A/N: So, I decided to seek out Milaya Milen Zeal's help with rewriting this after we finished writing 'Here's Your Nickel Back' chapter 1 together, due to the fact that I KNOW the original The Guardian could have turned out MUCH better. Anyhoo, please enjoy the first chapter of the rewrite! Enjoy~
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story & Shixona. Thanks to Milaya Milen Zeal for helping me rewrite this!
The Guardian
Chapter 1
Joshua ran for his life, fleeing down the street as a trio of homophobic thugs pursued him, prepared to beat him to a pulp after discovering he was gay. They had noticed him watching them, and with his almost feminine figure and looks, they had caught on.
"Get back here, you queer!" one of the bastards shouted.
"Take your beating like a man, bitch!" another roared, making Joshua flinch harshly. The silverette dashed past an alleyway, but right after he passed by it, someone or something shot out at the thug in the lead, knocking him out cold on the ground. The shock of the sudden attack caused Joshua to stumble to the ground, and he watched in terror as a young man who appeared to be around his age fought the thugs.
The second thug was still a bit stupefied when his friend hit the dirt like he did, leaving him wide open for the elbow to his gut, followed by a sharp punch to his nose. The third thug had some time to adjust and tried to swing at whoever was there, only for his arm to get snagged, after which he was pulled forward and then punched to his jaw.
As the small group lay there groaning in pain, the assailant regarded the three of them, before turning to Joshua.
"…Yoshiya Kiryu?"
"H…how do you know my name?" the silverette stuttered, watching the redhead nervously. The fact that this stranger had easily taken out the thugs meant Joshua could be in real trouble. The other man regarded Joshua for a moment more, before he stepped closer. Before Joshua could try to get away, though, a hand was held out to him.
"My name is Neku Sakuraba," he said, keeping his hand out to Joshua, "As of today, I am your Guardian Angel."
Joshua tentatively accepted the offered hand. "Wh…what? But…how do I even DESERVE a Guardian Angel?" he frowned, bewildered. He lowered his gaze to the sidewalk as he next spoke. "I'm too pathetic and unimportant to deserve one…"
"…And yet here I am. Even if you do not believe yourself to be important, I was sent here to protect you," Neku said. When he noticed that Joshua still seemed uncertain, Neku frowned in thought, before an idea came to him. "Come this way," he said, as he stepped backward into the alley he had just vacated. Hesitantly, the silverette did as told, following Neku into the alley. He was still nervous, but who wouldn't be after the years of abuse he'd suffered?
Neku didn't say anything immediately once they both stood in the alley, and instead glanced around, to ensure they were alone. Once he was certain no one was there, he took a deep breath, and then exhaled slowly. As the air escaped him, a pair of silvery white wings materialized from his back, flapping once to get rid of the kinks.
Joshua's violet eyes widened in shock at the sight. "You really are one…" he breathed. "But…are you sure there isn't some kind of mistake?"
"No," was the immediate response. "I was sent here to protect you. My superiors have deemed you important enough to be worth protecting."
"So, if you're my Guardian Angel, how are you going to protect me at my home? My dad will murder me if I bring someone he doesn't know home!" Joshua exclaimed, beginning to panic.
"I am not," Neku said firmly. But before Joshua could begin to panic, the redhead continued. "And you are not going back there either. Not for long, anyway." Upon the look of confusion, Neku explained, "I was provided an apartment for you. You will be safe there." The smaller teen nodded, but was still worried about being caught by his asshole of a father.
"Neku, right?" he asked. At the redhead's nod, he continued. "Call me Joshua. I guess we'd better go, then, while Dad's drunk enough to sleep, probably…" He started to head to his soon-to-be old home, wondering how this would all work. Neku silently followed after, recalling his wings. He didn't seem to be the slightest bit bothered about what might happen when they reached Joshua's house.
Joshua, on the other hand, was becoming increasingly anxious as they reached his house. "Hide, or else he's gonna know something's up. I'll sneak out the back and meet you there," he told Neku, a pleading note in his voice.
"…" Neku didn't reply right away, but eventually, he nodded. "Fine. Just know…if you take too long, I will come in after you."
"I'll be quick, then," the silverette replied, heading inside. As soon as he closed the door behind him with a soft click, his father's voice yelled at him
"Where the fuck have you been, faggot?!" the drunken man demanded. Joshua winced at the suddenness and the volume of his father's voice, but managed to stutter out a nervous reply.
"I-I was b-being chased again," the teen mumbled.
"Speak up, ya pathetic little fucker!" the older man snarled.
"I was being chased again," Joshua repeated, louder this time. His father nodded, satisfied with his answer, before pointing upstairs.
"Now, go on, you know you're not allowed out of there unless you're in school," his father slurred, and the silverette hastily headed upstairs. He swiftly began to pack what he could and wanted to, and then listened for his father's loud snoring. The bastard was asleep, so Joshua quietly snuck downstairs to the back door in the kitchen, cringing when it gave off those deafening creaks and groans it typically did. Immediately, Joshua froze, terrified.
"Are you about to sneak out on me, boy?" his dad's voice boomed, furious. The drunken man stormed over to Joshua, and struck him across the face, hard. Joshua had no opportunity to fall, though, since he was caught before he could hit the ground and then pulled upright again. And in the next moment, Neku, who'd been the one to catch him, spun around and delivered a roundhouse kick to the much taller man's shoulder.
Joshua watched, stunned that Neku was so powerful. Yes, he'd heard of the strength Guardian Angels had in the fairy tales when he was a little kid, but he had obviously never seen just how strong until now.
Joshua's father bellowed a shout of pain from the kick, but tried to slug Neku anyway. Neku easily ducked under the punch, given that the man's aim was less than perfect, and then kicked out his legs from under him. The drunken bastard fell to the floor, hard, and smacked his head against the hardwood floor, knocking him out cold. Joshua stared at his unconscious father with wide eyes, slowly bringing a hand to the burning mark on his face, where there was sure to be a bruise tomorrow. Tears of pain trickled down his cheeks as well.
"…Joshua."
When Neku called out his name, Joshua looked up. The moment he did, Neku's hand fell over the burning area. His hand gently caressed the area, his thumb running over the skin under his eye.
"…Thank you…" Joshua whispered, leaning into the gentle touch. He hadn't had any positive or gentle contact with anyone since he was six years old, and considering he was now sixteen, that was a long time.
"…You are welcome," Neku said softly, before he removed his hand slowly. "We should go… We have no more reason to be here." The silverette nodded, and grabbed his bag from the floor where he'd dropped it.
"How are we getting there?" he asked the Angel.
"Like this," Neku said simply, right before he literally swept Joshua off his feet. He ignored the startled yelp of the silver-haired teen and instead let out his wings again, before taking to the skies, not even bothering to close the back door of Joshua's old home.
Joshua clung to Neku for dear life as the redhead flew, burying his face in the crook of the Angel's neck. He shivered at the feeling of the cool night air flowing past them, hoping he could warm up soon. How long had it been since he'd slept warmly? Probably back to the short period before his mother died of ovarian cancer.
When Neku noticed the shivering, he immediately held Joshua closer to him. "Bear with it for a while longer…we will be home soon."
Joshua nodded, his heart warming at the thought of being in a REAL home, with someone who actually seemed to care about him.
Just then, Neku descended as suddenly as he took off, landing soundlessly on the roof of an apartment building. After recalling his wings, he finally let Joshua down again. "Here we are."
Joshua looked around, realizing the apartment complex was in one of the nicer neighborhoods in Shibuya. It certainly made him feel better knowing that. The pair headed to the door, where Neku retrieved a key from his pocket. The redhead unlocked the door, and the two entered. The silverette was pleasantly surprised to see the apartment was fully furnished, with a comfortable atmosphere to the entire place.
"This is so inviting…" Joshua murmured, awed.
"Good," Neku said as he slipped off his shoes. "…Are you hungry?"
"Not really…" the smaller teen shrugged, but then his stomach growled, giving him away. He blushed brightly in embarrassment.
"Nice try," Neku mumbled, before gesturing inside. "Just take a seat."
"Sorry, just used to saying that since I don't get much to eat, anyway," the silverette admitted quietly, slipping off his own shoes and sitting at the table.
Neku didn't respond to that verbally, but by the way he was frowning, it was quite clear what he thought. Rather than focus on that, the Angel headed into the kitchen and began pulling out everything he needed.
"Hey, Neku?" Joshua asked softly.
"Yes?"
"Um… Do you…know why I was deemed worthy of a Guardian Angel?"
"…That I do not," Neku said as he set up some pans and starting on cooking. "I was assigned as your Guardian Angel by my superior, and I am in no position to question his orders."
"Oh…" the smaller teen uttered. He then looked at the redhead properly as he added, "You don't have to be so stiff and formal around me, Neku."
At that, Neku looked over from putting some grated potatoes in the frying pan. "…Are you sure you are okay with that?"
"Of course," Joshua smiled slightly. "I'll be honest, it feels weird for you to talk like that."
For a moment, Neku said nothing, before he let out a sharp exhalation. "Urgh… glad to hear THAT… You think it's weird HEARING that? Try having to SPEAK like that all the time…" the redhead grumbled out.
"It does seem rather troublesome," the smaller teen agreed, relaxing.
"Yeah…" Neku mumbled, as he focused back on cooking. Joshua chuckled, and then got up, going over to the Angel to see what he was making.
"What is that?" he inquired curiously when he couldn't tell what it was.
"Just a Swiss potato dish," Neku said as he turned the potatoes, ham and cheese around. "'s just something I picked up somewhere."
"Smells good," the silverette told him softly.
"It'll be done soon," Neku said as he flipped the potatoes again. Joshua nodded in understanding.
"C…Can I help at all?" he questioned timidly.
"It's fine," Neku said solemnly, before he pulled out a pair of plates. Once he had them set up, he divided the potato dish across them and handed the first to Joshua (with a fork). "Here."
"Thank you, Neku," the smaller teen murmured, and waited until the redhead was seated before taking a bite. He immediately moaned at the taste of the food, and then swallowed. "This is delicious!"
Neku chuckled. "Good to know," he chuckled as he began eating as well. Joshua couldn't help but practically devour his meal, he was so hungry. He hadn't eaten since yesterday morning, when he managed to scrounge up a muffin at school. The silverette set down his fork, feeling full for the first time in a long time.
"Better?" Neku asked. He still had half a plate left, but he was eating much slower.
"Much," Joshua smiled. "It's sad to admit this, but it's been far too long since I've felt full."
"Unfortunately…" Neku mumbled around a mouthful of food. After the Angel finished eating, Joshua helped him to clean up, and once they finished, he yawned widely.
"Just go to bed," Neku told him. "I'll clean up here. Bedroom's down the hall to the left."
"M'kay," the silverette nodded, and padded to the bedroom, where it suddenly clicked that they would have to share the bed when he saw there was only one queen-sized bed in there. He gulped nervously, hoping that he wouldn't do anything inappropriate in his sleep. Sure, he had never shared a bed with anyone before, but he hoped Neku would be okay sharing with the gay kid. Sighing nervously, he went in and changed into an old violet t-shirt and a pair of navy blue flannel pajama pants with holes in them. Once he crawled under the covers, he felt himself soon starting to drift off. However, he was soon startled by Neku joining him in the bed, and he jumped a little.
"…? What's wrong?" Neku asked, a hint of worry underlining his voice
"Sorry, just got startled," Joshua admitted softly, rolling to face his Guardian Angel.
Neku hummed softly, before he laid himself down as well. "Just get some rest."
"Okay… Goodnight, Neku," the smaller teen whispered, closing his eyes. Soon after, he fell asleep, his breathing deep and even.
X*X*X*X*X*X*X
When Joshua woke the next morning, he felt content and warm. It felt so good that he was tempted to go back to sleep, but then he realized that part of the bed was occupied, and that he was curled up rather close against the fellow occupant. His violet eyes snapped open, but all he could see was the pale, muscular chest of his Guardian Angel. Internally, the silverette began to panic. What made him seek comfort in the night like this? He desperately hoped it wasn't a nightmare…
Neku groaned slightly at the motion, before he pulled the shorter male closer, making Joshua aware that the Angel's arms were wrapped around him and keeping him pinned where he was.
Joshua wasn't about to fight it, but he also didn't want Neku to be upset, either. Besides, it would be rude to wake him by freaking out, now wouldn't it? Instead, he remained where he was, quietly studying the redhead's bare chest. Apparently Neku slept shirtless, but Joshua wasn't about to waste the opportunity to admire his Guardian Angel's appearance.
Neku was fairly muscular, despite his slender appearance. His abdomen was toned, and he had some scars here and there on his chest.
"…mmmm…" Neku murmured, before he slowly blinked his eyes open. Joshua looked up at him, blushing faintly with embarrassment, and prayed the redhead wouldn't realize what he'd been doing.
"Good morning, Neku," the silverette murmured.
"…hm?" The redhead blinked slowly as he looked down at Joshua. For a moment, he just looked at him, before he seemed to realize where he was again. "…morning…"
"Did…did I have a nightmare last night?" Joshua asked softly.
"…" Neku regarded Joshua for a moment more, seeming to think on how to answer that one, before he finally nodded his head.
"I'm sorry…" the smaller teen whispered, lowering his gaze.
"What are you apologizing for?" Neku asked calmly. "It's fine already. Don't worry about it."
"Okay…" Joshua nodded shyly. He then stretched out, making his back click audibly before relaxing. "I guess we should get up…"
"Probably," the redhead mumbled as he sat up and climbed out, stretching his arms over his head. Joshua silently admired Neku's body as he stretched, and then sat up.
"What do you want to do today? I don't have school until tomorrow, so…" the silverette said.
"Meaning we'll have to go shopping for some new supplies today," Neku pointed out calmly. Upon the look Joshua gave him, he snorted. "What? You thought I wouldn't notice you not taking ANY of your school supplies with you?" Joshua blushed, embarrassed, and nodded.
"All right… But what about you? What will you do while I'm gone at school?" he asked.
"…are you seriously asking that?" Neku countered. "I'm going with you, of course. How else am I supposed to protect you?" The smaller teen's face burned hotter at the obvious words.
"True," he mumbled, heading to his bag from the night before to get some clothes out.
Neku noticed the expression, of course, but he didn't pay it too much heed. Instead, he headed for the bathroom, snagging the clothes he'd set ready the night before. "Gimme five minutes," he said as he walked into the room. Joshua gave a small sound of acknowledgment, and then started to get dressed once Neku was in the bathroom. Once dressed, he grabbed his wallet, just in case, noticing the pitiful amount of money in it. Hopefully he'd have enough to get new supplies…
Once Neku came out of the bathroom, Joshua looked at him, seeing that he was dressed in a pair of white cargo shorts and a sleeveless purple shirt with a loose, high collar to it. The redhead even had a pair of matching purple headphones around his neck.
"Well, if we want to beat the crowd, we'd best go soon," the smaller teen suggested, but then his stomach growled, and his cheeks burned.
At that sound, Neku chuckled in amusement. "How 'bout we get some food first, eh?"
"Probably a good idea," Joshua admitted, glaring briefly at his stomach for giving him away. The two headed to the kitchen, where the silverette inquired, "Can I help make breakfast at all?"
Neku paused by the fridge, thinking for a moment, before he reached tor the cupboard and pulled out some supplies. "Do you know how to make coffee?"
"Fortunately, yes," the smaller teen smiled, getting out the coffee grounds and a filter for the coffee maker.
"Cool." As Joshua began on that, Neku started set up the frying pan started cooking quietly. Joshua scooped some grounds into the filter, and then set it where it belonged in the coffee maker, filled it with some water, and then started it up.
"What are you making?" he inquired curiously as he watched the Angel.
"Egg on rice," Neku said casually, pointing to the rice cooker he'd set up while Joshua had been busy with the coffee maker.
"Sounds good," Joshua told him, pulling two mugs from the cabinet.
Neku merely hummed, just as the cooker gave a cheery ping. "Aaand looks like it's done." After Neku finished cooking their breakfast, the pair sat down and ate, occasionally sipping at their coffee.
"Thank you, Neku. It's very good," Joshua murmured, smiling shyly at the Angel as he finished.
"No prob," the redhead replied, before he took a quick swig of his drink.
"I guess we'd better make this quick, lest anyone from school knows I'm out…" the silverette sighed, muttering the last part.
"…'out'?" Neku repeated worriedly. "What do you mean? Is something wrong?"
"It's just…almost everyone here in Shibuya is highly homophobic," Joshua began. "I'm one of those that isn't, because I'm gay…" He took a deep breath before continuing. "And I get bullied and ganged up on often at school for it, even if we're not on the school grounds…"
"…" Neku didn't reply immediately to those words. However, after a few moments, his expression darkened considerably. "…what the FUCK?! When did we jump backwards in time where that's not acceptable?! Are you serious?! Urgh…!" The smaller teen jumped at Neku's outburst, but when the words finally registered, he frowned.
"Neku, the last time homosexuality was accepted in Shibuya was a little over a century ago…" he pointed out. "Just how old are you, Neku?"
At that, Neku actually paused. For a moment, he looked up to the ceiling, humming thoughtfully. "…121, if my math's still good." Joshua's eyes widened, shocked, before he relaxed with a relieved sigh.
"Geez, the way you made it sound, I thought you were older," he laughed lightly.
"Yeah, well, I'm old enough to keep having to recalculate when asked about it…" Neku grumbled.
"You don't look a day over eighteen," Joshua chuckled.
"Should be… That's when I bit the dust."
"What? How did you die?" the silverette inquired.
"…" Neku paused, chopsticks halfway up to his mouth, before he set them back down again. For a long time, he just sat there, staring at his food.
"…Neku…?" Joshua murmured, hoping he hadn't upset the Angel.
"…my mom was…very sick…deathly so…" Neku murmured, as he poked at his food. "…they said there was nothing they could do to save her…so…" After a moment, of simply breathing, he said, "…I gave up my life to save hers…"
"O…oh…" the smaller teen mumbled. "I'm sorry, Neku…"
Neku took a deep breath, before he let it out and shook his head. "It's fine…" he murmured. "I don't regret making that choice when I did."
"As long as you don't have any regrets, then," Joshua smiled slightly, putting his hand over one of Neku's.
"I don't," Neku confirmed with a small nod. After a moment, though, he exhaled softly. "We should finish up and head out." Joshua nodded, and he got up, putting his dishes away in the dishwasher.
Once Neku was finished eating and had done the same, they slid their shoes on and headed out to the store, locking the apartment up behind them. Joshua walked alongside his Guardian Angel, his anxiety slowly building the closer they got to the large store. Neku didn't seem the least bit concerned, though. He just kept his eyes on the road ahead of him, hands in his pockets as he went.
When they walked inside, the smaller teen almost ducked his head, but managed to refrain from doing so. He grabbed a shopping basket, and the pair began to pick up some supplies for each of them. Out of nowhere, when they were halfway through with their shopping, a voice taunted Joshua.
"Hey, faggot, what are you doing out? Got yourself a boyfriend, huh?" the voice cackled. Joshua looked up fearfully to see one of the head bully's lackeys from school, wearing a cocky smirk as he and three others approached.
"…" Neku regarded the bully silently, his mouth mostly hidden behind his high collar. However, when he smirked, the expression could not be missed in the slightest. "Oh? And why ARE you asking, huh? Jealous?" The bully immediately gaped at Neku, and then scowled.
"Sick-ass fucker! You're both disgusting queers!" he spat, and Joshua lowered his head slightly in shame.
Neku noticed it, of course, but rather than mention it at the moment, he focused on the bully, though he did lightly tap Joshua's hand in a way to comfort him without saying anything. "Uh-huh…really now? That's the most original you've got?"
"Collin, leave them alone!" a new voice snapped. "Is this really the best part of your damn day?" That's when a brunette girl with her hair tied back in a ponytail wearing dark blue jeans, a white camisole, matching dark blue denim jacket, and a black cap with a silver dragon design on it stormed over, hands on her hips as she glared at the group.
"Piss off, Shixona. We already know you're a queer-lover," one of the teens spat.
"So? People used to accept gays! Why is it now a problem?" she demanded.
"Fuck off! This faggot needs to learn his fucking place!" Collin barked, pointing a finger at Neku. Shixona eyed the redhead for a split second before replying.
"I won't stop you this time," she shrugged. And with that said, Collin gave a malicious grin as he approached Neku, right before cocking back his fist and swinging as hard as he could. However, Neku easily spun out of the way, grabbed Collin's sleeve by the wrist and then yanked him forward, making him stumble. And the moment he was unbalanced, Neku's fist collided with his jaw, which sent him skidding along the floor.
"…" After watching Collin for a moment, Neku turned to the other bullies, held up his hands and made a 'come at me' motion, a cocky smirk playing along his face. The remaining trio growled before charging at Neku, fists primed to strike. Joshua watched nervously, glancing at Shixona.
The redhead ducked under the first bully, then snapped his elbow back and into his neck, while punching his free hand into the second's stomach, before throwing him into the last one, throwing them away easily.
Joshua watched as Neku fought the bullies, once again stunned by the Angel's power. Shixona didn't appear too surprised, and she snickered as the idiots got their asses handed to them. When they were all four dealt with, she approached the pair.
"Sorry for intruding like that," she told Neku. "I usually see poor Josh here get picked on at school, and I can hardly ever stop them. My name's Shixona, by the way."
"…" Neku just regarded the girl for a moment, before he nodded. "…Neku."
"Nice to meet you, Neku," Shixona smiled pleasantly. "It's good to know Josh has a Guardian Angel now." At Joshua's startled look, she giggled. "I've always believed in them, and besides, I can see their wings, even when concealed. It's a gift of mine."
"…thought as much. You were looking more over my shoulder than at me back there," Neku pointed out.
"Well, at least no one else noticed how I was looking," she smirked.
"I never knew you could see their wings," Joshua frowned.
"It's not exactly something I let be known by everyone, or they'd think I was crazy," Shixona pointed out. "But let me help you guys finish shopping so you don't have to deal with any more douche bags." Neku merely nodded in thanks, briefly cracking his knuckles as he walked after the others, not even bothering to give the bullies a second glance.
Shixona smiled at Joshua kindly as they walked.
"So, just getting some supplies to get ready for Junior year?" she asked.
"Yeah, kinda have to," the silverette sighed. "Left all of my other stuff at my old house…" As the two of them talked, Neku chose to stay out of it for the time being, instead keeping his focus on the surroundings.
"Well, I'm glad you're doing better now," Shixona told him. Suddenly, she perked up. "Oh! I almost forgot!" The brunette then began digging in her pocket for something, and then pulled whatever it was out with a triumphant noise. "Here! My boyfriend and I can't make it, but I thought I'd offer to see if you want to go see this movie. I've heard it's awesome, but things came up, and we can't go… But anyway, now that you have Neku, I figured I'd offer!" The silverette saw the tickets, surprised she'd want to see Suicide Squad.
"You mean that?" he asked instead.
"Of course! Don't want these babies to go to waste, after all," she laughed. "So no strings attached, here ya go!" She handed the tickets to Joshua, and he smiled at her.
"Thank you, Shixona," he told her. "It'll be nice to get out for once without fear of being attacked."
"Damn straight!" she nodded with a laugh.
"…Don't say that out loud…" Neku mumbled, folding his arms over his chest. "Next thing you know they'll be waiting for us there…"
"Fair enough," Shixona nodded. "But seriously, I want you guys to have fun, okay?" Then her phone started to go off, and she answered it. "Hey, I know you're waiting on me… Sorry! All right, I'm coming, babe." There was an indignant grumble on the other end. "You know I'm just teasing! Okay, okay, I'm coming out now. See you soon." She hung up, and cast the pair an apologetic look. "Sorry, my boyfriend's waiting on me. I'll see you guys at school!" Shixona then left, waving to them as she went.
"…hm. At least I won't have to deal with everyone, then," Neku mumbled softly.
"Yeah, Shixona's a quirky girl, but she's genuine," Joshua smiled, falling into step with Neku after snagging a pack of mechanical pencils and placing it in the shopping basket. "I'm surprised she gave us those tickets, though."
Neku merely shrugged as he put a pack of drawing pencils in the basket. "Some people just enjoy giving to others…"
"True," the silverette agreed. "Wait until you meet her boyfriend, though. He's pretty quiet, but he protects Shixona fiercely, even though she's a good fighter herself."
"Hmhmm…" Neku hummed softly, as he looked around silently. Looking at their basket, Joshua nodded, satisfied.
"Looks like we have everything we need," he remarked. There were several notebooks in there, plus the mechanical pencils, drawing pencils, a sharpener, and some other miscellaneous supplies. "Ready to check out?" he asked the Angel.
"Yeah. Let's go," the redhead said with a nod. When they reached checkout, Joshua started to pull out his wallet, praying that the total wasn't too much, but Neku grabbed the wrist reaching for the leather object. Joshua looked at him curiously.
"Don't worry, I got this," Neku said simply as the cashier rang everything up. Silently, Neku passed her a piece of plastic, which she briefly slid through a slot to the side of her register before passing it back. Joshua blinked, surprised, and then quietly thanked Neku.
"Don't mention it," Neku said as he collected the bag with supplies. "Let's mosey before those jerks decide to wake up…"
"Good idea," Joshua agreed, and the pair left for the apartment. As they walked, Joshua checked out the tickets to see the date on them. "Wait, these tickets Shixona gave us are for tonight, Neku!"
"They are?" Neku leaned over to check the tickets, and then mumbled, "So they are… Geez. What time?"
"Looks like…six tonight," the silverette answered once he looked. "What do you think? Do you want to go?"
"…eh. Why not?" Neku said with a shrug. "Dun remember anyone telling me that wasn't allowed."
"Sounds good," Joshua smiled at the redhead.
A/N: Again, many thanks to Milaya Milen Zeal for helping me with this rewrite! R&R, peeps!