11 The Problem with Mondo
Mondo sits on the couch, body alive in electricity as the kid leans against him, Taka's eyes fluttering shut every five seconds as gravity lays claim to them. Mondo cannot help but watch this display for a couple minutes, arm tight around a warm waist, ignoring the movie entirely. He would never admit it aloud, but he feels... oddly enraptured, the sight endearing in the most peculiar way, and part of him desperately doesn't want to ruin it. But then… then, the kid yawns, doing an absolute shit job of stifling it, and he knows it's time to get up and head to bed. Both of them.
Chuckling softly, feeling so utterly fond (like usual), Mondo leans close to Taka and whispers in his ear, adoring the way the kid shivers in response.
"Tired, kyoudai? Then let's get ya ta bed. Ain't want ya ta be tired during the Festival, bro," Mondo murmurs gently, pulling back to look at the kid with soft and gentle eyes. Much softer and gentler than he's ever been with anyone other than Taka, fuck. But he doesn't mind it. It's been almost exactly two weeks since they became kyoudai, and he... he can't say he minds it at all. Especially not when Taka looks at him like that... eyes wide, lips parted, something unknown and mysterious swirling in the beautiful scarlet... f-fuck...
"I don't want to go to sleep, kyoudai... t-the movie..." the kid tries to reply, but he can't finish since a large yawn interrupts him, so adorable Mondo doesn't know how he is supposed to be able to handle it, fuck. Taka smiles sheepishly when Mondo chuckles again, but he doesn't seem upset.
Unable to help himself, Mondo lifts an absent hand and tenderly brushes back the hair that's fallen into Taka's face. He's noticed that the kid has been leaving it down more and more often lately, the hair seeming longer than it had been before. Not that Mondo minds. While he had arguably adored Taka's spiky look (even if it was lazy, the kid confessing he kept it like that since it was just 'practical' and 'easy'), it had always made him feel a bit… untouchable. Distant. But like this... hair down, soft looking and lightly curling around his ears as it dries... covering his forehead and falling just slightly into his eyes... f-fuck. Mondo can't describe how incredible it makes the kid look. He just... can't.
"Don't worry 'bout it, Kiyo. We can finish it later. Ya need yer sleep. C'mon."
Mondo stands up then, feeling oddly reluctant. He grabs Taka's hands and gently helps the kid stand as well, even though he knows Taka could do it himself quite easily. The kid wavers a little once he's fully standing, though, so Mondo drops his hands to the kid's sides, steadying him. Taka looks almost dazed as he stands there, cheeks the most beautiful shade of pink, eyes slightly glazed, lips parted and breath shallow... Mondo would be worried if he didn't know the kid was fine. The moment feels oddly charged, Taka looking at him with wide, lidded eyes, looking sleepy and soft and... and just...
"Yer beautiful, ya know that, kyoudai? Just... fuck..." Mondo can't help but mutter, leaning in to press his forehead to Taka's temple, his heart beating slowly but meaningfully in his chest. He knows he shouldn't be saying shit like this, knows that it- it's... it's /gay/, but... but in this one moment he just- he just /doesn't care/. Taka is the most gorgeous person he's ever seen, man or woman, and he deserves to be told as such.
He hears Taka's breath hitch at the soft words, making his stomach fucking lurch, and while part of him really likes the sensation, he also- also is a bit afraid of it. He realizes then how close he is to the kid, how if Taka just turns his head a little, they would... they would be...
Mondo clears his throat, suddenly feeling awkward, pulling back hastily. His cheeks are warm and he's fairly certain they're bright pink, but he doesn't try and run away like a little bitch. He refuses to run from Taka anymore. Instead, he just smiles shakily, punching Taka lightly (very lightly, he swears!) in the arm.
"Ya know, in a manly way... heh. We, uh. Should get ta bed. C'mon..."
Mondo shuffles awkwardly away then, heading to the bed without a backwards glance, feeling so fucking awkward. This happens sometimes when he's talking to Taka, and he really fucking hates it, shit. He doesn't wanna feel awkward around his kyoudai. Not now, not ever. But Taka is just /staring/ at him, eyes wide, and Mondo doesn't know what it means. Why... why the kid stares at him like that. Why he... he...
The moment is broken when Taka starts to move, too, turning off the lamp as he goes, as has become their routine. They both had changed into their nightwear earlier, Taka taking his shower but Mondo electing to skip so that he could have more time with Taka pressed up tight to him, watching the movie. He did change while the kid was taking his shower, though, and is dressed in his tank top and boxer shorts, like usual. Taka is dressed similarly, though he's just wearing his white undershirt and his usual briefs. And his hair is still slightly damp, just a hint. It... it's very... hm.
"So. Ya excited fer the festival tomorrow?" Mondo mutters as he feels Taka settle into bed beside him, the kid's head resting solidly on Mondo's chest. It makes Mondo's heart race strangely, though it quickly calms. He always feels so fucking calm when the kid is pressed tight to him. Always. It's why he adores holding the kid so close to him, why he's asked him to 'sleepover' so many times. If he could always be holding this kid, he's fairly certain he'd be a much, much happier man.
As sleepy as Taka is, it takes him a little while to respond, the kid nodding absently. Mondo suppresses a shiver as he feels the kid draw random patterns on his chest, the sensation so fucking good, holy shit. It's a little overwhelming, actually, so he reaches up and pins the smaller hand to his chest gently, his thumb absently rubbing circles on the back of Taka's hand. F-fuck...
"Y-yes. I suppose," Taka mutters, his voice shaky and soft. It makes Mondo's breath stutter as he looks down at the kid. It's so dark, the only light being the pale moonlight streaming in from the window, but Mondo can still see the light blush on Taka's face. It's so... god... Mondo is so distracted that it takes him a moment to realize Taka had actually replied, shit. Mentally shaking off the weird fugue he'd entered, he remembers what he'd wanted to say, his insides a little nervous for some reason.
"Ya still gonna dress up with me? Y'ain't gotta, if ya changed yer mind..." Mondo questions softly, feeling so fucking weird. Taka had told him the previous week he was willing to dress up with him, but what... what if he's changed his mind? Shit, he knows the kid likes wearing his uniform 365 days a year, and while Halloween is different, he doesn't wanna make the kid do something that makes him anxious... he definitely doesn't wanna do that...
Mondo gets distracted from his worries when he feels Taka nestle down further into his side, the kid sighing softly and happily as he goes. When Mondo looks back down at him, eyes wide, he sees a soft smile on Taka's face, which makes him... makes him feel...
"I wouldn't dream of it, kyoudai! Besides! It will be interesting, dressing up as a 'greaser'," Taka muses, pulling Mondo back to the moment yet again. He grins at how the kid said the word 'greaser,' like he's testing it out on his tongue and doesn't know if he likes how it taste, god. Fuck, he's so fucking /cute/-
/He'll look even cuter in the outfit you got him. Matching you, dressed like a greaser, which is practically dressed like a fucking *biker, holy shit*/-
Ahem. Anyway...
"Oh, sweet! Awesome! So, uh... g'night, Taka. Sleep well, okay?"
Taka blinks at the words, seeming a little surprised, but then he's smiling gently again, eyes fluttering shut softly. Mondo is still holding the kid's hand under his, but Taka doesn't even seem to notice. He just lies still and— a couple minutes later— is out like a light, his breathing soft and even. Taka doesn't snore, not even softly, just breathes in and out. In... and out...
Mondo can't help how he watches the kid as he sleeps. He knows it's creepy as fuck, but he just... he can't help it. Taka is always so tense when he's awake, holding himself stiff and rigid. But in sleep... in sleep, he's soft and loose, his face relaxed in a way it never is when he's awake. Even when they are relaxing together on the couch, Taka always has some sort of tension in his expression or his body. But it's not there when he's sleeping. And Mondo... Mondo can't help how utterly captivated he is as he watches the kid just... breathe. Fuck... but damn, if he's not so utterly beautiful...
It takes Mondo a little while, as enchanted as he is, but before long he's fallen into a deep, restful sleep. The best in ages.
Taka sure as hell is good for his health, ain't he...?
~XoxoxoxoxoxoX~
Mondo wakes abruptly the next morning, like he usually does. One minute asleep, the next wide awake, breath more ragged than it likely should be, but not unbearably so. He doesn't remember what he'd been dreaming about, the dream fading too quick for him to hold onto it, but he doesn't think it was a bad one. Which means the reason he was jerked awake was an external one, then. So, what...
Ah. Mondo blinks as he looks down at the person fast asleep on his chest, relaxing instantly when he sees the hall monitor that is sleeping there. This is only the fourth time he's woken up with Taka beside him, but it's gotten a lot easier to settle down after waking, not freaking out at who is in his arms nearly as much.
The only problem Mondo has found with sleeping beside Taka is that the kid is sometimes a restless sleeper, moving around a bunch, usually right before the time he typically wakes. And, unfortunately for him, Mondo has always been a light sleeper, waking at the slightest of movements. Case in point, when Mondo glances over at the clock on his wall, he sees that it's only 6:04, almost half an hour before the kid usually sets his alarm to wake.
It's honestly not that bad, to tell the truth. Mondo has never been able to sleep easily, usually tossing and turning for hours before falling into a restless sleep, waking way too fucking early. Ever since Daiya... well. Ever since, he's lucky if he gets a solid five hours of sleep, goddamn. At least with Taka sleeping beside him he sleeps easier than he normally does, even if he still wakes earlier than he prolly should.
It's also nice. Ya know? Being able to watch Taka as he rests. Again, he knows it's creepy as fuck, but it's just... nice. And it gives him something to do while he waits for Taka's alarm to go off. Well... technically it's his alarm, since the kid uses Mondo's alarm clock to set it when he's in his room, but... still.
For the next twenty minutes, Mondo stays like that, holding Taka close, feeling so fucking calm. Like he always does when he's holding Taka. It's so nice, god... Mondo could honestly hold onto Taka for the rest of his fucking life, and he doesn't think he'd grow tired of this shit.
However... however, when it's nearly time to wake Taka up, the alarm gonna go off in a little over five minutes...
Taka starts doing something weird.
Like... /weird/ weird. Mondo doesn't quite know what it is at first, and is actually kinda concerned when he feels the kid moving against him, making soft, desperate noises. It makes him worried that he's hurt or something, the sounds he's making so fucking strange, not at all like anything Mondo has heard the kid make before.
However, before he can wake the kid and see if he is okay, to check that he's not having a nightmare or some shit, the kid makes the noises again, louder this time. And it's then that he realizes that it's not pained noises that Taka is making. Not pained noises /at all/. And, in fact, not only are they /not/ pained noises, they are, in fact...
In fact...
"M-mmm... o-oh..."
Oh. Oh. /Oh/.
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
It still takes Mondo another moment to fully piece together what is going on. It's kinda fucking stupid that it does, honestly. But just... holy /shit/! He... he never woulda fucking thought the kid would fucking... fucking have a fucking /wet dream/, holy shit. The kid is always so prim and proper, he didn't even think the kid had thoughts like that. Though, clearly he /must/, he is a teenage dude after all, shit. He's prolly kissed chicks, even, as fucking adorable as he is. Maybe even... even... s-shit, prolly shouldn't think of shit like that, especially not 'bout his kyoudai, h-heh...
But. This, uh... this whole thing kinda... kinda puts him in a very, very fucking awkward position, holy /shit/.
What... what should he... he... do...? Should he... wake the kid? Should he... let him... finish...? Or is that weird, shit, /shit/, that's prolly weird… fuck!
The kid certainly is, uh... getting more enthusiastic, though... Taka keeps letting out soft noises, fucking /moans/, his hips moving subtly and yet purposely against Mondo's upper thigh. Mondo is doing all he can to keep his cool, but feeling Taka's hard as shit dick moving rhythmically against his thigh is... is doing some weird as fuck shit to his head... f-fuck...
As Mondo stays frozen in place, not knowing what the fuck to do, Taka going to fucking /town/ against him, he... he feels...
/He feels himself growing hard, holy fuck/.
And he is. He totally fucking /is/. He... he has no idea what that even means, god...
It's not like shit like this has never happened before. Right? He's slept beside dudes (/platonically/, shit) often enough that he's had a couple of them have wet dreams beside him in bed, so it's not like he's never had this happen. He's even had a couple himself, though he luckily rarely moves when asleep, preventing him from /that/ brand of awkward. So… it's not like this is new or anything, even though this is the closest he's been to his bedmate when such a thing happened. In the past, he's always done his best to ignore the whole thing, leaving the bed without disturbing his bedmate, citing his life's motto that 'shit ain't awkward 'less ya make it awkward.'
However... however, he has /never/, not once... gotten fucking /hard/ because someone in bed with him had a fucking wet dream. Nor has he ever... ever had thoughts quite like the ones that keep trying to sneak into his head... thoughts like... l-like...
/Fuck... but he is so fucking loud, ain't he? Like you thought he'd be, and he's still asleep. Bet he'd be so much louder when awake. What would happen if you woke him, huh? Pressed him onto his back and kissed those fucking kissable lips of his? Ground your dick into his, listened as he moaned because of you, moaning yourself because god, if he isn't so fucking hot. Shit, would be so fucking good, feel like fucking *heaven*, his dick against yours, your lips against his, hot and heavy and *fuck*-/
Okay, nope! Not thinking /that/ shit, thanks!
Oh, but god... now that he's thought it, he can't fucking /stop/. Taka's getting louder, his movements growing more desperate, and Mondo can tell the kid is super fucking into whatever dream he's having. Shit, must be a fucking good one to make him moan that way. Is he thinking about pounding a chick, then? Or maybe eating one out? That's what Mondo's wet dreams are usually about, but somehow, he thinks the kid is different. He'd prolly fantasize about something softer, wouldn't he? Like... /making love/ to a chick. Fucking her, nice and slow, tender and gentle, shit like that. Fuck, Taka /would/ be a gentle lover, wouldn't he? Yeah, he can be so fucking passionate, but he seems to prefer the gentler handling. A lighter touch. He... he prolly... prolly...
Fuck. Fuck, /fuck/, what is he thinking...?! Why is he thinking this?! Taka is just having a nice fucking dream and here Mondo is, fucking /fantasizing/ and shit, being so fucking disgusting! And- and why the /fuck/ is he doing such a thing, anyway?! H-he... he's not gay, he knows that, so why the fuck- why would he...
Shit, he really needs to get laid and /quick/. By a chick, obviously. Not by- by- shit. Shit. /Shit/.
Mondo is just about to wake the kid, knowing that it would be better in the long run, knowing that whatever awkwardness that may come from it is better than the absolutely /disgusting/ thoughts he's having about his sleeping kyoudai, who sure as fuck wouldn't approve of the thoughts that Mondo is for some reason having. 'Sides, his alarm is about to go off anyway, so it ain't like the kid hasn't had a good night's rest. It- it would be best to wake the kid now, before it gets worse, before it gets more awkward. It- it would be best. It... it would be...
However... however... /however/...
Before Mondo can move his arm to gently shake the kid like he usually does to wake him... before he can even move at all, Taka... Taka...
"Mondo… M-/Mondo/... ohhh..."
Holy.
Fucking.
/Shit/.
Holy... holy...
!
Okay. /Okay/, okay... okay. Mondo... can handle this. Mondo can /totally/ handle this, this ain't a big deal, his kyoudai just fucking... /moaned his fucking name while very clearly having an intense fucking wet dream/, duh. Why would that be a big deal? It's not. It... it's not... n-not-
/Ohhh, god, you should totally fucking turn him over and just fucking pound the absolute shit out of him, Jesus fucking Christ, it would feel so fucking good, you know it would. It ain't like you've not suspected that Taka is totally fucking into you, the kid wouldn't know subtly if it hit him in the fucking face. He'd prolly be so fucking passionate if you woke him with a kiss and turned him face down, taking the lube you store and fucking *pounding the goddamn shit out of him, you know you fucking want it, shit*/-
No. No. /No/, that's not... s-shit, that's not... /not/. Just... not. He's not... he's just tired, and horny, and- and... and having someone— /anyone/— press against him like this is just screwing with his brain. That's all. That's fucking /all/. That... that's...
_/You're such a goddamn, fucking liar, Owada, Jesus fucking Christ-/-_
Okay! Time to end this goddamn nightmare before it gets even /worse/, for real this time. Taka's alarm is going off, anyway, too quiet to wake Taka but loud enough to wake Mondo. If he was ever still asleep at 6:30, fuck. Suddenly, he wishes he were. Wishes that he'd been sleeping this entire fucking time, that he'd never felt Taka's arousal as it slowly made itself known. Wishes he'd never heard what Taka sounds like when he moans, wishes he'd never felt the kid's fucking /dick pressed against his thigh/, wishes he... he'd never heard him fucking /moan his name, the kid thinking about him during this dream of his, and god, what does that mean, what does any of this fucking mean-/
But wishes aren't fucking horses, or however that stupid ass saying goes, and Mondo is more practical than that. Besides, it ain't... ain't like Taka actually feels like that. Not for /him/. Kid can't feel shit like that, he just... can't. As straight lace as Taka is, Mondo would be fucking /shocked/ if Taka weren't anything other than 100% straight. Right? Him moaning Mondo's name was just... coincidence. Or- something. Not... yeah. Nothing more. Nothing-
Oh, Christ. The kid is still fucking /humping him/ and it's so fucking distracting. All of this is distracting. Mondo wants this all to fucking /stop/ already, and that means he has to fucking man up and wake the kid. Christ, he can already imagine how mortified the kid is gonna be, but what else can he do? Sit here until the kid fucking /concludes/, adding the sound of him fucking /cumming/ to his mental sound bank?! No fucking thanks! And it's not like that will make it any better! God /fucking/ dammit-!
"Taka... dude, come on... wake up," Mondo hisses, soft and a little frantic, his arms frozen at his sides, hoping that his voice will be enough to wake the kid. But of course not, why would that work, /fuck/. Taka is a surprisingly deep sleeper, not quite impossible to rouse but definitely trickier than Mondo is. It's prolly even worse now, since the kid has such a nice fucking reason to remain asleep, shit. Ugh, but he has to wake him up! Not only is he having a wet dream against him, scrambling his brain completely, but it's time for the kid to wake! And Taka is so strict on his schedule, waking late will just panic him, especially since Mondo still had to help him get ready. God fucking...
Clenching his jaw, his insides twisting so much he can't fucking handle it, Mondo forces his arm to move, giving Taka a little shake, his words louder and more forceful than before.
"Taka... fuck. Taka... Taka, come on bro... it's time ta wake up... Taka..."
Mondo watches with a frown as Taka's eyebrows scrunch up, something akin to panic filling him when he sees the sign that the kid is about to wake. God, he's not fucking equipped to handle shit like this... definitely not... especially when the kid /doesn't fucking wake up/, just makes a confused sound, dick still pressed so fucking tight to his thigh, Jesus Christ. Okay. Great. Guess he has to bring out the big guns... /sorry Taka, but you left me no choice.../
"C'mon man, it's 6:30, ya got those festival things ta go over... plus yer kinda, uh... humpin' my leg, so uh..."
Okay. /That/ seems to get through to him more. The kid goes stiff at his words, his lips pulling down in a frown, eyebrows furrowed so deep it's almost concerning. His dick is still pressed to him, but it's not moving anymore, so at least there is that...
Mondo knows the exact moment that Taka wakes up fully, though. One second, he's tensed and pressed against his body firmly, eyes scrunched closed in confusion. The next, his eyes are wide open, horror rife within them, his breath halted as he tenses even further. This last for a few moments, Mondo wondering if he should say something, /do/ something. Part of him thinks he shouldn't, should give the kid time to come to terms with what happened, but as the kid just stays there, not breathing, Mondo realizes he might actually need to do something, goddamn.
Hesitantly, not wanting to spook the kid, he touches Taka's back, hating the way the kid jolts under his touch. Oh... god... Taka ain't gonna let this get between them, is he? Oh, fuck... yeah, this situation is awkward to Mondo, but it's not like it's /that/ big of a deal... it's not like Taka /chose/ for it to happen, ya know? You can't choose what you dream about, Mondo knows that better than most, so he sure as shit won't hold it against the kid. Not at all! But if Taka... if he lets this get to him, lets this /ruin them/...
Heart clenching painfully, Mondo begins to speak, his words shaking more than they should, though he tries his best to sound soothing and shit. He's still so fucking bad at it, though...
"S-shit... uh... it's okay, man, don't, uh... don't worry 'bout it, hear me? Shit happens, ain't like it's a big deal. We're both teenage dudes, happens ta the best a' us. So don't... uh... d-don't-"
Before Mondo can finish whatever bullshit he was trying to say, he feels Taka move again. However, instead of moving closer or just jolting, the kid fucking... he /bolts/. One second, he's under Mondo's hand, the kid's head still resting on his chest, and the next... he's scrambling away from him, pushing him away like he's been burnt, eyes wide and terrified. Like a frightened bunny rabbit, god. Ordinarily Mondo would find that shit adorable, but here it's honest to god /heartbreaking/, having the kid look so /terrified/ of him.
It gets even worse when he sees Taka scramble too far back, his eyes widening even more as he realizes there's no more bed for him to retreat to. Almost like it's in slow fucking motion, Mondo watches with horror as Taka's body slowly tumbles off his side of the bed and onto the floor, landing with a painful sounding *THUD*.
/Oh shit!/
Rushing to the side of the bed, Mondo peers down at Taka, wincing slightly at the awkward tangle of limbs he sees. All embarrassment and lingering /anything/ is instantly replaced with concern and worry.
"Taka! Shit, dude, are you okay?! Fuck, that looks like it fuckin' hurt..." Mondo exclaims, grimacing as he sees Taka sit, the kid absently rubbing his ass like he hurt it. Shit, he didn't break anything, did he?! Oh, fuck... should he bring the kid to the nurse, get him fucking checked out?! The nurse's office doesn't open for a little while, though, shit. Ambulance, then?! Oh fuck... oh god... the kid isn't responding, he's just staring up with wide ass eyes that start to shine with gathering tears, and it's making Mondo even more worried, /fuck/. Shit...
"Taka? Bro, c'mon, talk ta me here... did ya hit yer head? Shit, dude..."
He watches as Taka flinches back harshly at his words, the kid looking at him with /terror/, gasping harshly, like he thinks that- that Mondo is gonna... g-gonna fucking... f-fucking /hurt him/, o-oh god... oh /god/-!
"I-! M-Mondo! I am so... I AM SO SORRY! OH MY GOD, PLEASE DON'T HATE ME, I'M SO SORRY, I'M SO SORRY, I'M S-SO SORRY, I'M S-SORRY, I'M SO- S-SO SORRY, I'M S-SORRY, I'M SOR-"
Oh, shit! What the goddamn fuck?!
"Holy shit! Dude, the fuck?!"
Mondo's worry now reaching a paramount, he jumps off the bed and lands heavily before Taka, his hands immediately seeking out the boy's shoulders, not thinking. It breaks his goddamn heart when the kid gasps harshly, before crying out with panic, trying to jerk away. Mondo's hands instinctively tighten, even despite the absolute /agony/ he feels inside at Taka's desperation, and he can barely think, so scared and afraid and /hurt, so fucking hurt/. He- he wants to /help/, why- why can't Taka see that? Why...
Growling with frustration, he tightens his hold on Taka, his anger rising, though he's doing all he can to put a cap on it, knowing it will just make everything worse if he lets it out. He can't stop the frustration or the feeling of helplessness that fills him as he watches Taka's desperation and fear, though. God, he hates seeing the kid like this... he'd so absolutely /anything/ to make it go away... anything...
"Okay, dude, calm the fuck down! I ain't gonna hurt ya, I ain't fuckin' mad, but I am startin' ta get pissed at ya not listenin' ta me! Taka, kyoudai, stop fuckin' fightin' me!" he hears himself growl, knowing it's prolly not helping, but not knowing what else to do. He's so fucking shit at comfort, especially when he's freaked out too, and he doesn't know how to make this better. God, why the fuck did he think he could ever do this shit...? Why the /fuck/ did he ever think he could fucking /be fucking worthy of fucking Taka/?! Why... w-why...
He doesn't know if it's a good thing or not, but Taka stops fighting him then. In fact, he... he stops fighting entirely, his body going limp as he sags down, as far away from Mondo as he can go. It makes Mondo hurt even more inside to see, hating seeing the kid look so terrified, especially when it's /his fucking fault/. God, if only he were better at this shit... Christ...
But he can't just give up. He just... /can't/. Taka is clearly freaked out, his mind assaulting him with nonsense again, and it's up to Mondo to make this better. To show his absolutely amazing kyoudai that it's okay. It's okay. It's all... all okay...
Taking a deep breath to ground himself, Mondo watches as Taka trembles, eyes full of tears, his breath shaking horrible. Mondo can tell that this is another panic attack and he... he needs to help Taka. Just... he needs to help him.
He must.
"Shit, c'mon man... look at me, shit, c'mon... Taka, look at me, okay?" Mondo mutters, as soft as he can, but the kid is shaking his head resolutely, desperately. Taka closes his eyes tight, jaw clenching too, and it's just... /fuck/, this is frustrating. Not Taka, it ain't his fault, but just... the situation. And Mondo's inability to do anything right. And... everything. Just... everything.
Unable to help it, Mondo growls softly with frustration again, before reaching out and gently grasping Taka's jaw, carefully sliding along it to cup the boy's cheek. Like he intended, Taka's eyes shoot open, but they are unfocused, the tears so thick Mondo highly doubts the kid can even see. They don't fall, though. It... it's something...
"Shit, Taka... man, it's okay. It's okay, ya hear me? I ain't fuckin' mad at ya, so if that's what's worryin' ya, y'ain't gotta be, okay? Now c'mon, man, look at me. Actu'ly look at me, c'mon kyoudai... I want ya ta see I'm serious 'bout this."
Taka takes several shaky breaths, then, his eyes blinking rapidly, body trembling still. Mondo sees a few tears fall from the overfull eyes, which concerns him a little. But before he can get too worried, he sees the kid take another breath— not quite deep enough, but deeper than the others— and slowly, very, very slowly...
Turn his head to face him.
S-shit...
"Heh, there we go, kyoudai. There's those pretty eyes a' yers... that's it," he mutters quietly, smiling as gently as he possibly can, not wanting to spook the boy yet again. The pain of seeing Taka look so terrified of him is still rife in his body, but he's doing all he can to not let it ruin this. Taka needs him more than anything else right now. That's what matters. Nothing else, okay? Absolutely nothing.
"Now, listen up, okay? Ain't shit ya can do ta make me hate ya. Ya hear me? Not a single, goddamn thing ya could do. Hell, ya could prolly kill a guy and my first instinct would be ta say, 'where ya wanna hide the body?' So... Kiyo, ya can stop askin' me ta not hate ya. Okay? 'Specially over somethin' y'ain't got any control over like, uh... /that/. We're teenage dudes. Shit happens. Ain't awkward 'less ya make it awkward. An' it's not like ya can control what ya dream 'bout, anyway, right? I ain't that big ofa asshole ta hate ya over a stupid thing like that, got it? So... we're good. Right? We uh... we're good?"
Mondo's heart is racing unpleasantly as he finishes his words, plagued by the worry that they weren't enough, never enough. He watches as Taka nods, more tears falling, and he can't tell if that's good or not. Unable to help himself, he reaches out with his thumb and he gently wipes the tears away, feeling Taka's breath hitch under his palm. It... it feels so... so fucking intimate, shit... Mondo has never felt so worried about another person, his heart aching with it, and he wants nothing more than to pull Taka close and never let him go... he just... he wants...
"Yes," Taka says abruptly, jolting Mondo from his dangerous thoughts, bringing him back to the moment. When he sees the kid try for a smile, small and shaky as it is, he can't stop the bright grin that breaks out on his face, feeling so relieved to see that perfect fucking smile. "Y-yes, kyoudai. We... we're good. Aha, sorry for freaking out on you... again..."
Feeling a little /playful/, the feeling so strange after all the pain he's been feeling but fuck him if he looks a gift horse in the mouth, Mondo darts forward and grabs Taka gently in his arms. Growling playfully, he maneuvers the kid into a loose headlock, rubbing his knuckles somewhat harshly over Taka's sleep messy hair, ignoring his indignant 'hey!' as he cackles with relieved glee.
"Mondo! Unhand me this instance! This is highly undignified!" Taka yelps, struggling uselessly against the hold. While the kid may be strong, he has nothing on Mondo, even at the best of times. Even still, if he truly wanted to, Mondo knows it would be easy for Taka to break free, so he doesn't let it bother him too much, the cackles still escaping his lips. 'Sides, he knows he ain't being too rough. He doesn't wanna hurt the kid. That's the last thing he ever wants to do.
After a couple of moments, Mondo pulls back, grinning brightly and smugly as the kid glares at him without any heat, the most gorgeous pout on those lips of his. Damn...
"You are a horrible person," Taka claims flatly, which makes Mondo cackle again, his heart lighter than it's been all morning as he sees the softness reflected in Taka's eyes.
"That should teach ya ta stop apologizin' ta me. Y'ain't gotta, bro. Not fer things like this. I know ya got yer stuff ta work through, I ain't gonna mind when ya freak out. Just as long as ya don't shut me out, I ain't got any problems with helpin' ya through whatever shit yer goin' through. Okay? That's what brothers are fuckin' for. We help each other an' shit."
Taka bites his lips gently once Mondo finishes. It's so fucking captivating, but Mondo forces himself to not stare, knowing that would be a bad idea.
"I... of course. Thank you, Mondo. I... thank you..."
Mondo smiles a half smile then, before figuring it might be good to end this conversation. He can tell that Taka still looks a little shaken, but he doesn't seem horrified anymore. It might do him good to be alone for a little bit, though, to unpack everything without Mondo being there. Standing up, he stretches his arms over his head, groaning softly at the wonderful burn.
"Sweet. Glad that's settled. Now, I'm gonna take a shower since I didn't get a chance ta last night. Ya can hang 'round here if ya wanna, so I can help ya with yer hair fer the costume. Feel free ta relax if ya want," Mondo states, smiling down at the kid, who is looking up with wide eyes, lips parted softly. Something about the look makes him feel so fucking weird, his stomach roiling angrily, but not unpleasantly. It makes him want... want to do something stupid... fuck...
Unable to deny the desire fully, Mondo smirks, looking at Taka mischievously, hoping the kid can't see the way his heart is beginning to race...
"Or maybe ya can finish what ya were doin' earlier. After all, seemed like a very nice, uh... /dream/ ya were havin'."
Doing his best to not overthink his words (knowing that they were risky but needing to show Taka that it's okay, /fuck/, it's okay), Mondo winks at the bright red hall monitor before sauntering away, allowing his hips to sway with the cocksure arrogance he's spent years trying to perfect, to only little avail.
Sounding so fucking embarrassed, but not really /upset/, Mondo hears Taka call after him, "you are the worst person alive, Mondo Owada!", which just makes Mondo cackle again. While he can't see the boy, he likes to think he has that soft smile of his on his face, the one Mondo absolutely adores. The one reserved solely for him.
Before long, Mondo is inside the bathroom, closing the door carefully behind him. One beat of time passes in absolute silence as everything washes over Mondo, and then-
"Holy goddamn, motherfucking, Jesus fucking /Christ/," he whispers to himself, hands reaching up to pull on his hair, hoping it will help ground him. No such luck, so he has to take several deep breaths to even attempt at calming the roiling inside him.
Not really wanting to unpack /any/ of that goddamn bullshit, Mondo stuffs it all away as soon as the panic in his heart is mostly dealt with, knowing that thinking of this all will just make it worse again. What happened... happened. It was weird, and strange, and oddly /arousing/ as hell, but it's not- not anything big. Taka just had a fucking wet dream. All dudes have them, it's normal. And Mondo's reaction to the event... shit. It doesn't matter. At all. There's no reason to think on it, so he /won't/.
With that settled— the unpleasantness of the last half hour stored firmly deep inside his unconscious mind— Mondo walks over to the shower, turning it as hot as it will go. Given the heartbreak and anguish he'd felt after Taka's panic attack, he thankfully doesn't have to turn the water cold to erase any- uh, /nothing/, which he always hates. Small fucking miracles...
Mondo takes a quick shower today, knowing they don't have too much time to get ready before Taka has to go. A little under an hour now, since the kid's meeting starts at 7:30, he knows. He finally gets all the product out of his hair (he fucking hates the crunchy feeling after he takes his hair down, ugh) and uses his special shampoo and conditioner, washing his body with the cheap ass 'manly' body wash he uses, and as soon as he's done, he gets out. He usually likes taking longer showers, the heat heavenly on his skin, but he has more important things to do today.
(Plus, standing under the spray of hot water, completely naked, the only sounds being water hitting the floor and his own heavy breathing... it does not foster good thoughts, so it's for the best he gets out quick, goddamn.)
It's when he exits the shower and grabs his towel to dry off that he comes across a problem. A pretty fucking big one.
He forgot his clothes in the bedroom.
Shit... he's been doing pretty well the last couple times Taka came over to dress either in the bathroom or while the kid was taking his own shower, not in any real state of undress around him. And it ain't like he has ever cared much about being near-naked around a dude he trusts, nor is it like he's never accidentally seen a little dick here and there, but... but he always figured Taka wouldn't like that sorta thing. Prim and proper, ya know? And the last thing he wants is to make his kyoudai uncomfortable, so he's taken care to dressing where the kid can't see.
But he'd been so distracted earlier that he'd forgotten his gear outside, leaving him only his small ass white towel and what the universe gave him. Ah... shit.
Well. Nothing for it, right? They've been friends for long enough that seeing him near naked shouldn't ruin anything... right? Plus, they managed to maneuver well through the awkwardness earlier, so it- it should be /fine/. Taka isn't so stuck up to blame him for forgetting his clothes in his own goddamn room, right...?
Ugh. Whatever. Ain't like he can do anything about it now. Taking a deep breath, Mondo tightens the knot holding up his towel and marches for the door, absolutely faking it until he makes it.
His eyes dart around the room unconsciously as soon as the door is open, and it takes him less than a second to catch sight of the one person he always wants to see. The kid is standing in the doorway of the small closet the room came with, biting his lip and frowning gently at the jackets that hang inside. He doesn't seem regretful that he agreed to wear it, at least, so Mondo allows himself a moment to watch the kid, insides squirming like usual. Fuck, but that boy is so fucking adorable... and gorgeous... and... shit. Just... shit.
However, when several moments pass and Taka doesn't move, Mondo realizes he's trapped deep in his thoughts again. The kid gets like this sometimes, too trapped in his own mind to even realize what is occurring in the world around him. Adorable as it is, Mondo knows they don't have time, so— forgetting his state of undress completely, as captivated as he is— he moves forward on soft feet, barely making a sound as he moves steadily through the room. Once he reaches the kid, Taka not even noticing he's so distracted, Mondo takes a moment to admire the look up close. Fuck, but he looks so nice, all distracted like this... ugh. But they really don't have the time, so he reaches out with a soft hand, brushing Taka's side gently. The kid immediately jolts, like Mondo expected he would, his breath going all shuddery and shaky again. F-fuck... goddamn. Shaking himself out of it, he puts on a smirk, looking down at the hall monitor with soft eyes.
"Ya do know ya hafta put the clothes on, yeah? Starin' at 'em ain't gonna do shit," Mondo states, voice full of amusement. This seems to snap the kid out of his fugue, Taka scowling and putting his hands on his hips. It makes Mondo's smile widen, always adoring when Taka gets all bitchy like that, but it dies cruelly on his lips when the kid turns and... and fucking /freezes/. Eyes wide, mouth partially open, Taka is like a statue, staring at him with unseeing eyes. S-shit... the fuck...
"...what? What? Whatcha lookin' at? I fergot my outfit out here, didn't think it would be a problem?" Mondo questions after a moment of this, feeling oddly self-conscious. Which is ridiculous, he knows he looks fucking /good/, and Taka is his fucking bro, so there shouldn't be a goddamn problem... right?
(Unbidden, the sound of Taka moaning his name pops into his head, making him want to stiffen up, heart racing at the reminder. But it's super fucking stupid, Mondo must have misheard the kid, like fuck would he be thinking about /him/ like /that/, so he pushes it away. Again.)
It's still nerve wracking, seeing the kid's embarrassed as fuck face, cheeks the brightest red, eyes averted, awkward as shit. Ah, goddamnit... see, this is exactly what he's always wanted to avoid, shit...
"Dude... the hell is yer problem? Ain't like ya never saw a naked dude before, is it? An' I'm even wearing a towel, so it ain't like I'm just lettin' it hang. Shit, if I knew ya'd be such a prude 'bout it..." Mondo mumbles, trailing off as his hand comes up to rub at his neck nervously, hating the awkwardness he feels. He hates the idea that he's making Taka uncomfortable even more, shit. However, before he can back away, Taka seems to finally shake whatever weirdness had come over him and scowls again, crossing his arms petulantly, looking him straight in the eye. Ahh, there he is... the stubborn bastard he's come to adore...
"I have no such qualms about nudity, I assure you! In fact, I firmly believe that the best way to get a feel for a person's character is to bare yourselves to one another! I just- I had not been expecting such a display, that is all! N-now! I suppose we should start getting ready, then?!"
The kid is lying. Something in that statement reeks, and Mondo can tell. The weirdest thing is that he doesn't appear to have lied about the first half, which means that he is, in fact, okay with naked dudes. And maybe even naked chicks. So, that ain't what is causing his weirdness. But the second half of his statement... about just not expecting Mondo's 'display'... hm.
But ya know what? Whatever. Taka wants to move on, Mondo will move on. Least he can do. Though, he has to admit that he does like the sound of the first part of that statement... b-because he wants to get closer to his kyoudai, of course! What other fucking reason would there be, huh?! None, fuck.
Anyway...
"Oh, really? Yeah, I'm kinda the same. Hey, maybe we can do that one day. Ya know, get a good judge a' our character or whatever ya said. I've always been a mornin' bath kinda guy. We should do that someday," Mondo mentions offhandedly, shrugging like his words are meaningless, even though they very much aren't. Not if the way his heart is oddly racing is anything to go by, shit. But why the fuck would his heart be racing? He just suggested he and Taka bathe together. Ain't nothing weird 'bout that shit, so kindly fuck off, weird ass heart. Goddamn.
Before his body betrays him even more, Mondo decides to continue, not liking this weird ass moment. Not one bit.
"Now, though, we ain't got time. Ya got that meetin' at 7:30, yeah? An' it's gonna take me some time ta get yer hair done. Yer hair's longer now, so it should be a bit easier, but I don't think it's long enough fer a full pomp. I'll see what I can do with it later. Fer now, get inta the tee and jeans. We can save the jacket fer later, don't wanna get any product on it, ya feel me? Maybe if we have time, I'll do yer eyes, too." A pause. "Well? What're ya waitin' fer?"
Mondo sees Taka blink at him in surprise, before the kid looks to the left and right meaningfully, seeming to be trying to convey something. But... what the fuck is he trying to... to...
It's then that Mondo realizes just how close he's standing to the kid. He hadn't even realized he'd gotten so close, shit. And based on where he is standing, he's kinda blocking the kid from exiting the small closet, shit.
With a muttered curse, Mondo steps back, his cheeks warm. Shit.
"Ah, shit, sorry bro," he mumbles, rubbing his neck again. Taka just smiles shakily, not saying anything more as he strides with purpose to the chair Mondo had carelessly tossed their shirt and jeans on the day before, which the kid had immediately gotten all offended over and decided to fold them neatly instead. Ha. Nerd.
Mondo watches as the kid hesitates for a moment before he begins stripping off his clothes, body bright red. It takes way too much force to tear his eyes away from the enchanting sight, but Mondo manages it, shit. With only slightly shaky hands, Mondo grabs a pair of his boxers from the dresser and puts them on, hoping that makes Taka feel more comfortable about him dressing beside him.
Once that is done, Mondo walks as casually as he can over to where the kid is, grabbing his own shirt and jean combo, pulling them on easily with practiced hands. It's just a plain white tee and a pair of skinny jeans, ain't nothing fancy. Mondo isn't entirely sure why he went with skinny jeans, but when his acquaintance asked what type of jeans he was looking for, he'd said skinny jeans, even if they don't quite match the style of those times. Shit. Whatever, don't matter.
Just like it totally doesn't matter when he sees Taka still struggling to get into the jeans even after Mondo completely finishes dressing, the kid staring down at the zipper in bafflement, shit. Snorting, Mondo calls out to the kid, unable to help himself.
"What? Y'ain't ever seen a zipper before?"
Taka looks up and glares at him, annoyance and embarrassment clear on his face. Fuck... so fucking adorable, damn...
"Of course I have! While my uniform doesn't have one, I know how it works! These pants are just... particularly tight... are you sure you got the right size?"
Mondo snorts again, smirking.
"'Course I did, bro. They're skinny jeans, duh. Just zip up caref'ly. Ya can do it, kyoudai, I believe in ya."
The kid glares harder at his condescending words (which just makes him even more adorable, obviously), before sniffing and turning back to frowning worriedly at his zipper. Mondo watches with amusement, which quickly turns to concern when the kid lets out a small yelp as he finally manages to zip the pants up, Taka looking super fucking uncomfortable. Oh, shit... he didn't actually get the jeans too small, did he...? He had triple checked the size that Taka gave him, but maybe the kid himself made a mistake, shit...
"Y'okay?" Mondo questions anxiously, unable to help his concerned frown. Luckily, the kid just smiles shakily, adjusting the jeans restlessly.
"Y-yes! Of course! I'm just... not used to the tightness! Do people really wear things like this casually? It's highly uncomfortable!"
Feeling confident that Taka hadn't hurt himself and is just being a dramatic bitch like usual, Mondo smirks at the kid, shrugging casually. Unbidden, he feels his eyes look the kid up and down slowly, his heart doing weird things in his chest. Fuck, but damn were the skinny jeans a good choice... Taka usually wears his dress pants, the material shaping his legs and ass nicely, but not giving the mind too much to work with. But with the skinny jeans... well. Ain't like there's much imagining anyone will have to do now, shit... and damn, but he looks fine as hell, don't he...? F-fuck... but the kid asked a question, and it would be rude to not answer, so Mondo internally shakes off the weirdness and focuses on the question asked.
"Yeah, sometimes. I ain't the biggest fan myself, but regular jeans are alright, I guess. Figured skinny jeans would fit the look better, though. An', uh... ya look good in 'em, fer what it's worth."
Understatement of the century... 'good' sure as shit doesn't come close to describing how Taka looks right now... hot damn.
Coughing awkwardly, cheeks and ears bright red, the kid marches over to the mirror, looking at himself to escape the moment. Ha.
Mondo watches as the kid turns this way and that, frowning at his reflection softly. Mondo can't tell if the boy likes it or not, but he's not throwing a fit, so he figures he doesn't hate it that much. And while the outfit ain't that different from his nighttime clothes, it definitely suits Taka well. He looks good in casual wear, the outfit making him look a lot softer and causal than usual. And it's not like Mondo doesn't like how Taka normally looks, but this... man. It sure is something else...
Mondo can only watch as Taka turns to the last thing he got the kid, outside of the jacket that is still hanging in the closet. Taka frowns as he looks down at the converse shoes, seeming unhappy with them.
"Kyoudai, are you sure I can't just wear my boots? I don't see how these... these... /shoes/ will offer me any support at all!" Taka exclaims, nudging one of the shoes with his toe gently, looking almost /offended/ by it. Fuck... ugh! Stop being so fucking cute already, god!
"Uh, yeah, Taka. Yer boots are too big fer the costume, they'd clash with the jeans. 'Sides, ya'd never be able ta ride a hog wearin' shit like that. Converse ain't the best, but they're better than yer boots."
Mondo said the words without thinking, like he usually does, so it takes him a moment to realize that Taka is giving him a weird look, his eyebrows furrowed. What... what the fuck did he say...?
"I thought that the greasers rode in cars, not motorcycles? I recall you were particularly offended by that!"
Mondo feels himself freeze at the innocent sounding words Taka just said, eyes widening slightly. Because... oh, /shit/, he had said something about Taka riding a hog, didn't he...? Fuck! Goddamn it! Ugh, that just... okay, he's not stupid, okay? He knows that Taka would never fucking wear his colors, would never dress up like a member of his gang, but this... this is super fucking close. The closest he bets he'll ever get to seeing Taka look like one of the guys, and he just... fuck. It is making him feel so fucking weird inside, seeing Taka look like this. He knows Taka wouldn't wanna look like a gang member, knows he's too /good/ for that, but he... he looks so good like this. And he ain't even wearing the jacket or his hair. F-fuck...
Feeling oddly caught, Mondo can't help the grimace on his face, his cheeks flushing unpleasantly, scowl rising. He hates feeling embarrassed... shit fucking sucks...
"That's what I fuckin' meant, dipshit! Yer boots would be shit regardless the ride! Now, c'mon, ya nerd, let's get yer hair done with already. Ya can wear the fuckin' shoes later, just leave 'em the fuck alone."
Mondo storms into the bathroom then, wanting to be away from Taka and his wide eyes. He hadn't meant to shout at the kid, but then, he rarely does. He feels so tense as he grabs the supplies he needs, the process so much easier now that Taka has organized his shit for him and it's not all a giant mess on his counter.
Mondo can hear the kid shuffle into the room, making him feel even worse, shit. He slams down some of the products with too much force, trying to get the anger out without yelling. But then he sees movement out of the corner of his eye and when he looks up, he sees Taka flinch slightly, looking awfully miserable. Oh... oh, shit, he hadn't... hadn't meant to make the kid upset, f-fuck...
Consciously softening his expression and relaxing his shoulders, he sighs, still feeling hella embarrassed, but sure as shit not wanting to take it out on Taka.
"Aw, shit... ain't mad at ya, kyoudai. Now c'mere. This is gonna take a little while, since I gotta get a feel fer yer hair, get me? Sit on the toilet an' close yer eyes. I'll do the rest."
Taka nods slightly, giving him a shaky smile as he takes a seat on the covered toilet, eyes closed and face relaxed, so unbelievably trusting. It makes his heart lurch to see, knowing he doesn't deserve Taka's precious as all hell trust, but he doesn't let it stop him. He allows himself a moment to collect himself, before stepping close to the kid, hands reaching for his hair immediately.
The feel of Taka's smooth and silky hair on his hand is... shit, indescribable. It ain't the first time Mondo has touched the kid's hair, since he's kind of taken to running his fingers through it before they go to sleep at night, or during their movie sessions. Taka seems to like it, preening and moving into the touch subtly, like a cat, so Mondo has no qualms against it. He also likes ruffling the kid's hair, brushing the fringe aside, and tugging on it teasingly, when he leaves it down. Mondo isn't quite sure why he focuses so much on the kid's hair, but it's just... shit. Whatever, don't matter.
However, before Mondo can even move his hands to start figuring out how to make the still kinda short hair look like a proper 50's American pompadour, he sees the kid's eyes shoot wide open, his lips parting as he exhales quickly, looking a little spooked. What... the fuck...?
"The fuck's yer problem? I barely touched ya!"
Taka flushes at the words, shrugging helplessly.
"N-nothing! I just... am not used to having my hair touched! I apologize, kyoudai! Please, continue!"
The kid closes his eyes again, looking oddly nervous. Mondo eyes the kid warily for a moment, waiting to see if he freaks out again. When he is assured Taka won't, he hesitantly touches his hair once more, starting to maneuver it around. He does his best to ignore the way Taka is biting his lip and pressing his hands to his crotch, knowing that it just doesn't matter. And once he gets into the hair, his mind running through ideas as he grabs his comb, gel, and hairspray to perfectly style the silky strands... he finds himself getting lost in the motion, like he always does when he does his own hair each morning. Mondo knows the kid thinks it takes him the full forty-five minutes to only do his hair, but that's not quite right. Mondo has gotten good enough at his hair to do it in as little as twenty minutes, most days. The rest of the time he uses to shave and do his eyeliner and use that stupid moisturizer he has to use to keep his skin from cracking and shit like that (and sometimes he'll jerk off, if he needs stress relief and doesn't feel like cleaning his sheets). Point is, he's fucking amazing at styling hair, alright? Here's hoping that that extends to hair that isn't his, shit...
"Tilt yer head, kyoudai. Gotta get a better angle," Mondo mutters after a few minutes, pressing his fingers against the kid's chin to tilt his head carefully, needing to see another angle. It's honestly a little harder than he would have expected, since Taka's hair is still kinda short, even if it is longer than it had been when Mondo first met him. He thinks he can make it looks good enough, though... he just needs to do this one thing, and then move those strands that way... hm, and maybe then he can...
Finally, after about twenty minutes have passed, Mondo steps back, feeling very satisfied. Turns out Taka's hair was long enough to make a pretty good pomp, even if it ain't as impressive as Mondo's is. But then, no one's pomp is as impressive as Mondo's, heh. It still looks so fucking good on the kid, though... holy shit...
"There... that should be good. Ain't nothin' like mine, 'course, but it's passable. Take a look, kyoudai."
It gets harder to breathe when Taka's eyes blink open, the kid turning immediately to look at himself in the mirror. Mondo watches almost anxiously as he waits for the kid's verdict, and then-
"A-ah! Is that... me?!" Taka exclaims, his eyes wide as he turns his head this way and that, hands cautiously lifting to poke at the pomp. Adorably, like always.
It makes Mondo snort, smirking at the kid through the mirror.
"'Course it is, ya dork. Who else would I waste twenty fuckin' minutes workin' on this masterpiece fer? Yer welcome, by the way!"
The bright flush on Taka's face makes him look even more amazing, the kid hurriedly stammering out a quick thanks before turning to examine himself further in the mirror, face a mask as he determines if he likes it or not. Mondo still feels a little anxious, so he just shrugs, doing his best to not frown.
"Yeah, whatever," he scoffs, rolling his eyes. He then turns back to the counter, realizing that the hair hadn't taken as long as he'd feared, meaning he'd prolly have time to do the kid's eyes as well. Maybe even add some color to his cheeks. When he picks up the kohl and turns back to the kid, he sees Taka tilt his head curiously, looking at him in question.
"Eyeliner?" Taka questions, sounding adorably confused, ha. Mondo just grins, nodding sharply once.
"Hell yeah! Look ain't complete without some kohl. An' we got a little bit a' time 'til yer meetin'. Might even get ta put some powder on ya, maybe some color. We'll see. An' don't worry, it's fresh, know it ain't sanitary ta share shit like this. Now, close yer eyes, kyoudai. This may be a bit uncomfortable, but I promise I ain't gonna hurt ya, got it? Yer gonna hafta trust me and not flinch, or else this is gonna get a lot more unpleasant."
The words don't seem to comfort Taka, but he doesn't go against Mondo's words. Rather, he just smiles brightly and nods his hair once, the movement a little jerky since he doubts the boy is used to the feel of a pomp on his head, heh. Taka then closes his eyes, full of so much /trust/ again it almost astonishes Mondo. Damn, but truly, what did he ever do...
Mondo steps close to the kid then (ignoring the weirdness inside him once more), closer than before, but at least Taka doesn't flinch this time when he touches him. He does stiffen a bit, but he is patiently still as Mondo brings the kohl to his eyes, doing the style Mondo's gang favors, since... why the fuck not, right? Ain't like he's ever gonna get another chance to see Taka looking like this, damn... might as well make the most of it. He has to get super close to the kid to apply the kohl, so close he can feel the soft puffs of air Taka releases with each breath, which is so distracting, fuck. But Mondo is nothing if not professional (ha) so he pushes the feeling back, muttering softly to the kid to get him to move a bit.
"Open yer eyes, Kiyo. Not a lot, just a little. Gotta get yer lids. Look up, I find that helps sometimes."
Taka doesn't even question it as he immediately does as asked, looking a little funny, but it doesn't make him look bad. Not at all. Mondo can tell he doesn't like the feel of the kohl going over his lids, but he doesn't flinch, thankfully. Mondo does his best to go quick, not wanting to prolong Taka's discomfort.
Thankfully, it doesn't take him long to do the elaborate style Mondo favors, since he's done it every day since he was eleven and Daiya officially started their gang, shit. He wasn't that great at first, but he's gotten a hell of a lot better over the years, through endless practice. He bets he could do his eyes in his sleep, shit.
Mondo steps back to admire his work, grunting with satisfaction as he sees how good the kid looks. The satisfaction quickly turns to panic when Taka tried to open his eyes while the liner is still wet, shit! Is he trying to ruin this shit?!
"Hey, keep yer eyes shut, ya asshole! Don't fuckin' ruin my hard work! They need ta dry fer a minute, shit, man. While they do, I'll get some powder on yer cheeks. Yer a bit paler than me, but it shouldn't matter too much. Might even make ya look a bit tougher! Ha!"
Content that Taka won't open his eyes after the reprimand, Mondo turns back to his counter, grabbing the container that has his foundation in it. He's not the biggest fan of the shit, hating the feel of the powder on his cheeks, but it helps when he's going to a showdown and needs to look his best under bright lights. However, he feels himself freeze fully when he hears Taka reply, his hackles rising at the seemingly innocent words, fuck...
"If you say so, kyoudai! I hadn't realized you were the type to wear makeup!"
What... what the fuck is /that/ supposed to mean, huh?! What, is Taka trying to- to /imply/ shit?! Fuck! It's fucking normal to want to look impressive when facing another gang leader, knowing that looks are half the battle! No one wants to follow a lazy slob, after all!
Part of Mondo knows the kid didn't mean his words negatively, that he had likely just said it wrong, but most of him is too busy remembering all those fucking taunts people would launch at him when he was younger, calling his eyeliner shit like /gay/ or /foppish/, which he can't fucking stand. There ain't nothing wrong with being gay, but he /ain't/, and he hates people thinking he is when he's /not/. Especially not... not after that morning, after... a-after...
Despite himself, he feels the angry words come out, his chest aching for /no fucking reason/, shit.
"Aw, shut the fuck up, asshole! Ain't nothin' weird 'bout it! Just gotta make an impression, ya know? Ta the rival gangs. Daiya always used ta do that shit. I only wear the rest a' this shit when we got a bit ofa showdown goin' and I gotta look my best, anyway. Sometimes lookin' flashy matters more than the punches ya throw, got it? Ain't nothin' gay 'bout it!"
He can see Taka stiffen at his growled words, and while that one part of Mondo hates it, the majority is still stupidly tense as shit. It gets worse when Taka turns to his direction, eyes still closed, a small scowl on his lips as he clears his throat.
"I never said it was! Not that there would be anything wrong if it were! The word 'gay' is not an insult, after all! I was merely surprised! I apologize if my words were offensive!"
Mondo snorts, deciding to try and move the fuck on. Grabbing a brush, he opens the foundation and gets some on the brush, moving closer to Taka again. He's still a bit pissed, though, and as such he can't help the defensive words he lets out, needing... needing Taka to /know/ that he ain't... ain't...
"Yeah, but I ain't fuckin' gay. Ain't no fairy freak! Now c'mon. Gonna give ya some color, so hold still. Shouldn't take too long."
Mondo leans in close again, then, and presses the brush to Taka's cheeks, a bit harsher than he needs to, still feeling off inside. He doesn't know why he said that shit, knowing that he doesn't have anything against gay people, but he just... shit. He doesn't know. Needed Taka to know. That he's not... shit. Just... he needs him to know that.
(_Especially after these stupid fucking thoughts he's been having, holy shit-_)
A-anyway.
Mondo puts the foundation on quickly, doing his best to ignore how stiff Taka has become. It doesn't matter, whatever, shit. He needs to just get this shit over with, needs to stop being so close to the kid, it's messing with his head. Luckily, the foundation doesn't take long to put on at all. He could fucking /contour/, but he hates doing that shit on himself, so he sure as shit ain't gonna do it on Taka. Taka doesn't really need it anyway. He looks amazing as is, shit. He also prolly doesn't need rouge, given his tendency to blush, shit. Mondo's foundation doesn't exactly have the best coverage, since his skin is fairly clear usually and he doesn't need much to even out his complexion, so Taka's natural blush will likely shine through enough to not need rouge. 'Sides, they're prolly outta time anyway.
"There. Done. Could put some rouge on ya, but I think we're outta time. Ya can open yer eyes now, if ya want. Whatever."
Mondo hates how dismissive he sounds, apparently still a bit pissed, but he honestly can't help it. He never can. He can see that Taka is unhappy, his lips pulled down into a small frown as he blinks his eyes open. He then wrinkles his nose, prolly not liking the feel of the foundation and kohl and it just... god, it's cute... it helps to calm the squirming in his gut a little. And then, Taka turns to look in the mirror, his eyes going wide as he sees his reflection, which Mondo knows for a fact looks fucking incredible. He always does, but with his hair and make up done, looking so much like a biker... s-shit... he feels so... so fucking weird...
"Oh," the kid mutters softly, tilting his head this way and that, looking at his reflection from all angles. And that, more than anything, makes the remaining anger and discomfort melt away from Mondo, his heart beating slowly again as he just watches. Man, but the kid sure is- is something else, ain't he...? God, he wishes the kid would agree to go riding with him one day... he's asked a couple times, and each time the kid hesitantly rejects, looking apologetic but also super fucking nervous. Like Mondo would ever let him get hurt, shit...
"Heh... did a fuckin' good job, didn't I? Ya look fantastic, bro. Almost like one a' the guys. Shit, man... I gotta get ya out on my hog one a' these days. I know ya said no, that's it's too dangerous, but seriously, man. Think 'bout it. Wouldn't let anythin' happen ta ya, promise."
His voice is softer than it had been, filled with a warmth he's never felt for anyone but Taka. And Chuck, but Chuck wasn't a person. He sure was better than most people, though... shit, but he shouldn't be thinking of his Good Boy, not unless he wants to start crying, fuck. Mondo is a manly dude, but even he can't help crying when he thinks of his boy, okay?! Shit.
Anyway, Taka smiles back at him, a little shaky, but not too bad. Prolly nervous at the thought of riding a hog, damn.
"A-ah! I shall think about it, k-kyoudai! But thank you for doing my hair and makeup! I look particularly... er... kickbutt right now! I feel very energized!"
That makes Mondo laugh unexpectedly, knowing the kid means it as one of his little 'jokes.' Mondo has been trying to work on Taka's sense of humor, to mixed results. He seems to like to do things like this, though. Using his watered down words in a somewhat ironic way, which never fails to make Mondo laugh like an idiot. Mondo knows the kid means it as a joke since he always looks strangely excited after, like a little kid who did something right. Like he... he does now... and damn, is it so weird seeing Taka looking like a fucking biker while also looking as innocent as always... shit... weird, but also strangely good...
"Yeah, guess ya do look pretty /kickass/, kyoudai," Mondo smirks, eyes sparkling with his mirth. He then jerks his head to the door. "Now c'mon. Still gotta add the last couple a' pieces ta the outfit. An' it's 7:10. Y'ain't got that much time. I know how anal ya get 'bout punctuality, heh."
Taka's eyes go wide then, something like /horror/ entering them. God... so cute...
Unable to help it, Mondo laughs as he watches the kid scurry out of the bathroom, looking so uptight again. He's so anal about time, it's hilarious. Mondo follows after the kid more sedately, watching with amused eyes as he tries to struggle into the jacket, to no avail. He can't stop his laughter, even when the kid glares at him.
"Did you have to get the most complicated jacket in the world?! How on earth do you deal with this nonsense on a daily basis?!" Taka exclaims, struggling as he tries to adjust the belts and collar to not be all crooked like the currently are.
Deciding to take pity on the boy, Mondo walks up to him and bats his hands away, smirking as he adjusts the jacket properly. 'Course Taka would think this jacket is complicated, despite the fact he wears the most complicated uniform every single day, damn.
"Yer not one ta talk, Hall Monitor. Yer uniform's prolly the most complicated shit I've ever seen. These jackets are a bit more complicated than my coat, but they ain't too bad. S'all I could find on such a short notice, though."
Mondo was right about the kid's blush being bright enough to make it through the makeup, since Mondo can definitely tell the kid is blushing. Ha.
"A-ah... and I am most grateful for that, kyoudai! I will find a way to repay you one day, I promise!"
That makes Mondo growl slightly in annoyance, adjusting the collar a little to harshly by accident, honestly hating Taka's insistence about 'repayment' and shit like that. He says that kinda thing sometimes and Mondo always hates it. Like their friendship is about repayment. Like Mondo isn't totally getting the better deal here. He gets that Taka has a thing about money, but still... he hates it...
"Shit, Taka. I told ya already, y'ain't gotta pay me nothin'. Was my idea anyway, yer just along fer the ride. Bros buy each other shit. Ain't a big deal."
Mondo pauses for a second, before an idea strikes him, smirking as a hint of mischief fills him. Well, if Taka is gonna insist on 'repaying' him, maybe... maybe he can use this to his advantage... or at least show the kid why saying such a thing to an asshole like Mondo is a horrible idea.
"However, if yer gonna be a tightass 'bout it, I got an idea 'bout how ya can 'repay' me. Come out with me on my hog sometime. Just you an' me an' the road, my baby purrin' underneath us. Ahh, shit man, y'ain't lived 'til ya felt that. An' I'll even find ya a stupid fuckin' helmet an' shit like that, so ya can feel 'safe' an' shit. Not like I'd ever let ya get hurt either way. 'Ve been ridin' my hog since I was a kid, I know how ta handle her. But uh... yeah. Y'ain't gotta, but uh... shit. Think 'bout it, alright?"
Mondo mumbles at the end, losing his nerve, his cheeks heating stupidly. He kinda feels bad, using the kid's obvious problem with debt and shit against him, but... damn, he wants to take Taka out on his baby so fucking bad. He honestly thinks the kid would love it, if he let himself get over his fear. He and Taka are weirdly similar in many ways, and he thinks they'd be similar in this way too. And if Taka doesn't like it... shit. It won't make him think less of the kid, but it sure would suck. Not being able to share his biggest passion with the person he cares about the most... man, that would be awful. It's why he's been trying so hard to show interest in studying and hard work and shit like that. He wants to support his kyoudai, even if he doesn't personally see the appeal.
He gets distracted from his weird ass thoughts when he steps back, however, and is able to finally see Taka in his entirety. And it... h-holy shit... holy fucking shit...
"But shit, man... seein' ya like this is plenty repayment enough. Heh. Never thought I'd see a tightass like ya lookin' almost like one a' the guys. You, uh... you look good... suits ya."
It's a huge fucking understatement. Taka doesn't just look /good/. He looks... words can't describe how he looks. Incredible. Outstanding. Fucking /stupendous/ (as Taka says). Just... damn. He's so fucking glad he suggested this. He can't help how he looks the kid up and down, again and again, drinking him in, his chest burning with that strange /something/ again. It sure is... is something... sure fucking is...
"T-thank you, kyoudai..." Taka says softly, eyes falling to the floor, looking so fucking shy. "For all of this. And I... I know I said I'd think about it but... I think I've come to a decision."
Mondo's breath stutters at the words, anxiety rising immediately in his chest, even more so when the kid pauses, frowning with his thoughts. He... he's come to a decision...? Is he... is he gonna... fucking share it anytime soon...? Mondo stares holes into the boy, but he doesn't seem to notice, as focused as he is.
Before he can cave and ask the kid what he means, Taka looks back up, a bright smile on his face, eyes fucking /sparkling/. It looks so strangely /good/ when paired with the biker look that Mondo's brain almost full on self-destructs, goddamn.
"I /will/ go out with you for a ride! I-it does make me nervous... but I trust you, kyoudai! With my life! Tell me when and where, and I will be there! You have my guarantee!"
Holy... holy shit... the kid actually fucking means that, don't he...?
!
"Really?! Shit man, that's fuckin' awesome! Shit, I'm so fuckin' pumped! Hell fuckin' yeah! Aw, shit, Taka, y'ain't gonna regret this, I promise. How does tomorrow sound fer ya? I should be able ta find ya some basic gear 'fore then. We can ride at sunset, maybe through the country. Shit's beautiful in the autumn, bro, ya'll love it, I know it. Fuck, Taka... can't explain how happy this makes me, shit..."
Mondo is already making plans mentally, mind racing as he tries to decide what they should do. It- it should be something special, right? Something to make Taka feel special, like he deserves. Maybe... but, no, that's too far, ain't it...? It would be pretty fucking special, though... and he- he bets Taka would like it... he seems the type to like nature, h-he... and the drive itself is super beautiful, so maybe he could... could...
He gets jolted from his planning when he sees Taka nod sharply, cheeks bright red even despite the makeup, before turning abruptly and walking to the mirror that Mondo keeps in the corner of the room to make sure he looks impressive and menacing enough before leaving each morning. Mondo gets anxious, then, wondering if the kid is gonna like it. He sure as shit looks different than normal now... he almost looks like a fucking /badass/, especially with that glare of his. If Taka weren't so fucking straight lace, he'd make the most impressive gang leader, damn. But will Taka hate it...?
Mondo can only watch as Taka examines himself, the kid turning this way and that, frowning deeply at himself, eyebrows furrowed and frown worried. Taka always looks like that when he's thinking, but Mondo can tell that this... this isn't good. There's a look in Taka's eyes that Mondo doesn't like, something about the twist of his lips that tells Mondo that he... he's not...
Not happy...
Oh wait... shit... it's not about him promising to ride with him, though... is it? Fuck, he hopes not... suddenly anxious about /that/ now, he can't help how he heads over to the kid, eying him cautiously.
"Hey... y'okay, kyoudai? If it makes ya nervous, y'ain't gotta go out with me, I won't hold ya to it..." he mutters awkwardly, stuffing his hands in the pockets of the jeans, frowning at Taka worriedly. Shit... he shouldn't have tried to guilt Taka into going out on a ride with him... fuck! What the fuck is wrong with him, shit?!
But then, Taka... Taka just smiles at him shakily, looking back at himself in the mirror, looking uncertain. Shit... not comforting...
"N-no, kyoudai, you don't have to worry! I never go back on my word! And I am looking forward to riding with you tomorrow, especially if you are looking forward to it so much! No... that isn't... I just... well, you're going to think I'm being stupid..."
Taka bites his lip gently, still looking at himself in the mirror, looking worried. Ahh, so it /is/ because of his appearance then. Pushing his own insecurity to the side, Mondo steps up closer to his kyoudai, placing a comforting hand on his side. His stomach then clenches harshly at the soft gasp Taka lets out, his eyes wide as they dart up to look at Mondo's through the reflection in the mirror. Mondo has to use every last inch of control he has to not gasp as well, the weird electricity flowing through his arm making him feel all tingly inside... holy shit...
"I ain't gonna think that. What's wrong, kyoudai? Ya can tell me. I won't judge ya. Promise," he promises quietly, meaningfully. And Taka... he...
"I-it's nothing much, just... it isn't me, in that mirror. You know? And it's stupid! Halloween is all about being someone you're not for one day, pretending that you aren't who you are, I know that! I do! But... I- I... I don't know. Y-you like it, how I look now. What if... what if everyone does and I... when I go back, they don't..."
Oh... oh shit, goddamn. Mondo would never have expected that to be the kid's problem, but now that he's confessed it, it makes so much sense. Taka has always been self-conscious, of course he'd feel a bit nervous about shit like this. Mondo presses closer to Taka, unable to help it, holding Taka as close to him as possible. His hand snakes under the jacket to press tight to Taka's stomach, the heat so intoxicating even through the shirt, but he doesn't let himself focus on it. Not when he has to make sure his kyoudai sees that he's got nothing to worry about. Absolutely /nothing/...
"That ain't stupid, Taka. An' I get what ya mean. But that ain't gonna happen, bro. Not with me, at least, an' not with anyone who matters. I like how ya look now, sure, but that's 'cuz it's... I dunno, novel, or some shit. New. An'... I dunno. Feels like ya belong ta me, ya know?" Mondo's eyes widen, his face heating up with how that could be interpreted, shit. "N-not like that! Shit, fuck. I just, uh... I mean... we ain't really inhabitin' the same worlds, ya know? Ya got yer studyin' an' homework an' proper grammar an' shit. An' me? I got my gang. An'... that's 'bout it. So, seein' ya like this... it feels like I can fin'ly touch ya, ya know? Like we're, shit... I dunno. Even."
Mondo pauses, and lets out a soft chuckle, pressing closer to Taka. He lets his forehead move forward to press gently to the back of Taka's head, right where his head meets his neck, hiding his face so Taka can't see the emotion he cannot force down. And he... he...
"But it ain't real, Taka. This... shit, man, this ain't you. I know that. An' I wouldn't want it ta be! I like ya how ya are, not like how ya'd think I'd want ya ta be. Ya know... heh. It's kinda why I hated that shit movie, ya know? In the end, the chick goes and changes herself fer that piece a' shit. Shit's stupid. If someone loves... uh, cares 'bout ya, ya shouldn't hafta change fer them. And I don't want that from you, got it? I ain't ever want ya ta change. Not fer me, at least. Heh, shit... I'm ramblin'... prolly made no sense, heh. Anyway. It's just fer a day, 'kay? Then ya can take it off an' go back ta being Taka. My Taka. S-so... yeah."
Mondo's face is on fire with mortification at the overly sappy words he'd said, but he can't find it in him to regret them. Not when he means them fully. Taka... yeah. Yeah, he looks good like this. Looks /amazing/. So beautiful and sharp and shit. But... fuck. It's not /him/, and Mondo can't help but hate it a bit for that, too. Taka... Taka is amazing as he is. His personality, his looks... his /everything/. He doesn't have to change a single thing about himself. He... he's already perfect, even with his flaws. So... so perfect...
"K-kyoudai... y-you can't say things like that to me...! Not today! You're going to make me cry! And I would hate to ruin the hard work you put into my makeup!" Taka cries after a moment, sounding only half serious. Something about it makes Mondo laugh, though, shaking as he presses firmer to his precious as fuck kyoudai, heart aching softly.
Unable to stop himself, Mondo moves his face from the back of Taka's neck to... to the /side/, his face buried perfectly within the smooth column, hiding him perfectly from the world. His mouth is open slightly and he is so close that he can almost taste the salty skin mere millimeters from his lips. There's a mad part of him that suddenly wants to press his lips to the skin before him, to /kiss/ it lightly, to... to /bite/ it, hear Taka's moans again, but this time while conscious, this time solely /because of Mondo/, solely because of... of...
But that desire is so stupid, so very, very stupid. He pushes it firmly /down/ and focuses on reassuring his kyoudai. He doesn't care how often he has to do that, honestly. Every day if he has to, if it will get Taka to see how amazing he is.
"Heh, I don't care, Kiyo. Shit, I'd say take the whole get up off of it makes ya so uncomfortable, but I think yer outta time, yer meetin' starts in ten an' I know ya like bein' early if ya can. But don't ferget what I said, okay? 'Cuz I meant it. I promise ya that. And that's a man's promise, understood? Means I can't break that shit."
Mondo can feel Taka shake against him, but before he can get concerned, he feels Taka's hand brush his. It's tentative at first, a soft brush of fingers over the back of his hand, but then... then it becomes firmer, bolder, and then... then Taka is entwining their fingers, Mondo wanting to gasp at the feel of the soft, warm, slender digits entwined with his own. Taka's hands are... are so... f-fuck. He's got pianist hands, all slender and lithe and just... holy...
"T-thank you, kyoudai. My words... they cannot express how much that means to me. Truly," the kid states softly, sounding so soft and gentle and just... incredible. But then, before Mondo can reply and say it was nothing, how it's /fine/, so much more than fine, he feels Taka stiffen up, jolting upright with something akin to panic. Oh, shit, is he okay, did Mondo do something wrong, what- "B-but-! It's getting late! I need to head to my meeting! I can't be tardy; I'll be a disgrace! Mondo-"
"Go, ya nerd," Mondo interrupts, feeling relieved that it's just Taka being anal about time and not... not. Anything else, h-heh... Mondo pulls back then, rubbing his neck awkwardly, hating how warm his cheeks are but maybe... maybe not as much as he would with anyone who isn't Taka... s-somehow, he don't mind quite as much when it's only Taka seeing him like this... h-heh... "I'll finish gettin' ready myself and I'll see ya later, after yer meetin', 'kay? We can meet at the entrance hall. Leon's gonna meet us there too. I know ya guys don't get along, an' I promise that if he doesn't behave himself, I'll kick him ta the fuckin' curb myself. Just give him a chance, alright? He's a bit ofa jackass, but so am I, ta be honest. I think ya'd like him, if ya gave him the chance. Though... maybe not, I dunno. Uh-"
Mondo is cut off by Taka chuckling softly, the kid smiling kindly at him. It makes him a little embarrassed, but not uncomfortably so. He guesses he is being a bit overly nervous though... he'd asked Taka several days ago if he'd be okay with Leon walking 'round the festival with them, and Taka had agreed readily, if a little anxiously. Mondo had been skeptical of having his two friends spend time together, knowing that Taka and Leon don't, uh... get along great, but Leon has honestly become his best friend at the school, outside of Taka. While he is an asshole, so is Mondo, so it works out well. And he... fuck, but he'd like his two friends to at least get along, ya know?
His thoughts get cut off, yet again, when Taka looks over his shoulder at him, his eyes sparkling with humor as they meet his. S-shit...
"You needn't worry, Mondo! I will be on my best behavior! I'm a master at social interactions, after all!"
Mondo cannot help but burst into laughter, /knowing/ his kyoudai is joking, since... shit. They both know that Taka is absolute shit at social interactions. And it ain't his fault, and Mondo doesn't blame him for it, definitely not! But... well, they both know the truth. And it's just... it's nice. Knowing that Taka is comfortable enough around him to joke about stuff like that. Real fucking nice...
Taka looks at the clock then and lets out another little 'eep!' when he sees that it's 7:23, giving him about seven minutes to get to his meeting without being late. Nerd.
"Now! I've got to get going, or I really will be late! I will look forward to seeing you later, kyoudai! Today is going to be a good day! I can feel it!"
Mondo leans forward to hug the kid goodbye, thinking that he definitely needs it, watching as Taka quickly puts on the converse and then speeds out of the room, not quite running but definitely speed walking to the max. It makes Mondo smile as he sees the kid act like he always does while wearing his costume. It reminds him that while Taka may be dressed kinda like a biker, he sure as hell ain't one. And that... that's a good thing. Taka's too good to get involved with a street gang. Far too good...
Sighing softly, Mondo heads to the bathroom, figuring he might as well get ready himself. He honestly doesn't have to, seeing as how the festival itself doesn't start until 10:00, but he doubts he could fall back asleep, not after... all of that. And while he could get on his hog and ride around for a bit, he doesn't really feel like that, not right now. Shit... he ain't getting fucking sick, is he?! Hm... whatever. He's not sure if he wants to watch anything on the TV, not without Taka there, and without all of that, he figures he might as well get ready or shit, who cares.
As he approaches the bathroom mirror, hands lifting instinctively to put his hair in his typical pomp, he... he finds himself halting. As he stares at himself in the mirror, the look lasting at least a full minute, he realizes... he realizes he doesn't wanna put his hair up today. And it's insane, he's put his hair up in his pomp every day since he was eleven, as long as he planned on going out in public, but... but...
Halloween. It's- it's a day to dress as something different, right? And Mondo... while, yeah, he won't be wearing his duster, another thing he's worn every day since age eleven (though not the same duster, since he shot up like a weed when he'd turned thirteen and needed a new one after that), his costume is still basically what he normally looks like. Nothing strange or different about it. If he does his hair up in a pomp, like always... he doubts anyone would even tell he had tried to dress up.
And... and also... well. Taka is out there right now, dressed up in an outfit that is such an antithesis to his normal wear that it's not even funny, and here Mondo is. Dressed similarly to his usual. It... it's only /right/ that Mondo has something different too... right? Even if it doesn't quite match the costume. Even if it's kinda fucking stupid. Even if...
Before Mondo can fully understand the reasoning behind it, he finds himself lifting his hands and taking hold of his long, bleached strands, gathering them up in two bunches messily. He- he doesn't quite know what he's doing, he rarely wears his hair differently than in his pomp, but Daiya had taught him a few hairstyles when he'd been young. To wear for special occasions, like dates and shit. While Mondo has never had the opportunity or desire to wear his hair like that, he- he knows the mechanics behind the styles. Knows he could do it if he wants.
And he does. Want. Even if he doesn't quite know why, he just... he wants to do something fancy with his hair. Is that such a crime?! Shit...
Pushing his doubt back, Mondo begins the arduous task that is putting his curly and messy fucking hair into two nice and neat French braids. He realizes pretty quick that it's not gonna work out well if he keeps his hair as is, even after brushing it, so he lugs out his hair straightener and patiently (as possible for him) straightens his hair, both the bleached and natural part. He usually straightens his natural hair, since it looks fucking weird when the hair not in the pomp is all curly, so it's not that bad to extend it to the bleached part too. Just tedious.
Once that is done, he begins the braids again, finding it a lot easier to work with now that he's not fighting his own hair, goddamn. It still takes a while, his hands fumbling and messing up the braid he's working on, making him start all over again, but after about half an hour and a lot of fucking mousse, he... he has two fairly nice-looking French braids, tied together in the back with one of his hair ties. He honestly doesn't know if he likes it, but it's decent enough... he thinks.
But the natural hair... hm. It's still hanging limply from his head, straight as an arrow, but he doesn't know if he likes that when paired with the braids. His hair gets pretty fucking flat when straight, and it just looks... meh. Frowning at his reflection, he takes his comb and tries to do something to make it look less flat and limp.
This takes only a couple minutes, Mondo trying to tease his hair like Daiya had once shown him, and in the end he... he kinda likes it. The teasing brought back some of his curls and it honestly kinda... kinda looks nice. It gives his natural hair some volume, the braids resting atop it nicely, and it looks... shit. It looks almost elegant. Definitely not something a greaser would wear, but ya know what? Who cares, he's spent a long fucking time on the look, whatever.
He takes his super strong hair spray and sprays the hair liberally, wanting to make sure the look doesn't come undone. He pauses for a moment, considering himself in the mirror, before deciding to say 'fuck it' and begins putting on some makeup, too. If he's going for an elegant look, might as well go all out, right? 'Sides, it's been a while since he last did himself up. While it ain't really his thing, he has to admit that there is something oddly cathartic and relaxing about doing your makeup every so often.
Like always, he starts with his eyes, doing a slight smoky eye look, something subtle but still striking. It's his preferred style of eyeshadow when he does himself up, really, since it's the one style he's fucking /bomb/ at. Following that, he does his usual eyeliner, the spikes as sharp as ever. Then comes the foundation and rouge, evening out his complexion and making him look more striking than usual. He contemplates using the contouring bullshit but decides against it. Ain't like he's going to a showdown or anything and is gonna have harsh lights assaulting him. He does add a slight lip tint, something that is natural but makes them pop more, to complete the look. All in all, it only takes about ten minutes, and the effect is striking.
As he stares at himself in the mirror, turning his face to see it all, he wonders absently what Taka will think of it. If he'll even notice the effort Mondo put into this look. Mondo doesn't like makeup, honestly, but he has to admit that it does enhance his features. And it doesn't make him gay, alright? Anyone who says it does is just a homophobic asshole. Straight guys can care about their appearance too, so- so it... it's fine. 'Sides, Michi is gay, and he doesn't give a crap about how he looks, so- yeah. Yeah. Not that being gay is /bad/, but- fuck. You know what he means. Makeup is nice, shouldn't be a problem that he thinks that, shit.
Anyway...
With his face and hair done, he enters the bedroom and checks the time, grimacing when he sees that it's only 8:21, giving him almost two hours before he can meet up with Taka again. Goddamnit. Ah well. Might as well get something to eat, yeah?
Sighing, Mondo grabs the jacket he got from an old acquaintance and shrugs it on, not quite liking the feel of it, but it's fine, he guesses. Sure as hell ain't his duster, but it's Halloween, so it's not like it matters. He heads over to his mirror and looks at himself for a minute, before deciding it looks decent enough, shit. The hair and makeup are definitely at odds with the costume, but... shit, it doesn't matter. Anyone who tries to question him will have to have a talk with his fists, that's all. Other than Taka, of course... but he doubts Taka would question him. Taka is nice like that.
That done with, Mondo finally exits the room, heading to the dining hall to get a bite to eat, hoping that Leon is around so he has someone to occupy his time with. It's only been two weeks and he's already grown so used to Taka's presence that it's hard to imagine not having the kid around to talk to about whatever random ass bullshit either of them decides to spout that day.
God, he can't wait until the festival starts... he's never much cared for festivals at his old schools, but he's actually finding himself excited about this one. Taka has been working so hard on it for about a month now, the kid talking about it with so much enthusiasm whenever Mondo would ask, eyes sparkling and his passion running wild.
Speaking of... one thing Mondo has learned about the kid since they became friends is that he gets super fucking passionate about things sometimes, like he had that day in the library, working himself into a manic state in order to get things done. He's only fully seen it happen once since that day in the library, a couple days ago during the crunch period for the festival, and god was it something else. The kid had seemed embarrassed by it afterward, but Mondo had assured him very firmly that he hadn't minded. Not at all. Once he knew it was normal for the kid and wasn't an indicator of anything bad, he found himself enjoying listening to him as he talked aloud, working out the issues with an intensity that Mondo honestly envies. Taka is so fucking beautiful when he gets like that, honestly... eyes bright and fiery, grin wide, body a flurry of motion... shit, it's so... so...
Fuck.
Anyway...
Point is, Mondo is excited. So fucking excited. As he enters the dining hall and luckily spots Leon sitting by himself off to the side (dressed as David Bowie, ha), he wonders how the fuck he's supposed to get through the next hour and a half until the festival starts, shit.
An hour and a half has never seemed so long...
