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Sometimes, Daisuke really hated Miyako.
Like - really, really, hated Miyako. Surprisingly, it wasn't his fault this time. While yes, the boy could be a little oblivious, (or in worse words, dumb as hell ) Daisuke knew that this time, despite his remarkable history of pissing people off, it was one hundred percent Miyako’s fault.
Miyako had said something careless - which, to be fair, wasn't unusual. They were teammates - friends even - so they were bound to quip and subsequently, offend the other. Usually it’d be fine if Miyako or (more often than not) Daisuke had said something rude, because even if the two fought - they still cared for each other. This time, it just happened to affect Daisuke more than it normally would have.
Miyako had said something that changed the game.
Miyako single handedly ruined his friendship with Ken.
Okay no, that’s not accurate. Ken and Daisuke were still partners, comrades, and besties. Nothing could ever change that - especially not some pesky off-handed comment made by Miyako. However what she had said changed his perspective, stirring the pot in a way that made things weird - or more accurately, made Daisuke weird.
“If you keep bugging Ken like that, he’s going to stop being your friend.”
Now, Daisuke had complete and utter faith in Ken and his ability to tell Daisuke to lay off. He had done it before, and would most likely do it again. In fact, seeing Ken’s progress from someone too reserved to speak his mind, to being confident in himself and his boundaries, was heartwarming.
Except, Ken wasn’t asserting his boundaries to a clingy Daisuke anymore.
Now this is where Daisuke had to think. If Miyako was right, there was the potential that - theoretically, Daisuke was annoying Ken, and Ken - in his annoyance, had realized Daisuke was a lost cause. Ken - theoretically - has had enough, and was secretly hating Daisuke for not getting the hint. Daisuke was theoretically losing his best friend.
Which was bad, because Daisuke was not-so-theoretically in love with Ken.
So, Daisuke thought some more and crafted a battle plan, Daisuke would do the impossible and stop being annoying. No longer would he drape himself affectionately over his friend’s shoulder, huddling close to feel his warmth. No longer would he text his friend until four in the morning with nothing of importance, just to get a response. No longer would Daisuke pester his friend to come over and try a new recipe, because he valued his opinion above anyone else’s.
No longer would Daisuke let his feelings seep through the cracks - in a desperate attempt to preserve what the two still had. The plan would require him to give it his all, but he would do it for Ken.
A week had passed and so far things were good! Absolutely no one had noticed the change in his behaviour. No one except for Ken, who seemed to look at Daisuke quizzically whenever he didn’t bug him. At first, Daisuke thought Ken looked sad about it, but seeing how he was totally reading Ken wrong up until Miyako had said something - it was more likely that he was wondering why Daisuke wasn’t being a terrible friend anymore. It was a good sign, because if Ken hadn’t noticed the change then it would have been a pointless effort. Pointless efforts were bad.
Actually, so far things were going great , as Daisuke finally felt like he was on the fast track to being Ken’s best friend again. Never mind how much it hurt his heart, or how much brain power he actively used to not be himself. Maintaining his friendship with Ken would always, always, take place over Daisuke’s silly emotions.
Really, Daisuke should thank Miyako - because if she hadn’t spoken up about the problem then who knows where Daisuke would be now. Possibly in a cardboard box on the street, because in the alternate timeline where Miyako didn’t save Daisuke’s life, Vmon took his place in the Motomiya household.
Wow, he could shake Miyako’s hand for this.
In the least insane way to voice what the problem was, Ken didn’t respond to Daisuke’s text. It had been several hours, and even a couple tactful bump texts later, and Ken still wasn’t responding.
He thought he fixed their friendship.
As Daisuke laid in his bed, staring at the check mark symbol next to his message that signified that the message was read, he thought to himself. Earlier, Ken had asked Daisuke to come over for dinner, as he would be alone and wanted company. Daisuke really, really, wanted to go - as you do when you crush heavily on your best friend, but he declined. He made a shitty excuse instead so he wouldn’t spend the whole time staring dreamily at Ken in the kitchen, all because of his battle plan.
He thought it was the right thing to do, but now that he recollects that Ken looked almost distraught about Daisuke’s answer, he’s not so sure.
So, instead of eating a delicious meal made by his best friend and/or crush, he laid in bed and sulked like a baby.
Was he wrong about all of this? Was he possibly hurting Ken by ignoring him?
Stupid Miyako, this was all her fault for getting into his head.
…
No,
Stupid Daisuke . He was a fool for not believing in his friendship with Ken, for letting a moment of weakness sprout into paranoia. Daisuke was so concerned with potentially ruining their dynamic with his affection, that he didn’t stop to think that maybe too much affection was better than no affection at all .
Shit, he needed to fix this.
Ken almost closed the door in his face when he saw Daisuke on the other side of the frame. To be fair, he absolutely deserved it.
“Can I come in?” Daisuke pleaded, bowing in front of him as a show of humility.
The other boy hesitated, but soon enough opened the door for him. Not giving Ken a chance to change his mind, Daisuke immediately started to apologize.
“Ken, I am so sorry.”
They were still standing in the entryway to the apartment, Daisuke hardly walking in at all before getting right to it. He still had his shoes on.
“I was acting like an idiot all week. I have no right to make excuses, but I thought I was being too annoying, so I tried to stop.” Ken was staring at him as he spoke, a serious expression on his face. Daisuke felt like he was being put on trial for his Shitty Friend Crimes, but he pressed forward, knowing Ken was worth the effort.
“I had a weak heart and was being presumptuous, I didn’t even think to ask you how you felt - I thought… ” Daisuke paused, taking a moment to collect himself before exposing his vulnerability. “I thought you hated me all this time, and you were too polite to say so.”
Ken’s expression cracked, showing concern at his friend’s words. “Daisuke, what gave you that idea?”
The boy in question scratched the back of his head sheepishly, “Miyako said something to me and I took it way too personally,” Daisuke let out a weak laugh, “I thought maybe she had some super insight or something. It was my fault though, I shouldn’t have let it get to me at all.”
“Daisuke,” Ken started, “Your first mistake was believing Miyako knows me more than you do.”
At Ken’s words Daisuke couldn’t help but stare. He must have looked a little dumb, because Ken cracked a playful smile before continuing his reply.
“I guess you’re forgiven, just - Please don’t do it again, okay?”
It took a moment for Daisuke to piece it together, but once he did the boy felt more guilty than ever before.
Ken also thought he hated him.
In a gesture of comfort, Daisuke wrapped his arm around Ken’s shoulders. which may have been a bad idea - because an entire week's worth of touch starvation crashed onto Daisuke at that moment. It must have hit Ken too, who changed their positions so that they were actually hugging.
The two boys held the hug for what felt like ages, not moving from their spot in the entryway. Why did Daisuke ever think this was bad - displays of affection were amazing actually - especially with Ken.
“I’m sorry.” Daisuke whispered into Ken’s shoulder. In a silent reply, Ken hugged him closer.
“Do you want dinner?”
Without pulling away, Daisuke laughed. “Sure, what are we having?”
Squinting at the packaging in his hands, Daisuke looked over at the calendar to see exactly how long the food had until it expired. While Ken insisted on cooking the meal on his own, Daisuke still wanted to help his best friend in the kitchen.
It was then he noticed it - something very, very important that slipped his mind entirely.
“It’s Valentine’s Day?! ”
Ken yelped in surprise at Daisuke’s shout, chopping the knife down hard onto the cutting board. He looked over at his friend, who was standing there with a flabbergasted look on his face.
“Daisuke - you didn’t know?”
“I forgot!” he confessed, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. “I’ve been so focused on avoiding you I- wait,” Daisuke stopped his sentence suddenly, the gears in his head turning at a new epiphany.
“Is - Is Valentines why you invited me over?” He cautiously asked, turning to look at Ken.
The two of them stood frozen in place.
“Y-Yes?”
Ken’s squeaky confession was met with silence, water boiling on the stove being the only activity within the kitchen. A couple seconds passed, and Daisuke’s face morphed into an expression of horror once he connected the dots.
“You wanted to make me a romantic dinner!”
“Daisuke I-”
“Oh My God you were confessing to me and I rejected you!!”
“I-I've come to terms wi-"
“Ken, I would never reject you - nevermind that I did because that doesn’t count - I didn’t know!!!”
“It’s honestly okay if y-”
“I love you!!!!”
“-ou … love me?”
Later, at the next meet up, Miyako approached the newly found couple excitedly.
"You finally made up! Awesome, it was so annoying seeing you two mope."
Daisuke simply grinned in response, the two of them cuddling closer than they ever did before. Miyako scrunched her face at the public display of affection.
“Actually, this might be worse.”
He had to disagree.