#do not let ritsu fool you. hes just as weird as everyone else.

[candyskiez]

I love ritshou because like in fandom it's characterized as Shou going "we're best friends now for Life" and Ritsu going "what the fuck man" which isn't completely wrong but also so much of it is ritsu going "you know what? This might as well happen. Let's save the world together. Might as well." He's just going along with it. Sure fine they have chemistry, unfortunately. Okay. Unfortunately this guy works well with him. Sure. Okay. He just Accepted it which is so much funnier. He's mainly "GOD FUCKING DAMNIT HOW DID YOU GET HWRE" at the maid cafe and also Shou burning his literal house down, so mainly he's annoyed by him when hes being particularly Awful with being an annoying little shit or actively committing acts of insanity. He's just "you know what? Fine, sure, let's go."

Also Ritsu can absolutely be an awful little guy as well. Let's not forget about the big clean up arc here. If anything I can see Shou being The Instigator to so much shit and Ritsu going "you know what. Fine. That sounds fun. I'm going to regret this. Let's go."

Ritsu is not nearly as against Shou's absolute insanity unless it's directly threatening him as he wants you to believe and Shou glued himself to him for a reason. Thank you and goodnight.

[aeoki]

Blackjack - Gifts Will Not Arrive: Chapter 1

Location: Yumenosaki Studio Characters: Arashi & Mika Season: Autumn

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ< The next day. Yumenosaki Academy Studio – “Knights’” gathering place. >

Mika: Ohh, and then?

Arashi: So I gave it straight to him!

I don’t know if Ritsu-chan just likes battling or hates Christmas, but it looks like he has zero motivation for this year’s “Star Fest”...

He says that Christmas is essentially a “celebratory day for couples” in modern-day Japan!

It’s fine when you’re a kid, though – since all you have to do is to wait excitedly in bed to see what Santa brings you.

But once you’ve grown up and learnt the concept of romantic love, then Christmas is basically the same as Valentine’s Day.

Mika: Ngh~ I’ve heard that sorta opinion a lot. Plenty of magazines tend to have articles ‘bout dates and stuff during Christmas.

Arashi: Right? We’re idols from the old era where dating isn’t allowed, but we’re humans too, so it’s natural for us to fall in love!

Neither God nor Santa would forbid us from having romantic feelings!

Mika: Ngh~... Naru-chan is burnin’ up with quite a temper. It’s a fiery Naru-chan.

Arashi: Of course I’d be burning with anger! Sure, it’s not like I have any plans every year, but it’s still something I look forward to! I love the warm atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re floating on clouds!

But a lot of things happened last year and I was in a bad mood, so I want to be happy and spend Christmas in good spirits this year!

Mika: Uuu. Sorry, Naru-chan… That was ‘cause of me, right?

I was also feelin’ kinda weird ‘round this time last year and I was the one who made you lose your temper, right?

Arashi: I didn’t lose my temper – You’re my friend, so I was worried about you.

Mika: That’s what everyone who’s angry says… It couldn’t have been helped – You probably saw me as an eyesore who you were arguin’ with on stage.

Arashi: That’s standard business with us. We’re always rushing around on stage.

Mika: Yeah but I should also reflect on my behaviour…

I got confused when Nazuna-nii appeared wearin’ “Valkyrie’s” outfit when I was feelin’ unwell and nervous.

But I think I’ll be able to stand on stage without feelin’ anxious this year.

Arashi: Yeah, we’ll be participating individually instead of in our units this year.

On top of that, we won’t be battling it out with someone else and it’ll just be a peaceful event where we’ll be making everyone smile.

I regret getting so agitated during “Tanabata Fest”, so I want to be the “normal Arashi Onee-chan”, who’s cute and innocent, for the other “S1s”.

But it doesn’t look like anyone in “Knights” is feeling up for it.

Mika: Ahaha. They probably just don’t wanna move about so much ‘cause they’re cold.

Arashi: You think my members are such cowards? They’ll be completely fine even if they’re sent to the North Pole!

But, you know, Tsukasa-chan is getting all stressed about being in charge of “Knights” and he himself doesn’t seem to be on his mind – all he has in his head is “SS”.

I don’t know if Ritsu-chan is busy with personal affairs or whatever, but he doesn’t have any motivation to do anything for Christmas or any of the religious events.

Mika: Ngh~ He is a vampire, huh. Ritsu-kun has those sorts of preferences.

Arashi: I bet he’s just taking advantage of the nature of those holidays to slack off. This big sister here won’t let him do that. Christmas should be enjoyed with family.

Mika: Still, this year’s “Star Fest” is individual participation… If Ritsu-kun doesn’t feel like takin’ part in it, then there’s nothin’ we can do ‘bout it.

I don’t think you have the right to force him to take part, Naru-chan.

Arashi: I know I don’t have the right, but I’m just saying that I’ll be lonely! Geez, I’ll look like a fool if I’m the only one getting excited all by myself!

Mika: Ahaha… I’ll be takin’ part too so I’ll do my best to make sure you’re not feelin’ lonely, Naru-chan.

Arashi: You’re so sweet, Mika-chan~ I love you to bits ♪ I’d also love to swap Ritsu-chan out with you!

Mika: Ritsu-kun didn’t do anythin’ wrong… There’s “SS” too – I think it’s smart not always goin’ full-out and slackin’ when appropriate, though.

Arashi: That’s not being smart ��� it’s called being sly! And it’s not cute at all!

Mika: “Knights” isn’t a unit that’s based on being cute.

Arashi: Yeah but… Geez, whose side are you on, Mika-chan?

Shouldn’t you be agreeing with what I’m saying at times like this?

Mika: That’s not what a friend would do… They have to disagree when they should disagree.

Just like how you’re always helpin’ me out, Naru-chan.

Arashi: Uuu~... That’s not fair, putting it like that. You’ve grown, Mika-chan – this must be the fruit of my teachings.

Mika: Yup ♪

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ← Previous Chapter ᠂ ⚘ ˚⊹˚ ⚘ ᠂  Next Chapter →

[pandamilo]

Merry Christmas from your Secret Santa <3

@oek I hope you have a brilliant Christmas and enjoy this silly Ritsu x Takano ficlet, it’s teeth-rottingly fluffy so be warned :P

Secret Santa Ritsu

It was Christmas… the worst time of the year.

Not because Ritsu hated it or anything of that nature. He liked the atmosphere, the excitement of children, family and friends… all those normal sweet things that came with Christmas he liked.

It was the presents that he hated.

He hated receiving them, never really knowing what to say or how to show he liked what he was being given, even if he didn’t – he really wasn’t great at pretending.

But even worse than getting gifts, was giving them. No matter how well he knew a person, he always doubted he was getting them the right thing, thought they were feigning their interest in it even when they seemed happy with it.

Don’t even get him started on things such as secret Santa and gifts that came from strangers or ones he had to give to strangers. Is it a generic gift if you don’t even know the person? It isn’t like you can ask them what they wanted.

Do you get them chocolates, soaps, gift cards, hobby ideas… all those presents you get from your grandmother that you pretend you really love but you never really need?

This year when the editors at his publishing company decided it would be an excellent idea for everyone to pick a name out of a hat and get a gift for them.

So, of course, Ritsu picked the one person he really didn’t want…

Takano Masamune.

What in the world was he meant to get a man who either had everything, didn’t want anything and to top it all off, was quite open about the fact that he loved him.

You could just give him yourself for a present.

Ritsu had been making himself a coffee and nearly dropped the entire contents of the scolding hot coffee onto himself in shock. He seriously hadn’t had enough sleep over the last little while (or basically since he began working here) if that was the answer his brain came up with.

Maybe an obscure book? He reads like I do… Or a scarf, it has been extra cold lately… Eh, maybe I’ll just get him chocolates or something…

Ritsu had been dealing with this predicament for three weeks now and after all this time thinking and worrying about what to get, it was just two days before he needed to give him his gift and he still didn’t have anything.

That and he still hadn’t come up with anything that could be good for the out-there man he used to love.

What else did he used to enjoy?

Imagines of Takano and himself together in high school, always fuzzy and faded from time and distance, memories, but the feeling of warmth, the smell of books and the heat of Takano’s fingers on him always made Ritsu feel a little dizzy.

He hated that more than presents.

As soon as he turned in his last edits for his author, Ritsu was streaming down the snow-covered side walk, frantically seeking anything that grabbed his attention. Nothing seemed to fit, it was too dull, too weird, too un-Takano, that he was almost ripping his hair out in frustration when he turned a corner only to bump into the devil himself.

“T-takano.” Ritsu bowed slightly as way of apology and greeting.

“Onodera, what are you doing? It’s freezing.” Takano looked mildly annoyed, studying Ritsu’s flushed face as Ritsu averted his gaze.

Takano sighed, something he always did when Ritsu wouldn’t look at him, unwound the scarf from his own neck and draped it around Ritsu’s with a tug to wrap it a little tighter.

The sudden action had caused Ritsu to look at the man in front of him, their eyes locking and he knew he was doomed, he couldn’t look away once he was trapped in those pools that seemed to prod through to his very soul.

“You need to be more prepared for weather like this.” Takano stated by way of explanation at the sudden closeness. “I’m headed home, return it to me tonight.” Takano pushed his fingers through Ritsu’s hair as he was walked past, pushing the slightly too long hair out of Ritsu’s reddened face.

When he knew Takano was gone he buried his face into the scarf out of embarrassment, only feel utterly worse when the strong smell that was distinctly Takano assaulted his noise and sent an involuntary shiver up his spine.

He smelled of ink, almond soup and coffee – something that Ritsu would think to be an odd combination on anyone else but he resisted the thought that to him, it was actually horribly comforting.

With the scarf wrapped around his neck, Ritsu pressed forward, the smell of Takano making the expedition both worse and better, all at the same time.

When he was walking passed an old second hand store that sat away from the normal shopping district, with assorted art pieces sitting in the front window, Ritsu couldn’t have told you what made him go in.

The shop was cluttered, overflowing with junk… or another man’s treasure and somehow, he found himself scanning the shelves upon shelves of books, he could feel himself searching but for the life of him, he didn’t really know what for.

That is, until he found it.

Tucked away in a back corner was a leather bound, faded, worn (or as Ritsu saw them, well loved) copy of a book he had seen Takano borrow more than once when he was in high school.

High school…

Of course, his brain pulled out a memory, one Ritsu didn’t even realise he had until it all came tumbling back to him. Takano in his usual spot in the library, reading a book for the second time, something Ritsu couldn’t remember ever seeing him do before.

It was a good book, full of adventure, well written and bounded beautiful, well this copy was when it was originally published, now it was more tattered and worn.

Just like you and Takano.

Ritsu almost throw the book away but found himself leaving with it clutched tightly to his chest a minute later. It was such a silly memory, a dumb idea but it fit so perfectly to Takano that Ritsu couldn’t bear to leave it behind.

***

When he arrived at home he was surprised when he went into his bathroom awhile later and saw the stolen scarf, still wound tightly around his neck. He needed to return it but that would also mean having to see Takano and give him the book.

The issue with this of course being Ritsu was, in fact, terrified… what if he remembers it and then thinks it means more then it does… worse, what if he doesn’t remember and…

I feel like a fool.

Ritsu took a shuddering breath, pulling himself together and tugging the scarf from his neck. Standing outside of Takano’s door, eyes flicking back to his own next to it a few times with his hand raised to knock, he spent more time then he should have hesitating.

After a few seconds the door was opened, Takano looked slightly dishevelled, hair out of place, his shirt looked too big for him, hanging off his shoulder.

“Oh, Onodera, sorry. I was getting ready to sleep, come in.” Takano looked genuinely surprised to see him, which was unusual considering how many times he convinced Ritsu he needed to be at his house with him.

“Did you just come to bring my scarf? It’s quite late, you could have waited till tomorrow… you seem unhappy, what’s wrong?” Takano was scrutinising his face, reaching out and pulling his chin so they would be looking at one another.

“Here.” Ritsu thrust the scarf at Takano, the book firmly wrapped up in it in paper wrapping and went to leave. His entire face felt like it was on fire, red hot and making him want to crumple to the floor of embarrassment.

Before he could take two steps back towards the door he felt Takano’s large hand envelop his wrist, holding him in place, he could feel his warm breath on the back of his neck.

“Ritsu, what’s this?”

“Merry Christmas from your secret Santa.” Ritsu mumbled out, attempting to yank his hand free but knowing full well the effort was in vain.

He heard the rustle of paper being ripped and a soft gasp that could have been his hearing, at this point the rushing of blood in his own ears would drown out most sounds if he let it.

Suddenly Ritsu was enveloped in long arms that wound around his stomach and pulled him flush against Takano’s chest, Takano’s face burying roughly into the side of his neck as Ritsu stiffened in shock.

“Onodera, how… how did you find it?” Takano’s voice was small and soft but hot in his ear as he spoke, sending a shiver up his spine.

“I-I knew you liked older books, I just f-found it at-at a second-hand store.”

“Not the book, Onodera, this one in particular… did you remember?” Takano’s voice was warm with affection as his lips brushed Onodera’s ear and he swore his knees were going to give out from under him.

“Merry Christmas, Takano.” Ritsu replied simply, unsure of what else he could say at this point – apparently Takano had other ideas when Ritsu went to pull away.

“Onodera, I love you. Thank you.”

Ritsu felt his lips press harder to his neck before he was spun around and pushed against the wall, the look on Takano’s face was more worrying to Ritsu then being pressed flush against the wall.

There was a slight glint in Takano’s eyes, moisture there that hadn’t been there a minute ago.

“Takano?”

“I love you Onodera, I know you won’t say it back but at least you show it sometimes.” Before Ritsu could respond his lips were enveloped in the heat of Takano’s, kissing him softly but with passion that forced a shudder to course through him.

Ritsu tried to resist, pull away to leave but Takano knew as well as he did that Ritsu wasn’t leaving tonight, probably not in the morning either… apparently, he wasn’t wrong when Ritsu had thought he would give Takano himself for Christmas.

I love you, Masamune Takano…

[ylla]

This Must Be The Place - Chapter 2

Series: JJBA Characters: Okuyasu Nijimura, Josuke Higashikata Pairing: Josuyasu Tags: modern au, oku wowing ppl with his mad cooking skillz, two dudes being guys and kissing, this particular chapter is pretty fluffy and doesnt really need warnings Rating: M

AO3 link

so uh, decided to make this into a multichapter fic! Thought it would make a lot more sense if i laid out how it goes from them getting together before senior year to freshmen in college. the chapters after the first one won’t be near as long, because i would probably die, but hopefully i will make up for that in chapter numbers? who knows, i’m just kinda going with it, since i havent really planned this far. i will probably will write little ficlets in between updating this, and i still have a jotakak and avpol thing i wanna get started on.

 remember to like the fic, reblog the fic, and follow me for more fic content

Okuyasu was convinced that his life was just an elaborate dream that he would eventually be woken from, either by the anger of his still-human father or Keicho demanding he stop being such a lazy asshole and get up. He would rise from a dirty mattress, go through the motions of getting ready to split from the abandoned house they broke into, and feel a profound sense of loss for something that his imagination conjured up.

If it was fake, and the warmth that Josuke Higashikata embodied was just an illusion his mind invented to lessen the loneliness of a sad, neglected teenager, then he never wanted to wake up.

The start of senior year presented a host of problems, all of them centered on his budding new romance. As he got ready for the first day of classes as a newly minted senior, Okuyasu would be lying if he said he wasn’t nervous. His phone had been buzzing all morning with texts from Polnareff, who was giving him unwarranted ‘advice’ about surviving senior year as a dude who was dating another dude. Since meeting Polnareff during all the Stand bullshit, the Frenchman had taken a liking to Okuyasu, and had more or less taken him under his large, buff wing. In the deep parts of him that never saw the light of day, Oku was comforted by having someone that wasn’t Josuke or his mom look out for him.

Not that he would ever tell Polnareff that to his face.

He glanced at the clock, and made a disgusted noise when he saw the time; he was running late, wearing a tank top and his underwear, and his hair was refusing. To. Cooperate. The front door creaked open, “Yo, Oku! You up?”

Okuyasu’s heart did that weird stuttering it always did when he saw Josuke for the first time every day. “Yeah,” he poked his head out of the bathroom, “Jus’ getting’ ready.” There he was, the black mage that bewitched his heart, Josuke ‘Big Ass’ Higashikata, waltzing up his staircase like he owned the place. Which, he didn’t, but he sure had the deed to Okuyasu’s heart.

Josuke gave Oku a peck on the lips, before leaning against the doorframe, “Good morning, handsome. You sleep okay?”

The kiss turned Oku’s ears red, “I guess,” He turned his attention back to his hair, “The mess on my head ain’t cooperating though.”

“Want me to do it?” Josuke had his eyebrows raised, enjoying the view of Oku in his boxer briefs and tank.

“Nah it’s—“ he went to start sculpting his hair again, but his hands were shaking too much and he fucked up, “Oh goddamnit!”

Wordlessly, Josuke walked into the bathroom and quickly fixed Oku’s hair. The blush from Oku’s ears spread to his face and down to his chest as he felt Josuke’s breath on his neck. It seemed like it was contagious, because as he finished, Josuke was just as red. “There you go.”

Okuyasu turned around, finding himself chest to chest with his boyfriend. He was only two inches shorter, and it was nice. He felt like they were on equal footing. “Thanks, I owe ya.” He planted a kiss on Josuke’s mouth.

“No problem, but if you wanna pay me back, buy me ice cream.”

“Fine, fine. Lemme go get my pants on.”

After the confession on that fateful night weeks ago, the bromance had quickly turned into a romance. Not that anything really changed. They still acted like the delinquent little shitheads they were, the only difference is now they held hands and kissed. However, the stares they got before were “look at those two punks, acting a fool”, now it was either “ah, young love” or something far more terrible.

You can’t really carry your school bag and eat ice cream, but once the cones were finished, the two resumed their handholding. They were approaching campus, and Oku felt himself get increasingly nervous as the distance shortened. “You…you sure about this?” Okuyasu squeezed Josuke’s hand, “I know you said you were, but—“

They had discussed how open they wanted to be about their relationship at school. Oku had already heard from Koichi and through the grapevine that almost everyone knew him and Josuke were an item. It was pretty obvious they were, it’s not like they had made any attempts to hide it. But, they were never around the other kids they went to school with, so actually being in class could bring out a whole clusterfuck of issues.

“Yeah, I am. I don’t give a rat’s ass what anyone else thinks.” Josuke stopped and pulled Okuyasu close to him, “I love you. I’m not ashamed to say it—“

“I’m not ashamed either! I just. I don’t—“ Oku averted Josuke’s eyes, rubbing the back of his neck, “Girls are gonna be super disappointed, and are gonna make a scene and, like, I don’t wanna make your life hard, ya know? I ain’t worth that.”

With a sigh, Josuke pressed their foreheads together, pomp slightly in the way, “Yes you are, don’t say that about yourself. You’re my boyfriend, and I don’t give a shit who knows it. I love you, okay?”

Josuke smelled so good. Okuyasu couldn’t help himself and moved to rub his face into Josuke’s neck, “Okay. I love you too.”

The rest of the walk was comfortable silence, but as they rounded the gate and walked into the courtyard, Josuke whispered, “Courage, dude.” He had none, but he mirrored Josuke’s swagger, trying to look like he didn’t notice or give a shit about the gawking and loud whispering. There were some girls crying, some dudes jeering and making kissy faces, money was exchanging hands, and some were just passively watching, curious.

They found Koichi by the lockers, face deadpan and hand out. A few guys were around him, handing over money and grumbling. “Goddamn you Hirose, you’re robbing me blind,” one of them whined.

“Then don’t make bets you can’t pay out.” Koichi counted out the stack, satisfied, “Pleasure doing business with you guys.”

As the group walked away, Josuke clapped Koichi on the back, “Still making money off of us?”

“Yep,” Koichi pocketed the cash and started to open his locker, “still not lending you any.”

Josuke howled in frustration, while Oku barked out a laugh that he managed to quickly stifle. “So Josuke,” Koichi fiddled with his combination lock, “Do you figure you’ll get confessions still?” The answer to his question came in the form of a tower of letters, chocolates, and various other gifts crashing down in on top of Josuke.

Okuyasu took one look at the completely, utterly done look on Josuke’s face and started howling. Like, from the bottom of his stomach, snorting like a pig, laughing. He had to hold onto his locker door to keep himself upright, lest he fall to the ground and roll around clutching his stomach. His boyfriend carefully picked the cards that got stuck in his hair out; face, jacket, and hair covered in pink, purple, and gold glitter. Josuke looked like he wanted to be mad, but his lips almost twitched into a smile. Okuyasu managed to get ahold of himself, reaching over to dust some of the glitter off, “You know, the glitter’s a good look,” he choked out.

He dodged Josuke’s embarrassed smack, and gave him a quick smooch on the lips. Josuke retaliated by pulling him close, and rubbing his glitter-encrusted face all over Oku’s. With a yelp, Okuyasu managed to get Josuke into a headlock, while Josuke hollered, “WATCH THE HAIR.”

“Ahem,” someone coughed behind them. That’s when Oku remembered that he was at school, and that there was a crowd of interested students and unamused teachers surrounding them. A girl pointed at the locker they were wrestling in front of, “If you guys are done flirting, I’d like to get into my locker.”

Whoops.

The rest of the morning was pretty quiet until Okuyasu went into his home economics class. He wouldn’t have taken it had it not been for the encouragement he got from Tonio and Josuke. When Okuyasu walked in, there was a sea of girls who turned their heads toward him, including the one whose locker he was wrestling around with Josuke in front of. Looked like he was the only guy. Great. He was already regretting this.

The teacher was a nice, soft-spoken lady who gave him a sweet smile as he sat in the very back. “Good morning class, and welcome to Home Economics. I am your instructor, Ms. Iwamoto. Today, I would like to start us off by having you showcase your cooking skills! It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but I just want to see how well you do.” She assigned everyone to stove tops, directed them to where they could find ingredients, and let them have at it.

Okuyasu was assigned to a large island tucked into the corner of the class with three other girls that seemed like the best of friends. They talked amongst themselves, but kept an eye on whatever Okuyasu was doing. Which was fine by him, gave him enough space to work on his crepes.

“Ritsu! Your eggs are messed up again!” the tall one with short red hair cried out, “This is the third time!”

The small strawberry blonde girl sighed, and threw her depressed, runny eggs away, “I’m never gonna get this right. Take me out back and shoot me, Yukie.”

The chubby, quiet one with glasses and silver hair leaned over, “It’s okay Ritsu. I can’t even cook rice to save my life.” She gestured at the disaster that was her rice cooker.

“Hitomi, that’s the saddest thing I’ve seen all day.” Yukie said.

Okuyasu cleared his throat, “You’re not letting the pan get hot enough.”

All three girls whipped around, “What??” they said in unison. It was strangely choreographed.

Oku started cutting strawberries, face pink, “If the pan is hot enough, the eggs won’t run.”

They looked at him like he had suddenly grown a second head and was shouting in tongues. Ritsu turned the heat up on her stove, waited for a few minutes before cracking her egg. It landed and stayed in place. “EUREKA! Thanks Nijimura!” Ritsu jumped up and down with glee.

Hitomi took one look at her rice cooker, then looked at Okuyasu, “Nijimura, can you help me too?”

So, Okuyasu found himself helping the others while finishing his dish (“That looks so good,” Yukie moaned, making grabby hands at it before Hitomi batted her away.) He learned that they were juniors, had been best friends since grade school, and that Hitomi and Ritsu signed up for home economics because neither could cook.

“I only signed up because they did,” Yukie said, her grilled cheeses coming out nicely.

The last part of class was dedicated to taste testing. A few were pretty decent, with one of the girls preening as Ms. Iwamoto praised her sandwich as ‘great’. Some got passed over, (Yukie gave poor Hitomi a pat on the shoulder in sympathy), and then at last, it was Okuyasu’s turn. “Now, our lone male. Mr. Nijimura, if you please?” Oku trudged up front, girls tittering around him. His face was hot when he sat the plate down. “So, what did you make?” the teacher inquired.

“Uhm. I made strawberry crepes.”

“They look great, let’s try them.” Moment of truth right here. Okuyasu cringed as he watched her cut off a piece and take a bite. “This is fabulous! I’m very impressed!” Ms. Iwamoto’s face lit up, “Girls, come here and try this.”

Everyone walked up and took turns eating, all of them expecting something terrible, but sound surprised when it was delicious.

“Wow!”

“This is so good.”

“Color me surprised, Nijimura can cook.”

“Didn’t think he had it in him.”

“Good job!”

If his face wasn’t red before, it sure was now, “Th-thanks.”

Maybe this class wouldn’t be so bad.

“So, that’s when Ms. Iwamoto told me that she was super impressed and expected good things outta me! Never heard a teacher say that to me before.”

Josuke and Okuyasu were in the courtyard for lunch, sitting in the shade of a big tree. They were poking at their lunches, more interested in talking than eating.

“Good shit babe!” Josuke kissed Okuyasu on the cheek, “And you even made friends. It’s shaping up to be a red letter day for you, sunshine.”

Okuyasu went crimson at the pet name. It was so saccharine, so cliché, but he couldn’t help that he got major butterflies every time he heard it. “What about you? How was your class?”

“Anatomy sucks,” Josuke made a face and took a bite out of his sandwich, “There’s actual medical pictures in the textbook, but I didn’t feel all that sick looking at them.” He chewed for a few seconds, looking thoughtful, “So that’s good right? If I do decide that being a doctor is what I want?”

“Mhm. You’ve been doing good lately, so hopefully anatomy won’t be bad, ya?”

“Here’s to hoping. Oi! Koichi!” Josuke waved over their friend, “How was calculus?”

The rest of the day was unremarkable; Okuyasu just wanted it to end so he could go home and kiss his boyfriend without being stared at like they were zoo animals.

Josuke’s locker was filled up with letters again. While Okuyasu and Koichi were getting ready to leave, Josuke read through some of them, “Most of them are begging me to reconsider dating you and going out with them, some of them are congratulating me and saying we’re a match made in heaven, and one is threatening to beat my ass—didn’t leave a name.”

“Fuckin’ coward,” Okuyasu was annoyed, but didn’t feel all that surprised. He opened his locker and was bewildered when a single envelope fell out. He started tearing it open, “If this is a letter threatening to whoop my ass, I will find the motherfucker and punch his head off.“ The letter was short and to the point:

Nijimura,

You and Higashikata being open about your relationship has inspired me to confess to my best friend. Even if he doesn’t reciprocate, it will be nice to finally be honest about myself.

Thank you.

Tears started marking the paper; Oku wiped his face off on his sleeve. It was a good feeling to know that something he did helped someone else, even if it unconscious.

Josuke was slightly alarmed, “What’s wrong?? What did it say??” He snatched the paper away and scanned it, a small smile replacing the look of concern.

Koichi looked at the both of them, “What did it say?”

“Jus’ someone sayin’ thank you. Come on Oku, let’s go home.”

The school days breezed by uneventfully. Between dates, homework, and hang time with Koichi, Okuyasu didn’t even notice that two months of school had already passed.

One early Saturday morning, Okuyasu woke up in his bed tangled in Josuke’s limbs, tired, hungry and way too hot. He struggled to extract himself without waking his sleeping boyfriend to go make breakfast. While the bacon was sizzling, he glanced at his phone. Three missed text messages greeted him:

Ms. H: Oku, remind Josuke to go to the store and pick up the items on the list I gave him. Thank you!

Polnareff: Me and those damn Kujo’s are coming in soon, bringing the littlest Kujo and possibly Jotaro’s mom??? Don’t know yet, but it’ll be a good time either way

Yukie: Hey Nijimura! There’s a party happening tonight. Ritsu’s crush invited her and said she could invite whoever she wanted, so you and your man should make an appearance. If it sucks, then at least there’s free booze.

Oku shot off texts back:

You: i will

You: good shit

You: sounds cool. send me directions??

Loud groaning and footsteps echoed down into the kitchen. “Mornin’ Sleepin’ Beauty,” Okuyasu called out, not bothering to watch Josuke walk into the kitchen.

Josuke just kept groaning until he reached wrapped his arms around Oku, burying his head into the crook of his neck, “That smells good.” He pressed kisses into Oku’s neck, making him shiver.

“Stop distracting me and I’ll be able to get it done quicker.”

He did as he was told, stepping back to watch Oku work diligently, “Have I ever told you that I love you?”

Okuyasu’s ears went pink. “You tell me every day,” he grunted, starting on the eggs, “Especially when I’m cookin’ for ya.”

Josuke clutched his chest in mock indignation, “How dare you, I love you all the time, not just when you’re feedin’ me.”

Chuckling, Okuyasu handed him his egg and bacon laden plate, “Here.”

“Thanks sunshine.” Josuke sat at the table, with Oku right in behind. They ate like a pack of ravenous wolves.

“Your mom texted me earlier and wants ya to run to the store for her.” Oku managed to say between mouthfuls.

Josuke rolled his eyes, “Alright.”

“Polnareff said that him and everyone’s comin’ to visit.”

Josuke groaned, “Yeah, Noriaki messaged me too. They might be bringing Jotaro’s mom. Not sure how my mom’s gonna handle that.”

Okuyasu shrugged, and pressed on, “And we got invited to a party tonight.”

Josuke went from tired sulking to wide awake and bright eyed, “No shit? Looks like we’re getting hammered tonight.”

“Should we invite Koichi?”

“Nah, he’s got that thing with the student council tonight, remember?”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s right,” Oku cleared the table as his phone dinged. It was Yukie, with a time and directions to the house, “Yukie said it’s gonna start around 10. You can just tell your mom you’re staying the night with me again.”

“Sounds good. Let’s go take care of that shit for her so we’ll be on her good side when I tell her.” Josuke wolfed down his remaining food, gave Okuyasu a swift kiss on the cheek, then pounded up the stairs.

Okuyasu texted Yukie back saying they would be there. It did sound like a lot of fun. What could possibly go wrong during a party filled with drunk teenagers?

Famous last words.

[silvensei]

Chapter 3: Reigen steepled his fingers and took a deep breath. “Okay,” he admitted. “Okay. Time for the ol’ switcheroo.” Words: 2k

Guess what happens when you like platonic relationships, body swap scenarios, and Mob Psycho 100 a bit too much?? This. This is what happens. Mostly comedy; angst kept to a minimum. Rated T probably

So this part went on longer than expected, and the next part is long-ish, too, so this ends a bit abruptly, just as a notice

Available above on AO3, [here] on FFnet, and right below the cut

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

The fifteen-minute walk back to the consultation office seemed longer than the original walk to the café. Maybe, Reigen thought, it technically was longer, considering his legs were shorter than they were earlier.

Musings such as this buzzed through his head as he strolled next to Mob. He led the way, not paying any mind to his professional sort of saunter, one hand in his pocket and the other hooking Mob’s schoolbag over his shoulder. It was how he always walked (sans bag). However, with his newfound lack of height, he realized he started to fall behind.

He scowled at having to rush to catch up. Now they can’t even walk correctly anymore? After all, Mob never had trouble keeping up with Reigen on a normal day.

A few minutes passed like this, silence hanging between them. Even though he was still feeling a faint thrum of lingering soreness from…whatever was the source, it gradually concentrated along his spine. He rolled his shoulders and shifted uncomfortably, finding that standing a little taller alleviated the excess pressure. Reigen understood that he wasn’t using the body his habits were made for, but walking? Just walking to a destination was going to be an issue now? The movies never addressed this….

Well, if ambling along like himself wasn’t what this body wanted to do, then maybe he should try walking like Mob: collected, inconspicuous, proper.

It worked. It seemed weird to his mind, but physically it felt natural. Reigen frowned at the mild disconnect that caused.

He had fallen a few steps behind again, but having just found a comfortable gait, he didn’t change pace. Instead, he focused on the man—or boy, really—in front of him. He was tall, a fact that only served to make Reigen feel short. His sandy orange-blond hair, while lighter in color than much of the country’s populous, appeared darker than he remembered. Did his hair always look like that?

Well, maybe it did. Reigen had only seen his hair before in the mirror and in photographs, both of which could easily alter his appearance depending on the lighting. This, however, was the real deal.

Reigen’s stomach turned. He was actually looking at the back of his own head. He was walking behind his own body. How many people could say they’ve done that?

He dropped his focus to the sidewalk. It didn’t make it much better, as the feet landing in front of him in a steady rhythm were nestled in white sneakers. Right. Mob’s shoes, not his. Mob’s clothes, Mob’s bag, Mob’s hands even.

Mob’s hair, too. Remembering his thought process at the café, he twirled a lock of hair around his finger. It was just as silky as he expected. He pushed his bangs back, running his fingers through the fluffy bowl cut. The early naggings of guilt made him pause. This guilt was an intriguing sensation he thought would never come from his hair—but then again, it wasn’t really his hair right now.

He shook his head, dislodging the roundabout train of thought as well as any tangles left in his hair. It happened, it’s done, and being caught up in trying to process it wasn’t going to help anyone. Focus on the positives instead.

At least they were acquainted already. Reigen didn’t have to worry about leaving his body to a stranger of unknown trustworthiness. He also was a successful con man and knew enough of Mob’s mannerisms that he could pull off a decent impression if he needed to. Mob’s family might be tough to fool, but with anyone else, he’d just have to be quiet and keep any gestures and body language to an absolute minimum.

He also could use psychic powers. Whether it was because some of Mob’s powers stayed behind or what, he didn’t know, but he’d have been lying if he said he wasn’t at least a little excited to have them. With a bit of focus, he called the warm aura into view around his hand, watching one of the ethereal golden spires roll over his palm.

Looking back at Mob’s blond head, Reigen grinned; it didn’t feel as easy as it would have on his own face. He spied the ends of sandy orange hair lying against pale skin and, trying to concentrate the psychic energy to his fingertips, flicked the air. The result was negligible, shifting his hair as if the force were no more than a light breeze, but it caught Mob’s attention. He turned, briefly confused before dropping his gaze to find Reigen.

“Shishou?” he inquired, pausing a moment to let the shorter catch up.

Reigen waved him off. “It’s nothing. Just messing around with the new, erm, situation.”

“Ah, okay.”

They lapsed into another silence. The con man was beginning to get irked by the quiet as well as his much-too-stiff walk when his student asked again, “Um, Shishou, if I may…?”

Finally, some conversation. “What’s up, Mob?”

Mob was distinctly looking away from him at the sidewalk, eyebrows slightly drawn together. After a moment, he said, “I don’t think it’s healthy for your muscles to have this many knots at your age.”

He barely managed to stifle his laugh. “First Dimple, now you? Seems like everyone complains about my body but me.”

“Ah, no, no!” Mob hastily apologized. “It’s fine, really. I’m just concerned because you’re still young, but I feel so much older like this.”

How old was the kid, fourteen? “I’m twenty-seven, Mob,” Reigen told him, hand splayed over his chest. “While still relatively not-old, that’s still almost twice your age, which means you’re physically almost one hundred percent older than you were this morning, so of course you feel it!”

At the mere mention of numbers, Mob’s expression started to go slack, overworked brain only managing an “Uh-huh” while trying to process.

“The point is,” summed up his teacher, coming to a halt under the ‘Spirits and Such’ sign, “of course you feel older; you’re just not used to it. I am, though, and I assure you, it’s fine.”

Mob still looked unconvinced, rolling his shoulders a bit, but Reigen had a greater issue on his mind. “So, Mob,” he started slowly. “If we don’t get this whole thing worked out soon—if Dimple isn’t here, or if we can’t switch back fast enough—would your parents require you to come home? Like, they wouldn’t put up with you working a late shift and just staying the night with your trusty mentor so as to not worry them?”

“No, probably not. I have school tomorrow, and they wouldn’t like it if I made such short-notice plans.”

A quiet sigh escaped him. “That’s what I thought,” he relented before facing his office building.

He didn’t even reach the door before Mob announced, “Dimple’s not in there.”

“You sure?”

Mob nodded.

“…What if we’re both too weak right now to be able to sense him?”

Mob looked unconvinced. Reigen was also unconvinced, but they went inside and searched the office anyway. Four minutes later, back where they started, the ghost had unsurprisingly not been found, but at least they had put off the inevitable for a little bit longer.

Reigen steepled his fingers and took a deep breath. “Okay,” he admitted. “Okay. Time for the ol’ switcheroo.” He pointed his hands at his attentive student. “You’re going to have to go back to my apartment for the night. You’ve got my keys, my wallet, you know where it is; just take the train, and if you get lost, I can text you the address. Tomorrow, if you’d rather keep the office closed, I guess I can spare a day’s worth of pay. Meanwhile!” He pointed back at himself. “I’ve gotta go relive my youth for a bit: do homework, go to school, family meals, all that.”

“Should we tell Ritsu what happened?” Mob asked.

Ritsu. Oh shit, Ritsu. The kid already didn’t like or trust him. If he found out what had happened to his brother under his supervision…

Maybe Ritsu wouldn’t actually kill him when that would also kill Mob’s body. Then Reigen remembered Ritsu was an esper now and much more creative than his brother; the older man didn’t doubt the teen’s ability to bypass physical damage yet still cause harm. “No,” he announced. “No need to drag him into this as well. He would only worry about you.”

His student didn’t look happy about that decision, but he didn’t object. He watched Reigen for a moment before his eyes drifted to the darkening sky. “I guess we should go soon.”

“Yeah….” He could feel the beginnings of perspiration on the back of his neck. Despite his nerves, though, he clapped a firm hand on his disciple’s shoulder, noting how he did not like having to reach up to do that. “Don’t worry about it, Mob,” Reigen told him with a smile. “You’re an adult now, so play the part. You can do whatever you want.”

Mob took a deep breath. He nodded. Then he mimicked Reigen’s smile, making it look more like a half-smirk on that face. “Right you are, Mob,” he agreed with just a touch more volume.

Wow, that’s unsettling. He let go of his shoulder and laughed, if only to hide the discomfort. “Ah, alright then. Off to a good start, I see. So on that note—” Reigen slipped Mob’s bag over his shoulder, tapped the toe of his shoe against the ground, and lifted a hand. “Good night, Shishou.”

“Good night.”

They parted, Mob going back the way they came toward the station. Reigen had brought Mob home a couple times when the boy was younger, so he was hoping he still remembered the way. It wasn’t too far from the office.

The ache threatened to settle in his back again before he straightened up, grumbling all the while. He’s a grown man, having been walking his whole life, and now he has to completely readjust everything. Can he not? He’s psychic now; can’t he just float?

He stopped, looking down at his feet. What if they were…not on the ground? Mob’s white sneakers were starting to glow orange before he snapped his head up and continued walking at a brisk pace. “Nope, no, bad idea, very bad idea. I swear, I’m going to get this kid killed with my antics, and he isn’t even here this time.”

Caught up in trying not to be tempted to weigh the risks involved in testing various psychic powers, Reigen was at the Kageyamas’ front door in no time. With a huff, he relaxed his face. Mob was calm. Mob wasn’t emotional. And this is Mob’s own family. Be as boring as anything, Arataka, he told himself.

He opened the door to find Ritsu standing just inside the hallway, holding a hand towel. “Oh, there you are, Nii-san!” he said. “You’re home late.”

Reigen swallowed before giving him a small nod. Voice flat and even. “We had to go a bit further into town for our job today.”

Ritsu looked at him. Then a small smile appeared. “Well, you’re back just in time. Dinner’s on the table when you’re ready.”

“A-Alright.”

The boy continued into the kitchen, leaving Reigen to release the breath he didn’t know he had been holding. Okay, not bad. C’mon, you’re a con for a living! This is just lying with a bit of acting behind it. You got this.

He hesitated, just a second longer, before he untied Mob’s shoes and left them with his bag by the door. Brushing at his hair and adjusting his cuffs for good measure, he followed his ‘brother’ to the kitchen.