The minutes are ticking by slowly as you wait for Junpei to arrive. You'd invited him over this morning for a surprise date in an attempt to make up for last night's mishap. With an irritated sigh you muffle yourself into a pillow. Your brain is only replaying Junpei's sweet sounds and the wonderful way his knee was grinding between your thighs. It all felt so nice, and the adorable way he blushed and hid his face while you were touching him was incredibly endearing. It only made you want to tease his body even more.
But the sudden fear of him seeing your body spiked its way into your brain just as he was starting to take your shirt off. Why? You've taken your shirt off in front of him before and it didn't bother you. Except for the first time when he'd walked in on you in his bathroom, of course. He never slips up or refers to you as anything else but a boy like him. It didn't even bother you last night to have him touching beneath your shirt. Junpei's hands were so gentle and warm. You could drop-kick yourself for stopping him.
It was surprisingly easy to make Junpei climax, but your initial smugness aside, there's a residual twinge of jealousy eating at you from the inside. You'd chickened out when it was time for him to play with you. Touching yourself has always felt more medical than anything else. You've never even had an orgasm…But lots of people haven't, so it's not really a big deal. Is it? Though Junpei certainly had no problems in that department. What if he expects you to be able to do that? He's sure to be disappointed when you tell him you can't. Or at least that you've never–
Stop it, you scold yourself. You can't stew in negativity then expect to be in a good mood for your date.
There's a buzz on your bedside table as your phone vibrates. You snatch it, still blushing from your less than innocent thoughts. It's a text.
Coming up :]
Kicking your feet in the air, you hop off your bed and scramble to the living room. At least you're home alone today. Toji is at work for a rare Saturday shift. Today was planned purposefully around that fact too. There are certain things you don't need an audience for.
The moment you see the shadow of Junpei's feet, you open the door and throw your arms around his neck.
"Whoa! Good morning!" He laughs as he wraps his arms around you to return the embrace.
"It definitely is now," you agree, dragging him inside.
With a nervous glance around the living room, Junpei kicks off his shoes.
"Um…Are we–"
"Completely alone? We sure are," you reassure him with a wicked smile.
His face flushes in an instant. "Oh! Is that the surprise?"
"Part of it…" You're already pulling him by the hand into your room, wasting no time at all.
Trying to keep up with your pace, Junpei is rapidly filling in that you're wanting to fool around again. By the time you push him to sit on your bed, his heart is racing. Knowing that you can't wait to get him alone like this is so exciting to Junpei. Do you really find him this irresistible?
"Would you like to know the other surprise?" you ask.
He nods, with a dreamy expression. "Yes…"
Planting a kiss on his forehead you pull your phone out to re-open the website you'd found last night, holding it out for him to see.
"Look! The aquarium downtown just redesigned a bunch of their new tanks, and ticket fees are half price today. I thought we'd go check it out. How does that sound?"
Junpei's smile broadens. He loves the aquarium. "Great! I actually haven't been in a while. That should be fun!"
"Yeah? Are you sure it's not too lame?" You'd been wracking your brain trying to think of things you could do together. Toji is still withholding most of your money to help you practice control and save up, but there's no point in having cash and not doing anything fun with it.
Junpei couldn't be happier. A real date alone with you to one of his favorite places is an incredible surprise.
"No way. I'm excited! But wait, I didn't think they'd be open this early?"
A knowing smile creeps across your lips. "Oh, they're not. Customers aren't allowed in until noon."
Oh…
That's not for another hour.
"So…What should we do while we wait?" Junpei asks, already guessing what you may have in mind.
You tuck his bangs behind his ear, swiping your thumb across his cheek. He leans into your touch, already smiling.
"Well that depends. Did you have breakfast?" you ask.
He nods, eyelids already closing on their own.
"Then how would you like to be mine?"
You cup his face in both hands, holding him gently as you lean in.
He makes a small sound in his throat as your lips meet and his hands shakily grip your waist. Turning in toward your kiss, he cradles the back of your head to pull you closer. In a moment of incredible bravery he follows a wild instinct and yanks you down onto him, rolling until he's on top of you. You squeak with surprise and laugh, hugging his neck even tighter. Normally you wouldn't be so easily toppled, you must be off your guard. Junpei can't help feeling a little accomplished that he has you so distracted. He sighs your name and kisses you again, settling himself between your legs which have found their way around his hips.
You kiss along his cheek and up to his ear, giving a gentle nip. "My Junpei…"
He exclaims lightly, grinding his hips into yours. You're clouding his senses already. Oh, God, he wants you in ways he doesn't even understand. In the fog of his delirium, he feels the buck of your hips in response to his movements. He shoves himself forward and you cry out in response.
"Sorry! I-I don't know what I'm doing. I mean… Was that too much?" he stammers.
Your eyes are still closed, hiding from your embarrassment. Your voice had pitched higher than normal, surprising you both. Silently you have to remind yourself that no one is around to hear your sounds but him.
"No. I'm okay…Do it again?"
Junpei needs no other coaching. He vowed to do whatever you ask, eager to learn what brings you pleasure. A groan fumbles from him when you raise up, seeking out the press of his erection and holding him in place.
"Right there, keep going."
Your voice is deep and demanding. Obediently Junpei repeats the motion, blushing when he's met only with yielding softness between your legs.
The heat crawling up his neck is impending his own needs, but nevertheless he thrusts again and again. He doesn't know if what he's doing is correct, but waits for your response to change his speed or aim if needed. What he isn't expecting is for you to begin bouncing in place beneath him, repeatedly rocking yourself in a steady rhythm.
Your sounds soften as he pushes a little harder. Even through the layers of your clothing, the core of what he's doing is intentional. The mock act of him fucking you–Oh, God! He's showing you that he could do it if you wanted him to. Overwhelmed, he hides in your shoulder again, anchoring himself with his hands to pull you down again and again. As he bites you a third time, holding on and not letting go, you emit soft begging whines, barely able to vocalize your pleasure. Junpei peers up, studying your reaction with captivation. Your eyes are heavy and rolling back, your lips sweetly parted. God, you're so fucking sexy to him. How can he last much longer like this? You need to climax too. He refuses to finish without you this time.'
There's a tugging sensation of fingers pulling at the waist of your pants. Junpei is unbuttoning them slowly. Your hands cover his suddenly, pinning them against you and halting his actions.
"Are you alright? What's wrong?"
Still breathing heavily, you squeeze your eyes shut. "I…I'm just nervous."
"What is it?"
"I…I'm scared of being seen...or touched there," you confess, tucking your head beneath his chin and hiding your face.
"Do you like everything we're doing so far?" His hand strokes soothingly down your back.
You nod, burying your face into his shirt simultaneously. He smells so nice, and you can feel the steady thumping of his heart beneath your palms.
"I do, but that's different somehow? Ugh, it's so stupid!"
There's a strong squeeze from him as he cuddles you closer. "No, it isn't. Tell me what you need, Fushiguro. I want to know."
"I just don't want to be seen as…You know."
You can't even finish your thought. Your tears are welling up unexpectedly. No matter how many good days you have, there will always be times like this that exploit the insecurities you're harboring. It's terrifying how quickly it can all come spilling out. You were feeling so good only moments ago.
Thankfully Junpei understands your intention so you don't have to verbalize it. As if he could see you as anything but his strong and capable boyfriend. You're the boy who stood up for him against his bullies and kept their taunting at bay. Even when you dressed in a girl's uniform, Junpei only saw the real you through the makeup.
"You're a good boy, Fushiguro. Such a good boy. We don't have to do anything you don't want to do. I can't tell you how happy I am just getting to hold you like this," he whispers.
The warmth of his breath on your cheek sends chills cascading down your entire body. Your feet shift against his. "I mean, I definitely do want to…"
Junpei whispers your name to make you look back up at him.
"You do? You want to cum with me?"
Your grip tightens around his waist impulsively. The way his voice deepened when he asked you such a question makes you swallow hard.
"I…I don't know how," you confess.
He blinks in astonishment. Is this really something he has more experience with than you do? It's hard for him to believe. Not that he thinks you're lying, but…Really?
"You've never finished? Ever?"
"Anything that's ever felt good from down there has come from you."
Junpei's smile returns. "Wow. I'm honored, but you deserve to feel even better too, you know? I don't want to leave you behind. We can work on it together. Okay?"
"How can we do that?" you ask with genuine curiosity.
He appears thoughtful for a moment.
"Well…Do you touch yourself?"
Squirming beneath him, you avoid those usually innocent green eyes of his. How can he make you feel so twitchy like this with just a few words? Biting your lower lip nervously, you shake your head.
"…Do you?"
His cheeks pinken at once.
"Oh, umm. N-not really. That is, not alot? Umm…"
You turn and arch an eyebrow. That was an interesting response.
"What does that mean? 'Not alot?' Do you mean…about average?"
"Y-yeah..s-sure. Average," he agrees. Already choking as he's anticipating your next question.
"How many times is average?"
"Um…Well. Maybe two or three?"
"A week?" you ask.
His silence is speaking volumes.
"Ohh," you realize what he meant with a shocked smile creeping all the way up to your eyes mischievously.
"Wow, Junpei…"
He blushes nervously.
"Yeah, …So let's not worry about me. I want the focus to stay on you when we're together."
After placing more sweet kisses along your forehead, Junpei nuzzles his nose against yours. "So just tell me whatever you want to do."
You pull him against you tighter, relieved at his understanding nature, but not at all surprised.
"I want to go on a date with my boyfriend."
"Me too," he agrees.
.
.
.
Bus travel is rarely enjoyable and never glamorous. Luckily the one you and Junpei caught only has a few more stops before you reach your destination. Living in the heart of the city does have the advantage of being a short distance from nearly every attraction it has to offer.
Holding your hand in public casts a spell over Junpei. He's too enraptured in the fact he's on a real date to notice the sneers from older passengers riding along during transit. The morning's events are already rearranging themselves to be properly appreciated later tonight when he was alone. Squeezing your hand tighter, he glances down and smiles for the millionth time at his blue nails. They look so at home intertwined with your fingers. He rests his head on your shoulder.
You aren't exactly relaxed at the moment however. Not forgetting the lesson Toji had so rudely taught you earlier this week, your guard is up and on the lookout for anyone resembling his old acquaintance Sakyo. The fear that woke you from the safety of your warm bed still refuses to let your mind at ease. If Toji was taking precautions, you should too. He didn't know you were planning on leaving the apartment while he was gone today either.
The plan is to be gone for two, maybe three hours tops, then play it off as if Junpei came over to hang out and you both stayed home all day. Toji can make whatever deductions from that that he wants to, you don't particularly care. If anything, maybe it'll slow his progress with Nagi. You shudder at this reminder. Gross. Hopefully they didn't do anything last night while you were with Junpei. There's no doubt in your mind that he had her back at the apartment at some point. You'd smelled her perfume in the living room when you got home last night, but didn't have the stomach to fling any accusations. Whatever they did could stay secret. Toji didn't make any inquiries as to what you and Junpei did with your spare time. Maybe he already knew or at least speculated. So then, wouldn't that mean Nagi is off limits to him? He certainly isn't acting like it, the lech. He's probably just taking advantage of the situation.
Watching your leg bounce nervously in place, Junpei looks up to see your lips drawn in a tight frown of concentration as you stare out the window.
"Fushiguro? Is everything alright?"
Snapping from your disassociation, you realize you'd been gripping his hand a little too tightly and loosen your fingers. There's no sense allowing your worry to spread.
"Sorry, I guess I have alot on my mind still. I'm fine. Let's have a good day."
You kiss his cheek, keeping your faces close as the bus slows to a halt. This is your stop. You walk through the aisles hand in hand to the exit. Just as you're descending the steps, a man comes bustling up from the rear, tearing right between you and your boyfriend's clasped hands. You lose your balance and stumble forward, catching yourself on the door railing at the last second.
"Hey! Wait your turn, asshole!" you shout after him as you reach back to take hold of Junpei once more. "Jeez, what was his problem?"
"Maybe he was in a hurry?" Junpei suggests as he gingerly steps off the bus onto the curb behind you.
"No kidding. Most people are," you comment as you glance down. There's a sizable hole in the denim of your jeans from where you scraped your thigh on a bolt jutting out on the door.
"Shit…"
"It's not so bad. Maybe you can patch it later?" Junpei consoles.
You're struggling to maintain your good mood, but manage to keep the worst of your outrage to yourself. Chasing a stranger down the street to make him pay for ruining your clothes would take valuable time away from your date. Unfortunately it isn't long before you begin to notice even more derogatory stares from passers by. What the fuck is everyone's problem? It's like they've never seen a couple holding hands before.
Refusing to let it ruin your day, you set your sights on the nearby crosswalk. The aquarium is just ahead. You can already see the ticket stand and the brightly colored water lilies covering the surface of the decorative fountains. The pond is stocked with multicolored koi which pop their mouth above the surface to beg for food as you walk past.
"Pretty," Junpei smiles, already so excited to be here with you.
After paying at the ticket booth by the aquarium entrance, the two of you go in through the double doors. Immediately you're met by the sounds of running water from the open tide pools where giant manta rays swish lazily past in sweeping circles.
"Ooh! I've always loved these." You tug Junpei over to view them closer.
He smiles, running his thumb over your fingers. You're so cute when you're excited.
"Do you think I could pet one?" you ask with eyes full of mischief.
"The signs say you shouldn't." He points to a laminated paper taped to the glass.
You pretend to pout. "Oh, fine. If you wanna be a law abiding citizen, then okay, but if a seagull gets close enough, he's coming home with us."
He laughs at what he hopes is only a joke and peeks around the corner of the tide pool exhibit.
"I heard they've gotten otters since the last time I was here. I think they're back that way."
You follow where he's pointing and see some stairs leading down to a lower floor. There's a little yellow sign marked with the silhouette of an otter in black.
"Okay! Let's go check them out next for sure."
There are two it turns out, both females named Mischief and Mayhem. The two shoot through the water, steering with sensitive noses and paddling with only their hind feet. The informative plaque beside the glass says they were spotted off the docks of a nearby harbor stealing sardines from fishermen.
"Good for them," you grin, already rooting for any small creature that takes what it needs from higher up on the food chain.
As you watch the pair jet-streaming through the water, leaving millions of tiny bubbles in their wake, Junpei rests his head on your shoulder. Your fingers entwine once more and he sighs contentedly.
"This is nice," he murmurs.
"Sure is," you agree, pressing a tiny kiss to his forehead.
The sound of someone clearing their throat behind you has your nerves already on edge. Who could possibly be trying to get your attention right now? Turning around, you see an older woman holding the hands of her two children, a boy and girl.
"Should you boys really be doing that in public?" she asks with a curl to her lip.
"Doing what, Ma'am?" you drawl with no respect whatsoever in your tone.
She purses her lips for a moment, then clears her throat to speak again.
"It's wrong what you're doing, you know. It's actually a terrible sin," she states plainly.
"Yeah well, so is that ugly dress you're wearing, but you sure went ahead with that decision anyway, didn't you?" you scowl, but keep your language courteous for the little kids' sake.
Your blood begins to boil. What's this old lady's problem? You're literally trying to mind your own business! It would ruin your date to cause a scene and get kicked out. You'll have to keep somewhat civil in public.
"Why don't you just mind your business? We aren't hurting anyone," he says defiantly.
The woman refuses to back down, becoming more visibly irate at being challenged by a pair of high school students. "I brought my kids here to enjoy a family friendly environment. They don't need to be exposed to your sodomy!"
Sodomy? What the ever-loving fuck is she going on about? Is she seriously equating your innocent public affection to a sex act?
Surprisingly it's Junpei who speaks up, stepping between you and the rude woman.
"Do you even know anything about otters? They mate with members of the same gender all the time. It's perfectly normal to them."
She gapes in shock. "They do not! That's not true."
"It is, too. They also kill for fun when they're not busy cannibalizing and forcing themselves on each other. They've been known to mate with their young, and even practice necrophilia on the corpses of other animals for weeks. If anyone here isn't suitable for children it's the otters, not us."
She's already covering her children's ears, glaring at the two of you resentfully as she pulls them away from the exhibit. As they depart, you hear one of the kids ask in a small voice,
"Mommy, what's necro–"
They're shushed instantly. "Don't you dare repeat what that boy said! We're going to the tidepools to pet the starfish."
Both you and Junpei exchange matching looks of relief and turn back around to continue enjoying the exhibit in peace. You have to stifle your laughter to remain somewhat composed.
"That was really impressive, Junpei. I can't believe you went off like that!"
He's blushing again, his sudden assertiveness already dissipating. "Heh, it was nothing. I figured if she was so easily offended by a little kiss, then she'd get even more upset about the otters and leave us alone."
"Great instinct. Where did you learn all those facts anyway? I didn't see any of that in their animal guide on the wall."
Junpei laughs. "The internet. They would never post something like that here publicly."
"Pfft. Yeah this place would lose their funding if they advertised murderous necro water weasels," you agree.
Mischief and Mayhem continue turning underwater somersaults, oblivious to the harsh judgment outside their habitat.
The hallway leading to the rest of the exhibits is set up with multiple small tanks built into the wall along the way. Inside each one, various smaller sealife is tucked neatly into tiny portholes for viewing. You spot one single, skinny garden eel, looking rather lonely all by himself. Beside him in the next tank are wobbling herds of tiny seahorses huddled in clusters together. They sway in the gentle flow of their manmade currents.
"So cute," you comment as you peer at them.
"Seahorses are way too delicate. They don't even look real."
Junpei clears his throat lightly. "My favorite room is just through here." He points, indicating a set of double doors.
"Oh! Sure, let's go." Eager to see what it could be, you follow behind him. When he opens the door for you, the soft glow of blacklight reaches your shoelaces and illuminates them brightly as you step inside.
"Whoa…"
The door shuts behind you and Junpei smiles at the sight of you bathed in the light of the jellyfish tanks. He wraps his arm around your middle to lead you to a small bench in the center of the room, appropriately decorated with more jellyfish sculpted into the ironwork on each side.
"This is my favorite place in the whole world. I could sit here for hours."
"Great choice. It's so beautiful," you whisper, placing your hand over his.
Junpei smiles, his gaze focussed only on you. "Sure is."
You feel the warmth of his touch on your knee, softly sliding up along the inside of your thigh. Emitting only gentle sounds of approval, you lean toward him, letting him continue. It's so quiet and serene here. Junpei whispers your name to get your attention, then kisses your lips when you turn your head.
"Thank you for bringing me here…I've always wanted to come here with someone else," he confesses.
Feather light, his fingertips slide down the seam of your pants, feeling the softness of your body pulsing just beneath. You gasp in response as your hips raise without you telling them to. Heat creeps up your neck slowly as you feel yourself blush.
"J-Junpei! What are you doing?"
"Don't worry, I locked the door behind us. No one can come in without a key. How does this feel, Fushiguro?"
Tiny jolts shoot all the way down to your toes as he teases you. You have to stifle your sounds behind your fist. It's good…It's so, so good. You want to tell him, but embarrassment prevents you from saying so. Strange small noises are bubbling forth from you, though not quite protesting his actions.
"Shhh…No one can come in, but someone might be able to hear you if you're too loud," he whispers in warning.
His fingers move in small circles, testing what gets the biggest reaction from you. When your head falls back, he wraps his other arm around your shoulders to cradle you. His lips are centimeters from your ear as he whispers, "You're such a good boy…"
You turn to kiss him, your lips eagerly parted. The velvet softness of his tongue explores yours. His fingers press in firmly, forcing your whimpers into his mouth right where he wants them. Greedily he swallows your pleasure, letting it muddle his reasoning. There's a tugging sensation as he works his hand through the tear in your pants, sliding his palm along your bare inner thigh. The realization that he's going to touch you makes you hold your breath with anticipation. Much to your surprise, your hips shift forward to meet him, catching you both off guard. Part of you still thought you'd stop him before his wandering hand slips past the leg of your boxers, seeking out your skin.
But you don't.
"Ohh, fuck," he groans appreciatively. You feel so inviting beneath his fingertips, so warm. He utters your name with his teeth grazing your neck.
"Fuck…. Fushiguro, you're so soft. So fucking soft."
The hiss of your panting between clenched teeth is the only response you can manage. Junpei's voice sounds so different from its usual tone. You can't recall if you've ever heard him swear before.
"How is this? I have to know what feels best for you. Tell me," he implores, quickening his pace with persistence. The tear in your jeans widens with his efforts, but you don't find yourself particularly concerned. The steady waves of pleasure tingling up your entire body with each movement are much more important.
"H-harder…Do it harder."
You struggle to keep quiet, especially with the embarrassing neediness rising in your tone.
Mercifully Junpei only reciprocates what you're asking for, secretly enjoying the helpless sounds you're making in his arms.
"Like this?" He redirects himself, pressing in a bit more. As he circles the top with light pressure, your entire frame spasms noticeably. You must really like it there so he does it again, exaggerating the motion with more pronounced strokes. With a thunk your head hits his shoulder.
Fuck the people outside.
"Ahh! Oh, f-fuck…J-Junpei. That's good, that's so–Ah!"
Your knees clamp together at the sensation of one of his fingers slipping inside you. Then another.
A smile plays across his lips.
"Fushiguro…You're wet."
You can feel your face burning. It's not like you to let your guard down this much, but you still can't bring yourself to protest. Your cheeks are on fire and you clench your eyes shut, but you can't block out how it feels to be penetrated. Or how it sounds. Why are you so wet?! The slip of skin on skin makes you squirm, legs clenching tighty together.
"It's alright, I've got you." he reassures you with soft kisses behind your ear.
"Just relax and look at how pretty the jellyfish are."
The…jellyfish?
You'd nearly forgotten why you'd come in here. Glancing up, the illumination from each flowing iridescent body beckons your attention. The glowing ribbons of their tentacles tangle as they pass one another in their suspension, playfully entwining. Junpei presses his lips to your forehead and slows his rhythm. Soft little whimpers of pleasure break the silence. You're so cute. His fingers plunge in and out of you with distinct purpose, forcing deeper moans from you. He follows your gaze to the tanks.
"They're so interesting. I've always thought so. When they brush against another one's tentacles, they don't attack. Their stings only hurt the things that hunt them. Even if they're cut into tiny pieces, those pieces will just go on to make even more little jellyfish. They're indestructible. They have no brains or pain receptors. They can't feel pleasure either. No eyes, or mouth, or gender…"
He sighs approvingly against your cheek as you relax, trailing more small kisses up to your ear.
"They're perfect."
He pushes inside deeper and you make an embarrassing sound, but it's nowhere near a protest. It's impossible to focus. Your breath is caught behind the vice of your teeth, struggling to remain silent. You can only nod your head, silently praying that he doesn't stop. You clutch his arm tightly in both hands, locking him in place. You clench Junpei's fingers, catching his interest right away. He works them in a slow circle, gently coaxing you to relax again. Was that a good thing that you tensed up? You didn't sound like you wanted him to stop. Wondrously he pumps his two slick fingers into you, inquisitively stroking as each little twitch and spasm from your body only encourages him further.
"Is that good?" he asks, barely bringing his voice above a low whisper.
His breath is warm on your neck. You lean into him, nodding and tucking your head beneath his chin, unable to bring yourself to look up. It's unnatural to let yourself be helpless like this with someone else, but Junpei's hands feel warm and secure. Regardless, your face flushes and you can't hold back the steady outpour of blissful sobs.
"It's good…Oh, fuck, Junpei, it's so, so good! Please, please…" your words are slightly slurring together as your hips raise up again, eager for his touch.
"Please what? Are you going to cum?" he asks excitedly.
Are you? Is this what it feels like? You're not even sure. It does feel like something might be…building up?
"I-I don't know. Junpei, I–"
There's a rattle of the doorknob that startles you both. Thankfully it's still locked. Junpei's movements quicken and he pops his free hand over your mouth to muffle your surprised yelp. He doesn't want to rush you, but you're running out of time before someone else with a key comes along.
"Come on, Fushiguro. You can do it, I know you can."
Your eyes, which had clenched shut at your last involuntary spasm, barely peek open. Your vision is blurry, and you have to breathe through your nose with his hand still silencing you, but still you don't stop him or even think of telling him to let you go. His lips part. He's breathing almost as hard as you, captivated by your reactions. Daringly he slides his fingers away from your face to kiss you.
Your mouth opens for him. The softness of his tongue on yours sends tingles all the way down to your toes.
Junpei…
KNOCKKNOCKKNOCK
"Hey, is there someone in there?" a loud voice calls through the locked door. Then comes the unmistakable jangling of keys on a ring.
Shit! It's an employee. You're definitely out of time now.
Begrudgingly Junpei removes his hand from the hole in your pants. They were already from before he started so it didn't matter to you any longer. He gives you an apologetic smile all the same, mouthing the word "sorry" and running his fingers through your hair to fix it. You didn't quite finish and he knows it. Sighing with his own disappointment, he again swears to do better next time.
The latch of the lock clicks, and the door cracks open enough to allow the employee to lean his head in.
"Is everybody decent?" he calls.
"Uh… Nothing going on here," you meekly attempt, clearing your throat as you stand up.
Junpei remains seated, heart still pounding that you'd nearly been caught. It's equally as terrifying as it is exciting. He's never been the type to behave so recklessly. He's surprised to find that he doesn't even feel too ashamed about your little escapade. It's not like you were caught red-handed or anything. A few weeks ago he would never think of doing something like this with anyone. He's even a tiny bit proud of his own bravery with a stupid grin tugging at his lips.
"Come on. Out you go," the man in the doorway directs. It then occurs to you that his voice sounds oddly familiar. He opens the door all the way and turns on a lightswitch.
Oh, no.
No, no, no–
"Well! Hello there! How funny running into you like this, Fushiguro-Kun!" Ly Phan crows in recognition.
The short man glances over at Junpei, still seated on the bench. No longer feeling smug, he blushingly tries to avoid the man's gaze. It's impossible to tell if Phan recognizes him from their brief meeting at the railyard.
You feel like dropping dead on the spot. Why did it have to be one of Toji's only friends to catch you?! Oh, God. You weren't exactly being quiet either. What if he heard you?! There's no recovering from this.
"Ha. Yeah. I, uh, didn't know you worked at the aquarium, Phan. Been here long?" Your voice cracks. Shit, you sound so guity.
He crosses his arms amicably, cocking his head to the side.
"Ah, they like me behind the scenes usually. Feeding the fish and all that. I happened to be nearby when some concerned little girl came wandering up to ask me why the jellyfish room was locked. I've told management that having the reversed knobs for this room was only going to attract teenagers looking for somewhere to make out, especially with the blacklights. There's something about the glow that makes the younger generation act like animals. Looks like I was right, too." He grins from ear to ear, his eyes twinkling with sheer amusement.
"We weren't doing anything!" you insist with instant panic. You're doing a piss poor job of selling your innocent act. Even you wouldn't buy it.
"Uh-huh. All the same, why don't you kids go see another exhibit? Let the rest of our patrons enjoy the jellyfish too," he suggests.
"Sure, whatever," you mutter as you reach to take Junpei's hand and lead him out behind you.
"Tell your dad I said hello, won't you?" Phan chuckles again as you walk past, keeping your head low.
Eager to escape your embarrassment, you lead Junpei down the hallway toward the deep ocean exhibit. It's another graciously darkened room with only the light coming from the theater screen sized aquarium tank that made for a stunning fourth wall of the room. A variety of salt water fish swim in divided schools, cautiously avoiding one another.
You recognize a few of the more popular ones, blue and yellow tangs, black striped butterfly fish, and even a few more larger manta rays all drifting indifferently together through the beautiful coral stacks. You still have Junpei's hand clenched tightly in yours, aggressively squeezing in an attempt to relieve any of your pent up stress. Your grip is practically a vice around his fingers. He flinches and tries to squeeze back just as hard to comfort you somehow, knowing you must be feeling anxious. The regret of taking advantage of a public place is finally setting in.
A gentle whimper shakes you from your headspace. Muttering a weak apology, you loosen your hold somewhat and rub your thumb across his. There's a tremble in your grip which you can't hide. Biting his lower lip, Junpei observes you with growing concern.
"Are you alright?" he asks in a bare whisper.
With a groan your head falls back. Your chest is tighter than normal beneath your binder.
"Yeah…Sure," you respond, even though it's an outright lie.
There's a soft thunk as Junpei rests his forehead against your shoulder. This isn't the way he wanted your date to end.
"I'm sorry," me mutters again.
"You had no way of knowing. Shit…I really hope Phan doesn't run his mouth to Toji. I'm supposed to be home all day, remember?"
"Maybe…we can still see a bit more before we head back? There's more sharks, the tide pools, I think they even have the same octopus that's been here since I was little. And we have to at least stop by the gift shop," he practically begs.
"Yeah, why not? In for a penny, in for a pound," you comment with a wry smile.
His brow furrows. "What does that mean?"
"Something I heard growing up. A foreign expression. It means if you're a little bit in, you should be all in, whatever the situation."
"Sounds about right for you," he says with clear amusement.
He's grown fond of how intense you can be, especially when it comes to him. He's honored to receive that kind of attention from you.
"So…Sharks?" he pipes again, already pulling you to the next exhibit.
A smile creeps across your face as Junpei leads the way.
He sure makes it hard to care about anything else.
.
.
.
"Taking another smoke break? Kurasuma is going to crawl up your ass for slacking off."
Oihiko, a younger punk on Toji's job site and a royal nuisance of a coworker, jostles the older man by brushing past shoulder-to-shoulder.
"I need it," he grunts. It's the truth. There's too much on his mind to focus on work.
"Whatever. I'm not covering for your grumpy ass. Get fired and take that charm to the unemployment office for all I care."
The door swings shut behind Oihiko.
If this was a different day, He'd turn on his heel, jerk the little asshole out into the parking lot and give him a real scare. But today Toji's thoughts are elsewhere.
Your ass had better be glued to the couch at home like he instructed you. Maybe the training drills he had you learn this week would hammer some sense into you and make you actually listen to him. He was heavy handed, but only because he felt like he had to be. How else can he make sure you keep your guard up? You need to be afraid to give your enemy the proper respect he deserves.
Sakyo Kazahaya.
How the hell did he find him? There had to be nearly a hundred miles between here and those disgusting stockyards where they composed their past business. Toji worked hard to get as far away as possible from his crimes.
He ran. He stayed hidden. And still he's been found.
His hands are fumbling, dropping his lighter.
"Shit," he swears, stooping to pick it up.
He inhales to light the cigarette just as a beat up old truck rumbles past, sputtering with effort to round the turn onto the main road. It backfires loudly and Toji's lighter once again clatters across the pavement as he flinches.
He's much too anxious to relax.
"Mother fucker…"
How long until Sakyo reemerges? Surely one chance meeting at the railyards isn't going to be all he has planned. Toji remembers how obsessive the boy used to be. There's no way he's changed for the better since then.
…..Flashback...
The sliding rear door of Toji's delivery truck rolls closed with a loud boom.
"Jesus. Think you could make a little more noise? I don't think they heard you in Chiba district," Toji snaps at his boss's son.
"It's not my fault, these things are so damn heavy," Sakyo huffs, wiping his hands clean with a handkerchief from his inner pocket. He offers it to Toji who only wrinkles his nose in response.
The brat is becoming a regular part of his work process now. It wasn't something he anticipated. Not by a long shot. He'd gone out of his way to attempt to deter Sakyo from riding along with him time and time again. Each time he failed to get the little shit out of his way.
As the two of them begin the long drive to the multiple stops needed for tonight's disposal, Sakyo proceeds with his now routine pestering.
"I've been doing some thinking, and I'm sure I've got your last name figured out by now," he smirks triumphantly.
"Is that so?"
"Well, I've at least got some more guesses anyway."
"I'm only giving you four tonight," Toji states matter of factly, in no mood for a game of twenty questions.
It was a dangerous game to be playing with this kid, but at least Sakyo agreed to his rules when it came to wagering. Each time he guessed wrong, it cost him a cigarette. A paltry bet, but Toji didn't dare take anything else of value from him. After he'd been paid for that disgusting exhibition with the last body he only felt sick. He knew that wouldn't be the end of Sakyo's fascination with him too.
"Takao. It's Toji Takao, isn't it?" the boy smirks.
"Nope."
"Shit…Okay, what about Fueki?"
"Not even close," the older man sighs.
"Was I closer when guessing Takao? Which part?"
"Neither."
"Come on, Shi-san, you have to at least give me a hint."
"I don't actually. This was all your idea to begin with. And quit calling me that."
"It's what my father calls you. And one day I'll be taking his place,"
Sakyo rolls his window down as they turn down a desolate road, letting the breeze hit his face as he wistfully stares up at the night sky. He turns back with a wistful smile.
"Then you'll be working for me."
Toji says nothing in response. What exactly is he supposed to say to that? Thanks, but no thanks. I'd rather slit my wrists and then eat the razor.
"Finish your last two guesses," he mutters.
"Hmmm…What about Yoshikawa? It means 'lucky river.' Is that it? I guessed it didn't I? That's why you've fallen quiet!"
But Toji is suddenly too preoccupied to answer the boy, focussing on the reflection of streetlights hitting the glare of a car traveling behind them.
A car with its headlights off. Never a good sign at night.
"Hey, kid. You got that gun on you?"
Without hesitation, Sakyo reaches for his weapon, eager for any chance to show it off again.
"I always do…Why?"
Toji's eyes are still trained on the rearview mirror.
"Because we may need it."
To Be Continued….