Title: Cross the Line 10
Rating: M (cursing)
Genre: Romance, Drama
Pairing: 8059 (Yamamoto x Gokudera)
Spoilers: None
Past Chapters:
LJ Archive, or
FFNetSummary: 8059 College fic. Yamamoto and Gokudera end up in the same university as roommates, much to Gokudera’s disdain. With conflicting personalities, will this roommate arrangement work out? College life, tension, denial, sap, and silly boys’ miscommunication abound.
Author Notes:
a. Sorry for the wait! Thesis driving me crazey!
b. Added Past Chapters links on the header.
c. Enjoy!
Cross the Line 10
The closer Gokudera got to the South Gym, the more he wanted to turn around, say “Fuck it!”, and call it quits. He took ten steps forward, then turned around to take eight steps back. He grumbled to himself for a second, and then headed back in the direction of the gym all over again. He looked stupid and felt even stupider.
He stopped as soon as he observed two college girls passing by, whispering and pointing at his strange behavior.
Finally, he smacked himself on the head and decided to move forward. It wasn't that difficult of an issue, and he didn't know why his brain made it more complicated than necessary. He sort of made a promise... kind of.
Kind of?? KIND OF? What the hell is 'kind of'?
It's not like he ever said yes or no. His mind was jumbled with wanting to accept but he also didn't want to accept.
What the fuck! his mind screamed.
Gokudera Hayato never ever backed down from anything, whether it's a fight with a Vongola rival group, or a complicated homework problem, or even something as trivial as college love-life challenges. Hence, he trudged along nervously, gripping the ticket on one hand, and holding a cigarette to his lips with another. Once there, he noticed a long line of students outside the gym chattering away while being admitted to the event. Everyone wore some costume or another, but he ignored them. He didn't care if he was dressed for the occasion because his mind was preoccupied with nothing but the weird jumbling ripples in the pit of his stomach.
Nervous? he questioned himself. There was no reason to be. He was simply going because the baseball freak asked him to. Though for the life of him, he couldn't really say no to the invitation. Actually, it wasn't that he wanted to say no...
Gokudera shook his head from the thoughts. He wasn't going to to into another internal tirade of analysis. He knew the reason for his nervousness. He knew that the act of going and meeting with him was more a confirmation of his feelings for the other man.
I should just give up and stop thinking about it. the silverette sighed internally as he made his way to stand at the end of a long line.
Xxxx
Despite the loud techno booming through the speakers and the high-energy crowd dancing across the floor, Yamamoto remained quiet and introspective. His thoughts were filled with Gokudera... his beautiful green eyes glowing, his velvet-soft touch, and his sweet scent. He couldn't get rid of this pitter-patter feeling in his chest of things that may or may not come. It was kind of stupid, asking the other man to come to a party as confirmation of their relationship. All he had to do was ask “what do you feel about me?” Yet, the baseball ace knew that Gokudera didn't work that way. For someone who was straightforward and in your face about everything else, he was shy and unique in expressing his deep feelings for other people.
Yamamoto felt better now, his cold pretty much gone, and his body is now back to normal health. The baseball team insisted that he continue resting, but he wanted to help with this event. He knew there was some resentment toward Gokudera, and he tried his best to fight it. He told a number of players that Gokudera wasn't someone who caused destruction without good reason. The other players merely scoffed and said they'd have to see for themselves. He wished for other people to see the beauty inside the fiery, green-eyed monster, yet he wanted only himself to see that side of him.
I'm so full of contradictions...
His thoughts were distracted when a few girls asked him for a dance, which he politely declined. Much to his oblivion, a number of other girls stood on the sidelines just giggling, blushing, and looking at the baseball ace.
My costume must look weird or something, Yamamoto thought innocently. He wore a magician's costume, with a black top hat, black velvet cape, and a fine-pressed tuxedo underneath. It wasn't my style. I wanted my zombie costume, but Ken insisted it's good for increasing numbers? I don't really get it.
The raven haired man just shrugged it off as he lifted a plastic cup to his lips. He took a sip of the “punch”a teammate gave him earlier. He chuckled softly to himself as he tasted a bit of alcohol in it. He wasn't surprised that the team “spiked” their drinks under the table.
With the two universities gathering, the baseball team's full presence, the hidden alcohol, and the pending arrival of Gokudera, Yamamoto knew that it was going to be another explosive evening.
xxxx
“Gokudera! You're going to the dance?” a voice behind him asked.
Gokudera, still waiting in line, turned around and beamed. “Tenth! I didn't know you were going here.”
Tsuna smiled kindly as he lined up behind the right-hand man. “Of course! Sounded like so much fun, and it's a chance for the two rival colleges to meet up and talk to each other.”
“You look great, as expected from our boss,” Gokudera complimented with enthusiasm.
Tsuna laughed as he pointed to his techni-colored wig. “I don't think being a clown is so chic nowadays; maybe I should have worn a vampire outfit.”
Two familiar, petite figures lined up behind the Vongola boss. “Oh?” one of them said. “Tsuna-kun?”
Both men turned to see Haru and Kyoko in their outfits. Kyoko dressed as Alice from Alice in Wonderland while Haru donned a Sailor Jupiter outfit.
“Wow, Tsuna! You look great!” Kyoko said with her usual, overly bright smile.
Tsuna merely smiled back and returned the compliment. Gokudera observed his unusually calm boss. Usually he'd be a clumsy mess as soon as this girl came into the picture, but today it was not so. Strange... Gokudera thought silently. His thoughts were interrupted by a huge sigh.
Haru pointed her plastic wand at him. “You're not dressed up?” she asked Gokudera.
“At least I put some pants on.” Gokudera rolled his eyes.
“It's a Sailor outfit!” Haru grumbled.
Ignoring the girl, the silverette went on, “I didn't know it was a costume party.”
Haru sighed, “At least you actually showed up. You'd better go in there and find him.”
“.... you....” Gokudera narrowed his eyes. “You know everything?”
As if winning a minor battle, Haru grinned then gave a generic Sailor Scout pose. “Haru-haru knows all!”
“Haru knows what?” Kyoko asked innocently. Tsuna stood next to her donning the same wide-eyed curiosity.
Gokudera put up his hands. “N-nothing. This woman doesn't know what she's talking about--.”
“Ahahaa, don't be shy!” Haru exclaimed, slapping Gokudera on his back with a hint of fangirlish mischief on her face. “It's nothing bad and nothing to hide. Don't you think Tsuna would be happy to know you're getting along?”
Tsuna blinked and looked at Gokudera. “Hm? What's the good news then?”
Gokudera's face burned. The situation wasn't exactly definite yet; and he didn't really want anyone to know about it. Yet, it wasn't easy to lie to his beloved boss. “Uh...,” he started.
“Oh!” Kyoko said, she brandished Gokudera one of her signature blinding smiles. “Does this mean you and Yamamoto-kun have made up?”
“Whu--- How---?” Gokudera choked. He shot a glare at Haru, who was giggling quietly to herself.
“They've made up,” Haru explained between giggles. “In more ways than one... OH-hohoho...”
Gokudera shoved a hand in his pocket and thumbed a stick of dynamite. Woman, you're going to get it now! Before he could take the stick out, he felt warm hands holding his shoulders.
Tsuna gripped his shoulders tightly as he beamed and said, “Really? Is that true? I'm so glad you guys are getting along now!” The look of relief on the boss's face was enough to extinguish the anger in his chest.
“Er... yeah......” But I still don't want you to know it all, Tenth. Not yet.
Before Gokudera could respond further, the person taking the tickets called for them to move up. The right-hand man did not realize how quickly the queue was processed. All four of them went up to the counter together and handed their tickets in bulk.
The man at the booth inspected the tickets critically, before motioning for three of them to go. He pointed a bulky finger at Gokudera. “You can't go,” he said in a deep voice.
Gokudera chewed on his lip, then retorted. “I gave you my ticket; got a problem?”
The corner of the man's lips curled up into a smirk. “No costume, no admission,” the man said. “Especially for the likes of you.”
“Likes of me?” Gokudera whispered to himself. He squinted at the man in front of him, then remembered the events at the bar and the baseball field. This was one of Yamamoto's teammates who wanted to fight him in the bar and blocked his way in the field.
“There's no rule for that,” Gokudera said darkly.
“Hah! There's no rule that we can't do it that way,” the booth manager responded, smirk still in place. “Hey, everyone knows whenever you show up, shit hits the fan. Besides, since the team's worked hard for hosting the party, we can do whatever the hell we want. So why don't you just scram, girly boy.”
Gokudera felt a twitch on the side of his head. Great, asswipe. You're asking for it. The storm guardian cracked his knuckles.
Tsuna immediately grabbed Gokudera's waist and pulled back as hard as he could. “Ah, er, sorry! Um, we'll go take care of it, sir! Right, Gokudera? You just forgot your costume at the dorm, right?”
Gokudera craned his neck back to look at the Tenth. “T-Tenth! But---”
“We'll all go look for it at your dorm,” Tsuna said, pulling back some more so the people lined up behind them were able to approach the counter.
“B-but, Tenth! You don't have to wait for me. Please go in and enjoy the party.” Gokudera insisted. “I can deal with my problem myself.”
That's what I'm afraid of... Tsuna thought nervously. “It's ok, Gokudera.” Tsuna smiled sincerely. “We all just want to enjoy the evening together.”
Seeing his boss's smile made Gokudera's chest hurt. Maybe it was stupid of him to not research the party prior to attending. “I'm sorry, Tenth. I don't have anything ready to wear,” Gokudera apologized forlornly.
“It's ok, Gokudera,” Tsuna said. “I'm certain we can figure something out. We can borrow someone's costume, or you can put on my wig and it'll be enough... I think.”
“Hmmm. I don't know...” Haru surmised aloud. “That guy seems to not care about the costume as much as just making a point out of spite.” She crossed her arms over her chest and blatantly glared at Gokudera. “He's right though. You are a walking path of destruction.”
Gokudera growled. “Why you ---!”
“Um, wait...,” Kyoko's tiny voice cut through the conversation.
The other three stared at her expectantly.
“I might have an idea...” Kyoko said.
Haru raised an eyebrow, and asked hesitantly. “... you do?”
Kyoko smiled softly as a light blush colored her cheeks.
Gokudera felt a chill down his spine upon seeing that innocent smile.
End of Chapter.