lost and found, c

Something told Ash that anything he said to the idiot trailing beside him was wasted breath. But he felt he needed to outline a few ground rules, least the dark haired musician decide he was free to do whatever he wanted. He also needed to keep talking to cover the fact that his stomach was nosily asserting its need for a meal. A wasted effort, it seemed. Cain heard the sound and annoyingly proclaimed having done so with an irritating fit of laughter.

“You are the most irritating individual I have ever met.” He mumbled under his breath. “No thank you.” Ash doubted Cain was even listening anymore. He had him by the elbow and was directing him in the opposite direction. The detective was unable to provide much resistance. He was much smaller than his companion and lacked the strength of will to deny his body the food it craved. He had planned to go eat anyways. Nonetheless, he didn’t want to have lunch with Cain. “Fine.”

Ash looked over Cain’s clothes a moment as if he were considering them. “It’s not appropriate for a detective agency.” He indicated his own clothing, which consisted of a suit jacket, slacks and a button-down shirt with the collar fastened with a tie. “You will be expected to appear professional. I expect see you in the proper clothing when you come in for work.” He doubted he would. “Now, may we please not dawdle? I would like to be on my way.”

Bonding? Cain made it seem as if Ash had a choice in all of this, not that the taller man had forced this whole arrangement on him. He walked beside the other without any room to do anything but. “Whatever.” He huffed, sulkily. He cross his arms over his chest and made a effort to walk a little slower out of spite.

“It is a professional detective agency,” Ash pointed out as if it were common knowledge. “Of course you’ll have to wear a tie.” He forced himself not to add any belittling comments at the end of his statement. Ash’s eyebrows bunched together as he endured Cain’s sudden tapping on his tie. “Can you stop that? That’s—” Anything he had to say was cut short when Cain took off, dragging him behind by the wrist towards a rather rundown Chinese restaurant.

The short detective really wished he hadn’t found Cain’s wallet nor had the courtesy to track him down to give it back. He found himself going back to that thought over and over again, especially when he was reminded that he was his new assistant. “You can make due until your first paycheck.” He had to pay the idiot to annoy him now. Ash sighed.

Ash glowered as they walked into the restaurant, trying not to acknowledge Cain’s previous few comments on his height and appearance. It wasn’t like he wanted to be short or baby faced. Would he ever stop the jokes about it? Probably not. He could only hope Cain being his employee would be a temporary arrangement.

Their lunch couldn’t go by fast enough, but he still had to show him to the office afterwards. He wrote down the address and office number just in case. “Make sure you come in on time. I won’t tolerant tardiness. Understand?” The brunet instructed, standing outside the dreary looking building that was the agency. “See you on Monday.” He wasn’t going to stick around any longer than he had to.