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When Kokichi glanced up from the TV and saw Kaito lingering by the door and scratching the back of his head, he knew it was an attempt at reconciliation. Uninterested, he turned back to the screen.
“Hey, you coming to bed?”
He waited a few moments before dismissively replying to Kaito’s question.
“Hm? Are you talking to me again?”
“I’m trying to.”
At least he is attempting to do something, his inner voice chided him. He should be, Kokichi thought back to himself, it’s his fault. That morning, Kaito had gotten mad at him for making a mess in the kitchen. The petty squabble led to them spending the rest of the day in a weird limbo, refusing to acknowledge or even stay in the same room as each other.
“Nah, I just want to keep playing a little longer.”
“Aren’t you tired? You’ve been up late the past few nights.”
Kokichi gripped the controller tighter. He was right – he knew he was right – but he did not need him breathing down his neck about it.
“It’s not like I have anywhere I need to be tomorrow,” Kokichi muttered.
He did not want to do this. The idea of laying in that soft, comfy bed with Kaito sleeping beside him sounded nice. Staying up out of spite was ridiculous, and it was not something he could feasibly continue to do without suffering the consequences. He was in a petty mood though. Even if Kaito was trying to make things right, he was not going to back down.
“Yeah, but I’m still going to be stuck with you.”
Kokichi tensed, his knuckles going white. Stuck with you – he had said that like he was a pest or a disease. That struck a nerve that he could not ignore.
“Such a nightmare, isn’t it?” He sighed, not looking away from his game, “Remember how horrible it was when you were stuck with me last night? You hated it so much that you kissed me.”
Kaito growled.
“See, this is what I’m talking about! I didn’t mean it like that!”
“It sure sounded like you did.”
He was digging the hole deeper at this point, and he knew it. Kaito’s words continued to circle in his mind, convincing him that none of this meant anything. They had been forced together against their will. He was just a burden that Kaito had to deal with. That was it.
“I’m leaving.”
“Fun fact - you don’t have to announce you’re going; you can just leave.”
He heard Kaito stomp away, slamming a door in the process. Kokichi flinched, and the small, nagging voice deep inside his mind told him that he deserved this.
Loud thumps came from down the hall. Kaito was doing angry push-ups. He needed a distraction too, and he knew exactly what he was going to do. It was risky since he was within earshot, but he felt like garbage, so he did not care. Shutting the door to the small living space, he pushed the furniture to the back of the room. Reaching behind a pile of game boxes, he found the music player and connected it to the speaker beside the TV. Kokichi scrolled through the selections, trying to find something that would make him feel better. When he could not decide, he hit the shuffle button.
Standing in the empty space he had created, Kokichi closed his eyes. When the music started, he began to move. There were a lot of things he did not like about his body – his small, unintimidating stature; his weak frame; the tiny burns that hid under his clothes. At the very least physically existing meant he could dance.
Before getting stuck in the simulation, he had very little opportunity to enjoy this hobby. At the warehouse, he would occasionally find a quiet, empty room or corner – away from prying eyes, of course. He imagined his reputation as a strong, fearless leader would plummet if he was found cutting a rug like some sort of pop idol.
He had all the time in the world now. His only issue was avoiding Kaito. Mornings were the best since he was still asleep. If he was caught red-faced and sweaty, he had plenty of excuses he could use – practicing push-ups, vigorous wall-punching, a particularly furious masturbation session. Confused or flustered, Kaito would not ask any further questions.
The creak of the door brought him out of his trance. Opening his eyes, he saw Kaito staring at him. Kokichi spun away, folding his arms protectively across his chest as the music continued to play from the speaker. He was fully clothed, but he felt as though he had been stripped naked.
“I thought you said you were leaving.”
There was a pause, and for a second Kokichi thought he had actually left.
“I heard music.”
“Good for you.”
They stood in silence once more.
“I didn’t know you could dance.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”
He heard Kaito enter the room. Kokichi felt his body involuntarily grow rigid even though he knew he was safe with him.
“You’re good at it.”
Tugging on a strand of loose hair floating in front of his face, Kokichi nibbled on the inside of his lip. He hated how much he liked being complimented by him. He hated how it made his stomach flutter. Trying to seem nonchalant, he shrugged, placing his hands behind his head.
“An idiot could do it.”
“Yeah, uh - I don’t think I could.”
Kokichi slowly twisted around. He had been handed the golden opportunity to dish out one of the sickest burns ever and was about to take it. Then he saw Kaito’s face and realised he was being sincere. In a blur, he grabbed his arm and pulled him into the centre of the room.
“Oh, uh, it’s okay, really-”
“Yeah, you’re not getting a say in this.”
A peppy, romantic pop song started blaring through the speakers. Almost immediately, Kokichi began to bounce around as if he was having a massive sugar rush. Looking up, he saw Kaito standing still, overwhelmed.
“You’re supposed to move, dummy.”
In response, he started to sway half-heartedly. Rolling his eyes, Kokichi stood in front of him.
“Watch me.”
He showed off a simple dance move, purposely going slower in order to guide him. Kaito attempted to follow along, his movements stilted and awkward. Kokichi stifled a laugh.
“No, your shoulders are too tense! You look like a penguin.”
“I’m trying! This is harder than it looks!”
“It really isn’t. I’ve seen kids do it.”
Kaito frowned, folding his arms.
“Tch, this is dumb-”
He started walking away. Stuck with you, whispered inner voice, he doesn’t want to be around you. Kokichi felt his chest tighten. He leaped forward and wrapped himself around one of Kaito’s arms, squishing his cheek against his bicep.
“Okay, fine, you’re not that bad, really. C’mon, don’t leave. Dance with me!”
Kaito gave him an annoyed look, but Kokichi could tell he was going to cave in. He just needed a little more motivation. Tilting his head against Kaito’s arm, his expression became serious.
“If you don’t dance with me, you’re not getting any more kisses.”
Kaito glanced down at him, narrowing his eyes.
“Really.”
“None. Zilch. Nil. You’ll be a kissless loser forever.”
Considering this, Kaito sighed.
“Alright, but just one more song.”
Kokichi pulled him back into the middle of the room and turned the song up louder. He took Kaito’s hands and swung his arms around to the rhythm of the music. At first, he was as stiff as a board, unable to do anything but bend his knees and shift from side to side. After a few minutes, Kaito relaxed, trying his best to move in time with Kokichi.
This simple movement slowly evolved into a game. Kokichi would do an elaborate move, and Kaito would attempt to copy him. Sometimes, he would do it well, other times he failed spectacularly. Not giving in, he continued to practice, driven by an innate passion that came naturally to him.
By the time they had reached the end of the playlist, Kaito was starting to keep up with him. Kokichi could not help but be impressed by how much progress he had made. He figured he must have discovered a hidden love for dancing. That, or the threat of no kisses had worked.
The more they danced, the closer they became. The two of them went from holding hands and occasionally brushing up against each other to cuddling up and engaging in silly, little twirls.
As another song came to an end, Kaito grabbed him by his waist, lifting him up and spinning him around. Kokichi laughed, wrapping his arms around his neck as he was placed down on the small table. Realising what he had done, Kaito released him.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to – it just kind of – I uh, the music-”
Leaning in, Kokichi kissed him. He felt Kaito’s neck grow warm under his arms. Soon, his hands wrapped around him, pulling him into a gentle embrace.
“See? An idiot can do it.” Kokichi said to him softly as their lips parted.
Kaito grunted, unimpressed.
“Aren’t you glad you’re stuck with me?” Kokichi replied, poking him in the cheek.
“When you’re not running on three hours of sleep or destroying the kitchen.”
“You know I was making you breakfast, right?”
“Yeah, I know. Just – you have to clean up when you’re done, man.”
“Noted. So, does that mean we can be in the same room as each other again? I’m running out of places to hide.”
“Sure, works for me.”
Kokichi went to pull his arms away but felt Kaito gently squeeze his hips, keeping him in place.
“Just so you know, despite everything, I like being here with you. I like dancing with you too. I-”
Kaito looked away, the redness on his neck creeping up to his cheeks.
“I miss sleeping with you.”
Once again, he had been handed another chance at a zinger – a dirty one too. There were so many fun or teasing ways he could twist it, but he could not bring himself to do it. Like before, Kaito’s words were coming from a place of sincerity, and he was at a loss as to how to respond.
Slipping out of Kaito’s hands, he jumped off the table and disconnected the music player.
“Geez, if I’d known how mushy dancing makes you, I would’ve just bunked with you sooner.”
He wandered to the door and stopped, gazing at Kaito expectantly.
“Well?”
“Well what?”
Kokichi tilted his head, a grin growing on his face.
“You coming to bed, or what?”