A/N: Okay, here's a new fan fic I'm working on, so I hope you like it! Joshua/Neku story, each will get to be a seme in this one. You'll see why soon enough, hehehe…Also, I'll be alternating the POV's, and both Neku and Joshua will more than likely be OOC, just a heads-up. Enjoy~
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story.
The Gift of Genetics
Chapter 1
X*X(Neku's POV)X*X
"Neku, sweetie, be careful on the playground, okay? And try not to be so mean to the other kids!" Mom called after me as I eagerly ran ahead of her when we got out of the car. We had just gotten to the park, and I wanted to go on the swings. I loved the sensation of swinging; it made me feel like I was flying.
"I'll be careful, Mom!" I assured her as I dashed straight off to the swings. No promises about the 'being nice' bit, though, I thought to myself as I got closer.
I was only 5 years old, but I was smart and quiet for my age. I tended to not be too friendly with other kids, but I didn't care. I had my parents, and I didn't care about having friends. Who needs 'em, right? As long as your parents love you, that's all that matters.
When I reached the swings, I noticed one other boy on one at the end, but I didn't care. All I wanted was to swing. As I scrambled onto the swing at the opposite end, I felt the other boy's gaze on me, but I didn't acknowledge it.
I began to swing, and as I went higher and higher, I could still feel the other kid's stare on me. Finally, when I had slowed to a stop, I glared at the kid. His staring was starting to get annoying. When he realized I was glaring at him, he quickly looked down, his cheeks pink with a blush. Hopping off my swing, I stormed over to the kid, casting him a critical look.
He looked to be my age, and his hair was silver, and it hung messily down to his shoulders, and his skin was really pale. He wore regular dark jeans and a loose pale blue shirt. Finally, he slowly and timidly looked up at me from his white sneakers, his violet eyes surprising me slightly, but I kept my expression hard.
"Why were you staring at me?" I demanded of the kid.
"I…I don't know…" he mumbled.
"Yeah you do, liar," I accused, and his eyes widened slightly.
"I'm sorry, I just…didn't know why you weren't playing with the other kids," he explained.
"Because I don't play nice, and I don't have any friends," I told him with a scowl. He suddenly looked a bit hopeful for some reason.
"I don't have any friends, either," he said. "Do you want to be my friend?"
"Why would I do that?" I retorted.
"Don't answer a question with a question," he replied in a sing-song voice. "But really, do you want to be friends?" I thought about it for a moment. Having a friend would be different, and probably good for me, I guess. What the heck. I'll be his friend.
"Sure, why not?" I shrugged. He beamed at me for a sec, and then I asked, "What's your name, anyway?"
"Yoshiya Kiryu, but you can just call me Joshua," he replied with a grin. "What's yours?"
"Neku. Neku Sakuraba," I answered. "Just don't give me any weird nicknames, though, 'kay?"
"Oh, all right…Nekky."
"What?!" I yelped, spluttering indignantly. "Don't call me that!"
"Why not?" he asked innocently, blinking his eyes. "I think it's cute."
"Because I'm not cute!" I whined. Joshua pouted at me until I sighed. "Fine…Just…don't call me that all the time, okay?"
"Okay Neku!" he chirped cheerfully, swinging his legs a bit. We swung on the swings, talking, laughing, and I was truly enjoying myself for the first time since…I don't know when. I soon learned that Joshua and I would be going to the same school together once summer break was over, and that he lived nearby my house.
Eventually, my mom called out to me, telling me it was time to go home. I hopped off my swing and looked back at Joshua, who suddenly seemed sad.
"What's wrong, Joshua?" I asked.
"We were having such a good time, but now you have to go home…" he murmured sadly. I sighed, tucking my hands into my pockets.
"Sorry, but I'll get in trouble if I don't go…"
"I know, same here."
"Well, will you be here tomorrow?" I asked suddenly. He looked up at me, surprised.
"Why? Will you be here tomorrow?"
"More than likely, but how about this: I'll bring my mom over, and maybe our moms can meet and be friends like us?" I suggested, and Joshua brightened considerably.
"Okay!" he agreed easily, and I dragged my mom over, telling her about how I made a new friend and that I wanted her to meet him. She looked really happy when I told her, and I noticed Joshua had dragged his own mom over as well.
"Mom, this is Joshua, who I was telling you about," I said, introducing Joshua to my mom. Joshua introduced me to his mom, and then they introduced themselves to each other. They began to talk quietly, occasionally glancing at us, and then they parted.
"Well, Nancy, it was nice meeting you," Joshua's mom said to my mom. "We'll see each other soon, okay?"
"Sure thing, Jane," my mom agreed. Then she looked at Joshua. "It was nice meeting you, too, Joshua. I'm sure Neku would love to play with you again sometime, right Neku?" I nodded eagerly.
"Good to know," Joshua's mom smiled. "Come on, Joshua, we need to get home for dinner." And with that, Joshua waved to me as he left, and I waved back as I left, going our separate ways for the day.
X*X(13 Years Later)X*X
X*X(Joshua's POV)X*X
"Nekky, are you ready yet?" I called out lazily to my best friend through his bedroom door.
"If you would stop getting on my ass, then yes, I would be!" he snapped irritably. "And stop calling me Nekky, Josh!"
"But like I told you when we met, I think it's a cute nickname for you," I reminded him, giggling.
"And like I told you, I'm not cute!" he protested. I merely giggled in response.
I loved Neku dearly, and I wanted him to be mine, but I was honestly terrified of two things. The first being that I was afraid he wouldn't return my feelings, seeing as I couldn't tell if he was gay or not.
The second reason is that I was afraid that if he did and we became…physical in our relationship, then I would become pregnant. I was born with the gene of a bearer, meaning I was capable of becoming pregnant. I didn't want a possible accidental pregnancy to ruin anything between us.
The sudden click of the door opening snapped me out of my worried thoughts, and I quickly smirked at my best friend.
"Took you long enough, dear," I teased. "What were you doing?"
"I couldn't find my headphones, dumbass," Neku growled, placing his hand on his headphones that he constantly wore. "And don't call me 'dear'!"
"Whatever you say…dear," I shrugged. Neku growled under his breath, but stopped when we got into the kitchen, where Nancy, his mom, was making pancakes.
"Morning, Mom," Neku greeted, and I waved casually to her.
"Morning, boys!" she said, bringing over a platter with pancakes on it. "How'd you two sleep last night?"
"Very well, Mrs. Sakuraba, thank you," I replied.
"Slept like a rock, Mom," Neku yawned, stretching his arms. Nancy nodded in approval and brought over some syrup and butter for the pancakes.
"Well, I'm sure you'll have many more sleepovers this summer, considering it's finally summer break now, huh? Thank goodness that school's over until college!" she said cheerfully, and smiled warmly at me.
I had a feeling that she knew of my feelings towards Neku, and each time she gave me knowing looks after saying something about us spending plenty of time together, that feeling grew stronger. I decided to ask her about it today.
I got my chance when Neku said he needed to shower later that evening. Both of our parents never worried much about us when they knew we were at the other's house. We'd spent days over at each other's houses together, just having fun. Once I heard the water start, I shifted a bit on the sofa, getting Nancy's attention.
"You need to ask me something, don't you, Yoshiya?" she asked, and I knew she knew what I was going to ask. Whenever she called me "Yoshiya", it was serious.
"Yeah, I do," I mumbled. I hesitated, and then finally blurted out, "Is Neku gay?"
Nancy blushed slightly, and then, after a moment, nodded. "Yes, he's gay, but he's never fallen for anyone."
"Oh…" I murmured, feeling crushed.
"But I think he does love you, Joshua," she added. I looked up, hope in my eyes.
"Really? You think so?" I asked, excitement bubbling inside of me.
"Yes, but I don't think he knows it yet," she told me. "I just think this because he's never gotten along with anyone besides you the way he does. Think about it: out of all of both your friends, Shiki, Beat, and Rhyme, does he behave the way he does with you with them?" I thought about it for a moment.
It was true that Neku never treated them the way he did me, but we'd been friends for 13 years. Maybe it was just because we were so close. I looked down, feeling doubtful, and then Nancy spoke up again.
"Sweetie, Neku does love you, I promise," she said. "In fact, he told me that he does. I was just curious if you liked him back in the same way, and you obviously do. He just doesn't want to tell you."
"Well, what's holding him back?" I asked, slightly hurt that he hadn't told me he loved me. I understood that he must have his reasons, but still.
"That's not something I can share, Yoshiya," she answered, shaking her head a bit. I sighed heavily, and then the water turned off.
"Do you think Neku will tell me himself? I asked softly. She nodded once, giving me a reassuring smile right before Neku walked into the room, in sleep pants and a towel around his neck with no shirt on.
I felt my breath catch; I had never seen him without his shirt on, and dear lord, he looked amazing. There were fine lines where slight muscles could be seen, and his skin was so pale, just like the rest of his body. Neku noticed my staring, and he suddenly blushed a dark crimson.
"Stop staring, would ya?" he grumbled, glaring at the floor. I quickly snapped myself out of it and blushed as well, feeling embarrassed beyond belief that I was even staring in the first place. I stared studiously at the floor, trying to not look at that beautiful bare chest. Neku quickly turned and went back down the hall to his room, muttering, "Better throw on a shirt…"
I sighed to myself, feeling down about Neku's reaction. If he reacted that way just to me staring at his bare chest, how on earth would he react to me telling him I loved him?
Nancy gave me a small hug before glancing at the time; 11 o'clock. "Well, it's getting late, Joshua. I'd best get you two settled in for the night," she said, and got up from her armchair.
Once Neku and I were in his room, Neku in his bed and me on the air mattress on the floor, we bid each other good night, and Neku rolled over and fell asleep instantly while I lay on my side, panicking inwardly about what Neku's reaction would be when I would confess to him that I love him.
Sighing mentally, I rolled over to face the ginger and watched him before going to sleep. I hope this works out…I thought to myself before falling into a peaceful slumber.
A/N: Well now, let's see if Joshua gets the reaction he wants from Neku, hmm? On to the next chapter! R&R, peeps!
