SakurabaxKiryu: Part Four

Neku couldn't help but notice the disappointed look on Joshua's face. He wanted to hold Joshua's hand, he just didn't want Shiki or Beat to be mad. Well, the two of them had gone off together, but why not him and Joshua? He supposed the difference was that he'd given Shiki, Beat and Rhyme a rather unbalanced view of Joshua after his fury at the game, and whilst Rhyme seemed to always try to explain to Neku why Joshua would've done it (after all, without Neku being put in the game as a proxy, she herself would've ended up erased for good) Shiki and Beat seemed more determined to take on what he said and agree with him that Josh was a jerk. That one-sided view would be hard to undo, especially since this would be the first time his friends had seen Joshua since the game. He sighed.
"Joshua, you will be nice, won't you?"
"Depends." answered Josh a little moodily, and Neku sighed again.
"Just try, for me?"
"For you…"shrugged Joshua "I suppose."
That didn't sound too good, thought Neku, but he knew he had to try and piece together these two important parts of his life at some point, so they headed into the quiet café, where the dark haired owner was turned away from them, cleaning a coffee machine.
"Hey, Mr. H" Neku chimed.
Mr. Hanekoma heard an unusual brightness in the familiar tone and turned.
"Phones!" he paused, raising an eyebrow at Joshua "J?…"
"Hi Sanae" he smirked, flicking his eyes towards Neku as if to try and suggest to his Producer why he was currently in the RG. "I'll talk to you in a sec…"
Across the café, which was a little less deserted on Saturdays but still pretty empty, the voices had caught the attention of a dark-haired girl, who nudged the blond boy beside her and waved at them.
"Hey…" called Neku as the two boys walked over to the U-shaped booth, Beat nodded towards Neku, then turned to stare at the Composer in what looked like a mixture of fear and anger. Shiki was biting her lip worriedly and stirring the dregs at the bottom of her milkshake, trying not to look at Joshua.
"Hi" she said quietly when they got to the table "Um, nice hair"
"Thanks." Neku said with the same quiet tone she had used, and looked at Joshua, who suddenly seemed to have got a little awkward.
"Um… nice to see you again…" he said, his voice shy but trying to be nice. Neku sat down on the other side of the booth from the pair, but Joshua stayed standing, glancing at Hanekoma.
"Can I get you guys anything?" he asked politely, pulling out his wallet.
Shiki looked up at him as if surprised he was communicating like a normal person.
"Just a regular blend for me" Neku said, playing along with Joshua's cheerful façade.
There was a pause, until Josh spoke again.
"Shiki? Another milkshake? Anything for you Beat?"
"I'm good." replied Beat, still staring at the silver haired boy, taking an annoyed bite out of his donut.
"Oh… ok…" Shiki gave in and reached for her purse, but Joshua waved a hand and smiled.
"On me" he turned and walked towards the counter.
While he conversed with Hanekoma,  Shiki leant towards Neku and spoke in a whisper. She didn't sound too angry, as much as she was confused.
"Neku?" Neku looked back at her "How… I thought you hated him?"
"I was just annoyed." he answered "He's a good guy, Shiki… I just… I was just angry and-"
"He shot you twice!" she hissed
He sighed. "And he brought me back. He brought us all back!"
Beat suddenly interrupted, in a voice much louder than Shiki's whisper.
"That freak gives me the creeps, yo…"
"Beat!" Shiki looked at him disapprovingly "Shhh"
"Wut? He ain't even human." Beat crossed his arms.
Neku looked at Joshua, who, despite his conversation with Mr. H could clearly hear Beat's words, and looked a little downtrodden. His eyes blazed at Beat, and he had to take deep breaths to stop himself trying to hurt him… he knew it wouldn't have ended well."
"Alright, without him I wouldn't have died" replied Neku "But I wouldn't have had friends like you guys either. You might not even be here!"
Shiki looked back into her milkshake guiltily, and Beat still looked unconvinced.
"Just try to give him a chance" whispered Neku, as Josh returned.
He slid in next to Neku and pushed Shiki and Neku's drinks towards them.
"Nice dress, by the way, Shiki" he commented.
"Oh… really?" against her better judgment, Shiki appeared to be blushing. Her dress was a soft pink and made from swirls of chiffon, with a thick cream-couloured belt holding in the swathes.
"Yeah, where'd you get it?"
Neku rolled his eyes, knowing that Joshua was fully aware Shiki made her own clothes. Well, if it caused a good impression, he guessed it was worth the corniness.
Shiki giggled "Actually, I made it myself… I used to just make clothes for my friend Eri but recently I've started doing my own designs"
"Well… keep at it" smiled Joshua, and Shiki giggled again.
Grr, he better not keep this up, Neku thought jealously… this was getting close to flirting… Thankfully, with Shiki somewhat convinced that Joshua was a nice person, he turned to Beat.

Joshua was a little scared of attempting to communicate with the large blond boy in front of him. He knew the boy to be brash and lairy, and it would be hard to get through to him by compliments. He was no physical threat; if necessary, Joshua could crush him with a flick of his wrist… but the whole point of this was to get Beat to like him. How could you do that who had no understanding of subtlety? His thoughts were suddenly interrupted.
"What you doin' here, prissy kid?"
"Beat!" Shiki breathed, angrily.
"Don't worry, Shiki" said Joshua "Beat's concerns are somewhat valid, I suppose."
"Yo what's with the fancy talk?" Beat interjected.
God, what was wrong with this boy?
"Beat, calm down, please" Neku said quietly.
"He dropped a car on me!" whined the blonde.
"Is that what this is about, Beat?" Shiki asked concernedly.
"Yeh, he hurt me, yo"
"YOU TRIED TO KILL NEKU!" Joshua yelled.
"I WEREN'T THE ONLY ONE, YO!"
Joshua's eyes flared as if he had been struck. He gave an angry sigh and got up, walking towards the door. He couldn't take this. Sanae was staring at them. He hadn't been best pleased when Joshua had explained why he was there. And maybe he was right, it wasn't right to try to bond with normal humans like this.
"Josh, wait" Neku was running up behind him.
"I can't do this, Neku. I'll see you later."
"Joshua, please" Neku had a tight hold on Joshua's arm. Joshua sighed. He looked back at the table where they had been sitting. Shiki was pleading with Beat to calm down, and Beat was still looking at Joshua angrily. "For me?" Neku asked. Seeing the boy's pleading expression, Joshua weakened.
"I don't know what to do, Neku."
"Josh" Neku whispered "This has to work, I lo-"
"Neku…" Joshua cut him off.
"Hey guys" Shiki was walking closer to them "I want to apologise to both of you for Beat's behaviour. Neku, if you say Joshua is ok, then I trust you. Beat has… some issues…"
Neku crossed his arms "Understatement of the century."
Shiki giggled a little, then smiled apologetically. "I guess so." She looked back at the boy. "C'mon"
She practically marched them back to the table and sat them down, taking her place beside Beat "Beat, do you have something to say?"
Beat gave a forced mutter "Sorry Phones. Sorry prissy ki- Oww!" He looked over at Shiki, who had just elbowed him in the ribs "Sorry JOSHUA."
"Apology accepted." Joshua smiled. "Though if you wish to call me prissy kid that's fine… I'm not particularly familiar with human nicknames but that doesn't seem to be the worst…" He noticed Neku was giving him a very pointed look. He sighed. "And I'm sorry, for any misgivings towards you, or towards dear Neku here."
Beat nodded in agreement. "I would've pounded you if you didn't have that drinks-machine-car-power dude"
Joshua arched his eyebrow "I'm sure you would…" he remarked, having to use 99% of his willpower not to burn a hole in the table with a Jesus beam.
Luckily, the sarcasm of his comment was entirely lost on Beat, who looked quite proud of himself.
"Listen." Shiki started nervously. "Uh, Beat and I have something we should probably tell you."
Beat's tough guy demeanor softened a little and he stared down at his plate. He cleared his throat "Uh… yeah."
"Um… well…" Shiki giggled nervously, then tried to maintain a more serious tone. "Beat and I have gotten kinda close lately, and well… we hope we haven't been leaving you out Neku…"
"Not really" Neku said, sounding semi bored at the inevitable confession.
"Um, well, we… we've got really close, and um… Beat?" she looked at him, and he looked up.
"Uh see thing is Phones… we's… kind of… a couple now…"

"Ah…" said Neku, acting as if he was surprised. "So you're telling me because… you want some space?" If we all leave now thought Neku I won't have to go through the awkwardness of telling them…
"Oh, no" said Shiki worriedly "Of course we want to spend time with you. With both of you" she added thoughtfully. "We just… weren't sure how you'd react and-"
"How I'd react? What are you talking about? I think it's great" He gave his most genuine smile, which seemed to send Shiki into a slight confusion
"Oh…" she said, looking down.
"We was thinkin' you'd be all upset 'cause you used to like Shiki and she used to li-"
"Beat, shut UP!" Shiki said, flustered.
"Guys, it's really sweet that you're worried about me, but really, I'm ok. Shiki, I do like you, but… you know, only as a friend"
Beat and Shiki both looked relieved, smiling at each other.
"Anyway, Neku's got some news too, haven't you, Neku" prompted Joshua.
"Huh?" asked Shiki, tearing her gaze away from Beat's. "You have, Neku"
"I uh…" Neku was a bit taken a back, glaring at Joshua for not having given him more time. Joshua's rebuttal was to give his upper thigh a squeeze under the table, turning him bright red. "I…" he repeated.
"Neku's got someone of his own." smiled Joshua.
"Really Neku?" Shiki looked excited "Ooh, you have to tell us about her!"
Joshua smirked, but gave no further comment, leaving Neku in his frustration. The fact that Joshua's hand was travelling further up his thigh was certainly no help.
"Well… um…"
"Yo, Phones" called Hanekoma "Need to talk to you a sec."
Neku breathed a sigh of relief, and Joshua looked dismayed, turning to Mr. H angrily. He sighed "Fine." and neatly stepped out to let Neku past.
Neku walked over to the coffee counter, still biting his lip.
"Thank you, Mr H" he said quietly, when he got there.
"For what, Phones?" Mr.H said absent-mindedly, drying a glass.
"Never mind… what did you want to talk to me about?"
Mr H shook his head a little before speaking, his voice a low, warning tone. "Phones, are you sure about…" he nudged his head in the Joshua's direction, where the occupants of the table seemed to be making semi-awkward conversation. "He's not human, you know."
Neku crossed his arms "Neither are you."
Hanekoma scratched the back of his neck "Well that's… a fair point" he smiled. "As long as he's not forcing you into anything, Phones"
"No." said Neku defiantly. "I…" he looked over at Joshua "I… like him." it made him feel shy to say the words to someone outside the situation. But then Mr.H had always been his confidante.
"Well that's fine by me, Phones. As long as it doesn't have repercussions on his work. And you know you can't see him the whole time."
"I know. But you said it yourself Mr.H…"
"Said what?"
Neku smiled "Enjoy the moment"
"Neku." Neku jumped about a foot in the air hearing Joshua beside him
"What the- you don't HAVE to do that anymore!" he breathed.
Joshua shrugged "It's fun." he gave his classic giggle. "And you love it."
Neku blushed "I hate you sometimes."
Joshua clutched his heart "Under love's heavy burden do I sink." he said, in his usual sarcastic tone, then gave Neku a wink.
Neku sighed "Anyway, why are you over here instead of over there."
Joshua grimaced a little. "They're getting all lovey-dovey."
Neku glanced over to see Beat and Shiki engaging in a public display of affection in the two boys absence.
"Heterosexual kissing." Joshua shivered "…creeps me out."
Neku was inclined to smirk a little at that. "Heterophobe…" he accused
"Am I going to have to shut you up?" Joshua smirked back in an evilly flirty tone.
Mr.H, to his credit, turned away and went back to drying glasses.
"Anyway Neku" Joshua continued "When are you going to tell them?"
"I'm sorry, Josh, it's hard, I'm not used to… you know… saying anything personal, really. It's nothing to do with you"
Joshua leaned back on the counter, crossing his arms. "It's got everything to do with me." He sighed.
"Spare me the theatrics Josh" Neku sighed back. Joshua didn't reply. "I will tell them, I'll do it soon"
"Mmhmm." agreed Joshua bluntly.
Neku glanced over at Shiki and Beat, who had moved from the table and begun to slow dance to the music on the Hanekoma's ancient jukebox, along with a few of the other couples in the nearly-deserted café.
"Joshua?" The silver-haired boy opened his eyes, and Neku offered him his hand "Would you like to dance?"
Joshua's warm smile returned "Mr. Sakuraba" he said, in a tone of feigned innocence "I didn't know you had it in you…"
"Is that a yes?"
"…Do I get to lead?"
Neku sighed "It's a slow song, so there's hardly much leading to do." he paused "But I can't dance, so… if there's any leading, you're in charge."

Joshua seemed to take that as enough confirmation, and walked withthe other boy towards the other couples near the jukebox, trying to hide that he still felt a little weird at the boy's reluctance to admit their relationship. Was it even a relationship  to him? Teens seemed to throw the word 'love' around these days. Neku was still glancing at Shiki and Beat.
"Is this your cop-out, Sakuraba?
"What?"
"Are you hoping they'll ask about us and you'll just have to give a 'yes'?" he hissed.
"Do you want to dance or not?" said Neku, but his expression said it all. Forget it thought Joshua He's ashamed of you. He'll forget about you once you're gone, and next time you come back, he'll hate you again.
Joshua sighed, and as the next song began, they moved together. Neku was blushing furiously as Joshua took one of his hands and wrapped the other arm around his waist. Joshua moved slowly, thinking how cute it was that Neku got so flustered, but all the while, panicking himself. It felt like falling into an abyss, the fact that he was holding the boy so close but knew that they would soon part. Like a dreadful form of dramatic irony; deep down he knew something he didn't want to let himself know…
It didn't take long for people to notice them dancing, and while most of the other customers stared a little, or smiled at them politely, Joshua saw Shiki whisper something to her boyfriend, and both looked over, bemused, though still dancing together. The pairs stared at each other and said nothing.
"I'm really bad at this" Neku said, laughing a little, a rare sound which Joshua cherished. Even if it was a ruse by Neku to make their actions seem more innocent.
"You makin' fun of us, Phones?" Beat asked jokily, not so much angrily, but still trying to work out what was going on.
Shiki looked at them closely. "Beat… I think…" she trailed off, leaving Beat confused as to what she was saying. Neku swallowed and laughed, still playing the 'we're-doing-this-jokily' act, allowing Joshua to spin him round and catch him. Their bodies were touching now, dancing much closer, and Neku was staring. Joshua sighed. The last thing I mean to do is make his life any harder…
He came a little closer, wrapping one arm around the boy's neck in a semi-friendly manner.
"It's ok, Neku." he said, trying to maintain his usual uncaring tone. "You don't have to tell them if you don't want to." he realised his eyes were stinging. Damn this human body and it's amplification of emotions.
Neku pulled away a little so he could look at Joshua's expression. He looked incredibly surprised at how hurt Joshua was. He stared a little, and Joshua stared back. He could see the sympathy on Neku's face, and then the boy looked down, apparently angry. At…at me? Joshua wondered. Or.. at himself?. He then looked in Shiki and Beat's direction, and Joshua looked too. The pair were still staring at them while dancing.
"Joshua?" Neku asked, and the silver haired boy turned back to face him.
He could feel Neku's heart beating hard against his own. Neku pulled Joshua close and kissed him, a long, slow, forceful kiss. Joshua kissed back with shock, happiness welling up inside him and overcoming his previous neuroses. When Neku let go he was smiling broadly.
"Neku…" Joshua panted
"I hope that wasn't too much of a cop out…" Neku ventured
"N-no… that was…" he glanced at Beat and Shiki, who had stopped moving, and were just standing a metre away, staring at them open-mouthed.
"Because…" he wrapped both arms around Joshua's shoulders, allowing Joshua to bring both hands to his waist. The redhead spoke deliberately loudly. "I love you, Joshua" he looked over to Beat and Shiki. "And everyone who's important to me needs to know that."
Walking closer to them, Shiki smiled sweetly and put a hand to her heart, touched by Neku's words. Beat, following,  still looked confused, but seemingly the kiss, and Neku's words, were obvious enough that even he had a basic idea of what was going on. His eyes were still wide, and his mouth open, but he nodded. Neku let go of Joshua, and the boy took his hand and held it tight.

When they got closer Shiki playfully punched Neku on the arm "You could've just told us." she brought a fist to her mouth and  giggled a little.
"Y… yeah…" Beat added, a lot more hesitant.
Neku couldn't help but be surprised by their acceptance. "Sorry…" he replied, looking down.
"And you." she turned to Joshua "If you ever hurt him… Composer or not, I'll hunt you down."
"Yeah." said Beat, adhering to the words a little more seriously than Shiki had intended.
Neku looked to Joshua nervously, but the boy simply smiled, then stared at him with a look that made his heart melt.
"Never."
The two couples looked at each other, both holding hands.
Neku was the first to speak. "I think we should go now." he smiled.
"You sure?" Joshua asked.
Neku nodded. "Shiki, I'll call you later."
Shiki giggled. "Um, yeah, we have a lot to talk about"
They waved goodbye and left, Mr.H saluting them on their way out.
"Neku… that was… the most romantic thing you could've ever done" Joshua said quietly.
"Mmm" Neku nodded. "And it was a lot easier than I thought."
"Hmm?" Joshua asked, and was silenced by Neku reaching across to gently kiss him again.
How cliché, that a kiss could make everything right.