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The two boys languished in the comfort of the cool summer breeze, thankful for a brief respite from the oppressive heat. The days were passing by in a blur, and it was moments like these little frozen pockets of time that felt the realest. The leaves, their tips beginning to brown and gain that light crunch underfoot were blowing by, and the air was beginning to take that slight telltale turn signifying autumn's approach. Wrapped in a tangle of limbs underneath the cover of a great tree were a gentle couple, taking shelter from the worries of life and the impending return to school to relax in the simple comfort of being in each others' presence. The wind whipped at their faces slightly, much to Josuke's dismay as he intermittently removed himself from the mess of cuddling to fix his hair. Not that it would matter, the mass of pompadour was practically an immovable object held in place by enough hair spray to cause a gas fire should anyone take a lighter to it, but Okuyasu appreciated the gesture anyway and teased him about it.
The silence was broken tentatively as one began to inquire.
"Hey, bro?"
"What's up, Josuke?"
Josuke bit his lip, unsure of how to breach the delicate subject.
"You ever wonder if, like... you're not good enough?"
"What, like at math and shit?"
"No, like at... just at life, I guess."
Okuyasu's brow furrowed, and he sat up from his spot, brushing the blades of grass from his back and turning to face his boyfriend properly.
"What're you talkin' about, Josuke? You know I'm not good at this heavy stuff, dude..."
"I don't know either, I just..." They both sat in silence, Josuke cursing himself for not thinking farther ahead and Okuyasu bringing their hands together.
"Take your time, bro. I don't really get it, but I know you're tryin' to say somethin' important."
"...D'you ever wonder how useful I'd be if I didn't have Crazy Diamond?"
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Come on dude, you get what I'm trying to say. Like, if I couldn't heal people and shit. What do I actually contribute to life?"
Averting his eyes, Josuke refused to face the other after delivering that bombshell, missing the look of hurt on his boyfriend's face.
"Cut that shit out, Josuke! I love you, bro!"
The sudden admission shocked both boys to the core, but Okuyasu refused to give up his stride.
"I do, Koichi does, Yukako does, and even Rohan I bet! In his own, uh, kinda fucked up way... look, the point is, we all love you dude. Your worth ain't determined by your stand, or somethin' like that... yeah?"
Wiping the tears from his eyes, Josuke sat up in turn and cupped his boyfriend's cheek, smiling tenderly and taking the other's hand in his own.
"Yeah, I... I guess I feel a little better. Thanks, dude. That was really insightful, y'know?"
"Shut up bro, you know I ain't good with all that deep philosophical shit... let's just go home, yeah?"
"I think I'd like that."