Ashura: She's just being lazy, forgive her.
Akuchi: yes, she's extremely lazy.
Ai: Lazy-ass writer.
Trowa: .
Mage: -- i hate you four.
Ai: read the chapter now... And review.
"Seeya Suikotsu!" Bankotsu waved off the last of the band members, besides Jakotsu, after practice. Suikotsu jogged out and got into the passenger's seat of his sister's car.
"Later Ban, Jakotsu!" Suikotsu's sister's car screeched off down the road and turned sharply at the corner.
'Geez, what is it with this town and bad drivers?' Ban wondered, an eyebrow raised.
As if reading his mind, Jakotsu suddenly blurted out, "Must be the driving school teachers"
"Yeah..."
10 minutes later.
Jakotsu paced the front lawn boredly, brown eyes glancing towards the driveway every now and then.
"Your ride still not here"
"No." The feminine boy sighed. "Jade and her friend were supposed to pick me up but they're probably playing PS2 or got distracted by a couple of wandering bishounen"
"Damn, that sucks... Ah well, screw them. I'll give ya a ride"
"Thanks Bankotsu!" Jakotsu beamed happily at the other boy.
"No prob. C'mon." Bankotsu climbed into a rather old and beat up pickup truck and kicked open the other door from the seat. "And ya gotta slam the door real hard or it doesnt close"
"'Kay..." Jakotsu got in after him and slammed the door, as told.
Bankotsu inserted the key and started up the truck... It quit. He tried again. It quit again. He tried AGAIN. It quit, AGAIN.
"Um... Bankotsu"
"Hn?" Tried again. It didnt quit amazingly!
"Is there supposed to be smoke coming from under the hood"
Bankotsu's eyes widened. He had been backing out. And suddenly...
KABOOM!
The engine exploded.
And burst into flame.
And the two stared, wide eyed.
"Shit..." Bankotsu cursed. "Ah, Ja! Go inside and get the fire extinguisher, its hanging on the wall by the phone"
"Sure!" Jakotsu threw open the door and rushed inside.
Bankotsu got out and went around and threw the hood open, to see if he could salvage his one and only vehicle... Tough luck.
While he was panicking and wondering what to do, his sleeve caught on fire... Isnt that always the way? "KYAAAA"
Our poor bi-and-doesnt-know-it-yet hero then proceeded in screaming and running like an idiot. Honestly, havent these people ever heard of stop, drop and roll? Tsk, tsk.
YAY! Jakotsu to the rescue! "Got it Ban!"
The white, foamy fire extinguisher stuff soon covered the front half of the truck... and the top half of Bankotsu, up to his neck.
"Ehe... Oops..." Jakotsu grinned sheepishly. "Sorry"
"At least my sleeve's out..." A twitch. "Well, so much for your ride home"
"Yeah..." He sweatdropped, rubbing the back of his head. The fire exinguisher dropped to the grass with a soft thump.
"Ah screw it, I think we've angered fate or something. Why dont you just stay here for the night? It's probably a helluvalot safter, for both of us." He chuckled a bit.
'He's... inviting me... to stay the night? At his house?... FATE LOVES ME!' On the outside Jakotsu appeared calm, but happy. On the inside, he was screaming for joy. "Sure, thanks Bankotsu"
"No prob..." 'Well... this was definately unexpected'
"Oi, maybe you should wash that stuff off outside. I doubt you'd want it all over your bathroom, ne"
"Good idea, very good idea..."
So they headed to the backyard.
Water rushed from the yellow hose as the knob on the spigot was turned. Bankotsu peeled off his shirt and proceeded in cleaning the extinguisher stuff off himself.
'Ohhhh dear Kami... He's a god...' Jakotsu couldnt help but stare a little at the muscled, topless body of his crush as the water dripped off his smooth skin in rivets.
A light blush spread across his cheeks and he looked away, pretending to be interested, instead, in a squirrel making its way up a tree with an acorn in its tiny little paws.
Beady eyes glared at Jakotsu as the squirrel chittered away, its nut clutched protectively to its furry body.
"I'm watchin you, buddy..." Jakotsu glared back, eye twitching slightly.
"Watchin' who?" Bankotsu blinkued navy eyes innocently, suddenly behind Jakotsu.
"Ehe... That..." Point.
"Ohhh... Stupid little rodents... They're up to something, I know it..." Bankotsu stated, absolutely serious.
'OH! How perfect is he! He even agrees that the squirrels are out to take over the world!' If he had been alone or amongst his female friends, Jakotsu would have swooned. But thankfully he didnt, cuz it probably would have freaked Bankotsu out.
Bankotsu blinked... blinked... blinked again... And grinned.
Jakotsu suddenly felt a rush of icy water on his back, through the thin, black, now soaking, shirt.
"KYAAA! COOOOLLLLDDDDD!" Our favorite femmy-boy shrieked.
"Gotcha!" Bankotsu doubled over, clutching his stomache and laughing heartily. Then... he felt the hose leave his hand. "Oh shit"
Jakotsu grinned evilly as he directed the spray of water at Bankotsu, who ran, laughing still, black braid bouncing against his bare back.
A little while later, two soaking wet boys trudged into the house, freezing their asses off due to the un-godly low temperature of hose water. Puddles formed beneath their feet and all over the tile floor of the kitchen.
"Its... f-f-freakin cold in here Ban..." Jakotsu stuttered, arms wrapped tightly around himself.
"Y-y-yeah... I'll turn up the h-heat... Th-then I've got some clothes you can wear..." Bankotsu replied, just as stuttery. He fiddled with the thermostat for a few minutes before hot air could be felt coming from the ventilator.
The braided boy then padded into his room, his dripping pant legs dragging behind him, and he began searching through his drawers, tossing clothes everywhere. It was barely noticeable though; Bankotsu wasnt exactly the neatest of people.
Jakotsu stood in the doorway, shivering slightly and looking around his crush's bedroom. It was rather messy; you could hardly see the floor under the cds and clothes and such. He had a desk, which was cluttered with papers, old homework, and what seemed to be lyric sheets. Bankotsu's bed was the only thing that was clear, but the denim comforter and navy sheets were all askew as if it hadnt been made in ages.
Jakotsu smiled a bit and shook his head slightly. He was learning more and more about Bankotsu every encounter they had.
"Aha!" The navy-eyed boy exclaimed triumphantly, withdrawing a couple articles of clothing from a hamper. "I think these are still clean anyway..." He blinked, tossing them to Jakotsu.
"Thanks." Jakotsu chuckled, examining the clothes. It was a black t-shirt with a monkey on the front that proclaimed 'I like monkeys, just not this one.', and a pair of cotton pajama bottoms that were black with a grey flame and red biker Taz pattern. He giggled at the pj bottoms. "Cute Ban, cute"
"My grandmother got em for me for Christmas..." Bankotsu muttered, his cheeks turning a delicious shade between red and pink.
Jakotsu giggled, a melodic sound to Bankotsu.
The braided boy glanced him up and down, turning redder when he found that... for some reason, he liked what he saw...
Jakotsu's wet shirt clung to his nicely toned muscles, his hair hung in a half-loop, half down, the blue clip falling out. And the cute smile on his face topped it a-- Wait, cute!
'Maybe my imagination is right... Maybe I AM bi... Or maybe all the water in my ears is blocking off my brain'
"Ah..." He broke himself from his train of thought. "The bathroom's down the hall if you want to take a shower first"
"Sure, thanks Bankotsu..." Jakotsu headed into the bathroom, depositing the clean clothing on top of a cabinet and starting the water. 'I'd much rather take a shower with you though'
15 minutes later, Bankotsu had changed into a pair of lounge pants and t-shirt and now sat on the couch in the living room, towelling his long hair, which was for once out of its braid, and watching Crank Yankers on Comedy Central.
Jakotsu exited the bathroom amidst a cloud of steam, wearing the pajama pants and t-shirt, squeezing excess water from his hair into a towel. Bankotsu couldnt help but stare as the towel was dropped into a laundry hamper nearby. He had never seen the boy in this state.
For once, the grey-eyed boy wasnt wearing any makeup. None at all, yet the green snake-fang markings remained. Bankotsu decided that they were either natural, or tattoos. His damp hair remained down, instead of in the usual clipped-up loop.
'God DAMN... Screw my mind, my heart says he's fucking fine...' And so finally, Bankotsu's inner battle had been resolved. Just like that. 'So that means... I'm bi... Wait, whats wrong with bi-ness anyway? I have nothing against it... Its the guys I was worried about I guess. Stupid stupid Bankotsu... Suikotsu wont care, he's really open-minded... And who gives a shit what Baldie thinks? Not me'
Bankotsu felt... refreshed. As if a weight was lifted off his shoulders. He was bi. He was attracted to Jakotsu. He was okay with this. But wait... Jakotsu! What if... Ja was straight?
'Shit man'
Bankotsu had had his suspicions about the other boy's sexuality, due to the fact that Jakotsu wore makeup and stuff, but maybe he was just weird that way.
'Note to self: Ask Jakotsu. Settle this whole matter once and for all.' He thought to himself.
"Ah, Bankotsu? Baaan-kuuun?" Jakotsu waved a hand in front of his face. "Reality to Bankotsu"
"Huh? Wha? I'm awake, I'm awake!" The braided boy leapt to his feet, sweatdropping. His cheeks and the bridge of his nose turned red with a blush. "Sorry about that"
"Its okay! I zone out a lot too! Especially in Algebra. Oo" Jakotsu said cheerily; the other laughed.
"Who DOESN'T zone out in algebra?"
Jakotsu noticed that his crush's laugh was nice, rich and deep. Contagious laughter that makes you want to laugh also, even if you have no clue what you're laughing about.
"Anyway... I'm hungry. You hungry? I'm hungry"
Jakotsu giggled. "Yeah, food sounds good"
"Ramen okay"
"HELL YA! I LOVE RAMEN!" Jakotsu bounced on the balls of his feet like a giddy schoolgirl, grinning almost stupidly. Bankotsu chuckled, slinging an arm around the other boy's shoulders.
"Ya know Jakotsu... I like you. Even if you are a bit weird." 1
"Really..." Jakotsu giggled a bit, Bankotsu laughing alongside him. It was a sweet moment, but sadly, it had to end. Even more sadly, it had to end when Jakotsu heard the television proclaiming that South Park was on next.
"OH SOUTH PARK! I love that show"
"Oohh! Me too! I'll be right back, I'm just glad ramen doesnt take much work!" Bankotsu rushed into the kitchen and set a pan of water on the stove to boil.
Pacing anxiously, mentally willing the water to heat faster, he decided to turn on the radio. Luckily it was already set to his favorite station.
Vertical Horizon's "Everything You Want" blared from the speakers, and Bankotsu grinned. This was a damn good song!
After putting the ramen into the water to boil, he began dancing around the kitchen, singing along.
Jakotsu looked up from a commercial for the new season of Chappelle's Show and glanced through the doorway into the kitchen. Bankotsu was dancing, not fast, but not slow, and singing along to one of Jakotsu's favorite songs.
He smiled; Bankotsu just looked so cute like that, wearing blue camo lounge pants and a white t-shirt, his long dark hair free from its confining braid and swishing a bit with every movement he made. His hair was only slightly damp, and looked so soft and shiny.
Hearing the song coming to an end, Jakotsu stood from the couch and entered the kitchen, his voice softly joining.
Bankotsu stopped slowly and turned to face Jakotsu, who had a smile playing across his un-madeup lips.
"Jakotsu..." Bankotsu didnt know why, but he suddenly had an urge to kiss the other, run his fingers through that shoulder-blade length loose black hair. It just looked so very soft, shining in the artificial light.
The navy-eyed boy stepped a bit closer, his voice quiet. "Ja... I dont mean to offend you... but... are you gay?..." The question had just escaped his mouth. Bankotsu didnt even know what he was doing until he had said it. But he had to know, had to know for sure.
Grey eyes narrowed slightly in confusion, Jakotsu's voice equally quiet. "You mean... you didnt know"
"So... you are"
A nod. "Yeah..." Jakotsu suddenly found the kitchen tiles interesting, looking down and off to the side, not wanting to meet Bankotsu's sapphire gaze.
Bankotsu felt his heart soaring, as if it had suddenly sprouted wings. His spirits rose considerably, and a smile of true and pure happiness spread across his face. "Jakotsu... Look at me..." He gently commanded, cupping the other boy's chin in his hand and raising Jakotsu's eyes to meet his own. Tears rimmed those beautiful grey eyes.
"Dont cry..." Bankotsu mumbled, eyes half-lidded. "You're too pretty to cry..." Lips met in their first real kiss. It was slow, simple, but full of emotions too strong to describe with mere words, like a fairytale kiss.
But this was reality, and in reality, good things just come crashing to a halt. The bubbling over and the sizzling of the fire underneath the pot alerted them to their surroundings once more. The beginning theme song to South Park drifted from the living room tv, and Jakotsu took a deep breath.
"S-south Park's on..." He stated, a bit shakily. He felt like his legs would turn to jelly and collapse any minute now. Bankotsu nodded, quickly turning off the stove and grabbing two bowls from the cabinet.
"I-I'll be there in a minute"
"Hai..." Jakotsu nodded back and walked into the living room, nearly falling back onto the couch, thoughts swirling through his mind.
'Bankotsu... kissed ME... I didnt kiss him, HE kissed ME...' He smiled contentedly. 'For once in my life, I got the guy... I wonder if this means we're going out now...' He nearly giggled aloud, brimming with love and happiness. Life felt so good right now.
A couple minutes later, Bankotsu joined him on the couch and handed him a bowl of ramen. The two spent the rest of the night watching Comedy Central and discovering their new unspoken relationship by cuddling and such.
1 Took that last sentence ("Even if you are a bit weird.")directly from the anime! D Only in the anime Ban said "You're the only one I can rely on" instead of "I like you". Same thing, right? ;