Shattered Bonds-Okuyasu & Josuke

Adjusting-Part 5

The soft morning light streamed through the curtains, falling upon the cute, awakening couple. Okuyasu groaned as he sat up, the previous night's events lingered on his mind, the argument with his father and the subsequent fallout still fresh. The turmoil immediately being washed away with a calm warm feeling as Josuke sits up next to him, giving him a light peck on the cheek.

As they stirred awake, Josuke was the first to speak, his voice gentle and reassuring. "How did you sleep?"

Okuyasu gave a small smile, his eyes still heavy with sleep. "Surprisingly better than expected, thanks to you that is...and your mouth."

Josuke blushed slightly, memories of last night flashing in his head. "Anything for you, you're my man"

An emotional surge of gratitude and love flooded Okuyasu, but as the reality of his new living situation settled in, he couldn't help but feel a mix of apprehension and uncertainty.

They got up and started their day, slipping into a routine that was both new and unfamiliar. Josuke's parents, already awake, greeted Okuyasu warmly as he entered the kitchen, the aroma of breakfast wafting through the air.

"Morning, Okuyasu," Josuke's mom said with a warm smile. "I made some pancakes. Help yourself."

Okuyasu smiled back, though a bit shy. "Thank you, Mrs. Higashikata."

"Please, call me Tomoko," she insisted, placing a plate of pancakes on the table.

Josuke's dad nodded in agreement. "And I'm Joseph. We're glad you're here kiddo."

Although the kindness in their voices was comforting, Okuyasu couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place. As they ate breakfast, the conversation flowed easily around him, but he felt like an outsider, a guest in someone else's life, and an odd feeling of being a burden weighed heavy on his heart. After breakfast, the couple returned to Josuke's room, where they found themselves faced with the practicalities of sharing space. Josuke's room, filled with his many belongings such as books, plushies, bean bags, a load of clothes and his gaming set up, now had to accommodate Okuyasu's as well. They spent the morning rearranging the room, making space for his clothes and personal items.

"Again, I'm sorry for all this," Okuyasu said, whilst looking down; fitting his clothes in his boyfriend's wardrobe.

"Baby stop apologizing, you would have done the same for me if I was in your position," Josuke replied reassuringly. "Plus, I feel happy that I get to spend more time with you."

In addition to the cute comment, Josuke gave his boyfriend a kiss on the cheek, Okuyasu's cheeks turning a bright red.As they organized, Okuyasu found himself hesitating over small decisions, like where to place his toothbrush or how to fit his clothes into the limited drawer space. Josuke noticed his hesitation and gently encouraged him to make himself at home. He replied with a nod, appreciating his lover's patience. But as the day went on, the reality of their new living arrangement began to sink in. The little quirks of living together became apparent: Josuke's habit of leaving his shoes by the door, the way Okuyasu liked to organize his belongings meticulously, and the different sleep schedules they had. That evening, as they settled down to watch a movie, Okuyasu felt a growing sense of displacement. The comfort of the house contrasted sharply with the turmoil he felt inside. He missed his own room, his own things, and despite the warmth and love he received from Josuke and his family, there was an inescapable feeling of being out of place. Sensing Okuyasu's discomfort, Josuke turned off the TV and turned to him. "What's on your mind baby, remember what we spoke about 'being honest'?"

Okuyasu hesitated, struggling to find the right words. "I just... I don't know. It's all happening so fast. I love being with you, but I feel like I'm intruding. This isn't my home, and I'm not used to it all."

Josuke took his hands in, his expression earnest. "You're not intruding, Babe. My family and I want you here. But I understand if you're feeling overwhelmed. Besides, it's only your first day here. You've experienced a big change and its gonna take time to adjust ya know"

An overwhelming feeling of love for Josuke flooded over Okuyasu, but that feeling was conflicted. Josuke squeezed Okuyasu's hand. "We'll take it one day at a time. It's okay to feel this way. We'll figure it out together."

Despite Josuke's reassurances, Okuyasu couldn't shake the nagging guilt gnawing at him. He felt like a burden, an unwelcome disruption in the Higashikata household's calm rhythm. Each kind gesture from his boyfriend's parents, every welcoming word, only deepened his sense of inadequacy. He worried about overstaying his welcome, about the strain his presence might place on the family, even though they never showed any sign of discomfort. The thought of being a source of tension between Josuke and his parents weighed heavily on him, pulling him into a spiral of self-doubt and quiet despair. This feeling of guilt and the fear of being an unwanted guest made him feel trapped and helpless, leaving him struggling with a growing sense of depression that he found hard to voice. And this wasn't the only thing on his mind...

Back in the home he had shared with his son, Mansaku Nijimura found himself enveloped in a haunting quiet. The house, once filled with the rhythms of daily life, now felt cold and empty. Since the passing of his wife years earlier, he had struggled to fill the void she left behind. Okuyasu's presence had been a constant, a reminder of the life they had shared as a family. Now, with him also gone, Mansaku felt more alone than ever, the silence of the house pressing in on him, a stark reminder of his loss and the rift he had caused with his son. As he sat alone, the lonely man wrestled with his pride, his beliefs, and the painful realization that he might have pushed away the last bit of family he had left.