#like never ever forget kanji's own sensitivity to the people around him and HE KNOWS. WHATS. UP.

[daily-hanamura]

[zee-isaiah-pugnacious7-blog]

Campout (AU)

[The following is a revised scene of the Camping Trip. Expect mild fluff.]

It fell quiet in the tent an hour after Kanji joined them.

Yu didn’t mind. He had been spending time with the rebel a couple days after he joined the Investigation Team. He started out aggressive at first, but by the second time he decided it was time to make a change for the better and leave behind his ‘trouble maker’ reputation.

Since then, the leader started to like his company, and welcomed him in sharing his and Yosuke’s tent--- it was actually perfect, considering two of their guys didn’t make the trip… as if the night had plans for the boys.

Plans that, with Yu’s interference, took a different turn.

It was a gut feeling he developed. After the trio had shared their own rants about the dreaded King Moron (and devoured Kanji’s animal crackers, no penguin to be found), silence came over them; tired from a day of picking up trash and suffering food poisoning of the Nth-degree, there was no way Yu and Yosuke could stay up any longer.

At least, so he figured.

“Hey, Kanji, do you have any more room over there?” Yosuke asked, his tone a bit… tense.

He’s going to say something. Yu thought.

“Barely. If I move any further, I’ll be lying on a rock!” Kanji responded. “Why don’t you move over?”

“If I move any further, I’ll roll downhill!” Yosuke responded. (Yu then wondered how they ended up pitching the tent in such a horrible spot). “You sure you can’t scoot over?”

He’s going to say something… Yu knew.

“Why do you want so much room, anyhow?” Kanji scoffed.

“Uh, no reason…” Yosuke replied.

Better shut him up. Yu figured, then scooted closer to the rebel. “There. Is that plenty of room, Mr. Claustrophobic?” he quipped.

His friend blinked, while Kanji arched an eyebrow. “I-I’m not claustrophobic!” Yosuke countered. “I just… this tent is small, y’know? And the ground sucks,”

“You picked the spot,”

“Because it was the only spot left!”

“Lets just get to sleep…” Kanji groaned. “My group bailed on me, so I was stuck with the work.”

Yu looked at him, astonished. “You did all the work yourself? W-What were they doing?”

Kanji sneered. “Probably hiding in the tent until dinner… Bastards didn’t even save me any food by the time I arrived.”

“…Ouch. Talk about a dick-move.” Yosuke muttered, then added quietly, “(…at least you weren’t poisoned.)”

“Whatever. I didn’t expect anyone to eat with me anyway--- that’s why I brought my own snacks,”

Yu felt his stomach clench (and not because of Mystery Food X); to know he and Yosuke shared the only minimal food the rebel had brought for himself left him feeling a bit guilty.

“I see.” Yosuke replied, twiddling his thumbs.

He’s going to say something. Yu realized once again. Hanging out with Yosuke for so long, he knew when his best friend was going to speak his mind--- often leading to trouble.

And he knew that, whatever it was, it would piss off Kanji.

“So… Kanji,” Yosuke began.

Shit, here we go. Yu rubbed his face.

“We’re… ‘safe’ in here with you, right?”

Kanji gave him a look. “What do you mean by that?”

“I mean, given the fact that you’re---“

*WHUMP!*

Before Yosuke could utter another word, Yu hit him in the face with a pillow. “(Shut it!)” the leader hissed.

Kanji sat up, a glare in his eye. “What was that, Yosuke-senpai?” he groused.

“…I’ll tell you after my concussion clears up…” Yosuke groaned.

“It’s nothing, Kanji. Don’t listen to him,” Yu sighed.

“No, I want to hear what he has to say!” Kanji reached over and yanked the pillow off Yosuke’s face. “Go on, senpai, spill it!”

Yosuke flinched. “Well, d-don’t take this the wrong way, but… well, after seeing your Shadow---“

Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up…! Yu repeated in his head, his eyebrow twitching.

“…I figured… you might… be… gay? I-I mean if you are, that’s fine, but since we’re in a tent I just wondered---“ Yosuke was rambling now.

“Seriously?!” Kanji fumed. “You don’t trust me in the same tent because of that?! You think I’m going to…?! That I’d even consider…?! What the hell, senpai?!”

“Well, sorry! But the way your Shadow was acting, it makes me nervous---!”

“You obviously missed the symbolism, idiot.” Yu spoke up, sitting up between the two.

“W-What…?”

Yu gave him a hard glance. “Think about what Kanji had told us on the rooftop--- he enjoys sewing. But because people find it feminine, he had to keep it to himself; if people learned the truth, they would call him gay solely because they think it’s not ‘manly’. …That’s what his Shadow symbolized--- in truth, he just wanted to be accepted. Think about Yukiko’s Shadow--- it was a princess. Because everyone kept talking about how she was the heir to the Amagi Inn, that’s how they made her feel. And think about yours and Chie’s Shadows--- yours was a total jerk and Chie’s was a bitch, based on how you both felt about your own situations.”

Yosuke rubbed the back of his neck. “…O-Okay, you’ve got a point there…”

“Then why do I feel like I have to prove my sexuality to you?” Kanji sneered. “Should I go hit the girl’s tent now?!”

Yu shook his head. “That’s overcompensation,”

The rebel gave him a confused look. “What?”

“…Trying too hard. Plus it would only make you look like a perverted creep--- like Yosuke.”

“Hey…” Yosuke whined.

“I dunno… apparently it’s not ‘safe’ to share a tent with me,” Kanji muttered, bitterness all over his face.

Yu scooted closer, patting him on the back. “I feel safe with you.”

“(S-Seriously?)” Yosuke whispered, taken-aback by his leader’s actions.

Yu have him another heated glare. “If you don’t feel comfortable, Yosuke, you’re welcome to sleep elsewhere.”

“W-What?! No fair, I had to set up this tent…!”

“So did I. But you’re the only one having a fit about our sleeping arrangements--- ergo, sleep somewhere else.”

“But---!”

“Out.”

Yosuke grimaced. “…tch, whatever. This spot sucks anyway,” he then smirked. “Maybe I’ll use Kanji’s idea and sleep in the girl’s tent, hee hee.”

Kanji rolled his eyes. “Yeah. Good luck with that, Major Pervert,” he said, Yu giving a mock-salute afterward.

Yosuke sneered, but smirked. “Good luck--- try not to turn this campout into Brokeback Mountain!” with that he dashed out.

However his reference was wasted, as the rebel only arched an eyebrow. “Brokeback what?”

“Never mind.” Yu chuckled, turning out the lantern and lying down. “I give it five minutes before he comes back with a black eye.”

“I give it less,” Kanji lied back, staring at the top of the tent. “…y’know, you didn’t have to stick up for me.”

“I wanted to. …Besides, Yosuke needs to learn to keep his mouth shut about certain subjects,”

The rebel turned on his side, looking at his senpai. “Why did you get so defensive about it? As close as you and Yosuke-senpai are, I figured you’d joke around with him.”

Yu shrugged, keeping his poker-face. “I knew you’d get upset about it.”

“You sayin’ I’m sensitive?!”

“I know I would be…”

Kanji arched an eyebrow. “Huh? W-Why would you be sensitive about it?”

The leader sighed; he had to choose his words carefully. “I just would be. Getting picked on for something like that… it really hurts. Don’t think that I never had problems with other people’s comments, before.”

“Tch. Don’t try to give me sympathy… You’ve got girls like Chie and Yukiko-senpai hanging out with ya! And Teddie keeps calling you ‘Sensei’. I hear you’re good on the basketball team, too, and hear a buncha kids talking about you--- good things, too.” He frowned, looking back at the top of the tent. “No one goes quiet when you enter a room, or takes off running when they see you coming down the hall…”

Yu sighed. “Yeah, well… it’s only because I’m from the city, and everyone thinks I’m a hot-shot. Honestly, I’m just doing my best in school, and help people out with favors.”

“Yeah, but people trust you! And why shouldn’t they? You didn’t give yourself a bad reputation…”

“No… I got the ‘cool’ reputation--- and it’s a pain in the ass.”

“How?! People love you!”

“Because they think I’m cool!” Yu clenched his fist. “At first I figured it was just because I was the new kid. But no--- somehow people take one look at me and think, ‘Hey, if I hang out with this guy, I might be cool too!’ ...It was like that in the city, too. I think you guys are my only real friends, just because you like hanging out with me as a friend, not to ride my coattails,”

“Well, yeah. Of course we like hanging out with ya--- hell, you’re the only friend I’ve ever made! No one else ever had the guts to just walk up and talk to me,”

“No one else hung out with me just for the sake of hanging out,”

“Still… at least they hung out with ya,” Kanji sighed, shutting his eyes. Yu could tell he was trying his best to keep a cool head, to forget about all the comments Yosuke made--- and then some.

The leader could sympathize, but in more ways than one. True, he was the most popular kid at his old school, and had gained quite a bit of popularity since attending Yasogami High… but there was a secret he himself had.

He felt alone.

His parents worked nonstop--- not because they needed the money, they just put their jobs first. The 16-year-old couldn’t remember the last time they spent time together. He thought of those nights where he had dinner alone, all the birthdays were the most he got was a card with a half-assed signature on it, all the sporting events and ceremonies his parents missed…

Now their work took them overseas. Why bother sending him to stay with relatives? He was used to being home by himself.

Sure, he could invite his ‘friends’ over, but once they had to go home, it felt as if no one ever entered his doorway. None of them left behind a memorable moment like his new friends did--- all they wanted was to check out his stuff, ask him about parties, watch a movie then leave. No one told him about their problems, asked him for advice, confided in him…

To everyone, he was just a ‘cool kid’.

To his parents… he was more like some pet that went to school.

When he first came to Inaba, he was worried it would be the same cycle… Kids would just see him as a hot-shot, no one would be home, and he’d feel like an empty shell.

Thank God things were different.

“Senpai…” Kanji whispered, breaking him from his thoughts for a moment. “Do you really feel safe with me? …Not because of what Yosuke-senpai said, but… from what I’ve done in the past?”

Yu didn’t have to think too much. The rebel had a bad reputation--- taking on biker gangs, threatening to beat up the team the first day they met… hell, the guy punched his own Shadow’s lights out!

But deep down… there was more to him than his tough-guy image. Yu wanted to keep hanging out with him to see what all he kept hidden in his heart.

Like how he wished someone would hang out with him just to learn more about him…to see if they found their time together worthwhile.

It often scared him. If something happened to him, would any of them have cared? Probably not. His parents wouldn’t notice until weeks later, and his old classmates would just turn to the next ‘cool kid’.

At least the team cared. And he cared about the team.

Kanji included.

“Of course I feel safe,” Yu replied, moving closer and resting a hand on the rebel’s shoulder. “We’re always watching each other’s backs, remember? I know who to put my trust in,”

Kanji looked at him, taken off-guard. “S-Seriously?” sputtered; he crossed his arms, clearing his throat. “Y-You’re just saying that cuz I’m helping you guys catch the killer,”

“And because we’re friends,”

“Yeah?” Kanji turned on his side, looking his leader in the eye. “So if the cops suddenly come up to me, accusing me of causing trouble, you won’t deny we ever hung out in case they pin you as a troublemaker too?”

Yu sat up on his side; their faces were close. “If anyone accuses you of anything, I’ll be there to stand up for you, even if it gets me in trouble.”

Kanji looked at him, sighing. “You say that now, but you’d probably back down…”

“Don’t be stupid--- I didn’t back down when we had to fight your Shadow and save you. I didn’t turn and leave when that cop came into Aiya’s and started making comments. And I kicked Yosuke out of the tent when he wouldn’t keep his mouth shut. …I told you--- as long as you’ve got my back, I’ve got yours, no matter what anyone says.”

“Not even if your uncle got involved? He’s a detective, right?”

Yu scoffed. “He questions me about anything… Nanako often interferes so we don’t fight. Once I convince him you’re turning a new leaf, he’d cool off--- maybe still be suspicious of both of us, but I guess it’s part of being a parent.” He grinned. “Nanako would probably want you to make her something,”

Kanji blushed. “D-Don’t go around telling anyone! It’s bad enough someone saw my Shadow on the Midnight Channel. If you guys talk about my hobby, I’ll pound ya into the concrete!”

“I won’t.”

“Good.” The rebel turned on his back, letting out a heavy breath. “…Sorry. This whole trip’s been a pain in the ass,”

“At least it’s almost over---“

There came footsteps and loud groaning from outside the tent. “Hey…! Are you frickin’ kids asleep in there?! Anyone out past *urp* curfew gets suspended!” came the unmistakable threats of the teacher, Morooka--- aka, King Moron. It was clear he hit the booze a little too hard tonight.

“We’re asleep,” Yu responded, in a somewhat sarcastic tone.

“No you’re not! Get to sleep or you’re on my Shit List! (uugggh I drank too much booze…)”

The two stayed still, waiting until the obnoxious teacher stumbled off. “Senpai… Yosuke’s still out there!” Kanji said, a bit concerned.

Yu shook his head. “King Moron’s drunk off his ass. Yosuke could hide behind a tree and manage to avoid him,” he looked at his watch. “He should be on his way back by now. I wonder what’s taking him?”

Kanji stretched, letting out a yawn. “Maybe Chie knocked his lights out or something,” he looked at his senpai. “…Same thing probably would’ve happened to me--- I was so pissed I didn’t think twice about her deadly heels. Thanks for stopping me,”

Yu once again gave a shrug. “Like I said, it would be overcompen--- er, trying too hard. As long as you’re comfortable, I’m comfortable.”

“Alright, if you say so…” His face was still a bit red, and his position remained tense; he was still forcing himself to relax.

Yu moved back. “Here, scoot near the middle,”

“What? Why?”

“The ground isn’t too bad here. This way you’ll have less chance of rolling onto that rock,”

“Oh, uh, thanks… but what about you? Any further and you might roll downhill,”

“I don’t move much in my sleep, I’ll be fine.”

“Still… I can move back over, it’s no problem,”

Yu sighed. “How about we share the middle?”

Kanji’s eyes widened. “Are you nuts?! W-What if Yosuke comes back…?!”

“Then he can join us.”

“SENPAI!” The rebel’s face was completely red now.

“Kanji. We’re just. Going. To sleep. There’s no reason to feel embarrassed--- and if Yosuke wants to make comments, let him… you can just kick his ass later--- I’ll help.”

Kanji had his face covered in a face-palm. He mumbled something under his breath. “…If it were anyone else… Alright, senpai. If you’re okay with it,”

The leader gave a nod, then closed his eyes. The rebel let out another breath, relaxing and doing the same.

A few minutes passed before the two drifted to sleep.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Since he left the tent, Yosuke had been in stealth-mode. The entire campsite had fallen quiet since the sun had gone down, save for a few students sharing gossip.

“Did you watch the Midnight Channel the other night?” one student was whispering to another. “That show was BEYOND weird!”

“I know right? …I liked the last one with that princess.” His tent-mate responded.

“…I almost had a heart attack,” a boy was saying in a first-year tent. “I was like, ‘There is no way in hell Kanji Tatsumi is my soul-mate!’”

“How about that weird show he was on? I didn’t know whether to laugh or throw up!” another boy replied. “…Hey, Naoki, you used to hang out with him when you were kids, right?”

“Yeah, but that was years ago.” Naoki replied. “Besides, I don’t think you should be talking about him behind his back. He looked pretty pissed at you guys when he left,”

“Where do you think he went?” the first boy asked.

“I dunno, but if he doesn’t get back soon, he’s gonna get expelled--- King Moron likes to lurk around, y’know.”

“Oh well. It’s his funeral,” the second boy responded.

“…talk about a freak,” a girl was stating in a third-year tent. “And I thought he was scary enough in person!”

“But why would he show up on TV like that? You think he’s someone’s soul-mate?” another girl asked.

“Ugh, who would want to date… that?” a third girl sneered. “In any case, the Midnight Channel sure has been showing weird stuff. I wonder who’ll appear on next?”

Hopefully no one, Yosuke thought. So far the investigation was proving difficult--- every time they had a lead, the next victim would end up throwing them off-track.

He paused in his tracks, hearing a horrible sound…

“SNOOOOORRRRRKKKLLLLTH… ZZZZZZZHHHHHOOONNNKK…”

“The hell is that…?!” Yosuke whispered to himself, finding it was coming from a second-year tent…

Right at this moment, Chie and Yukiko were coming out. “…no way I’m sleeping with that!” Chie was muttering; she gave a yelp when she noticed someone outside their tent. “Augh!”

“Shh! Shh! It’s just me!” Yosuke stammered, shielding himself.

“Yosuke?! What are you doing outside our tent?!” Yukiko demanded in a hushed tone.

“I was just, uh, taking a walk. I was having trouble sleeping, so I figured the fresh-air would help. …What about you guys? Why are you doing, sneaking out?”

“Ugh, can you not HEAR that?!” Chie sneered, pointing to the tent just as another symphony of snores rang out. “We couldn’t sleep with all that racket!”

“We were going to see if someone else would let us bunk with them,” Yukiko said.

“Why don’t you come to my tent? Our guys cut out, and we’ve got Kanji staying with us already…” Yosuke began to persuade.

Chie glared. “Nice try, Horny-mura. There is no way I’m sharing a tent with you,”

Yosuke sighed. “It was worth a shot…”

Yukiko looked up at the starry skies; thankfully the weather was clear for their trip. “We should find somewhere to sleep; it’s already getting late. I heard Morooka patrols the campsite at night,” she whispered.

“Oh shit… I forgot King Moron’s obsessed with busting anyone on school trips,”

“W-Well, lets hurry up and get back to your tent; if he catches you around ours, he’ll call you out for being a pervert.” Chie stated.

“Me?! What if he catches you two walking with me back to my tent?!”

Yukiko shushed them both. “Let’s just be careful; your tent isn’t far from ours, right? We can get there, then Chie and I can slip into someone else’s tent.”  She suggested. Another loud snore came from their tent. “…preferably, the farthest one from ours.”

The trio began walking. As they snuck through the campsite, they heard a couple more students gossiping. “You think the killer will strike again?” a first-year girl was asking. “I mean, it’s been a while, but… you think he’s still in Inaba?”

“I hope not… C-C’mon, lets get some sleep. No more talking about murders,” her tent-mate replied, timid.

“…You think the killer did skip town?” Chie asked in a hushed voice as they walked behind some tents. “We’ve thwarted him twice now.”

“So he might be in another town, throwing people into the TV?” Yukiko wondered. “…but… wait, would this even work in other towns?”

“…I don’t know. But, it sure seems weird--- the Midnight Channel rumors didn’t start until that reporter, Miss Yamano, appeared on television.” Yosuke replied.

“Oh, yeah--- someone was making a fuss about it, saying she was his soul-mate!” Chie remembered. “It does seem to fit… The Midnight Channel is an urban-legend that only exists in Inaba--- er, right?”

Yosuke shook his head, sighing. “I hope it’s just Inaba… If it turns out someone got thrown in from another city or country, we’re going to have a hell of a time tracking them down in the TV World,”

“Heeeyyy… are there a buncha low-lives over there?!” came a drunken slur, ten feet away.

“Oh, crap--- King Moron’s coming this way!” Chie gasped.

“Q-Quick, hide!” Yukiko urged.

The threesome hurried around some trees; Yosuke ushered them to climb up one, each of them clinging onto a sturdy branch, just as the drunken teacher came lumbering over, waving around a flashlight. “Where are ya?! I know someone’s over here…!” he hollered.

Yosuke flinched, hiking his leg higher as the flashlight’s beam aimed his way, avoiding getting caught in the light.

“Morooka!” came a teacher’s shout in the distance. “Get back to your tent--- it’s almost midnight!”

“And let these hooligans run ‘round…? *urp* probably heading into each other’s tents to cozy up with someone… Ya want to deal with a buncha pregnant teenagers?!” Morooka slurred back.

“Ugh, you’ve been drinking too much. Go get some sleep--- you’re going to wake up the whole camp!”

“Fine… but whatever happens didn’t happen on MY clock, buster…!”

Everyone kept quiet until they were sure the teachers were gone, then climbed down the tree. “Whew! That was too close…” Chie sighed with relief.

Yukiko looked around at the rest of the tents; they all had fallen silent. “I think everyone’s sleeping now. It’s so quiet,” she said. She paused, still hearing snoring in the distance. “…save for our tent. If we sneak into someone’s tent now, they would probably freak out.”

“My offer’s still on the table,” Yosuke said with a wink.

“Ugh, get over it…” Chie sneered; she heard the snoring in the distance. “…Fine. But will there be enough room? You said Kanji-kun was with you guys,”

“Why IS he in your tent, anyway?” Yukiko asked. “Isn’t he supposed to be sharing one with his group?”

“They all got quiet when he was in there, he said. We let him bunk with us,” Yosuke grinned, trying not to snicker. “That’s… actually the real reason I’m out here. I kinda pissed him off, so I had to am-scray.”

“What did you do?” Chie sighed.

“I-I just made a couple jokes about his Shadow--- I made a crack, asking if he were really gay and if Narukami and I would be safe sleeping with him. …Man, the look on his face! I never saw anyone turn that red!”

“What?!” Yukiko snapped; out of reflex, she slapped Yosuke across the face. “You asshole! How could you say something like that?!”

“I-It was just a joke…! Sort of… I mean, his Shadow was practically eying Narukami and I--- a-and those two muscular shadows it summoned groped our asses!”

“But his Shadow was just an extension of his feelings--- the way he was made fun of as a kid made him keep them locked up inside.”

Yosuke rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah… Narukami told me that…” he looked at himself and Chie. “I wonder why our Shadows never transformed into something like that, Chie. Ours dressed like us--- they just acted like jerks,”

“I wondered that too… Why did mine look like some evil twin of mine, while Yukiko’s was a princess?” Chie agreed.

“Well… maybe it’s based on how others make us feel?” Yukiko guessed. “I felt like a princess, Kanji felt like a gay stereotype… But, despite both of your inner-feelings, no one dubbed you two as anything else.”

“I think I get it…” Yosuke crossed his arms, letting out a sigh. “…and now I feel like a dick… He’s probably dealing with enough, after what everyone saw on the Midnight Channel.”

“I suggest you apologize to him. NOW.” Yukiko said firmly, a heated glare in her eyes. “What you said was downright mean-spirited!”

“Yeah. A-And you have no right to tease him about it, anyway! You keep making lewd comments--- how would you like it if we accused you of being a sex offender?!” Chie snapped. “I’ve got a cell-phone full of the gross text messages you send me at night as proof!”

Yosuke flinched. “Alright, alright, I’ll go apologize! No need to get personal…”

“You’re already there, Hana-moron.”

Yukiko snickered, covering her mouth to stifle a laughing fit. “Hee hee hee! That’s a pretty good nickname for him…! *snort* Ha ha!”

“Shh! Shh! Keep it down, Yukiko! You’ll wake the whole camp!”

“C-C’mon, our tent is over here. …It might be a little cramped, but I think we can make room,” Yosuke assured as they snuck over to his tent. The lantern was out, and it was quiet save for soft snoring. “Huh. They must be asleep. Better be qui--- guh!” He froze after poking his head in.

“W-What’s wrong?” Chie asked, as she and Yukiko looked in.

“Aww…” Yukiko sighed softly.

Lying in the middle of the tent were Yu and Kanji; at some point during their slumber, the leader’s head ended up resting against the rebel’s chest; the first-year’s arm was draped around his senpai’s shoulders, both of them looking content.

“Oh geez… I was right…” Yosuke said, his voice almost cracking.

Chie elbowed him in the ribs. “If you say one word, I’ll kick you in the balls so hard your semen will ache!” she hissed.

“Oh c’mon! They’re curled up together!”

“I think it’s pretty sweet… But, should we wake them and let them know we’re here?”

“Let’s let them sleep,” Yukiko advised, then grinned. “Hee hee, they can actually serve as a barrier between us and Yosuke.” She looked at the right side of the tent. “We can sleep on this side.”

Yosuke’s shoulders slumped. “But that’s my side… and there’s a huge rock on the other side! It’ll kill my back!”

Chie crossed her arms, giving him a look. “Well, maybe that’ll teach you to think twice before you make gay-cracks about someone, hmm?” She and Yukiko crawled over to the left side. “(Careful, Yukiko, it slants here…)”

“It’s only for tonight. We’ll be out early in the morning,” Yukiko assured, lying down with Chie.

Yosuke groaned, lying down on the left side, adjusting himself so that he wasn’t too close to the middle or lying on a rock; he ended up on his side, his back slightly arched. Damn, his muscles were going to ache after this…!

He looked over at Kanji and Yu, trying to get his head around their position; sure, in his mind, he figured the tough rebel secretly liked to cuddle (something he was sure to tease him for later)… but looking at their leader, he was confused. He was only outside the tent for maybe 20 minutes, half an hour at the most--- they couldn’t have ended up that close in such a short amount of time, especially with the amount of time it takes someone to fall asleep (which, given their poor location, would be triple the effort).

Plus, Yu’s head was on Kanji’s chest… the silver-haired student using the freshman as a pillow. The way the rebel was laying--- one arm around his senpai, the other sprawled by his side--- it seemed he made no effort to curl up with the leader.

In actuality… it seemed like Yu was the one who snuggled first…

So, our leader cuddles in his sleep… Yosuke thought, beginning to drift off as fatigue set in despite his suspicions were going haywire. I wonder if that’s his only secret, though…

He wasn’t alone, as Yukiko and Chie were looking at Yu as well; the leader had been training with the tomboy for a while, and had just started hanging out with the inn-heiress. “Hey, Chie… do you think Yu-chan…?” the latter quietly whispered.

Chie shook her head. “L-Let’s not jump to conclusions… otherwise we’d be no better than Yosuke.” She smiled, looking over at the middle. “…besides, it’s kinda cute. Oh, I wish I could take a picture with my cell phone,”

“Um, maybe it would be best if we kept this a secret. For their sake.” Yukiko rubbed her arm. “I don’t want them getting teased...”

“Yeah… Okay. Consider my lips sealed,”

Yukiko nodded, and the two drifted to sleep.

…

Unbeknownst to them, their leader overheard everything. He had only been half-asleep by the time they came in--- Kanji dosed off quicker than he did, his arms stretching out. The silver-haired student had no choice but to lift his head above the left arm… and it automatically curled around him. He would have moved, scooted over… but knew that would make him a liar after stating he was comfortable in the middle with the freshman.

In fact, he was more comfortable than he thought he would be.

After a lonely life in the city, it felt nice to be held by someone--- guy or girl, it left a warm feeling in his heart. He actually felt like the bond between him and Kanji would be growing closer soon.

Not to mention… he did like the rebel. He admired his will to change, the effort he was making to turn a new leaf, how he opened up to the group after his recovery… And Yu wanted to see the best of him.

He stole a glance over at Yukiko and Chie, thankful they would stay quiet about it. Yosuke would probably make jokes about it, but the leader was already thinking up retorts to counter his wise-cracks.

Closing his eyes, Yu began to nod off, listening to the chorus of soft breathing, mild snores, and a strong heartbeat drumming against his ear.

Yes, he certainly felt safe.  

[kronicillk]

Question and answer time!!!

Thanks @beautyofdeconstruction 1. Are looks important in a relationship? A: no not really, I prefer personality and than find beauty in the body, but in saying that sometimes a persons looks can affect the way you perceive them.
2. Are relationships ever worth it? A: most definitely, even if they don't last, even if it was painful, you can learn a lot from relationships and continue to hope for a better relationship once you have learnt about yourself
3. Are you a virgin? A: bwhahaha nope
4. Are you in a relationship? A: nope, I do wish I was from time to time but I realise how much help and affection I need to help me grow as a person
5. Are you in love? A: love no, crush yes. 
6. Are you single this year? A: yup completely. 
7. Can you commit to one person? A: yes
8. Describe your crush A: it's a guy, I met in hospital which is usually a bad idea, he gives off a Viking sort of appearance and while gentle and intelligent can be as powerful as a hurricane. He has many girls and even guys falling for him, which is unusual for me, he had a lot of problems hence why we are simply friends right now as he needs space and time but I'm not ready to give up on him yet.
9. Describe your perfect mate A: intelligent, loyal, strong morals, is clingy but knows when to give space, enjoys coffee or cafe adventures, respects my beliefs, will listen to my insane theories even if they just laugh at them. Can make me laugh and blush regularly which is hard to do.
10. Do you believe in love at first sight? A: I want to, but our eyes can be bigger than our stomachs. 
11. Do you ever want to get married? A: if the right person came along, and probably a pagan hand fasting ceremony rather than a catholic one unless my partner was strongly catholic.
12. Do you forgive betrayal? A: depends, small stuff yes but I still hold onto it, big betrayals can speak about a persons true nature and I don't usually forgive those.
13. Do you get jealous easily? A: I can, but I usually realise, analyse it and move on pretty quickly.
14. Do you have a crush on anyone? A: yusssss
15. Do you have any piercings? A: normal ear lobes and belly button but I want more
16. Do you have any tattoos? A: not yet
17. Do you like kissing in public? A: pecks yes, full making out no, unless in a crowd or a quieter area depends
20. Do you shower every day? A: not usually I don't have the energy for that.
21. Do you think someone has feelings for you? A: I doubt it, but I'd like to think at least one person admires me from afar.
22. Do you think someone is thinking about you right now? A: nah
23. Do you think you can last in a relationship for 6 months and not cheat? A: absolutely, it's not in my nature to cheat.
24. Do you think you’ll be married in 5 years? A: highly unlikely 
25. Do you want to be in a relationship this year? A: it would be nice but I'm not too fussed
26. Has anyone told you they don’t want to ever lose you? A: I don't think so
27. Has someone ever written a song or poem for you? A: no
28. Have you ever been cheated on? A: no
29. Have you ever cheated on someone? A: Hell no
30. Have you ever considered plastic surgery? If so, what would you change about your body? A:I have some liposuction on my thighs, calves, stomach and arms, thinning down my jaw line so it isn't so wide.
31. Have you ever cried over a guy/girl? A: romantically? No
32. Have you ever experienced unrequited love? A: yup who hasn't these days
33. Have you ever had sex with a man? A: haha yeah
34. Have you ever had sex with a woman? A: not yet 😭
35. Have you ever kissed someone older than you? A: yup multiple times 
36. Have you ever liked one of your best friends? A: best friends no, close friends yes. 
37. Have you ever liked someone who your friends hated? A: not that I believe
38. Have you ever liked someone you didn’t expect to? A: yup
39. Have you ever wanted someone you couldn’t have? A: a few times 😅
40. Have you ever written a song or poem for someone? A: yup but they never saw it
41. Have you had sex so far this year? A: no 😭
42. How long can you just kiss until your hands start to wander? A: as long as the other person 
43. How long was your longest relationship? A: a couple of months I think
44. How many boyfriends/girlfriends have you had? A: in total I think it's 6 
45. How many people did you kiss in 2011? A: haha no one 
46. How many times did you have sex last year? A: twice I think
47. How old are you? A: 21
48. If the person you like says they like someone else, what would you say? A: support them, they don't see me that way and while it hurts I'd rather see them happy than fulfil my own desires 
49. If you have a boyfriend/girlfriend, what is your favorite thing about him/her? A: n/A
50. If your first true love knocked on your door with apology and presents, would you accept? A: probs not I'd be thankful but sit them down with a coffee a remind them exactly what happened.
51. Is there a boy/girl who you would do absolutely everything for? A: I can't do everything but there is at least one person I would do anything within my power 
52. Is there anyone you’ve given up on? Why? A: yup, distance, unrequited love, they had a lot of struggles them self and they clung to me to save them and I knew that was not helping them.
53. Is there someone mad because you’re dating/talking to the person you are? A: yup
54. Is there someone you will never forget? A: always
55. Share a relationship story. A: My first girlfriend, I met in a special school met to reintroduce kids who had been institutionalised back into school. I had only been there a week but was still too sick for it to be of any help, I ran into her a few more times in community care facilities, once we both left we dated for a few months we were both very unwell, but she lacked any internal awareness, just before my 16th birthday she was planning to take me camping to take my V card, I was really excited and was desperate, but started calling me and emotionally abusing me, I didn't realise at the time but she was easy become jealous, after the regular calls which my parents were curious about despite me hating phone calls and not knowing about my non-straightness, I filled with panic and requested a break, she believed I was dumping her and she called me crying saying she was going to kill herself, panic overwhelmed me and I realised I had become someone who was going to be guilty of sending someone to suicide despite only trying to protect my own sanity, I called her housemate and found she was fine and safe and was sitting watching a comedy movie with her laughing. I cut ties with her and when she turned stalker I quietly ignored her without anyone knowing until she was harasssing me and threatened to go to the police, she left me alone of 2 years but every once in a while she'll try to contact me and apologise for what's she's done and wants to make amends but I refuse to be in any contact with her.
56. State 8 facts about your body A: 1. My upper thighs are littered with self harm scars 2. I have PCOS and grow a little extra fuzz than most people 3. I have hyperextension in most of my joints and dislocate regularly 4. My natural hair is actually red/orange but since I don't go outside much and have dyed it it grows back more a light brown 5. On my right foot the creases look like the Kanji for Baka/stupid 6. My eyes are a deep beautiful brown that have plenty of white which people say they fall into (tacky I know right but kind of nice) 7. My boobs are a lovely 12D to a 14C and despite my paleness I believe are just the right size 8. My hair and nails grow unusually fast despite my sick body and slow healing. 
57. Things you want to say to an ex A: I'm sorry I couldn't be your one, I truly hope you are doing better and don't look back on our time with regret or sadness.
58. What are five ways to win your heart? A: coffee, chcocolate, knowing my allergies and sensitivities, knowing my small quirks and habits, scented candles and soft toys 
59. What do you look like? (Post a picture!) A: okay down below 
60. What is the biggest age difference between you and any of your partners? A: 15 years
61. What is the first thing you notice in someone? A: how they carry them self 
62. What is the sexiest thing someone could ever do for/to you? A: plan a date or weekend get away with lots of coffee and some alcohol, some beautiful sites knowing their accessibility, a nice hotel. Hell it could be small just take me around the local area or to the beach and just be with me. 
63. What is your definition of “having sex”? A: physical contact that involves private body parts insertion or a series or touching with sweat and orgasms.
64. What is your definition of cheating? A: if you are in a committed relationship and than spend more time energy and feelings on someone else this may or may not involve sex, but any kissing is for sure.
65. What is your favourite foreplay routine? A: touching, kissing, teasing. 
66. What is your favourite roleplay? A: depends on the mood and person
67. What is your idea of the perfect date? A: something simple, it doesn't have to involve a lot of money, as long as we can enjoy the time together and can do some romantic things I don't honestly mind, I'm easily pleased. 
68. What is your sexual orientation? A: Pansexual 
69. What turns you off? A: stupidity, IGNORANCE, selfishness, lack of personal awareness.
70. What turns you on? A: light touches, simple kisses on the cheek or forehead, playing with my hair.
71. What was your kinkiest wet dream? A: BWHAHAHA SO NOT APPROPRIATE not for my main blog at least. Let's just say lots and lots of sex with some BDSM
72. What words do you like to hear during sex? A: again not appropriate for my main blog but what most people like to hear I guess. 
73. What’s something sweet you’d like someone to do for you? A: I'd like to make them something or buy them something important, something useful maybe otherwise I'd just like to take them out for coffee and chat let them talk and be there for them.
74. What’s the most superficial characteristic you look for? A: that they wear deodorant and shower somewhat regularly and wash hair
75. What’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for you? Won a soft toy in an arcade for me
76. What’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever done for someone? A: fuck um depends, as a gift? I got my housemate a doormat that we both love with Harley Quinn on it, but I think the sweetest thing I've ever done would be finding people who are living through hell, listened to them, talked to them, laughed with them, watched them emerge from their shells and grow in the most wonderful people that I continue to cheer on.
77. What’s your opinion on age differences in relationships? A: As long as it's legal and all consensual I don't give a fuck. 
78. What’s your dirtiest secret? A: i am a horny mother fucker that appears very innocent and conceal my sex life. 
79. When was the last time you felt jealous? Why? A: I am jealous constantly of healthy people, beautiful people, confident people, of a lot of people but hardly ever in a romantic way.
80. When was the last time you told someone you loved them? A: yesterday to my mum after giving me a wonderful birthday
81. Who are five people you find attractive? A: 1. Kristen Stewart 2. Benedict Cumberpatch 3. Robert Patterson 4. Jennifer Lawrence 5. Idk some randoms I see on the street 
82. Who is the last person you hugged? A: my brothers girlfriend Kelly, as she moves two states away to be with him.
83. Who was your first kiss with? A: his name was Jack, I just turned 16.
84. Why did your last relationship fail? A: She was crazy as fuck.
85. Would you ever date someone off of the Internet? A: sure