Work Text:
BLACK CAT WALK
Joshua toyed with his top, pulling one sleeve as low as it could go and letting the collar expose one shoulder. Then he tugged the sleeve up and tried to make both sides as even as he could, showing off his collarbone as the fabric sagged.
It had only been a couple of days since he'd reunited with his partner, a couple of days since he stole said partner's bed, and a couple of days since he agreed to let Eri and Shiki, up-and-coming fashion designers, rework his old threads to be wearable. Not that they weren't wearable now—Joshua definitely pulled off a crop top—but just to give him some more breathing room. Besides, it would've been a waste if he accidentally tore through any of his old clothes—clothes representative of the old and defunct brands of Shibuya.
Unfortunately, it would still be a little while before Eri and Shiki had prepared designs for his old threads. It wouldn't be too long, given Eri's excitement at the whole deal.
In the meantime, they'd set him up with some Gatto Nero threads, hopefully because they found his vacation attire obnoxious, hee hee. It was the only outfit he had had when he had decided to come here.
As Joshua played with the shirt collar some more, Eri walked over, knocked his hands away with her own, and adjusted his top for him. "No, it's supposed to be off the shoulder, silly. That's what makes it stylish! The lack of symmetry!"
"I'm glad you two are here," his partner remarked from the chair on Joshua's right side, set in front of the same wall mirror as Joshua. "If the Game had had missions about fashion that were more difficult as 'show up dressed in this brand,' I would've gotten erased for sure. Fashion isn't exactly my passion."
"Don't worry, Neku," said Shiki. "If we can help even your lack of fashion sense, then we certainly can help our dear friend here." Those last words had a slight bite to them despite her bright smile.
Eri of course didn't pick up on this at all. "See, you're in good hands! We'll make you a model citizen of Shibuya yet!"
A model citizen, hmm...
His partner laughed good-naturedly. "Here's a tip: don't wear Jupiter of the Monkey together with Gatto Nero, or Shiki'll never let you hear the end of it." Joshua could hear the affection for Shiki in his timbre.
"Oh, come now." Joshua smirked. "I've let my partner undress and dress me to his liking before, and I would say he has quite an intuition about fashion. Perhaps Gatto Nero with Jupiter of the Monkey is the next budding trend."
"And he can even recognize my work on sight now!" Shiki added, talking right past his attempted jab.
And then his partner talked as if Joshua hadn't said what he did. "Hey, it's not like I had internet back in Shinjuku when Coco gave me that coat. I didn't even finish middle school before I got tossed over, much less learn any...Italian? The words 'Gatto Nero' don't exactly say 'Mr. Mew' to me." His partner reached his hand up towards Shiki's shoulder to gently squeeze it. "But now that I know what it means, I can't see it as anything but yours."
When he had lifted his arm, he had managed to dislodge the zippered shirt sleeve that Shiki had been hemming to his size. Typical of his partner. Messing things up simply by being around. "Thanks, Neku. Now hold on, let me fix your sleeve."
"Oops, sorry, Shiki. I'll try to keep still again. But anyway, Joshua, you're always the one who knew something about, uh, couture." His partner ducked his head. "Even when you were calling me a Ratty McRatterson."
Eri had a good laugh at that, and thankfully didn't accidentally prick Joshua with any pins during her merry fit. Those things stung a surprising amount, when Joshua had experimentally tapped a finger on the point.
"Not my fault that you owned quite a number of mus/rattus threads—as well as appearing quite quaint and adorable in them." Joshua exaggeratedly shrugged, and Eri readjusted his collar once again. Her focused yet happy face spoke to the passion she had for fashion.
"Pfft. Well, Coco'd be happy to hear that I'm a mousey person. Maybe that's why she likes using me as a lab rat for her cutiefying experiments." Joshua could tell that his partner was gazing at him through his reflection in the mirror—as he should be. "Speaking of experiments, Eri and Shiki really know what they're doing, huh? You look great, Joshua."
Joshua watched as Eri walked around to adjust something at his back, allowing him to observe his outfit. The pastel pink off-the-shoulder top, with the black asymmetrical miniskirt and boots that came up to his calves, made him look casually fashionable. Likely to Eri's dismay, Joshua put his hands on his hips, popped one out, and looked at his reflection salaciously.
Eri beamed. "Wow, look at you posing already! You're gonna be a natural for the catwalk, I just know it! See Neku, if your dear friend can pull it off, so can you!"
"What can I say?" Joshua smirked as he felt Eri's hands guided his stance back to a neutral position. "I just can't wait to have everyone's eyes on me. The more I think about it, the better this idea seems."
When Eri and Shiki had first suggested putting on a little private fashion show, Joshua had seen through their intentions. Some attempt to make him "comfortable" in these new and different clothes. It made him giggle how they had seemed to try and cover it up, when Eri had pointed at Beat and called him "no fun" when he hadn't wanted to play dress up, when Rhyme had declined because she hadn't wanted them to fuss over her threads. And the smile Eri had had when Joshua had been willing to play along.
Ah, but Joshua would let them play their games, even joining in himself. It wasn't as if he had anything better to do, anymore. Besides, putting aside the fact it was a new brand, he certainly looked good in these threads. He had to applaud Shiki—silently—for having emerged from the Game harder than steel and willing to pursue her goals.
And all of that aside...
...These threads were much better than when Gatito was in fashion. Hee hee.
"Joshua is a natural at this," his partner agreed easily, letting Shiki manipulate his limbs like a doll's. He didn't seem particularly uncomfortable. Had he modeled for her often? Then again, his limpness gave him an amateurish aura. Joshua could've put his zippered shirt and asymmetrical jeans to much better use. "He rocked that NATURAL PUPPY during the Game, too. And the lapin angélique. Isn't that right, Bunny McBunnerson?"
Another snort of laughter from Eri. This time Joshua was less amused by her amusement.
"Of course, I can look good in anything—and I'm glad you recognize that, Neku." Joshua looked at his partner in the reflection of the mirror with a sardonic grin. "Obviously my partner would know my versatile style, given all the times he couldn't help but play dress-up with me."
"That's a funny way of saying that you kept asking me to pick what you were wearing for the day. I just thought you were trying to annoy me." His partner shrugged nonchalantly. "Especially when you kept complaining about all my choices."
"Oh, Neku," Joshua said as he looked away coyly with a hand covering his face, though he still wore that mocking smile. "Criticism is born from love—I only want to see you improve."
His partner smirked at him through the mirror. "Well, if you want me to make you wear a potted plant again, you just had to ask."
"Aww, how cute," said Eri. "You just didn't know what to wear yourself, and needed some help from Neku, right?"
Joshua caught that small smirk from Shiki before she hid it with her sleeve.
Joshua blinked in Eri's direction. "I wouldn't say that, specifically. I simply trusted my partner."
"Yeah. I trust my partners too." Aww, his partner sounded so sincere when he put Joshua on the same playing field as Shiki and Beat.
"I mean, there's no shame in not knowing what you wanna wear at first," Eri added. "There's a lot of different brands and types of clothes to choose from. Trust me, I would know, because as a designer I have to research all this stuff to stay current." Joshua kept silent at her words and stood up straighter. She orbited around Joshua one more time. "Okay, that should do it! You're good to go!"
"Yup, I'm done here too!" said Shiki. "I was actually done a few minutes ago, but Eri and Josh looked like they were having so much fun."
His partner smiled. "Thanks for sticking around a few more minutes at least, Shiki. Even if it was for Josh and Eri's sake, pffft."
"Yes, thank you for sticking around, I was just absolutely delighted." Joshua shrugged as he stared at himself in the mirror a little while longer. It felt strangely nice to wear clothes that actually fit. "Thank you for the threads, Eri. They fit quite nicely—a testament to your skill as a designer."
"Thanks!" said Eri. "C'mon Shiki, let's give the boys some time to get ready! Meetcha outside!"
"Okay!" said Shiki. Joshua watched as she gave Neku a quick peck on the cheek before scurrying out after her fashion partner.
Which left Joshua alone with his dear partner.
"Ah, finally, some privacy." Joshua giggled as he turned to face his partner just before stopping himself to pull out his phone. The Mr. Mew case that the designers had gifted him did go along with his outfit very well, but he preferred his orange phone. He posed and snapped a picture of his reflection and then turned to face his partner. Joshua snapped another picture, this time of his dear partner, as he turned to face him. "I just simply can't forget a moment such as this. I could never get you to play fashionista during the Game, and now you follow orders like a whipped dog."
"More like a whipped mouse," his partner commented mildly, "if you ask Coco. A whipped cat, if you ask Shiki. Me? I'm fine with being a whipped dog given that my partner's a natural at being a whipped puppy." He raised his eyebrows.
"Hee hee, so obedient. You might call me a whipped puppy, but I only follow the orders I want to follow. You, however, I could ask anything of and you would bend over backward to satisfy me, hmm?" Joshua half-lidded his eyes at his partner.
His partner brushed his hand over the asymmetrical jeans, fingering the hem of the skirt-like frill over his hip. "Funny coincidence. I only follow the orders I want to follow, too. But if you asked me something, I'd probably do it."
He tilted his head as he continued looking towards Joshua's reflection.
"Because I want to. Whipped puppy or lone wolf, thanks for hanging out with us. I know you've got a whole city full of people willing to bend over backwards for you—"
The corners of Joshua's lips wavered ever so slightly, and he kept his arms at his sides. Phone gripped in one hand, fist clenched in the other.
"—and I'm grateful you're choosing to spend some time with us instead. Thanks, Joshua. Life's been a lot livelier since you started hanging out again. And, uh, without shooting anyone this time." His partner's smile stayed good-natured. "I know that takes a lot of restraint."
His voice sounded as though he were holding back laughter. Not unkindly.
"...Just joshing with you." A little smile. "Fittingly enough."
Joshua blinked at his partner for a moment before he smiled. "Be careful not to show up the Bito siblings' comedy routine. Not that that's so difficult to do."
"Well, hey, if you want to try to go toe-to-toe with them, go ahead. I'm pretty sure the only other duo who could beat 'em would be Nagi and Fret." His partner rested his chin on his knuckles, looking like a poor imitation of The Thinker. "You wanna take a photo together? I'm not the world's most photogenic guy, but...I wouldn't mind commemorating this. You and me. Hanging out without the Grim Heaper breathing down our backs or Shibuya about to get pecked to death."
Joshua shrugged and tucked away whatever unknown feeling that was deep in the tin he kept in his chest. "Like I said, when would I have another opportunity like this? I'll take you up on that offer, Neku."
"My name isn't gonna run away from you, Joshua." His name sounded light as a feather on his partner's tongue. An iridescent, resonant feather. "Neither am I. So don't go running yourself, either, and you'll have so many opportunities you'll run out of space on your phone."
His partner slipped from his chair and crossed partway through the room, stopping around the middle.
He waited there, smiling easily, one hand motioning: inviting Joshua to cross the other half of the gap himself.
If given the choice to leave the way Joshua always had, he wasn't very sure that he would stay. Appear for his goal, depart after he'd accomplished it, leave that rickety old bridge of a connection that Joshua could float across whenever he had wanted.
And as funny as his partner's face had been whenever he had popped back up again, Joshua wasn't entirely sure if that had been what he'd wanted. If that was what he wanted now. But he had had the ability, so he had disappeared.
But now, here, forced to stand on his two human legs, beside his partner, Joshua had to confront this feeling. He couldn't disappear, like he was used to. So he would see what the other option is like.
Sticking around.
Joshua giggled and stood beside his partner, the camera on his phone facing inward. His partner leaned into frame and they both smiled as Joshua snapped a picture of them both from the waist up. With both of them wearing Gatto Nero, they actually matched, for once.
Stepping back, Joshua looked at the picture for a moment, longer than he'd intended at first, then back up at his partner. "You know, Neku, you look good, but I think we both know who's the real showstopper here."
"We sure do." His partner wasn't looking at the picture, but rather at him. "You know, when you emphasize it that much, you start to sound a little insecure. Something on your mind, Joshua?"
"Insecure? Don't kid yourself, Neku. I can't enjoy saying my partner's name?" Joshua smirked.
"I meant you being a showstopper," his partner added mildly.
Joshua giggled again. "I emphasize it because it's true."
His partner rubbed his own shoulder. "It is. I never contested it. And when you say my name like that, it just reminds me of all the times you asked me to 'do something' during the Game. So, hey. If you need help again, just ask. I'm here for you. Eri, Shiki, Beat, and Rhyme—and me. We're all here for you."
Joshua shook his head. He was well aware of all the "help" everyone was willing to provide. His partner's glance flickered away from Joshua and towards the door.
"Think we've kept them waiting long enough? And, uh..." His hand stilled on his shoulder, his smile equal parts sheepish and certain, like a dancer trying out a new routine with full confidence that they would nail it. "Mind sending me a copy of that photo later?"
"Hee hee, if you'd like." Joshua smiled. He would be sure to send the picture of his reflection to his partner, too. "And I agree, let's not keep them waiting much longer."
Joshua and his partner walked up from backstage to the opening of the private Gatto Nero catwalk. Catwalk. Hee hee.
Before they emerged, Joshua could hear their private little audience.
"Yo, what's takin' so long?"
"Don't worry, Beat. Neku and Josh will be out any minute now."
"Haste makes waste. Yoshiya's probably worried that he won't look as good as he's hyped himself up to be. Besides, if you want something done, do it yourself. Do you want to model next, Beat?"
"Uhh, nah, I'm good. I ain't made fo' modelin'. I prefer gettin' on stage to tell jokes, not look like one."
"I guess that makes you a jack of all trades, since you usually do both, hehe."
"You know, we could make you costumes for your routines! Stylish costumes! That could really jazz up your routine, right?"
Joshua listened. Him, worried about his appearance? Rhyme really could joke around.
His partner stood with his right hand on the door. "You ready, Joshua? You can take as long as you need to, you know. There's no rush. No mission mail to complete. Just whatever pace you want to take."
"Let's get a move on, partner."
"Not 'Neku' this time?" His partner cracked a smile. "You okay?"
Joshua shrugged. "Just peachy. Now, let's get this over with. I'm eager to show off."
His partner paused. Joshua could feel the weight of that gaze scrutinizing him from head to toe. Hm, should he have struck a pose, too? "We can go if you want. But if something's wrong...tell me? Don't just shut up. Mr. H isn't around this time to give me the deets you won't."
"I'll think about it." Joshua smirked.
A second of silence passed. His partner waited another moment more, then sighed. "Baby steps. Okay, Joshua. Show your stuff. I'll be there with you. Like then, and like the future. Ready?"
"Oh, I was born ready for this." Joshua struck a pre-pose to prepare for striking the actual pose.
A deep exhalation. His partner hesitated as though about to say something on the threshold, but then nodded. "Another world awaits, right?"
"And we're going, hmm?" Joshua said, playfully. "Now, what are we waiting for?"
"It's showtime."
The door opened into the darkness beyond: a catwalk set aglow by lights ringing the stage, framed by fluttering curtains. Joshua had to hand it to the Gatto Nero duo; the fans keeping the curtains flowing were a nice touch.
Joshua strode out ahead of his partner confidently, finally catching sight of that private little audience. The Bito siblings and the Gatto Nero designers watched as Joshua emerged, and his partner must not have been too far behind.
"And here's our show-stopper now!" Eri announced.
Hee hee. See? What had Joshua said~?
"Finally! You look good, Priss-kid!" Beat flashed a toothy grin up to Joshua.
Joshua quirked his right knee and left his foot touching the floor with the toe of his boot. His left leg supported his weight, and it was a little uncomfortable, but he could keep the pose for long enough. He flashed a 𝑉-sign with his left hand and rattled around the phone in his right.
"Clothes don't make the man," Rhyme mused, smiling as she giggled, "but Shiki and Eri's clothes make you look good, Yoshiya."
Oh, what a compliment coming from her.
"Well, there's only one showstopper I need," said Shiki, with eyes only for Joshua's partner. Fine, he would allow such a transgression this once.
"Hey now, someone's showing a little bias," said Eri, winking at Shiki.
"Like you're one to talk, only declaring one show-stopper."
His partner came to stand on his left side. With one hand loosely in his jean pocket and the other fiddling with his hair, he looked like he had never "struck a pose" seriously before. Joshua would have to stage an intervention. He couldn't go to a party with a partner who would do a two-step shuffle and think himself a good dancer.
"Ay! That's what I'm talkin' 'bout, Phones! Killin' it!"
"If looks could kill," Rhyme remarked, "he's serving a lethal one."
Hmph! Joshua concurred with Eri; this was absolutely biased. Joshua struck another pose, just to try and one up his partner. Turning a bit more to the side, bending a knee and lifting up a leg and settling it on his toe in such a way as to show his leg through the cut in the miniskirt.
Glancing towards him, his partner smiled—sincerely—and appeared to try mirroring Joshua's movements. He jerkily arranged his limbs in a terrible emulation. But the crinkle of the corners of his eyes made his simple enjoyment plain. Such a human thing, to find fun in such an...unskilled act.
Joshua shook his head and smiled wryly at his partner's attempt to copy. Didn't matter who copied: they just weren't as good as the original, hee hee.
And yet, everyone else seemed to laugh along. His partner was acting ridiculously and it was to his own laughter, to the laughter of all his friends, and even to Joshua's...
...amusement.
Joshua stood up straight and leaned toward his partner. "Please keep making a fool of yourself; it's hilarious."
His partner straightened up to match. "Hey, Rhyme, Beat, you guys better watch out. Joshua thinks I'm gonna overtake you guys in comedy hour."
"Yeah, right!" Beat grinned and raised a fist. "I'd like to see you try, Phones!"
"My partner has made me laugh more today than you two ever have. Well, maybe I've laughed bemusedly at your misfortune, but I don't think that counts." Joshua attempted at more insults, though, part of him knew it would bounce off the Bito siblings. Beat, because he didn't understand what "bemused" meant and Rhyme for being ever vigilant in her deflections.
Rhyme rubbed her gloved thumb into her palm. "The greater the tragedy, the funnier the comedy." She spoke sweetly. "Congratulations! That means that your fashion sense will be the funniest joke of all, Yoshiya."
Joshua shrugged and let out a chuckle. "Did she just say what I think she said, Neku? I think that means I'm funnier than her."
"I think Shibuya agrees, too, since Dragon Couture and lapin angélique both went out of business," Rhyme added.
"Hmph." Joshua crossed his arms.
Shiki put her hand on her chin. "But NATURAL PUPPY is still around. It's the right style for being steadfast as Hachiko, don't you think?"
"Oh!" Eri clapped her hands. "I'd love for us to all get together at Hachiko! It sounds like the perfect backdrop for some selfies!" She tilted her head up towards Joshua. "You're invited too, 'course! All of us are!"
"That'd be fun. I'm looking forward to seeing what your fashion taste looks like now, Joshua." Neku tilted his head. "Rindo likes RyuGu. Maybe it'd look good on you, too."
"'Sides, there's lots'a brands to try out. Maybe you'd like somethin' totally different, Priss-kid!" Beat grinned.
Shiki nodded. "The sky's the limit in Shibuya. I'm sure we can find something for even the pickiest fashionista!"
"Yeah! You can even grab summa dat sky an' eat it, yo!"
"Oh! Yes! I'd love a trip to Vegelovers!" Eri put her palms together.
Rhyme giggled. "Variety is the spice of life, Yoshiya. And so is trying different brands."
"I doubt that," Joshua said. Then, after a moment: "Thanks for the suggestions, but..."
Hmm. But what? He was already wearing something different right now. None of Shibuya's old brands, his brands—something totally new, born from the fires of his Game. Was change always so inevitable with humans? His partner still wore Jupiter of the Monkey. He had just added Gatto Nero to his regular fashion now, too.
And even still, the brand of Jupiter of the Monkey was changing, itself. Shibuya was a whirlwind, and in a few years' time, would that brand still be there, or would it still be the same?
Evidence pointed to the contrary. Gatto Nero would change, too. Because Shiki and Eri were humans, and they would change.
Was Joshua changing now, too? Was that why the thought of new threads didn't...bother him as much as it had a few days ago?
Or maybe that was because his partner's friends had all decided to gather around this stage and watch as his partner humiliated himself on the catwalk. And watched as Joshua humiliated himself on this catwalk. And they smiled, all the while, because...
They were having a good time.
Joshua was having a good time.
Hee hee.
He wasn't sure how to process this. They were all talking, together, and it all sort of mixed together in his mind. He could identify the...happiness in their tones.
Joshua blinked and shook his head free from whatever cobwebs had fogged up his mind. He looked over at his partner, smiling at something Beat said. He leaned over and felt that whatever-it-was deep in his chest stir as he tried to swallow his pride.
"Neku."
His partner was right there beside him. If life was a constant series of embarrassments, then at least they were both being embarrassed. "Yeah?" His smile reached his eyes. "Hey, you said my name without—" His little laugh cut himself off. "...Thanks, Joshua."
"So amused by the littlest details." Joshua started, with a smirk. "I think I'd like to see what Shibuya's new brands have to offer. If you and your friends wouldn't mind chauffeuring me around, of course."
"Me and my friends? I'm not sure about that." His partner thumbed towards their private audience: Beat excitedly making plans to drag Joshua around Shibuya for fashion and air-in-a-can, Eri pondering to Rhyme what brands would most resemble the gap Dragon Couture had left behind. All of their gazes keeping Joshua and his partner in their sights. Talking about how to help him. "But me and our friends? I don't think any of us would mind."
"Well, if you insist on semantics, then..." Joshua crossed his arms, but smiled. "We'll see if they earn my friendship, then."
"Yeah." His partner's expression seemed...fond. Of them? Of him? Of...both? "We will. We've got as much time as you want."
As much time as he wanted? That would depend on how much they earned.
Though... They were doing a better job of earning his time—and his friendship—than he would've liked to admit.
