Hall Pass - an Ishimondo love story

trust

- Mondo's P.O.V. -

     I was just standing at Ishimaru's door now, not knowing exactly how to approach it. 'Why am I so nervous about this...?' I ask myself. After some brief seconds of thinking I finally decide to go and knock on the door. And so I did, I gently knock on it, hoping for him to answer.
     I waited for a minute or two when I notice the door opening. Kiyotaka was the one standing there. He looked at me in shock, probably asking how I even got to his house in the first place. But not only he seemed confused, he also seemed scared, and just like back at school, his face didn't look too well since last time i've seen him.
     - Mondo...? ... why are you here ...? a-and... Leon's not with you, right? - he asks, his voice sounds trembly and weak.
     - Hey, Taka. Yes, I'm alone. I came here to see you. May I come in? - I tried as much as I could to make my voice soft, in hope it would calm him down a little.
     - ... sure.
     I go inside the house and he closes the door, locking it next. I stared, not even hiding my face of worry for him.
     - Hey... Dude, what happened...?
     I ask, getting a little closer to him, and putting my hand on his cheek, trying to comfort him. It didn't look like it worked. He pushed my hand carefully away from his face and gave a large step backwards.
     - I'm okay, Owada. Just don't get too close...okay? - he says. I can feel deep scare in his voice.
     - Alright, sorry, Taka. Just... please tell me what happened. You never appear like that. You're always so bright... and happy, and have that little adorable smile on your face. - I give him a gentle smirk. - Seeing you like that... just doesn't sit right to me. So, tell me who did what to you.
     He looks at me, directly, with those beautiful red eyes of his. But that's not the focus here. He just seemed... different, not in a positive way. He was just staring at me, like he didn't want to say it.
     - Ey, fuck it man, just tell me already, God damn it. What could possibly happened so bad that you don't even want to tell m-
     - He touched me.
     He cuts me off, I could see he was now more anxious, as well as he had some tears forming in his eyes. I wanted to go and hug him so bad, but I had to respect his personal space, specially after what I had just heard.
      - W-what...? - I ask, just to confirm if I had heard it right.
     - Leon. He... he touched me indecently, when I did not give consent for him to.
     I did not know how to answer to that. Leon, my best friend, my buddy. I knew he was a bully, and overall not much of a good person, but i'd never expect something like that from him. I just stood there, in silence, while seeing as Taka's tears now began to fall.
      - I...I..... - I stuttered.
     I was also holding back some tears. Now I could understand Kiyotaka's fear when referred to Leon. That man is no good at all.
     - Ishimaru, I'm so, so sorry that you gone through this. God, I trusted that stupid mother fucker. I... Jesus, I don't even know what to say...
     I know my words weren't enough, I'm not good at this kind of stuff, but I guess it got into Kiyotaka, as he hugged me tight right after I said that. I guess he trusts me enough. I can't help but hug him back, hard, and even letting some tears fall.
     - Thank you, Mondo. I... - he hugs me tighter. - I don't know what'd be of me if you weren't here this instant.
     I loose a little from the hug, making him look at me, in which I in trade give him a smile, genuine, sentimental one.
     - I swear to you I will bring revenge for this. That man is dangerous. We need to stop it. I will report him. - I say.
     - No! - Ishimaru quickly replies. - He promised to kill me if I ever said what he did. I don't want to die, Mondo. And I don't want you hurt either.
     - The only one dead here will be him. I know how to take care of myself, bro.

- Ishimaru's P.O.V. -

     Mondo was being extremely nice to me. I didn't know he cared that much. But it's true what I had said before. If it wasn't for him here I'd probably had... well, that's not important. The most relevant thing now is that I can't have Mondo confront Leon.
     - Please, don't... - I beg him, as I started crying a little more now.
     I fully hug him again. As much as any form of physical touch makes me remember what Leon did, Mondo's touch felt comforting. I never want him to leave again. I don't want to be alone ever again. If only I had anyone by my side when Leon approached me... maybe it wouldn't have happened...
     - Shhh... don't worry, I got you know. You're not alone. - he says, messing my hair a little, in a comforting way.
     - You're right... when I'm with you I don't feel alone... I actually feel... safe. So... please don't leave my side. Please, Mondo. - my voice trembled again, I'm so weak I can't even handle asking him to stay without stuttering.
     - I won't. It's a promise. - he says, holding me tighter.
     I finally let go of the hug, still holding his hand, for pure comfort. I then decide to guide him upstairs, to my room.
     - Hey, Mondo... I know it's sudden, but I really need this... so... will you please stay the night?
     - Of course. - he smiles, making me feel better, making me return a little sad smile.
     He pushes me close, and takes my hand, playing with my fingers for a while. His hand was warm, and nice. It felt good, until he pushed my sleeve a little up, revealing some new cuts there were. He just looked at me, in a sad way. He didn't say anything, but he grabbed my wrist gently and kissed the new scars. Every time he did this my heart would flutter.
     - I apologize severely for breaking our promise... - I say.
     - It's alright. After all, now that i'll be with you all times, i'll get to fully control this now. You know... i promise to protect you from everything. That includes yourself, Ishimaru.
     That got me off guard. That was very nice of him. To stay with me at all times and protect me? Ain't I lucky to have a friend such as him... But that's what have been bothering me. He's not more then a "friend" ...
     - Thank you, Mondo. This makes me feel a lot better. - I smile, feeling my face getting a bit hotter, I was blushing, wasn't I?
     - Geez, are you blushing? - he laughs. - Fuck, that's cute. - he smiles playfully at me, making me blush even more.
     God, this will be one long night, isn't it?