Friday
Album slowly opened his eyes and sighed, happy it was the last day of school for the week, but at the same time, unreasonably nervous too. Or, maybe not unreasonably so, but today was the party he was being forced to attend, and it was also probably the day this entire life he'd made here for himself fell apart.
"What are you thinking about?" Adrien asked him.
"Dying. And also killing you." Album lied.
"I know you're thinking about Monoma. He's on your mind a lot."
"He's threatening everything I've been working for, why wouldn't he always be on mind?"
Adrien shrugged. "I guess you have a point. You guys friends yet?"
"No."
"Then this party is your last chance tonight, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
"Then you better make the best of it."
Album didn't say anything, and then got up to get ready for school.
When he arrived, he was actually early today, which was surprising, since he was never on time, much less early. Looking at the clock Album realized he could've gotten seven more minutes of sleep. And now that he was early, Monoma, who was waiting outside his classroom talking to Midoriya, had more time to talk to him. "Midoriya, honey, those shoes are just too big for your feet."
"Well, they're my size, I know they look big, but they actually fit perfectly."
"Oh… then I guess they're just ugly."
Midoriya blinked rapidly in disbelief, frowning.
Monoma wasn't paying attention to anyone except Midoriya, so Album had a pretty good chance of sneaking around them, but then Midoriya's head turned towards him and Album knew it was too late to run. "Album-san!"
Album sighed and came over to them. "Just the person I was waiting for!"
"Why?" Midoriya asked.
"Oh, nothing too important, I just need to speak with him for a moment, alone."
Midoriya nodded, at Monoma's blatant want for him to leave, and went inside, leaving the two of them standing alone.
"What do you want from me Monoma?"
"Just giving you some details about tonight. No need to be so hostile." Monoma said, smirking.
"Fine."
"My grandmother has some pretty nice taste, so dress in something nice."
"The real question is, how are you going to find something nice."
"Haha, that's my little secret."
Album rolled his eyes, "Whatever."
"Oh, you also need to be ready by seven mkay?"
"Fine. What time should I be at your place then?"
"You at my place." Monoma raised an eyebrow. "I don't think so. I'm coming to pick you up at your place."
"Well where does your grandma live?"
"Well, she lives a couple miles off my house."
"So then why would you come to get me, only to go back? And how were you planning to get there exactly."
"Well… walking."
Album laughed a little. "Walk? We'll never get there that way."
"We will if you aren't a slow walker." Monoma grumbled, rolling his eyes.
"Just tell me your address and I'll get Daniel to drive us there at least."
"I'm not telling you my address, who knows what will come of that. Oh I know, maybe my slow and painful demise."
"If I was going to kill you I would've done it. Besides, it'd be much more fun to torture you instead."
"I'm not reassured."
"It's not my job to reassure you."
"Fine, whatever! But you better be there by seven, not one millisecond later!"
"Okay, okay, sheesh."
After getting the address, Album went inside the classroom quickly, before Monoma could yell about anything else.
Class went by as normal that day, Midoriya being his normal, kind of annoying self, and Album trying to avoid everyone as much as possible. He really didn't want to talk to anyone today, he didn't ever really want to talk to anyone EVER, but especially not today.
"Midoriya…"
"Yes?" Midoriya asked, turning to him.
"Can you move over, you're in my personal bubble." Album grumbled.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." Midoriya took a few steps to the left and then turned to look at him, "Is that good?" he asked, smiling nervously.
"Yeah."
And then their exchange ended, they moved on to class.
At the end of the day, Album left in more of a hurry than usual. He didn't want to risk running into Monoma.
Thankfully he didn't, and made it back to the apartment without any trouble. And once safely inside with the door locked, Album took off his shoes, and for once, simply decided to sit by Adrien on the couch and zone out to the sound of video games he was playing.
Adrien, for his part, didn't even seem to notice him there.
Album, however, was pulled out of his trance when he heard the front door slam shut. With a lazy glance at the clock Album saw it had just now reached five. There was still two hours before he was supposed to pick Monoma up.
He waited for Daniel to put his things down and for him to come in and ask them about their day.
As predicted, it was about ten minutes before he got his wish. "So, how was your day?" Daniel asked, coming in and sitting beside him.
"Mm." Adrien grunted a response. At least he'd heard the question.
"It was pretty good, but I wanted to ask you something."
"It's not about blackmail again, is it?"
"No, no… I got invited to this party."
"Really?" Daniel paused, "I mean that's great, you just don't strike me as the party type, but if you want to go, I'll take you."
"Well, we have to pick up someone first."
"Sure, who?"
"… Uh, Monoma."
"Oh. Okay." Daniel sighed, "that's fine, when do you need to be there?"
"By seven, do you have a suit I could barrow by any chance? If you don't that's fine too though."
"Well, I do. But it's my only, so if you use it, you'd better be careful with it."
"I will, I swear. I'm responsible."
Daniel seemed a little doubtful.
"I'm responsible compared to Adrien." Album corrected himself.
"Hey!"
"Well, that's true, I suppose, but still be careful with it."
"Okay, I will, I will. One more question, would you happen to have a large sum of money just laying around by any chance?"
"No." Daniel said flatly. "Why?"
"Um, no reason."
"It better be for no reason. And if we need to be there by seven, you need to get ready because I've never been down that way, so I might get lost."
"Fine."
Album got up and went into Daniel's room to get the suit. And if he thought about it, this was actually the first time he'd been in Daniel's room since he got here. It was as neat as he'd expect though, not a lot of things out of place, even the bed was made.
He searched through the closet until he found it, still in a nice little sheet to keep it crisp and new-looking. Now he knew why Daniel had told him to be super careful with it. He pulled it out and started changing into it.
Monoma saw Album quickly walking out of school out of the corner of his eye, but didn't chase after, considering he also had things to do. He pulled out his phone, and flipped it open, starting to scroll through the contacts.
He couldn't afford a suit, hell, he could barely afford food, so he didn't even have enough money to rent one. Which meant, he had to see if anyone would be generous enough to rent one for him. He had cut today short due to the party, and so he only saw three clients. Out of those three, he suspected only one would be willing, but he may as well ask the others.
He got off school grounds first, walking towards his usual meeting spot, and as if on cue, felt a tap on his shoulder. Monoma flinched a little, turning around to see who it was. Most people who wanted to see him, didn't usually have good intentions, especially if they were a stranger. But in actuality, it was the man he'd been wanting to ask for the suit. "Good afternoon." He said wrapping an arm around Monoma's shoulder.
He was younger than a lot of Monoma's clients. Most were older in their fourties, sometimes fifties. He couldn't have been older than mid twenties, but he'd never said his age. Monoma had never asked.
He didn't really care.
Still Monoma smiled, and leaned in a little closer. "Hey." He murmured. "Where did you want to go tonight."
"You could take me to your apartment." The man said, pretty jokingly. He knew Monoma hardly let anyone know where he lived, it was too dangerous, and they also had a habit of showing up whenever they wanted and left their clothes, or drugs there, which got Monoma's blood boiling.
Still, this was a client, Monoma trusted fairly well, and he didn't seem as if he would have enough time to drop by whenever, or do drugs. Then again, he was technically a pedophile, so at this point, Monoma couldn't even say that. "Sure, we can go back to my place."
"What?" he turned his head to glance at him, before looking away again. "Okay, what do you want?" he laughed slightly.
Monoma put a hand on his arm, "Well, I do have a special way for you to pay me tonight. It's basically free."
"Keep talking."
"I just need you to rent me a suit, just for tonight, it doesn't even have to be spectacular, just a suit.
"Hm, renting a suit to you for the night. You have a hot date or something?"
"No, its just a nice party my grandmother is throwing, and I don't exactly have anything nice to wear, you know?"
His eyes softened at that point, and Monoma knew he had him. He'd always been sympathetic to Monoma's situation. Monoma could play to that. "Well, alright then. I suppose if it's just for the night, then it's no big deal." Monoma smiled.
"Thank you, so much."
"So, one thing you have to do for me in return."
Monoma kept any curses or unpleasant expressions to himself. He smiled, trying not to grit his teeth. "Of course."
"I want you for the rest of the night, until you have to leave for your party." He murmured softly. Monoma hoped his smile didn't twitch, but that would mean he didn't get paid tonight. He didn't get paid, AT ALL, and rent was due. RENT WAS DUE. And he didn't have enough. He wouldn't.
Still, this party was the chance to see his parents, and his grandmother, and while he was scared, he was also… excited. He wanted, needed answers. And this was his chance to get those.
And also to get money from Album.
"Sure, anything for you babe." Monoma said, smiling. He'd just have to text the others and tell them something came up. The man smiled and went to go rent him the suit and after words, with a heavy pit in his stomach, Monoma walked them back to his apartment and closed the door, locking it. Turning Monoma saw the man staring at him expectantly. Monoma didn't know his name, he never knew their name. He didn't want to know. Somehow, it didn't make them human, somehow, it made it easier to undo the button on his pants and take off his shirt.
Album came out, dressed in Daniel's black suit and nice dress shoes. The suit didn't fit completely, since Album's build was a little skinnier, and he was slightly shorter, but it fit pretty well still, just slightly baggy and long.
Adrien glanced over at him standing in the doorway, and dropped his controller laughing. Daniel turned to him too and gave a tiny smile, as if to say he didn't want to laugh but something was definitely funny. "What?"
"Album, dear, have you ever tied a tie before?" Daniel asked.
"No." Album said.
Daniel laughed a little, "Come here."
Album sighed and came over to Daniel, letting him retie the tie. It was a lot tighter than before, though it did look more professional. "I wish I'd gotten a picture." Adrien snickered softly.
Album rolled his eyes. "Can we go now?"
"Yes, yes." Daniel said, "Just let me grab my keys and my wallet."
Album was okay with that, he wasn't anxious to get over to Monoma's place, he just wanted to get away from Adrien because he hated him even more than Monoma at the moment.
After Daniel was ready, they got in the car, and Daniel plugged in Monoma's address on the gps. "So, you're going to a party with Monoma. Are your other classmates going to be there?"
"No, it's Monoma's grandmother's party."
"Oh, any particular reason he invited you?"
"He said his grandmother wanted him to have a date." Album shrugged.
"A date?"
'Urm well… not a date." Album corrected himself quickly, "Not an actual date. More like a friends date."
"Mhm."
"You sound like you don't believe me."
"No, I believe you. Just, not quite about the part where you and Monoma are even friends. You two don't seem to get along, yet somehow you're always getting pulled together."
"Oh, well… we are. Sometimes we have some misunderstandings you know, but it's all good."
"Is it now."
"Yup." Album crossed his arms in the backseat and waited silently to arrive.
Monoma woke up some time later to check the clock. It was nearing six thirty, and knowing Daniel, he'd be there right on time. Monoma rolled over and got up to get dressed. He ran a hand through his hair and got dressed in the suit. Monoma noticed that he looked more tired than normal so he decided to put some concealer under his eyes to hide the circles. That had taken about twenty minutes so they should be there soon.
Soon after, Monoma heard a knock on the door, very loudly. The man on the floor moved a little and before the person at the door could knock again and completely wake him, Monoma rushed to the door to open it, only to get a knuckle on his face. "Oh…" Album withdrew his hand, "Sorry."
Monoma rolled his eyes and rubbed his forehead, "Let's just go." He murmured, and closed the door quietly behind him, locking all the locks.
"You uh… live in an interesting area."
"I know it's a dump, moron, you don't have to pretend." Monoma said as they walked down the metal stairs, their shoes making loud clanging sounds.
Album didn't respond to his answer. When they got to the alley, the lowlighting, dim and some lights flickering, Monoma saw Daniel's car, and it definitely didn't belong in this area.
This neighborhood was for the almost homeless. This area had a high crime rate, but the people living here weren't all bad, for the three years he'd lived here, everyone was fairly nice. But then, he'd never met the people that rarely came out of their homes either, who knew what they were capable of.
For the first time Monoma looked over at Album and saw him, really looked at him, and then had to look away. Monoma admitted, he was handsome, and attractive, which Monoma had never really noticed until now. But he pushed the thought away immediately after getting in the car.
"Interesting area." Daniel said as they started driving around the neighborhood.
"Yup." Monoma murmured.
"So, what's your grandmother's address."
Monoma told him the address but then added, "I've actually never been there though, my mother just texted me a week or two ago about this party. I've never really met my grandmother though."
"And Album and you are going to the party as friends?"
"No, he's my date."
From the corner of his eye, Monoma could see Album sink lower in his seat, with this pained expression on his face. Monoma smirked at last, for the first time that night.
"Like a friend date?"
"No, like a date date." Monoma answered, and waited for Album to disagree. But he didn't and so the car fell silent until Daniel asked something else.
"So, your parents are already there? Why didn't they take you."
"Oh, they were coming in from out of town." Monoma shrugged, "And you know how parents are, 'I don't have time to drive you everywhere.'"
"Parents can be difficult." Was all Daniel said in response.
"Your parents sound just like you." Album said.
"Smart and talented."
"No, they sound like assho-."
"SMART AND TALENTED." Daniel called loudly, drowning Album's response out. "They sound very smart and talented, Monoma."
"They came here all the way from Paris."
"Oh, how long have they been in Paris?" Daniel asked, thinking it was strange that Monoma lived in such an obviously poor neighborhood, yet his parents could afford to live Paris.
"Oh, um. For a couple months now I think. They offered to take me with them, but that would have been detrimental to my hero career, since you know, being gone from school for months won't exactly get me top grades."
"You know, I think you should take your parents up on that offer." Album said. "You would look great in a beret, millions of miles away from me."
"Aw, you're so sweet, but I'll pass."
Album rolled his eyes and rested his chin on his hand. "And how is school going, Monoma."
"Pretty great, actually. Not to brag but I have some of the top scores in my class."
"That's wonderful. Your parents must be proud of you."
Monoma knew Daniel couldn't have known they didn't feel that way, but it still hurt. He wanted to tell himself, that tonight, things would be different. That his parents would take one look at him and admit to all their mistakes. But he knew that wasn't the case. What they would probably do is pretend, just for tonight, that they were the perfect family, and then run back to Paris tomorrow morning.
Thinking it would turn out any other way was a hopeful fantasy, that he couldn't stop hoping for. "Yeah, they're super proud of me. That's why I'm an only child, they knew no other baby could ever be as good as me. I'm just… special that way."
"Oh, you're special alright." Album grumbled.
"Thank you."
"Is this the place?"
Monoma looked out the window and his mouth dropped open. "Wow." He breathed softly. The house was more like a mansion with two stories, and dim, but warm lighting. The house was made of solid, charming, old brick. The driveway was long, winding, made with cobblestone.
"How charming." Daniel said.
"Yeah, it's great." Album muttered sliding out of the back seat, and quickly started walking to the front door, trying to get this over with as soon as possible.
Monoma did the same, but slower. Somehow, his legs started feeling shaky. "Monoma," Daniel said. Monoma glanced at him, and the dead serious look on his face made him pause, "Don't hurt Album."
With nervousness gnawing at his stomach, he forced a sneer onto his face, "Is that a threat?"
"No, it's an offer."
"What offer?" Monoma grumbled.
"Listen, Monoma, I'm here for you, if you need me. As long as you don't hurt Album, that is, or Adrien for that matter."
"I don't need you, and I make no promises about Album, I have further plans for him." Monoma smirked as Daniel's expression hardened.
"Fine, if that's what you decide. But I can't help someone who insists on hurting those I care about."
"Maybe you've never realized, but Album and Adrien aren't angelic."
"Oh I've realized."
"Maybe, but I really don't think you've realized what exactly their capable of. And why would you? 'They're only kids' after all." Monoma murmured.
"How long is this party going to last." Daniel changed the subject.
"How about nine."
"That's kind of early."
"Yeah, well, let's just say Album's not the only one who doesn't wanna be here." Monoma said and slammed the car door shut. Then, he followed Album up to the front door.
Monoma knocked on the door when they both arrived. Even inside, the light looked warm and inviting. Monoma had never seen anything quite like it. After a few moments of waiting, a small old lady opened the door, and she had a warm smile. She had a clipboard in her hands, filled with what looked like names. "Hello? What are your names?"
"Um, Monoma, and this is Album… my date."
"His friend date."
"My date date."
"Monoma…" She murmured and gestured for him to bend down. Monoma bent slightly so he was eye-to-eye with the elderly woman. She cupped his face in her hands gently, Monoma could see a few tears in her eyes. She seemed so happy to see him, and honestly, Monoma didn't really care who touched him. Anyone was welcome.
"Katsumi, Daichi, come look who it is." She called loudly, releasing him, to turn.
Two middle aged adults came in from another room in the house. The woman was about the same height as him, with a blindingly white smile, her lips stained red. She had long blonde hair, tied into an intricate bun on top of her head, loose tendrils lining her face.
The man was also blonde, but his hair was darker, and he was taller than Monoma by a couple inches, closer to Album's height. His eyes were brown, the woman's were grey. Monoma hated how much she looked like him.
Because it made it easier to guess who these people were. A grandmother he'd never met, and two parents who'd left and never came back. Monoma thought the nervousness would fade once he was actually there, but it only increased tenfold, and looking at all of them standing there, made him feel physically ill. "Mono, darling, it's been too long." His mother said smiling, coming over to hug him briefly.
"How have you been, sweetie."
"Good… I've been good."
"It's 'well' darling. You've been doing 'well'."
Monoma gritted his teeth but smiled anyway, "Of course, mother, you're right." But he was scared, terrified. He hadn't recognized them. He was sure they hadn't recognized him either. "Sorry."
"You're forgiven. Now, is that the date grandmother told you to bring?" She smiled at Album holding out her hand. "A pleasure to meet you."
"You too." Album mumbled shaking her hand.
"When grandmother said to bring a date, I thought you would bring a girl." His father said.
"I'm gay." Monoma lied. He didn't actually know his own sexuality because he'd never really been attracted to anyone. He'd only actually dated a few people in the past, two girls and a boy. So at the least, Monoma assumed he was bi. Still, his father didn't seem to like the fact Album was his date, it would be fun to annoy his parents however he could.
Monoma still couldn't get rid of the sick feeling though. His father scrunched his nose, but his mother put a hand on his arm, still smiling and his face smoothed. "How's school been?"
"it's been going well." Monoma said smiling still. "How's Paris, or did you move elsewhere."
"Oh, we left Paris a while ago and moved to California, then we left there and moved to Latvia, then to Sweden, and then we've been living in New York for the past couple weeks. It's been fun."
"Oh… that's…. amazing."
"Monoma, dear, if you ever get tired of living in that big house with only the butlers and maids and such, you can always come and stay with me. I'd be delighted to have you." His grandmother offered.
So his grandmother didn't even know what his parents had done. "Thank you, I'll think about your offer."
His mother's tight smile told him not to accept it. Monoma didn't much care what she wanted though.
"Grandmother, where's the restroom?"
"Oh, it's upstairs, the first door on your left, dear."
"Thank you." Monoma quickly left the circle and only glanced back once to make eye contact with Album. He hadn't really talked this entire time, but his expression screamed 'don't leave me with these people!'. Monoma was actually a little sorry for simply leaving him alone in a room of strangers, but those strangers were his own family. He had to take a moment to comprehend that his own family were strangers to him and breathe. He made his way up the stairs and glanced around to make sure no one was there before sinking to his knees and letting the tears flow.
Album tried to tune everyone out. He didn't really want to listen to Monoma's parents, because they sounded just like him, even worse. Manipulative, too smiley for how sinister they were, with a stick up their asses.
After Monoma was gone for more than fifteen minutes, Album used that as an excuse to slip away and go 'make sure he was okay'.
Then he went upstairs, eager to get away. He even took them two at a time. When he did get upstairs, he saw Monoma with his head between his knees, shoulders shaking slightly. "Monoma?" Album muttered.
His shoulders stopped shaking and he looked up a few tears running down his cheeks. Album looked away, somehow, he knew he shouldn't be seeing this.
"Do you have my money?" Monoma asked, his voice flat.
"No, I don't." Album said.
"Then I'm going to release that video of you."
You know what, fine. Ruin my life, but it'll come at the cost of yours."
"You mean telling everyone at school I'm a prostitute? I thought we already discussed that."
"No, wait, never mind, but you don't understand." Album said. "You have enough money, to pay your rent yet?"
Monoma just stared at him. "Yeah, for being a moron, I figured it out. You live in an apartment, even though your grandmother thinks you live in a mansion and your mother and father have been traveling all over the world and you didn't even know? Shows me you're not in contact with them, and they're not paying for your apartment. So who does that leave to pay for your apartment but you."
"Fine, Mr. Genius, you caught me. I pay for my apartment. I don't have enough for rent yet which is due by tomorrow morning. So what?"
"How much do you have left to pay."
"About 500 yen, which I couldn't get because my client paid for this suit for today, and made me cancel my other clients. My rent is going to be late… again, and the land lord might just boot me out this time."
"Well, I don't have the money you ordered me to pay every month, but I think I have about that much I could give you that by tomorrow morning."
"What do you want?"
"What else would I want. You to delete that stupid video, and whatever backups you have."
"I don't know how to make backups anyway. So fine, you're obviously not worth this much effort anyway since your dirt poor."
"What did you think you were going to get out of blackmailing a dropout high school student?"
Monoma shrugged.
"But you better not be lying to me." Album added.
"And what if I am. What are you going to do about it. Drag me into one of these rooms and strangle me with a bed sheet? Tie me to the ceiling so it looks like suicide?"
"Well it wouldn't be hard, considering your puny arms." Album snarled.
"They're not puny, you're just a hairy gorilla."
"You're the gorilla, ugly piece of crap."
"Oh yeah, Album, because you're just perfect looking. Maybe you would if I couldn't see the idiot in you."
"Shut up!"
"Make. Me."
Album grabbed Monoma's collar and pushed him up against the wall. He was just gonna beat the shit out of him. Just punch him so hard he wouldn't have to see his stupid family anymore because he would be BLIND.
But Monoma didn't look scared, he only smiled. And it wasn't a sneer, or a smirk, or even a fake one. His smile was small, and tired, but it was the first real smile Album had ever seen him wear. And it said 'I know you won't hurt me because if you wanted to, you would've done it a long time ago. You would've killed me. Isn't that how real villains take care of their problems anyway.' Still, he had to ask, "Why are you smiling?"
"I don't know. It felt like slaughter down there, I suppose you're just familiar. This doesn't feel wrong, or cold."
"You saying that me pressing you against the wall doesn't feel wrong…" Damn he was pretty weird.
"It might sound weird, but I feel human when I'm with you."
"You're right, it sounds really weird."
Monoma still only smiled at him though, and Album had always known Monoma was pretty, but it'd never been so prominent to him. Monoma reached up and cupped his face. Album heard his own sharp intake of breath and his heart rate doubled.
Monoma leaned in slightly eyes flickering from his lips to his eyes. Album took one hand away from Monoma's collar and brought it up to cup Monoma's face too. His skin was soft, and though Album told himself this was wrong he couldn't stop the feeling of right. Monoma seemed hesitant, as if he wasn't sure quite what to do, still he leaned in closer to Album.
And he knew this was giving in, giving Monoma what he wanted even though he'd vowed he'd never give him that. He was supposed to hate Monoma, but this boy in front of him wasn't Monoma, at least, not the one he'd come to know. Monoma was supposed to be a strong, smirking opponent who always had witty comebacks and snarky remarks. But in front of him now, shy and unsure where to place his hand, Album couldn't help but think he looked so broken. Looking at him now, he finally reminded Album of himself. "Album," Monoma murmured, almost whining. Almost like he was begging. And that wasn't quite right, because Monoma didn't beg, but nothing about this night was right because Album wanted to kiss him too. He kept his own eyes firmly on Monoma's when he finally yanked him into a kiss, full of nothing but teeth and nails, digging into each other's skin.
Monoma's hands gripped the back of his shirt tightly, and Album could taste his tears. He felt Monoma kissing him back, but his touches were more tender than Album would've liked, more than he would've expected. He pulled away slightly to see Monoma's bruised lips and red rimmed eyes. His mouth was slightly parted, panting. Monoma sniffed, and wiped some of his tears away and Album slowly leaned in, giving Monoma time to push him away. When Monoma didn't, he kissed him again, it was gentler this time, more of a brush, still firm, but it didn't last nearly as long.
When Album pulled away again they were silent for a few moments,"You make me feel like I wanna kill everything and then myself." Album finally grumbled and Monoma laughed a little, probably proud of himself. Then he fell silent with this small, slightly sad smile.
"What do we do now?"
"Pretend it never happened." Album said, already knowing he would have to answer that, and dropped Monoma to the ground, his legs unwrapping from Album's torso. "After all, I'm supposed to be your date date for tonight, right?"
"Yeah…"
"But… just for tonight." Album added. "So come on, you gotta go handle your parents again, they're going to start wondering."
Monoma nodded but just stood there as Album started going to walk down the stairs. "Oh, but Album!" Monoma called after him.
"What," Album turned a little to look at him. Monoma had that evil little smirk on his face and the moment had passed.
"Looks like I won your little game."
"What are you…" And then Album remembered when he'd dared Monoma to get a kiss out of him by Friday.
"Looks like I CAN have anyone I want." He said smirking.
Album glared and snarled, "SHUT UP!"
"You gonna make me again?"
But Album didn't have to listen to that crap and simply stomped back down the stairs, Monoma following slower behind him.
Looking back on it, Album had no idea why he kissed Monoma, but it had something to do with the atmosphere, and how pretty he'd looked in that moment. What was scary, was Album had never thought that way about anyone before, man or woman.
When they got downstairs, and started mingling with all the guests, and Monoma's parents again, Album had to admit, Monoma did a good job acting as if he cared, as if their family was perfect.
"Mother, father, it's been wonderful seeing you again, but I think it's about time for Album and me to go. Though I have missed you."
"Oh, Mono darling, I've missed you too."
"Me too, son, I wish we could see you more often."
"Well, if you must go, I understand, but it was so nice to meet you Monoma. Grandma's going to miss you though, and I do hope we get to talk again. Perhaps next time more privately, over tea or something."
"That sounds nice." Monoma said without any intent to actually follow through. They all hugged and said goodbye, and as if on cue, at 9:00 the doorbell rang and Daniel was on the other side. "I knew I could count on him to be punctual." Monoma muttered.
"How did you know?"
"You knocked on my door right at seven. I knew he'd be here when I told him to be."
Monoma's mother opened the door, smiling blindingly still at Daniel. Daniel gave her a smile back. "Why hello, who might you be?"
"Oh, I'm Daniel Ms…"
"I'm Mrs. Monoma, but you can call me Katsumi."
"Oh, you must be Monoma's mother."
"I am, and it's so nice of you to take him home. Mono darling needs his beauty sleep after all, always has." It made Monoma sick to hear her act like she knew him. "We just want to spend as much time as possible with Daichi's mother. So thank you."
"It's no problem, it's on our way home."
"Very nice. Well, Mono, I'll see you another time, do take care of yourself now." She said hugging him and kissing his cheek. His father patted him on his arm, and all Monoma wanted to do was get out. Get out and never come back.
"Of course mother, bye." He said and slipped under Daniel's arm into the fresh air, thankful to be out of here. Daniel talked for a little while longer with Katsumi before following him and Album back to the car.
Then Daniel inserted the key, and they left that house. Hopefully, it would be the last time Monoma ever saw it. He put his head in his hands and tried to wrap his brain around what just happened. He'd seen his parents, gone through all that trauma, and he hadn't gotten a single explanation.
How ironic.
They drove for a while back, and then up the street, to Monoma's apartment number. "It's late, I'll walk you up." Daniel said, "I'll be right back, Album."
Monoma rolled his eyes, he couldn't count how many times he'd come home and walked up to his apartment alone at a later time than this.
Monoma also knew Daniel wanted to talk to him about something. Monoma made a vow not to answer though. Daniel didn't say anything, all the way up to the front door after a little walk around the building. Monoma bent down and got the key out from under the doormat, unlocking and opening the door without any sort of lecture. Finally. "Have a nice night then, and stay safe."
"Okay," out of the corner of his eye Monoma saw someone rounding the corner out of his apartment and yelped before realizing it was the man. He hadn't expected him to still be there.
"Who's this?" Daniel asked, turning back around for a moment.
"Just my brother." Monoma said quickly.
"I thought you said you were an only child…" Daniel narrowed his eyes slightly and Monoma backtracked quickly.
"I mean, he's my cousin, but we've been living together so long, I think of him as my brother."
Monoma could smell alcohol on the man's breath, and wrinkled his nose a bit from the strong stench. "Come on inside, Monoma," the man murmured, and felt arms wrap around his stomach, thumbs tucking under the waistband of his pants. And despite the fact they were warm, Monoma could feel himself going ice cold. The man was putting a lot of pressure on Monoma's back, which was how Monoma knew the man was completely wasted.
"Um, I better get him taken care of."
"Yeah, take care of me, it's kinda hot," the man reached for his belt."
Unfortunately for Monoma, Daniel took a step toward him, and from there, Monoma knew something terrible was going to happen. And indeed it did when Daniel punched his client in the face and yanked him out of the house. There was going to be a lot of questions he would have to answer. Monoma could only hope his client was so drunk he didn't remember what happened tomorrow morning.
"That was not your cousin. Who was he."
"Well… he is my cousin. I never said he wasn't a little creepy sometimes, especially if he gets drunk, which doesn't happen often. Look, my parents will come home soon and they'll boot his drunk ass out. So… I'm fine. He's just drunk out of his mind, probably just thought I was his wife for a second or something."
"You know, Monoma, you may think you're good at lying, but your really aren't. No, the amount of crap that just came out of your mouth… that man, is NOT your cousin, He might have a wife, but he definitely wasn't mistaking you for her, he called you by your name, okay? I know I'm an adult, but that doesn't automatically mean I'm a fucking idiot!"
"I don't think you're an idiot." Monoma murmured. "And you really don't know anything about me, so who's to say he's not my cousin. I'm fine, I know what I'm doing, so just go because maybe you're not an idiot but I think you're having a hard time comprehending so listen REAL close. I. Do. Not. Want. Your. Help."
"Monoma I think you're used to being alone, and I think you're used to being an outcast. But one day you're going to realize you don't have to do it alone."
"If you think… you don't know anything."
"I think I know a lot more than you want to think I do. Often the truth hurts. But that's not my fault."
"He's my cousin."
"He isn't."
"Look," Monoma snapped, "I AM used to being alone, and the only person I can rely on is me. And don't you dare tell me that's not true, cus at the end of the day I'm all I have. And I have to live with me, no one else has to. So I'll be whoever the fuck I want, because no one's ever cared about me, so why should I care about them? I'm not going to change me, for them, and I'm not definitely not going to change me for you. I've been doing things this way for a long time. And you know something?"
"What."
"I live by myself. I fucking pay for this apartment. I pay for everything in it, down to the last grain of food. And I do it all on my own!"
"And how do you manage to pay for it."
"I have my ways. That's really none of your business. But I left my parents house, even though I could've lived in it, it was huge an empty, because they were never there. NEVER. I didn't even remember their voices, what they looked like. I didn't fucking recognize them tonight, and I had to… to pretend. That I loved them." Monoma bit his lip to hide some of his trembling, and forced back his tears. "But I never have to see them again." Monoma let a smile creep back on his face. "So, I'm okay now. Three years. Then I'll graduate, I can get a nice job, maybe I can actually help people like me before they actually become… me."
And Monoma didn't say it, but what he actually wanted to do was murder people like his parents. When Monoma had walked in that house and seen his parents, he'd never wanted anyone to die so badly. Not even Album.
"I should really call CPS." Daniel muttered.
"But you won't."
"And why's that?"
"Because you want to be a hero. And if you did that, you know I'd never forgive you. How ironic would it be if the first hero, the first person," besides Album, "I told this much to, went behind my back and did something like that. And not only would I never forgive you, but I would kill you."
"Is that a threat?"
"No, it's more like a promise. After all, what happens when you have a kid who's been betrayed with nothing to lose anymore. If I didn't know any better I'd say there wasn't much difference between that kid and a villain."
Daniel simply stared at him. "I know you wouldn't want to be responsible for that."
"If that's what happens then it wouldn't be my fault, it would be your choice."
"It wouldn't help you sleep better. You'd be up all night trying to make yourself believe that." Monoma paused and then added, "Have a nice night, stay safe."
"You're really going back in there?"
"I have to, not everyone has the luxury of choices."
"You could stay with us, for the night, if you'd like."
"Even after I threatened you?"
Daniel smiled softly, "Was it? I thought you said it was a promise."
They got back in the car and Daniel explained the situation after Album got super confused about why the hell Monoma was still with them.
And then they drove back to the apartment, where Adrien was nowhere to be found. "Album, you know where the blankets and pillows are. I'm going to bed, I still have work tomorrow." Daniel said, and Album had to admit, Daniel did look exhausted, so he only nodded.
Monoma sat on the couch while Album grabbed pillows and blankets and a pair of extra pajamas before coming back. "Here." He said handing them over. Album didn't know why, because Monoma still annoyed him, but it wasn't the burning all-consuming rage he normally felt. Maybe it was because Monoma wasn't antagonizing him right now, or maybe it was because Album finally understood him a little better.
He wasn't sure. "So, you gonna give me my money now?" Monoma asked.
"Oh yeah," Album went into his and Adrien's room to get it but was stopped by the other owner of the room himself.
"How'd it go."
"Great I-" Album closed his mouth. On second thought, he didn't want to tell Adrien he'd kissed Monoma because he could already hear the taunts. "-I found a way to make Monoma delete the video. I just need 500 yen."
"That's a lot less than before, let's see if we can scrounge up that change." Adrien seemed to remember Album's lie about his head being on the chopping block too. Album knew Adrien wouldn't have helped him this much if it didn't benefit himself. And Adrien said he was the moron, but Album was the one playing him like a puppet.
Together they just barely had 500 yen, with a few coins to spare, and Album went out to give Monoma the yen. Monoma who'd fallen asleep.
Album gently shook him and Monoma opened his eyes with a start. "Oh," he mumbled after a moment. "The money." He took it from Album's hand and then got out his phone and hit some buttons. "Whoops, I just posted it on social media by accident." Monoma smirked at him.
Album just blinked at him for a few moments, seeing nothing but red as he pictured murdering Monoma with his bare hands. How quiet would have to be to not wake Daniel. "Just kidding." Monoma said waving the phone in his face. "Go ahead and check."
Album eventually figured out how to work it and searched every nook and cranny of that stupid phone. Monoma had fallen asleep again when Adrien came out of his room to see what was going on and saw Monoma on the couch. "Son of a bitch." Adrien murmured before his phone dinged. Adrien looked at it, "Stupid Daniel, he can't even hear me curse. What the heck, stupid isn't a cuss word, fuck." Adrien put his phone down and came over. "We should draw on his face." He said smirking. "Ooo, is that his phone." Adrien took it. "We could totally text anyone we wanted pretending to be him."
"What?"
"Huh, he knows a lot of people." Adrien murmured, scrolling through. "They have weird contact names though. Who the hell is, man in the black leather jacket, woman with the red platforms? Should've known he was weird."
"You always knew he was weird. Come on Adrien, just put it back."
"This is your chance to get him back. Let's just tell all these people Monoma hates them and never wants to see them again."
Album laughed and took the phone out of Adrien's hands, putting it back beside Monoma. "Okay, you trouble maker. Let's just draw on his face. But what to put."
"Always the classic mustache."
"We could write resting bitch face." Album smirked.
"We should draw eyes on his eyelids."
"Well that's kinda risky. We should write Album's awesome."
"Won't he know we did it then?"
"Bitch who else would do it, Daniel?"
Adrien smirked, "Let's put the marker we use in Daniel's hands, frame him. He deserves it. And I'll do it, I'm quieter than you anyway, you elephant."
"Fine," Album said, standing and getting a marker from their room. "'Daniel sends his regards'." Album murmured laughing.
"Your loud as hell. I can fucking hear you morons." Monoma said, opening one eye."
Album dropped the marker and he and Adrien retreated to their room, slamming the door shut."
A/N Enjoy it peeps, cus that's the last kiss you're gonna get for a while. Reviews are love, thanks so much for reading! (Also rewrote the kissing scene. I might rewrite it again cus I suck, but I don't think so)
