Chapter Text
There weren't many places to use as shelter from poor weather at the small park in Morioh. Rohan Kishibe learned this the hard way. He usually remembers to check and then double check the weather forecast on days he planned to do research. Knowing what to expect in terms of weather helped him decide where to go and for how long. But on the one day he didn't bother to check, fate decided to have her fun.
The rain had been relentless. It seemed to drown the surrounding flowers instead of quench their thirst. Rohan had left the park bench he sat on since arriving to stand under an overhang that covered some water fountains. He was careful to shield his sketchbook and stash it away in his bag before the rain water could ruin it.
And so he stood and waited. He cursed himself for having worn only a thin cardigan over an even thinner shirt. But they matched, especially with his boots, so he endured. Rohan wrapped his arms around himself as he looked over the park. A sense of unease settled on him at the sight of an abandoned playground with dark clouds overhead. The scene made him smile as a spark inspiration stuttered in his chest.
"Sensei!"
A voice pulled him from his thoughts and he turned toward its direction. His mood almost soured upon seeing who called out to him. Josuke Higashikata was approaching, school bag held over his head in an attempt to protect his updo. Rohan opened his mouth to let a usual catty remark grace his lips but he found he had nothing of the sort to say. Josuke reached the overhang and stood next to him, offering a smile in greeting.
"Good morning."
Rohan lost his grip on any ill feeling that started to bubble up inside him. Instead, mental nausea overwhelmed any bitterness he was familiar with. He only nodded in response. The warmth of Josuke’s cheery aura began to thaw the frigid atmosphere and Rohan felt his heart stutter.
What the hell.
The smell of the teen's cheap cologne sent his nerves on edge and Rohan found he was holding his breath.
~
Everyone had agreed to meet up for the holidays. They decided it was time to celebrate and spend time in the company of the ones they cared about. To Rohan's surprise, they insisted he be there. So he obliged and enjoyed his time. But the evening was winding down, it had gotten dark and the artist decided it was time to go home.
He felt pleasantly stuffed with the meal he was treated to and only thought of winding down at home. A hot bath, a cup of tea, and perhaps a few sketches drawn in leisure would be a perfect end to a good day.
His thoughts were abuzz with anticipation when he felt a hand grab his shoulder. A spike of panic shot through him and he spun around with his stand's name on his tongue. But he faltered when he saw who had grabbed him.
"Josuke?!" Rohan's face fell in annoyance. "What the hell."
Josuke only grinned in response, his nose rosy from the biting cold.
"It's late and dark out." His stated observation only had Rohan raise an eyebrow.
"What, you think I can't handle walking home alone at night?" He shrugged off the hand on his shoulder and readjusted his coat. "I'm not on the same tier as defenseless teenage school girls, y'know."
"True." Josuke mused and his eyes glanced up. "But there's always safety in numbers regardless." He made no move to leave Rohan's company.
The artist sighed and turned to continue walking. "Fine."
~
"Rohan."
Josuke's voice snatched him from his thoughts and Rohan gulped before tilting his head to look at him. The teens eyes were on him (and had probably been on him for a while) with a focus that cut right through Rohan's confidence.
"What, were you saying something?" The mangaka shifted his weight from one foot the other. Josuke laughed, the sound of it seizing Rohan's chest to the point where he almost couldn't breath.
"Nothing, never mind." Silence settled over them save for the patter of the rain above. Rohan took in a silent breath, grateful Josuke was considerate enough to not push.
~
"Sensei?" Josuke spoke up for the first time since they started walking together.
"Hm?"
"You passed your house." Rohan paused and looked up, realizing he was a couple steps past the walkway to his front door.
"Ah..." he turned around and retraced his steps.
"You seem distracted." Josuke continued to follow him to the porch.
"Do I?" Rohan scoffed and reached in his pockets for his keys. He didn't hear a response from josuke and only felt a hand on his shoulder again. Rohan rolled his eyes and turned around to chew him out but found his face was surprisingly close.
Too close.
"Wha-" Rohan gripped the keys in his pocket and tried to step back only to find himself against the front door. Josuke stepped forward, narrowing the distance between them. The artist struggled to find the words, confusion gripped him and panic started to rise inside him.
"Hea-!" His instinct to call out for Heaven's Door took over but before he could finish, Josuke's mouth was over his.
Rohan's head started to spin and he felt his legs threaten to give out. He reached to grab at Josuke's coat to keep himself from crumpling to the ground. The action encouraged the boy and Rohan found himself pressed further against the door behind him. He felt Josuke's lips part to deepen their kiss and gasped in shock while he felt a tongue breach his mouth. It tasted sweet and Josuke's lips were soft. His discounted cologne masked the smell of hairspray but the artist found it oddly charming.
Rohan couldn't fight back. He almost didn't want to. He was more confused than anything but didn't push the teen off him. Josuke's inexperience was laughable and Rohan's urge to smile welled up in his chest. He leaned forward against josuke in an attempt to take control. Rohan's hands let go of Josuke's coat and found themselves wrapped around his neck to pull him closer. Their kiss lasted for another second before one of them pulled away to catch his breath.
"Ah-" Josuke's face was an amusing shade of red and he looked away, avoiding Rohan's stare. "I'm sorry-"
“Shut up.” Rohan was panting slightly and brought a hand to Josuke’s cheek to turn his face back to him.
Josuke obeyed and met the artist’s stare. They shared a quiet moment of wordless understanding. Rohan swallowed the lump in his throat and leaned toward the boy until their lips met again. His eyes fluttered shut and he elicited a soft moan when Josuke returned his affections. Rohan felt warm in Josuke’s arms and decided it was pleasant at the very least. It was something he knew he wouldn’t get used to. The nerves in his gut would never settle down when being touched by him. He knew this and dreaded it.
When they parted, Rohan loosened his hold on Josuke and the teen took the chance to step away.
“I should go…” Josuke’s eyes were cast to the floor and he scratched at his nose anxiously. Before Rohan could respond, the teen quickly stepped off the porch. He hurried down the walkway before making a sharp turn and leaving Rohan and his house behind.
~
“I like you.”
The words had not registered.
“Rohan.” Josuke’s voice was almost in his ear and the artist flinched when he realized how close they were standing next to each other.
“What?!” Rohan barked out. His voice had an edge to it that could’ve been mistaken as irritation if one was not familiar with his show of anxiety and apprehension.
Josuke pursed his lips and watched Rohan for a solid second before parting them to speak. “I said I like you.”