffee table next to the one he’d emptied when he’d been preoccupied chatting with his friends earlier.
“Yes, he’s fine. He’s just tired from work.” He scolded himself for being so careless.
Satoru was bravely trying to dampen the link but looked ready to pass out from the effort. Thankfully, although he’d been offered another beer, he’d barely touched it. Having that added to the mix could have been catastrophic. Kagesawa scooped him up from the sofa.
“I’ll be right back.”
“Do you need help?” Takazaki offered.
Five…
“Actually, yes, can you grab him by the legs? He’s a bit heavy.”
...b-blue, red, uhh, five…
The two of them carried Satoru into the bedroom.
Once they’d lowered Satoru into bed, Kagesawa flumped down to sit next to him on the edge of it, disappointed in himself.
“Are you sure he’s OK? Does this happen often?” Takazaki seemed concerned.
“It’s fine, probably…”
“And you? How are you holding up?”
About the same age, Takazaki had known Kagesawa even before he’d become an empath. It was a shame Takazaki hadn’t become one since he probably would have made a great colleague, even if they couldn’t have partnered together. He was the only one Kagesawa had felt close enough to open up to about his past problems, although he did regret off-loading and causing worry.
“It’s nothing I can’t handle, but thanks for asking.”
“Five…” Satoru interrupted.Five… blue…“Blue.”
“What’s he doing?” Takazaki asked.
“Ah, that.” With a bit of an embarrassed chuckle, Kagesawa replied truthfully, “He’s drunk. And he’s sorting trash.”
“Um, why?”
“He’s very sensitive.”
At this, Takazaki raised his brow. “Oh, right, didn’t you say something about the previous old fart being difficult to work with because the link was so degraded? This one’s fresh out of the oven, so it’s the opposite issue?”
“Something like that.” Kagesawa rubbed his temples.
“Ah, I thought you were acting a little peculiarly today.” Takazaki’s observation made Kagesawa frown.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Frankly, yes. But I’ve known you for a long time. The others may not have noticed.”
“I need to lie down. He’s exhausted.” Kagesawa laid back and exhaled slowly. Satoru was at his limit with the dampening, so most of it was seeping through unobstructed.