Chapter Text
Oliver was walking through the halls one evening. Ever since the incident with Fukase, he’d been heavily contemplating things. What did he do to make Fukase feel so upset? He wanted to be alone while contemplating things, which is why he roamed the halls.
While roaming the night before the party he spotted Fukase sitting alone in a quiet corner of the campus. He hadn’t been able to find Fukase alone yet so now was his chance to confront him.
“Fukase?” Oliver said slowly approaching Fukase.
Fukase whipped around as if he’d been pulled from being deep in thought.
“Oliver, what are you doing here?” Fukase asked, this was the first time he’d acknowledged Oliver in multiple days. “Don’t you have homework or something nerdy to do?”
“No, I already finished homework and have too much on my mind to worry about other things.” Oliver responded. “Look, Fukase, you’ve been avoiding me lately. I don’t want to force you to be near me, but I find it unusual that you’re acting this way. I want to know if I did something to upset you.”
“It’s not you.” Fukase said avoiding eye contact. “It’s my own personal issue.”
“Is there any way I can help you or fix this?” Oliver asked, trying to keep the situation calm.
“My whole life I’ve been told to never trust anyone.” Fukase replied. “I was told that nobody liked me and was only getting close to me so they could hurt me later. However much I didn’t want to believe it, it happened time and time again. People only ever hurt me.”
Fukase stopped talking for a second. He looked out of a window as if he were contemplating something. Before Oliver could add anything, Fukase started talking again.
“That’s why I’m rarely nice to people. If they don’t like me, they won’t try to hurt me.” Fukase said. “I really like you, Oliver.” He stopped himself before accidentally confessing. “I want to be your friend. I’m just……..” He stopped.
“Afraid?” Oliver questioned.
“Yeah.” Fukase replied. “That’s when you asked me if I was okay, I got scared. I’ve never had someone care in such a genuine way, that scared me. I’m so afraid that you’ll be just like the others. I don’t want you to be like the others.”
Fukase paused and looked at Oliver.
“I distanced myself not just so you wouldn’t hurt me, but so I wouldn’t be hurt by you being like the others.” Fukase added. “I want you to not be like them. Tell me, do you have any intention to hurt me?”
“No Fukase, I don’t.” Oliver responded. “I want to be your friend too. I enjoy the time we spend together even if we get on each other’s nerves.”
Fukase smiled at Oliver. It meant the world to him that someone wanted to be his friend. He’d never had friends before that weren’t using him or just friends long enough to stab him in the back.
“So…….” Fukase started. “Could we be friends?”
“Of course, Fukase.” Oliver said excitedly. “I’ve been trying to be your friend for weeks now.”
“Really?” Fukase said, he did not believe his ears. “Dammit…... I was a real jerk this whole time, huh?”
“Yeah, a bit.” Oliver replied.
“I’m sorry Oliver.” Fukase apologized. “I’ll stop being so mean. I don’t like being mean so it’s for the best.”
Oliver nodded in agreement.
“We should probably get headed to our dorm.” Oliver said.
“You’re right.” Fukase replied. “But what’s the fun in that? We should stay out a little longer.”
“That does sound fun.” Oliver said slightly blushing because it’d be just them.
“C’mon, follow me.” Fukase said offering out his hand.
Oliver took Fukase’s hand and started following behind him. Fukase was going rather quickly so Oliver was jogging to keep up.
“I know a perfect place we could hang out and not get caught!” Fukase said with excitement.
“Have you been sneaking out?” Oliver said appalled.
“Live a little, Oliver!” Fukase teased. “Don’t be a cooped-up nerd all the time.”
Oliver just sighed and kept letting Fukase drag him off to wherever they were going.
After walking for fifteen minutes Fukase led Oliver to a sheltered spot in the garden.
“I’ve never explored the garden much.” Oliver said. “It’s much more beautiful than I imagined it’d be.”
“It is a fancy school after all.” Fukase said letting go of Oliver’s hand.
“Now what?” Oliver asked Fukase.
“Whatever we want.” Fukase replied. “I was thinking that now we’re officially friends we should talk to each other without arguing.”
“Talk about what?” Oliver asked.
“I dunno.” Fukase said. “What do friends talk about? I’ve never had any before other than you, Piko, and Dex.”
“Friends usually talk about interests with one another.” Oliver responded. “What are you interested in, Fukase?”
“I really like listening to music. It helps me block out the world at times.” Fukase said.
“I totally get that!” Oliver said excitedly. “Who’s your favorite artist?”
“I really like Ado.” Fukase replied. “She’s really cool.”
“Really? I love Ado!” Oliver said.
“What are you interested in, Oliver?” Fukase asked once they were done talking about Ado.
“I really like video games.” Oliver replied. “They’re a form of escapism after a long day.”
“What’s your favorite one?” Fukase then asked.
“I really like Five Nights at Freddy’s.” Oliver replied.
“Is it good? I’ve wanted to play it for a while but haven’t yet.” Fukase asked.
“It’s really good!” Oliver said. “It has a lot of lore which I love.”
“That’s interesting, I’ll play it soon.” Fukase responded.
For the next two hours they talked about anything and everything. They enjoyed a time together as friends for the first time. This was the first time they went ten minutes without arguing or being annoyed at one another. Fukase showed his softer side and didn’t feel afraid.
When they finally stopped talking was when they realized how late it was.
“It’s been dark for a while.” Oliver said. “We should go back to our dorm otherwise Dex might turn us in.”
“He’s pretty chill, he won’t rat us out.” Fukase stated. “But you’re right, we should head back.”
Oliver and Fukase walked back to their dorms with utmost stealth. They snuck through the hallways because it was way past lights out. They saw a few other students, but all swore to never rat each other. They eventually reached their dorm and entered the room quietly to avoid waking Dex who they assumed would be asleep.
“You’re finally back from your date!” Dex exclaimed. “I thought you’d be out forever.”
“Date?!” Oliver and Fukase shouted in unison.
“I’d never date Oliver!” Fukase exclaimed while blushing. “I don’t even like him!”
“How’ you know we were out together instead of both being out?” Oliver asked.
“Piko came by and told me.” Dex stated. “He was out with his boyfriend Len and they spotted you.”
“Piko……” Oliver said highly annoyed.
“We weren’t on a date.” Fukase said, still blushing. “We just found each other and decided to hang out.”
“He’s telling the truth.” Oliver informed.
“At least your friends.” Dex said before flipping the light off.
Oliver and Fukase were shocked at the sudden light turning off but agreed it’d be best for them to go to sleep. They both went to sleep that night rather quickly. Neither of them had been sleeping well since the incident but now that that they made up they finally recovered and slept well.