Work Text:
Rohan sat at his desk, maneuvering the pencil across the paper in front of him. Pink Dark Boy was more than caught up. In fact, he had made sure to get at least six months worth of Shonen Jump issues ahead before summer. And since he is Rohan Kishibe, he did just that.
All for the sake of drawing just for fun.
Well, perhaps not fun. But for the sake of the exploring new ideas and directions to take his award winning manga series.
Rohan had started with sketching out his main character when he heard the doorbell ring downstairs. He took in a sharp breath and narrowed his eyes. The pencil found its way back into its pencil holder and Rohan scooted his chair back to stand. With snark on his tongue, he made his way to the front door, shoulders squared and jaw clenched. Without looking through the peephole, he pulled the door open and found all notion of being the usual bitch had disappeared.
“Josuke.” Rohan sighed and crossed his arms. He said nothing else and only stared at the boy.
“Yo!” Josuke smiled wide, baring his teeth. “Summer break just started!”
Rohan blinked once, then twice. “So?” He let the word roll off his tongue.
“Um.” The boy gulped and shifted on his feet. “I dunno, wanna hang out?”
Rohan rolled his eyes and uncrossed his arms only to scratch at his neck. “Josuke, I’m busy. I’ve got work to do, just go play with your friends.”
“Aren’t you my friend?”
Rohan’s eyes grew wide as he could only stare at Josuke. He felt his mouth go dry. “I-”
“But!” Josuke spoke over him and glanced away to find something else to look at. “If you’re really that busy, I guess I’ll find someone else to chill with. Although… Koichi is gonna be with Yukako all day and Okuyasu… Oh, yeah. He’s vowed to spend more time with his dad. Huh… I guess there’s Yuuya but he’s just gonna be with those girls like always.” Josuke began to pout. “Too bad my nephew and dad went back to the states.”
Rohan pursed his lips, seeing through Josuke’s ploy. He cleared his throat. “Fine.”
Josuke tried to keep his smile from being too obvious. “Oh, so we can hang out?”
“I’m not leaving my house. If you want to hang out, you can watch me work.” Rohan turned around to head back upstairs, leaving the door open for Josuke. “Take your shoes off and lock the door behind you.”
Josuke clambered in after him. He yanked off his shoes and tried to keep up with Rohan. He soaked in as much as he could as they pandered down the hallway. The walls and floorboards was all he could remember from the last time he had ventured that far into Rohan’s home. Back when Rohan was a stranger and a threat to the friends he cared about. But things had changed and Josuke was free from the anxiety that possessed him then. He only felt the giddy excitement in his expecting heart.
As they reached the door to the studio, Rohan pushed it open and walked straight back to his desk. He picked up the pencil he held before and pointed to a small couch against the wall to his right.
“There.” Rohan sat in his seat. “Just sit there. If you’re bored, I have some art books if you want educate yourself.” He pointed at the bookshelf next to the couch. “And if you’re hungry I think I have some apples in the fridge.”
“You think?”
“I don’t go grocery shopping much so I don’t remember what I have in the kitchen.”
“Why does that not surprise me?”
“....Shut up.”
--
Hours has passed by the time Josuke remembered to look up at the clock. On his lap was propped a heavy book showcasing the fine art featured at the Louvre. He never bothered to read any of the captions or tidbits of history placed in between the pictures. Instead, his attention was swept up by photographs of the artworks.
So are these what Rohan draws inspiration from?
Or rather, some of his inspiration?
Josuke was interested, although he’d never say that outloud. But taking the time to watch Rohan as he worked was an experience. In a way, it felt intimate.
Josuke blushed at the realization and nudged his nose back into the book. He began to tap his foot, feeling his whole leg start to fall asleep.
“Don’t do that.” Rohan spoke up, eyes still glued to the illustration he was working on.
“My leg’s asleep.” Josuke replied flatly.
“Then get out and walk up and down the hall or something.”
The student found himself pouting and staring at the back of the artist’s head. He slowly closed the book and stood up. But instead of leaving the room, Josuke made his way to stand behind Rohan.
“Oh, that’s your character, right? Pink Dark Boy?” He looked over Rohan’s shoulder to peek at the drawing.
Rohan paused and released a short sharp sigh.
“Yes. Now, back up. You’re in the way.” Rohan leaned closer against his desk.
“Hm. I just wanted to see.” Josuke leaned forward, closer into Rohan. “I’ve never really took a good look at your work before.”
“There’s artbooks of my stuff on-”
“Yeah, but looking at the original thing and watching you work is different.”
Rohan scoffed. “Of course it is! There’s sense of grace and serenity in watching an artist work! Especially when you see the product of his skill and vision unfold on-!” He turned his head to throw a chastising glare behind him. But only found himself a mere breath away from the boy’s face. “P-paper-...” Rohan’s voice quieted into a murmur as he stared into Josuke’s eyes.
Josuke stared back, almost expectantly. He ignored the pins and pricks in the nerves of his leg and only felt the beating of his own heart. He loved getting to Rohan in moments like these. It was his way of teasing him, getting the artist to let his guard down. And it was worth it.
“Can I kiss you again?” Josuke gulped, hoping his impulsive question wouldn’t send Rohan away.
But Rohan didn’t move and kept his eyes on him. His gaze shifting from Josuke’s eyes, to his lips, then past his shoulder. But he didn’t move.
“Can I stop you, even if-” Rohan’s words were snuffed out by Josuke closing in. The boy pressed his lips against his softly and pulled back just as quick.
Rohan felt his cheeks turn rosy at the sudden affection. He hung his down down to hide the fact and raked a hand through his own hair.
“You…” Rohan sighed as he leaned back into his chair.
Behind him, Josuke only smiled. A sense of pride and accomplishment was obvious in his face. He bent down closer to Rohan, close enough to smell the familiar designer cologne he became acquainted with that last winter.
“...Can I do that again?” Josuke asked, almost in a whisper.
Rohan looked up, watching him. “...Yes.” He tilted his head in time to catch Josuke’s second kiss. He parted his lips to taste him and take him in. Josuke eagerly obliged, placing a hand on the desk to steady himself.
Rohan caught a hint of orange juice on Josuke’s tongue and smirked. He wondered if Josuke could taste his coffee. But such thoughts were sent to the back of his mind when he felt the kid’s pompadour press against his face. He couldn’t stop himself and pulled away to laugh.
“What?” Josuke blinked, confused.
Rohan shook his head. “Nothing, just…” He pointed at Josuke’s pomp. “Your hair might get messed up.”
“Oh.” Josuke stood up straight, sheepishly scratching at the back of his neck.
“Just…” Rohan looked from Josuke to his desk. “Just sit down and wait. Let me finish this up and we can go do something.”
Josuke’s eyes lit up and his face broke out into a grin. “Something? Like what?”
“I don’t know. Whatever it is you kids do on your summer breaks.” Rohan turned to continue his work as Josuke took his seat on the couch.
The excitement started to bubble in his chest, but Josuke kept it in. He grabbed the Louvre book and opened it again, mindlessly flipping through its pages. He knew how fast Rohan worked and started to mentally prepare himself for what was to come.