[fanfic: caricature] ch.3
"Did we have to stop and get ice-cream? I didn't even know you liked that sort of stuff. Aren't Composers not supposed to get hungry or something?"
Joshua sighed fretfully as he allowed Neku's perfunctory rant to flutter in one ear and out the other. The silveret kept his fingers tightly curled around the waffle cone as the two teenagers continued their voyage across Shibuya. Joshua followed faithfully behind the red-haired boy in front of him, trusting him to know the way from Hachiko to Wildkat-he had raced through the streets enough during the Game to know every single inch of Shibuya by now, it seemed.
"Josh, are you even listening to me?"
Joshua shrugged and gave a deft lick to the dripping ice-cream before smirking ahead at Neku who was staring back at him. "You seem to be doing a lot of staring ever since I've put this skirt on," the silveret teased before dragging his tongue along the curve of the frozen treat.
Neku rolled his eyes and shoved his hands uncomfortably in his pockets, forcing his gaze ahead of him. "Because you're creepier than usual, that's all. It's hard not to stare at something abnormal."
Joshua giggled promptly and continued walking, the tanktop's ruffles blowing steadily in the window. "Should I wear fishnets tomorrow, Neku, or is that a bit too much? I don't want all the boys floundering over me," he hummed deviously.
Neku paled and groaned. "Joshua, if you were fishnets, people are going to mistake you for a hooker."
Joshua's nose scrunched some. "Someone's moody. Just because I'm going to get more attention than you doesn't mean you have to be rude. Manners are everything, my proxy."
Neku grunted under his breath and reached for his lanyard, turning the volume up. "I'm going to tune you out now," he stated, feigning politeness, and proceeded to crank the volume higher.
Joshua rolled his eyes and continued walking, now alongside Neku, as he ate his ice-cream. His sandals made a constant flopping noise as the pair approached Wildkat, five already sneaking in on their wristwatches. Once Neku neared the small café, he hurried his pace and headed inside, purposely letting the door swing shut behind him in Joshua's face. The Composer huffed and walked inside as well, letting the familiar aroma of coffee and pastries to fill his senses. It was a nice, welcome change from the dreary atmosphere of the high school.
"Hey Boss," Sanae greeted and looked to Neku who was eagerly taking a seat on the stool, "Phones," he added on to his greeting, regarding him with a chuckle. "What brings you two here? For a cup of jo, maybe?"
"Mr. H," Neku began, voice steady at first, "why, please answer me this, why did you force Joshua to cross-dress in my school for the entire year?"
Joshua smirked and walked over, taking a seat on the stool next to Neku as he finished his cone. "He's been like this all day, Sanae. I think his hormones are messing with his mood."
Neku's eyes narrowed and he brought his headphones down around his neck, adroitly turning the music off before letting his gaze settle back on the barista. "…Now I can't get him out of my hair. He expects me to help him. I don't want a part in anything you two come up with. You two scare me sometimes," he stated dramatically, rubbing his forehead.
"Well, ya see, J lost the bet fair and square so he had to meet the term-" Sanae began with another chuckle as he rubbed at his stubble.
"I understand he lost a bet, but why did you make him do this?" Neku demanded, a hand flying overdramatically to point and gesture at the silveret beside him.
"Come on, Phones. You're overreacting. It's not like it's hurtin' ya," the café owner pointed out and rubbed the back of his neck before letting his gaze fall upon the Composer. "Didn't think you could pull it off, Josh. Kudos."
Joshua sniggered and flipped his hair over his shoulder, giggling pointedly. "You underestimate me, Sanae. I may have lost the bet, but I refuse to betray our deal."
Neku blinked. "What bet?"
"Sorry Neku, top-secret," Joshua cooed and batted his eyelashes at the teenager before leaning his chin into his hand. "Sanae, be a dear and pour Neku a cup of coffee. Maybe the caffeine will loosen him up." He smirked somewhat.
"…Loosen me up?" Neku arched a brow. "The hell are you planning, Josh? Coffee doesn't work like alcohol, sorry…"
Joshua rolled his eyes. "Oh, stop being so fussy. I'm not going to rape you after you drink your harmless coffee."
"Well geez, when you put it that way," Neku sighed and eventually gave up, taking the offered cup of coffee from Hanekoma. "Fine, you two are going to keep me in the dark, as usual. That's fine. Moving on…why, of all things, did you pick cross-dressing? Couldn't you have picked a better punishment? Like community service or actually doing his job for once?"
Joshua ran a hand leisurely through his hair, looking at Neku's coffee. "It's on the house, by the way," he stated to the red-head, adding on, "I'm paying," before his Producer could come up with a witty lie that would result in Neku paying.
"Ya see, Phones, that's top-secret as well," the Producer chortled and leaned against the counter, eyes glimmering behind his sunglasses.
"You two are hopeless," Neku heaved and pushed his coffee to the side as he buried his face in his arms, hiding it from view against the table.
"Well, if you're gonna be spendin' alotta time with Boss, Phones, you might as well help him," Sanae suggested as he went about glancing over some stock behind the counter.
Joshua blinked. "Help me?" he echoed, his teasing tone vanishing.
"You know, with your work, your Music. Ya know," Mr. Hanekoma hummed and began rearranging a few cups on the shelf. "Phones'll do ya some good."
"There are two things wrong with your proposition, Sanae," Joshua stated slowly, calculatingly. "One being I work alone, and two, Neku is quite alive and I have no use for him in the UG, so I'll spare him the pain of being shot a third time." He tossed the boy an invisible snigger.
Neku kept his face against the counter, emitting grunts every now and then, not wanting to take part in the pointless nattering going on around him.
"Neku's perceptive of the UG, Boss."
Joshua licked his lips restlessly and laced his hands under his chin. "He wouldn't be able to tap into enough powers to adequately read and deal with Music. Besides, not even my Conductor is allowed to tamper with my Music-he's only allowed to carry out the orders and conduct that is given from it. Why would you think that I would let someone alive touch it?"
Sanae glanced over his shoulder and shot the Composer a meaningful stare. "Boss…"
Joshua groaned histrionically and folded his arms to his chest this time, the tank top nearly catching between his fingers. "He won't be able to hear it, regardless. No point in trying."
"You're acting like I'm not here," Neku mumbled against the table, indulging in the darkness such provided.
"We're having an adult discussion," Joshua lilted and looked to Mr. Hanekoma with a sharp stare. "Are you purposing we make another bet regarding Neku's musical abilities?"
Neku lifted his head and blanched some. "God, no. No more bets."
"Fine," Joshua sighed and strummed his fingers twitchily against the counter, unable to sit still today.
Neku rubbed at his eyes, a small yawn escaping his lips as his stomach rumbled. "Mr. H…does Joshua really have to keep this up for a year? A month sounds more reasonable…come on," he urged.
"A deal's a deal," Sanae hummed and looked to Joshua with a slight smirk, "unless, of course, Josh wants to deal with the consequences of forfeiting."
"I'll pass," Joshua stated dryly and slipped off the stool, arms stretching above his head. "Well Neku, are you ready?"
"…Ready?" Neku repeated and looked over his shoulder at Joshua. "We're not going anywhere else today, Josh. I'm going home, taking a shower, and sleeping. You can gallivant wherever you want, but I just want rest."
Joshua giggled and watched as his ex-partner got off his stool and fiddled with his headphones. Their eyes met after a moment and Neku gulped. "Neku~"
"…Yesss?" Neku murmured, now avoiding eye-contact as he messed with the square on the right headphone.
"I don't have anywhere else to stay save for your place," Joshua cooed, innocently lacing his hands together in front of his lap in a similar fashion to a school-girl. His voice dripped of sickeningly sweet nectar and his eyes sparkled as brightly as the stars.
"No," Neku stated sternly and brushed past Joshua, headed for the door. "Hell no."
"But Neku~" Joshua purred and followed after him, giving a slight wave to his Producer as they left. "You're the only one I trust doing my makeup. And besides, we can have some more quality time together, just like old times."
"No."
"But Neku-"
"I said no."
"Don't make me imprint you, Neku," Joshua warned teasingly, waving a finger at him.
"No means no, Josh," Neku growled slightly and pushed Joshua's finger away, meeting the Composer's gaze harshly. "First off, my mom won't let some random friend of mine spend the night during school-days, and second of all…you look like a girl. Hell will freeze over before she lets a girl stay with me overnight."
Joshua smirked and pushed his bangs behind his ear. "It seems that your only objections relate to your mother. I'll just teleport in and tada, no one will ever know."
Neku cringed and faltered for a moment. "Fine, asshole, you win… but you're sleeping on the floor, then," he sighed, walking on ahead with a grimace.
"Heehee, whatever you say, Neku~"
Neku awoke the next morning with heavy eyes and an upset stomach. The teen allowed his eyes to flutter open, greeting the morning sun with anything but enthusiasm. He sighed and proceeded to roll over, smacking his alarm off. He wanted to be lazy and absorb a few more minutes of rest before pushing himself out of his warm, safe bed…and was that a foot nudging against his own? Neku tensed, the hair on his limbs bristling. Breath hitching, the teen looked nervously over his shoulder, prepared to come face to face with a rapist or murderer, but only saw half of Joshua's face-which wasn't really far off from his earlier assumption, anyway.
"I told him to sleep on the floor, damnit," Neku grumbled, nuzzling his face into his pillow as he rolled back over to observe Joshua in the dim-light.
During the week that Neku had spent with the silveret, never once had he seen his 'friend' sleep. Joshua was always the first one up and the last one to fall asleep when the day ended. It baffled Neku, really. Yet here Joshua was, slumbering lightly, on his bed, looking as peaceful as a newborn.
"You know, he's almost tolerable like this," Neku mused to himself, watching the Composer silently for a few more moments. With a sigh, he pushed out of his bed and headed towards the bathroom, ready to take a shower and face the new day with clean clothes, a clean body, and hopefully no Joshua-induced headaches. He made a note in his head, as he left the room, to make certain that a pillow would separate them if Joshua planned to share the same bed from now on…or maybe two pillows.
When Neku headed downstairs to retrieve his breakfast, he was met at the bottom of the stairs by an angry mother. The red-head titled his head to the side as he lingered on the bottom step, meeting his mother's harsh and almost murderous stare. He blinked and gave the innocent head tilt once more, hoping that she'd just scream at him now and get it over with.
"Neku…"
"Yeah, Mom?..."
"Since when have I iever/i allowed girls to stay the night in this household?"
Neku paled and looked weakly at his mother, his expression similar to a deer caught in the headlights. He gaped for a moment, struggled for words, and then settled upon staring at his mother wearily. "I…uh…she passed out. She had a rough night and I let her sleep upstairs in the guest bedroom."
Neku's mother bit her bottom lip and fiddled with her glasses, inhaling deeply. "If you two had sex, tell me now."
"What?"
"…Neku, did you use-"
"Mom! We didn't do that...! God no, ew," Neku spat and held his head, willing the images of Joshua to go away before they entered his mind. "No, no, no. We're not like that. We've never even held hands or anything. Ew, no, Mom."
His mother inhaled deeply. "I would ask you if you were lying, but the look on your face tells me everything. Even if you two are just friends, I don't want her staying over here at night, okay? During the day is fine if I'm home…but I really can't afford you accidentally letting go of your hormonal control and doing something you'll regret."
Neku cringed. "Okay, Mom."
"…Oh, and by the way," his mother stated as she began her climb up the stairs. "She's really cute. I'm really surprised you aren't dating her or Shiki."
Neku groaned and watched as his mother retreated upstairs, more than likely to sleep once again. The teenager sighed and dragged his exhausted body into the kitchen, only to be met, yet again, with a face. This time, though, it was the rather warm and smirking Composer, hands on his hips and-
"Joshua…what the…"
Joshua giggled and allowed his fingertips to dance over his grey arm-warmers that complimented the bunny parka he was currently wearing. The purple accent trim complimented the youth's eyes, and oddly the feathery, two-tier skirt he was wearing. The black and red blended together, tied together at the side with a thin chain that clipped to his belt. Neku swallowed and uneasily met Joshua's gaze. The outfit was far more conservative than the day prior, but oddly…all the more attractive.
"Like it, Neku?" Joshua hummed, twirling around with a grin. "Apparently I have your Mother fooled as well."
"Yeah…now she thinks I'm doing you," Neku grumbled and pushed past Joshua to get his breakfast.
Joshua smirked and slipped a skinny arm around Neku's shoulders, letting his body rest firmly against Neku's back. "Oh but Neku, you didn't seem to have any objections last night when you took me against your mattress, moaning my name as you-"
"…Personal space!" Neku hollered and flinched out of Joshua's hold, his ears burning as he moved to the fridge and tore a bottle of milk out from it. His harsh gaze instantly met the Composer's. "Seriously, don't touch me. If you're going to cross-dress and be a pervert, don't touch me."
Joshua rolled his eyes and began fiddling with the ears on the back of his hood. "I'm sure a lot of boys in your school wouldn't have minded being in your position a few moments ago."
Neku cringed. "Smug bastard," he grumbled, took a sip of the milk, put it back, and headed towards the front-door. "I'm heading off early. Come whenever, just don't give my Mom any more ideas, okay?"
Joshua gave a mock salute and watched as the ever-moody Neku left the house, closing the door behind him. The Composer sighed and lingered in the kitchen for a moment before Neku's mother headed back down the stairs, curiously looking to him with a smile.
"Did Neku leave already?" she questioned, looking at Joshua with a small frown.
"Yes, I believe I upset him," Joshua sighed and shrugged his shoulders, fingers flexing.
"He's easily upset…don't blame yourself," she urged and walked over, placing a hand on Joshua's shoulder. "He's been like this for a few years. I'm sorry if he comes off as distant."
"Few years?" Joshua echoed, hands shuffling into the parka's pockets.
Neku's mother sighed and looked away, licking her lips. "Please don't tell him I told you…I promised him that I wouldn't tell Shiki, Beat, or Rhyme…but I don't want you getting the wrong impression of him. You're such a nice girl, and I'd hate to see him lose a friend just because of this… He's a good kid, deep down."
"What happened?" Joshua was genuinely confused.
"A few years ago…maybe three, Neku's friend got in an accident," she explained quietly, eyes slightly distant. "His friend was supposedly meeting him down in Udagawa to play a game and look at artwork. His…friend never made it. It was later than night that we learned he had been involved in a car accident…His mother told me that he got up late and rushed out the door, and was probably rushing and forgot to stop for traffic…boys always think they're so invincible."
"Neku…" Joshua stated distantly, eyes glancing down at the floor. "I had no idea, thank you."
"Please don't tell him I told you. He's been doing so well lately. I'm almost certain he's recovered. Just…keep him away from Udagawa, all right? Every time he goes there, he returns in such a bad and distant mood."
Joshua appeared perturbed but quickly returned to appearing indifferent. "I will thank you."
Joshua entered his first-block class later than the day prior, having had taken a detour to school to check up on his city. When he finally did arrive to school, he had to rush around to collect his things and head to his first class. When he arrived, books in his arms and looking entirely flustered and shaken, it came to a surprise to the smug Composer that Neku gingerly lifted his hand from the back of the room, gesturing to an empty seat beside him. Joshua said nothing as he walked over, setting his books down and nearly collapsing into his seat.
"You look like you just got ran over by a bull-dozer," Neku noted with a quiet laugh, prodding Joshua in the arm.
"And you look like you're in a better mood," Joshua quipped and took out his notebook and pencil as the bell rang. "Considering you're talking to me and saved me a seat…"
Neku shrugged and aimlessly spun his pencil around in between his fingers. "I'm just not a morning person," he admitted and shrugged. "I thought you knew that by now, oh great Composer," he stated under his breath.
Joshua rolled his eyes and fiddled with his arm-warmers briefly. "If you're still in the need for another laugh, I was called bunny-girl four times before I got to this room. I'm not quite sure if that's a compliment or not…but…"
Neku shrugged again and trained his gaze down on his paper, watching both Joshua and Shiki out of the corner of his eye. "Bunny-girl, huh? You play the part well," the red-head teased and proceeded to stick his tongue out at the older.
Joshua huffed and narrowed his eyes. "Neku, are you insulting me?"
Neku smirked and leaned back in his chair. "Serves you right for keeping me in the dark, Josh~" he hummed as he began taking notes, feigning innocence.
Joshua rolled his eyes and fiddled with his pencil before he noticed a student sniggering softly over at him from the corner of the room. His eyes impulsively narrowed, the energy around him spiraling upwards. Neku seemed to notice the abrupt imbalance. The red-head glanced up from his notes and over to Joshua, whose fingers had taken on a faint glowing beneath the desk. Sweat formed on the back of Neku's neck at once as he quickly reached over and curled his hand tightly around Joshua's wrist. The Composer tensed and looked to Neku harshly, wordlessly.
"Let it go, Josh," Neku murmured, knowing full well what was upsetting the Composer.
"I will not stand to be ridiculed," he stated hazardously under his breath, the energy stinging Neku's hand.
Neku winced at the pain but kept his grip firm. "You're cross-dressing," he breathed under his breath, "ridicule is in the job. Now, stop being so sensitive and just copy the notes." He let go of Joshua's pale wrist and returned to his notes.
Joshua rolled his eyes and stared at Neku for a long moment. The glow on the pads of his fingers dulled a second later. He then proceeded to go about taking notes as well, still rather befuddled as to why Neku would save a seat for him. Maybe his ex-proxy was plotting his demise? Oh well, it was a nice gesture and he wouldn't press on it…at least for now.
"Yo Josh!"
Joshua paused halfway through the hallway, arms possessively wrapped around his textbooks. Neku had gone off somewhere with Shiki and had left him to find his next class alone. It didn't bother him that much, but now he was being called upon by someone and the thought really wasn't that settling. The Composer sighed and peered over his shoulder, almost sighing in relief when his gaze met Beat's from across the hallway. The skater hurried over, nearly tripping on his own two feet as he clambered over.
"Yo, you look nice today, Josh," Beat greeted and offered a bold smile. "School goin' good?"
"So far," Joshua giggled and uneasily pushed his bangs behind his ear. "Don't you have a class to be at?" he questioned, arching a thin brow in amusement.
"Ah…I usually skip this one, yo. Hate math," the skater reasoned and shrugged aimlessly. "Where's yous next class? I'll watch ya if ya want me to," he hummed and grinned once again.
Joshua sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "If you insist. I have Chemistry with Akij," he stated and allowed the blond to lead him down the hallway.
"Are ya comin' with Phones and all us later afterschool?" Beat questioned as they walked through a crowd of chattering freshmen who seemed to giggle and stare as Joshua passed them, giving the Composer a headache right away.
"Where to?" the Composer asked, glancing back up to Beat with a sigh. Neku's friends were so clueless.
"The pool, yo. We go swimmin' there during the warm months. In ground pool, too. It's tight," Beat chuckled and looked to his right to Joshua, giving another bright smile as he ran a hand over his beanie. "I think you'd like it."
Joshua almost paled, almost, before regaining his composure. "I'll have to see if Neku would mind."
"Nah, Phones will dig it. C'mon. I'm invitin' ya, that's good enough," Beat declared with an affirmative nod.
"Ah…well, I may have homework," Joshua murmured, resisting the urge to zap something.
"Jus' for a few," Beat urged. "C'mon."
"…Fine," Joshua sighed and dramatically offered a fake smile. "I'll go…"
"Great!" Beat grinned and continued leading Joshua to glass, ignoring the rather odd look he received from Shiki and Neku who were lingering a few doors away with Eri. Oh well.
"Joshephina, are you certain that you don't want to go in?"
Rhyme sat quietly next to the silveret, watching her friends swim around the pool with glee. The blonde turned her attention to the Composer beside her who was dangling his bare feet over the edge of the pool, letting his toes skim the water. Small ripples formed to the Composer's amusement. Rhyme giggled as she watched the ripples before lifting her gaze back to Joshua, awaiting an answer from the seemingly pensive teenager.
"I don't do pools," Joshua provided for an answer and allowed his right hand to skim over the water as well, tracing incoherent musical notes on the surface.
"Neither do I," Rhyme admitted and giggled when she noticed her brother dunking Neku into the water. "I only come because I enjoy spending time with them. I don't mind that they swim."
Joshua nodded distantly, knowingly, and allocated his gaze to fall upon the bare-chested Neku. It was amazing how graceful the red-head was in the water. But what was even more amazing was the fact that nothing tragic nor dramatic had happened. No catastrophes, no Minamimoto showing up to blow his head off, no sudden crises in the UG, and no physical fights. When the Composer had agreed to the bet, he had assumed it would be hectic…but so far it had been boring, and almost cliché. He sighed albeit his amusement.
"You and Neku seemed off the other day…like you were upset with each other, is something wrong or going on between you two?" Rhyme asked as she removed her beanie, letting her short blonde hair flutter freely over her ears.
Joshua shrugged his shoulders, the ears on the back of his parka shifting. "We're not the best of friends," he murmured, "He has an attitude problem that seems to get on my last nerve. It's hard to tolerate" he added smoothly.
"Ah…but don't you want to be really good friends with Neku?" Rhyme pressed.
Joshua chewed the inside of his lip. "Oh, we are, I assure you-"
"As good of friends as Shiki and Eri?" She gestured to the two girls in the pool.
Joshua blinked a few times. "…No, we aren't best friends," he reiterated in a murmur, the fingers on the surface of the pool curling.
"But you want to be," Rhyme decided and closed her eyes, inhaling softly. "You don't have to lie, I won't judge you. I think it's nice that you wanted to improve your friendship. I think that…maybe Neku does too, but isn't sure how to."
Joshua licked his lips. "I doubt that."
Rhyme was about to retort kindly but was interrupted when Neku swam over, his usually spiky hair flat. The red locks of hair clung youthfully to his pale face as two, bright blue eyes remained buried beneath the wet strands. Rhyme waved in greeting and stood.
"I'm going to get some drinks, do you want anything Neku?" she asked, hands lacing behind her back as she smiled.
"Oh uhm…water's fine, thanks, Rhyme!" Neku stated and leaned against the edge of the pool, a foot from the Composer.
Rhyme nodded, waved to the pair, and headed off. Joshua sighed consciously and looked to Neku. Neither said anything for a moment.
"So, why aren't you in the pool? Afraid you're going to melt?" Neku wondered as he relaxed, eyes falling shut.
Joshua's brows furrowed. "Resisting the urge to drown you, actually," he quipped.
Neku's nose scrunched up as his eyes fluttered open to stare back at the Composer. "If anyone else had said that, I would have laughed, but with you? I'm not certain. You don't seem to really value death, considering you have reign over it. Death to you is probably like…getting up in the morning to me. It's something you're used to."
Joshua narrowed his eyes, almost offended. "Are you inferring that I find no remorse in death?"
"Josh, you didn't hesitate to shoot me…both times," Neku pointed out and closed his eyes again. "I'm just saying, ass. Don't get so defensive."
Joshua rolled his eyes and watched Beat carry Eri around on his shoulders through the pool. He sighed rather longingly before turning to his ex-partner once more. "If you only came over to bring up the past-"
"I wanted to see why you weren't in the pool," Neku clarified and looked back up at Joshua.
Joshua groaned. "I hate pools, Neku."
"That's not a good excuse," Neku decided and swam in front of Joshua's feet with a grin. "Come on, it's just a pool. We don't come here all that often."
"Neku, no, just go swim with your friends," Joshua urged and tucked his feet against the side of the pool.
Neku blinked a few times, almost lost in thought, before he grinned with a look of revenge sprawling across his face. The Composer arched a brow, uncertain, before his ankles were grabbed. The silveret yelped as Neku successfully yanked forward on Joshua's legs, causing the Composer to fall into the pool against him. Neku laughed, eyes shut, as he allowed Joshua's body to collide against his, managing to stay floating. His blue eyes fluttered open and watched in amusement as Joshua struggled to stay afloat, his arms eventually coming to curl around Neku's body helplessly. Strands of silver were now soaked and clung to his thin face, making him look rather pathetic. Neku couldn't help but laugh at the boy in front of him even more.
"This isn't funny, Neku," Joshua seethed, his teeth chattering. His lanky arms remained tightly woven around the floating boy, refusing to let go.
"Come on, Josh. You have to admit, it was pretty funny. The look on your face," Neku chuckled, not having stopped laughing once.
"I'm so glad you find this amusing, Neku," Joshua replied histrionically and glared.
"Come on, Josh," Neku repeated. "It's just water." He paused, noticing how strong Joshua's hold on him truly was. "Josh…can you not…swim?" His grin grew ten-fold.
"Of course I can swim," the Composer spat, his grip tightening regardless.
Neku smirked and pulled his body away from Joshua's limbs, swimming backwards a few feet. At once, a look of panic crossed the shivering Composer. Without a second thought, the silveret lunged forward, nearly sinking into the water. His arms curled back around Neku's torso and he glared dangerously up at him.
"Don't do that, Neku," Joshua deadpanned, his head coming to numbly rest against the other's shoulder.
"Geez, if you didn't know how to swim, why'd you come to the pool with us?" Neku wondered, simply gloating mentally at how powerless Joshua was like this.
Joshua didn't answer and remained against Neku, his parka and skirt clinging to his skinny body wetly. It was a few moments before Neku parted his lips to speak again but was cut short when his friend's voices reached his ears.
"Come on guys, stop with the lovey-dovey!" Shiki hollered from the other side of the pool.
Neku quickly looked over his shoulder and paled. Shiki, Beat, and Eri were staring at them with smirks and giggles. Neku gulped and quickly looked back to Joshua. "I'll help you out," he grumbled, obviously not entertained by his friends' behavior.
Carefully, Neku brought Joshua to the edge and allowed the shivering Composer to climb out, his skirt flattened to his thighs. Neku emerged from the pool moments later, walking to the right to a pool-chair. He snagged his towel and brought it over to Joshua, offering it with a shrug.
"Here, you look like a dead-rat," he muttered.
Joshua narrowed his eyes and seized the towel at once, wrapping it around his body. "Thank you, Neku, really," he stated sarcastically.
Neku, in turn, rolled his eyes and shifted his feet uneasily against the ground. "…I think we should be heading back," he decided, rubbing the back of his neck uneasily. Not only had he pissed off the Composer of Shibuya, but now his friends thought he was putting moves on him in the pool. Things weren't looking really bright at the moment and home seemed like the best option.
"I'm using your shower once we get back," Joshua stated, holding the towel tighter. "A nice, long, warm shower." He trailed off and looked to Neku. "I'll raise my frequency so that your Mother won't be able to see me if she happens to stumble into your room. Hopefully you will still be able to, my little proxy."
Neku rolled his eyes and looked to his friends. "I'm gonna say good-bye then we're leaving. Don't do anything stupid."
Joshua snickered and watched Neku walk away. Absently, the Composer allowed his arms to bring the towel up to his nose, giving it a small sniff. His eyes impulsively fluttered shut and he felt his body's tense muscles ease. Perhaps this cross-dressing ordeal wouldn't be so bad after all…
Oh, who was he kidding: He had only told Neku half of his punishment, anyhow…
Joshua sighed fretfully as he allowed Neku's perfunctory rant to flutter in one ear and out the other. The silveret kept his fingers tightly curled around the waffle cone as the two teenagers continued their voyage across Shibuya. Joshua followed faithfully behind the red-haired boy in front of him, trusting him to know the way from Hachiko to Wildkat-he had raced through the streets enough during the Game to know every single inch of Shibuya by now, it seemed.
"Josh, are you even listening to me?"
Joshua shrugged and gave a deft lick to the dripping ice-cream before smirking ahead at Neku who was staring back at him. "You seem to be doing a lot of staring ever since I've put this skirt on," the silveret teased before dragging his tongue along the curve of the frozen treat.
Neku rolled his eyes and shoved his hands uncomfortably in his pockets, forcing his gaze ahead of him. "Because you're creepier than usual, that's all. It's hard not to stare at something abnormal."
Joshua giggled promptly and continued walking, the tanktop's ruffles blowing steadily in the window. "Should I wear fishnets tomorrow, Neku, or is that a bit too much? I don't want all the boys floundering over me," he hummed deviously.
Neku paled and groaned. "Joshua, if you were fishnets, people are going to mistake you for a hooker."
Joshua's nose scrunched some. "Someone's moody. Just because I'm going to get more attention than you doesn't mean you have to be rude. Manners are everything, my proxy."
Neku grunted under his breath and reached for his lanyard, turning the volume up. "I'm going to tune you out now," he stated, feigning politeness, and proceeded to crank the volume higher.
Joshua rolled his eyes and continued walking, now alongside Neku, as he ate his ice-cream. His sandals made a constant flopping noise as the pair approached Wildkat, five already sneaking in on their wristwatches. Once Neku neared the small café, he hurried his pace and headed inside, purposely letting the door swing shut behind him in Joshua's face. The Composer huffed and walked inside as well, letting the familiar aroma of coffee and pastries to fill his senses. It was a nice, welcome change from the dreary atmosphere of the high school.
"Hey Boss," Sanae greeted and looked to Neku who was eagerly taking a seat on the stool, "Phones," he added on to his greeting, regarding him with a chuckle. "What brings you two here? For a cup of jo, maybe?"
"Mr. H," Neku began, voice steady at first, "why, please answer me this, why did you force Joshua to cross-dress in my school for the entire year?"
Joshua smirked and walked over, taking a seat on the stool next to Neku as he finished his cone. "He's been like this all day, Sanae. I think his hormones are messing with his mood."
Neku's eyes narrowed and he brought his headphones down around his neck, adroitly turning the music off before letting his gaze settle back on the barista. "…Now I can't get him out of my hair. He expects me to help him. I don't want a part in anything you two come up with. You two scare me sometimes," he stated dramatically, rubbing his forehead.
"Well, ya see, J lost the bet fair and square so he had to meet the term-" Sanae began with another chuckle as he rubbed at his stubble.
"I understand he lost a bet, but why did you make him do this?" Neku demanded, a hand flying overdramatically to point and gesture at the silveret beside him.
"Come on, Phones. You're overreacting. It's not like it's hurtin' ya," the café owner pointed out and rubbed the back of his neck before letting his gaze fall upon the Composer. "Didn't think you could pull it off, Josh. Kudos."
Joshua sniggered and flipped his hair over his shoulder, giggling pointedly. "You underestimate me, Sanae. I may have lost the bet, but I refuse to betray our deal."
Neku blinked. "What bet?"
"Sorry Neku, top-secret," Joshua cooed and batted his eyelashes at the teenager before leaning his chin into his hand. "Sanae, be a dear and pour Neku a cup of coffee. Maybe the caffeine will loosen him up." He smirked somewhat.
"…Loosen me up?" Neku arched a brow. "The hell are you planning, Josh? Coffee doesn't work like alcohol, sorry…"
Joshua rolled his eyes. "Oh, stop being so fussy. I'm not going to rape you after you drink your harmless coffee."
"Well geez, when you put it that way," Neku sighed and eventually gave up, taking the offered cup of coffee from Hanekoma. "Fine, you two are going to keep me in the dark, as usual. That's fine. Moving on…why, of all things, did you pick cross-dressing? Couldn't you have picked a better punishment? Like community service or actually doing his job for once?"
Joshua ran a hand leisurely through his hair, looking at Neku's coffee. "It's on the house, by the way," he stated to the red-head, adding on, "I'm paying," before his Producer could come up with a witty lie that would result in Neku paying.
"Ya see, Phones, that's top-secret as well," the Producer chortled and leaned against the counter, eyes glimmering behind his sunglasses.
"You two are hopeless," Neku heaved and pushed his coffee to the side as he buried his face in his arms, hiding it from view against the table.
"Well, if you're gonna be spendin' alotta time with Boss, Phones, you might as well help him," Sanae suggested as he went about glancing over some stock behind the counter.
Joshua blinked. "Help me?" he echoed, his teasing tone vanishing.
"You know, with your work, your Music. Ya know," Mr. Hanekoma hummed and began rearranging a few cups on the shelf. "Phones'll do ya some good."
"There are two things wrong with your proposition, Sanae," Joshua stated slowly, calculatingly. "One being I work alone, and two, Neku is quite alive and I have no use for him in the UG, so I'll spare him the pain of being shot a third time." He tossed the boy an invisible snigger.
Neku kept his face against the counter, emitting grunts every now and then, not wanting to take part in the pointless nattering going on around him.
"Neku's perceptive of the UG, Boss."
Joshua licked his lips restlessly and laced his hands under his chin. "He wouldn't be able to tap into enough powers to adequately read and deal with Music. Besides, not even my Conductor is allowed to tamper with my Music-he's only allowed to carry out the orders and conduct that is given from it. Why would you think that I would let someone alive touch it?"
Sanae glanced over his shoulder and shot the Composer a meaningful stare. "Boss…"
Joshua groaned histrionically and folded his arms to his chest this time, the tank top nearly catching between his fingers. "He won't be able to hear it, regardless. No point in trying."
"You're acting like I'm not here," Neku mumbled against the table, indulging in the darkness such provided.
"We're having an adult discussion," Joshua lilted and looked to Mr. Hanekoma with a sharp stare. "Are you purposing we make another bet regarding Neku's musical abilities?"
Neku lifted his head and blanched some. "God, no. No more bets."
"Fine," Joshua sighed and strummed his fingers twitchily against the counter, unable to sit still today.
Neku rubbed at his eyes, a small yawn escaping his lips as his stomach rumbled. "Mr. H…does Joshua really have to keep this up for a year? A month sounds more reasonable…come on," he urged.
"A deal's a deal," Sanae hummed and looked to Joshua with a slight smirk, "unless, of course, Josh wants to deal with the consequences of forfeiting."
"I'll pass," Joshua stated dryly and slipped off the stool, arms stretching above his head. "Well Neku, are you ready?"
"…Ready?" Neku repeated and looked over his shoulder at Joshua. "We're not going anywhere else today, Josh. I'm going home, taking a shower, and sleeping. You can gallivant wherever you want, but I just want rest."
Joshua giggled and watched as his ex-partner got off his stool and fiddled with his headphones. Their eyes met after a moment and Neku gulped. "Neku~"
"…Yesss?" Neku murmured, now avoiding eye-contact as he messed with the square on the right headphone.
"I don't have anywhere else to stay save for your place," Joshua cooed, innocently lacing his hands together in front of his lap in a similar fashion to a school-girl. His voice dripped of sickeningly sweet nectar and his eyes sparkled as brightly as the stars.
"No," Neku stated sternly and brushed past Joshua, headed for the door. "Hell no."
"But Neku~" Joshua purred and followed after him, giving a slight wave to his Producer as they left. "You're the only one I trust doing my makeup. And besides, we can have some more quality time together, just like old times."
"No."
"But Neku-"
"I said no."
"Don't make me imprint you, Neku," Joshua warned teasingly, waving a finger at him.
"No means no, Josh," Neku growled slightly and pushed Joshua's finger away, meeting the Composer's gaze harshly. "First off, my mom won't let some random friend of mine spend the night during school-days, and second of all…you look like a girl. Hell will freeze over before she lets a girl stay with me overnight."
Joshua smirked and pushed his bangs behind his ear. "It seems that your only objections relate to your mother. I'll just teleport in and tada, no one will ever know."
Neku cringed and faltered for a moment. "Fine, asshole, you win… but you're sleeping on the floor, then," he sighed, walking on ahead with a grimace.
"Heehee, whatever you say, Neku~"
Neku awoke the next morning with heavy eyes and an upset stomach. The teen allowed his eyes to flutter open, greeting the morning sun with anything but enthusiasm. He sighed and proceeded to roll over, smacking his alarm off. He wanted to be lazy and absorb a few more minutes of rest before pushing himself out of his warm, safe bed…and was that a foot nudging against his own? Neku tensed, the hair on his limbs bristling. Breath hitching, the teen looked nervously over his shoulder, prepared to come face to face with a rapist or murderer, but only saw half of Joshua's face-which wasn't really far off from his earlier assumption, anyway.
"I told him to sleep on the floor, damnit," Neku grumbled, nuzzling his face into his pillow as he rolled back over to observe Joshua in the dim-light.
During the week that Neku had spent with the silveret, never once had he seen his 'friend' sleep. Joshua was always the first one up and the last one to fall asleep when the day ended. It baffled Neku, really. Yet here Joshua was, slumbering lightly, on his bed, looking as peaceful as a newborn.
"You know, he's almost tolerable like this," Neku mused to himself, watching the Composer silently for a few more moments. With a sigh, he pushed out of his bed and headed towards the bathroom, ready to take a shower and face the new day with clean clothes, a clean body, and hopefully no Joshua-induced headaches. He made a note in his head, as he left the room, to make certain that a pillow would separate them if Joshua planned to share the same bed from now on…or maybe two pillows.
When Neku headed downstairs to retrieve his breakfast, he was met at the bottom of the stairs by an angry mother. The red-head titled his head to the side as he lingered on the bottom step, meeting his mother's harsh and almost murderous stare. He blinked and gave the innocent head tilt once more, hoping that she'd just scream at him now and get it over with.
"Neku…"
"Yeah, Mom?..."
"Since when have I iever/i allowed girls to stay the night in this household?"
Neku paled and looked weakly at his mother, his expression similar to a deer caught in the headlights. He gaped for a moment, struggled for words, and then settled upon staring at his mother wearily. "I…uh…she passed out. She had a rough night and I let her sleep upstairs in the guest bedroom."
Neku's mother bit her bottom lip and fiddled with her glasses, inhaling deeply. "If you two had sex, tell me now."
"What?"
"…Neku, did you use-"
"Mom! We didn't do that...! God no, ew," Neku spat and held his head, willing the images of Joshua to go away before they entered his mind. "No, no, no. We're not like that. We've never even held hands or anything. Ew, no, Mom."
His mother inhaled deeply. "I would ask you if you were lying, but the look on your face tells me everything. Even if you two are just friends, I don't want her staying over here at night, okay? During the day is fine if I'm home…but I really can't afford you accidentally letting go of your hormonal control and doing something you'll regret."
Neku cringed. "Okay, Mom."
"…Oh, and by the way," his mother stated as she began her climb up the stairs. "She's really cute. I'm really surprised you aren't dating her or Shiki."
Neku groaned and watched as his mother retreated upstairs, more than likely to sleep once again. The teenager sighed and dragged his exhausted body into the kitchen, only to be met, yet again, with a face. This time, though, it was the rather warm and smirking Composer, hands on his hips and-
"Joshua…what the…"
Joshua giggled and allowed his fingertips to dance over his grey arm-warmers that complimented the bunny parka he was currently wearing. The purple accent trim complimented the youth's eyes, and oddly the feathery, two-tier skirt he was wearing. The black and red blended together, tied together at the side with a thin chain that clipped to his belt. Neku swallowed and uneasily met Joshua's gaze. The outfit was far more conservative than the day prior, but oddly…all the more attractive.
"Like it, Neku?" Joshua hummed, twirling around with a grin. "Apparently I have your Mother fooled as well."
"Yeah…now she thinks I'm doing you," Neku grumbled and pushed past Joshua to get his breakfast.
Joshua smirked and slipped a skinny arm around Neku's shoulders, letting his body rest firmly against Neku's back. "Oh but Neku, you didn't seem to have any objections last night when you took me against your mattress, moaning my name as you-"
"…Personal space!" Neku hollered and flinched out of Joshua's hold, his ears burning as he moved to the fridge and tore a bottle of milk out from it. His harsh gaze instantly met the Composer's. "Seriously, don't touch me. If you're going to cross-dress and be a pervert, don't touch me."
Joshua rolled his eyes and began fiddling with the ears on the back of his hood. "I'm sure a lot of boys in your school wouldn't have minded being in your position a few moments ago."
Neku cringed. "Smug bastard," he grumbled, took a sip of the milk, put it back, and headed towards the front-door. "I'm heading off early. Come whenever, just don't give my Mom any more ideas, okay?"
Joshua gave a mock salute and watched as the ever-moody Neku left the house, closing the door behind him. The Composer sighed and lingered in the kitchen for a moment before Neku's mother headed back down the stairs, curiously looking to him with a smile.
"Did Neku leave already?" she questioned, looking at Joshua with a small frown.
"Yes, I believe I upset him," Joshua sighed and shrugged his shoulders, fingers flexing.
"He's easily upset…don't blame yourself," she urged and walked over, placing a hand on Joshua's shoulder. "He's been like this for a few years. I'm sorry if he comes off as distant."
"Few years?" Joshua echoed, hands shuffling into the parka's pockets.
Neku's mother sighed and looked away, licking her lips. "Please don't tell him I told you…I promised him that I wouldn't tell Shiki, Beat, or Rhyme…but I don't want you getting the wrong impression of him. You're such a nice girl, and I'd hate to see him lose a friend just because of this… He's a good kid, deep down."
"What happened?" Joshua was genuinely confused.
"A few years ago…maybe three, Neku's friend got in an accident," she explained quietly, eyes slightly distant. "His friend was supposedly meeting him down in Udagawa to play a game and look at artwork. His…friend never made it. It was later than night that we learned he had been involved in a car accident…His mother told me that he got up late and rushed out the door, and was probably rushing and forgot to stop for traffic…boys always think they're so invincible."
"Neku…" Joshua stated distantly, eyes glancing down at the floor. "I had no idea, thank you."
"Please don't tell him I told you. He's been doing so well lately. I'm almost certain he's recovered. Just…keep him away from Udagawa, all right? Every time he goes there, he returns in such a bad and distant mood."
Joshua appeared perturbed but quickly returned to appearing indifferent. "I will thank you."
Joshua entered his first-block class later than the day prior, having had taken a detour to school to check up on his city. When he finally did arrive to school, he had to rush around to collect his things and head to his first class. When he arrived, books in his arms and looking entirely flustered and shaken, it came to a surprise to the smug Composer that Neku gingerly lifted his hand from the back of the room, gesturing to an empty seat beside him. Joshua said nothing as he walked over, setting his books down and nearly collapsing into his seat.
"You look like you just got ran over by a bull-dozer," Neku noted with a quiet laugh, prodding Joshua in the arm.
"And you look like you're in a better mood," Joshua quipped and took out his notebook and pencil as the bell rang. "Considering you're talking to me and saved me a seat…"
Neku shrugged and aimlessly spun his pencil around in between his fingers. "I'm just not a morning person," he admitted and shrugged. "I thought you knew that by now, oh great Composer," he stated under his breath.
Joshua rolled his eyes and fiddled with his arm-warmers briefly. "If you're still in the need for another laugh, I was called bunny-girl four times before I got to this room. I'm not quite sure if that's a compliment or not…but…"
Neku shrugged again and trained his gaze down on his paper, watching both Joshua and Shiki out of the corner of his eye. "Bunny-girl, huh? You play the part well," the red-head teased and proceeded to stick his tongue out at the older.
Joshua huffed and narrowed his eyes. "Neku, are you insulting me?"
Neku smirked and leaned back in his chair. "Serves you right for keeping me in the dark, Josh~" he hummed as he began taking notes, feigning innocence.
Joshua rolled his eyes and fiddled with his pencil before he noticed a student sniggering softly over at him from the corner of the room. His eyes impulsively narrowed, the energy around him spiraling upwards. Neku seemed to notice the abrupt imbalance. The red-head glanced up from his notes and over to Joshua, whose fingers had taken on a faint glowing beneath the desk. Sweat formed on the back of Neku's neck at once as he quickly reached over and curled his hand tightly around Joshua's wrist. The Composer tensed and looked to Neku harshly, wordlessly.
"Let it go, Josh," Neku murmured, knowing full well what was upsetting the Composer.
"I will not stand to be ridiculed," he stated hazardously under his breath, the energy stinging Neku's hand.
Neku winced at the pain but kept his grip firm. "You're cross-dressing," he breathed under his breath, "ridicule is in the job. Now, stop being so sensitive and just copy the notes." He let go of Joshua's pale wrist and returned to his notes.
Joshua rolled his eyes and stared at Neku for a long moment. The glow on the pads of his fingers dulled a second later. He then proceeded to go about taking notes as well, still rather befuddled as to why Neku would save a seat for him. Maybe his ex-proxy was plotting his demise? Oh well, it was a nice gesture and he wouldn't press on it…at least for now.
"Yo Josh!"
Joshua paused halfway through the hallway, arms possessively wrapped around his textbooks. Neku had gone off somewhere with Shiki and had left him to find his next class alone. It didn't bother him that much, but now he was being called upon by someone and the thought really wasn't that settling. The Composer sighed and peered over his shoulder, almost sighing in relief when his gaze met Beat's from across the hallway. The skater hurried over, nearly tripping on his own two feet as he clambered over.
"Yo, you look nice today, Josh," Beat greeted and offered a bold smile. "School goin' good?"
"So far," Joshua giggled and uneasily pushed his bangs behind his ear. "Don't you have a class to be at?" he questioned, arching a thin brow in amusement.
"Ah…I usually skip this one, yo. Hate math," the skater reasoned and shrugged aimlessly. "Where's yous next class? I'll watch ya if ya want me to," he hummed and grinned once again.
Joshua sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "If you insist. I have Chemistry with Akij," he stated and allowed the blond to lead him down the hallway.
"Are ya comin' with Phones and all us later afterschool?" Beat questioned as they walked through a crowd of chattering freshmen who seemed to giggle and stare as Joshua passed them, giving the Composer a headache right away.
"Where to?" the Composer asked, glancing back up to Beat with a sigh. Neku's friends were so clueless.
"The pool, yo. We go swimmin' there during the warm months. In ground pool, too. It's tight," Beat chuckled and looked to his right to Joshua, giving another bright smile as he ran a hand over his beanie. "I think you'd like it."
Joshua almost paled, almost, before regaining his composure. "I'll have to see if Neku would mind."
"Nah, Phones will dig it. C'mon. I'm invitin' ya, that's good enough," Beat declared with an affirmative nod.
"Ah…well, I may have homework," Joshua murmured, resisting the urge to zap something.
"Jus' for a few," Beat urged. "C'mon."
"…Fine," Joshua sighed and dramatically offered a fake smile. "I'll go…"
"Great!" Beat grinned and continued leading Joshua to glass, ignoring the rather odd look he received from Shiki and Neku who were lingering a few doors away with Eri. Oh well.
"Joshephina, are you certain that you don't want to go in?"
Rhyme sat quietly next to the silveret, watching her friends swim around the pool with glee. The blonde turned her attention to the Composer beside her who was dangling his bare feet over the edge of the pool, letting his toes skim the water. Small ripples formed to the Composer's amusement. Rhyme giggled as she watched the ripples before lifting her gaze back to Joshua, awaiting an answer from the seemingly pensive teenager.
"I don't do pools," Joshua provided for an answer and allowed his right hand to skim over the water as well, tracing incoherent musical notes on the surface.
"Neither do I," Rhyme admitted and giggled when she noticed her brother dunking Neku into the water. "I only come because I enjoy spending time with them. I don't mind that they swim."
Joshua nodded distantly, knowingly, and allocated his gaze to fall upon the bare-chested Neku. It was amazing how graceful the red-head was in the water. But what was even more amazing was the fact that nothing tragic nor dramatic had happened. No catastrophes, no Minamimoto showing up to blow his head off, no sudden crises in the UG, and no physical fights. When the Composer had agreed to the bet, he had assumed it would be hectic…but so far it had been boring, and almost cliché. He sighed albeit his amusement.
"You and Neku seemed off the other day…like you were upset with each other, is something wrong or going on between you two?" Rhyme asked as she removed her beanie, letting her short blonde hair flutter freely over her ears.
Joshua shrugged his shoulders, the ears on the back of his parka shifting. "We're not the best of friends," he murmured, "He has an attitude problem that seems to get on my last nerve. It's hard to tolerate" he added smoothly.
"Ah…but don't you want to be really good friends with Neku?" Rhyme pressed.
Joshua chewed the inside of his lip. "Oh, we are, I assure you-"
"As good of friends as Shiki and Eri?" She gestured to the two girls in the pool.
Joshua blinked a few times. "…No, we aren't best friends," he reiterated in a murmur, the fingers on the surface of the pool curling.
"But you want to be," Rhyme decided and closed her eyes, inhaling softly. "You don't have to lie, I won't judge you. I think it's nice that you wanted to improve your friendship. I think that…maybe Neku does too, but isn't sure how to."
Joshua licked his lips. "I doubt that."
Rhyme was about to retort kindly but was interrupted when Neku swam over, his usually spiky hair flat. The red locks of hair clung youthfully to his pale face as two, bright blue eyes remained buried beneath the wet strands. Rhyme waved in greeting and stood.
"I'm going to get some drinks, do you want anything Neku?" she asked, hands lacing behind her back as she smiled.
"Oh uhm…water's fine, thanks, Rhyme!" Neku stated and leaned against the edge of the pool, a foot from the Composer.
Rhyme nodded, waved to the pair, and headed off. Joshua sighed consciously and looked to Neku. Neither said anything for a moment.
"So, why aren't you in the pool? Afraid you're going to melt?" Neku wondered as he relaxed, eyes falling shut.
Joshua's brows furrowed. "Resisting the urge to drown you, actually," he quipped.
Neku's nose scrunched up as his eyes fluttered open to stare back at the Composer. "If anyone else had said that, I would have laughed, but with you? I'm not certain. You don't seem to really value death, considering you have reign over it. Death to you is probably like…getting up in the morning to me. It's something you're used to."
Joshua narrowed his eyes, almost offended. "Are you inferring that I find no remorse in death?"
"Josh, you didn't hesitate to shoot me…both times," Neku pointed out and closed his eyes again. "I'm just saying, ass. Don't get so defensive."
Joshua rolled his eyes and watched Beat carry Eri around on his shoulders through the pool. He sighed rather longingly before turning to his ex-partner once more. "If you only came over to bring up the past-"
"I wanted to see why you weren't in the pool," Neku clarified and looked back up at Joshua.
Joshua groaned. "I hate pools, Neku."
"That's not a good excuse," Neku decided and swam in front of Joshua's feet with a grin. "Come on, it's just a pool. We don't come here all that often."
"Neku, no, just go swim with your friends," Joshua urged and tucked his feet against the side of the pool.
Neku blinked a few times, almost lost in thought, before he grinned with a look of revenge sprawling across his face. The Composer arched a brow, uncertain, before his ankles were grabbed. The silveret yelped as Neku successfully yanked forward on Joshua's legs, causing the Composer to fall into the pool against him. Neku laughed, eyes shut, as he allowed Joshua's body to collide against his, managing to stay floating. His blue eyes fluttered open and watched in amusement as Joshua struggled to stay afloat, his arms eventually coming to curl around Neku's body helplessly. Strands of silver were now soaked and clung to his thin face, making him look rather pathetic. Neku couldn't help but laugh at the boy in front of him even more.
"This isn't funny, Neku," Joshua seethed, his teeth chattering. His lanky arms remained tightly woven around the floating boy, refusing to let go.
"Come on, Josh. You have to admit, it was pretty funny. The look on your face," Neku chuckled, not having stopped laughing once.
"I'm so glad you find this amusing, Neku," Joshua replied histrionically and glared.
"Come on, Josh," Neku repeated. "It's just water." He paused, noticing how strong Joshua's hold on him truly was. "Josh…can you not…swim?" His grin grew ten-fold.
"Of course I can swim," the Composer spat, his grip tightening regardless.
Neku smirked and pulled his body away from Joshua's limbs, swimming backwards a few feet. At once, a look of panic crossed the shivering Composer. Without a second thought, the silveret lunged forward, nearly sinking into the water. His arms curled back around Neku's torso and he glared dangerously up at him.
"Don't do that, Neku," Joshua deadpanned, his head coming to numbly rest against the other's shoulder.
"Geez, if you didn't know how to swim, why'd you come to the pool with us?" Neku wondered, simply gloating mentally at how powerless Joshua was like this.
Joshua didn't answer and remained against Neku, his parka and skirt clinging to his skinny body wetly. It was a few moments before Neku parted his lips to speak again but was cut short when his friend's voices reached his ears.
"Come on guys, stop with the lovey-dovey!" Shiki hollered from the other side of the pool.
Neku quickly looked over his shoulder and paled. Shiki, Beat, and Eri were staring at them with smirks and giggles. Neku gulped and quickly looked back to Joshua. "I'll help you out," he grumbled, obviously not entertained by his friends' behavior.
Carefully, Neku brought Joshua to the edge and allowed the shivering Composer to climb out, his skirt flattened to his thighs. Neku emerged from the pool moments later, walking to the right to a pool-chair. He snagged his towel and brought it over to Joshua, offering it with a shrug.
"Here, you look like a dead-rat," he muttered.
Joshua narrowed his eyes and seized the towel at once, wrapping it around his body. "Thank you, Neku, really," he stated sarcastically.
Neku, in turn, rolled his eyes and shifted his feet uneasily against the ground. "…I think we should be heading back," he decided, rubbing the back of his neck uneasily. Not only had he pissed off the Composer of Shibuya, but now his friends thought he was putting moves on him in the pool. Things weren't looking really bright at the moment and home seemed like the best option.
"I'm using your shower once we get back," Joshua stated, holding the towel tighter. "A nice, long, warm shower." He trailed off and looked to Neku. "I'll raise my frequency so that your Mother won't be able to see me if she happens to stumble into your room. Hopefully you will still be able to, my little proxy."
Neku rolled his eyes and looked to his friends. "I'm gonna say good-bye then we're leaving. Don't do anything stupid."
Joshua snickered and watched Neku walk away. Absently, the Composer allowed his arms to bring the towel up to his nose, giving it a small sniff. His eyes impulsively fluttered shut and he felt his body's tense muscles ease. Perhaps this cross-dressing ordeal wouldn't be so bad after all…
Oh, who was he kidding: He had only told Neku half of his punishment, anyhow…