I'm on vacation this week, so I'm just scheduling this to post and I don't have a whole lot of time to say anything D: but there's some fun beginnings of magical bullshit in this chapter (er, more than we've already had, obviously) instead of just Hakuryuu crying over Judal's inability to organize his paperwork XD

They fall into a comfortable rhythm as the days pass, with Hakuryuu sorting through years of old paperwork. It's baffling to him, how one person could be so disorganized, but it seems that anything is possible with Judal.

He usually orders some sort of dinner for them, but Hakuryuu has taken to bringing a healthier meal for lunch. He found an old minifridge under a pile of papers in the back of the office and cleaned it out for himself.

Judal catches him eating a salad one day and laughs, but Hakuryuu isn't going to let someone who appears to subsist on peaches and takeout alone judge his eating habits.

He's sitting on a chair backwards, idly watching Hakuryuu work as slow evening stretches on. It's been a quiet week for business in general, so he's gotten used to Judal spending more time with him in the office.

"You wanna learn how to do more here than just organize papers and shit?" Judal asks eventually, leaving Hakuryuu momentarily stunned from the change in their routine.

A beat, and Judal leans forward. "Well?"

"I guess so," Hakuryuu answers carefully. "Why do you ask?"

"It's not always this slow, you know! I could use some extra help. And you do wake up earlier than me, so I guess that could prove useful."

"I do like to keep a regular schedule that doesn't keep me up at strange hours."

Judal waves his hand. "I'm not gonna have you work alone for awhile, don't get so excited."

He nods. "That's understandable. Running a shop alone is a lot of responsibility."

"Yeah, whatever. I just have my own method of pricing things that's hard to explain."

"Well, you could use price labels. I found a few packs of them in the desk."

Judal shakes his head, looking incredibly offended. "It depends on the customer."

"...what?"

"I'm a fickle, picky man. Sometimes I don't wanna sell stuff to people, and sometimes someone needs something."

Hakuryuu isn't sure whether he should be impressed or frustrated. With Judal, he frequently feels both. But, now he's wondering… "So how about the pottery that I bought?"

Judal finally gets out of his chair and saunters over to lean against the desk. "I knew you really wanted it, but also that it would never be what you actually wanted. So I did give you a deal, since I wanted it out of here."

"I don't think that worked out."

He shrugs. "I dunno, I now have you around to do my bidding. That's totally worth having to keep a cursed artifact in store." Judal pauses, considering Hakuryuu for a moment before leaning in closer. "But I'd pegged you as a more honest man, so I didn't expect this outcome."

Hakuryuu feels his cheek burn with shame. "I usually am. It just seemed like a nonsensical requirement."

Judal leans back out of Hakuryuu's personal space, still grinning. "Your funeral! Come on, you've got some learning to do."

"Right now?"

"The papers aren't going to walk off, Hakuryuu," Judal says, rolling his eyes.

Hakuryuu carefully puts down what he's working on and gives Judal a stern look. "You have to promise not to touch anything in here."

"I won't!" Judal nearly bounces back into the storefront, and Hakuryuu sighs. Judal somehow manages to confuse him more every day, but he's starting to realize the he's not as serious and mysterious as he likes to pretend he is. He's pieced together that Judal is definitely older than he looks, but other than that...he's a conundrum.

"Hey!" Judal waves a hand in his face. "Are you listening? I said, you'll probably redo my whole register setup because you're such a neat freak, but for now I have been trying to keep it more organized. I've been using that folder you gave me for receipts."

"I'm listening," Hakuryuu assures him. "And I'm glad you're finally beginning to take organization seriously. Honestly, I don't know how you keep this place running in the messy state it is."

"Oh, it's fine. I try to stay away from credit cards because of all the stupid fees, so I guess it is easier to have this nice system for the cash receipts."

"Wait, Judal...if you give everything arbitrary prices, how does your inventory even work?"

He shrugs nonchalantly. "I just sort of go with what I feel. Anyway, moving on."

Hakuryuu wants to strangle him for his carelessness. Once again, he's wondering how Judal manages to turn a profit with his shop, since he's learned that this careless attitude is not just part of his act.

"So some of my inventory is magical, some isn't. Some's got curses, like what you had, and can be dangerous. You're gonna need to learn how to tell the difference."

"I'm not some sort of magical...whatever you are. How do you-"

He waves a hand, cutting Hakuryuu off. "Even someone like you can be taught, don't worry. You seem smart enough. But, mm, there are some things you just shouldn't touch, and I don't want to risk it." Judal takes him back through the twisting hallways and rooms of antiques, pointing out dangerous pieces tucked in corners, just out of easy access. Hakuryuu's head is nearly spinning by the end, from the detailed list and the maze, but he's trying to keep up.

Once they're so far back that Hakuryuu is sure they've somehow ended up in another building, Judal leans against a wall and shoots him a mischievous grin. Oh, no. "So, get us back."

"Excuse me?"

"Back to the front room! You can't expect me to lead you around forever, Hakuryuu," Judal teases, drawing out his name at the end. "So I want you to lead the way."

"Ah." He has no idea how to get out of here, but it's obviously some sort of test. Which means he'll have to make an effort to prove himself in Judal's eyes.

Every turn seems different, like slightly warped versions of other rooms. But there has to be some sort of method to them, or Judal would be lost, too. He looks for similarities, for something to hold onto, and tries to block out any distractions from Judal.

It comes together in pieces, but he starts to recognize constants. A lopsided painting - different every time but the frame is the same - and the same dangerous items in the same arrangements, even if they are surrounded by different items each time. It's not quick, but Hakuryuu patiently works through the pattern until he finally pushes aside a curtain and they're standing in the familiar front room.

Judal woops happily, looking so pleased you'd think he just solved the maze. "You did it!"

He nods. "I did." He's rather proud of himself, even if it looks like Judal isn't as-

"Congrats! I expected you to get so lost that you had to give up, but I guess I should have known better. You're far too stubborn and resourceful."

"Thanks. I think?"

"You're welcome," Judal says, giving him a quick, honest smile. "Wanna get dessert to celebrate? My treat."

Hakuryuu shakes his head. "You just want dessert."

"So? You didn't say no. Come on, there's this Korean bakery that's open late, and I haven't been there forever."

"Oh, I didn't realize there was one near here."

"There isn't. You have a car, right?"

"You are a leech," Hakuryuu tells him.

"A leech with money and good taste in sweets. Come on rich boy, I wanna see what fancy car you've got."

"It's practical," Hakuryuu says defensively. "And it's parked at my apartment."

Judal shrugs and grabs his keys from under the counter. "I can walk."

Hakuryuu just sighs, following him out. "This had better be good."

"It will be, I promise!" Judal assures him, falling into step next to him. It's a nice night, with just the lightest warm breeze ruffling their hair as they make their way to Hakuryuu's apartment. Predictably, Judal teases him about his no frills sedan, but now it seems almost fond. "This sort of grampa car suits you!"

Hakuryuu rolls his eyes. "No teasing if you want a ride."

"I do, I do!" Judal holds up his hands defensively. "Now you're gonna head to East Faye Street…"

The drive goes quickly, and the pink bakery is, as promised, open late and full of delicious Korean baked goods. Judal takes point on the ordering, getting them a wide selection of buns and sweet breads.

"Thanks for the ride," Judal says and he looks almost normal, standing outside the shop in a hoodie, bakery bag clutched tightly in one hand.

"No problem," Hakuryuu tells him. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Oh, yeah! Shop's closed tomorrow. I've got a big shipment arriving and I'll need to sort through it." Judal pauses, looking thoughtful. "But you should come by anyway and I can teach you to recognize some magic."

"If you think that's possible-"

"You found your way through the shop, didn't you? Have some faith in yourself, Hakuryuu." And with that, Judal turns to slip between buildings, waving as he heads to the back entrance.