Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"I'm going to juvie."

That thought had haunted him since his meeting with the headmaster. Apparently mondo was skipping class too often and failing too many of his classes and the school board was losing faith in his ultimate. The only reason he hadn't gone already was because he got accepted, but now he fucked. Mondo could not bring his grades up, not by himself. He might as well as chop off all his hair and ask officer Ishimaru to give him a whiffle.

Daiya was going to chew his ass out when the school called. He was surprised Daiya wasn't already up here, pulling his ear and telling him to stop fucking up. He thought about skipping. It wasn't like he was going to be able to fix the mess he was in. He'd be lucky to get a D if he started going to class now. Class or not, mondo wasn't going to spend the last days he had at hope's peak in history.

Mondo went to the rooftop. No one was up there during class and if they were, they knew better than to stick around when mondo showed up. He reached into his pocket and grabbed his cigarettes. He'd been trying to cut back. Not by his own choice, Daiya had quit and Mondo couldn't bum cigarettes off of him anymore. He was down to his last carton. He grabbed his lighter, watching the flame burn for a minute before lighting his cigarette. He took a long drag, leaning over the railing and for a minute everything was fine. Like everything that had happened didn't matter so much anymore.

"-LLO!" GODDAMN IT. Of course, mondo couldn't have this. The fucking hall monitor was walking towards him. "Put that out!" Kiyotaka pointed at him; his face was scrunch. Mondo snorted. "Listen, m not really in the mood for yer shit." Kiyotaka reached for it. "Seriously! Stop fucking with me!" Kiyotaka pouted, the area between his brows was so scrunched mondo thought his eyebrows were about to touch. "There is no reason for you to be smoking, nor is there a Reason to be skipping class!" Kiyotaka tried to grab it again, and Mondo shoved him. "Well maybe I got a fucking reason! Just get off my nuts!" Mondo put the cigarette between his lips, only for his face to be drenched in water. He wiped the water from his face, staring at the smudges on his hands. His hair dropped slightly. His makeup was ruined, his hair was ruined, and he couldn't even fucking smoke, what a waste. He saw kiyotaka putting away a water bottle. That was it, he was so fucking done with today.

"What the fuck!" Mondo picked kiyotaka up by the collar, they were close to the railing. "I could just throw him off..." Mondo shook that thought away, just because he was annoying didn't mean mondo deserved to throw the little shit off the roof. Kiyotaka's grip on the wrist mondo was holding him up with was bruising. Mondo had almost forgotten how strong kiyotaka was. "There is no smoking allowed on the premise." Mondo snarled. "It was one fucking smoke! I just got shit news and just need somethin." Mondo threw him to the ground lazily. No point in getting out another one, kiyotaka probably would have put that one out too. Kiyotaka didn't get up quite yet, looking at Mondo's face carefully. "Is this about you failing?" Mondo's neck snapped. "How the fuck do you know about that?" Mondo was standing over kiyotaka now. "It's not hard to see Owada. You don't come to class you and you don't turn in assignments." Kiyotaka started getting up. "And it's become an issue within the student council. Normally I'm not one for rumors, but I've been informed that you might not be attending class next semester." Mondo couldn't speak. His throat felt dry. "Shut the fuck up." Kiyotaka was trying to get away from mondo, slowly backing up. For every step kiyotaka took mondo followed. "If you just applied yourself you wouldn't be in this mess. You aren't stupid owada I know you aren't." Mondo didn't say anything. He felt the rage boil beneath his skin. His nose started to burn, but he refused to cry.

"Yeah? So what if I'm not. Aint no way I'm not flunking out. Bet every one of those student council pricks would like it if I was gone." Mondo grabbed kiyotaka's collar again. "So fucking what? Bet you're just overjoyed because I'll be in juvie. Just another fucking scumbag locked up, that's what you fucking want I know it is." Mondo looked at the railing again. "You're fucking stupid you know that right? Coming up here and spouting all that shit..." Mondo dragged kiyotaka, pushing his back against the rails. Kiyotaka's gaze didn't faulter. "I could kill you" Mondo's voice was dripping with malice. "The fuck could you do? I could just drop you over this fucking railing, and you couldn't stop-" kiyotaka interpreted him. "But you won't." Kiyotaka had let go of the railing and pushed against mondo. "The fuck you mean I won't?! I've done worse for less..." Kiyotaka grabbed Mondo's wrist. "I know you won't Owada. You're better than that. I know you like to think that you're tough, but I know you aren't." Mondo's grip loosened for a moment, enough so that kiyotaka could slip away. "You saying I'm weak?" Mondo had to readjust his hand, grabbing kiyotaka's shirt. "No, I'm just saying that you put up a front. I know you're squeamish, it's why you won't go down the same hallway as the nurses office, even if it's quicker." Mondo didn't know what to think he certianly didn't think anyone noticed him avoiding the nurses office. "You couldn't watch me go over the railing, the thought of my body hitting the concrete grosses you out." Mondo shivered, he couldn't control it. Mondo let go of kiyotaka, walking away from him.

"So what, why does that fucking matter?" Mondo fidgeted with the box in his pocket. Daiya would kick his ass if he knew mondo was still smoking. He felt his lips twitch, damn it. he decided to say fuck it. Hall monitor or not mondo needed it. He pulled out another cigarette and lit it. god that felt good.

this time Kiyotaka didn't put it out. Kiyotaka put a hand on Mondo's shoulder. "I wasn't aware that you could be facing jail time..." Mondo shrugged him off. "Not could be, I am. there is no fucking way i can get my grades up high enough to avoid it." Kiyotaka was significantly less annoying to mondo when he could smoke. "I'm sure that's not true!" mondo turned around. "Do you always gotta be so fucking annoying?!" Kiyotaka followed mondo despite his attempts to walk away from him. "Owada im sure your grades can't be that bad! I could tutor you." mondo scoffed. " They might as well send me off to juvie right now. I'd rather fucking die then spend any fucking time with you in an enclosed space." mondo dropped the cigarette bud in the ground, stomping it a few times before heading back inside the school. Kiyotaka was hot on his heels. "just buzz off!" mondo walked faster, but kiyotaka matched his pace. "Im serious mondo!" mondo? Since when were they on a first name basis? "It wouldn't have to be everyday! and it would only be an hour." mondo thought about it for a moment, one hour every few days and some class time or a shaved head. He winced, yeah being bald didn't suit him.

"Fucking fine, just get off my ass! I'll go to fucking tutoring."

Chapter Text

Tutoring with kiyotaka sucked. Mondo thought they would go over one subject and that would be it, but Kiyotaka went (word vomited) over every single one of their classes, forcing mondo to do “extra credit” (he wasn't even aware that was a thing). Mondod half assed his way through the first few worksheets, until kiyotaka graded them and asked (demanded) that mondo write a short explanation on why he picked what he did, why his answer was wrong, and why the correct answer was right. It got old fast. Mondo would have stopped showing up, but Kiyotaka sought him out. No where was safe, not even his own room! Apparently the headmaster found out about the tutoring and gave kiyotaka a copy of the room key.

“I dont fucking understand why the study guide is so fucking important…Didn’t i already do this shit?” Kiyotaka grabbed a book out of his bag. “Because mondo-” again with the first name basis, who the hell did kiyotaka think he was?! “You can't study an entire book, this study guide is much closer to the actual test, and-” Mondo stopped listening, he really didn’t care about getting his grades up. He wasn't going to do it anyways. “Mondo! Are you listening to me?” Mondo looked at him blankly. “ yeah sure whatever.” he grabbed the book flipping through the pages quickly before trying to close the door. Kiyotaka stuck his boot in the doorway. “I'm going to stay here and help you answer any questions you may struggle with” Mondo let out an exaggerated groan. He really didn't feel like fighting kiyotaka today.

And that’s how Mondo ended up here, stuck in his room with the most annoying person he had ever met.

Kiyotaka practically hovered over Mondo's shoulder as he answered the study guide. A few times mondo tried to knock the chair back into kiyotaka just to get him to back up a little bit, but kiyotaka didn't move. “You need to read the questions carefully and remember mondo,you can ask for help if you need it.” mondo fucking hated that. That stupid shit teachers pulled when they read a wrong answer on your test, letting the class know that you fucked up. The pencil snapped in his grip. Kiyotaka just put another one down on the desk.

When Mondo finished the study guide, he flopped face first into his bed, listening to the scratch of Kiyotaka’s red pen on the paper. When the noise stopped he looked up. Kiyotaka did not look happy. “Did you even try on this mondo?” mondo groaned. “I fuckign did it aint that enough?” Kiyotaka grabbed a clean copy from his bag. “Do it again, and actually try it!” mondo didn't get up. “Mondo I'm serious you-” Mondo had had enough. “ how about you stop fucking pretending you care about what happens to me! You dont give a fuck and neither do I! I'm not doing that stupid ass study sheet” mondo grabbed the paper and tore it up. “Mondo this. Mondo that. How about you just leave me the fuck alone! And i aint yer fucking frined so stop acting like i want you around.” kiyotaka was silent, it was almost creepy. “If that’s what you really want, owada, then I'll leave you alone, but don't you dare say no one tried to help you.” Kiyotaka left, slamming the door behind him. Mondo almost felt bad. Almost.

On friday, mondo showed up to class fully prepared to fall asleep like he always did. However, when the teacher came in carrying a huge stack of papers and scantrons, mondo realized why kiyotaka had put so much stress on him doing the study guide. He looked at the packet that was set in front of him. He didn’t even have a clue about most of the questions, but to his surprise, he did know some of them. Mondo actually knew the answers! He filled in what he knew and then bubbled in the rest with C, there were some statistics on it that mondo couldn't be bothered to remember. By the time he was done, it had already been thirty minutes, which was unusual for him. Mondo usually finished tests within 5 minutes of getting them, doodling on the paper before filling in the test paper randomly. The bell for class rang and Mondo spent all day thinking about that test. He knew he was probably going to make a D on it. He really was just being realistic, he knew he wasn't the smartest guy around.

The following Monday, the papers were passed back. Mondo stared at his score. It couldn’t be right. There was no way that was his paper. He had made a 72 in the test. He had made a C.

Maybe kiyotaka had a point with the whole study guide thing….

Mondo balled the paper up and shoved it into his pocket. It was mostly out of shame,but partly because he didn’t want anyone to see that he had actually tried on this test. He felt the paper burning a hole in his pocket the longer he avoided kiyotaka. He finally decided to man up and talk to him at lunch. Kiyotaka was easy to find. He sat alone, so all Mondo had to look for was the table with only one person at it.

Mondo looked at kiyotaka for a minute, fidgeting with the paper in his pocket, he couldn't just walk up to kiyotaka, that would look weird….

Mondo pulled out the paper, staring at it before he threw it at kiyotaka. It bounced off his head softly, landing on the table. Kiyotaka glanced at it before he looked up. Their eyes met, and mondo panicked, he turned around, pretending that he hadn’t thrown it and hoped that kiyotaka would open it. Mondo glanced over his shoulder and was surprised to still see those red eyes staring right at him. Mondo turned fully towards Ishimaru, making an ‘open in’ motion with his hands. Kiyotaka sighed, opening the crumbled ball and smoothing out the creases as he went.

Kiyotaka’s head snapped up, his eyes brimming with tears. Mondo didn’t want to be there when Kiyotaka started crying, so he left. He went straight to his room, opening the window and lighting a cigarette. For a moment, everything was calm. It was just Mondo and his vice.

Or it would have been if he had remembered that kiyotaka had a key to his room. The door swung open and closed just as quickly.

“Mondo!” Back to the first name basis, Ishimaru was so wishy washy…. “What?” mondo could already hear the lecture ‘we went over this, you should have done better, this isn’t hard material why don't you know it already.’ mondo was over it. “You did so well!”

What? Mondo stared at Kiyotaka in disbelief. “I got a C the fuck you mean i did well?” Kiyotaka wiped his eyes. “Well considering what you were making before and the progress you made in such a short amount of time, this is phenomenal, mondo! Think of what your grades could be if you continued to work!” Kiyotaka handed Mondo his paper. “Of course I assume you had a few lucky guesses on this? You marked C on over half of them.” mondo grumbled, kiyotaka didn’t have to call him out like that. “We are going to continue your tutoring. Afterschool today we are going to go over your test and figure out what you missed and why!” Kiyotaka seemed way too happy about revising his test. “I had plans after school… kinda thought you would give up on tutoring me after i told you to fuck off.” kiyotaka didn’t seem phased by that.

“Well cancel your plans, after all if you go to juvie what good are plans?”

Maybe studying with kiyotaka wouldn’t be so bad after all… kiyotaka was actually kinda nice once he stopped yelling about rules and mondo’s smoking.

“Oh and you better put that out” kiyotaka said as he left. Nope, kiyotaka still fucking sucked.

Chapter Text

“Okay mondo, and what is the answer to-” kiyotaka was still fucking talking? They had gone over this answer at least four times now and everytime Mondo got it wrong. Couldn’t he see that mondo didn’t care about the stupid assignment and-

Kiyotaka had stopped talking? When did that happen? Mondo gave kiyotaka a funny look

“Oh I see you noticed! Now that you’re listening again, what is the answer to number four?” goddamn it. Mondo had had enough of this, he was tired of studying. “Can’t we do something else?” mondo groaned, laying his head down on the desk. “Mondo, that isn’t very productive! We have a test coming up and you haven’t corrected any of your work or completed the study guide I gave you.” Mondo let out an exaggerated sigh, sitting up and staring at kiyotaka. “Can’t you just fucking lighten up? I'm so fucking bored I'm gonna fall asleep.” Kiyotaka set down the paper.

“Well, what would make you less bored?” mondo thought for a minute, he really didn’t want to go back to studying… but, if he could get kiyotaka to go on a rant about something else, that would mean less time studying. “How about two truths, one lie? For every study question I get right, you tell me two truths and one lie. You know, so I'm engaged in learning or something.” kiyotaka seemed to light up. “What a wonderful idea! And if you get a question wrong?” mondo thought for a second “well… then I tell you two truths and one lie.” Kiyotaka picked up the paper again, looking for a question that Mondo got wrong.

“Alright… When did the Meiji period start?” fuck.. Mondo sucked with dates… “i dont fucking know… 1850s?” Kiyotaka shook his head. “1868. Alright mondo, tell me!” mondo never should have agreed to this.

“Fine. I like dogs, I have a brother, and I've never been arrested.” Kiyotaka smiled. “That was easy, the lie is you’ve never been arrested!” mondo sighed. “Yep, next question..” Kiyotaka scanned the paper. “How many prime ministers has Japan had?” oh, mondo knew this one! “64?” Kiyotaka looked proud. “Correct! For my part…. I have a tattoo, I had a pet rabbit, and…” kiyotaka struggled to come up with the last one. “And I've been arrested.” What the fuck? All of these seemed crazy, well the rabbit one wasn’t super crazy, but still… “the lie is… you’ve been arrested?” mondo just had to guess, kiyotaka was the ultimate moral compass so he obviously wasn’t breaking any laws… “wrong! Okay, next question.” What the fuck?!

“you can’t just drop that fucking bombshell and move on! What the fuck do you mean you’ve been arrested?!” Kiyotaka seemed a little shy. “Okay, well it really isn’t that interesting of a story…. A couple of disgruntled officers who work with my father were looking to start trouble, and I happened to have been around.” Kiyotaka looked over the flashcards. “Oh c’mon there has to be more to it than that!” mondo tried to pry, but kiyotaka was focused on the questions. “There really isn’t now, next question!”

Kiyotaka didn’t bring up getting arrested again, he kept his truths and lies fairly calm. By the time the study session ended, mondo felt like he knew kiyotaka a lot more now. Mondo was almost sympathetic, it almost felt like they were friends or at the very least not strangers anymore

“Well that concludes our study time…” Kiyotaka almost seemed sad. “Yeah… so… see you tomorrow?” Kiyotaka nodded and left. His door swung open “oh did you forget someth-” That was not Ishimaru.

“What the FUCK are you doing?!” looks like Daiya found out mondo was failing. “Dai! I-”Daiya grabbed his ear “Shut the fuck up! I don't wanna hear it! What the hell are you doing! Screwing up your fucking chance at getting a good education?!” holy shit mondo had never seen Daiya this mad “DAI! Stop it! i’m-” mondo whined as Daiya pulled a little harder. “Nuh uh! You listen to me, mondo! Im not letting you fuck your life up!” mondo managed to wrestle himself away, apparently the commotion had alerted kiyotaka. “Mondo, are you alright!?” kiyotaka was in his room, Daiya was staring at kiyotaka and then back at mondo, and mondo knew that look. “M FINE NOW GET OUT TAKA” Daiya’s grin only grew as kiyotaka left the room.

“Taka? Who’s he?” mondo looked away. “My tutor.” Daiya snorted “yeah? Your ‘tutor’?” this was almost worse than Daiya being mad. “He seemed really comfortable, he has a key to your dorm.” mondo blushed “I didn't give him that! The fucking headmaster did it!” Daiya rolled his eyes. “Did the headmaster also cancel all your plans?” mondo frowned “im serious dai! He’s just my tutor! We aren't even friends!” Daiya didn’t look convinced. “Really? Not friends but he comes bursting into your room at the first sign of trouble?” mondo stumbled through explanations before letting out a groan. “It’s your fault for fucking failing in the first place! Now, you’re going to listen to your tutor and you’re going to fucking like it or i’ll chew your ass out in front of everyone.” Daiya laughed as Mondo flipped him off. “Okay grumpy, cmon. Let’s go out to eat, yeah? I want to hear about your tutor.” mondo rolled his eyes.

“Alright…” mondo sighed, following Daiya out of the school. Tutoring with kiyotaka was the worst.

Chapter Text

Kiyotaka took a deep breath. It had been a few weeks since he’d been home. He’d been so busy preparing material for mondo, he’d forgotten about the promise he’d made to his father. “Father?” Kiyotaka called into the house. “In the kitchen” was the gruff reply. Kiyotaka steadied himself, taking off his shoes and walking into the small kitchen. “Hello father… have you been well?” takaaki glanced up from the cutting board. “I have.” The rhythmic chopping sounded rather harsh for someone who was feeling alright. “Are you upset ?” The knife hit the cutting board. “Yes. stop asking.” work had been rough apparently and kiyotaka must have come at the worst time possible.

“I’m sorry” takaaki sighed, adding the chopped vegetables to the pot on the stove. “I know.” kiyotaka stood there awkwardly “what were you doing…” Kiyotaka was confused for a moment. “What do you mean? I was at school.”

“Kiyotaka, I wasn't born yesterday. You don't just drop off the radar while doing school work. This is something more.” kiyotaka fidgeted with the sleeve of his shirt. “I- im tutoring someone. They needed extra work.” takaaki nodded. “And there is no other reason? Just tutoring ‘someone’?” takaaki stirred the pan on the stove, lowering the heat. Kiyotaka counted the clicks of the burner, trying to calm himself. “Yes.” takaaki crossed his arms, leaning against the counter “and was this ‘someone’ a person I would disapprove of? Is that why you wouldn’t just invite them over here for tutoring?” kiyotaka winced as he pinched himself “i don't see why it matters so much! I'm sorry I forgot about coming home for our usual weekend. I'm helping someone who really needs it.” takaaki frowned. “It’s owada isn’t it.” takaaki wasn’t asking. Kiyotaka was silent, but the look on his face said it all. “This obviously wasn’t his idea.” kiyotaka nodded, but takaaki wasn't asking anything.

“And is he improving?” Kiyotaka counted the tiles on the floor. “Kiyotaka.” takaaki said softly. Kiyotaka didn't even notice takaaki had walked towards him. “I'm not angry. Please calm down.” kiyotaka nodded, but the only thing he could hear was the sizzle of the flame against the bottom of the pan and the sounds of traffic outside. “Go sit in the living room. Lunch will be ready in thirty minutes.” takaaki gently nudged kiyotaka. Kiyotaka walked slowly, sitting on the couch, over analyzing how his shirt felt against his skin. Kiyotaka felt like he couldn’t breathe. His eyes burned from the tears that were building. He tried to count the seconds but his head was so heavy with fog, he lost count at 1,263. He glanced at the kitchen, his father hadn’t said a word since he sat down.

“Kiyotaka. Please.” Kiyotaka stood up, sitting down at the table. Takaaki set a bowl of soup in front of him. “It’s your favorite.” he said softly. Kiyotaka blinked owlishly. “Oh… thank you.” his mouth felt far too heavy. “I'm not upset… I'm worried. You know that boy is trouble.” kiyotaka nodded, poking the soup with his spoon. “I think it’s admirable that you are helping him, despite his reputation.” Kiyotaka took a small bite, the warm broth made his stomach feel like it was full of lead. Takaaki was saying something, but Kiyotaka was too busy trying to stop himself from crying. “Iyotaka- kiyotaka-” kiyotaka looked up from the bowl. “Sorry, what were you saying?” kiyotaka wiped away a tear. “Is mondo improving?” takaaki asked again. “Oh! Yes. he made a 72 on his last test and he’s getting more answers correct on the study guide and practice material." Kiyotaka smiled. “I see… and is he nicer to you?” kiyotaka shrugged. “I suppose so, it wasn’t as if he actively sought to make me miserable.” takaaki nodded. “And is that all this is? Tutoring?” kiyotaka almost choked on the spoon “father!” takaaki looked serious “kiyotaka, i know how being a teenager works! And it’s scientifically proven that seeing someone often can cause feelings to develop!” kiyotaka blushed “It isn’t like that! And that is improper!” takaaki frowned at the suggestion “improper how?” kiyotaka sputtered for a moment, struggling to work around his flustered state. “We- he and i-” kiyotaka covered his face “I'm his tutor! That is essentially a place of power!” takaaki rolled his eyes, “Oh please, being a tutor means nothing. He’s in class with you. You two are peers.” Kiyotaka couldn’t.

“Can we please discuss literally anything else?!” kiyotaka stared into his bowl, hoping it would somehow swallow him whole. “I don't see why this would fluster you so much if there wasn’t some semblance of feelings.” takaaki stated bluntly “you know i’d accept you regardless, correct?” kiyotaka nodded. “... really you could do better. What about that Makoto kid? He seems nice! Or… what about that one… the… the anime one. Surely he would be a better choice for a crush.” kiyotaka groaned “father, please…” takaaki rolled his eyes “really! The owada boy? What about Taichi's kid? They are rather wonderful! And you know chihiro! You two have been friends for a very long time too!” Kiyotaka stood up, bringing his empty bowl to the sink and washing it, hoping the sound of water would drown out his father’s words. “If you were a little older I would even suggest Hiroko's kid! But he’s a bit of a bone head… and I think there is a warrant out for his arrest.” takaaki wondered aloud. Kiyotaka scrubbed a non-existent stain harder. “I don't have feelings for anyone!” takaaki snorted, “Yes, I'm sure you think that.”

Kiyotaka loved his father, but really this was too much! “Has anything interesting happened at work?” Kiyotaka tried to shift the conversation. “No, just the usual.” takaaki said, momentarily dropping the topic of kiyotaka’s love life. “Speaking of interesting, what about that boy in the upper class, he-” there was a knock on the door. Takaaki answered it, surprised to see daiya owada. “Father? Who’s at the door?” Kiyotaka dried his hands, walking over and seeing a semi familiar face. “Oh! You must be Mondo's brother!” kiyotaka smiled, silently thanking whatever deity out there had spared him from another talk about his love life. “Hey there! Just stopping by to bring a little somethin something for tutoring my dumbass brother!” daiya laughed, he was nudged from behind. “Mon, stop being a bitch, say it.” daiya scolded. Mondo grumbled, stepping into view. “Fucking thanks i guess…” mondo mumbled. Daiya glared at him. “Do it right! The fucks wrong with you!” mondo rolled his eyes “same shit that's wrong with you!” he muttered under his breath. “Oi, shithead, don't fucking talk to me like that! It’s your own damn fault you needed someone else to kick your ass!” takaaki looked amused. “I just made lunch if you two would like to come in.” daiya smiled. “Why thank you, sir” mondo looked bewildered “you’re fucking kidding, right?!” daiya gave mondo a look that said he wasn't kidding, mondo muttered something vulgar, which received a smack upside the head from daiya. “Fucking ingrate, seriously?!” kiyotaka could barely make out as they walked to the kitchen.

Kiyotaka glanced at his father, who was looking at him with a smile. The realization dawned on him “FATHER” kiyotaka said in a yelled whisper “you can not be serious!” takaaki was in fact serious. Takaaki went to the kitchen and served the food to daiya and mondo. Mondo stared at the bowl like it was sludge. He yelped as daiya kicked him under the table. “Fucking hell! That hurt like a bitch! Goddamn it!” mondo frowned, taking a bite of the food. His face contorted and it was clear he was trying to keep himself from showing that he enjoyed it. “Kiyotaka, please sit down.” Kiyotaka listened to his father despite not wanting any part of this situation.

Unfortunately, takaaki had sat beside daiya, leaving the only seat next to mondo. Mondo shifted closer to daiya. Daiya forcefully shoved mondo’s chair away and close to kiyotaka. Kiyotaka frowned, looked towards his father and then to daiya. Kiyotaka could see the look in their eyes, they were enjoying this.

“So… I hear mondo’s grades have improved.” takaaki attempted to make small talk, daiya smiled, playing along. “Yeah, yer kids a genius you know that? Fucking mircale worker!” Kiyotaka stiffened. “I'm no genius, I work hard just like anyone else!” Kiyotaka laughed, but he wasn’t joking. He didn’t want to come off as impolite by denying the compliment! Daiya was a guest… he didn’t know. “Ah hell, don't sell yourself short! You think just anyone could get mon to get his ass in gear?” kiyotaka forced a smile “with enough hard work and persistence no task is too big to overcome!” mondo seemed to be the only one who picked up on his discomfort. “Don't give that prick no credit! I learned the shit myself! And all I needed was hsi whiny ass voice pestering me!” The table was silent again, which much to Kiyotaka's relief remained for the rest of the lunch. If only my father wasn’t feeling so…social. “Mon, go help taka with the dishes will ya?” mondo groaned. “S his house!” daiya raised an eyebrow. Mondo got up sluggishly and went to the sink. Kiyotaka followed suit. “I’ll deal with those.” kiyotaka said curtly, washing and drying the dishes quickly as takaaki and daiya went into the living room. “I don't want you hear just as much as you don't want to be here.'' Kiyotaka reminded me. “I fucking know that.” mondo sounded offended. “Unlike you i know fucking social cues.” ouch… kiyotaka made a mental note to unpack that later. Mondo was fidgeting with something in his pocket. “My room has a window.” mondo seemed confused “the fuck would i be doing in your room?” Kiyotaka glanced at Mondo's pocket. “I won't say anything as long as you promise to stay quiet.” mondo nodded. When kiyotaka and mondo went into the living room, daiya and takaaki were in the middle of a conversation.

“Daiya, i’ve never asked but have you been to the convenience store four blocks from here?” takaaki glanced at Mondo and kiyotaka. Daiya did the same. “Uh, no, i aint ever been there.” takaaki stood up. “Me neither. I think we should take a trip there.” subtly was clearly not his father’s strong suit. “Only if you're buying, old man” daiya teased, standing up and heading for the door. “Kiyotaka, we should be back in thirty minutes.” takaaki said, slipping on his coat as he left the house. Kiyotaka was pretty sure he saw daiya wink at mondo, to which mondo rolled his eyes. The door slammed shut and Kiyotaka walked to his bedroom, opening the window.

“You really should quit.” kiyotaka said softly, making himself comfortable at the desk. Mondo was already lighting a cigarette by the window when he looked back over. “Shut up. Ain't like you dont got your own issues, genius.'' Kiyotaka stiffened. “Don't call me that. You know i hate that word.” mondo sneered “oh excuse me, didnt know you were better than a fucking genius!” mondo taunted “make way for fucking big brain over here, too good to be called a genius and just as fucking snobby about it!” kiyotaka clenched his hand into a fist, trying to focus on breathing. “I am not a genius… I have worked for what I have.” mondo laughed “oh yeah? So you didnt get fucking nothing from your genius grandfather?” Kiyotaka didn’t know what came over him, a warm flash of red clouded his brain and before he knew it, he and Mondo were on the ground, wrestling.

“Piece of shit!”

“Delinquent!”

Really. Kiyotaka should have known better! He should have had more self control!

“Genius!”

“At least im not fucking addicted to cigarettes!”

Mondo shoved kiyotaka hard, causing kiyotaka to roll into the bedframe. He ignored the stinging sensation of where the baseboard dug into his skin.

“Fucking cry baby!”

Kiyotaka grabbed Mondo's hair, pulling roughly. Mondo grabbed at his wrists, trying to keep kiyotaka from pulling too hard.

“Are you a fucking girl?! Who the hell pulls- OW! FUCK”
“Shut up!”

Mondo slammed his knee into kiyotaka’s stomach and for a moment, kiyotaka’s hands dropped, clutching the area. Mondo went to pin kiyotaka, but kiyotaka slammed his elbow back, smacking mondo in the noise.

“My fucking nose is bleeding!”

Kiyotaka snorted at Mondo, who was now more concerned about getting a little blood onto his jacket. Mondo looked sick to his stomach.

“I can't believe you are squeamish!”

Kiyotaka laughed hysterically, rolling over with laughter. It wasn’t even funny. Mondo got red in the face, it was clear he was embarrassed.

“Shut the fuck up! Prissy bitch!”

Mondo tried to grab kiyotaka again, he had pinned kiyotaka’s arms to the floor. The front door opened and slammed again, and suddenly the entire fight was forgotten in favor of getting presentable again. Mondo tried his best to fix his hair, though it was very clear that his efforts were futile. There was a knock on Kiyotaka's door.

“O-one moment father!” Kiyotaka cursed himself for stuttering. Kiyotaka could hear daiya holding back laughter on the other side of the door. Mondo looked pissed. The door opened and it was clear by the look on takaaki’s and daiya’s face that they had an idea of what happened. A very wrong idea, but an idea nonetheless.

“Cmon mon, we’re going. S about time we head out.” mondo rushed to leave the room,pushing past both daiya and takaaki to get to the front door quicker.

Takaaki waited patiently for them to be gone, smiling at kiyotaka. “FATHER NOTHING HAPPENED!” kiyotaka said before takaaki could even claim there was something there.

“Alright. Alright… just leave the door open if he comes over again” kiyotaka let out an embarrassed squawk, struggling to speak. “IT ISN'T LIKE THAT, I DON'T LIKE HIM!” takaaki wasn’t listening to his defense.

Kiyotaka flopped into bed, groaning into his pillow. He never liked to say something so harsh, but kiyotaka was sure he hated mondo owada.

He laid there for a moment, eyes closed, and he thought back to his and Mondo's fight.

A quick flash on mondo pinning his hands to the floor grinning down at him was practically burned into his brain.

No no no no no no no… kiyotaka did NOT like that, there was no way! He didn't! The image only got worse the more he denied it. Goddamnit… Kiyotaka liked mondo.

“fuck…”

Chapter Text

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.

Mondo was going to snap daiya in half. It’s been non stop teasing ever since they got home

“Didn’t expect you love birds to shack up so quickly!” daiya giggled, dodging another pillow mondo had thrown at him “you even got a nose bleed! You fucking vi-ugh!” mondo had managed to hit daiya directly in the face. “Hey! Mon, cmon chill out!” daiya was still laughing and that most certainly didn’t make mondo want to “chill out.”

“Shut the fuck up daiya! I already told you nothing fucking happened!” mondo’s face was flushed, he couldn’t believe Ishimaru even had the balls to fight him! And here daiya was insinuating that he would even touch that damn nerd in a romantic way! His face got hotter as he thought about when he pinned kiyotaka to the floor and it was clear daiya saw right through it. “Holy shit you two did do something!” daiya stepped closer “i thought you two kissed, but this was something different!” daiya said in a sing songy voice.

“NO” mondo yelled, stepping away, but he stumbled over his own feet, falling to the floor. “Cmon! I'm your big bro! Tell me! I promise i wont laugh.” daiya held out his pinkie. Mondo rolled his eyes “yeah right! You will laugh!” daiya smirked like he had caught Mondo in a lie. “But why would i laugh if nothin happened?” mondo looked away. “I- OH JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP!” mondo slammed a nearby pillow into daiya’s face. Daiya remained beside mondo. “Seriously man! Tell me!” mondo sighed, knowing that daiya wouldn’t let up if he really wanted to know. “Fine fine! Me and him… we fought. I was antagonizing him and apparently I pissed him off enough for him to actually do something about it.” daiya faked a gasp. “Well shit! The consequences of your actions?!” mondo growled. “Oh fuck off, ya dick!” mondo got up. Walking away from daiya. “So i'm guessing he got you pretty good in the nose?” mondo touched the sore area. “And what about your hair? He use it like handlebars or something?” daiya laughed at his own joke. Mondo was not amused. “He’s a fucking crybaby bitch who pulls hair and throws elbows! That’s it!”

Daiya persisted. “Yeah but a fight wouldn't leave you embarrassed. Something happened, something more happened!” mondo dug in the fridge for a drink, daiya leaned over the door. “Tell me tell me tell me!” mondo slammed the fridge door harder than necessary, the items inside clinked together in the aftershock. Mondo opened the drink, sipping it, why was it quiet? Mondo looked around and he couldn’t find daiya. Mondo looked around for his phone. FUCK

Mondo ran to Daiya's door, pounding on it. “GIVE IT BACK” daiya giggled. “Hell no! And really mon mon? Your password is ‘chuck’?” mondo flushed with embarrassment. “DAI '' mondo jiggled the door knob, hoping the shitty lock would magically become unlocked. Mondo slammed his shoulder against the door. The door creaked as mondo continued to ram against it, eventually giving way. It slammed open and Mondo found daiya laying on the bed, tapping away at the phone’s keyboard. Mondo dove on top of daiya to grab it, wrestling it away. To his surprise, nothing was open. His messages were the same, none of his social media had been touched…? “What the fuck did you do.” daiya stuck out his tongue “you’ll never know!” daiya laughed maniacally at Mondo's distress. “Shoulda just told me what happened for real”

From Mondo Owada: “Can’t stop thinking about what happened.”

Kiyotaka had stared at the text for an hour now. It was thirty minutes past his bedtime! Surely this wasn’t meant for him! Mondo hated him. Kiyotaka groaned, trying to ignore how his stomach fluttered at the thought of mondo being enamored with him. This wasn’t some soap opera or teen drama. Kiyotaka could have responded. But what would he even say?

“I also enjoyed being pinned to the floor!” that was just perverted! Maybe Mondo was remorseful… Perhaps he meant it as an opener for an apology? Kiyotaka sighed, turning off his phone screen and staring at his ceiling. There really was no good way to go about this.

Kiyotaka decided to man up, unlocking his phone and typing a quick message.

To Mondo Owada: “what aspect are you referring to exactly?”

Kiyotaka pulled a pillow over his face, screaming into it so he didn’t disturb his father. He should have just gone to sleep! Pretended like mondo never sent the message! Ignored it and denied all of this till the day he died. His phone dinged.

From Mondo Owada: “you know exactly what im talking about.”

Kiyotaka stared at the text bubbles, watching them disappear and pop up and disappear again. Kiyotaka was in the middle of typing a response when mondo texted again.

From Mondo Owada: “ignore that, that was dai.”

Kiyotaka almost felt upset at the revelation. Mondo was still typing. Or lurking. Or something, he was waiting for kiyotaka. Kiyotaka stared at the screen, tears in his eyes. Maybe he should ask. There wasn’t a way he could be rejected twice! It wasn’t even rejection. It was just a stupid message!

To Mondo Owada: “really?”

Kiyotaka was fucking stupid. Really! Mondo had given him an out, a way to ignore it all and laugh at the joke! Why was he hoping mondo meant it? Kiyotaka didn't really have much time to think because the next moment, mondo texted again.

From Mondo Owada: “...”

From Mondo Owada: “no.”

A simple word should not have made kiyotaka’s stomach flip or make his face red or make him feel the need to hide his face and scream. Kiyotaka typed out a response quickly.

To Mondo Owada: “good.”

Kiyotaka stared at his screen, struggling to come to terms with what had just happened. He even waited another hour before going to sleep. Mondo hadn’t responded within that time.

Chapter Text

“So.. how was the weekend with your dad?” kiyotaka glanced up from his work at chihiro. “Awful. You can't even begin to imagine.'' Chihiro smiled sympathetically. “Was it really that bad?” Kiyotaka covered his face. “It really was… my father is obsessed with the notion that I am in love with owada!” chihiro choked back a giggle. The amusement was short lived “He even suggested that I date you instead,” chihiro frowned, very suddenly kiyotaka’s nightmare of a weekend with his father wasn’t so humorous. “Exactly!” chihiro squinted at kiyotaka. “Not that you aren't attractive,but you’re practically family!” Kiyotaka shivered. “Could you imagine that? Us being romantically involved?!” Kiyotaka grimaced. “That isn't even the most troubling part of the whole weekend.'' Chihiro perked up. “What else happened?” kiyotaka flushed, glancing around at their classmates, before motioning for chihiro to lean in closer. “Mondo texted me!” kiyotaka whispered.

Chihiro seemed confused “so? You two have texted before, i don't see what the issue is.'' Kiyotaka glanced at Mondo's empty seat. “I-...” kiyotaka reached into his bag and discretely handed his phone to chihiro. Chihiro glanced at the messages, her head shot up in shock. “What happened?!” chihiro said a little too loudly. Kiyotaka could practically feel the eyes on him. “Chihiro!” kiyotaka squawked in embarrassment, pulling the phone away, only for it to vibrate softly with a notification. Kiyotaka glanced at it, quickly shutting it off as soon as he saw what had been sent to him.

Kiyotaka’s phone buzzed again, the notification lighting up the dark screen.

From Mondo Owada: ignore. Didn’t mean to press send.

Chihiro gave Kiyotaka a confused look. “What did he send?” Kiyotaka shot chihiro a glare, a small bit of jealousy. It only lasted for a moment before he calmed himself. “Not here… please.'' Chihiro gave him a funny look, but nodded. “Alright, at lunch then? We can eat in my room.” lunch came all too soon for kiyotaka.

Kiyotaka trudged along to chihiro’s room. He felt as if his feet were made of steel. He couldn't do this! This was too much! Why did mondo have to send him that message and why could’t kiyotaka have been smart enough to ignore it!? Kiyotaka was going to turn around, he couldn’t do this. He’d just find something to do! Maybe a teacher needed copies made. Maybe 1,000 copies of a study guide that would take kiyotaka all lunch to do and he could miss out on lunch with chihiro.

“Kiyotaka!” chihiro said happily. Too late. “Ah… chihiro…” Kiyotaka cringed at how reluctant he sounded. “Let’s… let’s enjoy lunch.” Kiyotaka begrudgingly walked into Chihiro's room. He felt like his phone was burning a hole in his pocket.

“So, what did mondo send you?” right to the point. Was chihiro always this direct? Kiyotaka glanced at his phone screen, hoping that someone would call and demand he drop everything to help. No such call came. He looked at Chihiro's expectant face, letting out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “This weekend, Mondo and his brother came over. Daiya wanted to thank me for helping to tutor Mondo and my father insisted that they stay for… for some unknown and likely very stupid reason!” kiyotaka grumbled. His father was to blame for mondo even being around long enough for something to happen and to have started all these… unnecessary feelings. “My father and daiya stepped out to give mondo and i “privacy” in a foolish attempt to catch us in the act.” chihrio tried to hide her laughter. “Do not laugh! This is serious!” The laughter didn’t stop. “I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just… your dad and mondo’s brother playing matchmaker is funny!” chihiro managed to say through her fit of giggles. “It isn’t funny to me! They thought we were making out!” chihiro stopped laughing. “Wait what?” Kiyotaka regretted saying that. “We got into a very… minor argument..” Kiyotaka looked ashamed. He stared at his food, poking at it. “We ended up having a physical altercation. And we were rather disheveled when they came back!” chihiro stopped mid-bite. “Okay but why does that matter and how does that relate to what he sent you? I mean he can't stop thinking about a fight? Mondo fights all the time.” kiyotaka’s lips were pressed in a fine line. “Wait… wait wait wait!” chihrio said excitedly. “This wasn’t just a fight! What happened! Tell me!” Kiyotaka shook his head. This was humiliating. “Oh come on kiyotaka! It couldn’t have been that crazy. I mean it's you we’re talking about.” Kiyotaka was bright red.

“He… may or… may not have… had me pinned…” kiyotaka managed to choke out. His teeth hurt from how hard he was clenching his jaw. “You aren’t serious… are you?” One glance at Kiyotaka's face said he was, in fact, serious. “Okay, wow.” chihiro said, sitting back. “I would never have guessed that…” Kiyotaka couldn’t eat his food. He set it aside. “What did he send you today?” chihiro asked, subtly glancing at kiyotaka’s phone. Kiyotaka grabbed his phone quickly before chihiro even had the thought to look at the messages again..

“I wont show you the image out of respect for mondo.” kiyotaka wasn’t entirely truthful. Yes, most of him said that mondo sent it to him and that was reason enough to keep it for his eyes only, but a small part of him screamed that no one else deserved to see mondo as kiyotaka did. Kiyotaka felt sick. “Wow… one of those pictures?” chihiro cringed “But it was an accident. He said so himself." Kiyotaka said softly. Chihiro looked at him deadpan. “Okay maybe it wasn’t actually an accident, but I am choosing to believe that it really was an accident.”His voice sounded hoarse all of a sudden. He sounded choked up. He felt like he was going to throw up. What was wrong with him?! Why was he like this? “You don’t have to tell me anything else.” chihiro had placed a hand on his own. He hadn't even noticed her move. Kiyotaka nodded numbly, trying to keep down what little of his lunch he had eaten.

The bell rang. Time for class again.

Chapter Text

Was going to Mondo's house an invasion of privacy? Possibly, but Kiyotaka was just doing his duty as Mondo's tutor. Mondo missed work so the obvious solution was to go to mondo’s house and demand that he stop- off topic. Kiyotaka had to focus. Drop off mondo’s work and leave. That was his goal. Drop off the work and then leave. Drop off the work and the le-

“The fuck?! Watch where yer- oh.” mondo wiped off his hands on a rag. “What are you doing here?” Kiyotaka's brain was still buffering. “Hello? Earth to kiyotaka?" Kiyotaka blinked a few times, glancing up at Mondo's face. “What?” kiyotaka said stupidly “what are you doing here?” mondo was smirking… that smug bastard!

Right! Drop off the work… he couldn’t seem to remember the rest. “you …. Missed school.. Today?” kiyotaka really was in too deep if seeing mondo in a tight tank top could render him stupid. “Oh. yeah. Took a… ‘mental health day’. those are a thing, right?” Kiyotaka nodded slowly. Mondo smiled at him and Kiyotaka's heart felt like it would beat out of his chest. Mondo lifted the hem of his shirt, using it to wipe his forehead. Holy shit.

“Kiyotaka? You’re staring.” Kiyotaka looked away, blushing as he practically shoved a folder into Mondo's chest. “No I wasn't.” liar.

Mondo snorted, taking the folder and throwing it on a workbench in the garage. He wasn’t going to do that work. Kiyotaka made a mental note to get more copies. Kiyotaka had never actually seen Mondo's motorcycle up close…. It was beautiful.

“Oh… you like it?” kiyotaka nodded, his throat felt tight. He just focused on the way the paint glinted under the light. He focused on the worn leather of the seat. Kiyotaka felt a little bold for whatever reason. He brushed his hand over the handlebar. How would it feel to ride on it? To feel the wind… to sit with mondo holding him tight… mondo’s hand brushed his and his face felt warmer than humanly possible.

“You wanna ride?” Kiyotaka turned around, startled by the closeness. “Uh- I mean! I don't have a helmet or p-pads! I couldn’t possibly!” mondo laughed, going to a small tub under the workbench. “Not a problem.” mondo tossed kiyotaka a helmet, which fumbled between kiyotaka’s hands in his panic. “I don't need to go on a ride!” kiyotaka tried to insist but mondo was already putting on his jacket. “Shut up.” mondo got on the bike “just hop on behind and hold on tight.” kiyotaka got on awkwardly, slinging his leg over. The seat was too cramped for kiyotaka not to be sitting flush against mondo. Mondo made a noise, as Kiyotaka wrapped his arms around him. “Tighter or yer gonna fly off.” kiyotaka squeezed tighter, which seemed to be good enough for mondo because before he even knew it, they were already flying down the street.

It was exhilarating! The wind and the speed! Kiyotaka didn’t even realize how tightly he was holding mondo. It was so freeing! He was almost disappointed when the bike stopped once again. “Careful” he’s helping Kiyotaka off the bike. Kiyotaka’s legs feel like jello. He’s gripping mondo’s forearms so tightly his fingers are starting to hurt. It has to be adrenaline. Kiyotaka is practically buzzing with energy and his mind is running and as Mondo helps him take off his helmet. he can barely feel himself surge forward. His lips make contact with mondo and kiyotaka can’t help but melt.

Mondo kisses him back with little resistance. His hand cups Kiyotaka's face and Kiyotaka is struggling to keep himself on his toes. Mondo’s lips being chapped really shouldn’t be as attractive as it is. Mondo has no right being able to make kiyotaka feel the way he does. He shouldn’t give kiyotaka butterflies or make kiyotaka feel like his heart is pounding. His face feels warm, but everything about mondo is warm… his hands on his face, his back against kiyotak’s chest… kiyotaka feels it all slow down. Mondo is looking at him like… kiyotaka can't even describe it. It feels… it feels-

All too soon realization floods in. He kissed mondo. He kissed mondo and mondo kissed him back and oh god kiyotaka has to leave! Kiyotaka has to go!

He doesn’t even realize he’s running until Mondo's voice has faded into nothing.

Kiyotaka looks around. He doesn’t even recognize where he is at first. His eyes are blurry, his skin feels inflamed, and he’s panting like he’s never had a breath of air in his life. His hand is knocking on the door even as it opens.

“Hun? What the hell are you doing here?” Hiroko asks, but her confusion is completely disregarded when she sees Kiyotaka's panicked state. “Oh… c'mere.” she lets kiyotaka in and she doesn’t ask anything. She just sits him down and makes him tea.

It feels like forever before she asks another question. “What’s got you worked up?” She cooed softly. Kiyotaka can’t bear to look at her. “How about… we start with something easy? Where were you before you came here?” Her voice is so soothing. “I… I was at Mondo's house.” she hums, her hand gently brushing over his hair. “Yeah? And what did you do there?” Kiyotaka tries to think about the reason he went over. He had spent all morning telling himself why he was over there and suddenly he can't seem to remember it. “Mondo missed school… i” kiyotaka takes a sip of his tea. “That’s okay. I get the rest. You went over, did what you had to do… but that isn’t what's got you all bent out of shape.'' Kiyotaka shakes his head. “Do you want to tell me?” Kiyotaka looks at Hiroko and he feels this sense of dread building within him and he just can't bring himself to do more than croak out a quiet “no..”

She smiles and Kiyotaka can’t help but smile as well. “That’s okay… do you want me to call your dad?” Kiyotaka thinks about it. His dad would just ask questions… questions kiyotaka couldn’t answer. Questions he doesn’t want to answer. Hiroko didn’t push or pry. She just sat beside him, patiently waiting. “No… i just… I need a moment.” the words hurt to say. He had to force himself to make them audible.

“Take all the time you need.”

Chapter Text

“Wow…” mondo’s head snapped around “just… wow.” daiya clapped slowly, mondo was red in the face. “Nice job fish lips.” mondo wasn’t even listening. Kissing kiyotaka shouldn’t have felt that good. I mean… mondo kissed kiyotaka back. And he liked it? He felt like he liked it, but mondo was only into girls? Wasn't he? Whatever it was, Mondo couldn’t believe it had happened. Daiya put a hand onto Mondo's shoulder. Mondo blinked slowly “bro, you good? Seriously… yer freaking me out." Daiya chuckled nervously. Mondo stared at him wide eyed. “Holy fuck.” mondo mumbled.

Mondo was almost excited to go to school the next day. He had actually done the work kiyotaka dropped off. Kiyotaka would be so proud! He couldn’t wait to see the look on Kiyotaka's stupid handsome face when he turned in the work he missed! Mondo stepped into the classroom, setting the folder onto the teacher’s desk. He turned around, but to his surprise. Kiyotaka wasn’t there. Mondo shrugged. Kiyotaka might have been sick! Anyone could get sick. He’d be back tomorrow.

Except he wasn’t. Maybe it was just… a stomach bug. Kiyotaka would never just not show up! And the teacher was sending work to his house so obviously he was just sick. At the end of the first week, mondo was really starting to worry. Maybe going to Kiyotaka's house to check on him was weird. Mondo was fine being weird! Kiyotaka had been gone for a week! Mondo couldn’t just ignore everything that had happened and pretend he didn’t secretly really want to kiss Kiyotaka again. He hopped on his bike, ignoring the warmth that spread in his chest at the memory of kiyotaka riding with him.

Kiyotaka’s house was a lot smaller than Mondo remembered. Probably because mondo spent the entire time staring at the ground and silently praying that daiya would just say fuck it and turn around. A small part of his mind whispered a slew of thoughts about what happened when he and kiyotaka fought. He shoved those thoughts away. Kiyotaka was sick and mondo was thinking like a fucking perv!

He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Kiyotaka’s dad opened it. He did not look pleased. “Kiyotaka isn’t seeing anyone right now,” he said gruffly. He was staring daggers at mondo. Shit… did kiyotaka tell his dad? That didn't make any sense. Even if he did that wouldn't be a reason for his dad to act like this! “I… I have notes… for him?” mondo lied. It was a terrible lie. Takaaki stepped aside. Mondo stepped in. the whole house felt suffocating. He knocked softly on Kiyotaka's door. “Father, I already told you I'm not hungry…” mondo cleared his throat. “S me… i have..” he had to remember the lie he told because takaaki was still staring at him. “Notes? For you” there was some shuffling. More shuffling than getting out of bed… kiyotaka was cleaning up his room? The door cracked open, but Kiyotaka wouldn’t even turn to look at mondo.

Mondo shut the door behind him. Despite kiyotaka’s effort to clean up, it was clear that kiyotaka had not been taking care of himself. Kiyotaka was sitting on the edge of his unmade bed. All of this was a far cry from how kiyotaka usually was. It sort of broke Mondo's heart to see him like this.

“You can put them on my desk.” Kiyotaka's voice was hoarse. “Taka… you and i both know i don't take fucking notes. Where the hell have you been man?!” mondo wanted to be angry, but they weren’t anything! I mean kiyotaka was some nerd who helped him study… some nerd who never gave up on him… who liked motorcycles more than he’d ever admit… fuck kiyotaka wasn’t just some nerd! He was.. He was kiyotaka and also maybe more than a friend to mondo.

“I was sick,.” Kiyotaka grumbled. “You weren’t sick. It's been a week. I've seen you sick. You would have stayed on campus if it was just you being sick.” kiyotaka crossed his arms. He looked like he was trying to curl in on himself. “Talk to me?” mondo offered. Kiyotaka glanced back and he looked… rough. He looked bad, Like he hadn’t slept in days. “I dont know.” Kiyotaka said softly. Mondo stepped closer “I made a mistake.” that didn’t sound entirely truthful “s fine… you know that right? People can make mistakes.” Kiyotaka shook his head. “It’s not. It’s not normal.” mondo sat beside kiyotaka. “We can forget about it… we can just… be friends.” mondo offered. Kiyotaka was crying but he didn’t tell Mondo to leave. “Can we?” kiyotaka sounded pathetic. He was sobbing and trying to form words though hiccups and choked inhales. Mondo nodded, slinging his arm around Kiyotaka's shoulder. “Hell yeah, you and me can be friends!” Kiyotaka smiled, hugging Mondo tightly. Mondo would forever deny the butterflies in his stomach.

“We can go for a ride. To cheer ya up. Anywhere you wanna go!” mondo suggested, standing up with kiyotaka. “I even brought a helmet for you.” kiyotaka wiped away tears, laughing “r-really?” mondo snorted, rolling his eyes “nah, i said it to fuck with ya!” Kiyotaka smacked Mondo's arm lightly. “You’re not funny” mondo stuck his tongue out “im funny as fuck, yer just being a grouch.” Kiyotaka put on his coat. “Whatever.” Kiyotaka said laughing.

Kiyotaka got onto the bike with mondo, holding him tightly. Mondo tried his best to swallow the feelings and to hide his blush because that’s what kiyotaka needs. He focused on the wind in his hair and the thrill of speeding down the asphalt.

Mondo was okay waiting for kiyotaka.

Chapter Text

Leon could pinpoint the exact moment Mondo fell in love. It was easy to see, he had been following Kiyotaka around like a dog. He carried kiyotaka’s books and walked kiyotaka to class, hell, he even went to detention on purpose! It was pissing Leon off. Honestly, what good was being in love with someone who wasn’t going to change his mind anytime soon? What made it worse was that Hiro was starting to make comments about it too! It was like it followed him everywhere! It wasn’t even like they could all hang out anymore either. Mondo always wanted to be with Kiyotaka and if he wasn’t then he was making comments about him. Whatever. All of that would change. Mondo and him always hung out on saturday. It would be nothing but the two of them.

“Yeah so you just-” mondo was talking to his bike again. Leon rolled his eyes. Mondo was almost as big a dork as kiyotaka. “Really? That’s interesting!” wait. No! No no no no! That was Kiyotaka's voice. Maybe it was just a phone call. Mondo would hang up and they would hang out. He turned the corner into the garage and much to his disdain, kiyotaka was there, covered in grease and grime from working on mondo’s motorcycle. “Are you fucking kidding me?!'' Leon huffed, glaring between the two. “Taka just wanted to come check out my bike.” mondo said, tossing a rag to kiyotaka. “Dude it’s not a big deal, why are you bitching?” the fucking audacity! “Dude, i’m bitching because everything is fucking kiyotaka right now! Oh kiyotaka likes this, kiyotaka likes that! I dont fucking care!'' Kiyotaka stood off to the side, fidgeting with the rag. “I… will see you… another time, i suppose.'' Kiyotaka handed the rag back to Mondo, lingering for just a moment before heading out. Mondo frowned, wiping his own hands off before throwing the rag somewhere on the workbench. “You’re acting like a jealous girl, the fuck is up with you?” leon rolled his eyes. “you’re the one acting like a fucking girl!” mondo walked outside, shutting the garage as he stepped out. “Whatever, let’s just forget it. What did you want to do?”

This was boring as shit. Mondo hadn’t said a word, he was smiling at his phone, probably talking to kiyotaka. Leon set down the controller “what do you even see in him?” mondo made a noise, typing something before glancing up.

“What?'' Mondo mumbled, a little dazed. “Dude you know what! About you know who! Why are you so obsessed with him?!” Leon threw the controller onto the bed, grabbing Mondo's phone. “Look! Right now you are texting him! All this bullshit!” leon scrolled through the messages “you act like a fucking puppy around him!” mondo snatched his phone back “taka is just a cool guy!” mondo protested. “Kiyotaka is literally anything but cool. What does he even do? Read?'' Leon commented as he flopped onto the bed to read Mondo's texts over his shoulder. “No. i mean kiyotaka does other stuff besides reading. He likes stuff like swords and motorcycles and shit.” mondo sent a stupid gif to kiyotaka, to which leon chortled. “Really? He likes that corny shit?” mondo huffed, hiding his screen. “Shut up! Like you don’t send the same shit to-” mondo let out a choked exclamation as a pillow was slammed into his face “you know we don't talk about it!” mondo growled, hitting leon back “okay! Fuck! Lighten up!'' Leon threw the pillow at Mondo and ran out of the room “okay! Stop! Truce!'' Leon yelled as Mondo beat Leon with his pillow. Mondo stopped and held out a hand to leon, helping him up. “Dont fucking deal if you can't take it.” mondo snickered. “I don't see why you don't just talk to me, '' Mondo shrugged off Leon's glare. “Don't be such a pussy, if you’d just talk to them it wouldn’t even be a big deal.” Leon punched mondo in the arm lightly “don't call me a pussy, what about you? You won't make it official with kiyotaka. I mean no one is going to say it to your face, but everyone thinks you two became a secret couple or something.” mondo frowned, not like normal, it was deeper, leon noted with a smirk. Maybe he was more right than Mondo would ever say. “Who’s saying that?” mondo tried not to growl, but it came off as a demanding grumble. “Doesn’t matter! Everyone, but that doesn’t matter. What happened between you two?” mondo mumbled something, the way he usually did when he didn't want to bother with a lie and definitely wasn’t going to answer. Mondo stared at his phone screen for a moment before looking at Leon, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Wanna go fuck with Hiro?” mondo suggested, shoving his phone in his pocket. Leon grinned.

Leon hated riding with mondo. He hated how the wind destroyed how he styled his hair. He hated how the wind caught on his piercing or how hard it was to hold onto mondo because he was usually covered in a layer of grease without even knowing it. Leon tightened his grip, cursing himself as mondo turned, nearly flinging him off. He never remembered how many turns there were on the way to Hiro's house. Maybe because his mind constantly blocked out the near death experience of mondo drifting around turns like he was riding without a terrified passenger. Leon wondered if Mondo slowed down when Kiyotaka was riding with him, but quickly shoved the thought away.

The ground was always heaven sent. Leon was just happy to not have met it going 100 mph. Mondo got off, kicking the kickstand as he walked the bike into the driveway. Leon hated Hiro's yard. It was covered in creepy ass ceramic lawn shit. The gnomes and frogs were… fine, but Leon hated the glassy eyed stares of the creepy little babies dressed as fairies. Their paint had worn down and what once was surely a rosy cheeked, doe eyed smiling baby was now a discolored and dirty, beady eyed hellspawn. He shuddered, holding his hand up to avoid making eye contact with the horrible lawn ornament. Mondo rolled his eyes. “It’s fucking glass.” Leon made a face at Mondo, but the argument died in his throat as Hiro's mom opened the door.

“Boys! Perfect timing.” she grinned. “You wouldn’t mind helping out little old me, would you?” Leon frowned, about to open his mouth to try and decline, but he couldn’t even get a word out before Mondo said “yes ma'am.” Leon looked shocked, staring at Mondo as if he had grown two heads. “Dont fucking look at me like that.” mondo didn’t even look at leon as he said it. He followed Hiroko, who had hiro trailing closely behind her. “I need something from the crawlspace in the garage, but hiro is scared there is a bat up there and i just am too tired to chase it down myself.” Leon made a disgusted face “a bat? You want it… out?” Hiroko laughed, “Hell no, I don't want you getting rabies. I'm looking for a shoe box full of photos or a photo album. I can't remember which one is up there.” mondo grinned, slapping leon on the back “you’re up bud.”

Leon can't believe he was dragged into this. He timidly stuck his head in, glancing around and looking for the box before he committed to actually sticking half his body in there. He let out a sigh of relief as he sat on the edge of the opening, seeing the box. He grabbed it, curiously glancing inside it. “Dude, what are you doing in there? You got it or not, heavy ass!” mondo yelled up at him. Leon motioned for mondo to catch, dropping the closed box into mondo arms. He waited to see Mondo come back for him. Mondo didn’t so he just dangled himself, dropping the three feet once he stopped swaying. “Thanks. I’ve got lemon squares inside if you boys want some.” Hiroko didn’t even wait for a response, walking back into the house. Leon followed close behind. He fucking loved lemon squares.

Hiroko motioned to the kitchen “clean up any messes you make” she warned as she sat down in the living room. Leon shoved a lemon square in his mouth, grabbing another and walking back to the living room. Mondo poked his stuffed cheek gently, laughing. He looked in the box, noticing something strange. “Why you got a picture of kiyotaka?” Hiroko shot him a little glare for talking with his mouth full, but smiled. “That’s not kiyotaka. It’s takaaki. Gray eyes… taller… I see the confusion. Tika is the spitting image of his father.” she smiled at the picture. “He was about yall’s age. And that baby on his chest… that’s yaya." She set the photo down on the table. “This was almost right after he was born” she tugged on Yasuhiro's cheek softly. “I couldn't get him to sleep, not a wink. takaaki would just hold him and he would pass right out. I was starting to think maybe takaaki was smothering him” she joked, laughing despite no one else’s laughter.

“Maaa!” Yasuhiro groaned, embarrassed. “Shouldn’t you let them get back to what they came over here to do?” Hiroko rolled her eyes “they came over here to pick on you.”she said teasing “alright. Leon, hunny, you can take a few of those. You don't have to shove 'em in your mouth.” She got up and packed a small bag of them for Leon. “And if you want them… just call, okay? Mondo, tell your brother to stop calling me to talk to hiro. He can call hiro himself.” Leon loved Hiro's mom. “Hiro, if you come home tonight try and be quiet. Key is where it always is in case you forget yours.” she practically shoved them out of the door.

The walk back to Mondo's house was significantly better with the addition of Hiroko's lemon squares. He had already eaten half of them. It was also nicer not to almost be flung into the street on every turn. Mondo was mostly silent on the walk, making sure not to scratch the paint on his bike as he walked it back to his house. He would have driven off, but hiro always complained about being left behind and leon fell off the last time they tried to ride with all three of them. Mondo slung the garage door up by the handle on the bottom, parking his bike in it before locking it again.

“Wanna go on a walk?” hiro suggested. Walk usually meant one of two things to Leon, getting out of the house away from his dad or hiro had weed and honestly leon knew that if they got high something would happen and he would ruin everything again.

“I-” leon cleared his throat, trying to sound confident. “No thanks man… i got… a a game of something coming up” he lied, but it was a genuine concern of his about failing another drug test. Hiro shrugged “all good man. Yo, mondo, is daiya home?” mondo growled. “Stop trying to fuck my brother.” hiro held up his hands defensively. He was saying something about a premonition and Mondo snapped back with a mirraid of swears. Leon followed them inside, eyes unfocused and their argument fading into the distance.

He always ruined everything.

Chapter Text

Chihior liked to think she was patient. She rarely raised her voice or lost her temper, but honestly it was grating to hear how cool kiyotaka thought mondo was. It was almost always about mondo. It was like an elephant in the door. Everyone knew they liked each other and yet.. No one said a word except for leon. And all he did was complain, and chihiro really hated hearing him whine about whatever issue was currently the biggest to him. Chihiro hadn’t really spoken to leon in a while. Not since the whole ”i like you please go out with me” and the crying and the having to have her dad ask leon to leave. It was awkward. Chihiro wasn’t even sure if Leon remembered it. He acted like he didn’t and chihiro was fine not bringing it up again. She liked not having to talk about it.

Kiyotaka had worn her patience thin today, so chihiro found herself sitting next to Leon in class. “Hey…” Leon said softly. “Hi.” chihiro was writing notes. “They are annoying, right?” Leon whispered as he motioned towards Kiyotaka and Mondo, much to Chihiro's dismay. “I don't think it’s annoying… it’s just a little grating. Everything is about mondo. Or talking to mondo” chihiro sighed. “And as much as i love kiyotaka, it is a little ridiculous.” Leon glared at Kiyotaka “what’s his deal anyways? What happened between them?” chihiro ignored Leon for a minute. “Hey.” he said again. Chihiro glanced at him. “If they didn’t tell you i don't think i should tell you” leon rolled his eyes ``oh cmon, please? Just a little bit? I have an idea, but mondo won't tell me.” the teacher stopped talking. “Leon. Pay attention." he made a noise, grumbling as he looked back down at his paper.

After class, Chihrio went to her room,like she usually did. Kiyotaka was off campus, probably talking to his father at whatever cheap coffee shop was close enough to walk to. Chihiro had gone with him a few times. It was short. A walk there, a ten minute conversation while officer Ishimaru was on break, and then a walk back. She had stopped going when the conversations had shifted to more talk about mondo. Even Kiyotaka's dad looked less and less amused. She almost wished kiyotaka would just.. Get over it. Rude, she noted, but she thought it was a fair diagnosis.

Leon had apparently followed her to her room, standing in the hall awkwardly. “Hey.. again. Uh.” Leon pulled something out of his bag. “Hiro's mom made lemon squares. If.. you wanted some.” chihiro didn’t but she let Leon in anyway. Leon sat in her desk chair. It reminded me of Chihiro before. Him spinning in her chair, talking about whatever rock show he had snuck off campus to see. Not that it was hard. He had taken chihiro to one, one time. She hated it, but she laughed at how hard Leon had slammed into a mailbox when he insisted he could jump over it. She smiled. “Chihiro. Hey- are you listening?” Leon looked at her funny “oh… sorry” chihiro blinked owlishly. She really needed to remember to wear her blue light blockers more. “I was asking if you wanted to hang out.”

“What? Why not hang out with hiro?” Leon frowned. “He’s sort of a bummer when he’s not trying to fuck mondo’s brother.” chihiro stared at him blankly.

“What about makoto?”

“He’s like the human form of whitebread”

“Hifumi?”

Leon made a face, grimacing at the thought “look, no offense to the guy, but he’s a creep. You know exactly what I'm talking about.” chihiro sighed “look. I know.. What happened was fucked up, alright? I'm sorry. I messed up and I was stupid and high and probably drunk if i'm being honest. But… i-"Leon looked away, face flush with embarrassment" I miss being friends alright?” Chihrio snorted, she covered her mouth, trying not to laugh at leon. “Oh hey! Cmon dont laugh! You are just as bad as mondo!” chihrio laughed harder, trying to contain herself “im sorry! I'm sorry! B-but do you remember t-that stupid teen drama you used to watch?” Leon looked at her a little confused “uh yeah..? Why?” chihrio scrolled through her phone, finding a gif of the terrible musical apology episode. “You look just like this!” Chihrio laughed harder as Leon's face got redder and redder. “NO” he yelled. “Dont even compare me to that!” he tossed a stray paper ball from chihiro’s desk at her. Chihiro grinned. “Do the song!” Leon scowled. “No! You are going to get it stuck in my head again!” He covered his ears.

Chihiro had missed this.

After chihiro swore to not sing the stupid song, leon calmed down. “They kissed.” she said softly, recovering from laughter. “What?” Leon seemed confused. “You know who.” Leon's face lit up “what? No way!” chihiro nodded “but kiyotaka is scared to say they are dating. He won't even tell me all the reasons why… but from what I got from his dad and my dad, Kiyotaka's grandfather was… terrible." Leon nodded, gulping down his own sense of dread. He pushed away the thoughts of his dad. “So kiyotaka is dealing with tons of internalization.. But between you and me… I think they are hooking up.” chihrio nodded wisely. “Like some weird game of gay chicken?” Leon added, “I guess. Kiyotaka wont let me look at his phone when he’s texting mondo, and i mean whatever mondo is sending him can't be that bad. I mean he’d probably combust from a dick pic.” Leon snorted. “Dude I totally called it!” chihiro rolled her eyes. “Did not. You can't even call the nurse." Leon sputtered, “w-wha! Hey! N-no fair! Mikan is pretty! She’s just also… fucking crazy and sort of a cry baby. Im suprised Mondo doesn’t have anything for her.” chihiro made a face “no. chihiro no he didn't!” chihrio didn’t say anything “she’s psycho!”

“Don’t say that! That’s not nice.” she scolded. Leon rolled his eyes. “Oh c'mon you know her and that cosplay girl from the upper class are crazy fangirls!”

“That doesn’t make it any nicer to say!”

Leon was goofy, and an asshole sometimes, but… despite it all chihiro like being his friend all the same.

Chapter Text

Waiting for kiyotaka was a lot harder than mondo ever imagined. It wasn’t like kiyotaka changed. It was more like… mondo couldn’t stop seeing him. It seemed like everyday mondo noticed something kiyotaka had done. Bit his pen, creased the spines of new books, or even just skipping broken tiles when he walked. Fuck! Mondo thought it was so cute, he couldn’t keep doing this! Well maybe he could, but he hated it. He hated liking kiyotaka as much as he did None of that even mattered at this point because kiyotaka was coming over! Mondo didn’t bother cleaning his room. Kiyotaka didn’t mine the grease stained shirts tucked in the corner of the room or the bike manuals and wood shavings on the desk. Mondo did however change the bed sheets. He didn’t want Kiyotaka to think he was a slob or anything! He sent Kiyotaka a quick picture. He wrote something stupid and sappy, because he knew kiyotaka liked it. He threw his phone on the bed, staring at his face in the mirror on the desk. Maybe he shouldn’t do his makeup. He stared harder, looking between his own face and the eye pencil on the desk.

The doorbell rang before he decided.

To his surprise when he opened the door, Kiyotaka was there, with his dad. “Oh uh… hey..” Mondo moved aside awkwardly. They stepped in. takaaki smelled like smoke. Mondo didn’t mind. Daiya patted mondo on the shoulder, startling him. “Me and the old man got business to hash out. You and kiyotaka just run to your room. Alright?”

Mondo shrugged. Kiyotaka seemed nervous, flushed even. Mondo chose to ignore it. He didn’t really like that takaaki and daiya were talking, that he was being called a kid, or that seemed to already know why takaaki was there. How much had daiya hid from him?

“You look nice” it was almost so quiet that mondo didn’t hear it “what?” kiyotaka was looking at him “you look nice.. With your hair down and-” kiyotaka stopped talking suddenly. “Dude, chill. Alright? Thanks by the way.” Kiyotaka smiled. Mondo loved just sitting with kiyotaka. They didn’t even have to talk. It was so comfortable. Mondo could hear bits and pieces of daiya and takaaki’s conversation. A lot of it was boring as shit. He didn’t really care about whatever news or show they were talking about but he couldn’t help but feel like something more was happening. It was weird to come over like this. He heard the front door open. Takaaki must have closed it because daiya usually just left it open or slammed it shut behind himself. Kiyotaka had dozed off reading one of the magazines Mondo had in his room. Mondo sighed, getting up and going to the bathroom. Might as well get his hair ready for bed.

He didn’t like to snoop, but daiya really should have known better than to talk to goddamn loud by the bathroom window. “-ck is the kiyotaka problem? I mean love him to death but jesus…" Takaaki sighed. It smelled like smoke faintly. “He’s… he’s just scared… you and i both know my son likes him…” daiya made a noise “taka is just.. He’s trying, okay?” trying? Mondo didn’t realize he was holding his breath. “My father really… really messed him up about all of this… and it’s been four years and kiyotaka still won’t.. Wont say his name or allow me to mention him… he won't even tell me what Toranosuke did or said to him…'' there was the sound of a lighter flicking “piece of shit.” Diaya said softly. Almost too quiet for mondo to hear, although he was eavesdropping. Mondo almost felt bad, but he’s done worse and daiya knew damn well there was the possibility if he talked right by the window. “Kiyotaka told me that you are probably the closest thing he has to an older brother outside of yasuhiro, but if i'm being honest… that boy is-'' mondo had accidentally knocked something off the counter when he had stepped closer to the window. “MONDO!” daiya yelled, getting up on whatever object was stable and close enough to hold him up. He peeked through the thin window. “OI! THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?!” mondo shoved daiya’s face and closed the window before running to his room. Apparently the yelling had woken Kiyotaka up.

“Mondo? Sorry. I didn’t mean to doze off.” he yawned, stretching. Mondo wanted to kiss his stupid face. He hesitated. “You know..” Kiyotaka looked at him. “You know you can talk to me right? About anything?” kiyotaka grimaced.. “I know. I'm not afraid to talk. There is nothing to talk about.” Kiyotaka looked away from mondo “look whatever your granddad said, it doesn’t matter. I-"Kiyotaka snapped his head back to face mondo “how do you know that?!” mondo flinched. Fuck fuck fuck fuck, he had messed up. There were tears in Kiyotaka's eyes. “Look! It doesn’t matter! What I'm trying to say is, no one cares! I mean how bad could it have been, no wait! Kiyo '' Kiyotaka was trying to shove past Mondo to get out of his room, and Mondo stood in front of the door. “Wait, c'mon we can talk about it, right? I tell you shit all the time, cmon! Talk to me! Ple-”

“don't . stop talking. I'm not talking about this.'' Kiyotaka tried again to leave. “Why- kiyotaka stop it! I'm serious! Don't make me-"Kiyotaka pushed mondo. Mondo frowned, pushing kiyotaka back “let me leave.” His voice was shaky. “No! Not until you tell me why you won't just fucking talk to me! I'm serious!” Kiyotaka tried to shove past him again, but Mondo grabbed him. Kiyotaka deadlegged him, pressing his heel into the back of Mondo's knee. He fell forward. And now they were wrestling. If mondo was focused on anything besides dodging elbows and grabbing hands, he might have remembered how last time ended up. He felt his arm hit his bed post, ignoring the pain for the moment, trying to pin his hands down. There was a small bit of blood on kiyotaka’s lip, he must have busted it on something. Mondo was too focused to have realized when it happened. He felt sick again, and kiyotaka flipped them over. He was panting…

Mondo was a pervert. He closed his eyes but that only made it worse. He tried to focus on the blood on Kiyotaka's lip even if it made him feel like throwing up, but that didn’t help either. Kiyotaka was staring at him, eyebrows furrowed and cheeks red. He looked pissed. “Kiyotaka listen i’m sor-” kiyotaka was kissing him, holy shit kiyotaka was kissing him!

Mondo wrapped his arms around Kiyotaka's neck. He didn’t want to let kiyotaka go. Not after the last time when kiyotaka ran off before mondo actually registered the kiss. This was way nicer. Even if kiyotaka was mad at him… even if maybe this would be the last time kiyotaka even spoke to him… kiyotaka pulled away far too soon for mondo’s liking. Mondo just stared at kiyotaka. “This does not make us dating.” kiyotaka blurted out. “Alright.. Alright… okay.” mondo assured, holding his hands up in defense.”Are you going to run off like last time…?” Kiyotaka frowned, and Mondo poked him in the cheek. “Stop it. I'm trying to be mad at you.” mondo snorted. “Chill out. We don't gotta label anything.. But uh.. I’d like to keep.. Doing whatever the fuck this is?” kiyotaka thought for a minute, struggling to decide if this really would be okay. “Okay.” mondo did a victory dance in his head.

“Just don't tell anyone or mention it or anything.” kiyotaka added hastily. Sort of a bummer, but Mondo didn’t want to disagree. “Alright.. So.."Kiyotaka rolled his eyes, kissing Mondo again.

Kiyotaka really was trying.

Chapter Text

Kiyotaka didn’t like to think that he was a jealous person. He had never once thought he felt jealous. Of course he never had a not-boyfriend-not friend situation before. Mondo had recently had a new friend. A sheepish girl from the reserve course who followed him around. Mondo tolerated her, talking to her about motorcycles despite her not knowing anything about them. Kiyotaka couldn’t help but frown whenever she put her hand on his arm or blushed when he opened the door for her. Kiyotaka didn’t want to feel this way, but a small voice inside of him screamed that she was clearly flirting. Even if mondo didn’t see it. Kiyotaka did and Kiyotaka hated it.

Today was one of many days she had ruined in kiyotaka’s mind. She had sat beside mondo at lunch, like kiyotaka usually did. Her chair was too close to mondo… practically thigh to thigh. Mondo was talking to Kiyotaka, but all Kiyotaka could see was green. Why was she so special that she could replace him? Kiyotaka wanted to yell at her… tell her to.. To eff off or something. Possibly without the harsh language. Kiyotaka slammed his fork down when she fed him a bite of her lunch. “He doesn't want you.” Kiyotaka hissed. “What?” she sort of laughed, snorting at kiyotaka tone. “He. doesn’t. Want. you.” kiyotaka reiterated, slower. Mondo looked nervous, glancing at kiyotaka. “Hey. taka cmon, chill out? Let’s go to your dorm!” mondo tried but kiyotaka was far too angry to care. “I dont see who you are to tell him how he feels.” mondo nudged her. “He’s kidding! Kidding! Just leave it alone. We’re all friends, right?” mondo tried again, getting between the two. “Who am i?!” Kiyotaka was fuming. “I'm his boyfriend.” mondo went silent. The cafeteria went silent. Kiyotaka glared at her until his brain caught up with his mouth. Kiyotaka looked at her shocked face,spinning around and walking as quickly as he could out of the cafeteria.

Mondo followed, but by the time he caught up it was too late. Kiyotaka had locked his door and he wasn’t answering anyone.

Mondo was jamming the tip of his knife into the hole when Leon and chihiro came up behind him. “Dude you are going to fuck up that blade,right?” Leon looked amused. “Okay well kiyotaka wont open the door.” mondo pulled the knife back, frowning as he checked the chipped tip. Chihrio handed Leon a bobby pin “don't worry mon, i’ll get your boy toys door open.” mondo punched leon in the shoulder, who winced, as he kneeled down. He folded the bobby pin, jamming it in for a couple of minutes. Leon stepped back, looking proud of himself. “I’ve got no fucking clue what im doing.'' Chihiro sighed. “You two are idiots.” She turned the handle.”Kiyotaka's door doesn’t lock. The handle just gets jammed.” The door swung open and on the bed was kiyotaka curled up underneath his weighted blanket.

Chapter Text

“Taka?” kiyotaka shifted, his hand coming out of the blanket to shoo them away. Mondo huffed, going closer. “Taka cmon, we can forget about this.” kiyotaka peeked out “no we can not! Everyone heard me!”

“Is that a bad thing?” mondo mumbled, reaching for his hand.

“Yes.” Kiyotaka pulled away. “This is the worst thing to ever happen to me.”

“....is that how you feel about me?”

Kiyotaka was quiet for a long time. Mondo cleared his throat

“Yeah… fuck man.” Mondo stood up “fuck you then.”

“Woah! Mondo! What the fuck, man?!” Leon shoved him.

“Just fucking-” mondo shoved him back. “I dont gotta take this shit!” leon scowled, grabbing at his jacket “dont be a fucking coward mondo! He obviously doesn’t fucking mean that!”

“Even if he didn’t it doesn’t mean that shit doesn’t fucking hurt!” mondo tried not to let whatever pathetic noise in his chest bubble up past his throat. It might have helped that his throat felt so tight he could barely breathe. “Fucking- he-” Mondo rushed to wipe away tears. “Just fucking leave me alone!” Kiyotaka didn’t get up and mondo wasn’t sure if anything could sting more.

“....mondo-” chihiro was a distant afterthought as he left. He didn’t care if Kiyotaka hated him. He just.. Needed to talk to daiya or something.

Riding his bike wasn’t nearly as satisfying when he knew that kiyotaka was just with him and they were having fun and now he hated mondo. Mondo wasn’t sure he could even look at his bike without thinking about kiyotaka. He blinked away more tears, barely putting out his kickstand before running inside.

“Mon, the fuck are you doing home- are you fucking okay?” he could barely shake his head before collapsing. “M fucking pathetic dai… f-fuckin-” he bit back a sob. Daiya stroked his hair. “No.. cmon mon. you aint.” mondo felt like such a child, running back to daiya because someone hated him… what kind of leader crumbled so easily?

“What happened?” he said softly. Mondo was barely listening. “Mondo c'mon. You gotta talk to me.” he opened his mouth but nothing came out. “Okay. okay…. I get it man. I got you. Don't worry about a thing mon… I got you…”

He nodded again. He didn’t even think about what daiya was saying. It didn’t really matter. Daiya had him. Daiya always had him.

He wasn’t sure when he fell asleep or when hiroko came over. “Cmon just a note to get him outta school for a couple of days. He really can't afford to miss anymore but he’s-” hiroko cut him off “look, kid. I can’t do that. Just call the school, tell em he's got a stomach bug.” daiya slammed something on the counter. “Like that will cut it! He’s already on thin ice. Look no one told me how to deal with this shit-” mondo imagined she probably frowned. “Don't snap at me. I get it, no one told me either. I know it’s tough but if you snap at me again I'll just leave.” he grumbled. “Yeah.. sorry. My bad…” god this was embarrassing. He huffed getting up.

“Dai im fucking fine. I'm gonna go back to school. Just.. fucking.. Nothing happened. M fine.”

He hated how hiroko looked at him, like he needed more pity.

“If it’s nothing, tell us. And don't pretend like you wasn’t crying. I can see it all over your face.”

He sighed. “...taka and me got into a fight. S it. And dont be fucking letting him in here either. I dont wanna fucking see him.

“So you aint going to fucking school.”

Obviously mondo couldn’t go to school or stay here. He would just be pestered with questions. He couldn’t stay with Leon, he was pissed at him. There was only one neutral option, even if he didn’t really know the guy.

Makoto.
____________________________________________________________________________

Would makoto say he knew mondo? Not at all. Did he still find mondo terrifying despite an apology? Most definitely, but not that it really mattered right now. Mondo was in his doorway, looking less like a gang leader and more like a kicked puppy. It was disarming and unsettling to say the least.

“Uh… hey. Look, can I just hang with you for a couple of hours?” he wasn’t sure he’d ever seen mondo avoid eye contact.

“I guess.?” he stepped aside. “Any… reason you chose me?”

“Shits just rough at home and i fucking… taka is pissed at me. That’s all i’ll say” oh. That made more sense actually! “Im sorry to hear about that…. So uhm.. Do you want a drink or something? You can sit down or my room is just down the hall.” mondo glanced around, staring at pictures. It was like he didn’t hear him. “Mondo?”

“What?” that sounded harder than mondo ment, judging by how makoto flinched “fuck. Sorry. What?”

“Do you want a drink?”

“...nah m fine.”

Weird. Not like makoto could judge.

“....what do you normally do when you hang out?”

Mondo looked at him, he seemed dazed. That didn’t help Makoto at all. He brought a drink for mondo anyway, setting it on the coffee table. This was awkward. No worse than when Kyoko came over. That was a little comforting. “Do you want to watch something or play games?”

“If i talk are you gonna judge me?” that threw makoto off. “Well.. no, let's just go to my room. Komaru is home and i don’t really think you want her hearing this.” he sort of motioned for mondo to follow, cursing himself for the stupid act. Mondo was capable of using his eyes, makoto!

As soon as the door clicked, mondo sort of broke down. “Kiyotaka fucking think sm the worst thing that’s ever happened to him…a-and i fucking-! How could he fucking say that?! One day we are fucking fine and then he- he is the one who fucked it all up but it’s my fucking fault!” he tried to nod, unsure of what to do. “He- i wanna be with him! He kisses on me and shit, but he doesn’t wanna label it and suddenly he does and then he fucking hates me?!”

“Well-”

“Who the fuck does he think he is?! I am doing my fucking b-best! Why aint that enough..?” mondo covered his face, sobbing. “Why aint I enough…”

“Im sure he’s just in shock. You- anyone would be lucky to have you?” mondo shook his head “but what? I aint lucky enough to have them? I thought- shit was going so fucking good and now i cant even fucking think about the shit i used to like cuz it’s all him!” makoto really wasn’t sure what to say. Did he want to risk upsetting mondo? Or try to help him only to break them up. This was honestly too much for him, but it wasn’t like he could say “that’s rough buddy. Welp time to go”. Mondo could and has hit him in the face for less.

“Why don’t we take your mind off it? We can-”

“maybe this is my punishment for everything up till now. Maybe I'm being punished for just doing whatever I felt like all my life.”

“I don't think that's what this is…” he hesitantly patted mondo’s back

He cleared his throat… which did cause makoto to flinch. “C’mon man…. I ain't gonna hit ya. I know im an ass but i aint…” he wiped at his face, whatever was left of his make up smeared. “Thanks… for this. Y’know.” It was hard to look at him like this. Makoto wondered what made Mondo do this. To come to his house. Must have been bad if he felt comfortable enough to cry in front of him.

“Of course… i mean… you’re just a highschooler. I think… you put too much pressure one being a gang leader. It’s nice to let that go.”

“Hearing you say that...kinda helps make me feel better, actually.” mondo was quiet for a minute before standing up. “I uh… i owe you man. Just name it alright? Im gonna head out.”

Makoto breathed out a sigh of relief. This was probably the scariest encounter he’s had with mondo yet.

Chapter Text

“Are you seriously joining the science fair?”

Yasuhiro propped his head on his elbows, staring at Mondo's failed attempts. mondo rolled his eyes. “Yes shut the fuck up, Hiro. Aint you supposed to be fucking- go flirt with Daiya! Leave me alone!”

“Aye! If you say I gotta-” Yasuhiro held his hands up defensively, grinning. “Don't leave me in here alone with him! What is that even supposed to be, Mondo?” Leon flicked over his glue stick.

“Fucking stop that-” Mondo swatted his hand away. “I wont get a good fucking grade with you douches messing me up.”

“Mess up what?? Your art project? What are you even making?” Leon fiddled with the blocks.

“..Maglev train.” Mondo mumbled, sitting back in his chair.

“Oh god, he made you a dork! He turned you into a dork!” Leon shook Mondo's shoulders. “He ruined you!! You care about science now!”

“...Shut it, do- go suck some baseballs, asshole!” Mondo shoved at his face, growling, “It’s just- trains are fucking hard to carve they just look like fucking stupid blocks-”

“I wish he would just kiss you so you’d stop being so pissy.”

“Okay well he fucking hates me. So I’ll keep being pissy.” He tugged at Leon’s earrings

“Ow! Okay- fuck me! Dickhead….” He rubbed his ear, frowning. “Just draw the details on the train with a marker… I don't think they care about it being completely carved.”

“I care…. Taka would care.” Leon looked away from Mondo's face, instead staring at the mess on the table.

“So.. how.. does it work..?”

“You dont actually fucking care.” mondo sighed.

“I mean I don't. Really I could not care less about the OPTIONAL science fair that your dorky boyfriend would care about, but I mean… I care about you, man.”

Mondo hated how Leon talked about kiyotaka, but he couldn’t deny how his stomach sort of filled with butterflies. “boyfriend” alone was enough to make him feel like kicking his feet, even if he’d never say it out loud. He must have been zoned out because Leon was talking and he wasn’t even registering the noise over the thump of his heart.

“What?”

Leon frowned “Jesus dude, maybe you need hearing aids. I was saying… Maybe if you wanted I'd join the stupid science fair. Chihiro is actually showing off this super cool program she made-”

And…. he lost mondo again. Maybe this was how Leon felt when he talked about kiyotaka “blah blah blah blah kiyotaka this, something something something kiyotaka that.” He really was annoying.

“Let’s just fucking forget it for now.” mondo stood up

“What? I mean okay- did you want to-" Leon was following him.

“No i just- im gonna go see hiro’s mom.” mondo mumbled, putting on his coat

“Sick dude, i’ll go with you-”

“Alone.”

Leon pouted. “No fair man! I can see his mom all I want!”

“Alone” he hissed, which made Leon flinch. He held his hands up, stepping back.

“Y-yep yeah, okay another time- i’ll call chihiro-”

The walk there was uninteresting, but Mondo could have walked by a murder and not have even noticed. His head hurt from how much he was thinking and all he could hear was daiya cackling about something like he never used his head… someone he passed looked terrified. He saw his scowl in a window he passed…. Fuck. he tried to smile, but it looked more like a snarl. He knocked on her door.

“Hey! Back for more chores?” she teased, tugging him in.

“Yeah.. er, yes ma’am.” he straightened up.

“Just kidding. I don't have anything I need done. Sit.”

He sat down, his fingers rubbing over the quilt that was bunched up on the arm rest. Some spots were more frazzled and worn than others. His fingers brushed over holes and tried to resist the urge to stick his finger in it and make it bigger. He smoothed it out when he heard hiroko coming back into the living room.

“So… talk to me.” hiroko wasn’t even looking at him, that was probably for the best.

“....just… can’t talk to daiya or… or kiyotaka.. Leon doesn’t get it.” he mumbled.

Hiroko hummed. She flipped through a magazine. “Just talk to me already.”

“...yeah. I just- what is his fucking issue?! I- im fucking trying!” she glanced up at him and mondo suddenly felt like he had said it wrong. “I mean I get… some of it… i know he’s got issues, but all i can fucking think about it that he fucking hates me and here i am just trying to …to impress him.”

“How?”

“How what?”

“How are you trying to impress him?”

“I- well… started… a science fair project. S not for a grade or anything.” he felt exposed and self conscious.

“Is that really for him?”

…was it for kiyotaka? Mondo hadn’t really even thought of kiyotaka when he signed up. He had just happened to browse an article the week before and now he had a chance to put the knowledge to the test and maybe.. Show off some of his carpentry skills. Was it really for kiyotaka?

“Mondo, kid.?”

“Don't call me kid-” he snapped. Shrinking in on himself when he met her gaze. “Sorry…”

Kiyotaka would be proud he had done something without needing to be nagged.

“...sorta doing it for him. I know he’d…be happy I'm applying myself and that I'm actually putting effort in instead of half-assing it.” mondo wants to study her face, see what she is thinking, but her face is flat, like she doesn't even care.

“That’s good isn’t it? That you aren’t only doing it for him”

“Yeah” mondo’s voice cracked “i mean-”

“But you want him to care, yeah… I know.’ she set the magazine down, sitting next to him. “Listen… he cares about you, I know he does”

Mondo nods even if the words don't register in his mind. Hiroko just rubs his arm. It’s hard for him to hold back tears. He feels like a pussy for crying, at least next to makoto he could deny it, but he can't when she is shushing and rocking him. Mondo hates how much he cares about kiyotaka. He hates that kiyotaka can’t stand him. He hates that he just wants kiyotaka to say that he doesn’t care about what everyone thinks and that he likes mondo just as much as mondo likes him.

But he doesn’t and Mondo doesn’t know if he ever will.

“How about.. You stay here for a bit? Get away from daiya.”

“...okay. Thanks… thank you.”

She’s pulling that quilt over him and his eyes feel so much heavier than before. He’s suffocated with the scent of lavender…. He hates lavender but it’s so comforting for some reason. Hiroko just sits there, stroking his hair even as he rests his head in her lap. He’s half asleep when he hears her calling someone. He isn’t sure who. A small sane part of his brain supplies it must be daiya. He ignores it, happy to be away from it all, even just for a little while.

Mondo doesn’t know what she did, but he had to guess hiroko was probably magic.

Chapter Text

Hiroko had her fair share of teenage drama and honestly she was over all the teenage angst. She had her fill when she had Yasuhiro. She already learned all the lessons of being a stupid kid and chasing boys. Not to mention that she already got a second dose from hiro. He was maybe just as smart as her and half as driven to do anything. Maybe if he spent the energy he used to chase after Mondo's brother on his business he could have an actual storefront. God she was tired of him sometimes… as much as she loved him she just couldn’t deal with him all of the time. Now Mondo was sleeping on her couch and he came with a whole load of his own problems. A plus side of housing Mondo was that she never came home to dirty dishes…or Mondo. He would be gone before she left for work and asleep when she got home.

The first couple of days were fine. He was off at school, maybe still up there doing work or working on that science project, but after a week of almost complete silence from him she couldn’t take it anymore. It was eating her up inside to know nothing. She thanked whatever was out there that her own son couldn’t keep his mouth shut over every little thing. She wasn’t used to the quiet brooding.

He didn’t want to talk and she wasn’t going to push that, but she was a mother first and of course she was worried enough to finally force his hand a little bit.

“Mondo.” she shook him gently. He grumbled, turning over.

“Mondo get your ass up.” She sat him up.

“What….” he tried to rub the sleep from his eyes. “M tired…”

“I know, just- I'm worried about you.” she moved the hair from his face.

“Why…?” he leaned into the touch, smiling. His eyes kept drooping closed.

“Because you are avoiding me, i don't know if you’re eating, and your brother is wondering when you are gonna be home. I get being at school but i aint seeing you at all.”

“Just…. Working….”

“On what.” hiroko crossed her arms.

“Been hanging around the workshop at school… they dont care if m there…” He yawns, leaning back. He was barely awake. Hiroko smiled. It was nicer seeing him so relaxed, not trying to put up a front or pretend to be older than he was. It hurt her heart a little to see that he only let it down when he was too tired to actually think about what someone else was thinking about him.

“Doesn’t explain why you are avoiding me.” she said softly, pulling him to sit up a little. “Is something going on?”

Mondo straightened up. He got quiet, a little more alert. “....s nothing.. I just- can’t… okay?” His face was red. She knew that he was always a little self conscious about how he looked, but this was different. It wasn’t his usual abashed look. He was puffing up, which was the exact opposite she wanted to see. Mondo must have seen the disappointment on her face.

Hiroko doesn’t exactly know what to say. She knows what she would want to hear in his situation but he isn’t her. She sort of sits there, staring at him, which makes him shrink in on himself. He’s talking again before she figures out what to say.

“I just can’t be crying to everyone about some fucking guy! Stop looking at me alright?!”

“Okay.” is all she manages to get out before Mondo is grabbing his things. She goes to stand but mondo is pushing his clothes roughly into his bag and she doesn't want to be on the other end of whatever fit he is having.

“Where are you going?”

“...back home” he can’t meet her eyes. She knows he’s lying. He’s a terrible liar.

“You don't have to lie. I just want to know that if something happens we can find you. I'm not going to tell daiya unless he really needs to know.” He stills and she takes this chance to stand up, keeping the distance.

“...I don't know where m going. But it feels like m fucking suffocating!” he wipes at his face and hiroko does her best to not get closer. Despite everything in her telling her to just do it, just get closer, hold him close, she doesn’t. He stands there, thinking. Hiroko can practically hear the gears in his head turning.

“Maybe…” he mumbles. Hiroko relaxes a little. He’s deflated and she knows that is the first good sign of him not making anymore rash decisions.

“Okay. that’s.. Better than nothing. Cmere. Sit. i’ll make you something to eat before you go.”

He looks at her, sheepishly. His face is red, eyes half lidded again as he barely keeps himself from swaying.

“Maybe… can… i go back to bed… and decide in the morning..?” he’s already headed back towards the couch. She wants to laugh. Mondo was practically dead on his feet and he’s still asking if he can stay.

She smiled. Mondo was just a kid at the end of the day. A stupid lovesick teenager who just needed some space.

“Yeah baby. Whatever you need.”