Unexpected

Chapter 5: New Beginnings

Denki and Neito never meant to hurt Hitoshi.

Their unexpected chemistry was not meant in any way to be a malicious attack against Hitoshi, and both were worried that it might have come across that way. They weren't that petty.

Okay, Neito thought, maybe I am. But Denki isn't.

Actually, Neito understood better now then before why Hitoshi was not faithful to him. Denki was so, so easy to fall for. He made Neito feel warm and wanted and safe.

Denki was feeling similarly to Neito. He could tell why Hitoshi had fallen for Neito with his quick wit and charm that quickly turned from teasing to genuine when they had gotten closer to each other. Neito made him feel worthy and intelligent, like how Hitoshi had made him feel before he discovered the betrayal.

Two weeks after confronting Hitoshi together, they were sitting on the floor in Denki's dorm with all of their research scattered around them on the floor and pulled up on multiple tabs on their laptops. They were putting the finishing touches on the project that was due next Tuesday.

They had been spending a lot of time together. Not only were they doing a project between the two of them that was meant to be split over five group members, but also they had more free time that used to be spent with their unknowingly shared boyfriend, Hitoshi. So, they started spending that extra time together, too, and their friendship quickly blossomed.

It started out simply enough, with Denki asking Neito if he wanted to grab dinner while they were packing up after working on the project in the library. Neito had accepted, and then asked Denki if he wanted to get a late breakfast with him when he saw him the next morning after the first class of the day had ended. Denki, of course, had accepted.

While they were both trying to be strong for each other, the respect for each other skyrocketed and soon they no longer had to pretend to be strong. Fake it 'til you make it, huh?

Neito had been the one to initiate their first kiss.

They had gone into the next town over to see a movie that Denki had been gushing about, showing Neito the trailers and getting excited as he talked about the theories about what was to happen. Neito found himself genuinely interested in what Denki had to say and decided to offer to go see the movie with him. Denki was extremely pleased because he had just resolved himself to rent the movie when it came out on his streaming service that he mooched off of his parents' subscription. He didn't have anyone to go with; none of his friends were interested in it.

But then Neito offered. And Denki swore he looked like a damn angel standing there, shrugging like it was no big deal. But it was a big deal. To Denki, it was a huge deal.

They had been standing in line when Denki had realized that Neito had kind of drifted off, not really paying attention to what he was saying and contributing to the conversation. Instead, he was just nodding along as his eyes stayed on his face, but made less and less actual eye contact as his mind drifted elsewhere.

Denki had quickly cut himself off, not wanting to take advantage of his new friend who up until that moment had always been actively engaged in what he was rambling on about, offering his own theories and opinions after researching the movie the night before.

But, Neito noticed, and tried to get Denki going again. Denki was self-conscious, though.

"No, seriously! I'm sorry for not paying attention. Please, Denks! Tell me what you were saying before."

"No, seriously, Neito. It's fine," Denki had assured him, and tried to switch to a different topic.

Neito had cut him off, though.