Disclaimer: Get Backers is not mine. The story is fictional and all similarities to people and events in real life are coincidences.
The Man In Your Dreams
Chapter Two: Prelude
"Hot springs?" a bright smile broke out on Kazuki's sweet face. "It would be so nice!" Barely contained excitement rang clear in his voice. Hevn had broken the news earlier that day to Ginji that she had rented out a hot spring resort for the weekend. She had made it clear that everyone was invited, although she kept the purpose of the activity unclear. Kazuki guessed that it was Hevn's birthday and that she merely avoided mentioning it for purposes of not having to answer the dreaded question "How old will you be, then?"
Not that purpose really mattered when it came to hot springs and good friends.
Chibi-Ginji danced around the room throwing multi-colored confetti, "And everyone's going to be there! Even Makubex, Sakura, Toshiki, and Juubei!"
At the mention of the Fuchoin heir's protector, Ban turned to observe Kazuki's reaction. He was smiling amiably and was fondly watching Ginji run about. There were no obvious telltale signs of special affection for the blind needle boy.
But did Ban detect a hint of a flush on those smooth ivory cheeks?
He could have sworn it was there and then, it was gone.
"Are you coming, Kazuki?" Ginji enjoined the string wielder making his version of puppy dog eyes.
The longhaired man gave Ban a covertly questioning look and the master of the Jagan nodded in assent. Permission granted, Kazuki chuckled at the former Volts leader and said, "Yes."
In his head, Ban was forming a plan as to how he was going to find out what Kazuki truly felt for Juubei and where exactly did he, Mido Ban, stand.
At the hot springs...
Haruki looked dubiously at the brunette Getbacker, and then leaned over to Shido. "I swear he's been staring far too long at Juubei, if you get my drift."
"Mind your own business," the Beast Master replied, although he was significantly disturbed by the behavior of the usually calculating Ban. The performer of the Snake Bite really had been staring at Juubei for quite some time now and there was a peculiar look of determination in his eyes as he did.
"But it's freaking me out..." Haruki whined. "I can't relax if he's like that."
Shido glared at Haruki, "Then leave."
"You're so cruel," the joker sulked back to the dressing room. As he dressed, he kept muttering to himself, "Well, it isn't my problem if Mido turns out to be gay and starts hitting on them. Shido will regret that he didn't listen to me. He can be so cold sometimes!" The last sentence was said a little too loudly and just as the door to the dressing room from the corridor opened to let in Kazuki.
"Who can be so cold?" Kazuki asked as he stepped into the dressing room.
"Shido. He won't listen to me," Haruki explained sulkily.
Kazuki smiled as he began to untie his hair. "What about?"
"If one of us turned out to be gay," Haruki replied matter-of-factly.
"And why would that be a problem?" Kazuki tossed back his long brown locks as he undressed. It troubled him a bit that Haruki was homophobic. He and Ban had kept their relationship secret mainly because some of their friends might not understand. Now, he was sure that at least Haruki would look at him differently if word got out that he and Ban were sleeping together.
"Because—" Haruki turned to face Kazuki as he tried to make his point, but was met with a beautiful sight of smooth white skin, a shapely body, and silky chocolate hair. He immediately blushed and looked away. A thought suddenly occurred to him: if Mido was attracted to someone like Juubei, how would Mido feel about someone as gorgeous as Kazuki?
Inquisitive brown eyes watched Haruki's changing expressions with interest. "Because, what, Haruki?"
The man with a whip moved with urgency as he grabbed Kazuki's hand. "No, Kazuki, don't!"
Now, Kazuki was puzzled. "Don't what?"
"Don't go into the hot spring!"
Even more confusion on Kazuki's part, "What? Why? We're all guys here."
"But that ecchi is in there," Haruki answered meekly.
Kazuki opened the door to the hot spring, "You're thinking too much, Haruki."
"But... but..." Haruki spluttered. But Kazuki was gone.
On his way in, Kazuki bumped into Ban.
"Oi, Itomaki, you're rooming with Needle Boy tonight."
Kazuki was immediately disappointed, but could only follow Ban without question. "Hai."