Chapter Text
After a long night riding, the Capsules take a quick stop to refuel.
The weary kids stretch their legs and pay no mind to the buzzing lights of the shoddy gas station. A couple of them, Yamagata and Kaisuke, lean against one of the gas pumps and share a cigarette, idly gossiping about that one hot chick Yamagata nearly bagged the other night, if it weren’t for the fact that she had a boyfriend. Yamagata wasn’t interested in being a homewrecker, thanks.
Tetsuo lingers nearby for a bit, listening in. He’s still at a point where he feels awkward around them. It’s like a loose tooth you can’t help pushing your tongue against, something to force out because even if it ends up hurting, it’s still worlds more satisfying than that irritating semi-detachment. He knows that feeling is mostly self-inflicted, but new faces always throw him off. Even when he’s been around here longer than they have. Known Kaneda longer.
He’s the youngest, so how come he feels so old? The thought nags at him as he glances over at Kaneda, who he can see through one of the busted windows of the convenience store, chatting animatedly with the gas station attendant. It's as if Kaneda hasn’t got a care in the world, Tetsuo thinks, feeling that familiar frustration bubble in his chest.
When it starts to seem like the duo’s trying to include him, he changes his mind and goes after Kaneda.
He pushes off of the pump and starts toward the station, annoyed with himself for feeling resentful, but not enough to shake it off. There’s some other person walking in too, so he’s able to squeeze into the store just before the door can close fully. Kaneda is still deeply engrossed in conversation, so Tetsuo quietly browses the shelves, trying to shake off his persistent unease. It sounds like he’s having fun.
The talk seems to be mostly one-sided, with the dude behind the counter exuding a flippant attitude. Tetsuo understands, sorta. Kaneda usually says a hundred words when he can stick with ten. The idiot might be trying to sweet-talk his way into some sort of discount, or maybe bore the guy enough that he forgets to make Kaneda pay for gas. Who knows if it’s working or not.
It turns out to be the exact opposite, and the cashier ends up cutting Kaneda off mid-sentence, stating bluntly that he needs to pay up. ’Good job’, Tetsuo thinks, struggling to suppress a laugh. That could have been the end of it, but the guy decides to pile on the fuckery and purposefully overcharges Kaneda, muttering a slur under his breath all the while. Tetsuo straightens up, unease morphing into a simmering anger as the words reach his ears, and he can practically see red.
Internally, Kaneda gives a weary sigh, already used to such small acts of discrimination. As he hands over the money, Kaneda nods woodenly, feeling a sense of resignation settle over him. ’So much for that.’
Tetsuo isn't fortunate enough to be so hardened. It boggles his mind that Kaneda just stood there and took that. Didn’t even flinch about it. The one time this guy decides not to fight back, and it’s when some gas station has-been insults his pride. Rage surges behind Tetsuo’s eyes, pulsing with a volatile mix of adrenaline and indignation. His mind is already made up, and he prowls toward the man behind the counter, his steps heavy with determination.
The boy only stops when Kaneda firmly grabs his arm, catching that storm in Tetsuo’s eyes just in time. “It’s not worth it, man.” Kaneda says, turning his friend away from the confrontation.
They share a look for a moment, communicating with their eyes in a way that can only be done when you live the way they do.
Sighing, Tetsuo relents, but the indignation still smolders within him. “…Whatever,” Tetsuo shoulders the door open harder than he needs to, clenching his teeth when that tinkling bell rings with it. Kaneda follows.
Up ahead, Kai and Yamagata’s conversation fades when they spot the other two returning. Yamagata cocks his hip, raising a brow at their expressions. “What’s up? You get caught stealing or somethin’?” He smirks, reaching a hand to pinch Tetsuo’s cheek as he passes by. He’s met with a swift slap to the wrist in retaliation. “Screw you, ‘m not in the mood.” He hisses, moving to fill up his bike’s tank. Yamagata blinks, and Kai’s gaze turns over to Kaneda, who grimaces, shaking his head.
Yamagata and Kai exchange looks, knowing that the tension is a bit too close to boiling over for comfort. As they all get the fuel they need and leave, the incident weighs heavily on them, even while they resume their journey under the flickering neon lights of the city. The sounds of their motorcycles echoed against the empty streets, carrying the weight of an unresolved internal turmoil.
Determined to push through the unsettling encounter, Kaneda takes initiative, picking up speed to leave the station and the memory behind. With a deep breath, Tetsuo follows his friend’s lead, the wind whipping against his face as they all accelerate into the night.
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Later on, after nabbing a couple drinks at Harukiya’s, the gang decides to play hooky at the local arcade. It’s alright. Not covered in vomit and piss every other day, so it’s not worth complaining about. Tetsuo plays one round of Galaga, and loses interest in the whole place after that. He opts to lean against the railing of the DDR machine and watch his friends run between each game and try them at least once.
After he’d stepped away from it, Yamagata jumped on the machine and started fixating on getting the top score, just so he can input a derogatory nickname into the system. Kai’s trying to see if he can perform all of the Babality Finishers in MK II, giggling to himself whenever it happens. Kaneda keeps trying to challenge Tetsuo to one of the racing games, only to be waved away each time. And each time, the guy stalks off looking like a kicked puppy, only to perk back up when he sees something else to play.
It’s entertaining, being able to mindlessly observe. Notice things without thinking about them too deeply and giving himself a migraine. They’re all having fun, in their own ways. Acting their ages, for once.
It’s almost Good. Until some punks start pushing their luck, sneering about "Gay Bike Boys" within earshot. Fuck. He was just starting to chill out. His head snaps in that direction, and he makes eye contact with one of the twerps. Tetsuo was already on edge, but now it feels like he’s going to combust. “Say that again,” he spits, straightening up, but still keeping his hand on the railing, like it’s the only thing holding him back. Like it’s a pole with a leash attached, reining him in.
A skirmish begins to brew as the air crackles with hostility, threatening to ignite into something explosive. Kaneda steps forward, always there at the right moment somehow, his gaze steady and resolute. "Dial it down, Tetsuo," Kaneda urges, placing a firm hand on his friend's shoulder. Ignoring the warning signs, Tetsuo steps closer to the thugs, poorly-repressed anger simmering just beneath the surface. They couldn’t be any older than he is, but they’re still managing to piss him off with that holier than thou aura they’ve got going on. He doesn’t like their faces, either. “Say that shit again,” he repeats.
“Aw, what, you got a problem with us, Bentshot?" one of the goons taunt, leering at Tetsuo with a cocky grin. And it’s over.
It’s unclear who throws the first punch, but chaos erupts as fists and insults fly through the air, blending with the neon glow of the arcade. It isn’t long before the manager rushes over, but with one look at the frenzied kids, he knows this situation is beyond his control. He fumbles for the phone, dialing the emergency line to summon the authorities.
Tetsuo manages to break the nose of one of the bastards, but there’s no satisfaction in the crunch like there usually is. Only a sprained wrist or something to show for it. Kaneda wades into the chaos, grabbing Tetsuo's arm and pulling him back. "Tetsuo, hey!" Kaneda shouts over the commotion. “Stop it!” Tetsuo writhes against Kaneda's grip, his eyes wild with rage as he tries to break free and lash out again.
Kaisuke and Yamagata leap to Kaneda's aid, trying to pin Tetsuo’s legs as he continues to kick and spit. It takes Yamagata throwing their friend over his shoulder like a sack of rice to stop his struggling, knocking the wind out of Tetsuo’s sails. But even then, he still has the disposition of a rabid dog.
Tetsuo pants and seethes, his chest heaving as he glowers at the punks with unrestrained fury, his every muscle tensed for the next eruption of violence. Kaneda holds on tight, his voice desperate as he tries to reason with his best friend. “Look, look at me, buddy. We’re leaving. Okay?” He emphasizes slowly, knowing it’ll be another thing Tetsuo will bust his ass for later. But this is important. Tetsuo's breathing steadies, the storm in his eyes gradually subsiding as he focuses on Kaneda's unwavering gaze. He says nothing, then. Only breaks eye contact to drop his head down.
Kaneda takes what he can get. “See, no need to call the cops, we were just heading out!” He calls to the manager, and Kai rushes to hold the door open for them as they exit. It’s safe to say they won’t be coming back to this arcade. Bummer, too.
The cabinets were faulty, and some of them’d let you play more than once without inserting any extra coins. What a buzzkill.
Tetsuo is mostly silent on the way to their bikes, besides the occasional clenching and unclenching of his fists, he might as well have been mistaken for a corpse. He technically won that fight, he thinks. But emerging victorious does nothing to stop the long-repressed emotions that shake Tetsuo's resolve. His face hurts. His hand hurts. He might’ve slugged that kid so hard he fractured something. But whatever. He looks down at the bruise forming on his knuckles and clenches his jaw, the taste of metal flooding his mouth. ‘It’s whatever.’
Kai keeps stealing glances at him as they walk. The silence is a bit loud for him. He opts to be the first to break it. Gently. “D’you think you’re gonna be alright?” Tetsuo exhales heavily at that, the sound caught between a sigh and a grunt. Kaneda translates for him. “No idea,” he mutters, shaking his head slightly. “We’ll see.” Kai nods, understanding the gravity of the situation. Yamagata might not. “You kiddin’? You should worry ‘bout that other guy!” He snorts, as though he’d even been paying enough attention to know the context. He just knows Tetsuo has a mean right hook when he wants to. Said boy only grumbles in response, his voice reedy from the sharpness of Yamagata’s shoulder jabbing into his gut. The bitterness of his next words still manages to get through, though. “He had it coming.” And that was the end of that.
It’s when they finally get to their bikes that Tetsuo’s allowed down- but not to stand, apparently. Kaneda catches Tetsuo from behind as his knees buckle, a surge of worry knotting his brow.
“Head,” Tetsuo says, heaving. The rush of blood leaving his head makes him nauseous, and he clenches onto the fabric of Kaneda’s beloved jacket so tightly his bones ache. “My head...” A red haze swims through his eyes, blinding him to the surroundings.
“Does he- does he need to sit down?” Kai sounds a hint frantic, which doesn’t help, but it’s reasonable. Panicking a little himself, Kaneda struggles to keep Tetsuo from ending up on his ass. Tetsuo’s fighting to breathe evenly, pushing against the rushing discomfort, trying to regain his balance. Okay. It’s okay, Kaneda can work with this. Maybe. Unsure hands shift to squeeze his best friend’s shoulders. "Don't push yourself," Kaneda says, steadying Tetsuo. He’s not good at this. None of them are, but there’s a first for everything, right? Is that how the saying goes?
"Hey, come back to me, Tets." Kaneda surprises even himself with how soft his tone is, but it’s enough to cut through the static, anchoring Tetsuo to its soothing cadence. The tension eases from Tetsuo's taut frame as Kaneda's words reach him.
Spinning on his heel, he finds his rightful place in Kaneda's arms. Kai and Yama are shocked to silence. ‘Huh. That’s new.’
Kaneda only hesitates for a second, then wraps his arms around Tetsuo, giving him a reassuring squeeze, hoping to help him find his footing. "Stay with me, man," Kaneda whispers, holding him close. It’s been a while since they’ve hugged, he thinks. It’s kinda nice.
Kaneda guides Tetsuo’s head to his shoulder, calmly taking the boy’s wrists to cease frenetic energy. Tetsuo’s breaths even out, the rise and fall of his chest syncing with the thrum of Kaneda's steady pulse, trying to stay grounded in the boy’s embrace.
"It’s done. I’ve got you." Kaneda soothes him, smoothing his thumbs over the span of Tetsuo's veins. The boy in Baby Blue falls limp against him, ashamed — though on the inside he feels mollified, grateful for the sentiment. Kaneda demands nothing from him. There’s only a tender, seldom-seen attentiveness in the way he handles Tetsuo.
Tetsuo rests against Kaneda, imagining his presence is a tether, keeping him from drifting away. Away from this world.
Tetsuo lets out a long exhale, allowing it all to sink in. The ever-present tension releases from his body, leaving behind a sense of vulnerability that he's never allowed himself to show. He feels like the butt of a joke. Like there’s a carrot on a stick being dangled in front of his face, waiting to be revoked once he starts being receptive. Blinking away tears he should’ve noticed sooner, an odd mix of relief and frustration courses its way through him. Kaneda's hold is like a harbor after storms.
Though waves of bewilderment still crashed within, Kaneda is Tetsuo’s anchor to Hope. Tetsuo knows good and well that he’s Inferior. Weak. A stray, wounded dog with no pack, but Kaneda's warmth tells him he won't be abandoned. It’s- it’s downright insulting– annoying, but — the light pressure is (good?) fine. Kaneda squeezes Tetsuo’s hands- and it’s strange, but that little pain from earlier seems to have shot through his arm. Their foreheads meet, as the boy in Hot-Rod Red breathes tolerance love into the his friend’s fractured soul.
“Welcome back,” Kaneda says, hushed. A private smile grows on his face, and Tetsuo can’t help but be glad he gets to see it. Tetsuo closes his eyes for a moment, savoring the genuine affection in Kaneda's words. The weight of Kaneda's devotion feels both unfamiliar and comforting, like a lifeline thrown to a drowning man. “You miss me?”
All at once, Tetsuo scoffs and rolls his eyes, the moment broken. But only for him.
Kaneda leans back, grinning, knowing Tetsuo's outward reaction can't mask the gratitude still shimmering in his eyes. He’s easy like that. Yamagata suppresses a chuckle from just over at his bike, pretending to be engrossed in something else. Kai is there with him, popping open a can of soda and taking an overly-casual swig.
Tetsuo’s face goes red with a mix of outrage and something unknowable.
“Shuddup, asshole.” Kaneda just laughs, his voice warm and familiar. It makes Tetsuo feel worse. Pushing away from the embrace, he scrubs at his face to rid himself of the sticky-dry feeling that comes after crying that never fails to annoy him. Kaneda watches Tetsuo with a knowing look, his eyes filled with understanding. He thinks he hates loves that about him. “Let’s just go, ‘m getting a headache.”
The grin on Kaneda's face softens slightly, and with a playful glint in his eyes, he replies, "Sure thing, Chibi.” Tetsuo narrows his eyes at the nickname but can't hide the faint smirk that ghosts across his lips. Not from his best friend. “Screw you.”
And Kaneda lets him be.