Oohhh.

Actually forgot about this lmao.

Too much sad stuff in Tour RN.

"Welp, it's 8:30. Let's go to the office, I wanna iron out that third stanza of verse 1, I swear it's been bouncing around inside my head all last night and I need to write it down before I forget it. Howard... where the hell is your driver's license? We gotta go."

"...b-boss are you serious? Can't you… we take a sick day?"

Rock croaked out a response, but was ignored. He had collapsed on his employer's living room sofa and was still recovering from this morning's terrifying ordeal. He'd spent the past two hours suffering the worst pain he'd ever experienced, and at this point was just barely functional. He was halfway through sobbing his eyes out on Terry's shirt before he noticed his voice was a lot deeper than usual.

To say Rock was surprised to discover he … wasn't himself, would be an understatement. However, he was freaking out a lot less than Iori had (if Terry was to be believed). Somehow it made him feel better to hear his normally unflappable boss was so scared, that this morning he tried to peel his own face off. At least I didn't do anything crazy… but boss is crazy to begin with...so...

Regardless of what Iori was doing before, it looked like he had settled in (Rock's) body quite comfortably, and was intent on living life as if nothing was amiss. He had produced Rock's wallet, and busied himself rifling through it.

"I've got work to do, Howard. Besides, I'm feeling fine." He shook the contents of Rock's wallet onto the floor, and squatted down to pick through the cards, bills and coins. Terry startled from beside him, but Rock was already accustomed to his boss's profound rudeness, and stopped his father from doing anything rash. Iori continued as he sorted through gift cards. His voice was beginning to grate on Rock's ears. "Hey, where do you keep your license? I can't exactly use mine right now."

Iori looked up and indicated to his face.

Oh shit.

Rock sucked air through his teeth and cursed himself- pain temporarily forgotten. Since they've begun working together - that is, for the past three months - Rock had taken every opportunity to drive Iori's classic Mustang. The teenager was a self confessed supercar fan, and Iori didn't mind getting chauffeured around. The only kink in the plan was… Rock didn't actually know how to drive. He had learned on the job, and had bashed Iori's expensive car into more curbs than he could remember. Thankfully, Iori didn't seem to notice, but Rock always felt this would eventually come 'round to bite him in the ass.

Looks like Karma chose a good time. Terry was sitting right next to him, and the police station was down the block.

Rock began to protest, but ended flinching at his own (new) voice.

"I haven't gotten one yet. Look, Iori - can we talk about this later? Let's go to work alright?! I'll drive."

Iori stood up and planted his hands on his hips to frown at him. Normally, this would be much more intimidating had he been in his normal body. But alas, Iori Yagami was 5'9, ruddy, blonde, and 19. He was the smallest person in the room by a long shot, and he needed to crane his neck to look anyone in the eye. Kyo Kusanagi, who had been silent for the most part, snickered from the couch. In response, the teenage 'Iori' immediately launched himself at the Japanese man and made a sorry attempt to punch him in the face.

Rock watched himself get wrestled into the floor with something akin to despair. It was so strange watching 'himself' march around, scream at things and be a general ass to everyone. Imagine he actually acted like that for a day? God. Rock was keenly reminded just how deranged his boss was, and just how desensitized he was to it. He glanced over to his dad. It looked like Terry was of the same mind.

It was only a couple of minutes before Iori tapped out and was allowed to climb to his feet again. He resumed the conversation as if they hadn't been interrupted by a ridiculously lopsided wrestling match. His voice was annoyingly shrill, and Rock made a silent promise to never yell at anyone, ever again. (Once he got his body back, that is.)

"What! How long have you been driving without a license?! Are you the reason my insurance is so high?... Bitch, Do you how many tickets I'm getting in the mail?"

Iori stomped over to his kitchen and began pulling envelopes filled with traffic infractions from one of the drawers. He brought them over, dumped them on the coffee table, and kicked open his bedroom door to supposedly find some more. Rock drove himself to his feet and hurried after him. Terry already had this glazed look in eyes, and learning he might be on the hook for about four thousand dollars in traffic fines, well… that's not happening.

"Boss! Not now - I'm serious. Just take it out of my paycheck! Hey! C'mon please. Don't show my dad! He's gonna flip!"

"I'M FLIPPING RIGHT NOW, YOU LITTLE SHIT! WE'RE GONNA FIGURE OUT WHICH TICKETS ARE YOURS, AND WHICH ARE MINE."

"Oh my god… look, let me- wait! come back!"

Rock watched Iori gather up another pile of mail, and turn on his heel to start out the door. This pile was significantly larger than the last, and Terry wasn't going to appreciate it. Rock already saw his adoptive father making faces as he began reading through the tickets. If Iori brought this to him... he'd be really disappointed.

And Rock would rather get screamed at by Iori, than to disappoint his dad.

"Iori! get back in here! Don't step through that door!"

He reached out and grabbed his boss, forcibly stopping him in his tracks. It was surprisingly easy, since at that moment, Iori was significantly smaller than he was. Iori was also surprised and made a squacking noise. Both arms were occupied holding mail, so Iori made do with and glaring defiantly up at him. Rock sucked on his lip, trying not to crack a grin at how dumb Iori looked.

"...Howard, let go of me. Now."

"Give me that first."

"Let go."

"..."

Rock didn't let go. Instead, he managed to block Iori's access to the door. They stared each other down for a moment. Well, Rock stared down at his boss, and it seemed Iori was uncomfortable finding that he was unable to shake Rock's grip off his arm, or otherwise push past. It wasn't that Rock's... body was weak. He was still growing - but couldn't match the strength not experience of veteren fighters. Normally that meant he tried not to get into fistfights with his boss unless it was basketball. But in this particular situation, it meant he was physically able to manhandle Iori Yagami.

"Last warning. Let go of me."

"or what?"

Iori was glaring at him. Halfway indignant, and halfway frustrated. He wasn't used to this. Rock smirked. He had to admit, he wouldn't mind being all grown up. Didn't Iori also have flames? Hmm...

The original owner of his body was starting to make noise again. Rock blinked down at him. Perhaps he would make use of the Yagami specialty... The constant death threats...

"What did you say to me?!...you little shit. I'll-

"Hey boss, I'm pretty sure I can use your flames. You think I should try them?"

"..."

Ah... Not a very good threat. Regardless, from the look on his boss's face, Iori couldn't believe his ears.

"Are you serious, Howard. Can you even contr- Hey stop that. Not in the house! Put those away right now!"

A bright purple flame ignited from his index finger and seared it's way across his arm, before he quickly terminated it. It would have been a lot cooler is it didn't hurt so badly. It was a miracle Rock hadn't cried out, but he was pretty sure he dropped a tear or two. Hopefully Iori didn't see.

"Dammit! Holy shit! Hey stop!

He hadn't. But he wasn't giving up his mail yet, so Rock made a motion to ignite again. It was pretty similar to using his own aura, just much more volitile and MUCH more painful. Iori had backed away, clearly panicking. It was so effective that, even though it felt like his arm was crisping up, Rock managed a smirk.

"You w-want me to stop?"

" Put those flames away. Dammit!"

"Then give me that m-mail."

How the hell did Iori make this look so easy? Damn, maybe fire wasn't so cool after all. Luckily, Iori looked like he was going to fold. Rock was eager to put the fire away, and never take it out again.

"Give!"

"..."

"Thanks Boss. Let's go to work. I'll drive you."

get shrecked Yag