Chapter 3: First Day

Yogi fidgets awkwardly from his place just slightly behind Hirato on the opposite side from Iva. His eyes dart over the perfect rows formed by all the new Circus Ship 2 recruits, always flickering back to one recruit in particular. Navy blue eyes stay trained on Hirato, refusing to make eye contact with him, but he's almost positive the younger boy knows he's being watched.

He's been waiting forever for the newly graduated students to join their ranks and hoping that Gareki ends up on Airship 2 with him. It seems someone out there heard his prayers because he's here on the ship with them, but Gareki's personality doesn't seem to have changed in the slightest. And here he had hoped that the other boy would be at least a little glad to see him.

Violet eyes flick back to Hirato as he calls the training pairs to mentor the new recruits. Yogi sucks in a breath when Hirato calls Gareki's name and he swears the corner of Hirato's mouth curls up for a split second before calling out his own name. It takes all his strength to hold in his excitement.

The minute Hirato dismisses them, he's cutting through the rows to latch onto Gareki. The younger boy protests immediately, struggling to detach Yogi, but even with his Circus training, Yogi's still stronger. "Get off, Yogi!"

"But, I'm happy to see you! I've been waiting months for you to graduate!"

"What for?"

"Huh?" Yogi blinks questioningly and leans away. "What do you mean? So we can spend time together of course."

Gareki shoves him off, "And what makes you think I want to spend time with you? The last I remember is you nearly breaking my hand."

"Yeah, but there aren't any haunted houses here and you'll need someone to show you around the ship."

"I've got a map, I think I can manage just fine."

"But, I'm your mentor! It's my job to help you!" Yogi protests, reaching for his wrist, but he's swiftly evaded.

"No thanks. I'm heading to my room." Gareki glances down at the holographic map displayed over the device in his hand and starts off down the hallway, picking up his pace when Yogi comes after him.

"Gareki, not that way! Come back!" Yogi calls, running after him to keep in his line of sight.

"Go away, Yogi!"

The older male finally manages to corner him in an empty hall and he looks around in confusion. This part of the ship doesn't look familiar at all, it must be one of the restricted areas they're supposed to keep out of.

"Wait Gareki," he reaches for the darker haired male's arm when Gareki attempts to sidestep him. "You'll get in trouble if the sheep find you down here."

"I'll say I got lost," he replies, shrugging Yogi off.

"Then Hirato will wonder why I'm not doing my job and I'll get in trouble!"

"Not my problem. What's down here anyway? This door's locked."

"Maybe that means we should head back."

"Nah."

Yogi glances up from his map to see the younger boy down on his knees with a lockpick set, diligently working the door open. "Stop that! You're going to get thrown off the ship!"

"Too late," Gareki pushes the door open and tucks away his tools. Yogi laments that maybe he was a little too overzealous about wanting to be Gareki's mentor. "Come on, I thought you couldn't leave me alone."

The minute they step into the room, an alarm blares and Yogi's sense of self preservation takes over. He grabs Gareki and hustles them into the closest hiding spot he can find which happens to be though a small door in the back of the room.

He shuts the door just as several sheep file into the room and he wills Gareki to stay quiet even as he feels the irritation rolling off of him in waves.

The sound of bleating becomes faint and Yogi lets out a sigh of relief, releasing Gareki and leaning back against the wall. Yogi stares across the small space and blushes at their proximity. He can't deny the rush of affection that he feels towards the raven haired teen.

They never talked much, but anytime he was required to stop by Kuronomei for Hirato, he made sure to peek in on Gareki. He's been waiting for this day and it's not going anywhere near how he planned.

If only Gareki would give him some form encouragement that he has a chance instead of rejecting him at every turn. "Ne...Gareki?"

"What?" He whispers back harshly.

"Do you really dislike me that much?"

"Who said I disliked you?"

"Well...uh...you ran away."

"That's because you're clingy. Maybe I wouldn't have run if you'd left me alone."

"Oh." He supposes maybe he had been a little clingy in his excitement. Yogi adjusts to peek through a crack in the door and Gareki leans closer to see.

"Are they still out there?"

"Yes," he whispers, startled at how close Gareki had gotten. The other boy hasn't realized it yet, but Yogi's well aware and it's taking all his control not to lean a little closer and bridge the small width of space between them. After all, it might be the last time they're this close with Gareki's finicky nature.

"Yogi…" Gareki begins in warning. Apparently his control wasn't as great as he'd thought.

"Hmm?"

"No."

"Please?"

"..."

That's all the encouragement he needs and Yogi swiftly presses his lips to the other boy's for a brief second before pulling back. It's too dark to see Gareki's reaction, but he hopes it's a good one. He's close to trying for a second one when everything goes bright as the door is flung open.

"Unauthorized presence in the storage room, baa!"

"Sorry!"

"First ship captain Hirato would like to speak with you, baa."

"Shit," he hears Gareki curse and he can't help but agree.