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Koichi's always been the reliable guy, the steadfast friend, the one you can always count on. He always has a cheery smile and extra napkins in his bag and seems polished and put together and perfect. He helps everyone, from cram sessions with Josuke and Okuyasu to saving Jotaro from Kira's sheer heart attack.
So it comes as a surprise, as a shock, even, when one autumn afternoon, Josuke hears a knock on his door and opens it to find Koichi sobbing on his front porch.
"Oh, shit," he says first, since he doesn't know what to think, and then "Do you wanna come in?"
The shorter teen nods, big teardrops still rolling down his face, and Josuke opens the door further to let him in. He steps inside but doesn't move from there, standing hunched over and stiff like he's frozen.
"Oi!" Okuyasu calls from the living room, where the two boys had been watching some cheesy movie. "Who was it, Josuke?"
When Josuke doesn't answer, eyes still locked on Koichi's teary face, Okuyasu pauses the movie and enters the kitchen cautiously, The Hand poised behind him and ready to strike.
"You okay, bro-- oh." Okuyasu eyes Koichi with a mix of concern and apprehension, quirking one eyebrow up. As he takes in the sight, he dispels The Hand, realizing there's no immediate threat. "Is this another Yukako thing? We can kick her ass again if you need us to, dude."
Koichi shakes his head frantically, then lifts his head to look at the two in the eyes, eyes shattered with grief. "She didn't do anything," he croaks. "But we had to put Police down."
"Police?" Okuyasu asks. "Your dog?"
Koichi nods, and more tears start to pour down his face at the mention of his name. He hugs himself and sinks down into a crouch, overcome with grief.
"Shit, dude," Josuke says in shock. "I'm so sorry."
He bends down, wrapping his arms around the smaller teen, and Okuyasu does the same. Koichi whimpers into their arms but eventually returns the hug, arms coming up to wrap around the two teens' backs. Josuke whispers soothing words to him and Okuyasu pats his back until Koichi's sobs lessen and his breathing starts to steady. Koichi wriggles in their arms, and they pull back so he can talk to them.
"I'm sorry," he whispers. "I know you guys were hanging out today, I didn't mean to interrupt anything."
"No, it's okay," Josuke says softly. "You don't have to apologise. We're glad you came here."
"Yeah!" Okuyasu chimes in. "You can hang out with us, we bought a bunch of disgusting snacks and rented a super stupid movie."
"Really?" Koichi whispers, voice still shaky. "I won't be a bother?"
"Of course, bro," Josuke answers easily. "You're always welcome here."
Koichi bursts into a fresh wave of tears at those words. Both of the boys make noises of sympathy, and lean in to give him another hug.
"Okuyasu, go get the blankets out of the spare closet," Josuke instructs, scooping Koichi's smaller frame up in his arms. "We're gonna make a cuddle puddle dude, works like a charm."
"A cuddle puddle?" Koichi asks between tears.
"Whenever Oku or I are sad, we get blankets and snuggle on the couch," Josuke says easily, carrying Koichi into the living room.
He sits down on the couch as Okuyasu walks back in, arms laden with blankets. Koichi squeaks as he throws a blanket over him and Josuke, and Okuyasu slides into the couch, wriggling closer to the two boys and pulling another blanket on top of him. The two boys settle naturally into each other in a way that makes Koichi wonder if he really did interrupt something, but then Josuke tucks an arm around his waist and pulls him between he and Okuyasu, sandwiching the smaller teen in between their two bodies.
He's never felt so safe in his life despite being claustrophobic. The small space he's squished into feels comforting, and the body warmth of his two best friends settles into his bones as they start the movie again. Losing Police still hurts so so much, but nestled in between Josuke and Okuyasu, the pain is blunted a bit and he's able to focus on the movie. They were right, it is awful. But right now, nothing feels more perfect.