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It’s funny how when you spend a lot of time with someone you don’t really notice some things. It’s just sort of how things are and you never give it a second thought. And that was certainly the case when it came to Josuke and Okuyasu’s relationship. Josuke had never given any of it much thought, it had always felt so comfortable and natural. The two of them just sort of clicked and he always knew that if he needed someone, Okuyasu would be there, and together they could get through anything. That was just how things were.
But suddenly Josuke found himself really thinking about it for the first time, noticing all their habits. Like the way Okuyasu made sure he had lunch every morning or how Josuke would wait for Okuysau to get home from work to have dinner on the nights he worked late. They were little things like doing the dishes together and curling up on the couch to watch a movie that they’d both seen a hundred times. It was their normal, but Josuke hadn’t really realized it until now.
It had been a few weeks since Josuke’s birthday. A few weeks since Okuyasu had told him everything. It was strange. In some ways it felt as if nothing had changed at all, but in others it was like everything was different. Josuke didn’t really feel like his feelings towards Okuyasu had changed, just his awareness of them. He had been surprised the first time Okuyasu grabbed his hand and he felt his stomach flutter. It was something he’d done a million times, so why did it make him queasy now? Why did he feel so flustered when he looked over to see Okuyasu watching him? And why did he suddenly get nervous when they sat next to each other on the couch, his heart pounding in his ear as he became hyper aware of his every movement?
Josuke had never put a label on his feelings. They just were what they were. Okuyasu had always felt warm and safe and comfortable, but it wasn’t until recently that he ever stopped to consider what that meant. He had always known that the way he felt about Okuyasu was different from how he felt about Koichi, or Yukako, or Mikitaka, and now he finally knew why. Okuyasu was his best friend, but he was much more than that, their relationship went deeper than friendship. Josuke had always been a hopeless romantic and he had assumed that when he fell for someone it would be big and loud and unmistakable, but he’d been wrong, it was slow and quiet, creeping in where he least expected it.
“Hey, you alright?”
Josuke was standing rigidly in the middle of the living room, staring somewhere ahead of him. He blinked, turning to look at Okuyasu in the kitchen, “Huh? Uh, yeah…” He said quickly. “I um…” Josuke’s eyes started to wander as he reconsidered his answer. He swallowed anxiously before taking a deep breath, “I’m gonna throw up.”
“Woah, okay, no you’re not.” Okuyasu tossed the dish cloth he was holding and rushed over to Josuke. “You’re fine, you’re just nervous.”
Josuke stepped back from him, avoiding his eyes, “No, I’m really gonna be sick.”
“Hey,” Okuyasu closed the distance between them taking Josuke’s hands, “Hey, look at me.” Josuke’s eyes met his and he held them there, “You’re fine. It’s going to be okay, it’s just your mom.”
Jouske’s breath was coming in short gasps as his panic started to overwhelm him. He looked away again, frantically looking for some kind of escape.
Okuyasu tried to get Jouske to look at him again, “We can just have a normal dinner, you don’t have to tell her anything.”
“No.” Josuke said quickly, looking up at Okuyasu. He looked scared, but there was a determination in his eyes that made Okuyasu smile.“I want to tell her.”
A warmth spread through Okuyasu’s chest. He placed a hand on Josuke’s face and felt him relax at his touch. Josuke closed his eyes and let out a deep breath, resting his head against Okuyasu’s. He stayed there for a minute as he tried to steady himself, putting a hand on Okuyasu’s chest and focusing on the steady rhythm of his breathing. A calmness washed over Josuke and he opened his eyes, lifting his head to look at Okuyasu who gave him a small smile.
Suddenly Josuke was hit with an overwhelming affection that made his chest ache and before he really realized what he was doing he had stepped closer to Okuyasu. Somewhere in the back of his head a part of him was screaming, but that voice was too far away. His hand closed on Okuyasu’s shirt and he saw his eye flick down for a second. Josuke’s whole body felt hot as his breathing shifted again, but this time it wasn’t from anxiety. What was it? Anticipation? His stomach lurched as he leaned in closer.
The doorbell rang and Josuke jumped. He looked over his shoulder at the door before turning back to Okuyasu in horror. The panic was back.
It took Okuyasu a second to recover, “It’ll be okay. I’ll be right here if you need me.”
Okuyasu grabbed his wrist and Josuke glanced down at the hand that was still gripping his shirt. He awkwardly let go, his face burning. He nodded nervously and turned, heading for the door.
Josuke paused, staring at the door for a long moment as he tried to collect himself. He took a deep breath and opened it quickly before he could think too hard about it.
Tomoko wasn’t looking at Josuke, she was distracted by something to her left. “You have a Tanuki.”
Josuke blinked, “What?”
“You have a Tanuki.” She pointed.
Josuke peaked his head out the door, following her finger. Over by one of their bushes was a small Tanuki collecting berries. “Oh, should we try to get rid of it?”
“What? No.” Tomoko sounded upset, “They’re supposed to be good luck.” She smirked at him playfully, “Had anything particularly good happen recently?”
Josuke blinked at her in disbelief. Why was she like this? He ignored her, his ears burning as he turned back into the house. “How was your day?” He asked casually as Tomoko closed the door behind her.
“Eh, it was okay.” She shrugged, sliding off her shoes.
Okuyasu poked his head out of the kitchen, “Hi Miss Higashikata!”
Tomoko smiled at him, “Hi!” she called back. She glanced at Josuke and her mischievous smirk returned, “You know you guys have a little Tanuki out front.”
“Oooooh…” Okuyasu said excitedly. “I’ll have to see if we have anything for him to eat.” He ducked quickly back into the kitchen.
“Wha- don’t feed it.” Josuke said exasperated, shooting his mother an irritated look. She knew exactly what she was doing. Okuyasu had a soft sport for animals and Josuke regularly had to discourage him from bringing home strays.
“But they’re good luck.” Okuyasu said as he rummaged around in the fridge.
Josuke shook his head and stared at Tomoko as if to say: you did this.
Tomoko shrugged innocently, sitting down on the couch as Okuyasu reappeared carrying a small bowl.
“Dinner won’t be ready for a little bit.” He called to Tomoko over his shoulder as he hurried toward the door, a huge grin on his face.
Jouske watched him and couldn’t help but smile. As much as he didn’t think it was a good idea that they start feeding wild animals, it was cute how excited he was. He turned back to Tomoko and felt his stomach jump as he realized she’d been staring at him. She raised an eyebrow and he pressed his lips together, trying to hide his smile as he shoved his hands in his pockets and casually walked over to sit next to her. Josuke jammed his hands between his knees awkwardly as he sat on the couch, looking anywhere other than at his mother, trying to pretend he couldn’t feel her staring at him.
“So…” she said slowly, not taking her eyes off him. “How’s work been going?”
Josuke straightened, thankful for the change of subject. “Uh, It’s been good. Next week we-”
The front door opened, “You didn’t tell me it was a baby.” Okuyasu said, hopping on one foot as he hurried to take off his shoes. “He’s so cute!”
He stumbled slightly on the genkan step and Josuke made a jerking motion as he stopped himself from rushing over to help him. He tried to play it off as him just repositioning himself on the couch, but Tomoko still glanced at him suspiciously.
Okuyasu recovered easily, beaming excitedly at them. “He really liked the cabbage. I’ll have to see if we have anything else for him tomorrow.”
Josuke shook his head with a small smile as Okuyasu ducked back into the kitchen.
“You were saying something about next week.” Tomoko prompted, bringing Josuke back to their conversation.
“Oh, yeah, next week we're supposed to be getting some new nurses and apparently one of them is going to be shadowing me.”
Tomoko sat up in surprise. “Oh? That sounds exciting.” she said, a hint of pride in her voice.
“Eh,” Josuke fidgetted anxiously. “I don’t know…”
“You’ll do fine.” Okuyasu said, stepping out of the kitchen holding the tea tray.
“I just don’t think I’m a very good teacher.”
“What makes you say that?” Tomoko asked as Okuyasu made his way around the couch with the tea.
“I just don’t have a lot of patience.”
“That’s not true, you put up with me everyday.” Okuyasu laughed.
Josuke gave him a pleading look. He knew he was joking, but he’d never liked it when Okuyasu spoke badly about himself. Okuyasu returned Josuke’s look with one of deep affection that made Josuke's breath catch in his throat. They stared at each other for a long moment and Josuke almost forgot all about his mother sitting between them.
The teapot slid off the edge of the tray, bringing Okuyasu back to reality. He yelped and lunged for it, dropping the rest of the tray, but he was too late. The pot hit the table in front of them, shattering. Okuyasu sucked in a breath, jerking his hand away as one of the pieces of porcelain caught his fingers. Josuke acted instinctively. In one fluid movement he reached for the teapot, it reformed in his hand and he placed it safely on the table as he rushed forward to take Okuyasu’s injured hand.
“You okay?” Josuke asked as he healed the wound.
“Yeah,” Okuyasu said in a small voice. “Sorry about the tea,” he murmured.
“That doesn’t matter.” Josuke locked eyes with him, giving his hand a gentle squeeze, “Please just be careful.”
“Josuke…” Tomoko said slowly after a minute and Josuke felt his stomach lurch. “Is there something you want to tell me?”
Okuyasu could see the panic in Josuke’s eyes and he felt his stomach drop. This wasn’t how this was supposed to go. He was so stupid. Why did he have to always mess everything up?
Josuke took a deep breath, letting it out slowly before turning to his mother again. “Yes, um…Okuyasu and I…” He clenched his fist to stop his hand from shaking. “We’re…” He let out another deep breath to steady himself as Okuyasu touched his back lightly, letting him know he was still there.
Josuke looked back at him and reached out his hand. An overwhelming happiness flooded through Okuyasu and he took it with a confidence he’d never really felt before. Josuke gave him a warm smile.
“We’re seeing each other. We’re…in a relationship.” It sounded strange and a little awkward to say out loud. Josuke turned to Okuyasu for approval, but Okuyasu just beamed at him, squeezing his hand.
Tomoko blinked at them, “Oh…” she sounded slightly confused. “I- that’s not- wait-” She paused trying to reroute her brain and for a fraction of a second Josuke felt the floor get pulled out from under him. Had they been wrong? Josuke could feel himself starting to spiral, but he pulled himself back.
Tomoko took a deep breath, “Okay.” She stood up and walked carefully over to them, taking both of their free hands and stared intensely at her son. “Josuke, I love you and I’m so proud of you and I want you to know that I’ll support you no matter what.”
Josuke closed his eyes, taking in a shaky breath as his panic melted away.
Tomoko gave his hand a supportive squeeze. “Now,” she said after a moment. “One of you is going to have to explain to me what just happened with that teapot or I’m going to lose it.”
Okuyasu looked quickly at the fully intact teapot on the table and gasped, pulling his hand away from Tomoko’s, he covered his mouth as he looked at Josuke with horror, “You fixed it.” He muttered.
“Shit.”
Tomoko looked between the two of them impatiently. “A second ago I watched that thing shatter to pieces and then…” She made a movement with her hands.
Josuke let out a sigh, leaning his head back. He had been so focused on Okuyasu that he’d fixed the teapot on instinct. Twenty years. For twenty years he’d managed to keep his abilities secret from his mother. How could he out himself with something so stupid?
“Okay,” He sighed after a minute. “Do you remember when I was really little and I told you about my imaginary friend?”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Just trust me, it does.” Josuke dismissed her question. “So, he wasn’t imaginary, he’s what’s called a stand. Stands are a kind of physical manifestation of a person’s soul- or at least that’s how Mr. Jotaro explained it.” He looked to Okuyasu for validation, but he just shrugged. “Um, some people are born with them and some people can get theirs in other ways. I have one because my dad has one. They have these special abilities and each one is different, for example, mine can fix things.” He gestured to the pot. “Only other people with stands can see them though.”
Tomoko blinked hard, plopping back down on the couch, staring at the teapot before looking back up at Josuke, “Are you messing with me?”
Josuke and Okuyasu shook their heads, “No. I promise.” Josuke said earnestly.
Tomoko let out a long breath, looking back at the teapot, “Can you show me how it works?”
“Uh,” Josuke looked around them and spotted the disheveled tea tray on the ground. “Yeah.” He picked up one of the tea cups and crushed it with Crazy Diamond before reassembling it as if nothing had happened.
Tomoko jumped off the couch, taking the cup from him. She turned it over in her hand.
“I can use it to heal people too.” Josuke said, turning to Okuyaus for his hand. “See?”
Tomoko looked up at him in amazement, “When you were little…Haru down the street…”
Josuke nodded, “He broke his arm riding his bike. I fixed it.”
“You said there are others…” She looked at Okuyasu and he nodded as well. “What can yours do?”
He cringed, “Mines not as useful as Josuke’s.” Josuke shot him a look and he pretended not to notice. “The best way I can explain it is that I can make things disappear.” He glanced around the room for something he could use as an example. Spotting an old piece of mail, he picked it up and showed it to Tomoko before erasing it with The Hand.
Tomoko laughed, “You guys must not have any trash on pick up days then.”
Okuyasu stared at her for a moment, “I never really thought of that.” He looked at Josuke who shrugged.
“So, does anyone else…”
“Uh, yeah.” Josuke looked at her guiltily. “Koichi and Yukako,” he started listing them off on his fingers.
“Tonio.” Okuyasu offered.
“Rohan…”
“Mikitaka.”
Josuke stopped, looking at Okuyasu, “Well, no, Mikitaka-”
“I still don’t really believe him.” Okuyasu argued.
“But he can’t see our stands.”
“He says he can’t.”
“That’s kind of a long time to commit to a joke though.”
“Mikitaka’s a weird dude, I wouldn’t put it past him.”
“What are you talking about?” Tomoko cut in.
“When we met him, Mikitaka said he was an alien.” Okuyasu explained quickly. “But come on,” he said, addressing Josuke again, “I still don’t buy it.”
“An alien?” Tomoko said flatly.
Josuke shrugged, ignoring his mother, “I don’t know man, “We’ve known him for years now and I’ve never seen his stand.”
“Sure,” Tomoko said to herself sitting down on the couch in resignation, “Why not?”
“Whatever dude, you can believe him if you want.”
Suddenly the stress and awkwardness of the past few minutes seemed to evaporate. Everything was fine. Tomoko seemed to have taken everything extremely well and the night continued on, business as usual.
As they finished up dinner and Okuyasu started cleaning up, Josuke walked Tomoko to the door. His chest felt lighter somehow as he chatted with her cheerfully. She paused in the doorway and looked at him for a long moment.
“I want you to know that I really meant what I said,” she started. “I know I don’t say it enough, but I love you-”
“Mom-” Josuke tried to stop her, his cheeks burning.
She reached up to hold his face, forcing him to look at her, “And I’m so proud of the person that you’ve become. I couldn’t have wished for a better son.”
Josuke’s throat felt tight as Tomoko stood up on her toes to kiss him lightly on the forehead. She let him go and the two of them stood there, staring at each other. Josuke wasn’t sure what to say. His mother wasn’t normally the type of person to be so openly affectionate.
“Th-thanks for coming over.” he murmured.
She gave him an understanding smile, “Of course.”
The house was oddly still and quiet as Josuke stepped out of the bathroom. He glanced at Okuyasu’s room. The door was open, but the lights weren’t on, letting Josuke know that he wasn’t in there. Josuke had offered to help him finish up the dishes after his mother left, but Okuyasu had insisted that it was fine, suggesting Josuke go take a shower and relax. Something had felt off, but Josuke got the impression that it would be better to address it later.
Josuke put his hands in his pockets as he turned towards his own room, trying not to worry too much about it. He could tell something had been bothering Okuyasu and he didn’t like the idea of him being upset, but Okuyasu would come to him if it was something he wanted to tell him.
Turning into his room, Josuke stopped short, surprised to see Okuyasu sitting on his bed. He looked anxious and jumped up as Josuke entered.
“I’m sorry.” He blurted.
“What?” Josuke said, looking at him with concern.
“I-I messed everything up.” Okuyasu said quickly. “You were so worried about everything and I messed it up.”
Josuke stared at him. What was he talking about? Tonight had honestly gone better than Josuke had expected. He hadn’t really been planning to tell his mother about his stand abilities, but he was kind of glad he did. Now everything was out in the open. Besides, he couldn’t help but feel like the whole teapot situation had made things easier. Even though he had wanted to do it, Josuke had been terrified to tell his mother about him and Okuyasu and him accidentally fixing the teapot in front of her had actually taken a lot of the attention off that. Apparently his mother found his abilities far more shocking than the fact that he was dating a man.
“I’m sorry.” Okuyasu said. “I’m so stupid. If I had just been more careful…”
Josuke felt his stomach drop. He hated when Okuyasu called himself stupid. He was so sweet and caring and he always seemed to know the right things to say to make Josuke feel better. Sometimes he didn’t always think things through and they ended up in a mess, but Josuke loved that about him. There was no one else he’d rather be with. To Josuke, Okuyasu was perfect and he wished he could make him see that.
Josuke’s chest swelled with affection and his stomach fluttered as he closed the space between them. His heart was pounding loudly in his ears, his breathing heavy. He wanted so badly to let Okuyasu know how much he meant to him. His chest ached and he felt as if it might burst. He could hear the voice in the back of his head screaming again, but there was a louder voice now, one that was telling him not to stop.
Josuke took Okuyasu’s face in his hands and before he really knew what he was doing, their lips met. Josuke felt Okuyasu’s breath catch as he pressed his lips against his softly. His face was burning, but he didn’t care. He could feel Okuyasu’s body start to relax, his hands cautiously sliding up Josuke’s chest as he wrapped his arms around his neck. After a minute Josuke broke away, still holding Okuyasu’s face.
“You’re not stupid.” Josuke said firmly, staring at him fiercely.
“I…” Okuyasu struggled to find words. He looked dazed and out of breath, his cheeks glowing red as his eyes seemed to search Josuke’s face, eventually settling on his lips.
Josuke leaned in again, but this time Okuyasu met him halfway. They collided a little rougher than either of them had intended and Okuyasu let out a small sound in surprise, stumbling back slightly, but Josuke instinctively stepped forward, catching him around the waist and pulling him closer. The heat between them was making Josuke sweat. He felt overwhelmingly awkward and confident all at once. There was a strange feeling somewhere low in his stomach as he kissed Okuyasu deeper. Okuyasu buried his fingers in Josuke’s hair as Josuke led him backwards until the edge of the bed hit the back of his legs. Josuke kept leaning into the kiss, slowly guiding him to sit down.
Their lips parted for just a second as they both gasped for air. Okuyasu pulled Josuke back in and he could feel Josuke smiling as he laughed quietly. The vibration of Josuke’s voice on his lips sent a shiver through Okuyasu’s body. Josuke slid a hand to Okuyasu’s chest, gently pushing him back as he put a knee onto the bed. The awkwardness of their positioning forced them apart and Okuyasu scrambled nervously onto the bed, watching as Josuke crawled after him. Josuke slid one of his legs between Okuyasu’s as he positioned himself over him. Okuyasu’s stomach lurched and he squeezed his legs together. A part of him wanted Josuke’s full weight on him, he wanted to know what it felt like for their hips to meet, but the other part of him was still too shy and the thought of Josuke touching him like that made him nervous.
Josuke paused, staring down at Okuyasu with a gentleness that let him know that he was safe. Okuyasu felt like he was drowning, but for some reason, he was okay with it. Josuke leaned down slowly, kissing him softly and Okuyasu whimpered quietly as he felt himself melting.
Josuke broke away, trailing his lips lightly along Okuyasu’s jaw, his breath hot on his ear, sending a tingling feeling through Okuyasu’s body. Josuke started to kiss him down his neck and Okuyasu let out a small moan that even he hadn’t expected. He suddenly turned to Josuke, finding his lips again and kissed him hungrily. Josuke slowed down the kiss, taking control again. Still kissing Okuyasu, he moved so he was beside him and after a moment he broke away again, laying down next to him.
The two of them laid there silently for a while, staring at each other as they tried to catch their breath. Josuke reached up and gently touched Okuyasu’s face.
“Yasu…” he breathed and Okuyasu felt his stomach flutter.
It wasn’t the first time that Josuke had shortened his name like that, but there was something about him doing it now that felt so much more intimate.
“Thank you for everything tonight,” Josuke said after a moment. “You’re more than I could have ever asked for.”
Okuyasu grabbed Josuke’s wrist. He opened his mouth to protest, but Josuke didn’t let him. He slid his hand into Okuyasu’s, interlacing their fingers.
Josuke squeezed his hand. “I need you to know that I want you just the way you are. And I wouldn’t change anything about you. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted. I’m just sorry it took me so long.”
Okuyasu’s eyes brimmed with tears as he squeezed Josuke’s hand back. “You were worth waiting for.” He smiled weakly.
Josuke let go of his hand to brush away his tears and Okuyasu moved closer to him, hugging him as he buried his face in his chest. Josuke smiled, wrapping his arms around Okuyasu comfortably. He closed his eyes as he listened to Okuyasu breathing. After a minute Josuke started petting his hair and Okuyasu nuzzled him affectionately.
“Josuke?” Okuyasu looked up at him.
“Hm?”
“Is it okay if I stay with you tonight?”
“Yeah,” Josuke smiled. “I’d like that.”