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“you guys are kinda bad for each other, don’t you think?”
he didn’t need this. not right now. not from takemichi of all fucking people. and yet…
“what are you even talking about?” there was some part of him that wanted to hear it, wanted to hear the obvious reason glaring right at him that he chose to ignore this whole time.
“aren’t you two together?” he hated that tone takemichi always used. one that was filled with innocence and pity even after everything happened. he hates it even more because he knows why he's asking.
the inquiry, however, brought a chuckle to the surface, drowned out by the heavy bass shaking the abandoned warehouse they were in. they were supposed to be together, aren’t they? he was the one who asked keisuke out while they were both lounging on mikey’s couch, both actively ignoring the ‘ about time ’ comment from mikey himself. he was the one who took keisuke out on stupid dates where they would just walk aimlessly for hours, talking about absolutely nothing but it worked . after that, they’d share , he gets a bite or two in before keisuke takes over, a cup of noodles, then they go back to chifuyu’s place to just chill until keisuke had to leave. it wasn’t too much, it wasn’t perfect , but it was theirs.
keisuke had been his first for everything. he was already so experienced… looking back on it, well, he should have known there was a reason for that.
“we aren’t together.” why’d he say that? how many times was he going to contradict himself? he answered a few moments later when he realized he left the other’s question hanging in the air.
he should have known he couldn’t tie someone like keisuke down.
“who is this?” this was supposed to be their four month anniversary date. they weren’t even doing anything special, but it was supposed to be just him.
“this dumbass is kazutora,” keisuke’s signature smile that normally puts him at ease did nothing of the sort. maybe because it wasn’t directed towards him, no. it was directed towards the fucking new guy who he knew nothing about. “he’s hanging with us tonight.” it wasn’t a question. did keisuke forget? he had never been good at remembering dates.
it was like he was hardly there anymore after introductions. he was a mere shadow in the duo’s presence.
he should have taken the fucking hint.
“i heard you two last night.”
“it was just a kiss, damn.” he’s not overreacting, is he? it’s his first relationship, but he knows this isn’t how things are supposed to go, right?
“but we’re together and you spend all of your time with him now.” why does he sound so weak already? the confrontation just started; why is his resolve already crumbling?
“just because we’re together doesn’t mean i’m just going to leave kazutora to rot or some shit chifuyu.”
right. they knew each other before.
stupid. he was stupid to think that he could override kazutora.
“when’d you guys break up?” takemichi was like a dog with a fucking bone, he really wasn’t going to leave him alone, was he? where was hinata to take his attention away when he needed her?
it wasn’t official. nothing with keisuke was official. “we’re just—” just what ? “taking a break.” yeah. a break isn’t final, even though it’s been about a week and a half since he’s talked to him one on one, or even had a chance to be alone with him, but no , it wasn’t final. they had been really close prior to keisuke knowing him according to mikey, he went to go see kazutora while he was locked up every chance he got.
he felt silly being jealous over keisuke’s friend, but they were more than that. they were always attached at the hip, even more now since he’s out of the way— no wait , he’s not completely gone. he’s not just going to let keisuke go. he sees how kazutora drags him down into a uncontrollable level, more reckless and stupid than usual… he doesn’t need someone like that. he needed someone like chifuyu to help balance him out. but is that what keisuke wanted? he always hated being tamed, being held back, being told no . but they worked, didn’t they?
he shouldn’t be having this conversation with himself here , mashed into a corner, watching over the crowd for a glimpse of long black hair, all while being watched like a hawk by takemichi’s big fucking eyes.
as if someone was listening to his inner turmoil, suddenly his eyes were immediately attracted to him . keisuke and kazutora were tumbling towards the pair with red solo cups in hand. both looked like they were seconds away from tumbling over, but they were supporting each other. that was supposed to be his job, wasn’t it?
takemichi is talking, but his ears aren’t picking it up over the buzzing in his brain. he eyes are honing in on keisuke’s body . there’s hickies adorning his collarbones and his neck, some fainter than others— the implications alone made the alcohol running in his gut start to bubble . he never liked leaving marks before, or maybe it was just with him.
“you good?” oh , keisuke’s attention is turned on him for a change. how nice .
“your eye’s fucked.” stupid. why would you counter with that?
“fought some dumbass this morning. looks worse than it feels.” that’s what he always says. he said that when he got fucking stabbed at a fight before.
“i don’t need you worrying about me.”
“if i don’t then who will? you?”
“i do just fine by myself.”
“yeah, say that to your fucking gut you asshat.”
“fuck you,” it’s said behind his signature smile, the one that warmed chifuyu’s insides in seconds.
he hasn’t responded to the other yet. taking in a breath, he gave the other a shrug. “whatever you say.”
yeah, whatever baji keisuke says, goes.
“we gotta go talk to draken, remember?” he cuts in.
but they just got here? when would they see each other again? would he have to wait until mikey called a toman’s meeting just to see his own boyfriend?
and in an instant, he’s gone again. just a moving head in the crowd of people.
they’ve stopped in the sea of drunken teens.
he can hardly see them. he should have turned away.
they’re bumping into the bodies surrounding them and falling into each other’s arms.
they look so happy.
they look so fucking happy .
he needs another drink.