He might let you stay - Serge x Daigo

but just for the night

It was closing time, Daigo was packing up for the night, getting ready to lock the doors to his family's treasured store.

As he was bent down behind the counter he heard the soft ring of the bell hanging above the door, the melody signalling the arrival of someone he didn't even have to look up to identify.

“For how often you come to torment me, You could at least buy something.” Daigo remarked, he could see the slight sheepishness in Serge's body language, his gaze shifting away from the shop owner.

“I’m a bit skint alright?” He could practically see the expression beneath from his tone alone, though Daigo did wonder what kind of face lay beneath his mask.

He had more important things to think about but first he needed to do some pest control. “Your clan is probably worrying about you right now, you should go home.”

Serge crossed his arms. “I should but I don't really want to..” He trailed off. “How about I make myself useful, you run this place alone, yeah? I could help you for a few.”

Daigo knew he should kick him out, the man was trespassing technically, he had every right to make him leave but he couldn't bring himself to, in the same sense that he couldn't spit vile insults and threats towards him like he did so easily to the rest of Serge's kin or anyone else trying to get in his way.

He had expected the man to be cruel to him like his clan had been with a few exceptions, but Serge had been irritatingly friendly, curious, clueless, foolish, and yet, Daigo almost… looked forward to hearing his stupid voice. “Fine, but don't expect any payment, you're volunteering after all.”

The shop owner was simply taking advantage of the circumstances, nothing more, it was a large shop and inventory had to be moved, it was a process that took him all night sometimes if he didn't have help from his siblings.

Which was most nights because he'd rather allow a near stranger to help than spoil the image his siblings had of their ever capable eldest brother.

“Great! Where should I start?” Serge gleefully chirped, pulling the man from his thoughts.

That was a good question, what could he really use the other man for, Daigo sized him up, taking note of the way he stood as the jacket obscured any sort of physique.

Serge had likely proven to be of good physical strength, the shop owner knew that being in the inner circle of the fox clan was not for the faint of heart even if their practices were otherwise obscured. “I think I'll have you move inventory, something I trust you won't screw up.”

Hours passed by the time they got done, Daigo could feel the sagging of the bags beneath his eyes but he had so much more to do afterwards.

He marked off changeover on his to-do list, the shop owner peered out the window, just in time to catch sight of the dark town being lit up brightly by a beam of lightning.

The violent roar of thunder followed like a moth to a flame, it was pouring, raining down with enough force to be loud and constant.

Serge stared out with him, watching the weather worsen, Daigo could see the gears turning in his head, knowing how stubborn his companion- associate, was. “You're not going out there… Just stay for a bit, just until the weather clears.”

The shop owner could have specified that he didn't want the clan hunting him down for sending their new guy out in the pouring rain but that wasn't the only reason.

He didn't want Serge out there in general, it was dark and stormy, the clansman tilted his head. “So do I just… sleep on the floor?”

Absolutely not… He didn't want the man to kick something in his sleep, because that's exactly what was wrong with that idea, nothing else. “You can follow me down to my bedroom, It's dry, warm and sufficient.”