CW: there are mentions of child abuse and neglect near the beginning of this chapter. Nothing graphic and nothing really described in detail, but still. Just a warning.
Hey all!
So! The continuation of last chapter! I will warn that the beginning of this chapter is, uh… not the greatest. I struggled so hard with that transition. I wish I could say it's the fault of me splitting these two chapters, but nope. It was always an awkward transition since last chapter and this chapter are such a harsh juxtaposition to one another. The funny thing is that this chapter had actually been planned the entire time I wrote last chapter. It was just that the fluff grew out of control, and I didn't want to cut it short. Thus: harsh transition. I still like this chapter, though. It definitely sets up the end game of this story. By the point this chapter was written, I had known I only wanted three more chapters at most. That got stretched to five since the last three chapters are so long, but still. We're reaching the end of this story y'all, so I have to set up a lot. Ha.
Anyway! Thank you all for the nice comments! Please know that everyone makes me smile so much and makes my day a thousand times better. And to everyone who apologizes for leaving super long comments, or who thinks they apologize "too much," please know you don't. I don't reply as much as I should, but I love them all, no matter how many or how long they are. In fact, I love getting multiple comments from the same person, or super long ones, since they show that people really do care about this story. And that's… that's an amazing feeling, I gotta admit. 3
Now, as for the content warning this week… there is a discussion of past child abuse and neglect near the beginning of this chapter. It gets a bit heavy, though nothing is really described in great detail. I don't want to say too much so as to not spoil anything, but feel free to message me if you think this may be a concern.
Enjoy!
The two teens stay like that, in a state of content bliss, until Taka's alarm goes off at 4:45. The sound is very jarring in the previously still and silent room, making him frown lightly as he blinks down at it, head tilted, feeling very confused. Mondo is looking down at him as well, his eyebrow raised in question, but Taka is just as lost as the biker is, to tell the truth.
Why... why had he set an alarm for now, he wonders? He hadn't set it today or the day before, he knows that... clearly, it had to have been him who set the alarm, too, as he's the only one who has had access to his phone recently. Well, other than Mondo… but why would Mondo want to set an alarm on his phone without telling him? Plus, the teen looks just as lost as him, so that wouldn't any sense. So then… it must have been him, right? But what... what...
All of a sudden Taka remembers why, exactly, he'd set the alarm two days prior, his face paling dramatically as he sits up, ignoring the ache in his body and head as he stares at his phone with mounting horror, the contentment he'd felt only moments ago now fully and completely shattered as cold reality rushes back in.
Mondo— startled by Taka's abrupt actions— sits up quickly as well, eyes full of concern and worry as he looks at Taka, mouth tight as he gets ready to fight off whatever is making Taka look so afraid.
"Kiyo?! The fuck happened?! Are you okay?!" Mondo exclaims, reaching out a hand and gently grasping Taka's face, looking over him carefully as he tries to see any possible injuries. Taka absently shakes his head, breath coming out in pants for reasons he absolutely cannot explain.
"N-no... I- I mean yes, I... I'm okay, kyoudai. Nothing- nothing happened. I just... forgot," he whispers, closing his eyes firmly, not sure why he feels so panicked inside, just knowing that he does. When he hears Mondo let out a confused sound, he opens his eyes, smiling at Mondo shakily. "S-sorry... I'm probably not- not making any sense... I- I just... I forgot... I- I forgot that my father wanted me- me to call him today. At 5:00."
And he had. He completely and totally had. He... he never forgets things. Ever. It's one of the things he prides himself on the most, in fact. He writes things down in his planners and diaries, and more recently on his phone, but he often doesn't need them or the numerous reminders he sets up, as he doesn't forget. And yet...
He had. Today... he had.
He'd completely forgotten that his father had emailed him two days prior, late on Friday, telling him that he had finally finished the murder case and that he would be able to leave work early Sunday night, if Taka wanted to call. He'd been excited when he'd received the email (though he'd had to squash down the pain he'd also felt, his mind reminding him of the last conversation he'd had with the man), and had set the alarm immediately after, even though he hadn't thought he'd need to.
But then... after the excitement of the previous day... not to mention the activities Mondo and he had engaged in afterwards... and today, with his illness... the appointment had completely fled his mind. Fully and utterly. He's not even thought of it once since he'd set his alarm the other night, which is so much not like him that he's almost... afraid. Yes, he knows that he's been changing since he and Mondo became friends, growing laxer and more careless than he'd ever been before, the tight line his shoulders always found themselves in during his youth finally relaxing a little, but... but he hadn't realized he'd changed this much. To forget... forget his own father... even his sickness doesn't excuse his forgetfulness, doesn't excuse... it doesn't...
"Oh, shit... uh... we still got some time, so it ain't like yer late, so y'ain't gotta worry Kiyo... but uh, did ya wanna cancel? Yer kinda sick, an'— no offense— yer ol' man's kinda a dick... I'm sure he wouldn't fault ya fer wantin' ta reschedule, 'less he really is that big ofa dick..."
Taka can't help the way he glares at Mondo, his shoulders tensing at the harsh words. His headache— which had been almost completely waned for hours now— is returning with a vengeance and he can feel pressure behind his eyes, and he isn't even sure why he feels like this. Why... why does the thought of talking to his father make him feel so... so... bad?
But the thought of not talking to his father feels even worse, so he firmly shakes his head, looking down at his phone with blurry eyes.
"N-no, kyoudai! I- I can't... f-father- father hates people who- who cancel plans on short notice and- a-and he... h-he... he won't get my email until he- he's home and I... I can't..."
Taka bites his lip, his throat starting to ache again as he speaks, his voice sounding rough and raw. Mondo silently hands him another throat lozenge with the hand not cupping his cheek, almost like it's an instinct, and he shoots him a grateful look as he takes it and sucks on it gingerly, fiddling with the wrapper as he does his best to not break down completely. And to think, this afternoon had been going so pleasantly, too...
"Look. Kiyo. If the thought a' talkin' ta yer ol' man makes ya this anxious, maybe... I dunno. Maybe ya shouldn't. Just 'cuz he's yer da don't mean ya owe him shit, okay? 'Cuz if talkin' ta him hurts ya..."
Mondo's words make the pressure behind his eyes increase, and he shakes his head again, doing his best to ignore the way his head aches with the motion.
"N-no, you don't... y-you don't understand, kyoudai... he... he's my father, I... I love him and I want to- to talk to him... b-besides... he- he's the only family I have left..."
Taka can feel the way Mondo flinches at his words, the hand that is still loosely cupping his cheek retreating quickly as Mondo gives him a wounded look. Taka wants to take the words back— realizing his folly as soon as they're out— but before he can Mondo is speaking, his voice low and steady, with a hint of hurt lining his words.
"That ain't fuckin' true, Kiyo. 'Cuz no matter what, ya've got me. An' I know we ain't related by blood, but that don't mean shit, ya hear me? I don't... fuck. I don't know the fuck is goin' on 'tween us, but I do know that yer the most important person in my fuckin' life, an' there ain't shit that can change that. If that don't make us family, then I don't know what the fuck does. An'... an' as fer him bein' yer da an' shit..."
Mondo pauses here, as a look of such intense pain enters the biker's eyes that Taka can't help but dart forward, hands reaching for Mondo's face, trying to provide comfort in the same way the biker does for him. He sees how Mondo relaxes a little under his touch, the pain fading a little as the biker gives him a grateful smile, his hand coming up to hold Taka's against his face, warm and intimate. After a moment, Mondo continues, voice low, but still steady. Still in control.
"Well. It don't mean shit that he's yer da, not if he hurts ya, okay? Ya don't owe nothin' ta someone who hurts ya, physically or otherwise. An' I know this, 'cuz... 'cuz my ol' man used ta beat me when I was a kid. An' I don't mean a slap on the ass when I fuckin' misbehaved. I mean full on beatin' the shit outta me over nothin'. He... shit. I try not ta think a' that shit much, since it fuckin' sucks shit, an' it shouldn't even fuckin' matter anymore since he left us fuckin' ages ago, but I… I remember how fuckin' scared I was a' him back then. If it weren't fer Daiya gettin' 'tween us, I legit think he'd a' killed me a couple a' times. Definitely broke my bones more times than I can count, even with Daiya there ta stop him. It's 'cuz a' him I made myself inta the biggest an' baddest motherfucker I could, 'cuz I never fuckin' wanted anyone ta make me feel as small an' weak as that piece a' shit did.
"An' when he left... I didn't even fuckin' care. We were better off without him, even when ma died several years later, drinkin' herself ta death. He may still be alive out there, but I don't give a single fuck 'bout him. The best goddamn thing he ever did fer us was gettin' the fuck outta our lives. An' he ain't my family, ya know? He may be my da, but he ain't fuckin' family. He's an abusive fuckin' piece a' shit who the world would be better off without, an' I owe him fuckin' nothin'. Absolutely fuckin' nothin'. An'... an' I know it's different with you, but Kiyo, if he makes ya hurt, if he causes ya pain in any way... ya don't owe him a single fuckin' thing. I promise ya that. Not a goddamn thing."
Taka can only stare at Mondo as he finishes speaking, his eyes steady as he looks at him, looking so calm that Taka almost doesn't believe he'd said such... such horrifying things. Mondo... h-he had known that the biker hadn't had the best childhood, had known his father had walked out on them when he was six, and that his older brother had obtained custody over him when their mother died when he'd been nine and Daiya had been seventeen, his brother faking documents to pretend he was an adult, but he... he hadn't known that Mondo had been abused so horribly, hadn't known... he... god.
The tears that he has been fighting this entire time finally spill over, his throat and head aching with the pressure, but he doesn't care. He... Mondo, he...
Mondo lets out a sound of distress at his tears, and suddenly his arms are around him, holding him close, shushing him gently.
"Hey, hey Kiyo, don't fuckin' cry... that piece a' shit ain't worth no one's tears, ya got me? That shit all happened a long fuckin' time ago, an' while I can't say I'm completely fuckin' over it, it don't bother me much anymore. More fucked up over... o-over Daiya dyin' than anythin', shit... b-but I just... I wanted ya ta know that ya don't owe him anythin' just 'cuz he's yer da. Know that ya take respectin' yer family seriously, but just... y'ain't gotta if yer family is trash. An' if ya wanna talk ta him 'cuz ya genuinely wanna, then shit, Kiyo, that's fine. Ain't gonna tell ya otherwise, ya hear me? But ya gotta actu'ly wanna talk ta him, okay? 'Cuz otherwise yer just makin' yerself miserable, an' I can't fuckin' stand seein' ya look so upset. He ain't worth yer fuckin' tears, man. Not if he ain't man enough ta tell ya he loves ya."
Despite Mondo's request for him to stop crying, Taka can't, especially not with the words Mondo says. He... he just... it's not like that, his father loves him, he... he knows he... knows he does, and Taka wants to talk to him, he... h-he...
"N-no... y-you're wrong, h-he... I want to. Talk to him. He's my father and I owe him... I owe him so much; he's done so much for me... he- he... and he never hurt me. Physically or- or verbally, or... or anything. A-after mother- after she- she died, it... it destroyed him, but I don't- I- I don't blame him, it... I don't... I just wish I knew- knew what to say- to say to him, what- what to... i-if I was just better a-at talking t-to people, if I just knew how- how to hold a- a conversation then-"
"Kiyo, no," Mondo stresses, pulling back to look him firmly in the eyes, face completely serious. And Taka... he... "that ain't fuckin' it. Yer great at conversation; just takes some time fer ya ta get used ta it, that's all. An' he would fuckin' know that 'bout ya if he'd bother ta fuckin' pay attention. See this... this is what I wanted ya ta avoid. None a' this shit is your fault, got it? It ain't 'cuz ya can't hold a conversation, or 'cuz yer not worth talkin' ta, or anythin' like that. 'Cuz I assure ya that ain't the truth. I fuckin' adore talkin' ta ya, hearin' yer fuckin' adorable comments an' shit. Highlight a' my fuckin' day, Christ. Anyone who's worth yer fuckin' time would feel the same way, an' if he don't, then, well... he ain't worth yer fuckin' time. Ya deserve more than ta be made ta feel like y'ain't fuckin'... fuckin' worth talkin' ta. Okay? 'Cuz ya are. I promise ya, Kiyo... you most definitely are. Hear me?"
Taka gasps harshly at the words, shaking his head, not quite denying him, just... it's too much. His head is hurting, and his throat is aching, and his body is in agony, and everything is just... wrong, wrong, wrong. The pleasant warmth from earlier is gone and he misses it so, so much, and he... he just...
"H-he never h-hurt me... he... why couldn't he... I don't..."
Taka voice cuts out, throat too thick to continue, even if he had any idea of what he was saying, and then he can feel warm lips pressing against his forehead and he wants to cry again and he just... he can't...
"That don't matter, Kiyo. Y'ain't gotta be hit or yelled at ta be hurt by someone. Bein' ignored can sometimes be worse than any punches or kicks anyone can throw. Heh... learned that one from ma... s-she never got over what that piece a' shit did ta her an' was just... not really there those last years. Just drank an' cried an' shit. Barely even saw me or Daiya, even when I'd hug her. Sometimes think that hurt more than what da did, heh... but, shit, this ain't 'bout me. Just... yer allowed ta feel hurt by him ignorin' ya, ya know? An' it ain't yer fuckin' fault. S'what Daiya always told me, when ma or da... an' he was fuckin' right, so I'll say it ta you, too. Ya wanna keep talkin' ta him, I won't stop ya, Kiyo, 'cuz I fuckin' get it. I really fuckin' do. But I ain't gonna stand by as ya try an' blame yerself fer his fuckin' bullshit. Just 'cuz he can't get over his fuckin' nonsense don't mean ya gotta put up with it, got me? Or that it's yer fault. Ya deserve so much more than that, Kiyo. I promise. I fuckin'... I promise."
Mondo's words are so soft and gentle, and Taka feels them as they enter his heart, radiating through his body. He... he's always blamed himself, for his father's distance. He thought that he just... wasn't good enough, wasn't trying hard enough. He'd always tried so, so hard, had put in as much effort and strength as he could muster, and yet... it was never enough. He'd never let himself even consider that perhaps it was because all the effort and drive in the world couldn't get his father to see him, since it... it wasn't his fault. In his mind, it had to be his fault. Everything always was. It had to be, because otherwise... otherwise, how could he fix it? How could he make his father see him and- and love him, if it wasn't anything that he'd done wrong? How... h-how...
"I... I- I understand wh-what you are saying, kyoudai, but... b-but... it must be my fault. Because if it is my fault, then I can fix it. And I will! I- I must! He... he is my father, I- I love him, I... I... I just must work harder, b-be better! That is... that is all... k-kyoudai, please..."
Mondo sighs and he feels as the biker pulls him closer, arms tight and secure around him again, Taka's ear pressed firmly to a warm chest. He wants to protest, wants to keep talking, but his throat is hurting again, and he ran out of the lozenge Mondo gave him, and he is just so tired... so very, very tired...
"Ya know what... okay, kyoudai. I ain't gonna fight ya over this, not when yer all sick an' shit. 'Cuz I love you an' I don't want ya ta be upset. But just... know that yer fuckin' incredible ta me... okay? An' there's not a goddamn thing 'bout ya that I'd want ya ta change. Not even the parts that frustrate the hell outta me. 'Cuz all a' it... it just makes up... well, you. Taka. My Kiyo. An' that... that shit is what matters the most. Okay? Heh… fuckin' sappy as shit, damn… Well. Mean it. An' now, much as I'd like ta tell ya not ta, if ya wanna talk ta yer dad, ya've got a couple a' minutes 'til 5:00, so we should prolly stop talkin' so ya can prepare. Ya know... mentally an' shit."
Mondo stops talking then, but he doesn't pull away. He just lifts a hand and runs careful fingers through Taka's hair, humming softly under his breath. It is so soothing that Taka can't help but melt against it, even with all the pain and hurt swirling within his head, not to mention the pain from his illness. His phone is still in his hands, and he can see the minutes ticking away, getting closer and closer to 5:00, but he... he just needs a moment. Just one. To rest and then... then he can figure it all out. He promises. He promises.
When the clock ticks 4:59, Taka reluctantly pulls back, feeling very bereft but knowing that he- that he has to do this. Because he loves his father. Because he knows that if he were only a better son… then his father would love him, too. And maybe... maybe if his father sees how hard he's trying, how hard he's working he will... he will finally be impressed and love him and... and...
Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.
But it's all he's got, so what else can he do?
However... while he pulls away from Mondo, he can't bear to go too far. Instead, he just shifts so that his back is facing Mondo, leaning against the biker slightly. Mondo— thankfully— gets the hint and wraps his arms around Taka, pulling him flush against him, resting his chin on his shoulder as he nuzzles his cheek gently. The tension that had briefly made its way back into Taka's shoulders leaves again, Taka sighing as he relaxes fully against Mondo, feeling the closest to content as he can with a phone call to his father looming ahead of him. And while he knows it will make having a private conversation to his father nearly impossible, he just... he doesn't care. He doesn't mind sharing his entire life with Mondo, if such a thing is possible. He... he truly doesn't. He knows that that isn't healthy, that he should have boundaries, and he's sure he has some, but... well. It truly doesn't bother him. Not one bit.
"Good luck, Kiyo. Know that I'm always gonna be here fer ya, no matter what. Got it?" Mondo mutters softly in his ear, kissing his cheek gently as he goes. It makes Taka's cheeks heat up, but he doesn't have time to think about it because the clock hits 5:00, which means he's out of time. Opening up the cellular phone app, he presses his father's mobile number and looks at the phone for a moment, before hitting the speaker phone button. He's never used the feature before, but he knows how it works, roughly. It's just... the thought of pressing his phone to his ear is just... it's too much for him to handle at the moment.
Plus, as he said... he doesn't mind Mondo listening in. He just... he doesn't mind.
(And maybe then the biker will see that he is wrong, that it is Taka's fault that... that... well. Maybe then he will see...)
(God, he wishes he won't though...)
The phone rings a total of three times before the line gets picked up, Taka's breath catching when he hears his father's voice for the first time in weeks...
"Hello, Takaaki Ishimaru speaking. Kiyotaka, is that you?"
Taka's heart jolts in his chest at the fact that his father actually remembered that they were supposed to talk today. It... s-see? This is... this is why he'd wanted to call, his father... he does care, Taka knows he does, he... he...
"Y-yes, father! Sir! I-it... it is me!" Taka exclaims, wincing somewhat at the scratchiness of his voice, knowing that his father will be able to tell that something is wrong immediately. And his fear is founded when his father speaks again, tone more forceful, like it always is when something concerns him.
"Kiyotaka? Are you feeling alright? You sound... different. Is something the matter?"
He winces at the sharp tone, even though he knows it just means that his father is worried. He and his father are similar in many ways, and one way is that it's sometimes hard for them to show concern without sounding overly forceful and almost harsh. He's been slowly learning how to show concern in other, softer ways, knowing Mondo often needs him to be softer, but it is still something he struggles with, so he doesn't blame his father, not at all!
Still...
"A-ah... n-no, father! It is nothing- n-nothing major! I just have a mild case of- of the- the flu! That is all! But! It- it is nothing that I- that I cannot... c-cannot handle!"
The other side of the line is silent for several seconds, and Taka is almost afraid the call dropped when his father lets out a soft hum, the man sounding considering.
"Hm. That does not sound good, my son. But I know that you are more than adept at taking care of yourself! ... aha... still. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and get some rest! Luckily, it is a weekend, so you don't have to worry about school at the moment, but make sure you don't fall behind in your studies, alright? Will you be going into class tomorrow?"
A-ah... he'd- he'd been hoping that his father wouldn't ask about that... his father has never approved of him taking off school, not even when sick, which is a sentiment he agrees with! But... the nurse... and Mondo...
"A-ah... I do not- not believe so... t-the nurse said that she- she does not recommend it... and that she- s-she would inform my- my teachers about- a-about it... p-plus a friend said that they- they would tie me to the bed if I- I tried! Aha... ha..."
Taka flushes bright red at the words he'd unintentionally said, realizing as soon as they are out that they were not really something he should tell his father, who he knows can be a little literal sometimes, another trait they share that Taka is getting better at. Still...
"Ah! That sounds... rather forceful, but I suppose I understand the sentiment. Aha, your mother used to say the same thing to me when I tried to go into work sick... your 'friend' wouldn't happen to be a lady friend, would they? Aha!"
His father's words make him flush even brighter, especially when he feels Mondo shift behind him, a touch awkwardly. A-ah... no, not a 'lady friend,' but... well. His father had hit closer to the truth there than he reckons the man will ever truly know...
"A-ah, no! H-he... he is not! He is... h-he is my best friend, though. My- my kyoudai. We... we are very close."
Taka hasn't had the chance to tell his father about his friendship with Mondo yet, as the opportunity has yet to arise, but he had decided near the beginning that he would not hide his friendship, not when it is so important to him. And now, he finds he doesn't mind telling his father about the close friendship he has managed to find while here at school. His father is always asking him about friends and whatnot. Surely... surely, he wouldn't mind knowing he's made such a close friend... right?
(Well... just as long as Taka doesn't mention who, exactly, his 'friend' is...)
"Ah! I hadn't realized you'd grown so close to anyone while at your school! To call yourselves brothers after only a few short months... you must be very close, indeed! Tell me, what is his name? I would like to look into him, to ensure that he is good enough for my only son! Aha! After all, I know how naive you can be, and you know how I worry about you..."
As his father's words trail off, he feels Mondo stiffen behind him, at the same time that he, himself, stiffens too. A-ah... his... his father wants to know the name of his- his friend...
Well. This is sure to not go poorly...
"A-ah! F-father, I... I appreciate the concern! But... but I as-assure you that- that my friend, he is- is more than good enough! He... he is incredible..." far more than I deserve, he thinks to himself, but does not say, knowing that saying such a thing will only upset his father. The man always did hate it when he put himself down like that, telling him forcefully that such beliefs are 'nonsense' and 'quite stupid,' which— to tell the honest truth— never helped all that much... s-still. Part of him considers not telling his father who Mondo is, wanting to prevent the anger he knows his father will feel, but if Taka plans to keep Mondo in his life (which he does, god he does), no matter in what capacity... well. He'll find out sometime. And he refuses to let Mondo think that he's at all ashamed of him. Because he isn't. He isn't.
Not even a little.
So, mind made up, Taka takes a deep breath and continues, pressing the side of his face a little firmer to Mondo's, wishing selfishly to obtain strength from that. To his great fortune, Mondo doesn't protest, and just presses back, arms wrapping tighter around him as he goes, making him smile briefly. A-ah... yes. This is the right decision. He knows it.
He knows it.
"And... and as for his name, he... it is Mondo. Mondo... Mondo Owada."
The silence that follows his statement is charged and heavy, making Taka want to squirm. He can feel Mondo stiffening further behind him, and he doesn't blame the biker. He... he always knew his father wouldn't approve, but... but he had hoped...
But when the silence is finally broken, the only sound he hears is a low chuckling that steadily grows louder, but it- it is not a good sound. In fact... it is a very, very bad one. One that he knows from experience means that his father is starting to get very, very angry, but is doing his best to contain it. He's only heard the sound a handful of times, and never directed towards him, but now- now that it is directed towards him... he can't help how he gasps, flinching back unintentionally, huddling against Mondo, who just tightens his arms, shifting so that he is somehow pressed tighter to him. God... he is so glad Mondo is here, he... he doesn't have words to say how glad he is, even though he feels so selfish for thinking it, as he doesn't want Mondo to hear whatever his father is about to say... god...
"That... that's funny, Kiyotaka. For a second there, I thought you were being serious. But clearly, you must be joking. Or else I misheard you. Because for a second, it sounded to me like you had said your best friend was Mondo Owada. Who— need I remind you— is a wanted criminal who has been plaguing Japan for years now. So, please. Tell me again, who exactly is this friend of yours?"
The words his father says are spoken with more ice than exists in the Arctic, making him gasp again, his heart aching so keenly. He... he's never heard his father talk like that to him. Never. Not even the few times the man has gotten angry at him for his personality quirks, or the time he learned that Taka was still visiting his grandfather in prison. He... he isn't ashamed to admit that it terrifies him, and- and for a moment... for a moment Taka, he...
He considers lying. Considers laughing, loud and boisterous, claiming that he couldn't believe his father would fall for such a ridiculous prank, ha! And then- then saying that no, his friend is- is someone else. Makoto, perhaps. His- his father would approve of Makoto, appreciating another normal, non-talented individual like himself. Or maybe one of the others. Hiro. Hifumi. Hell, even Togami would be a better option, despite his father's hatred of rich people. He... he could...
But no. No. Not only does he refuse to live a lie, but he... he can't do that to Mondo. He refuses. Not after... not after all that the teen has done for him. Not after all the teen is continuing to do for him. He's sure that Mondo would understand if he chose to… but. But. It would hurt him, deeply. He's always been insecure about the different worlds they inhabit, thinking himself lesser than Taka because of it, and he absolutely cannot be the reason Mondo believes such a thing. He just... he can't. He refuses.
Even if it means his father never talks to him again...
"No. N-no, you- you heard me right. I... my friend— my kyoudai... is Mondo. Mondo Owada. Th-the Ultimate- Ultimate Biker Gang Leader." Silence echoes around them once more, before Taka starts talking again, his voice rough from illness and shaking horribly, but the words he says are truthful. Entirely so. "H-he... he is not how you- you think, father! He is- is very kind and- and caring, and he- h-he... he helps me, he helps me so- so much! And... and he's a good man, I promise, father, he- he... he... he does good things, he helps people, I- I promise, I... f-father, I-"
"Stop," his father intones, voice cutting through his rambling, shutting him up instantly. He... he's never heard his father sound so emotionless before. Not even... not even towards other people. He... oh, god... Taka- Taka can't... he can't...
The silence returns after that, the only sound being the harsh breathing of his father through the speaker phone. He can feel Mondo stiff as a board behind him, his arms almost painfully tight, but Taka doesn't care, god he doesn't care. He lets out a soft gasp and can't help but turn his face so that he can bury it in Mondo's neck, feeling like a child hiding away from responsibility, but not caring one goddamn bit. To think, less than half an hour ago they'd been lounging lazily in bed, not a care in the world... how quickly things change...
A full minute passes before any more words are spoken, and when Taka hears his father's measured words, he feels his heart break yet again, tears filling his eyes as he gasps harshly.
"Kiyotaka. You are lucky I am currently on a public bus, or else I would not hesitate to raise my voice to you. What are you thinking?! I know I told you that you might be able to reform him, but I hadn't been serious! There is no redemption for scum like him! You know the kinds of things he and his gang have done over the years, the property damage and the injuries they have caused! You've seen the reports! How- how can you be so stupid as to actually befriend a criminal like him?! You better have a damn good explanation for this, Kiyotaka, or I swear-"
"I- I already told you! He- he is not like that!" Taka exclaims, removing his head from Mondo's neck to glare uselessly at the phone, not caring that he's being horribly rude by cutting off his father. He presses on quickly, knowing he has to speak now, knowing he can't let his father keep saying such horrible things! He can feel Mondo behind him, the biker's breathing heavy and ragged, and he can't take it. Mondo... Mondo doesn't deserve to hear such things about himself. He doesn't. "He- he is kind and he is caring and he- he is the most incredible person I have ever met! He... he has done so much for me, father, you- you don't... you don't know... he- he doesn't care about grandfather! H-he doesn't- doesn't care about any of it! H-he looks at me, and he sees me, something not even you have ever done! H-he doesn't ask me to change, he doesn't make me feel like I am a failure, he- h-he... he is... I..."
"You are such a fool, Kiyotaka," his father hisses, cutting him off harshly, sounding so infuriated that Taka is afraid. So very, very afraid. But... but Mondo... "You truly think that criminal cares about you?! I thought I had taught you better than this! I thought I'd made sure you understood to trust no one but yourself! I had thought you were smarter than your grandfather, but I can see now that I was wrong! You are as big a fool as he was, and you will fall just as far if you continue to follow the path that you are on! That criminal doesn't care about you, he is just using you! How can you not see that Kiyotaka?! He is using you for what you can give him, telling you what you want to hear! I bet he's told you to distrust me, hasn't he?! That's exactly what people like him do! They tear you from your families, from the people who love you, and they prey upon you when you are weak and alone! I- I cannot let such a thing happen to you! He will betray you, and you will fall, and I cannot watch as that happens, Kiyotaka, I cannot-"
"That ain't fuckin' gonna happen!" Taka hears a rough voice shout angrily next to him, causing him to gasp harshly again, his eyes going wide, body jolting as he sits and turns partially to look at the biker. He knew Mondo was getting upset, and he knows that when Mondo gets upset, he gets angry, but he- Taka's been hoping that he- he wouldn't- that this wouldn't escalate...
But he's helpless to do anything but watch as Mondo sits up, jerking out from under him as he grabs Taka's phone, his face lined in rage and anger and pain, and it makes Taka want to cry, and his head is aching so badly, and his stomach hurts, and he just... h-he just-
"Listen here, you goddamn piece a' shit! I don't fuckin' care what ya think a' me, okay?! I know I'm a piece a' shit, I know I ain't worth the fuckin' dirt on Taka's boots, but I ain't gonna sit here an' listen as ya fuckin' insult him! He ain't nothin' like his fuckin' grandfather, ya fuckin' hear me?! He is the best, most carin' person I ever fuckin' met! He fuckin' gave me a chance, despite all the shit I put him through! He cares so much, 'bout so many things, an' he- he's so passionate and enthusiastic 'bout everythin' he does, despite all the fuckin' shit he's been through... he- he just... he fuckin' deserves the world, an' I know that he's gonna achieve all his fuckin' goals, 'cuz he's the type a' person ta never give up, an' I know the people a' Japan will see that when he campaigns! He is the kinda person ya can only dream a' meetin', the kind that puts yer faith back inta humanity, an' words can't say how fuckin' glad I am ta know him, let alone have the fuckin' privilege a' bein' close ta him... I… fuck…"
Mondo takes a harsh breath here, his hand scrubbing through his hair fiercely, glaring down at the phone with a look of anger and hatred and desperation, and Taka can't do anything but stare, all of the air vanished from his chest as he tries his hardest to just breathe-
"He... he deserves so much more than what he's been given, more than ta sit here, listenin' ta ya try an' tear him down! Hate me all ya want, try an' dissuade him from bein' my friend, yer prolly fuckin' right, he deserves so much better. But don't ya try an' say I'm gonna fuckin' hurt him, or that I'll fuckin' tear him down like that. I'd rather stab myself in the fuckin' head than cause him a hint a' pain. A-an' I know I prolly will, I fuck everythin' up, but I'm doin' all I fuckin' can ta be what he needs me ta be. Ta- ta help him, the way he's helped me. Before him, I never fuckin' thought a' the future, didn't wanna think a' shit like that, but now... now I fuckin' have plans, an' goals, an'- an' shit like that! He makes me wanna be a better person, and fuck, am I tryin'! I know I ain't ever gonna deserve someone like him, but I'm fuckin' tryin' ta not be as much ofa piece a' shit as I know I am. T-ta even have a chance a' bein' worthy a' bein' his fuckin' friend, let alone... s-shit..."
Mondo pauses again, breathing heavily, before he closes his eyes, letting out a soft, almost hysterical laugh. When his eyes open again, Taka can see they are shinier than before, and he can't take it, he can't- but he can't move, he's frozen, he can only watch as Mondo shakes his head, the most heartbreaking smile that Taka has ever seen on his face.
"He's gonna fucking change the world. I fucking know it, he's so fucking amazing. I can only hope that I can be there to watch him as he does it, but I know I prolly won't. He's gonna wise up one day and he's gonna leave my ass, and I know that, okay? I fucking... I know it. So, y'ain't got nothin' ta worry 'bout. Kiyo's a smart fuckin' man. I'd call him a genius, but I know he ain't as lazy as that. He'll wise the hell up one day an' he'll leave. An'... an' I fuckin' know that. I've always fuckin' known that. Can only hope ta make the most a' the time I got 'fore that happens. Can only hope I can help him even a fraction a' the way he's helped me. If there's one fucking goal in my life, it's ta make sure he sees how fucking perfect he is 'fore he realizes he's too good for my ass. And that's a man's fucking promise. A Mondo Owada guara-fuckin'-ntee."
Mondo stops talking, then, his mouth snapping shut with a click as he looks down to the ground, body so tense it almost hurts him to look at. The silence that surrounds them is so thick that Taka can't breathe through it, but he can't break it, either. He's trapped, so utterly trapped, but he doesn't even care. He doesn't care, because- b-because Mondo- he- he-
And Taka can't handle it. He wants so badly to lean forward, to kiss that beautiful mouth, to kiss and kiss and kiss, until he can't breathe for a different reason, and then he wants to kiss some more. He has never wanted to kiss anyone more than he does in this moment, and he knows he thinks that a lot, but it's always true. Each time the feeling grows, larger and larger, and he is struck by such intense longing it makes him ache inside, but it's a good ache, the most perfect ache, and he just... he wants.
But he can't. Because... because Mondo is still figuring himself out. Is still- still trying to figure out who he is. What he is. And Taka... Taka can be patient. When it's worth it. When it matters. He's spent his whole life just waiting for the day his life would begin, after all. And for Mondo... he'd be willing to wait the rest of his life. He really, really would.
Time passes as he stares at Mondo and Mondo stares at the ground, but Taka doesn't even feel it go. He's trapped in a bubble of time, just him and Mondo, and he can't— for the life of him— figure out how to break it. How to breech the oceans between them and show Mondo just how much he means to him. How...
The bubble bursts a second later, when Taka hears a voice calling from the phone he'd completely forgotten about, chest tight and angry as Mondo flinches, hand tightening around the rectangular device.
"Kiyotaka. Are you still there?" he hears his father call, his voice flat and emotionless once again, nothing within it to indicate what he is thinking. Part of Taka doesn't want to answer, wants to hang up the phone and never have to deal with this ever again, but- but he can't, he can't, this is his father and he can't.
Instead, he hesitantly takes the phone away from Mondo, the biker letting it go easily, his hands shaking horribly but he doesn't let that stop him. He nods slowly, even though he knows the man he's speaking to can't see him, and answers hoarsely.
"Yes... y-yes. I am here."
The silence returns for a pregnant moment, before his father speaks again.
"How long has your- your friend been listening to our conversation?"
Taka blinks, biting his lips at the unexpected question, looking at Mondo briefly, hating the look of absolute despair he sees there. He... he hopes this phone call ends soon... h-ha. Never... never thought he'd think that...
"The entire time. I was the one who- who put it on- on speaker. I trust him. And... and I will not hear you say a-anything otherwise. He... he is my friend, and if you- you cannot handle that, then... t-then..."
Then... well. He's not entirely sure. But he does know that— despite what Mondo clearly thinks— he is never going to let Mondo go. Not now. Not ever. He... he is never going to be foolish enough to let go of such a wonderful, beautiful, perfect man. He's not that big of an idiot.
He can hear his father take a quick inhale of breath, sounding surprised. And, well... he supposes it makes sense. Before now, he has never, not once, spoken back to his father. Not even when horribly upset. He always told himself that he must respect his elders, that he must hold his tongue. And he still believes that don't get him wrong! But... but this is more important than that. Mondo... Mondo is more important than that. So, so much more...
"I... see. Well. Seeing as how neither of us are exactly in a private setting, I think that we should finish this conversation at a later date, do you understand me? This... this conversation is not over. I... I have a lot of questions and you will answer them, Kiyotaka. I will not accept any disrespect from you, I have earned more than that. I will... I will try to keep an open mind about this, but I cannot promise I will see things the way you clearly do. You are my son, my only son. I care about you more than words can say. I cannot... I cannot stand by and watch as you make the same mistakes your grandfather made. But... we will talk about this later. After I clear my head, and you get better. I will email you my schedule for the rest of the month. I expect you to call me the minute you are better, do you hear me? And we will have a long talk about this, all of this. Until then... focus on getting better. Just... focus on that, my son. Everything else... that can be dealt with later. Now, I should probably hang up now, or else... well. I shall speak to you later, Kiyotaka. Do you agree?"
Taka lets the words hang in the air for a moment, before nodding stiffly, again not caring that his father can't see him.
"Yes. I- I agree, sir."
The silence returns, his father's heavy breathing the only indication that he's not hung up yet. Taka tightens his grasp on the phone, waiting... just... waiting. He cannot be the first to hang up, he knows that, so he just has to wait until... until his father does so.
After a moment, his father sighs softly, and then he's speaking again, his voice far softer than it had been before. In fact... it's far softer than Taka ever recalls hearing it... not- not since-
"Good. I... good. Please... please know that I am not doing this out of cruelty. You are my son, and I mean it when I say I care about you. You... you mean the world to me. I know that I am not the greatest father in the world, but please believe me when I say that I care. I don't want to see you get hurt. That... I could not bear that, my son. Now... goodbye. I will speak with you later."
With that, he finally hears the click of his father's cheap and ancient flip phone closing, the dial tone loud in the silent air. Taka lets it sound for a moment, before shutting the phone off. He has more important things to do now than listen to the harsh drone. So... so much more important...
"Mondo," he mutters softly, looking up at the biker with bright eyes, hating the way the teen flinches back, eyes terrified when they meet his. He puts every ounce of affection and gratitude and love that he feels onto his face, hoping against hope that Mondo sees it and knows. That he... that he knows. What he means to him. What he... what he means...
He thinks that Mondo can see at least some of it, as the biker relaxes a touch, though the fear is still there, bright and painful in his eyes. Taka hates it, and he can't help the way his hands reach out to touch the teen, needing to be close to him, needing to touch. To comfort. To just... be comforted himself. All of it. All of it. He feels so awful in so many ways, his head aching, and his body aching, and his heart aching, and he just... he just wants. Just this once he... he wants.
To his eternal relief, Mondo doesn't flinch away from him again. In fact, he does the opposite, body arching towards Taka, hands reaching out with the same intensity Taka's do. And when they touch...
"I'm so sorry, so... so fuckin' sorry, Kiyo... s-shouldn't a' said all that fuckin' shit, yer da... f-fuck, Taka... I'm so sorry, so, so sorry-"
"Don't," he rasps, pressing his forehead tightly to Mondo's, looking in his eyes with as much intensity as he can muster, needing the biker to understand him, completely. He just... he needs to. He must. "Don't apologize, please, kyoudai... y-you didn't- you didn't do anything w-wrong. He... h-he shouldn't have said that- t-that to you. He- he just doesn't know you. Not- not like I do. A-and I... I know you, kyoudai. I- I do. And I think you are perfect, too. I... I promise you; I do..."
Overcome with such intense emotion, Taka cannot help how he leans forward, hesitating for one split second, before pressing a soft kiss to Mondo's cheek, loving the feel of the stubble the biker hadn't shaved off today under his lips. It's not the first time he's kissed the biker's cheek, but it still shoots a spark of desire through him, making him bitterly disappointed that he is still, regrettably, sick. If he weren't... hm. He can definitely imagine what they could be doing if he weren't...
He lets out a startled gasp at the choked sound Mondo lets out at the feel, before the biker is pulling back. Taka doesn't have any time to worry about having upset his friend before Mondo is leaning forward, his lips pressing desperately to his cheek, again and again, before they start trailing down his face and to his neck, where Mondo begins pressing desperate, hungry kisses, nipping gently every so often, but not biting, not really. It feels so utterly incredible he can only gasp, body arching as he presses against Mondo, his groin swelling with desire that he knows won't be curbed today. Darn flu...
"So... so fuckin' incredible, Kiyo, shit... meant it, what I said. Every fuckin' word. An' I'm sorry if I made things hard 'tween you an' yer da, but... but I ain't sorry I said that shit. I'd say it again if I could, that an' so much fuckin' more. Deserve the fuckin' world, ya do, goddamn... god fuckin' damn," Mondo mutters between kisses, his hands almost bruising as they hold his sides, but Taka doesn't care. Not one single, solitary bit. He's just lost in the feeling of bliss, so full of desire and want he can't even handle it...
However... Taka has to pull back when he feels a sneeze coming on, lifting his arm to stifle it in his elbow, grimacing at the pain that radiates through his body. Ah... he really, really regrets his illness, now... especially when Mondo pulls back, chuckling ruefully, giving him a gentle smile.
"Heh. Should, uh... should get ya back ta bed, Taka, shit. Ya need ta rest. All this excitement's just gonna make ya worse off again. C'mon, Kiyo. Can, uh... can finish this later, yeah? Once yer better an' shit. Fer now, let's just get some more rest 'fore dinner, 'kay?"
Taka bites his lips gently, still able to see the rolling desire in Mondo's eyes past the concern, still able to feel it in himself, but he knows that Mondo is right. And he is able to deal with his arousal without it being seen to! He's spent the vast majority of his life doing just that!
Still... it has been oh so nice, having Mondo so willing to touch him... and finally being able to touch Mondo back, the day before, feeling his velvet hardness under his hand, adoring the way Mondo would let out tiny gasps of pleasure and desire and-
Grk! Nope! Bad thoughts! Bad!
A-anyway! The point is, he is a mature person. Not quite an adult, but close enough. He will not be the kind of person to let his desires run rampant and consume him entirely, thank you very much! He... he knows better than that.
Still...
Grk! Enough!
With a bright blush, Taka nods quickly and moves to lie on the bed, shuffling as Mondo lies down, too, arms wrapping around him comfortably. They're back in the position from earlier, back before his alarm went off and everything got ruined. His insides are still swirling at all he has learned today, heart aching when he remembers the horrors Mondo has been through, but he knows bringing it up again would just hurt his friend more. However, what he can do is...
"Mondo?" Taka mutters softly, tracing absent shapes on Mondo's chest, which he finds oddly soothing to do. When he hears Mondo hum in acknowledgement, he continues, voice soft enough that it doesn't hurt his throat for once. "I just wanted to bring up something, to... to clarify it. To my father, you mentioned that one day I will leave you... I want you to know that this will never, ever happen. I promise you, kyoudai. You- y-you... aha. You're kind of stuck with me, Mondo... and I wouldn't have it any other way! You are my best friend, the person I value the most, and I... I will never think differently about you. Not now, not ever. Nothing you could do will make me leave you... absolutely n-nothing..."
The silence returns after that, Mondo's breathing growing ragged again. Taka wants to say more, to keep complimenting Mondo as the biker has always complimented him, but... but he's not sure just how much Mondo is able to handle. He knows that the biker has low self-esteem— despite his tough-guy appearance— and that he sometimes gets very angry when people try to say otherwise. He doesn't think Mondo would get angry at him, no! But... but at himself. He isn't sure if his words would help or hurt him more, at this point, so instead... maybe he should show him through deed... he just wishes he knew how!
After all. There is apparently a lot more about Mondo that he just... doesn't know than he'd realized. He'd known the biker had had a rough childhood, but he hadn't realized he'd faced quite that degree of abuse at the hands of his own father. Or neglect from his mother, though that one he'd suspected a little. What else is there that he doesn't know...? Of course, he won't try and force Mondo to tell him! He would never! Mondo can tell him when he is good and ready, he fully believes! He just... he just has to do his best to not hurt the teen until that happens... if that ever happens…
After a moment, he feels lips press against the top of his head, firm and warm, and he can't help the gasp he lets out, butterflies erupting in his stomach at the wondrous sensation.
"Ya truly are fuckin' incredible, Kiyo... t-thanks... but, uh, ya should really get some rest. 'Less... shit, y'ain't hungry or thirsty, are ya? I can get ya some a' yer sports drink, or head out an' get some more soup... would ya like a lozenge or somethin'? Uh, shit..."
Taka lets out a soft laugh, shifting to look up at Mondo with bright, adoring eyes. Mondo's eyes— when he looks down— are wide and still have some measure of desperation in them, and Taka... he hates it. Leaning up carefully, he kisses Mondo's cheek again, letting his lips linger as he smiles.
"I am alright, kyoudai," he mutters against his cheek, Mondo's arms tightening around him wonderfully. He does have to pull back then, but he doesn't go far. He lingers, propped up on his arm a little, looking down at Mondo with as much adoration as he possibly can. "I would love to get some more rest, though..."
Mondo looks at him with open shock on his face for several moments, before it shifts into something far softer and gentler. Mondo leans up and brushes back the fringe from Taka's forehead, before gently guiding him to lie down again, which Taka does gratefully.
The pair spend the next half an hour lounging again, not quite as relaxed as they had been before the call, but still fairly relaxed. When 6:00 comes around, Mondo gets out of bed and puts back on his mask, heading to the kitchen to heat them up some of the soup their friends had made. Taka watches him go with a clenching heart, mind wondering what he can possibly do to show the biker just what, exactly, he means to him.
Mondo returns before he can figure it out, but it's okay. They have a wonderful meal at the coffee table again, Taka only coughing and sneezing a little bit. The nausea returns to his stomach at some point, but he luckily is able to keep his food down. He drinks more of the sports drink Mondo got him (making him have to go to the bathroom a couple times) and takes his second dose of the pills. It's around this time that Mondo begins to cough, which worries Taka but just makes Mondo snicker.
"Heh. Guess I fuckin' caught it, then. Ah well. Ain't a big deal. Should prolly take the drugs fer it, though. Heh."
Mondo takes the medication as well, and drinks one of the sports drinks at Taka's insistence while rolling his eyes, smile fond on his lips.
The rest of the night is spent watching Studio Ghibli movies on the couch, one of the few 'anime' that Taka finds himself truly adoring. They watch Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away, Taka's two favorite movies from the studio. He's already seen both, but when Mondo had asked what he wanted to see, well... he hadn't been able to deny what he'd truly wanted to watch, honestly. There's just something about watching two characters fall in love despite all odds that just... gets to him, really.
By the time that the second movie finishes, it's a little passed 9:00, which means it's time to take a shower, which he desperately needs. Especially since he never really changed out of his sweat ridden night clothes from the day before, and he's been lying around all day, his skin still a bit feverish even now. He's feeling a lot better than he had been, but his legs are still a little weak and wobbly. He figures he could just take a shower sitting on the ground, but then Mondo is taking off his own clothes, turning the water on and pulling them both in, apropos of nothing.
The shower is, again, not sexual. And it is, in fact, more clinical than anything. Mondo takes his time to clean the both of them, since his illness hasn't fully set in yet and he still feels physically alright, other than a cough and some sneezes. Mondo is very thorough in his cleaning, even going so far to wash Taka's, err... manhood, which definitely takes an interest at the gentle ministrations. He sees Mondo smirk at that, before the biker leans in, muttering in his ear 'later, Kiyo... later.' He then bites Taka's earlobe playfully, before pulling back to finish cleaning them both, much to Taka's growing frustration.
Mondo washes Taka's hair as well, which makes him want to moan, since the feeling of Mondo's hands sliding wondrously through his hair, ensuring every strand gets cleaned fully is... mm. Definitely nice. Taka stifles it, though, already aware that he's fully hard, yet knowing that nothing will come of it (heh). Stupid flu...
After that, Mondo does a quick cleaning of himself, bating Taka's hands away with a smirk, saying 'I know yer a kinky bastard, but I can handle this myself, today,' which makes Taka flush brightly and pout at Mondo. He's not really offended, though, especially when Mondo's eyes soften, and he leans forward to kiss his neck tenderly in apology. Mondo doesn't do his full routine for his hair, just quickly shampoos and conditions it, since he hadn't put all his product in it today.
After that, the pair exits the shower, Mondo wrapping Taka up in his white towel, drying him gently as he goes. It makes Taka feel a little useless and pathetic to be taken care of so thoroughly, but it also makes his heart swell, his love and adoration bright within him. Mondo also helps Taka put his clothes on, which Taka allows only because he knows it makes the biker feel better to some way of helping Taka out. Plus... it really does feel nice, having someone care about him so much that they want to help him so carefully like Mondo does...
Once they are both dressed and clean, they head back to bed, both tired after all the events of the day, even though they spent the entirety of it lounging about.
As such, it's not long later that that they succumb to sleep, facing one another, pressing tightly together.
"G'night, Kiyo," he hears Mondo mumble sleepily, right as he's about to nod off. Taka smiles and presses closer, humming happily.
"Good night, kyoudai," he replies, feeling so full and happy he doesn't know how to deal with it. He doesn't let himself think of his father, or his worries about missing school, or any of it. He just snuggles close to Mondo, listens to the biker as he breathes, and he... he lets himself be.
It truly is glorious.
(And the next day, when Taka wakes, he feels a lot better than he had the day before, though he still shivers with fever and coughs and sneezes. Mondo is a bit worse off, his skin flushed with fever and his body wracked by coughing and sneezing fits, but they both are doing okay, all things considered.
Taka does— briefly— consider heading into class despite his illness, but Mondo quickly does away with that idea, going so far as to pin his hands to the bed while glaring down at him, eyes a bit foggy with illness, but still deadly serious. He even calls Taka irresponsible for wanting to head in, potentially infecting their poor classmates— which Taka finds a low blow but can't fault the biker too much. Taka gives up quickly after that, not wanting to make Mondo hurt himself, but he begins feeling restless right away. One lazy day, he could kind of handle. Two? No way!
In order to appease the both of them, Taka settles for studying, going over his homework a fourth time, and helping Mondo with his when the biker eventually gets up, grumbling that he 'might as well get this shit over with, fuck...'
When lunchtime rolls around, Taka heads out to get their lunch this time, dressed messily in his uniform. He'd been insistent on that, forcing Mondo to head back to bed since the biker had had a horrid coughing fit and looked about ready to keel over when he'd tried getting up to get their food. His uniform isn't on quite as fully as he usually has it— the jacket not buttoned, his armband crooked, and the pants a bit more wrinkled than he usually allows— but it's passable enough, he guesses. His red scarf is firmly in place, like usual, to prevent any further awkward encounters. He then puts on his face mask and heads out, doing his best to not get close to anyone and pass the sickness on to them.
In the dining hall, he sees his and Mondo's friends, whom he waves hello to before heading to heat up the soup from the day before. He isn't allowed inside the kitchen due to his illness, but the kitchen staff kindly heats the food up for him, as well as gives him some of his rice balls and beans, since he thinks he might be able to handle some solid food today. He thanks the staff most fervently for their help, before heading back to the main dining area.
He is forced to stop, however, when his friends come up to him, asking him how he's feeling, how Mondo is doing, etc. He quickly tells them that he is feeling much better, though a little shaky still, and that Mondo is, indeed, ill now, but that he's helping take care of him. He doesn't like the knowing looks his friends get, Hifumi (who is there, for some reason, despite the fact he hadn't thought they were particularly close yet) actually clapping his hands and squealing lightly... but other than that, no one says anything about it, which he is grateful for. Hina hands him the notes she took after that, saying they aren't much, but that she hopes they help. Taka grins brightly despite his mask and nods his head quickly, thanking the girl profusely for her assistance. She grins back, cheeks pink, and giggles at his vehemence.
He manages to extract himself soon and before long he's back in their room, smiling at Mondo, who is dozing on the couch. The biker stirs almost immediately, though, blinking at Taka with bleary eyes. He smiles beautifully when he recognizes Taka, though, sitting up to allow him to sit and eat.
The meal is a fairly quiet one, since neither boy is feeling particularly well, but it's still very nice to sit beside Mondo as they both eat. Taka is able to eat most of the rice without getting too nauseous, too, which he finds an improvement.
After lunch, Taka takes all of their linens and old clothes to the laundry to get rid of the illness he's sure is clinging to them. He luckily doesn't find anyone there, since it's still during school hours, and he's able to do his laundry in peace. He heads back to their room, smiling at the sight of a lounging Mondo, returning to the laundry when his alarm goes off to put the wet sheets in the dryer.
For the rest of the day, Taka finds himself doing small chores around the room, trying to keep from going stir crazy, while Mondo rests up, snorting at Taka and his 'allergy' to sitting still. Taka huffs at the words but is unable to counter them before a coughing fit cuts him off, making his nose wrinkle unhappily. Mondo manages to gently bully him into resting after that, the pair spending the rest of the day watching movies and resting, which Taka is a little anxious over, but is able to handle well enough. Barely.
They go to bed that night on fresh linens, Taka sighing happily at the feel. He's always loved the feeling of sleeping on freshly cleaned bed sheets, since it's something he (regrettably) was unable to do very often growing up. Mondo smiles softly down at him, nuzzling his neck tenderly as they press close together on the bed. They'd taken a shower together again that night, Taka being the one to take care of Mondo that time, which had made him both flushed with heat and also glad that he was able to repay the favor. The look of heat Mondo gave him definitely promises him the wondrous things they will do together, just as soon as they are both better, though... mm.
All in all, it was a fairly nice day, one that Taka knows he will treasure for years to come.
Which, quite honestly, is most days he spends with Mondo, to tell the truth.)
Fun fact: this chapter is the main reason why I never wanted to share certain chapters of The Problem with Mondo. Because TPWM OBVIOUSLY goes intimately over Mondo's abuse at the hands of his father, which I didn't want to get spoiled back at the beginning of this story. I will be honest when I say that I hadn't originally planned on that being part of Mondo's back story, but when writing this chapter, it just… I don't know. Made sense to me. Also, please know that everything I had Mondo say about how you don't have to love or respect someone who hurts you is something I 100% believe. You owe nothing to an abuser, even if you must stay in that situation for whatever reason. And I guarantee you deserve more than that.
Now, as for Takaaki... well. I never intended on him being a bad guy in this story. I legitimately believe he adores Taka in his own way. He just... he can't get over his grief. He feels like a failure, like he killed his own wife, that his son would be better off without him... and with how quiet and accepting I've made Taka of the pain he faces, Takaaki doesn't really notice just how much he's hurting Taka by being distant. He thinks it's for the better, that it is better for Taka to not be close to him, to not care for him. And it's wrong, he's not at all correct. But he's not trying to be malicious or cruel. He just... he doesn't realize what his actions are doing to poor Taka. And his instant distrust of Mondo does not come from nowhere, he legitimately believes that Mondo is planning to hurt Taka. Or... he had, until he heard Mondo's impassioned speech. Now... well. Now he's not so sure. He's just spent enough time around criminals— not to mention the trauma of watching his father fall so harshly from grace because he trusted the wrong people— to not be instantly distrustful.
However, a lot of this will get covered in the next chapter, and what doesn't gets covered in the sequel to this story that I've been struggling to write since, like… January I believe. I know exactly what I want to write now, too, after some severe reorganizing of the plot after realizing my original plot just was not gonna work. It's just writing it down that's the hard part. I've gotten about half of it written and maybe one day I'll finish it. -.-
(Also, if anyone was wondering, yes, Mondo kisses Taka's cheek or forehead or neck to stop himself from leaning down and kissing Taka square on the lips, ha. Why doesn't he just do that and end all of our suffering already? Well. I guess y'all will just have to wait and see. ;-) )