Chapter Text
"...Neku?"
...
"NEKU!"
...
"Don't... Don't go back. I need you here, Neku. Please. Please. I'll even make it so that you can't die during the games! Please just... stay with me?"
He held out his hand, a silent plea for Neku's company.
"Or at least.. Just stay with me, for a few minutes, Neku? You can go see Shiki in the RG later, I promise, I'll make it happen for you! I just don't want to lose you yet," Josh continued, getting progressively more desperate by the second, yearning for Neku's reply, Hell, he knew any sort of response to a silly request like that would be wildly out of character for Neku. He *knew* that Neku would most likely just leave, go back to the RG, like this place never mattered. After all, his entrance fee *was* Shiki. She meant so much to him. Damn Shiki. Damn how much he cared for her.
The silence was loud, very loud, and it spoke volumes. Neku didn't care, did he? Or was he just thinking about it? No, Neku never cared for Josh. Especially not after finding out the reason thst he was stuck in this hellish loop here in the UG was because of Josh's actions.
"I'm sorry, I must sound so foolish, all worked up like this, huh? It's just, you excite me, Neku. You really do. I was watching you for awhile, you know? Scoping you out to play this little game with me. I'm so stupid, aren't I? I got too attached to one of the living and decided to fucking ~shoot you~ so that I could finally have my little toy. I—"
A quiet huff interrupts Josh's rambling, followed by a, "Do you *ever* stop yapping?" It was odd, there was a fond smile on Neku's face... Not at all what Josh was expecting.
A look of pure perplexion formed on Josh's face. "Why're you smiling like that? Was I being dramatic for nothing???" He pouted
Neku rolled his eyes, "Wow, I thought you might've *actually* cared for a second. Should've known better. Well, then, I'll just be returning to the RG now-" Neku stepped forward, towards the RG.
"WAIT" Josh reached out for Neku's arm, grip firm, "I *was* being serious, I swear! Neku, Neku I actually *care* about you, I don't think I've ever felt this way for anyone before!"
Neku's eyes softened at that, then he quickly returned to his stoic ways, "Jeez, enough with the theatrics, I'll stay with you, but I'm returning to Shiki afterwards, okay?"
Pulling Neku into a hug, Josh whispered, "thank you." A smile crept across Neku's face, "you're welcome."