Chapter Text
Author's Note: Some context is needed. Basically, I made a story/AU with a bunch of cute fluffy oneshots exploring the idea of Sora, Vanitas, Roxas, and Ventus being quadruplets. I then made a oneshot adding Neku & Leon into the family as the quad's cousins.
I have now made this book of oneshots that will take place in the same modern day AU, but this book explores Neku/Neku's relationships (whether familial, friendships, romantic, etc).
You do not need to read that story and/or oneshot, above is all the context you need to understand what's going on and not wonder "Why tf is Leon and Sora and Riku and all these random people here?"
Anyways, enjoy!
Beep! Beep! Beep!
The redhead groaned, turning over, away from the alarm clock that was blaring. He hoped he could just ignore it and it would stop, so he could then fall back asleep.
"Hey, kid!" The door to his bedroom opened, "Come on, up you get!"
"Noooooooooo!" The redhead whined, putting his pillow over his head in an attempt to hide.
"Neku, come on."
"Noooooooooo! I refuse! I'm sick! I have the black plague!"
"Do you now?"
"And I have chicken pox!"
"Uh huh."
"And my appendix burst!"
"I see. Well, that sucks for you, but at least I'll get your life insurance."
Neku removed the pillow from his head and looked at his brother, confused, "I have life insurance?"
"Yeah, I have a policy for you and myself cause if either one of us dies, the other is going to get something other than trauma." The brunette teased as he began walking out, "Now get up, Danny Phantom!"
"But Leooooooooon!" Neku whined.
"But Nekuuuuuuuu!" Leon mocked, "Come on, get dressed! You're not getting out of your first day of middle school!"
The redhead rolled his eyes, but pushed himself to sit up. He shut his bedroom door before getting himself dressed, putting on a purple shirt and white shorts, grabbing his purple headphones and wrapping them around his neck. He grabbed his bag and left his room, going to his bathroom. He brushed his teeth, put on deodorant, and ran his fingers through his hair to tame it a bit.
Once he finished, he went downstairs.
"There you are." Leon encouraged, setting a plate of sausage and bacon down, "Here you go. Want some toast?"
"No, this is fine." Neku said. He began eating his breakfast.
"I'll be able to take you, but you gotta ride the bus afterwards, okay?"
Neku nodded.
Leon reached out, cupping his cheek, "Hey, you okay?"
"...Just don't wanna go..." He muttered, "First days are always so... loud and crowded..."
The brunette gave a soft nod, "Your teachers all know that if you get overstimulated, you're allowed to wear your headphones. You got an exception."
Neku nodded.
"You'll be okay. If you need anything, either the school nurse or counselor will be there."
He nodded again.
He finished his breakfast and grabbed his things, Leon taking his dishes and putting them in the sink to wash later. They left the house, Leon taking Neku to school before driving off to work. The redhead took out his schedule from his bag and began making his way to his first class.
Once he got there, he picked a spot in the back and took out his laptop, beginning to power it on.
"Yooo, Phones!"
He glanced up and smiled, "Beat!"
"Hey man, how was your summer?" The blonde sat beside him, wearing a black jacket over a white tank top, ripped black jeans, and black converse. He also had a black beanie over his head with a skull design on it, the beanie covering most of his hair.
Neku groaned.
"I feel dat." Beat laughed, "My folks were naggin' me constantly 'bout da dumbest things!"
"Leon and I stayed with our cousins and they were on my case about starting middle school and how I'd have to 'open up' and 'make new friends' or else 'I'd become a hermit.' They're so annoying. I got you, Shiki, and Rhyme! Don't need anyone else!"
Beat laughed, "Well, I'm glad we gots da same class. Hope we share a couple more, especially wit' Shiki, yo!"
"Yes! That'd be awesome!"
The bell rang and class soon started. Because it was the first day, it was mainly just introducing themselves to the class, going over the syllabus, nothing too special or exciting. Soon, the class ended and the bell rung. Both Neku and Beat quickly compared schedules, to see what other classes they had together. They were lucky enough to have four classes together out eight, two periods each day since their middle school had and odd-even schedule.
"Guess you can't stay away from me!" Neku teased.
"Whatev'a!" Beat playfully pushed him, "See ya in 7th!"
"Bye!"
The redhead moved to his third period class, math. The bane of his existence. He made it to the class and decided he would sit up front in the corner because he was going to need all the help he could get. As he waited for class to start, he watched the door, hoping Shiki would come in so he wouldn't be all alone in the class.
Well, Shiki didn't come in.
Instead, someone else caught his eye.
The person had platinum blonde hair with purple eyes. Their hair fell to their shoulder in slight waves, eyes looking like amethyst gemstones. They had pale, fair, clear skin, no imperfections, looking like a doll. They wore a grey off shoulder crop top sweater over a white shirt, black jeans, and purple shoes.
Neku couldn't help but stare as the other sat down beside him, taking out their books and a pencil. His blue eyes continued to stare, unable to look away. He watched as the other's eye's glanced over at him before they faced Neku.
"...Do you mind?" They hissed out, narrowing their eyes.
"S-Sorry!" Neku quickly looked away, sputtering, his face turning hot, "S-Sorry..."
"Do you have a problem with me?"
"N-No, no, of course not-!"
"Then why were you staring at me?"
"I-I just-!" The redhead's face turned more red, feeling his ears go hot and his heart pound in his chest, anxiety creeping into his throat.
"Well? Cat got your tongue?"
".......pretty..."
They raised an eyebrow, "What? I can't hear you when you whisper!"
"Y-You're pretty..." Neku said, a bit louder but still soft.
The person stared at them before scoffing, "Whatever."
"I-I meant it-"
"Sure you did."
Neku felt his anxiety get replaced with anger, narrowing his eyes as he looked at the other, "L-Look, I didn't mean t-to stare and o-offend you, b-b-but I meant it! Y-You don't have to be a dick about it."
The platinum blonde glared back, "What, you want me to thank you for being a creep and staring at me?!"
"T-That's not what I-I said! I-I just-!" Neku groaned, "Fucking priss." He muttered.
"Excuse me?! Who are you calling a priss?!"
"Oh, h-heard that?!"
Neku felt his chest tighten. He wasn't sure why he was even bothering to engage, he should just put on his headphones and block it out. He could do that, he had an exception and wouldn't get reprimanded for it. His anxiety was making his hands shake, he could hear his own heartbeat in his ears. Yet, he was also angry, but he didn't know why. He knew that the other had every right to be weirded out by him staring. Hell, he'd be weirded out. And it's not like the other has to accept his compliment, that would be stupid and entitled for him to think!
The platinum blonde scoffed again, "You're a dick."
"W-What are y-you? A third g-grader?" Neku hissed.
"You know what, I-"
The bell rang and the teacher walked in, "Alright, alright, everyone have a seat? Sit down!"
The platinum blonde faced forward, not finishing whatever he wanted to say. Neku felt like his nerves were on fire, screaming at him to calm down and relax. He put his headphones on his head and pressed the button on the side, the sound of waves crashing together filling his ears. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in through his nose, counting one, two, three, four. He held it, counting in his head one, two, three, four, five, six, seven. He then slowly let the air out, counting one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. He repeated the action a couple of times before he felt good enough to at least open his eyes.
He looked forward and saw the teacher was showing a slideshow, going over the syllabus. Neku looked down at his desk and saw a paper version of the syllabus on his desk. He looked back up and went along with it, reading the teacher's lips to understand what she was saying. Halfway through the class, he turned off his headphones and put them back around his neck.
When the bell rung, Neku began packing his things.
"Hey."
The redhead turned, seeing the platinum blonde looking at him.
They hesitated before looking away, face a bit pink, "...I... I'm sorry."
"...Huh?"
"I said I'm sorry." They scoffed, "You... You were having a panic attack. I, um, know that breathing technique..."
Neku widened his eyes.
"So, I'm sorry."
"...It's fine." He gave a small shrug, "I-I'm also sorry. I-I really didn't mean to stare and I, um, wasn't lying when I said you were pretty... ...And sorry for calling you a priss and dick..."
"...Well, I called you a creep and dick, so we're even on that."
The two were silent for a moment.
"Yoshiya Kiryu."
"Huh?" Neku questioned.
"My name. You had your headphones on, didn't do the introductions. So, Yoshiya Kiryu."
"...Neku Sakuraba." The redhead smiled a bit, "Nice to meet you."
"Whatever. Just don't stare at me." They then began walking away.
Neku gathered his things and went to his next class.
***
Neku unlocked his front door and walked inside, locking it behind him. He went to the table and took out his books, doing the very little homework that was assigned on the first day. Once he finished, he sat on the couch and began watching TV.
An hour later, Leon walked in, holding a small bag, "Hey Neku, I just got Subway for dinner. I had a long day and wasn't interested in making dinner tonight. How was your day, though?"
Neku was silent.
"...Hey, kid?"
Silence...
The brunette walked over and gently nudged the redhead.
He gasped and jumped, turning to look at his brother, "Leon!"
"Hey. You good?" The brunette asked.
Neku felt his face go hot and looked away.
"...Nekuuuuu? Are you okay? Did something happen?"
"...I met someone..."
Leon widened his eyes, "Oh?" He smiled, "Say more."
"T-They... They're really pretty a-and I stared at them like a creep..." He groaned.
"Oh, well, that's never good."
"Yeah... and then we argued because they were kinda rude and I was rude back."
"Listen, that whole saying 'boys are mean to you because they like you' is bullshit."
"I know! I wasn't trying to be rude, but they just... I don't know! It was like my anxiety went into hyperdrive but instead of shutting down, I got kind upset and was a dick!" He sighed, "We ended up apologizing after class, but I still just... I don't know, feel weird and awkward, I guess..."
Leon ruffled his hair, "It's only the first day, bud. I'm sure you two, if you both put in the effort, will be friends in no time!"
Neku nodded, "I hope so..."
***
The first three months of math class was hell.
Both because math absolutely sucks and Neku wishes it never existed (like, seriously, why are they adding X's and Y's when it's math, not english!), and because Yoshiya was still kind of a dick.
Neku would always get to class first and always took the corner front seat, and Yoshiya always sat beside him. However, it was like if the redhead breathed wrong, the platinum blonde would get annoyed. Scoffing and rolling their eyes became the norm for them, like Neku was living in their world and making himself an inconvenience.
It especially didn't help when Neku had questions about a lesson (because he would be the first to admit he was awful at math), he would see Yoshiya roll his eyes out of the corner of his eyes, muttering to himself the answers like it was plainly obvious.
"What's your problem?!" Neku hissed at him as they left the class one day, "I'm so sorry that I have questions! I'm just trying to get a passing grade so I don't have to repeat a year!"
"The questions you ask are elementary level! You should already know half of this!" Yoshiya hissed back.
"But you get on only my case! What about the others asking 'elementary questions?'" The redhead glared, "If you got a problem, just say it to my face!"
"I'm not interested in getting into a verbal altercation with someone who averages a C on their tests." They spun on their heel, beginning to walk away.
Neku growled, "Oh yeah?! Well not everyone is a prim and proper, picture perfect, prissy-ass prince!" He yelled.
That caused Yoshiya to turn and face him, eyes wide and shock as he bit his bottom lip, clearly pissed.
"So sorry, Yoshiya, didn't realize we were living in your world! I'll be sure kiss and worship the ground you walk on from now on since you look down at those who are lesser than you!"
"I-I didn't-"
"Boys, what's going on?! There is no need to be yelling!" A teacher walked over, "Do we need to go into a classroom?"
"No, it's fine. I need to get to my next class." Neku put his headphones one and began listening to waves crashing.
He stomped away, ears ringing, face hot, and heart pounding a bit. He went to his next class, sitting next to Shiki, who asked if he was okay. He just shook his head and motioned to his headphones. She nodded in understanding, mouthing We can talk about it at lunch, if you want.
Come lunch time, Neku, Shiki, and Beat met up and claimed a table, the redhead going off.
"They're such an asshole! For no reason! What have I ever done to them?! I swear, if they're holding a grudge just because of the first day, that's so petty! They get on my nerves so much, and I try so hard not to let it get to me, but they're so rude and nasty for no reason!"
Shiki chuckled, "You know, Neku, I've never seen you act like this."
"Because no one is as big of a dick as him!"
"Even when you talk about your cousins, you don't get like this."
"What're you trying to say?"
"I think the two of you could actually be really good friends!"
"WHAT?!" "Bwaaaah!"
Beat stepped in, "Shiki, you hearin' what I'm hearin', yo? Dis kid is an asshole! Look at how our boy gets just at da mention of his name! Dey ain't ever gonna be friends!"
"I have a couple of classes with Yoshiya, and he's actually really nice!" Shiki giggled, "We share a Home Ec and Chorus class! I don't get under his skin at all! In fact, he never acts like that! He's instead really quiet around the entire group, or really polite and respectful around me and a small group! I think that the two of you might have more than you think in common, you just don't know it! That's why you butt heads!"
"But how can I know that if they- or he? Do they use he?"
"As far as I know, he."
"Okay, so how can I know that if he refuses to just talk to me and instead chooses to pick fights just cause I don't understand factoring out equations?"
Shiki hummed, "Well, that I can't answer. But I would encourage you to talk to him!"
"As if!" Neku huffed, "No way, not in a million years am I going to have a normal conversation with him."
A week later, they weren't given a choice.
They were in their math class and were going to be forced to do a project. They were assigned partners, which everyone was upset about, but most figured they could just do it and be fine.
"Neku Sakuraba and Yoshiya Kiryu."
Both widened their eyes and looked at each other.
"You two will be partners. Next, Leo-"
"You gotta be fucking kidding me." Neku hissed as he looked away.
The platinum blonde was silent as he also looked away.
After all the partners were announced, the bell was rung.
"Hey."
Neku looked over.
The other gave him a sticky note, "I'm not letting my grade fall even a .01% because of you. That's my phone number. Text me your address, we're meeting up at your house."
Neku took it, "Why mine?"
The other cringed and looked away, "...Because guests are not allowed over." He said, face falling.
Neku widened his eyes.
"Just... let me know when is a good time. I'd rather get this done sooner than later." He quickly left.
Forgetting his math notebook.
Neku picked it up and tried to go after him, but the boy was gone. He sighed and just kept it for the time, walking off to his next class. He texted Joshua his address and let him know he's welcome to just get on the bus with him and they can go to his house.
And that's exactly what happened.
Yoshiya met Neku and they got on the bus, sitting next to one another awkwardly.
"Oh, um, here." Neku took out the other's math notebook and handed it to him.
Yoshiya widened his eyes, "...How did you...?"
"You left it in class. It's going to be hard to do the project if we don't have notes."
Yoshiya took it, "...Thank you."
"Yeah, sure."
They were silent for the rest of the bus ride. They got off and, once at the redhead's home, Neku unlocked the door and let them in. He did text Leon that he would be working on a project with a classmate, to which the brunette sent a thumbs up emoji as a response.
"Here, upstairs is my room." Neku led the way.
Yoshiya looked over the pictures in the halls, "...Are these your siblings?"
Neku turned and looked before he chuckled, "Thank god, no. Cousins."
"Two sets of twins?"
"Quadruplets, actually."
"Holy shit." Joshua widened his eyes.
"Yep. Older, too." Neku pointed to Leon in the picture, "That's my brother. He's ten years older than me."
"...Must be nice. I'm an only child." Yoshiya said, staring at the picture with a sense of... longing.
Neku hesitated, "It's... It's whatever. Come on."
They went to the redhead's room and they took out their books and notes. They began to discuss the project and, almost immediately, they were both getting frustrated with one another.
"We went over this in class today, how can you be messing this up?!"
"I'm trying my best, okay?! I'm reading my notes and this is how it's said to do it!"
"Clearly your notes are wrong- GIMME!" Yoshiya snatched the redhead's notebook out of his hands.
"HEY!"
"Geez, you wrote down everything-"
"Give that back!" Neku yelled, reaching for them.
The platinum blonde moved the notebook out of reach, "-and half of it doesn't make sense, no wonder you're struggling!"
"Would you stop being an asshole and-" Neku reached over and grabbed Yoshiya's arm with one hand, the other reaching for his book.
However, Yoshiya let out a yelp, causing the redhead to stop. They both froze, staring at one another, not saying anything. Neku looked down at where his hand was holding and could see... red.
He widened his eyes and quickly let go. Both stared at each other as the platinum blonde hugged his arm to his chest. Neku stood up and went to his connected bathroom, taking out a first aid kit before walking over to Yoshiya. He offered it to the platinum blonde, not saying anything. He hesitated but eventually, Yoshiya took it. He went to the connecting bathroom and Neku sat back down. He began to look through his and Yoshiya's notebooks, thinking maybe he could figure something out.
As he looked through, his eyes widened, reading Yoshiya's notes.
They were so... clear. The way he wrote out equations with step by step instructions on how he solved the answers. Meanwhile, Neku would write every little thing down in hopes that he could just redo whatever he wrote down. His notes were crazy and chaotic, scribbles and crossed out areas when he messed up because he was scared he would miss something important if he looked away for too long. Meanwhile, Yoshiya's notes were neat and concise, with barely any eraser marks. Neku looked around and grabbed an extra empty notebook he had and began copying his notes. He only copied one page down, their most recent lesson. Once he did, he began working through the practice problems.
Yoshiya came out of the bathroom, having taken off his crop top sweater. He saw Neku on the floor working and raised an eyebrow before widening his eyes, "...Did you copy my notes?"
The redhead looked up before looking back down, sheepishly, "I, uh, yeah. The way you worded it makes way more sense to me and it was easy to follow along." He showed off the practice problems, "See? I think I got them right!"
Yoshiya glanced over it before pointing to the third question, "You got the right answer, except it should be negative, not positive."
Neku turned the notebook to him and looked at question three before gasping, "Right, sorry!"
"It's fine, common error."
They were silent for a moment. Awkward tension began to fill the room, so thick you could cut it with a knife. Neku could feel his face grow hot, could feel his anxiety bubbling up.
"...Could you, like, tutor me? O-Or at least help me study?" Neku asked.
"What?"
"Listen, I-I know you d-don't like me, b-but I really am trying m-my best!" The redhead looked at him, "I-I know I average a C, but I-I'm trying so hard and e-every time, it's like I do worse! B-But your notes! T-They're so clear and easy to understand a-a-and I just-! I-I'm begging here, man! Please?"
Yoshiya put his hands on his hips, looking away, "...I-I don't dislike you."
Neku widened his eyes.
"...I'm jealous of you."
"...What?! You're jealous of me?! What's their to be jealous of?!"
".....You called me picture perfect."
The redhead flinched, "Look, I-"
"N-No, no, I didn't mean to bring that up as something bad you did..." Yoshiya hesitated, trying to think of the words he wanted to say. He looked at Neku, "...You called me picture perfect, because that's what I have to be..."
"...I don't get it."
"Let me put it this way. You have anxiety of some kind, right? No need for details, just a simple yes or no."
"...Yeah, so?"
"I-I... I do too. But I'm not allowed to express that. You have friends and people to talk to right?"
"Y-Yeah, of course."
"I don't." He bit his bottom lip and looked down, "...You have a loving family. Right?"
Neku nodded, "Yeah..."
"I don't... It's just me, Mother, and Father, and they... well, I wouldn't be hurting myself if home life was peachy, now would I?" He sighed and sat down, "When we first met, with you staring at me and you calling me pretty, I did genuinely think you were just messing with me at first. I-I mean, I know I don't exactly look or dress like all the other boys. And it wouldn't have been the first time other guys have said that just to mess with me." He looked down, "But when I saw you put your headphones on and do the 4-7-8 breathing technique, I realized... you were being genuine. And then from there I just... I don't know, you're just so... interesting."
"Me? Interesting?"
"To me, yes. Because I know you are genuinely trying, even if you suck. But you don't let that get you down. You don't stress or worry if things aren't perfect. Hell, you don't even strive for perfection, you just want passing. That's something I wish I could do." The platinum blonde clenched his fists, "...I have to be perfect all the time because if I'm not perfect, then I'm a nobody. I have so much expectations and pressure and if I don't live up to it- no, if I don't exceed the expectation, th-then I'm useless and worthless..." He sighed, "So yeah, I'm jealous of you. Really jealous. B-But I... I didn't want to admit it."
They were both silent.
"You don't have to be perfect around me."
Yoshiya looked up at Neku, eyes widening.
The redhead shrugged, "I-I mean... no offense, but I think us constantly arguing with each other breaks the perfect image you try to put on." He teased, earning a small chuckle, "So, yeah. Don't be perfect around me. Just be yourself. And, besides, it's not like my life is perfect either, you wouldn't be jealous if you knew about my family issues." He smiled awkwardly, "So... now that the air is clear, let's just chill around each other, okay?"
He nodded.
"We can start over. Get to know each other, maybe even be friends."
Yoshiya nodded again.
Neku chuckled, "How about we get this project done and, um, we can just talk for a bit afterwards. Sound good, Yoshiya?"
".......Joshua."
"Huh?"
"My name. Well, my nickname." The platinum blonde tucked a strand of hair behind his ear, "Yoshiya Kiryu is my legal name, the name everyone knows to be perfect, but Mother and Father call me Joshua at home. A-And if... if we're going to be getting to know one another as friends, I would like you to call me that as well." He gave a shy smile, "S-Since I don't have to be perfect around you, right?"
Neku felt his face turn a bit pink, but he smiled back, "Okay, Joshua. I like it. Nice to meet you."
"Yeah... You too, Neku." Yo- Joshua chuckled.
They did their project, finishing it in an hour. However, they spent the next two talking.
Not knowing that two years later, their relationship would evolve and they would try something new that would last forever.