Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ The Babysitter ❯ Door Number One ( Chapter 1 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Weiss Kreuz nor am I profiting from this, it is for pure reading enjoyment. The wonderful Koyasu Takehito is the creator.

“I don’t need a babysitter,” Omi grieved.

“Listen, I know that you’re a big boy and all but I would just feel better knowing that Ohashi-san is looking after you while your father and I are visiting his uncle in the hospital. And she’s not a babysitter...she’s just sort of a supervisor. It’s only for a couple days.”

“A couple days! Great, by the time you get back she’ll have been here so long that we’ll have to open up all the doors and windows to just air all the old people smell out.”

“That’s enough young man.”

“I can take care of myself and the two little brats all on my own.”

“Well, I’m not taking any chances while your father and I are so far away overnight. Besides, your father’s car is in the shop and we’re taking mine all the way to the airport. You wouldn’t be able to drive anywhere if you needed too. It’s just better this way. Anyhow, if your father asks where I am, tell him that I went to Ohashi-san’s for a moment.”

Omi’s mother crossed the street and knocked on her neighbor’s door. “Come in,” said the voice inside. She wiped her shoes on the welcome mat and entered. “Ohayo.”

“Good morning. I’ve just stopped by to give you a list of emergency phone numbers and things that the two younger children are allergic to.”

“Oh, of course. You look flustered. I take it that Omi still isn’t fond of the babysitting idea.”

“I told him that you were more like a supervisor and he still didn’t buy it.”

“Would you?” asked the older woman with a raised brow.

“No, I guess not.”

“Well...hmmm...I think I have a plan B.”

“What’s that?”

“Maybe I can get my grandson Yohji to help out.”

“Yeah, he’s good with kids.”

“We can have him go in my place. I’ll just show up once or twice but Yohji can run the show. I’m sure Omi will feel less threatened around someone closer to his own age.”

“Good idea. Everything’s gonna turn out great.”

+++

“Everything sucks,” Omi complained. He and his good friend Ken had ditched school just two hours into class and were hiding out in an abandoned house. “First my great uncle who is just as close to me as my grandfather nearly dies in an accident, my parents won’t let me go along to see him cause they say they’d have to take my siblings along too and it’d be too much of a ‘hassle.’ Then, I get stuck with a babysitter despite the fact that I’m practically grown and now I get this fucking Progress Report second period that says I might fail the term unless I turn in my essay on Hamlet by tomorrow. What is this, a fucking conspiracy?”

“Calm down. I told you I’d help on the report. I had your same instructor last year and we read the same play.”

“Cool.” Omi’s stomach began to rumble. “Damn, I’m starved. I didn’t have breakfast this morning.”

“Yeah, me neither.”

“I can’t wait ‘til we get back to my house. We’ve got some left over pizza in the ‘fridge.”

At home, Omi pulled down a couple plates from the cupboard. Ken dug the half empty pizza box out of the ‘fridge as well as a couple bottles of soda. They pigged out comfortably on the sofa, napkins tucked into their collars, food particles flying everywhere. Bellies now full, they surfed the television channels for something good to watch.

A clicking sound could be heard down the front entrance that made the two boys turn to look at each other in pure shock. They switched off the television and ran to Omi’s bedroom with the soda bottles and plates in hand. They hid in the closet and were as quiet as mice. “Fuck, my parents must have forgotten something and now they’re back,” Omi whispered. He expected to hear the familiar voices of his mother and father but instead there was only the sound of footsteps stopping at the front door and shoes being deposited there. For a moment he could hear nothing more...then, came a loud sigh. Omi still couldn’t recognize the tone.

“Alright, come out, come out, wherever you are.” Omi flinched. Who the hell was in the house? He thought he should investigate and if the intruder gave him any problems he’d just bust the back end of his soda bottle and stab the bastard to death. But that idea was ill prepared and there was always the consequence of this intruder having a gun. Omi began to rise anyhow but Ken pulled him back down and shook his head. He pointed to the square cut out in the ceiling of the closet that led to the attic. Omi nodded and they used the shelves to climb up quickly. Soon they heard the soft footsteps of someone entering the room. The closet door was slid open by a man who seemed to instinctively look up at the attic opening where he could see the two boys peering down at him. SWOOSH- A bottle came hurling past him as he ducked out of the way. “Omi, do that again and you are dead meat.”

Omi’s blue eyes widened. “How the hell do you know my name?”

“Well, first of all your parents sent me to help out not to mention the fact that I coach your little brother’s soccer team and believe it or not this isn’t our fist time meeting.” The two boys still stared blankly. “My name’s Yohji. We used to hang out together when your family first moved into this house and I still lived with my grandparents.”

“Oh,” the blonde replied thoughtfully. “It’s just that you’ve...”

“Changed? Well, that was a good five years ago. Now come on down, the both of you. You look nuts.” Yohji looked at the brunette friend. “By the way, who are you?”

“I’m Ken.”

“Nice to meet you,” Yohji said extending his hand for a shake that Ken timidly received. “So, I guess my grand question for the day is...what are you two doing home so early?”

“Uhhhh....” Omi and Ken stalled.

“I think I get the picture. Well, as long as you’re home, why don’t you help me clean up a little by picking up all these plates and things here in your closet.”

Ken frowned thoughtfully. “We took all the evidence with us, How’d you know we were home?”

“Instinct.”

“Damn.”< br>
What had really tipped Yohji off were the two backpacks next to the sofa.

“So please, don’t try to pull anymore fast ones on me. You’ll only end up embarrassing yourselves.”

“Are you gonna rat us out?” Omi asked up front

“Do you have any homework?”

“Maybe.”

“What kind?”
“We’re supposed to be working on a book report.”

“Fine, if you get it done by the time I have to pick up your brother and sister from school then, I’ll let you off the hook. That means no televison, no computer games and no more goofing off. It’ll be like school, where you really ought to be right now.” Omi’s brow furrowed. “Sounds like a fair trade to me kiddo, take it or leave it.”

“How do you even know that you’ve given us enough time?”

“Something tells me that I’ve given you more than plenty. But this little deal will just make sure that you don’t get too distracted.”

+++

Yohji sat by quietly reading a business magazine while Ken and Omi raced against the clock to get the assignment done no matter how tired or bored they grew.

“Done,” Omi called out.

“Let’s see it,” Yohji asked with an outstretched hand. He grasped the paper and began doing a brief look over the paragraphs. “Okay...and right on time too,” he said while looking at his watch. “Looks like it’s time for me to pick up Van and Yoko. Do you two wanna come along.”

“I think we’ll pass,” Omi responded smugly.

“Okie Dokie.”

Ken flipped on the television hardly paying attention as the eldest boy picked up his keys and left. Omi on the other hand was keeping a close eye on things. He waited to hear Yohji’s car pull away then, he ran over to the front window to make sure that the vehicle was well down the road.

“What’re you doing?” asked Ken.

“What does it look like I’m doing?” Yohji had left behind a black jacket that was draped behind one of the dining room chairs. Omi started going through all the pockets. Ken got a closer view of what his friend was up to and joined in with a mischievous smile. “Score. Free cigarettes.” Omi took two out of the pack. “Good brand. These are strong.”

“Just take one. He’ll get wise if he notices two are gone after leaving the them with the two of us. We’ll share it.”

“Cool,” Omi agreed as he rifled through the jacket a little more. He felt something in the inside breast pocket. “Ooh la la.”

“What is it?” Ken grinned.

“I think it’s...yep,” Omi said pulling the package out. “...a condom. Wow, it’s like Christmas. This jacket is full of gifts for us.” The two boys laughed hysterically.

“Let’s see what else he’s got in here.” Ken dived his hand into another pocket. “Uh, oh. Looks like he left his wallet behind,” teased the brunette as he opened it up. “Hmm, I’ve never seen anyone with a good driver’s license photo before. This is a first.”

“Better hope he doesn’t get pulled over without it.”

“Yeah, it’ll cost him.”

“Speaking of cost, is there any cash in there.”

“Twenty bucks.”

The two boys looked at each other with smirks, each with the same question in mind. “Nah,” they said, shaking their heads in unison and closed that portion of the wallet up.

“Pictures,” said Ken. Omi leaned in to have a look. They smiled with amusement at the first couple of photos, obviously pictures of Yohji’s friends. The last photo was of a redhead whose expression could hardly be considered a smile. “He looks happy,” said Ken with a hint of sarcasm.

“Give it here a minute,” Omi requested. Curiously, he dug behind that photo and pulled out another. Both he and Ken blushed. “Let’s put this back.” They returned the jacket to an orderly fashion and started heading for the back porch. “I’m glad we found this cigarette. I need it.”

They didn’t say much, they just passed the cigarette back and forth trying to think of anything good to say. “Can you stay for dinner?” the blonde asked. His blue eyes seeming dull.

“Okay,” was Ken’s hollow response.

“Arigatou. I can’t sit with him alone at the dinner table, other than with my siblings. It’ll be too uncomfortable.”

“I know.”

Omi passed the cigarette one last time. “You can kill it now.” Ken stamped it to the ground.

+++

The commotion of two children entering the house announced Yohji’s arrival with Van and Yoko.
“Go get started on your homework, I’ll be back there to help you soon,” said the man as he watched the two kids race to their room. “Hey guys,” he greeted Ken and Omi.

“Ken’s staying for dinner,” Omi said abruptly.

“Uh, okay.” The boy’s voice sounded strange and Yohji was picking up on it. “So what do you want for dinner?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes!” Yohji gave the younger boy a confused stare then, shrugged his shoulder’s and went about his business.

Ken scooted closer to Omi on the couch. “Omi, tone it down. You’re acting like a jerk.” The blonde scoffed at the comment and went along playing his video game.

Yohji had ordered Italian take out. Van and Yoko really enjoyed the pasta and the grilled chicken that came with it as they slurped up the noodles like children often do. “So how’s the food?” asked Yohji playfully.

“It’s good,” said Yoko.

“Yeah, really good,” added Van. Ken nodded his head with the two compliments but Omi was motionless.

+++

Insulted but not willing to let it get him down, Yohji ignored Omi’s impoliteness. When dinner was over, he cleaned up by himself while the two younger children watched cartoons and the older boys stayed confined to Omi’s room. Yohji wondered if he should go try to make peace but he didn’t want to seem too overbearing. He blinked his jade eyes shut in mild frustration then, declined the idea.

Soon enough it was time for Ken to go home which meant that Omi and Yohji would be the only people left in the house who didn’t have a 9:00 o’clock bedtime. The oldest boy peeked into Omi’s room. “Hey, I gotta leave real quick but I’ll be back in a flash.”

“Whatever.”

Yohji ran a hand through his hair with a sigh. This kid’s attitude was really wearing thin on him. Omi could hear him rounding up his younger siblings down the hall to brush their teeth and get to bed. They whined a little but did exactly as they were told. They wanted to stay up with their new friend but respected him enough not to put up a fight. Soon afterward, the man left.
Omi washed up too and got into his night clothes. He sat at his desk with a pair of headphones connected to the computer. He felt a hand on his shoulder and spun around quickly. “Fuck,” he said with a harsh breath. “Don’t sneak up on me like that!”

“Lower your voice,” Yohji said with a furrowed brow. He was beginning to get upset.

Omi noticed something different about the air. “Why do you smell like dope?” Yohji rolled his eyes. “So this is who I got traded up for? My parents would rather have some pothead look after the house as opposed to me?”

“It’s not like that.”

“I’m assuming that’s why you had to leave all of a sudden. To get a few hits before bedtime.” Omi stood to his feet as he accused the other man.

“That’s enough!” yelled the older boy. “I went to my grandparent’s house not that it’s any of your business. My grandfather has glaucoma and using marijuana is part of his treatment. So back off and straighten up!”

“Get bent, you faggot!”

Just as easily as he’d stood up, Omi was knocked back into his seat by a strong hand pushing him backward then, yanking him forward by the neck of his shirt. “Don’t you ever and mean ever, use that term around me again. Do you hear me? That is a foul word that you obviously don’t realize the cruel history and meaning of. How childish of you. Van and Yoko are only eight and ten years old but they’ve been acting more mature than you have. You will be eighteen soon, start acting like it. Maybe then, your parents will leave you in charge next time.” Yohji let go of Omi’s shirt collar. “Grow up,” he growled out. “I’ll be sleeping in the den if you need me.” He almost didn’t want to offer the service but after all, he was getting paid to watch after the Tsukiyono household and he had a job to uphold.

Omi stayed tense even after the man had exited his room. He kept thinking about what Yohji had said and the truth of it. Of course Yohji thought he was immature, how couldn’t he? After all, Omi had been acting like a brat the entire night. In fact, he’d been acting that way practically all year. His parents shrugged it off as teenage hormones but there still wasn’t any excuse for the boy’s misbehavior. Typically, Omi was a pretty smart and responsible kid...just not so much anymore. His parents didn’t trust him to look after the house and keep both his own and his younger siblings best interests in mind. Obviously, Omi had already taken advantage of their absence by skipping school early to hang out at home and brought a partner in crime for the ride.

+++

Yohji turned the television down low as not to wake anyone and laid down on the sofa with a pillow and blanket. Nothing else interesting was on so he started watch re-runs of a show he once loved. Something came floating by and landed on the coffee table in front of him. It was a paper airplane. He reached for it and noticed there was a note inside. Unfolding the wings, he realized it was from Omi. “Gomen...” it started.

Omi began clearing off his desk and powered down his computer when a paper airplane came flying by. He opened the wings but they revealed no words. “Ahem,” came a voice behind him. He flipped around to see Yohji in the doorway. “Apology accepted.” Omi gave a weak smile, he was still a little embarrassed of himself. “Friends?” Yohji extended his hand.

“Friends,” said Omi as he shook the older man’s hand.

“And lose the attitude, okay? It doesn’t fit you.” The younger boy turned his blue eyes away. “Why the cold shoulder anyway? You and I used to get along pretty well.”

“I’m just having a bad day.”

“Are you sure that’s it? You seemed pretty bothered. It’s like you went from rude to spiteful in thirty seconds.”

“Yeah, I know. I just needed to calm down.”

“Is it cause I’m gay?” Omi’s eyes shot up at the question. “Do you not like that about me?”

“How–would–I even–know–that–you–were??” The words seemed to run together, they were said so quickly.

Yohji took a hand from behind his back and held up one of the photos from his wallet. “Well...I have a smoke after every meal. I opened my pack and noticed that three cigarettes were gone but I’d only taken one out for breakfast and one for lunch since dinner was barely over. It wasn’t hard to draw a conclusion. Just to make sure nothing else had been taken, I did a quick search. I was pleased to see that the money in my wallet was still there but well...this thing had accidentally been put in backward,” Yohji said referring to the photo. “And it wasn’t done by me.” Omi didn’t say anything, he just looked back and forth from the picture to Yohji’s face. “So, in all honesty, Omi,” Yohji began softly while taking his arm down. “Does it bother you? I know it’s why you chose a particular insult to call me when we were arguing earlier.”

“I’m sorry,” Omi said sincerely.

“I know you are.”

“I looked it up online. I didn’t know it meant what it really does. I thought it was just something people said, just a name like any other insult.”

“It’s okay.”

“It was really awful of me to say.” Yohji nodded his head in response. “Am I carrying on?”
Yohji shook his head in amusement. “Anyhow, tomorrow I hope to only see this side of you, okay?”

“Understood.”

“Awesome, I’m gonna get some shut eye now. I’ll see you in the morning.”

+++

The sun rose into the sky and the birds outside all began to welcome it with harmonic chirps.

Omi woke up and moaned in despair. Was it morning already? He brought the covers up over his head and looked down. “Looks like I’m not the only one whose up,” he murmured in relation to the erection he had.

“Rise and shine.” Omi pulled the covers down quickly to see Yohji at the threshold. The older boy kind of had an idea as to why Omi had such a stunned look on his face. “I’ll just leave you two alone,” he said and closed the bedroom door. The blonde sighed with embarrassment. Oh well, Yohji was a man, he understood.

With a fresh towel in hand, Omi strode to the bathroom and locked the door. He stood over the toilet. His hard-on was making it difficult to pee. A few seconds later, it all started to trickle out and his arousal went down. He hopped in the shower and brushed his teeth while he bathed. Upon finishing, he slapped on a towel and headed back down the hall. He could see his brother and sister still asleep in their beds. “Wake up guys, it’s time to get ready for school.” The two didn’t budge. Omi rolled his eyes. [Whatever, Yohji can deal with them.] The house was pretty quiet. He walked down to the den and realized that Yohji was gone; he’d left a note on the television saying he’d be back in fifteen minutes. Omi made a pot of coffee for the two of them while he finished getting dressed.

Yohji came through the door with a heavy breath and met Yohji in the kitchen. “Hey kid,” he greeted Omi.

“Hey. Where’d you go?”

“Just went out for a quick jog around the neighborhood,” he said taking a big gulp from his water bottle. “Oh yeah, you’re parents called this morning. They said they’d be gone an extra day but that they’ll call back later to talk to you about it.”

“Okay.”

“Hmm, are Yoko and Van getting ready?”

“They should be. I yelled at ‘em to get up earlier.”

“Yoko, Van are you guys getting dressed?”

“Yes,” said a voice, probably the girl’s. The two younger children came toward the kitchen in their pajamas with grogginess.

Yohji took a breath. “Oh, no...look at your faces. You’ve got spots!”

“Great,” added Omi.

“Alright, alright, no school today. You’ll stay home with me. Get back to bed. I’ll call my grandmother and have her make some homemade chicken noodle soup for you guys. Have you had the chicken pox yet, Omi?”

“Definitely. I can still feel the blisters.”

“Good, that means you won’t be getting it too.”

“Can I still have some of that soup?”

“Sure,” Yohji smiled.

+++

Omi made his way down the busy school hall to get to his locker. Someone bumped into him from behind. He turned around with a dirty look and the boy who bumped into him laughed as well as his friends. “Watch it,” Omi growled.

“You could say excuse me.”

“It wasn’t my fault. You ran into me.”

“Well, whatever, we aren’t little kids. Just say excuse me next time,” said the boy. He was embarrassed that Omi was being so assertive with him and he didn’t want to seem weak in front of his pals.

“Whatever,” Omi murmured. He decided to be the bigger man and just end the conversation there. He could still hear the boy and his friends snickering but he didn’t let it worry him. Later that day Omi ran into the boy again. The punk was alone this time and wouldn’t look Omi in the eye. It put a smirk on the blonde’s lips and he shook his head lightly in amusement. Unfortunately, Omi ran into the boy one last time on his way to lunch. The snickers and insults started to flow again now that the boy was back with his two friends. The hallway was empty except for the four students.

“I’ll kick that kid’s ass any day,” the jerk boasted. Omi turned around gracefully and asked the boy to repeat what he’d just said. The boy fumbled with his words a bit from nervousness but eventually uttered, “I said I’d kick your ass...and I will.”

“Prove it.”

“Fine, meet me after school and...”

“Now.”

“Uh, what? No...I’m not gonna do it now. I’ll do it when I want to.”

“Stop chicken shitting around and do what you said you would.” The boy and his friends stood in silence. After waiting for a few seconds Omi tilted his head and smiled then, walked away. He felt something hit him in the back and looked to see a pen slide across the floor, accompanied by laughter. “So you’re ready then?”

“Ready for what?”

“Didn’t I tell you to stop shitting around?”

Omi approached the enemy who actually found enough balls to say, “Step the fuck out of my way. I’m serious. I’ll kill your a–”

SWING...Smack! Omi’s fist connected with his rival’s jaw. The boy tried pushing him away which only angered Omi more to feel grimy little hands touching his body. He stopped throwing punches to circle his fingers around the other boy’s neck and shook hard. The boy’s two friends looked onward in utter disbelief, one started backing up to perhaps find a teacher but the commotion and gurgling sound of a boy struggling to breath brought enough staff attention on it’s own.

+++

At the Tsukiyono residence, Yohji did his best to clean up after the two sick children and monitored their temperatures. And when he wasn’t with Van or Yoko, he was traveling back across the street to his grandmother who wasn’t feeling well either or making trips to market and running various other errands.

Yohji had just stepped in the door when the telephone rang. “Tsukiyono residence.”

“Hey dad, it’s me.”

“Uh...Omi? This Yohji.”

“Yeah, I’m okay. I got in a fight at school today so they suspended me.”

“What?!”
“Can you come pick me up?”

“Well–”

“Oh, you can’t leave work? I understand. Then I just need you to confirm to my Principal that you need me to find my own way home instead, okay? That way you don’t have to come in and sign me out. Okay Dad?”

“Fine, Omi. I’ll play along.”

“Good.” Omi handed the receiver back to the Principal for his ‘father’ to speak with.

“Hello, Tsukiyono-san. This is Principal Matsui. Your son is being placed on three day suspension from school. Will it be alright for him to leave the premises on his own?”

“Hai. That will be fine.”

“Alright. Good day then.” The man hung up the phone and turned to look at his student. “Go straight home. I don’t wanna catch you lingering around. I’ll let today count as your first day of suspension since you’ve never been in trouble before.”

“Arigatou gozaimasu.”

“Would you like me to give you a ride home?”

“I’ll just take the city bus.”

“Okay, you’re dismissed.”

Omi walked down to a corner store and called Yohji again at a pay phone. “Tsukiyono residence.”

“Hey Yohji, it’s me again.”

“Suspended Omi?!”

“I know, I know. Can you come pick me up? I’m at the mini-mart across from my school.”

“Sure, I’ll be there in five.”

Omi went inside the store while he waited and bought a bag of chips and soda. Yohji’s car pulled up as Omi finished paying for his food. Climbing into the car, Yohji gave the blonde a look. “What?”

“Well, what do you plan to do for three days at home.”
“Stuff.”

“I guess you could help out with Van and Yoko. I haven’t had a break all day.”

“Hasn’t your grandmother been helping out?”

“She started to, but she’s been under the weather as well today.”

At home. Omi was instructed to re-heat the chicken soup and serve it to his siblings while Yohji washed the laundry and folded the clothes that were dry. Omi came to the living room to give Yohji a hand putting the linen away. They both straightened up the rest of the house and monitored the two younger children who mostly slept the day away.

At dinner Yohji and Omi ate alone at the dining room table. The oldest boy washed dishes while the younger dried. The phone rang suddenly and Omi answered it. “Moshi mosh–”

“Omi! Where the hell were you today? Me and the guys were lookin’ for you. Someone said you got sent home.”

“Hey Ken. Yeah, I’m on three day suspension. Remember that kid I told you was giving me trouble this morning?”

“Mhm.”

“I messed him up.”

“Whoa, wish I could’ve seen it.”

“It felt pretty good.”

“Well, I gotta get back to work now. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“Alright, call me tomorrow. I’ll be here,” Omi laughed.

“I will. Goodnight.”

Omi’s eyes were getting heavy. Yohji had put together a big dinner and it was making him sleepy. He went to his room and laid down for a nap. He woke about an hour later with a dry mouth so he headed to the kitchen for a drink. On his way there, he saw Yohji lying on the floor in front of the couch. “Why aren’t you sleeping on the sofa? I’m sure it’s a lot more comfortable.”

“Actually, it’s not. That thing put my spine into shock after I slept on it last night. Running back and forth all day taking care of the kids, my grandmother, my own affairs and keeping house has ran me ragged. The last thing I need is permanent damage done to my back via that couch. I’m better off down here.”

Omi twisted his face in compassion. “Just, just sleep in my bed tonight. I’ll take my parent’s room.”

“I’m okay.”

“No you’re not. You’re giving spiders and cockroaches the perfect advantage to attack and hold you prisoner.” Yohji gave Omi another look. “I’m serious. Now get up.” Yohji folded up his blanket and tucked a pillow under his arm while Omi finished drinking a glass of water. They headed down the hall and Omi opened his bedroom door. “Here we are. Now, my bed’s pretty firm but...”

“Firm is good.” Yohji bounced on the bed a little and climbed in. He sighed a in relief.

Omi sat on the bed. “See, better than the floor, right?”

“Better. Thanks Omi, I owe you one. I’m a lot more comfortable now. So what are your plans for tomorrow?”

“I’m not sure yet. I’ll probably just hang out here with you if that’s okay.”

“That’s awesome,” Yohji said with his eyes closed. “Now I have a little buddy.”

“Yeah, just like we used to be, right?”

“Yeah. You were always a good kid, I wonder what happened to ya,” the older man said with one eye open.

Omi hesitated for a moment. “You changed too.”

“Did I? I mean personality wise.”

“Well...” Omi began to smile to himself. “There’s one big change about you. You’re that way now.”

Yohji smiled back. “Omi, I was always this way. I just never told anyone.”

“But you had girlfriends and stuff. You used to chase after that one girl like crazy.”

“I know but...”

“What? It was just a cover up?”

“No, all my other friends had girlfriends so I wanted one too. I never really felt the same way about those girls the way other boys did but I didn’t realize what it meant at the time. I thought I was just a late bloomer. I was probably about fifteen when I came to terms with the fact that I could be gay but I never led on about it. I was still living with my grandfolks at the time and I was prepared to face ridicule from other people but I couldn’t stand to break my grandmother’s heart.”

“So you kept it to yourself.”

“Mhm.”

“But it’s okay now right? She doesn’t mind.”

“She still doesn’t know.”

“...Oh.”

“I tried to tell her once but she didn’t understand or maybe she just played dumb because she didn’t want to know.” Yohji blinked then, looked back up at Omi. “When you first saw that photo in my wallet and you realized I was gay, what was your first reaction?”

“Shock, I guess.”

“Enough to call me a faggot?”

“C’mon Yohji, I said I was sorry.”

“I know. I’m just trying to see this through someone else’s eyes. I wanna know if she would really be that disgusted if I tried to tell her again. What would she do?”

“I think actually seeing you kissing another guy is what freaked me out. If I’d found out through words only then, maybe I would have taken it more lightly. Just make sure she doesn’t find out through the photo,” Omi laughed.

“It wasn’t that bad,” replied Yohji with a smile. “It was just a peck on the lips under some mistletoe at the office holiday party. I practically had to beg my friend to go along with it.”

“Oh, he’s not your boyfriend?”

“Aya? Nah, we were just being silly. Besides, I don’t think he likes guys the same way I do.”

“But he...”

“It was just a kiss. An innocent one. If he’d stuck his tongue in my mouth or given me oral in the janitor’s closet, that would’ve been a different story. Which by the way, we did find our boss and his wife doing that by the end of the night. Awkward moment.”
“Actually, I guess that’s what it was like when me and Ken saw that picture. Definitely an awkward moment. We didn’t even talk about it afterward.”

“Does it make you feel different about me?”

“I know I shouldn’t. I’m trying not to let it. It’s kind of weird just talking about this right now. I never do with anyone else. A little too tabu among most guys.” Yohji chuckled. “I don’t even understand it really.”

“What’s to understand? Trust me, people make a bigger deal out of being gay than what it actually is. There’s no evil or worldliness about it nor is there anything extra-ordinarily sexy or hip about it. I am not a pervert and I’m not going to hell like some might suggest nor do I fall into the stereotypical ‘fun gay guy’ category who has insatiable taste and pretends to be a woman. The idea of being gay used to be appalling, now it’s overrated and I can’t wait until people just stop caring.” Yohji turned on his side to look at Omi. “Now I’m the one carrying on.”

The younger boy grinned. “Well, it helped me understand a little more. Except for...ya know, all that other stuff. I guess that will remain a mystery to me.”

“What other stuff?”

“You know. Don’t make me say it,” Omi blushed. Yohji gave him a look and the younger boy sighed. “Why would...I mean...ha ha ha...”

“Oh, c’mon then, don’t get silly on me,” Yohji asked sitting up.

“I mean, doesn’t it hurt?”

“Oh. Ohhh....”

“Yeah, you get me now?”

Yohji laughed out loud. Omi snickered as he got up to close the door. “I’m sorry. I forgot I’d wake the children. Anyhow, you mean ‘why would anyone want to have anal if it’s gonna hurt the way it should?’ Right?”

“Mhm,” Omi didn’t trust his voice to say ‘yes’, using the actual word anal had thrown him off. He’d been avoiding such words all night. Of course Yohji was comfortable with it because it wasn’t anything new nor peculiar to him. “I can’t imagine it’d be comfortable.”

“It’s not like you think. It only hurts in the beginning. But there are different techniques to weaken the pain.”

“I can see how the person on top might enjoy it but how could the guy on bottom get anything from it? I guess the idea of being so sexual with someone else could help but...it still doesn’t seem worth getting on hands and knees for.”

Yohji cracked up. He laughed out loud and couldn’t stop. “Hands and knees! Oh, this is rich!” Omi frowned. “C’mon, stop glaring at me.” He let out the rest of his giggles and explained. “You know where your prostate is, right?”

“I think so. I know people are always getting cancer there.”

“He, ha, ha. Okay well it’s the thing that makes being on bottom all worth it. And by the way, we aren’t limited to being on ‘hands and knees’. We can do it missionary, sitting down, side ways, in the shower in a car, where ever. Doggy-style is just the way gay guys are stereotyped to have sex. But where was I...?”

“Prostate,” Omi said quietly.

Yohji started to chuckle again. “I’m sorry it’s just so funny to see you blush like this. This is all so alien to you, isn’t it?” The younger boy went an even darker shade of red. “Back on subject...your prostate is sensitive, just like the head of your penis. Now, there are several nerves around the anal opening that are sexually sensitive which give a receiver pleasure too just, not as intensely as having the prostate stimulated which is further up the canal. So basically just having the entrance caressed can feel good even without penetration. The reason why being a receiver is worth the initial discomfort is because the giver’s fingers and penis are able to reach and stroke the prostate.”

“So, which feels better? Top or bottom?”

“It’s a decision of personal preference. I go off and on with which way I like best but I know some people prefer routine,” said Yohji with a yawn.

“Oh.”

“Wow, I know I’m tired but you look like you’re already half asleep.” Omi nodded his head and started to stand up. “Just stay in here. I’ll scoot over. C’mon,” he suggested, patting the bedside for the younger man to climb in. Omi laid down with a soft sigh as Yohji pulled the covers over him. “There, now. Goodnight.”

“‘Night.”

The two boys escaped the world into their dreams. Unfortunately, Omi’s dream turned into a nightmare. It was a reoccurring fantasy of earth demons coming after he and several other boys. He shouted inwardly to wake himself up. The trick finally worked and he woke with dizziness. He rubbed his temples with one hand then, turned on his side. He jumped after noticing another person next to him. He’d forgotten that Yohji was bunking with him tonight. The memory of what he and Yohji had been talking came back to mind. It was 4:00 am. Omi tried to clear his thoughts and get back to sleep but he couldn’t. [How could Yohji be gay? He’s so good looking and smart and masculine.] He was everything opposite of what Omi had been taught gay guys were like. [Yohji is mellow and sexy...slash that last part. He’s mellow and cool,] Omi thought to himself. He was getting used to the idea of homosexuality but he didn’t want to seem gay himself, which meant not saying and not even thinking that another man was...sexy.