Author's Note: This fanfic is a personal project consisting of seven chapters, with 777 words each. The chapters take place after season four where Judai and Johan are young adults. The general rating for this fanfiction is M, but each chapter will differ in its rating.
Rating and warnings: K - this chapter is safe for reading.
Second Way
It was an adorable sight, to Johan at least, to see his best friend clinging to the pillow as he slept. Johan stared at his sleeping companion; it wasn't often that he got to see him like this or be so close either. Minutes passed with each of Judai's snores but Johan just couldn't find the urge to sleep.
"You should get some rest. He'll still be here when you wake up."
Johan looked up passed Judai's shoulder and there stood a transparent being he knew so well.
"I know, I'm just enjoying the view. I bet you get to see him sleep like this every night."
"More or less, except he only clings to his pillow when he's really tired."
"Heh, then I guess he's really worn out after what happened earlier," Johan gestured in a sarcastic tone. He then returned his view towards Judai and brushed his fingers lightly across his face.
"But you know…it only makes me wonder what he goes through in his journey."
"Doesn't he tell you?"
"Yes but," Johan paused, "that's not what I mean."
This perked the other's interest, "Not what you mean?"
"Judai does tell me everything about his adventures; we even spend hours talking about them. He's goes into every detail and he makes them sound so exciting, but that's only when we're together. I can't tell how he feels when he's out there. I can't know if he's in trouble or what stresses he endures. Just wondering about those things make me feel useless sometimes."
"Well, don't. It's not true and you know it."
"So says the one who spends every day with him." Although it wasn't intentional, Johan's respond sounded very resentful and envious. He felt ashamed for saying such a thing.
"Are you still jealous of me?"
There was no response. The other sighed in frustration.
"Fine. If you still hate me then I'll leave."
"I never said I hated you," Johan quickly remarked, "but I am still jealous."
"How childish..."
"I know it is but there are just some feelings that never go away, no matter how hard I try to ignore them. It really disgusts me to have these feelings. I feel like…like…"
"A monster?"
"What?" Johan pondered what that meant. Then it hit him, "No! That's not it! I mean…"
"No, it's alright. You may have not meant it that way but you forget that I went through the same thing. Being jealous is a terrible thing but it doesn't mean that you're a terrible person."
"It doesn't? Then why do I feel this way?"
"Do I need to tell you?"
There wasn't a need for Johan to be told, the answer was sleeping right beside him.
"Judai."
"There was a time when my heart was filled with nothing but jealousy and those were my darkest moments. I didn't see bypass my hatred, it consumed me entirely but you're different. Even though you can't spend every moment with Judai, you are not blinded by your desire. You are able to smile, to laugh, to enjoy life and to forgive. It is that strength that makes me envious of you."
"You envy me?" It came as a surprised for Johan to hear that.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you like I did in the past. I can't say I'm fond of you but you are no longer a threat. As long as you make Judai happy, that's all I want from you. Understood?"
As demanding as that sounded, Johan only smiled with a nod, "Of course."
"Now then, go to sleep. You don't want Judai to wake up before you, do you?"
"Hm, I don't know…maybe he could make breakfast for once?"
"Sure, if you like it burnt."
"Er…then on second thought… good night Yubel!" Johan tucked himself under the covers and forced his eyes shut. Sleep quickly made its way to him and was soon taken in by the sandman's spell.
"You're so easy to please…" Yubel whispered to the sleeping Johan, "but I guess that's what makes you so easy to approach." Yubel then disappeared from sight.
A few minutes of silence filled the room until a rustling emerged from the covers. Judai woke up for a moment to peer at the sleeping figure before him. He reached over to stroke a few strands of blue hair.
"Gees Johan; you really need to stop worrying so much. One of these days, you're going to have gray hair."
With a few more strokes through Johan's hair, Judai settled himself in the bed again to join his friend in a quiet, relaxing slumber. Snores filled the room once again.
Author's Message: Sorry everyone for the very loooooooooong wait. A lot has happened throughout my life and it conflicted with my urge to write. I also had a hard time figuring out who to write this without going OOC. Hopefully I've succeeded in something.
Thank you for your patience and please feel free to leave constructive criticism if you have any. Til next time!
