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“You haven’t visited a human playground before, have you?”
Superfish raised his brows. “What do you think, Dhananjay?” DJ had to admit that as infuriating as the guy’s sass had been before, it had grown on him now.
A comfortable quiet descended over them as Superfish sauntered off to mess around with the different playground equipment, leaving DJ leaning against the odd ladder-like thing sticking out of the ground. DJ glanced at him every now and then, smiling a little at Superfish’s clueless ass trying to figure out what each one was meant for.
It faded away soon enough, though, replaced instead by the guilt that had been eating at him since that morning.
“DJ, you’d tell us if something was going on with you, right?” Eugene had asked, and DJ had lied through his teeth. Superfish wasn’t his secret to disclose, and there was a lot more going on here that he definitely didn’t want any innocent bystander involved in.
Eugene had taken it at face value, but the hesitance on his face had been clear. “I just feel like we are drifting apart, man,” he had said softly. Then, in the blink of an eye, he was back to his usual self. “But, anyways,” he scratched the back of his head absently. “Mandy does have a point about us researching the occult more instead of just going for mindless break-ins.” DJ had just nodded, lost as he was in his own thoughts.
Maybe, I could at least tell them something harmless? That way, I wouldn’t be leaving them in the dark entirely. Superfish being a witch was one secret…
And Superfish being his something was another.
Everyone else had shown up soon after and the meeting had gone as planned with Mandy giving each of them an assignment to work on.
But the hesitance in Eugene’s eyes, the quiver in his voice… and his insecure stance—DJ hadn’t forgotten any of that.
“Oi,” Superfish called out as he ran across the playground back to him. “What’s that weird lever-like thing supposed to be?” He stopped somewhere near the back of the short ladder DJ was leaning against, then made quick work of the steps. Soon, he was leaning over DJ’s shoulder, looking at him curiously.
Before DJ could answer, he had already been interrupted.
“Dhananjay, are you feeling alright?” Superfish’s lips drew into a thin line. “We shouldn’t be out in the open if you are unwell.”
DJ shook his head a little. “Do you just like saying my name now that you finally know how to say it right?”
Superfish smirked, tilting his head downward to whisper into DJ’s left ear.
“What can I say?” The hand that had been holding onto DJ’s shoulder tightened. “It’s a beautiful name,” he murmured.
DJ blushed. Superfish really knew how to get him all flustered.
Then again, DJ grinned.
He himself was very much capable of returning the favor.
He leaned further back lazily against the ladder-thing, shoving his right hand into his jacket. Gently, he pushed Superfish away from his ear, watching mesmerized as Superfish let himself be guided easily. He recognized the moment when Superfish resorted to holding himself up by magic.
The sunset sky framed Superfish’s face perfectly, his shock of green hair complemented wonderfully by its pink hues. DJ slowly moved his hand to Superfish’s jaw, tracing his cheekbones, and then his lips. Comfortable in the knowledge that no one really visited this playground anymore, what with half of its equipment being broken. And in any case, Superfish’s magic would provide an easy escape.
On his light skin, Superfish’s blush was endearingly visible. DJ thrilled at the feeling of having caused it; he didn’t think that would ever grow old. He loved flustering Superfish.
“Says the pretty boy,” he replied playfully, pressing his thumb against Superfish’s lips softly one last time, then drawing his hand back.
The moment lingered, settling peacefully over them like a gentle fog. When Superfish was around, he did tend to forget everything else. Maybe it was the newness. Maybe it was the magic.
Or maybe, it was just Superfish.
Superfish didn’t seem to have the same issue though, considering he pivoted right back to his original question.
“So…” He eyed DJ, nudged him a little with his own shoulder before getting off the ladder. Soon, he was pressing into DJ’s space the way he tended to, leaning down to whisper in his ear. “—you trying to teach me patience or something, DJ?” He moved away again, shoving his hands into his trousers to stroll around. “We both know that is not one of my strengths, as all-powerful as I am.”
DJ walked up to him, punching his shoulder playfully. “Saying it again and again doesn’t make it any more true, Fish Boy.” Superfish’s hair looked so rufflable sometimes, so that’s exactly what he did—he ruffled it up, ignoring Superfish’s annoyed glare. “We get it,” he laughed. “You’re the most powerful witch out there.”
Superfish looked at him meaningfully. “It doesn’t make it any less true, either.” DJ couldn’t argue with that. “So, with our metaphorical dance complete, will you tell me if something is bothering you now?”
Rich words coming from the guy who hadn’t told him anything about how complicated his whole situation with other witches was until very recently. And had only done so practically under duress because DJ refused to leave. But, he supposed it was time to bite the bullet.
“Just thinking about childhood, I guess,” he said thoughtfully. Because that’s what had inspired him to come here again after so many years. It was where he had met Eugene all those years ago, and they had been a duo before they were joined eventually by Daisuke and Georgie. “Sometimes, it feels like growing up means growing apart from the people that were once the most important to you.”
That’s what life had been like, these past few years. Him slowly widening the gap between himself and his friends. Afraid of what they’d think of him. Yet needing to be there in case things ever went wrong. He couldn’t afford to lose them, but he also couldn’t afford for them to lose him either.
What if they needed him, but he just wasn’t there because he wasn’t allowed to be? Because he wasn’t welcome anymore?
He didn’t even notice that he had stopped in his tracks until Superfish placed a hand on his shoulder. “I can’t say I understand any of this, Dhananjay,” Superfish said in that measured voice of his that DJ was so fond of. “But, your friends seem like good people.” His voice faltered a little. “You’re the only one I trust, and that includes your judgment. So whatever’s bothering you… I’m sure you’ll work it out.”
It… wasn’t really advice at all. But, something about its clearly unpracticed delivery spoke to him.
Having Superfish trust him? It really made him feel like he could move mountains.
“Okay,” he replied, a little restless and breathless but in the best ways possible. “You know what? Race you back to my house. No magic allowed.”
And he raced away, leaving Superfish squawking in indignation about getting a late start.
Amidst their laughter, the moon rose steadily in the sky, luminous and complete.
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