Dun Be 'fraid
Author's Note: Enjoy the story and R&R.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to or of Cap Revolution Bottleman DX.
Pairing: Cota x Mitsuya.
Summary:
Cota takes in a homeless Mitsuya.
Chapter 3
Mitsuya took a breath, fidgeting outside the store. Itching the gap in fabric between his thumb and his fingers. Today would be a watershed moment for him, once he quit hesitating and crossed the threshold.
He'd consulted his phone ahead of time, scrolling the store's site and reading the online chit-chat from Cota's bed. Yes – Cota's bed, where he'd been bundling up each night since returning from Ponta's.
Though Cota had teased him (cheerfully) about waking up next to him, Cota had been sleeping on the floor. Hence, Mitsuya needed to take that extra step and stick his neck out over the side of Cota's bed if he hoped to swipe a peek at Cota each morning.
The bubbling in his chest wouldn't go away. Cota's messy untied hair was exactly like in his dreams. The red. The green tints. Everything about Cota was identical, down to the spittle drying on the edge of Cota's mouth.
At rest. At peace.
Heavenly.
Bursting within the context of Bottleman had bad connotations, yet Mitsuya's emotions were in danger of spilling out. His heart thumped as if to plead "One more! Give me another chance to drink up this image of Cota!" And BAM! Morning upon morning, Cota's face did.
Across the street, Cota just so happened to be buying a snack.
"Mitsuya? What's he doing here? Hi. S-sorry, can I get one more order?" Cota gave the street vendor another bill, receiving change and another ticket. "Thanks!"
The waffles were fresh and made-to-order. They'd take a hot minute to prepare.
Cota looked both ways and jaywalked, surprising Mitsuya via the method he frequently greeted him: with a shout. "Mitsuya! You running errands for my mom?"
"COTA?"
"Heeh! It's only me! What are you up to?"
His friend didn't answer right away. He cycled through various expressions, purple-cheeked.
"I was…I'm selling my shirt."
"Your autographed shirt? The shirt you're wearing? But it's important to you!"
"Trust me, it sucks. But I hafta repay your folks. This store is great. They offer reasonable prices for old toys and memorabilia."
The store was by Foogy Books. Two doors down from the bookshop Asue Roland recommended Hocari Ryo, which printed the 987 Mango Ln, Scott Township, PA 18414 address of its HQ on its business cards, as opposed to its address here in the city. One door down from a digital and marketing design firm.
"Mitsuya, what do you hafta repay my parents for? You help look after my siblings! Mom gushes what a help you've been around the house!"
"Your family's been wonderful to me, Cota. I want to pull my weight more."
"Crud, you're our guest! We knew what we were in for when we invited you!"
"I can't inconvenience your family forever. What am I supposed to do? Freeload until I'm old enough to live by myself?"
Mitsuya was doing chores and babysitting, therefore by definition, it wasn't freeloading.
"Ugh! Why not?" Cota argued nonetheless. As best friends, he sensed that wasn't the end of it. "What's really bugging you?"
"That's it, Cota. That's all that's bugging me."
"Don't gimme that cap! You're still acting like your feelings are one-sided! I don't mind waking up to find you watching me sleep!"
Cota, you're too honest… Mitsuya's heart thumped again. And aghhh! I was so blinded by my hots for you, I didn't notice you were awake, man! WHOAMYGOD!
He couldn't pull his bandana down far enough, racing to bury his head in his hands instead.
"Keep your shirt. If you're that fixed on pitching in more, I'll talk to Ryo about hiring you for a part-time job."
"A part-time job? With BMA?" Mitsuya took his hands off his face.
"They kinda lost their best cleaner after I worked off all my debt!" Cota was proud of himself. "What'll it be, Mitsuya? Collect used caps and reset traps, or sell your prized shirt? EZ choice, wouldn't ya say?"
"I could have everyone sign a separate shirt. Not like I don't see them every time we Bottle Battle…"
"Mitsuya." Cota frowned.
"Leo-san is really the only Bottle Battler I'm scared will be angry."
"Sign? Pathetic. Devour Mitsuya whole, C.C. Leon! Rapid Beast Omnistrike!"
"I'm not signing if you do that."
"Whuh? Y-you'd leave me hanging, bro?"
"Yup!" Cota flicked a knuckle underneath his own nose.
Darn.
"OK, OK! I won't sell my shirt, then! I'll pick up caps!"
The reply Cota was waiting to hear!
"Coo~! C'mon, I bought us waffles!"
"Waffles?"
"Fizz yeah! We can grab banana smoothies too!"
Mitsuya skipped straight to shooting Cota a "Banana smoothies? How do I begin to explain to you they taste gross?" look.
"Fine, pop! We'll get pop!"
What makes a home? Four walls and a roof over your head? Somewhere to lie down, sheltered from the elements?
Mitsuya's house had those. Cota and Iroha's houses had those. Ponta's apartment had those. Cota and Iroha's houses and Ponta's apartments were homes, but Mitsuya's house hadn't been his home for a while.
Cota and Mitsuya chewed their waffles, warmed by the food and each other's closeness.
They felt the fizz, in their drinks and in themselves.
"Scars like these are a medal of honour for your Bottleman! Don't be afraid of a few little scrapes," Mitsuya advised Cota at the outset of Cota's Bottle Battling career.
Cota was now striking Mitsuya with the advice Mitsuya passed on to him.
Dun be 'fraid of loneliness. I'll raise your spirits. I'll be your shelter.
Dun be 'fraid. If everyone stops loving you, I won't.
Home isn't just a house.
Home can be one person.
One to depend on. To lean on.
It's fun to think back on childhood. To the junior years. To the handshake.
Saita Mitsuya is gay. And that's okay.
Coga Cota loves his best friend. And means it.