Work Text:
The transition from the chaos unleashed by the Arrow to a peaceful, dreamlike life had been, in a word, bizarre.
Past rivalries had to be forgotten in one fell swoop. Instead of thinking about ways to beat the opposition, one had to focus on figuring out how different goals could be tied to common ventures as effectively as possible.
There was no longer a need to constantly be alert, on guard, and ready to crawl into close combat at any moment. They could walk carefree in the evenings, even in the shadier parts of town, and then pick up something fun to do on weekends.
Time could be spent with friends without any greater plans—enjoying coffee and a piece of cake every other day if they wanted to, reading things other than the latest news and reports from the SPW Foundation, and heaven only knows what else.
Josuke was so used to his role of beating up enemies that getting re-adjusted to the routine of regular life took a while. Obviously he was happy that he wouldn't have to lose any more friends to those monsters… well, in the long run, his life felt idle.
All of a sudden, he had all this free time and only a few important things to spend it on.
Of course, situations constantly arose where someone needed help, and Josuke gladly stepped in to the best of his ability.
Though the problems of Morioh’s farmers were such that he still prefers to stay as far away from them as possible (because really, how on earth do those folks always find such shockingly smelly fertilizers? And the rats… man), instead he takes odd jobs looking after the kids of familiar acquaintances when needed, runs errands for his mom, and occasionally helps with deliveries for Tonio’s restaurant, and so on.
There were really no complaints to make about everyday life. Still, Josuke kept having a gnawing feeling of longing—for something of his own. He couldn’t be more specific about what that something was, as long as it gave him some new direction or feeling of fulfillment. Maybe he was just hoping to take part in something bigger than himself again.
Once, Josuke opened up about it to Koichi over coffee after school. Koichi casually suggested possibly trying out a romance of some sort, and even Rohan barked across his own table that Josuke “smelled lonely.”
Even though Josuke had at first waved aside any thought of romance, some persistent inkling had latched itself to the back of his mind. The idea rose to the forefront every now and then, though always just as nonsensical. Honestly, who could he even start having some hot feelings toward?!
He knows a lot of people and no one had ever awakened any special feeling in him. He enjoys the company of very different personalities and can easily chat up new people as well. But getting a crush on someone… bah.
Josuke was fairly certain by now that such things simply weren't suited to him.
And then, out of the blue, Okuyasu Nijimura caught his eye.
Okuyasu seems like someone larger-than-life, at least in his own opinion. In Josuke's eyes the guy doesn't quite reach the epic levels he imagines for himself, but he left an impression nonetheless and most importantly, it was a positive one.
First thing Josuke has to admit is that his friend is ridiculously hot: sunburnt complexion glows in the sunlight like polished copper, and his muscles twitch as they move, practically inviting Josuke to just go for it. His unique scars certainly didn't diminish the effect. He's tall, broad and full of wild, explosive energy. His laugh is irresistibly contagious, and he’d already thrown an arm around Josuke's shoulders the second time they met, like they were old friends. And the way Okuyasu goes along with the whims of the neighbors’ kids is nothing less than endearing.
He’s simultaneously strong and soft-hearted, with a bit of disharmony—and damn it, they just have so much fun together. Sure, there are all sorts of challenges and brainless ideas to dodge, and Josuke has sworn a solemn oath to never take part in an eating competition with Okuyasu again. Mistakes were made. And of course that loudmouthed boaster was constantly running his mouth, but something about the way his mind works has Josuke completely charmed. There definitely is room in Josuke’s life for that kind of simplicity, curiosity, and raucous joy.
It wasn’t love at first sight—and maybe only a want at third or fourth glance—but all the same, Okuyasu had somehow blundered his way deeper into Josuke’s heart than he was willing to admit.
Flirting and hitting on someone were unfamiliar territory, so Josuke gladly left that part up to Okuyasu. Thanks to Koichi’s encouraging analysis, he had reason to hope he was getting a positive response, since Okuyasu did seem to work diligently to stay within touching distance, and he was always suggesting things for them to do together.
It was slow going, but Josuke couldn’t say he minded. After all, good things come to those who wait… and he was extremely nervous about something so new.
Midsummer is at its hottest. The scent of wildflowers hangs thick in the air, and a gentle breeze rustles the tree branches as Josuke and Okuyasu search for a good hiding spot by the forest’s edge. A group of neighborhood kids had wanted to play a little farther off—hide and seek had apparently gotten super boring after scouring the same places a hundred times—and the communal big brother of all the neighborhood brats had signed up to look after them. And, of course, to best them all with his incredible camouflage skills and tracking ability.
“I’ll find a spot so good that those shrimps will never find us!”
“Sounds like pretty lousy babysitting, if you ask me,” Josuke points out, then bites his lip to keep from laughing at Okuyasu’s obvious internal conflict. Would he really have to admit to being bad at one or the other? “How about we just stay here? Sound carries well, and we can dive into that bush if they come looking.”
Okuyasu looks a little dejected but nods anyway. Josuke can’t really understand such unrestrained competitive drive over a kids’ game but at least Okuyasu still has his priorities straight.
They sit at the base of a large tree. Josuke follows a yellow butterfly with his gaze as it flutters aimlessly nearby—and he can feel Okuyasu, in turn, watching him.
His face burns. Maybe now’s a good time to make some kind of move—
“Hey, bro.”
“Huh—yeah?” Josuke startles.
“Do you have a type?”
“A type?”
“Yeah, y’know. What kind of person do you like? Someone of a certain type.”
Josuke takes a deep breath. His heart is hammering like crazy, and his palms are getting sweatier by the second. He grips the loose fabric of his pants and silently prays that his body won’t betray him completely. He clearly needs to play his cards right. Josuke doesn’t even dare to look Okuyasu’s way.
“I do have some… certain things,” he says, trying to straighten his posture. Confidence, Josuke. “I like when someone’s principled. The kind of person who tries to stand by their morals and do good.”
“So, you like people who are admirable,” Okuyasu says, leaning a little closer with a new, smoother edge to his voice. “Someone like you. Or me.”
Josuke swallows.
“You could say that,” he admits, glancing at Okuyasu from the corner of his eye. The guy is puffing up his chest like he's the damn king of the hill, so Josuke figures he must be on the right track. “And I like height. Strength. Mental as well as.. physical.”
“Mmm, I hear ya. Strength is sexy,” Okuyasu replies—and if Josuke wasn’t sitting, his knees would have absolutely gone weak. He can already feel the heat radiating from Okuyasu’s body, competing with the sun, as he inches even closer. “Though I prefer strength mixed with cuteness.”
“And it’s nice if they get along with my family and friends… and dress, uh, with personality. Look good with short hair… and, since it's a big part of me, it’s definitely a plus if they’re a stand user…” Josuke rattles off, already sure of his success—when suddenly, Okuyasu pulls away, his posture shrinking miserably.
Josuke blinks in confusion as Okuyasu gets up and walks a few feet away. This was going so well! Josuke frantically replays everything he said, but he can’t for the life of him figure out the misstep. What, what, what the hell now?!
“You already have someone,” Okuyasu blurts out.
“... Huh?”
“Your description was so precise, bro,” he explains, turning to face Josuke’s baffled expression. Okuyasu looks absolutely heartbroken—like he does every time someone starts dating instead of him. “You were talking about someone specific, weren’t you? Some lucky bastard has your heart. Someone who’s all of that.”
Josuke stares at him for a good while—gears turning—before a sound escapes his mouth. Something between incredulous laughter and a frustrated bark. He presses both palms against his face, trying to decide whether to cry or scream.
You’ve got to be kidding.
“Apparently I also like guys who are as dumb as rocks.”
For a beat, everything is silent. The whole forest seems to hush as if to emphasize the awkwardness hanging in the air. Then, suddenly:
“Hey, I’m a guy that’s been called an idiot tons of times!” Okuyasu rejoices and nearly falls to his knees in front of Josuke. “Gimme a chance. Say I take you out three times—I promise to prove I’m taller, stronger and dumber than the one you’re sweet on, okay? I might not be him, but guess what—Okuyasu Nijimura is better.”
“I think you just proved part of that,” Josuke mumbles quietly into his palm.
“What’d ya say?”
“I said… so be it. You get three dates’ worth of time to show me you’re better.”
“I’m the best,” Okuyasu grins, and the wink that follows is way more charming than it has any right to be, given the preceding conversation.
Josuke stifles a laugh behind his hand and thinks: Guess I better start getting used to this.