CW: Mild sexual content.
Hi all!
This chapter is one I like, ha. I will warn that there is very mild sexual content in the first part, so if you dislike that sort of thing, you may want to skim after the double ellipses (…) break. I also drew something for this chapter! It's kind of basic, but I like how it turned out. :-) On a side note, if anyone sees a scene from this story that they think would benefit from having a drawing, let me know and I can see if I can draw it. I'm not the best at cartoon style art, but I've enjoyed trying it out.
Also, someone last chapter commented on how I keep having Taka think "grk," and I'm not surprised someone picked up on that, ha. Even while writing I was like "…do I have Taka think 'grk' too much…?" but was like… meh, it's fine. I just found it's the easiest and most efficient way to signify that Taka is feeling some ~~naughty feelings~~ and has no idea how to deal with it, ha. I'm not sure why I chose 'grk' as a sound effect, but it seemed to fit. I tried 'gah' in Games and Consequences, but it didn't have the same feel to me.
On a side note, last chapter I mentioned I would post the one shot I wrote about Mondo going to Taka after killing Chihiro in the canon universe to my Tumblr. Well, I did, and you can find it there if you're interested. I have a summary and some warning in the post, too. I will eventually post it to AO3 and FF . net, but I'm not sure when.
Finally! The title for this chapter comes from the song Hopelessly Devoted To You, from Grease. You'll realize early on why. :-)
Enjoy!
Taka is having a hard time keeping his eyes open, his heavy lids wanting to drag down, down, down, and not open back up. His head is leaning heavily on a broad shoulder, a warm arm wrapped firmly around his waist, holding him tight to a gentle warmth. He tries to stifle his yawn, to no avail, wincing in embarrassment when he hears that warm chuckle he has come to absolutely adore right by his ear.
"Tired, kyoudai? Then let's get ya ta bed. Ain't want ya ta be tired during the Festival, bro," Mondo murmurs gently, the biker pulling back and looking down at him with shining eyes. Taka is helpless to look away, heart racing as he drinks in every inch of the biker's face, his hair down from its intense pompadour, instead cascading in wild ringlets around his face, making him look... look...
"I don't want to go to sleep, kyoudai... t-the movie..." he mutters back but is forced to stop when a large yawn splits his face in two. He smiles sheepishly at Mondo when the biker chuckles at him again. He feels warm, gentle fingers trail against his temple, moving the hair he's been leaving down more and more often after Mondo had said 'ya look good like this, Kiyo. Yer hair down, not all spiky,' a few days before, during another lazy moment like this one. The sensation makes him flush horribly, but Mondo doesn't seem to notice.
"Don't worry 'bout it, Kiyo. We can finish it later. Ya need yer sleep. C'mon."
Mondo stands, then, pulling Taka up gently, his hands warm brands on his sides as he helps steady him. Taka goes easily, mouth slightly open as he tries to get enough oxygen to his brain to not pass out. But the way Mondo is looking at him, all soft and gentle and sweet and wonderful...
"Yer beautiful, ya know that, kyoudai? Just... fuck..." Mondo mutters softly, leaning in close to press his forehead against Taka's temple, the sensation so close to a kiss that Taka just... he can't...
Mondo clears his throat awkwardly as he pulls away, his face bright pink, but he doesn't try and flee. He just smiles shakily, punching Taka lightly in the arm.
"Ya know, in a manly way... heh. We, uh. Should get ta bed. C'mon..."
He watches with fond eyes as Mondo shuffles to the bed, getting in awkwardly, not looking at Taka as he does so, the biker forgoing his shower that night since he'd wanted to watch one more movie earlier (and Taka had wanted to keep leaning blissfully against the biker). After a moment Taka moves, turning off the lamp as he goes, as is becoming their routine. This is only their fourth 'sleepover' since they became friends two weeks prior, including that first time, but some things have already started to become routine in Taka's mind.
"So. Ya excited fer the festival tomorrow?" Mondo mutters as Taka settles into bed beside the biker, his head resting on Mondo's chest (another routine, though this is one they don't talk about. Not verbally).
Taka— a bit distracted by the sensation of bliss that overtakes him as he settles against the biker— can only nod his head absently, eyes focused on his fingers as they trace nonsensical patterns on Mondo's chest. They still only when Mondo's hand— so much larger than his— comes up and captures it, pinning it gently to the biker's chest. O-oh...
"Y-yes. I suppose," he mutters back, hoping the way his heart is racing isn't too obvious. He tries to focus on Mondo's question, forcing himself to think of the Fall Festival that is taking place tomorrow. Is he excited? Well... he has been helping plan this festival for almost a month now. He guesses that it will be nice to see all his hard work finally pay off, honestly... and not to mention the fact that he and Mondo are planning to...
"Ya still gonna dress up with me? Y'ain't gotta, if ya changed yer mind..."
Taka smiles, nestling further into Mondo's warmth, his heart full as he hears the worry in the biker's voice. He's always so concerned about him, it makes him... makes him feel...
"I wouldn't dream of it, kyoudai! Besides! It will be interesting, dressing up as a 'greaser'," Taka muses, saying the word 'greaser' like it's foreign. Which— he supposes— it kind of is. He and Mondo recently watched the American movie 'Grease,' which the biker had absolutely hated (though Taka had thought it to be kind of cute, if cheesy), but he'd kind of liked the style the men in the movie wore. He'd even joked to Taka that they should dress like that together for the festival.
Taka, face bright red, had immediately agreed, not realizing at first that Mondo had been joking, just wanting to please his friend. Mondo had looked at him with wide eyes, then, before chuckling awkwardly and saying 'y-yeah, 'kay. We, uh... we can do that...'
The biker had then proceeded to procure two stylized leather jackets and jeans for them both, as well as the other accessories they'd need to dress as a 1950's American greaser. Taka had stammered, embarrassed at accepting something that couldn't have been that cheap, but Mondo had insisted, saying he'd cashed in favors for most of it anyway. And Taka wouldn't dream of wasting such a precious gift! Even if the thought of not wearing his uniform does make him a little uncomfortable...
"Oh, sweet! Awesome! So, uh... g'night, Taka. Sleep well, okay?" he hears Mondo mutter, pulling him away from his thoughts. Smiling gently, he nods, his hand still trapped under Mondo's but not minding it one bit...
And as he...
As he starts to drift off to sleep...
...
...
"H-hey... kyoudai? You, uh... you still awake?" a voice mutters by his ear, causing his eyes to shoot open immediately. Shifting so he can look up at the biker, he nods, throat thick as he sees the mysterious look on his friend's face, something he's seen before but has never been able to understand...
"Y-yeah... is something wrong, Mondo?" Taka mutters back a minute later, when Mondo doesn't continue, just keeps on staring. Still, even then, the biker says nothing, just keeps on... staring...
"M-Mondo...?"
"God, just... yer so beautiful, kyoudai... I just... I can't..."
Taka's heart begins to race, his breath puffing out in stuttering pants. Mondo... M-Mondo thinks he's... he's... beautiful? Yes, he'd said it before, but Taka had discounted it then, knowing the biker didn't truly mean it, but now... here...
"Y-you really mean that, kyoudai?" Taka stammers back, voice so quiet in the still air that he wonders if Mondo could even hear him. But Mondo did. Mondo does. He always... always does...
"Y-yeah... god, yeah. You... you're the most beautiful person I've ever seen, Kiyo... I... I don't know why I feel like this when I look at you... you... you make me feel..."
Taka's breath is stolen again when he feels Mondo shift, the pair moving until suddenly Taka is lying flat on his back, staring up, up, up, eyes wide as they meet Mondo's dark and blown ones, the biker looking down at him... at him like... like he...
"You drive me out of my goddamn mind, Kiyo... I can't stop thinking about you, you're everywhere. I know I shouldn't... I know it's wrong, but I... I can't stop. Am I crazy? Or do you... do you feel the same?"
Taka gasps again, every nerve in his body open and raw, his head nodding rapidly before he can even consciously tell it to.
"Yes... y-yes, kyoudai... Mondo... I... yes," he breathes, eyes so wide as he stares up, up, up, lost in the oceans that are Mondo Owada's beautiful eyes... and then, after the biker comprehends his words, lost in the sight of his utterly gorgeous smile...
"Really? You really... h-hey Kiyo, I... I wanna try something, okay? Promise you won't hate me if I do..."
"Never!" Taka exclaims, heart aching at the hesitant look on his biker's face, one hand shooting up to gently grasp his cheek, needing to touch him so desperately he aches with it. "I could never, in a million years hate you, kyoudai... M-Mondo... I could never..."
Taka can feel Mondo's smile press against his palm, the biker's eyes happy and sparkling and just... just so...
"Good... good..." Mondo mutters, as he... he slowly leans down and... and...
"O-oh..." Taka breathes, his lips tingling as warm, rough ones brush against his own. He feels his body surge up, needing— needing— to make contact with something before he floats away. Luckily, Mondo is there, his body pressing down, down, firmer, and firmer, until all he can feel is Mondo, Mondo, Mondo...
"Mmm, fuck, Kiyo... ya taste... taste so good, I... f-fuck..." Mondo moans several moments later, lips pressing more firmly down, the pressure so incredible that Taka... Taka is about to... to...
"Mondo... M-Mondo... ohhh, ohh god... yes, I," Taka replies, mind barely functioning as he presses back, lips clumsy, his groin so full he aches with it. He can't help the breathy moan he gives when Mondo grinds down, his- h-his cock jolting at the sensation, his body instinctively grinding up, needing friction, needing... needing more... m-more... "S-should we be... be doing this, k-kyoudai...? It feels... i-it feels..."
"Incredible," Mondo interrupts, punctuating his words with another downward thrust, twisting in such a way that it sends stars shooting through Taka's system. Taka moans again, his mouth desperate against Mondo's, craving the grin he finds there. "Y'ain't gotta worry, kyoudai... bros do this kinda shit all the time, okay? Don't... don't worry... I got you... Taka… Kiyo... I... I got you..."
Taka is going to go insane... no, he already is insane, he's lost his goddamn mind, there's nothing left, but he doesn't care. God, he doesn't care. Not when Mondo... when Mondo is looking at him like that and he feels... he feels...
"God, yer perfect, Kiyo, goddamn perfect... I love you, shit, fuck, I love you... I want only you, no one else... yer the only one for me, I love you so much... T-Taka..."
The words make him gasp, as lips start trailing down his neck, biting hard and yet feeling so good. He's never... never felt like this, has never... never wanted this, he's always... always told himself that... that he was too busy... had too much work, that he couldn't... couldn't want... couldn't...
"Mmm... Taka... Taka, come on bro... it's time ta wake up... Taka..."
Taka feels his brows furrow at the words, confusion filling him. Time to... wake up? What?
"W-what? I don't-"
"C'mon man, it's 6:30, ya got those festival things ta go over... plus yer kinda, uh... humpin' my leg, so uh..."
He... he's doing what?!
Wait... hold on a second... this isn't... this...
Taka's eyes shoot open, his heart pounding as ice cold wakefulness washes over him, his mind still fuzzy as he tries to make sense of what is going on. He can feel something warm and hard under him, can feel his groin throbbing painfully, and can feel his mind start to race, confusion and the beginnings of fear washing over him. W-wait... he, where is he... he had thought... but... he- he a-and Mondo, they... but now...
Hold on... wait a second...
That was... that was...
That was just a dream.
With that realization, his body stiffens, his breath punching out of him with a painful jolt, horror and terror and regret, regret, regret flooding his mind.
Oh... my... god...
Taka jolts again as he feels a tentative hand touch his back, a voice (that he can't hear since his heart is beating too loud in his ears) saying something... something he can't make out. Terrified, he scrambles away from the touch, his body shooting up and away as he tries to avoid the warm sensation touching his ultra-sensitive skin, his heart racing somehow even faster as he tries to get away.
Sadly, the bed he is on isn't that big and— with a soft yelp— he finds himself tumbling out of the bed and onto the ground with a painful *THUD*.
"O-ow..." he mutters softly, blinking as he stares at the rumpled sheets that sit at his eye level, seeming to mock him for his fall. He blinks again as he sees a worried and frantic face peer up over the side of the bed, long, wavy hair falling in soft cascades...
"Taka! Shit, dude, are you okay?! Fuck, that looks like it fuckin' hurt..." Mondo exclaims, grimacing as he sees Taka sit, absently rubbing his behind as a dull ache begins to radiate through his tail bone. Well... it's not the worst pain he's ever been in, he will say that...
And it is absolute peanuts compared to the overwhelming shame that floods him as everything slots into place in his mind, his eyes filling with tears as he finally realizes what had just occurred.
God above, please just strike him down... please don't make him live with this shame... please-
"Taka? Bro, c'mon, talk ta me here... did ya hit yer head? Shit, dude..."
Taka flinches back at the concerned sounding words and he can't help but look up at Mondo, terror flooding him as a flash of his dream assaults his mind suddenly, causing him to gasp harshly. 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-"
"Holy shit! Dude, the fuck?!"
He flinches back when he hears a loud thump, gasping harshly when he feels a rough arm grab his shoulder, making him cry out in panic. He tries to jerk away from the hold, which only makes the hands clench tighter, a frustrated growl sounding from in front of him. That, honestly, just makes him fight even harder...
"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 a familiar voice growl, making him gasp again, his shoulder tensing. He feels his body listen to the words, though, despite himself, his limbs freezing and going limp as all the fight goes out of him. He can't see, his eyes too blurry, but he can still feel, and everything is still so heightened that he doesn't know what to do.
He's shaking, he realizes suddenly, his body trembling with the aftereffects of his dream mixing with the horrible terror that is still flowing through his veins. He is trying to breathe, to calm his heart rate, but it's hard, what with the flashes of his dream assaulting him the second he thinks he's got a handle on it all. He can't breathe and he's still confused, and he just wants... he wants to...
"Shit, c'mon man... look at me, shit, c'mon... Taka, look at me, okay?" he hears Mondo mutter, but he's shaking his head before he can even fully comprehend the words, shutting his eyes tight, realizing that he can't- he- he can't.
Another soft growl, and suddenly he feels a warm hand grasp his jaw gently, a careful palm sliding along his jawline to cup his cheek. His eyes open unbidden, but his eyes are still not focused, tears making everything blurry.
"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 a couple, shaky breaths, blinking a few times as a few tears fall, some of the blurriness fading with them. Taking another breath— not as deep as he'd like but still somewhat steadying— he turns slowly to face Mondo, heart stuttering as he does. And when he finally, finally faces the biker...
"Heh, there we go, kyoudai. There's those pretty eyes a' yers... that's it," Mondo mutters, smiling gently at him. His face is still lined with sleep, his eyes free of his eyeliner, his hair loose and wavy, and Taka... Taka, h-he...
"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?"
Taka is helpless to do anything other than nod, more tears falling with the action, his breath hitching when he feels a warm thumb move to gently wipe them away. He is reminded, then, that Mondo is still cradling his face tenderly, the biker kneeling before him, looking at him with such caring and devotion that he just... he just can't...
(This isn't fair... this isn't fair, why does he keep doing this to him? Doesn't he know... doesn't he know what he's doing to him? How can he not know, Taka is so obvious, he's so obvious, he's so obvi-)
"Yes," Taka says out loud, his voice only slightly shaky. He tries for a smile, and though he knows it's very weak, with the way Mondo beams at him, you'd think it was the most incredible smile in the world... "y-yes, kyoudai. We... we're good. Aha, sorry for freaking out on you... again..."
Taka lets out an unintended sound of surprise when he feels himself get tugged forward, Mondo growling playfully. He then squawks out an indignant "hey!" when he feels himself get pulled into a headlock, his head getting roughly rubbed, Mondo cackling as he gives Taka a 'noogie,' as the teen calls it.
Argh! How utterly undignified!
"Mondo! Unhand me this instance! This is highly undignified!" Taka yelps, struggling against the hold uselessly. He may be strong, his body highly muscled, but he's no match against Mondo, not when the biker has the upper hand like this. So, he's helpless to fight the hold, forced to endure it while Mondo cackles freely. Eventually, a few moments later, Mondo finally lets him go, though he's still grinning smugly, even when Taka glares at him with faux anger.
"You are a horrible person," he says flatly, causing Mondo to cackle again. It takes the biker another few more moments to calm again, but when he does, he's looking at Taka with such tender fondness that Taka's heart aches with it.
"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 lip at Mondo's gentle words. God, who would have thought such a gruff looking biker would ever say such sweet and tender things like that...
"I... of course. Thank you, Mondo. I... thank you..."
Mondo gives him a half smile, before he stands, stretching his arms over his head.
"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 him. A strange look then passes over his face, before the teen is smirking, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Or maybe ya can finish what ya were doin' earlier. After all, seemed like a very nice, uh... dream ya were havin'."
Taka turns bright red, his mortification from earlier returning. It reaches a paramount when Mondo- Mondo freaking winks at him, before the teen practically saunters away, his hips swaying with his cocky arrogance.
With a bright red face, Taka calls after the biker "you are the worst person alive, Mondo Owada!", trying to not smile when he hears Mondo cackle from the bathroom.
Taka continues to sit on the ground for several minutes after that, his heart and mind slowly starting to calm down as the memories from the dream settle, his face flushing as he regretfully remembers it...
And it... it's not like this is the first time such a thing has happened... well, kind of. The dream part is new. Taka doesn't usually remember his dreams in general, the memory of them fading like smoke with the morning sun. He sometimes remembers flashes of his dreams, but it's rare he can fully recall a dream. Especially not like this...
But this is not the first time he has had an, er... nocturnal emission. Or almost had one. H-he is a healthy teenage boy, after all! And while the first time had been highly mortifying, since he'd had no idea what had happened, thinking he'd somehow wet the bed at thirteen, he's since come to learn that it is not only normal, but means he is healthy. And, luckily, he doesn't usually remember the dreams that cause such, er, occurrences, so he doesn't usually have to feel morally wrong for such a thing.
This time, however? This time is very, very different. The only even slight positive he can think of is that at least he didn't, er... conclude. But... the rest of it... the dream...
Where... where had it even come from? The first part of the dream, now that makes sense. It was the memory from the night before, the events in the dream occurring almost exactly as they had in real life, though it was a bit fuzzier and more bizarre, his dream memory not quite as sharp as it had been in real life. But that part... that part made sense.
It was the second part... the second part that... that...
He was confused. Clearly! Something in his brain just... it just got mixed up. Some wires got crossed in his head and made him dream about, well... that. As Mondo had said, you can't help what you dream about! Taka doesn't dream often enough to know what normal dreams are even like, truthfully. Most of his dreams are about memories, anyway, usually traumatic events and things like that. Sometimes his mind will alter things about the memory, make locations seem larger or smaller than in reality, or making things seem somehow worse than they had been, or adding extra bits that make him feel worse about everything. This... this probably was something similar. Just his mind picking up on his brotherly love for Mondo and- and interpreting it improperly! The human brain is highly flawed, after all! He just... he just was confused, that's all... t-that... that's all...
(At least he's getting better at lying to himself. He almost managed to fully convince himself that time.)
With that settled, Taka stands and walks over to the closet, where Mondo has their jackets stored for the event. They'd figured that it would be easiest for Taka to dress while in Mondo's room, so that the biker can help him with getting the foreign uniform on. As he looks at the twin leather jackets, hanging casually in the closet, he can't help the spike of anxiety that hits him (as well as an emotion he firmly refuses to acknowledge when he thinks about him and Mondo matching).
After all, he's been wearing some form of a school uniform for... well, quite a while. His middle school had required uniforms and he'd made sure to always wear his, even when school wasn't in session, for a few reasons. The main one is that he is a student and— as such— his main focus must be on school and his studies. While schools may take holidays, he will never take a holiday from his pursuit for knowledge and the future he desires! Thus, it only makes sense for him to show his dedication to himself by always wearing his uniform in pristine condition, even if he does sometimes feel envious of some of his classmate's snazzy outfits... like Naegi's unnaturally fashionable hoodie...
(Another reason, of course, is that it's simply cheaper and more efficient. He can spend more money maintaining his uniform and less money on frivolous other clothing. But that's a less glamorous reason and is not the one he usually tells people when they ask why he always wears his uniform.)
The thought of wearing another outfit, even for one, singular day... especially when he hadn't bought the outfit himself... it makes something in his gut churn furiously. He stares at the twin jackets, biting his lip gently for several long minutes, his mind lost in thought.
That is why he finds himself jumping, a yelp of surprise escaping his lips when he feels someone touch his side gently, a warm heat not quite but almost pressed against his back, his breath stuttering with the acute knowledge of who, exactly, is standing behind him now.
"Ya do know ya hafta put the clothes on, yeah? Starin' at 'em ain't gonna do shit," Mondo's amused voice calls from behind him, snapping him out of his stupor. With a scowl, he puts his hands on his hips and turns to admonish the biker, only for the words to die, cruelly, on his tongue.
Because Mondo... Mondo is... he's-!
"...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 Taka staring, wide eyed, at the biker's naked chest-!
His words, once again, snap him out of his stupor and Taka quickly looks away, his cheeks bright red at the thought that he's mere inches away from... from...!
"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. That is what finally jolts Taka out of his weird... whatever this was, causing him to scowl. He looks Mondo in the eyes while crossing his arms stubbornly.
"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?!"
It's not like he's lying. Not really... he has always thought that baring yourself fully to another and having them bare themselves back is a good way to get a judge of their character. After all, it's not like you can hide anything when all of you is on display, now can you?
However... he might not have been... entirely... honest with his reason for his, uh... hesitance with Mondo's partial nudity... t-though-! What other reason would he have for- for being uncomfortable with his kyoudai's bare chest?! None that he can think of! Aha! Ahaha!
(Smooth, Ishimaru... very smooth...)
"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, not like they've just made Taka's brain implode.
Mondo... wants to... take a bath... with him... n-naked-!
Grk!
Before he can get too distracted by that particular image, Mondo continues, giving him a significant look.
"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?"
Taka blinks at Mondo, before looking around, trying to indicate without words that he's kind of, uh... trapped. With Mondo standing where he is, Taka is cornered in the closet and, unless he wants to press up tight to Mondo (and his naked chest)- ah! Well. He's kind of trapped.
Luckily, Mondo seems to get his meaning, since he curses under his breath and hastily backs up, his cheeks pink.
"Ah, shit, sorry bro," Mondo mumbles, rubbing his neck again. Taka smiles shakily, striding purposefully to the chair Mondo has their t-shirt and jeans folded neatly on (Taka having folded them, obviously).
Firmly not thinking about Mondo's earlier offer (grk!), Taka hesitates for a second before quickly stripping. It's not like he's never been around Mondo while wearing only his underwear, but still... Mondo had been fully clothed at the time...
Trying not to dwell on it, not even when Mondo comes over a moment later, his underwear on but his chest and legs bare (!), he focuses on getting dressed as clinically as he always does. He only gets tripped up once or twice when putting on the jeans, not really use to wearing such casual wear. In fact, he finds himself staring down at the zipper in bafflement at one point, causing Mondo to snort at him.
"What? Y'ain't ever seen a zipper before?"
Taka glares, annoyed and a little embarrassed.
"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."
Glaring harder at the condescending tone— now able to look at Mondo without flushing since the other teen has somehow gotten dressed faster than him— he sniffs and turns back to his predicament. Well... maybe if he sucks his gut in... eep!
"Y'okay?" Mondo questions, more seriously this time, frowning at him in concern. Taka smiles shakily, trying to adjust the pants so they're not... quite so... tight...
"Y-yes! Of course! I'm just... not used to the tightness! Do people really wear things like this casually? It's highly uncomfortable!"
Assured that Taka is fine, Mondo smirks at him, crossing his arms as he leans back against the wall, shrugging casually. His eyes trail Taka up and down slowly, like he's... he's drinking him in, or something, and Taka... he...
Grk!
"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."
Grk!
Coughing awkwardly, hoping (probably in vain) that his blush isn't too noticeable, Taka moves over to the mirror to see for himself. Turning this way and that, he frowns softly at his reflection. Well... it's not bad, per se... but it definitely is strange to see himself in something other than his uniform or a thin undershirt. While the shirt he's wearing is white, it's of higher quality than the cheap undershirts he wears beneath his uniform, made with a thicker cotton. And it's not all ragged and threadbare. Thus, when it clings to him, it looks purposeful and almost nice, not cheap. And the jeans... well! They certainly don't leave much to the imagination! They're utterly indecent, accentuating his posterior, and Taka blushes at the thought of wearing them out in public. But, well... they are a gift... and his mother always taught him that it's rude to reject a gift...
He turns, then, to the last part of the outfit (not including the jacket, of course), looking at the flimsy looking pair of 'converse' shoes with mild distaste. Hm... yes, they're a gift, but...
"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. They seem worn, so at least he doesn't have to feel bad that they're new...
"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."
Taka feels his brows furrow as he looks back at Mondo curiously.
"I thought that the greasers rode in cars, not motorcycles? I recall you were particularly offended by that!"
His frown deepens when he notices Mondo freeze, his face stuck in an awkward looking grimace for a second before he sees an angry flush rise on the biker's cheeks, as well as a scowl, the teen looking a little pissed off. O-oh, he hadn't meant to...
"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."
Taka's heart clenches as he watches Mondo storm into the bathroom, shoulders tense. Oh dear... he hadn't meant to offend the teen...! See, this is why he should have just been grateful for Mondo's kind gift!
Feeling chagrined, Taka slumps into the bathroom, flinching back minutely when he hears Mondo slam some hair care products down on the counter without care. Mondo looks up at him then and— seeing his almost miserable expression— softens his harsh expression somewhat, his shoulders relaxing with his sigh.
"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."
Doing what his kyoudai asks without complaint, Taka sits and closes his eyes, trying not to feel overly nervous. He's not had someone other than himself style his hair since he'd learned to cut it when he'd been a child, his father far too busy to be able to help him maintain his cropped strands and having no hope at all of affording regular haircuts. The thought of someone else touching his hair for an extended period of time... moving it and styling it... it's a strange one!
(Not like Mondo hasn't had his hands in his hair multiple already, though… running soft fingers through it, brushing his fringe aside, reaching out and tugging on a few strands teasingly when he wants to get a point across… a-ah…)
And so, the second that he feels rough, and yet strangely gentle hands touch his hair, the sensation strange and yet not bad at all, he can't help how his eyes shoot open, looking up at Mondo, startled. Mondo blinks down at him, tilting his head curiously.
"The fuck's yer problem? I barely touched ya!"
Flushing at the exasperated reprimand, Taka just shrugs helplessly, not really sure how to explain what had just happened.
"N-nothing! I just... am not used to having my hair touched! I apologize, kyoudai! Please, continue!"
Closing his eyes again, he fights hard to not react to the feeling of Mondo's hands returning to his hair, a bit more hesitant— and thus gentle— this time. He has to bite his lip to keep in the practically obscene sounds his throat wants to make at the overwhelming sensation. He also has to press his hand harshly against the crotch of his jeans to- well! Nothing! Aha!
He hadn't realized his hair was so sensitive! Ahaha! Ha...
Grk...
"Tilt yer head, kyoudai. Gotta get a better angle," Mondo mutters after a few minutes, his fingers pressing against Taka's chin to tilt his head carefully. Taka just follows willingly, pressing his hands to his thighs as he tries to calm his racing heart. It's a good thing his eyes are closed... he truly doesn't think he could do this if they were open! How awkward!
Taka honestly has no idea what Mondo is doing to his hair at this point, to tell the truth. His internal clock tells him that it's been about ten minutes, which is almost ten times the length Taka usually spends on his hair! Mondo has just been tugging at his hair and muttering for the past several minutes, too, cold gel and aerosol spray getting put into his hair every so often.
It's after Taka estimates twenty minutes have passed that Mondo finally steps back, grunting in satisfaction.
"There... that should be good. Ain't nothin' like mine, 'course, but it's passable. Take a look, kyoudai."
Taka blinks open his eyes at the instruction and turns on the seat to face the mirror behind him. And the sight he is met with is-
"A-ah! Is that... me?!" he exclaims, eyes wide as he turns his head this way and that. His hands cautiously come up to poke gingerly at the giant... thing... on his head. It feels very hard and doesn't move an inch. Eep!
Mondo snorts at his question, smirking at him 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!"
Flushing at the pointed words, Taka hurriedly stammers out a quick "ah, yes! Thank you very much, kyoudai!" before turning back to the mirror. Now that he's over the shock he supposes that it doesn't look... too bad... just very, uh... different! Yes! That's the word! Different!
"Yeah, whatever," Mondo scoffs, rolling his eyes. The biker then turns to his counter again, picking up another item. Taka frowns when he notices that it looks something kind of like...
"Eyeliner?" he questions, looking up at Mondo quizzically. 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 an' not flinch, or else this is gonna get a lot more unpleasant."
Hm... well, that's not exactly comforting... but! He does trust his kyoudai!
With a bright smile, Taka nods once— the feeling of his hair moving all as one unit still very strange— and closes his eyes again like requested. This time, when Mondo gets close to him and touches his face, he does his best to not flinch, even with the strange feeling of something that feels an awful lot like a pencil getting applied to his eye. Mondo is so close to him that he can feel the biker's warm breath puff against his lips, the cloying scent of the cinnamon breath mints Mondo likes to chew on not helping matters at all. And when he hears Mondo mutter at him, voice low and intimate, well...
"Open yer eyes, Kiyo. Not a lot, just a little. Gotta get yer lids. Look up, I find that helps sometimes."
Obeying without question, Taka does as is asked, though he doesn't know the point of it. He tries hard to not blink at the foreign feeling of something sharp and pointy pressing to his eyes, but it's a hard thing.
Thankfully, this does not take as long as his hair had, lasting only a handful of minutes before Mondo steps back, letting out another grunt of satisfaction. Taka is about to open his eyes fully when Mondo yells at him.
"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!"
Ah... powder? Yes, he had noticed the powdery stuff in Mondo's bathroom, but it is still strange to think that the biker actually uses it! Is it a daily thing for him...?
"If you say so, kyoudai! I hadn't realized you were the type to wear makeup!"
The silence that follows his statement is deafening and it makes Taka feel strangely uncomfortable, wanting to open his eyes but knowing he can't. A-ah, but that came out wrong, hadn't it...? Oh dear...
"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!"
The last few words make it feel like Taka has been doused in ice water, his limbs going numb at the angry growl the biker's voice has turned into, far different from the casual and warm tone from earlier. A-ah... of course... because being such a thing is so... so bad...
(Ow...)
Clearing his throat, Taka scowls in the direction he believes Mondo to be, ignoring the radiating pain in his chest.
"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, sounding closer than before.
"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."
With that, Mondo moves closer again, pressing some fluffy thing to his cheeks a bit rougher than he likely has to. In all honesty, it might actually feel nice, if Taka could feel anything at all other than ice cold numbness. The words reverberate in his mind, again and again, driving him slowly insane. 'I ain't no fairy freak!' Mondo had cried, like it was something disgusting. Like to be considered... considered... that, would be the worst thing in the world. Like it... like it would be...
(What would Mondo think, if he ever found out the truth about him? Would he be able to move on, accept it because it's his kyoudai? Or would he... would he reject...
Get the hell away from me, you f*g!
... well. He guesses he already knows the answer to that one...)
"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."
Stomach clenching at the dismissive tone Mondo is using, Taka does as is asked, frowning at the crusty feeling around his eyes and cheeks. Eugh... is this really what wearing makeup is like...? How in the world do girls (and some guys!) do it?
Still, when he turns and looks in the mirror, the sight that meets him is... is...
"Oh," he mutters softly, tilting his face this way and that again, trying to see it from every angle. It looks... he...
He'd never thought he could look so... so...
"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."
Mondo's voice is soft and warm again, the tension that entered it earlier faded like it had never been there. And while the ice is still thick in Taka's chest, he does his best to ignore it, smiling shakily at Mondo, hoping the biker thinks it's just because the idea of riding a motorcycle makes him nervous and not-
Well.
"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 startles a laugh out of Mondo, like Taka had intended. While his sense of humor is still a little... er, rusty... he's starting to get good at recognizing what will make Mondo laugh, which is all that matters to him. Who cares if no one else in the world laughs at his 'jokes,' so long as his kyoudai is laughing? He certainly doesn't!
"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."
That makes Taka jolt, the last of his upset fading, his eyes wide as he looks at Mondo. 7:10?! Already?! How could the time have flown so much?! Oh no, he's practically late!
Ignoring Mondo's laughter as he hurries out of the bathroom, he marches over to the closet and opens it to get the last piece of his costume out, so that he can get to his meeting on time!
With slightly clumsy hands, Taka grabs the jacket Mondo had gotten for him, a size smaller than its twin still dangling innocently on its hanger. Moving is harder with both his tight jeans and the giant mound on his head, but he manages to struggle into the jacket, even with all the useless buckles and buttons the thing has on it. He glares at Mondo, who is still laughing at him, snickering as he struggles with the jacket.
"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?!" he exclaims, trying to properly adjust all the bits and pieces so that it doesn't look ridiculous, to no avail. He freezes when he feels Mondo step up in front of him, the biker smirking as he swats his hands away and begins adjusting the jacket for him.
"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."
Taka flushes at the offhand remark, reminded that Mondo had, after all, paid for this entire outfit...
"A-ah... and I am most grateful for that, kyoudai! I will find a way to repay you one day, I promise!"
Mondo growls at him at his words, glaring up at him as he adjusts his collar a little rougher than he probably has to. A-ah... oops...
"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 a smirk rises on his face, some mischief in his eyes as he looks down at Taka. Hm... that's not a comforting expression... "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 the last couple words, cheeks pink as he backs up, finished with adjusting the jacket, rubbing the back of his neck. He then looks Taka up and down, like he had earlier, a slow smile rising on his lips, even as the blush remains. And maybe even brightens...
"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."
Mondo's eyes are intense as they stare at him, the lavender eyes darting up and down over and over, the pupils widening as they go. Taka stays still as Mondo stares, his heart stuttering and breath shaky as he lets Mondo look his fill. W-well then...
"T-thank you, kyoudai..." he says softly, eyes falling to the floor, suddenly feeling 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."
Taka pauses for a second, gathering his thoughts. (And with his eyes on the ground, he doesn't notice how Mondo freezes, the biker's eyes boring holes into him, growing more and more intense as the seconds pass. Taka's so used to the sensation by now that it doesn't even phase him, really).
Finally, seconds later, Taka looks up, a determined smile bright on his face.
"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!"
The look in Mondo's eyes as he says the words... the way they light up, his entire face glowing with their silent joy...
"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..."
And Taka... Taka...
W-well.
Face likely bright red, even with the powder Mondo applied to him, Taka nods once, sharply, before he turns and faces the mirror that is in the corner of the room, hoping to disguise his fleeing as wanting to see how he looks.
And it's a very effective distraction! As he looks at himself, his hair up, his eyes made even more intense with the eyeliner, but somehow not terrifying... his face, a shade tanner than usual, his flush shining though it only a little... his body clad in the most casual, daring outfit Taka can ever recall wearing...
A-ah. It's, uh... certainly not bad! He might even go as far as to say he looks handsome, even! He looks daring, and dashing, and dangerous, and several other 'd' words that describe how the outfit looks on him. And... and it...
And it's certainly not him.
(But maybe... maybe that's not such a bad thing...)
"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 hears Mondo mutter, the teen stepping up behind him, hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans, frowning at him with concern. Taka smiles shakily back, eyes turning back to his reflection, looking up and down.
"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..."
He bites his lips gently, eyes roving worriedly over his reflection. He watches, unbidden, as Mondo's reflection gets closer to his in the mirror, a soft gasp escaping him when he feels a gentle hand brush against his side, the touch barely there and yet still electrifying. It's not a new sensation, but somehow, seeing it in the mirror makes it feel so much more… intimate, somehow. He waits for Mondo's gently mocking comment, for him to get offended, or any of the things Mondo usually does when he gets insecure like this...
But...
Instead, all Mondo says is, "I ain't gonna think that. What's wrong, kyoudai? Ya can tell me. I won't judge ya. Promise."
A-ah... well then...
"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..."
The presence behind him grows more intense, Mondo pressing firmly to his back, his hands moving to pull Taka close to him, holding him tight. His breath stutters as he feels Mondo's hand worm its way beneath the jacket to rest warm on his abdomen, so hot and overwhelming even through the relatively thick shirt, making him feel... feel so safe... and secure... like... like always...
"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 at the words, his face flushing with the implication. "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, his forehead resting gently on the back of Taka's head, where his neck meets head, resting among the stiff strands of hair that reside there. And Taka... Taka...
"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 still buried in his hair, so he can't see the teen's face, but Taka can imagine the beautiful blush he would be sure to find there, if he could see it. After all, its twin expression is mirrored on Taka's own face.
Mondo... he... he really does mean that… doesn't he? No one has ever said that to Taka before... not even close. No one has ever wanted him exactly as he is, no change required... he's always had to change some part of himself— some aspect or other— to even have any hope of fitting in, to not be despised as much as he always has been. Not even- even his father... not even his father could handle him as he was... he was always too much; too bright, too vibrant, too loud... no one wanted to deal with that… no one had the time to deal with that... but... but Mondo...
Mondo did. Mondo does. He... he wants him. Not like this, a mockery of himself, beautiful but so painfully false it makes him ache inside to see it. Not like this, dressed in the uniform for the world in which Mondo resides, something that would make them the same, make them even... equal… a-and Taka knows. He knows, if Mondo asked him for it, if Mondo wanted it, truly and deeply wanted it, even if he, himself, doesn't...
Well.
He's always been weak...
But... but Mondo doesn't. Doesn't want this pale imitation. Doesn't want him brought down to his level. He wants him... he wants Taka...
As he is.
And he... he can't...
"K-kyoudai... y-you can't 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!" he cries, only half joking. As he feels Mondo shake behind him, his laughter sounding even sweeter as it reverberates through his body, he can't help the smile he gets, his eyes misting, though he refuses to let the gathering tears fall. After all, what he's said was true! He doesn't want to ruin his eyeliner!
His body freezes entirely, though, when he feels Mondo shift behind him, the teen moving his head from the back of Taka's head to... t-to...
The side of his neck... the biker's lips mere centimeters from being pressed against his skin... ghosting against him with each breath he takes... the feeling of warm breath rushing over him in gentle puffs of air...
Oh... oh god...
Unbidden, a flash from his dream— which feels like it had occurred decades ago already, not nary an hour before— pops into his mind, making him shudder deeply. Oh... oh god...
"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."
Oh... oh, this wonderful man... this beautiful, amazing, incredible boy...
(Taka has never loved anyone more... l-like a brother, of course…)
Smiling, bright and happy, Taka reaches down, unable to help himself, and puts his hand over Mondo's, whose hand is still pressed lightly to his stomach. And, almost against his will, he carefully tangles their fingers together, so that they're connected— intertwined— fully and completely... and it... it…
It's incredible.
"T-thank you, kyoudai. My words... they cannot express how much that means to me. Truly," he states softly, before his mind picks up on something Mondo had said, making him jolt upright with panic. "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, rolling his eyes fondly. And when he pulls back, rubbing his neck awkwardly, the blush Taka knew would be there intensifying... well, let's just say that, for once, Taka is seriously considering not caring about tardiness! How queer! "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-"
Taka chuckles softly at Mondo's fumbling words, smiling kindly at the biker. They've had this conversation already, honestly. He looks over his shoulder at the teen, eyes sparkling with the mirth he'd never realized he could feel before meeting Mondo.
"You needn't worry, Mondo! I will be on my best behavior! I'm a master at social interactions, after all!"
Taka pauses, his stomach churning not unpleasantly as Mondo bursts out laughing, his 'joke' thankfully hitting its mark. He then looks over at the clock and lets out an 'eep!' of shock, seeing that he has less than seven minutes to get to his meeting. And the meeting is halfway across the school! Oh no!
"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!"
With those words, he gets a brief hug goodbye from Mondo, like usual, before he's putting on the 'shoes' and rushing out of the room, speed walking (not running! He would never run in the halls!) to get to his meeting on time. It's only ironing out the last few details, as well as meeting with the few venders and whatnot that they have contacted to show up, before heading to organize everyone who is providing a booth today. The festival booths are mostly run by the Ultimate students who elected to lend their expertise to the cause, such as Maizono, who will be performing with her band; Ludenberg, who will be running a game of chance booth; Yamada, who will be drawing caricatures and portraits; and Hagakure, who will be running a psychic reading table at a discount. And that's not to mention the countless upper grade students who also volunteered. And all the reserve students who are also making several booths themselves, the various clubs and classes of the non-Ultimate students of Hope's Peak working to create booths for all students to enjoy.
However, on top of all of that, they did contact some outside entertainment and venders, to make sure the event is as lively as possible. Nothing but the best for Hope's Peak! They have food venders, and little tchotchke slash knick-knack artisans, and little game booths, and a haunted house, and some former alum of Hope's Peak who are willing to return for the festival they have prepared... even a couple of carnival rides… it's all a little over the top, to be honest, and a lot fancier than any other school festival he's been to! But the headmaster had said it would be fine, since this would be their main big festival until the winter one.
Taka is, of course, in charge of overseeing it all, as he is the one who has been organizing and enforcing that the students finish their preparations in time for the festival and contacting the venders with details on when and where to show up. Headmaster Kirigiri said that he didn't have to put so much work into it, that Taka could relax if he wanted and that he could handle it all himself, but Taka honestly hadn't minded. It had initially been a good distraction from his fighting with Mondo, and even after they became kyoudai, it was still a nice project for him to work on during his rare downtime. Plus, it had made the headmaster pleased with him! It is a win-win all around!
The only downside is that now it all falls on him to make sure that it all runs smoothly. While he and Mondo will have the time to enjoy the festival together, after it starts at 10:00, he is sure to be expected to be on call at all times, to make sure things run as smoothly as possible. The reserve students will be at the festival as well, which means that thousands of teenagers will be milling about. That's quite a lot! It also significantly increases the likelihood of disaster!
But that's okay! It's nothing that Taka can't handle!
Today is going to be a great day, he can just feel it!
Hey all! So, this chapter got away from me, like they always do, aha. This chapter was supposed to be about the festival in its entirety, the scene with Mondo helping Taka get ready a lot shorter in my head. But then I got to writing, and all these feels came spilling out and... well, ya know how it is.
But as for Mondo and his homophobia... I have said this before, but I really am not aiming to make him homophobic, I promise. I wrote Mondo's perspective of this chapter recently, and he was having other things going on inside his head during that moment that made him feel defensive. The main reason I did it at the time, back before I really got into Mondo's head, though, was basically, in the game, Mondo says some things that make me think that, while he may or may not have problems with gay people, he doesn't like people thinking that about him. So I tried portraying that, which led to all of this. Nothing excuses the things he's saying, but I promise he has his reasons.
However, for anyone really concerned, don't worry. Next chapter resolves Mondo's supposed homophobia once and for all, and after that it doesn't really occur again. So... yeah. :-)
(Also, I totally had the Fall Festival be on Halloween just to dress Taka up like Mondo a bit, ha. I don't know much about Japanese festivals, but my schools often would have Halloween carnivals and festivals and things like that, so I based it all on that, but just... larger and more expensive. Ha.)