Jeez when was the last time I ever updated this? No, but really I went through a lot of stuff these years and now I'm in a good place. I always wanted to finish this story once I could write fanfiction again so here we go.

Shintaro was filing through a mental list of all the things he could be doing at the moment. He could be taking a nap. He could lounging around on the internet. Hell he could be at work right now and that last thought solidified the fact that Shintaro's current situation was, well, horrible. Somehow Konoha and himself were able to shuffle into the movie theater right as previews had started. The downside of course was that there was a certain Kuroha, Haruka, and Takane riding on their coattails. Much to Shintaro's dismay, Kuroha had picked the seat next to him and relaxed into it as if to say no one was going to move him. Shintaro snorted at Kuroha and turned his head to look forward, the less he had to look at the snake the better in his book. Of course though the universe could never be just to him as it turned out Haruka and Takane had taken the seats right behind them in the row above. Honestly, having Takane didn't really bother him it was Haruka that was frying his brain and he wasn't really sure why? He supposed he was just embarrassed by maybe having his friend see him on a not-so-date-date?

The black haired boy sighed and laid back into his seat his arms taking up both arm holders on the sides. He spared a look to his left to Konoha. The white haired boy was nursing his cheek in his hand. The normally pale skin of Konoha's cheek had turned red, probably thanks to Takane while she was on a rampage. He was also munching on some of the candy he'd gotten from the front counter earlier.

"You okay?," Shintaro asked with a small frown.

His concern seemed to improve Konoha's mood with a smile quirking on the boy's lips.

" 'm fine," Konoha assured.

He held up his candy to Shintaro's lips. Shintaro laughed ever so slightly and took a bit out of the candy being rewarded with a mouthful of chocolate and peanut butter. Konoha brought the candy back to his own lips. Just as Shintaro was about to turn back to the previews, Konoha tapped his shoulder. The white haired boy waited until Shintaro could give his attention to him once again before pointing to his red cheek.

"Kiss?," Konoha asked a little unsure.

Shintaro almost sputtered before composing himself the best he could. ' It's just a kiss to get better, like kids do' he argued with himself. Konoha probably barely grasped the concept of kissing anyway so what was the harm? He sighed leaning forward and pressing his lips against Konoha's hurt cheek. Konoha let out a light hum like a kid as he seemed finally content.

Once the movie began, Shintaro was finally able to rest easy with Konoha sated and munching happily at his food. All was right, well besides the odd staring he felt. One was definitely a glare and Shin was certain that was Kuroha no doubt about it. Sparing a glance behind him though, he also saw Haruka staring at him as well and there it was again that look that Shin couldn't place if his life depended on it.

At least the movie was entertaining. Not amazing, not at all, it was cliched, took delicate care with the romance and towards the middle of the movie was starting to milk the story for as much angst and drama as it could. As far as he could tell, Konoha was at least engrossed in the story of the lonely Snake goddess and her human lover and he could only assume that Takane and Haruka were as well. For the first time since the movie began, Shintaro look towards Kuroha expecting the black haired boy to be texting, or sleeping or well anything except watching the movie, yet surprise there was Kuroha staring at the screen complete and undivided attention on the movie. Shintarou almost blanched. Wannabe tough guy asshole Kuroha actually liked romances? Or maybe this was an exception? Either way it took Shintaro by surprise.

It was hard to give his attention back to the screen because he was too busy watching Kuroha instead. Normally the boy looked so snarky with that slimy smirk always present on his face yet here he looked calm? His eyes didn't hold the usual vicious intent from before and his face was relaxed with even his mouth hanging open so slightly. Shintaro believed the boy to be lost in his own world until he felt a cold arm seeking solace with his own. Looking down, Shin saw Kuroha's arm bump up against his own on their arm rest then watched as Kuroha's fingers stretched to tangle with Shintaru's so their hands were now clasped in one another. Under normal circumstance Shintaro would probably be screeching at the snake like boy while the other just smirked, but this time it was different…..at least Shintaro didn't feel the need to pull away from the other and if Kuroha realized what he was doing he wasn't showing it. Shintaro looked forward but didn't remove his hand. His head nuzzled down into Ayano's scarf still present around his neck. He was gratful for the dark lighting so no one would question his red dusted cheeks.

By the time the movie finished Shintaro had completely forgotten about his hand holding which probably started the whole problem. Seeing the credits roll up Shintaro let out a breath and he could feel Kuroha's smirk. 'Guess the movie magic's over huh?' he groaned to himself. He looked to Kuroha honestly too tired to handle this side of him again.

"Couldn't keep away hm Shin?," his smirk widened showing off his oddly shaped teeth.

"I distinctly remember you being the one to hold my hand," Shintaro pointed out trying to wriggle his hand away from the other. Of course Kuroha's, hand only tightened around his.

"And you didn't stop me," Kuroha said," just admit it Shin and we can blow this place together"

Shintaro groaned, ripping his hand away from Kuroha. Beside him Konoha gave a small sniffle. Sometime during the movie the white haired boy had fallen asleep but now with all the noise of people chatting and leaving he'd woken up. Sleepily, Konoha rubbed his eyes and Shintaro had the urge to wipe away the tiny rope of drool on the corner of his mouth.

"Mm Shin? Time to go home?," Konoha mumbled out the question.

"Tch still here?," came Kuroha's voice before Shin could answer.

Shin stifled down a groan as once again the two were glaring at each other. It was almost as if sparks were flying between them. The movie goers were leaving the theatre in droves leaving just them and the duo of Haruka and Takane.

"Just leave us alone," Konoha whinned.

"Why not take your own advice?," Kuroha glared harshly.

Every insult the two hurled at each other also resulted in the look alikes stomping closer and closer towards one another. With the thick animosity in the air, it looked like they'd start a fight any moment. Shintaro just wanted to scream at the two for being idiotic, but he was beat to the punch by a certain grumpy Takane.

"Oh my God can you two babies shut it?," the girl growled.

Takane had jumped in between the two with an unimpressed look that was reflected back to her by the two taller boys.

"Hmph, why are girls so annoying," Kuroha said ," look this is none of your business, just run back to your moley boyfriend"

Back at the concession stands, Konoha figured out first hand the disastrous consequences of calling Haruka Takane's boyfriend; Kuroha on the other hand did not have that important bit of knowledge. So his look of surprise when Takane kicked his smirky face in gave Shintaro a rather pleasant feeling. He was content to stand beside the walls while Takane smacked him around. Konoha paralyzed with uncertainty just watched on making little moves to intervene, but ultimately letting the girl do as she pleased. It was during this that Haruka took the time to appear beside him. Shin had almost forgotten he was there, but that was Haruka's quiet nature at work.

"Hey..," he boy greeted.

"Uh hey, you uh liked the movie?," Shintaro said hitting every awkward social cue available. Even then Haruka only gave him smiles in return.

"Yeah it was nice, but actually I was just going to apologize for Takane getting in between your uh friend?," he posed the last part as a question.

"Like I said Kuroha isn't my boyfriend, definitely not my friend, he's just a creeper," Shintaro explained," and Konoha is my co-worker"

"Oh, well it's none of my business obviously I had just seen the kiss…," Haruka trailed off.

He had the look again, the one that made Shintaro want to drop everything and make him smile. He suddenly had this urge to explain this whole weird situation in full just to make the other understand that nothing was as it seemed. That was bizarre though. He shouldn't be pinning over himself to explain away a situation he was more or less forced into.

"Yeah, but Konoha's more like a kid! He got hurt so I was-well you know-it's not like-urgh," good talk Shintaro good talk.

He thought he sounded like a complete idiot, but like magic Haruka's warm inviting face was back in full force. He gave a smooth laugh that made Shintaro's lips twitch into an almost smile.

"Well that's a relief than," he said.

"Huh? What do you?," Shintaro attempted to asked.

"It's nothing"

"Oh….well you and Takane?," Shintaro said attempting to keep the conversation rolling.

She proclaimed they weren't on a date earlier, but honestly anyone knew Takane had a horrible way of showing her emotions. This wasn't exactly a 'take-your-friend' movie either, so Shintaro had to wonder if the two finally got together. They'd been friends for the longest time and well Shintaro might be socially stunted but not enough to miss the giant crush she had on Haruka. The thought of the two actually being together made Shintaro's stomach curdle like when he'd drunk week old milk on accident.

"Mm mm," Haruka shook his head," she's my best friend same for her"

'Buddy you might want to have your head checked' Shintaro thought with a blank face.

Takane finished with Kuroha soon after cutting their conversation short. Giving them both good-byes, Shintaro watched as the two left for the bus. This left himself, Konoha, and an unconscious Kuroha.

"Ene...scary..," Konoha said looking as if he'd seen a ghost.

Shintaro patted the taller boy on the back only offering a nod in understandment.

"Here let's get out of here before he wakes up," Shintaro said.

He had a pretty realistic fear that if they didn't leave now that snake would take the opportunity to follow him home. Having Kuroha know where he lived just sent shivers down his body. The two made their hasty exit back into the horrid outside world. It was dark now and pretty barren too with only lingering movie goers around; it's not like that part of their city was known for their nightlife. The sidewalks were sprinkled with lamps lighting their way through the back streets, but they also made a low hum that filled the silence between the two.

"Can we..do this again?," Konoha asked after some time.

"Huh? Yeah sure," Shintaro agreed without much thought.

Even though it was sort of a disaster today what with Kuroha and Haruka showing up, Shintaro couldn't say he didn't enjoy spending time with Konoha. The guy was harmless like a giant marshmallow which he found he couldn't be negative around.

Up ahead was a diverge in the sidewalk. Konoha lived down the right side and Shintaro down the left. He figured this is where they'd split, but Konoha had already turned left with him. He looked up with confusion.

"Aren't you that way?"

"Read that you have to walk them to their house," Konoha answered.

Konoha didn't seem up for any objections, though Shin was starting to wonder how much research Konoha did on 'dating'. On one hand, it was a bit cute how he ticked off everything like a checklist. This was the kind of stuff Momo would probably go head over heels for, but he had to remind himself that Konoha didn't really mean any of it. Konoha probably though taking him out on dates, walking home, holding hands was all apart of friendship. He realized he'd have to correct that thinking soon enough but for now it was nice. Shintaro couldn't admit he actually enjoyed it.

At his door, Shintaro took a moment to check his phone. How was it already ten o'clock?! It was really dark out he just must have not realized how late that really was. Looking to Konoha though he felt a little bad. Because the other took the time to walk him home, he probably wouldn't get back to his own home until ten thirty at the earliest. Shintaro shook his head; that's not happening on his watch. He opened the door and welcomed Konoha inside.

"Here just stay the night, it's already late enough," he said.

"Uh this wasn't in any of the books-"

"Tono hasn't been fed yet," he said.

The mention of his rabbit spurred Konoha into action. The boy all but ran inside and practically jumped up the stairs to him room. Shintaro sighed resigning himself to this fate. He closed the door and toed off his shoes. The house was quiet, too quiet save for the thud of Konoha's shoes. Momo should've already complained about the noise or at least greeted them. He found his answer to that on the back of the door. It was a piece of paper written by Momo.

Hey,

I had to leave for some last minute errands for my manager. Text me when you get home I want to know all the spicy details about your date~

Spicy details? Yeah right, but if she was gone that means him and Konoha were stuck there by themselves. At least Konoha was there to take care of Tono because honestly, Shintaro felt ready to pass out at any moment. Laying against the font door, he allowed himself to slid down to the floor.

'Not to self never let those three around each other again, unless I want an early grave'