.
.
"Shit," Toji mutters to himself, as he stamps out the small flicker of flames trailing from the nearly dead bonfire.
He dumps more water over the smoldering pit. "Mutt forgot to douse it completely. Little idiot."
He gripes with no real complaint to his voice, but he can't let the opportunity pass to remind you that your carelessness had yet again almost turned into something much more chaotic.
He strides to your tent. There's a chance you may still be awake enough for him to chastise you. His steps crunch softly through the dirt, not making a sound. When he looks in through the mesh of the side of your tent, what he sees stops him in his tracks.
There is a clear outline of two heads nestled together very close. He blinks to make sure he's actually seeing this correctly. Then carefully retraces his steps back to his side of camp.
"Fuck..." he swears as he absently rubs his temple.
.
.
.
The crispness of the mountain air only grows colder by the twilight hours of pre-dawn. As each hour passes, the gap between you and Junpei slowly begins to close. Your soft chest pressed against your friend's back is the most pleasant sensation he's ever felt. Without conscious intent, he pushes himself backward into you, his legs seeking the company of yours. When your own hips shift forward, tempted by his body heat and encouraged by the nonchalance of your slumber, there is a moment of sweet ecstasy when his ass presses back in response to your thrust forward. The friction is electric, blossoming all at once. Your hand grips his waist tighter, pulling, demanding him closer. The squeak that falters from his lips isn't conscious, but lurid and thick with sleep. He whines in compliance and need. The straining of his throat with absolute pleasure is what stirs you awake.
Your breathing hitches with realization that you aren't dreaming. Immediately you stop your movements only to be met with a light mewling complaint from Junpei. Is he... awake? Panic flashes through you as you debate on what to do next. Your friend had no qualm with being held as you both fell asleep, but now...
He squirms again, trying to re-start the delicious pressure of your hips. Breathing in his earthy scent, you relent with only slight hesitation, pulsing your fingertips into the valley of his stomach to hopefully rouse him from his dreamlike state with light tickling. It doesn't have the effect you anticipate. He gasps a bit too loudly, his voice threatening to pitch. Your face feels hot with embarrassment.
"J-junpei...wake up," you whisper. You abandon your hold on his middle, shaking his shoulder gently.
"Mmmmnnhh?" His voice is thick with slumber, and he doesn't seem to remember where he is right away.
"Wha..?" he turns over, confused as to why you're here. Then recollection widens his eyes in shock.
He'd been shamelessly grinding against you in his sleep. A coldness between his legs alerts him of a more impending issue. He was hard, and leaking a fair amount of precum already.
Oh, God...
He whips back around, unable to face his mouth with his hands, he stifles a humiliated whimper. Did you notice? Surely you must think he's a pervert! He doesn't even know why he was doing it. There isn't anything for him to grind into between your legs. But then…why did it feel so, so good? Being small in your arms, feeling safe and secure, left his inhibitions unguarded. Shamefully, he grips himself, wiping up the mess he made with the fabric of his shorts. He's too self conscious to remove them. Then you would know for sure what happened.
"Are you okay?" you ask.
His face burns, there's no way he can reply. Oh, shit...What if he said your name while he was asleep? He has to cram that horrific possibility away before it paralyzes him. He manages to nod, though it's much shakier than he intends.
"Hey, it's alright." You rest your chin on his shoulder, speaking softly into his ear. "No one's mad at you..."
The sob that escapes between his fingers tells you that he needs more reassurance. So you stroke up and down his heaving back. Petting his hair and shoulders soothes him after a few minutes, but he still can't turn to face you or muster the courage to say a single word.
"You're a good boy, Junpei," you whisper. "Such a good boy." Leaning in, you hold your lips against the back of his head.
There's a breezy sigh from him as he releases his breath in relief. He has to physically restrain himself from rocking back into you all over again. That urge only lingers, but the warmth of your palm on his back is hypnotic enough to calm his heart. With that he's able to find rest once more.
A task that would be nearly impossible for you now. You lay there for hours with your mind reeling and your nose buried in his hair.
.
.
.
.
"Hey, boys. Get out of bed already, I've got breakfast going."
Rolling over in your sleeping bag, it crosses your mind that Toji's voice sounds strange this morning. It's far less grating than it usually is when he wakes you. You chalk it up to Junpei being here, regarding your still slumbering friend. He must be a heavy sleeper.
The memory of what transpired mere hours earlier has been replaying over and over in your head. You cover your mouth with disbelief. Shit...Was Junpei going to want to talk about that? What would you say to him? "Sorry I dry-humped you?" God, that's so awkward! He trusts you to teach him self defense. You're supposed to be sparring, not spooning.
"Fuck..." you breathe.
"Boys? I got meat cooking," the annoying sing-song voice calls again. It makes your skin crawl,
"Coming, dammit!" you snap.
Junpei stirs, yawning and stretching both arms up. Your eyes are pulled vehemently toward the glimpse of his shirt riding up his taut, pale stomach. More than anything you wish you could fully explore that smoothness or maybe even kiss it. You swallow hard. Why the fuck did you just think that?
"G-good Morning," you greet him, suddenly unable to meet his gaze as he stretches.
"Mmmmmmorning..." he yawns again while rubbing his eyes.
"Did...you sleep well?" Crap, why did you ask him that?
He stills his movements, clearly remembering what happened last night. Curtly he nods, pursing his lips, and turning his face away from you. "Yup."
Nervously you clear your throat, attempting to angle the conversation. "Were you ….warm enough?"
He closes his eyes, trying to make himself disappear so he doesn't have to reply. He still doesn't know if you're aware of "the effect" you had on him. It's too humiliating to even think of! Zipping up his sleeping bag completely, he vanishes inside.
You don't press him further. So that's how it's going to be today? Fine.
You dress in silence, turning around to put on your binder and a clean shirt. Junpei changes while still inside his sleeping bag. He's acting like he doesn't want you looking at him, so you duck your head outside and give him privacy.
"Hey, kiddo," Toji greets you with a wave. The corners of his mouth stretch in a wide smile that looks more like a grimace. "Good morning!"
Ugh! What did he have to be so chipper about? Did he have something especially sadistic planned for you? Punishment for putting him through that meeting with the principal? Oh, and nailing his face with a plum during the first date he had in years. That one may be worth whatever retribution he can think up, truthfully. You'll be treasuring that memory.
"Smoke?" He holds his case open for you to take a cigarette.
"Still quitting. Thanks." How many times are you going to have to remind him?
"Ah, right. That's going to take some time to get used to. Sorry. Breakfast will be ready soon." He gestures to the sizzling sausages in the pan. "How did you sleep?" He asks expectantly as he takes a cig for himself and lights it.
You wrinkle your nose and arch an eyebrow. "Like I was in a bag in the dirt?"
"Haha! HA! Good one! That's camping for you alright!" His eyes look like they're about to bug out of his skull. He's tipped the happy scale and entered manic territory now.
He's never acted this unhinged around you. You wonder vaguely about the possibility that he may have foraged mind altering mushrooms from nearby. That would be your only explanation for this change in his personality.
"Right...well. Why don't you finish making what I personally hope to be a normal non-poisoned meal, and I'm gonna go piss on the ground behind a tree."
More of his unnatural laughter accompanies you as you trudge into the surrounding brush. Fucking weirdo!
Toji relaxes his aching cheeks. He may have forgotten how to properly mimic casual easy-going happiness over the years. Clearly he blew his chance of starting the day off on the right foot with you right away. He should have tried acting like he didn't see what he saw last night. A task much easier said than done. Until last night, he never considered the possibility that you might be…...
Gay. I have a gay son.
He takes a sip from a flask, willing the liquid courage to live up to its name like some magical elixir. Truthfully he hated the stuff now. It only tasted like painful memories. But when the sun came up that morning he found himself staring wide awake unblinking at the sky wondering how he's supposed to bring this up to you.
His initial shock aside, there's a second dilemma he knows he has to face as well. If you're serious about Junpei, then all bets are off with Nagi. The fictional sound of your chaotic laughter rings in his ears. Check and mate, you old fuckstick!
Growling with irritation, he heaps the cooked sausages together onto a plate. He's a runaway, Toji reminds himself, support him or lose him.
The flap of your tent opens and Junpei groggily blinks up at the midmorning sun.
Just be casual, Toji reminds himself. At least this one's easier to talk to. ''Morning. How do you like your eggs?"
Taking a seat next to the older man by the firepit, the bleary-eyed boy murmurs, "...sunny side up?"
Okay...he can work with that. Toji begins cracking eggs into the pan, letting them fry in the sausage fat.
He clears his throat."You know...In my experience, I've heard a lot of people say they don't like...sunny side up eggs."
The boy looks up with a confused frown. "Hm? Really?"
"Yup! Some people can't even look at a sunny side up egg without saying something rude. Like...that it's gross."
He covers the pan with the lid, removing it from the fire pit carefully to let the internal heat finish the rest. "But those people's opinions about what you, uh, eat...they don't matter. Okay? You should eat your eggs the way you want to."
"Uhhh...yeah. I will. Thanks."
Toji checks under the lid. Damn, not ready yet. Awkwardly he replaces it, clinking loudly in the silence.
"So...how do you like your eggs, sensei?"
That catches him off guard. He balks with eyes wide open, hesitant on how he should answer. Did the kid crack his egg code?
"Well...I, uh, I like scrambled. Always have, ever since I was about your age. But, I can appreciate sunny side up too. You know, if the right egg comes along. There's been times when I thought I wanted scrambled, but I got sunny side up instead. But when you're hungry, it all tastes good. Right?" He's practically sweating by the time he's done.
"Uh-huh, sure." Junpei nods, pretending to understand how someone could possibly make a sunny side egg by accident while scrambling it.
Thankfully your footsteps announce your return to camp before Toji has to stretch his improv muscle any more than necessary. "Is breakfast nearly done?"
Toji's joker smile resumes its horrific display. "Sure is. Got sunny side up eggs for you, son!"
Your nose crinkles. "Yuck."
.
.
.
After breakfast, the only thing to do is more training.
Junpei bounces nervously from foot to foot, waiting for you to make the first strike. You're still trying to decide your move. Like in a game of chess, you have your options based on who your opponent is. Knowing their strengths and weaknesses should determine your opening. However you sincerely doubt anyone participating in an official chess match might've cuddled with one another the night before. Probably because that makes it surprisingly difficult to commit to hurting them.
"Okay, boys! Just do… whatever feels natural!" Toji calls from his seat on a felled log. He's trying hard to be patient with the two of you, especially after such a tense morning to start the day off. But for the love of crap, would one of you throw a punch already? "Good form! Looking good."
You roll your eyes for the millionth time that morning, fairly certain they're bound to pop out of your skull and go rolling through the forest floor if he shouts one more unnecessarily supportive cheer. It was like someone slipped him ecstasy or something. What was his deal? You decide to lead with your left to give Junpei the advantage of having his dominant side to defend with. There's a distinct look of pure panic on his face when you draw in close. He doesn't even put his hands up to block. Unable to bring yourself to put your hands on him, you throw a fake to make him blink. When he's flinching, you sweep him to the ground easily with a light tap behind his knee with your heel. Completing the attack, you kneel over him and touch your closed fist lightly to his cheek, signaling the opening you would have had to hit him.
Jesus fucking Christ, kid. Toji groans. The stilted execution and the lack of follow through is as boring as a ballet recital. What the hell is wrong with you? Where is your fight? "Great…effort. Yup."
You groan in frustration. "Junpei, what the hell? You aren't fighting me back at all. Give me something! I'm getting bored shoving you around like this."
"Sorry," he meekly offers. Truthfully, he's found himself nearly enjoying the repeated groundings. Something about being handled by you is strangely more pleasant than the thought of raising his fists to you. Any slight touch is raising a blush to his cheeks, even when you sweep him onto his ass,
It's pissing you off.
"There's nothing to learn by lying there. Now get. Up!" You bark.
Your sensei stands and excuses himself, too pained by this display to spectate any longer. "You boys keep at it. I'm going for a walk." Hopefully by the time he returns you two will have worked out whatever is going on here.
Once left alone, you cross your arms and stare your friend down vehemently. "How much longer are you going to avoid hitting me? You know it needs to happen right?"
"Yeah, I know…It's just," he fidgets, digging his toes into the grass absently. "I don't want to."
This annoys you greatly. There's no other way to train without the exchange of blows, even at restrained strength. But now Junpei can't even do that? Is this because of what happened when you two were sleeping?
"Can you get over those feelings?" You huff.
He hesitates again. My…feelings? What do you mean by that?
"If you're gonna be my friend and let me make you stronger, please, get over whatever is going on in your head and hit me." You throw your arms out wide, giving him a clear shot. "If you can't punch a friend in training, you won't have the nerve to defend yourself from a real enemy. And a friend will let you hit them if it helps you learn and keeps you safe. I thought that was our previous understanding."
"Well, yeah…but," But that was before you made my heart race like this… he gripes silently.
"What's the big deal? You hit Toji yesterday!"
"That was different!" Junpei had been fighting out of desperation. And his sensei had made those disgusting taunts about his mother. Anyone would get mad about something like that.
You grab his shirt in both hands, shaking him like a ragdoll. "No more excuses! Now pick a place and nail me, goddam–OH!"
His fist springs up, popping you right on the mouth. There's a brief moment of silence that follows as you shake your head to clear your vision. Okay, you weren't expecting a face shot, but that's a great start. And he hit you pretty hard too. It hurts enough to force you to check it with your fingers. Bright blood stains the tips.
Ohh, wow…. You're aware of your pulse rushing in your ears.
Junpei chooses not to share in your wonderment, instead feeling sick with shock. "I'm sorry! I'm so, so, so sorry!"
He bows repeatedly, waiting for you to berate him. With his eyes clenched tightly closed in embarrassment, he completely misses out on seeing the flustered expression on your face.
"Are you okay?"
"Y-yeah…You really got me, didn't you? Ha."
Getting punched is hardly anything to get worked up over. You've been busted in the face plenty of times. Earlier this week, you'd taken shots from both Rikuo and Nishimura. But neither encounter had made your cheeks heat up like this. Looking at Junpei now, anxiously twisting in place waiting for you to retaliate, you find yourself smiling.
"Sorry again," he repeats, sensing a change in your demeanor.
"Don't be sorry, you did very well…But now it's my turn," your voice turns low and dangerous.
You give him two seconds exactly to get a head start.
He turns tail, but unfortunately trips right away in his haste. Within seconds you're on him, pinning him down. Remembering yesterday's lesson however, he raises his knee and brings both hands beneath his left shoulder. He pushes down with all of his strength, flipping over and upsetting your balance. You hadn't gotten the chance to show him how to complete the deflection, but his placement was good for a lucky first try. When he rolls you over onto your back, he pins your wrists above your shoulders and his knee follows its course up between your legs.
"Oh!'
The same jolt you'd felt last night when he pressed back into you returns with a vengeance. Junpei freezes, surprised to watch your face scrunching up. Almost as if…you'd liked it. He withdraws his knee slowly, mindful now of how bad that could have possibly been had you been someone else.
"Did I hurt you?" he whispers.
You shake your head, pursing your lips to hold back a building whine of disappointment that he had stopped. He doesn't let go of you, but relaxes his grip considerably. His fingers feel so warm on your skin. He could have let you up by now, but hasn't. You're both locked in place staring at one another, breathing heavily.
"Was that…okay?" Junpei asks. His bangs fall forward, brushing your cheek. "Did I do it right?"
Of course, he was clueless as to what he'd done. He only beams innocently with pride as you nod your head. "Y-yeah, you did great."
"Good to see you're making progress…." Toji's voice calls from the treeline.
You sit up in a panic, seeing he's staring hard with one eyebrow quirked high. Taking in how the current situation must appear, Junpei instantly blushes and reels back from you.
"You alright there, kiddo?" Toji gives you a concerned look as he approaches. "Your nose…" he points.
You hadn't noticed, but it had started bleeding.
.
.
.
The ride home is tense. Just like packing up the campsite had been tense. You were expecting Toji to want to do more training, but he seemed like he was done with the excursion altogether after breakfast. His general mood seemed distant and uninterested. Hell, he hadn't even made you do much physical punishment for the mayhem you caused him this week. This subdued side of him isn't relaxing you at all. He must be saving up his wrath for when you're alone. Maybe he doesn't want witnesses for what he has planned for you? Meaning he would probably take you to the railyard. That's just fine with you though. It's a good place to let off steam.
Junpei has done his best to keep his distance. He barely musters more than one or two word responses and avoids your direct gaze. The weight of last night is crushing you even more now. You should probably apologize to him at some point, but it's not possible now with Toji in the driver's seat. You attempt to make idle chit chat with him instead.
"This car handles nicely. Dunno why you never use it. You always make us walk."
There's an uncomfortable silence from him before he quietly responds, "I don't much care for driving."
You regret bringing it up instantly. He told you once that he was in a car accident many years back. He never filled you in on the full details, but he wasn't alone when it happened. Whoever was riding along with him had died that day.
You stew in stillness for the remainder of the ride home, pretending not to notice how Junpei's eyes are staring at you through the reflection of the glass. Each time you look back at him, he feigns as if he's focused on the passing countryside. Sighing in defeat, you rest your head against your window, easing into a fitful road nap. Emphasis on the fitful part.
…
When the car screeches to a halt, Junpei unclicks his seatbelt immediately.
"Thanks," he mumbles, a little less polite than he normally is as he opens the door. He shoulders his backpack, tucking his sleeping bag which he never wanted to use ever again beneath his arm, and steps out onto the curb.
"See you-," you start, but the slam of the car door cuts you off.
"Okay then..." Is this how he's going to be from now on?
Toji watches you from the rearview mirror, seeing your chin dimple in the way it does when you're about to cry. "Hey..."
You rub your eyes furiously with the back of your arm. "What?"
"...What do you want to eat tonight?" He asks.
You sniffle, directing your attention away from your friend disappearing inside his apartment complex.
"Udon," you demand.
"Good choice," Toji comments as he pulls the car back into the street. "We can rent a movie to watch tonight...If you want?"
"Sure...whatever."
So he's still playing good cop for some reason. Whatever. Part of you is disappointed he isn't taking you to the railyard. You have plenty of pent up anger to spare now.
.
.
.
.
Junpei isn't waiting for you on the walk to school the next day. You try hard not to let it bug you, but there's a distinct twinge in your chest as your feet pound the cement the whole way.
Fine. He wanted to avoid you? You could do the same thing. You choose to skip first period, refusing to start your day by feeling stupid in math class yet again. Instead you opt to spend time on the roof of the school sprawled out on your back.
It's like your own private territory up here ever since you kicked Rikuo's ass. There aren't any cigarette butts lying around. He must not have come back after your fight. You're so desperate for a smoke that you're disappointed at the asshole for being gutless.
When the bell rings for second period classes to start, you find yourself too antsy to sit still. You should at least get your final art project back from Mrs. Hama and see your grade for Junpei's portrait. You wonder if he still wants it to give to his mom.
As you saunter into the art room to your seat in the back beside Junpei, the hiss of whispering from a few girls who are grouped together before the bell reaches you. It doesn't interest you, but their giggles are particularly high pitched today. You shoot an annoyed glare their way in time to catch all three of them staring at you. Tsubasa sits in the center, her upturned nose barely visible over her shoulder as she meets your gaze, looking quite unbothered by you.
What's their problem?
Whatever. You shake it off, setting your backpack down and sliding into your seat. Your friend is shyly twisting his bangs between his fingers, pretending to be too engrossed in his split ends to notice that you'd sat down. His bottom lip is clenched tightly between his teeth and one knee bounces tirelessly. He notices Tsubasa and her friends' behavior too and is trying to block it out.
"Hey, Junpei. Can we talk after class?" You ask gently.
He slumps his shoulders a bit more, but nods.
"Are you mad at me?"
This time he faces you, looking surprised that you'd think that at all. "No way."
You've been wonderful to him. Better than any childhood friend he'd ever had before in fact. He's so used to being ignored or targeted, if anything it's you who should be mad at him. After all he's the one who made things weird between you while camping. Maybe he's getting too attached. There's nothing he believes he has to offer you. Sooner or later you're bound to find someone more worth your while…..
What? He blinks rapidly, already feeling color rising to his cheeks. Worth your while…Why did he think that?
That sounds…like he wants to date you.
A flustered squeak escapes his throat, albeit a little too loudly. The gaggle of girls at the front turns around again to gawk.
"Get a life, will you?!" you snap, flinging your wrist in a shooing motion at them.
"Fushiguro?" The teacher looks up from her day planner. "Something to share with the class?"
"Nope. I'm good, thanks." You glance back at Junpei. He's already busying himself, doodling a butterfly in the corner of his notebook.
After class, you remind yourself. We'll figure this out, Junpei.
Class proceeds with Mrs. Hama harping on how well everyone did with their portraits as she passes them all back. All but yours, you note after a moment or two. Huh. Weird. Maybe she graded it last because you're the newest? Although, you did turn it in on time with everyone else's.
Junpei gives a confused look toward your empty desktop and also notices that you've been seemingly forgotten.
Mrs. Hama continues on, "For your next assignment, we will be doing family portraits. Any member of your family you would like, just no pets yet please. We will save animals for later as we continue on our next four weeks of portrait study."
You can feel the sympathy practically oozing from Junpei beside you, but you refuse to look in his direction now. You're both thinking the same thing: you're going to have to draw Toji.
"As with your last piece, three mediums should be utilized. Due by Friday. You may begin now with any class materials you need to get started."
As your classmates begin to shift around and gather their necessities, you lay your head on your desk and groan. Junpei sidles up to you, eager to try to boost your spirits. "Hey, at least it should be easy since you can do it at home?"
True….Although that would mean sitting down and spending time alone together with the guy. And just like your friend, he's been acting weird ever since your camping trip as well. Letting you pick dinner, paying to rent a movie, he even made you French fucking toast this morning. Why is everyone you know suddenly acting out of the ordinary?
You choose to spend class time watching Junpei start his base for his mom's portrait. Like you, he also only has one option for a family member to draw. He keeps turning to you for input. "Is this symmetrical? Are the dividing lines even?" He's sweating the small details entirely too much, but you nod and let him know that he's doing just fine.
When the bell rings to release you to your next class, you decide to ask Mrs. Hama about your work from last week. Approaching her desk, you try to sound polite instead of stressed. "I was wondering if you had my assignment graded yet?"
"Oh, yes, I do! However...Fushiguro, I hope you'll understand, your piece was so extraordinary, I had to see that it got proper admiration."
You blink rapidly with growing impatience, "Okay? So where is it?"
"I had it submitted to the regional department of the arts. There is currently a national contest for students, and I thought your piece would-"
"You sent in my drawing without my permission?" Are you understanding her correctly? There's no way she'd really do that, right?
"Like I said, you show amazing promise with your technique and your eye for color, Fushiguro. Surely you're not offended that I thought you'd stand a chance at winning."
You're trying so very hard to be understanding. Trying and failing. "Uh-huh...So what's the prize for winning? What do I get if they pick mine?"
You're now aware of how achingly silent the classroom has fallen as your tone grows louder, trying to stifle your outrage. It's hard not to be upset though.
"Well...The school where the winner attends will receive a grant for their art program for the next year." She answers finally.
"And for me?" you press.
The old woman fidgets in her chair, clearing her throat and adjusting the glasses on top of her head.
"The student will get the opportunity to list their success on future applications for higher learning."
"Interesting. Because that's only you benefitting from my labor isn't it? And I get, what, a pat on the fucking back?"
Her stark white eyebrows shoot up at your expletive.
"You don't see a problem with what you did?" your eyes narrow. "I had plans for that drawing. It was mine, not yours. You don't own what I create just because I shine a seat with my ass in your classroom!"
There's an audible collective gasp from the rest of the room. Your classmates had frozen in place during the dismissal, hypnotized by your rudeness to the instructor. In turn, she rises out of her seat with her white bun bobbling in outrage."Now see here! You will address me with respect-"
But you're already heading out the door, uninterested in what the old lady has to say.
You hear Junpei calling after you just before the door slams.
You pause, waiting for him to catch up to you. The rest of the class exits the room, covertly stepping around the two of you.
"Hey, it's alright. You don't have to worry about that drawing..." he starts.
"Why? Because you changed your mind?" Your voice sounds harsher than you meant for it to come out, but dammit you're hurt right now.
"I...no. I just don't want to be troublesome. You don't have to go out of your way for me...Like you always do."
"What? You want me to back off?"
"No! I-" he covers his mouth, afraid he'll say something stupid.
You have no patience for his theatrics and reach to pry his fingers loose.
"Come on, say it! What do you want me to do?"
A few excited whispers make you turn your head. A group of students peeked over the squared edges of their books to gawk at you. What are they laughing about?
"Come on, Junpei. Apparently we need privacy."
Taking him by the sleeve, you tug your friend down the hallway. For some reason even students who were not in art class with you are now turning to stare as you pass as well.
The echoes of their whispers follow in your wake as the two of you disappear into the theater auditorium. You don't care about being late to next period. This is far more important to you.
"Ever since … ever since the other night you've been treating me differently. And I want to know why."
Junpei's cheeks burn hotly even under the dim lighting of the auditorium. His tongue locks itself, refusing to form a word of response.
"Did I do something wrong?" you ask.
He violently shakes his head to indicate no.
"Are you mad at me?"
Another no.
"Okay….then why are you acting like you're afraid of me?"
"I'm afraid…that I'll make you uncomfortable." He confesses.
"How would you do that?"
His lips part to respond, but he's cut off by the sound of the auditorium doors behind you slamming shut.
"See? What did I tell you? I knew I saw them come in here together, " the annoying voice of Nishimura crows.
"Mind your own business, and get the fuck out," you grate in a deadly tone at the trio now blocking the doorway. "Surprisingly, I'm not in the fucking mood to beat your ass for the third time in a row."
"Big talk for someone who had to have a teacher break up our last match," the boy on his right jeers. You're starting to be able to tell Honda from Sayama. Honda is mostly mouth, whereas Sayama is the kicker. They're in equal places on your shit list.
You stand between them and your friend, already predicting that they're here to harass him. "I'll say it again: get the fuck…out."
"Why? So you and your little boyfriend can make out?" Honda cracks again.
"The fuck you say?"
"Don't play dumb. Your little secret is out."
Junpei inhales sharply, his eyes darting to gauge your reaction. They didn't figure out the truth about you did they? He has no idea how they possibly could. Did they mean something else?
"And what secret is that?" you ask impatiently. These guys must really love pain.
"You must not know anyone but this loser. It's all online, haven't you seen?" Sayama takes his phone out of his pocket, taps the screen a few times then brings up a photo.
It's you and Junpei sitting in the movie theater. You're both leaning in close, smiling at one another.
"Tsubasa saw you two all over each other in public. She said you put on a better show than the feature itself."
All of Junpei's blood leaves his face. Of course it was Tsubasa instigating this! He knew from the second she smiled in the theater that she was up to no good. Her friend group is notorious for spreading lies about anyone they hate. Sometimes it takes less than that and boredom is their only drive. What was her problem? Bigger question: What would your reaction be?
"I knew you two were fags," Nishimura sneers.
Your pulse is rushing in your eardrums, drowning out the sound of their laughter. Their faces light up at your expense as they point and pass the phone back and forth to one another, crooning in mocking tones.
"So just out of curiosity, who's the top? It's you, right Fushiguro?"
"Bet you're right. Yoshino probably couldn't get it up for anyone. He's just sucking your dick in exchange for anyone looking out for him." Nishimura turns his head for a split second to hand Sayama's phone back.
By the time he looks back, your fist buries itself in Nishimura's stomach.
.
.
.
To be continued…