> Of best friends and first loves.
asakikuweek day 4: gakuen/school au.
@asakikuweek2024
There was that look again.
Invisible to anyone who didn't pay enough attention to his surroundings. Invisible and ephemeral to the eyes of anyone except his own; cause Feliciano knew Kiku like the back of his hand and he had noticed some changes in his person even before the japanese himself.
They were both best and inseparable friends since kindergarten, so, for the brunette, it was natural to notice even the smallest details about his very special very loved friend, especially when this "detail" wasn't minimal at all and spoke volumes to him directly from the another's heart.
That's right, Kiku Honda, his best friend was in love.
His first love!
Feliciano could not contain his emotion.
It all happened on an October day, one of those where the sky is gray and the wind blows strongly bringing with it the change of season, where what the italian wanted the most in this world was to stay at home, warm, and help his mother in the kitchen.
"I hope it doesn't rain, I hope it doesn't rain! Kiku, what are we going to do if it rains?"
"I have an umbrella with me" responded with that calmness always so contrary to his own lively personality. In the eyes of the world the pair of friends were like water and oil, but that difference was exactly what made things work between them.
"And will it be enough for everyone? What about Ludwig? He is very macho, have you seen the size of his arms lately? Maybe I should join the gym too!"
A soft laughter coming from the other was what he got in response. Daily mission accomplished, make his friends laugh.
"I'm sure Ludwig will bring an umbrella with him, so you and I can share mine."
"It's decided then! Anyway I hope it doesn't rain, I didn't bring another sweater because none of them went well with the uniform, I have to start looking for my winter clothes cause i don't want to get sick, if I get sick Lovino will go crazy and start yelling at me. You know how he is "I don't want your germs in the--- huh?"
Interrupting what almost seemed like a monologue of his daily life to follow with his gaze the point that his companion was observing so attentively, curious, because Kiku was not one of those who just stared at others for fear of being rude. His eyes took him straight to an elegant black car, one that every student knew very well and from which was descending the owner of said car; his royal highness, heir to the crown and all the jewels of the British family and president of the student council Arthur Kirkland.
Why was Kiku watching Arthur so attentive? Why did his eyes shine brighter than usual and his breathing seemed almost contained in a...? Oh...
Oh!
That was it! That must be it! But really? Was it?
Without wanting to possibly embarrass by asking out of nowhere or maybe confuse him if that was not the case he decided to be prudent and gather more information on his own.
The school bell, always his ally, ringing and bringing the black-haired boy out of his stupor. Maybe it hadn't been such a bad idea to attend class that day.
-. -. -. -. -. -. -. -. -.
His suspicions were confirmed that afternoon. The day had passed normally the classes were boring as always and at lunch time Lud had joined the duo. A copious rain was now falling from the still gray sky, tapping on the windows of the school's newspaper club in which the three and only members worked in silence. Comforted by the company and the atmosphere that only rainy days could bring with them.
A couple of knocks on the door broke that idyllic moment, surprising those present and stealing their concentration.
"Kirkland, is something wrong?" the taller blonde asked after opening the door and finding the student president behind it.
"Nothing to worry about, Ludwig, I'm just carrying out an inspection, rutine. Yes! That's it, you know, I have to make sure the school clubs are working perfectly" he explained with that diplomacy in which there was no doubt about his actions.
Not wanting to go against student council's activities or rules the blonde german stepped aside to allow the other to enter. Arthur, for his part, dedicated himself to observing the place for a few minutes and then ask Kiku some questions (to him and only him and not a single about the newspaper) under the watchful eye of Feliciano who now not only confirmed his suspicions but was also sure of the feelings forming inside his best friend; They were mutual and reciprocated if the shy smiles and nervous stance could indicate something. Yeah, that was it.
Arthur Kirkland liked Kiku Honda.
Kiku Honda liked Arthur Kirkland.
And Feliciano didn't know what to do with that information.
Should he do something? Should he try to get them a little closer? Should he just pretend to be an idiot more often and gain Arthur's attention to direct it toward Kiku?
He was in a predicament.
-. -. -. -. -. -. -. -. -.
"Maybe you shouldn't do anything" Ludwig replied on the way home as they both shared their umbrella. Not wanting to waste any more time, Feliciano had seen Kiku off at the school gate after telling him that he had forgotten he was going to visit Gilbert, Ludwig's older brother, to pick up some video games he lent him. Kiku had piano lessons so couldn't accompany them. Which was perfect since the italian wanted to tell the german the good news.
"You think so? But Ludo, we both know very well how Kiku is like. At this rate they're going to end up getting married until we're eighty years old. I know I'll be a very handsome old man, because my grandpa Roma is, but I don't want to attend the wedding of my best friend being soooo old"
"And how do you know they're going to get married?" added the other, blushing. These topics were definitely not his best.
"I just know. I have seen it"
Ludwig would never understand Feliciano's blind trust in his "fortune-telling skills".
"What about you? Will you be married... at eighty?"
"That's why we shouldn't wait so long for these two to take the first step, it's at Kiku's wedding where maybe I can find the love of my life. This is a matter of life or death! Ah! My Kiku is in love, they grow up so fast"
Clearing his throat the German continued.
"Anyway I don't think it's our place to get involved in their business, it's not right. This is something the both of them should figure out on their own"
"Maybe you're right, you're always right" spirits plummet in a second.
"C-Cheer up, Feli" turning his face to prevent the other from seeing the blush that covered his cheeks "I promise to accompany you to Kiku and Arthur's wedding... if at eighty you have no one to go with?"
"Eh!? Really?"
"Really"
Renewed spirits.
Ah, nothing compared to the emotion he felt in those moments for his best friend. Kiku deserved everything beautiful, perfect and precious in that world and Feli was sure that one day life would give it to him.
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As a reminder that good exists out there, a coworker recently confessed to me that he found out his child is questioning their identity (kid's gender redacted for this post). The kid is keeping it from him, so he can't say anything to them or show that he knows, but he's doing his best to get mentally prepared and educated so that he'll be ready whenever his kid does feel comfortable enough come to him.
For context, this guy is a big, bulky middle aged dude who loves sports and typical outdoor "manly" activities. As his coworker and friend, I know he's a kind and sweet teddy bear of a person, but his kid probably views him as a stern, authoritarian figure, the way most teenagers view their parents. His family lives in a conservative area, so I'm sure between that, their dad's looks and interests, and the fact that their dad is a Figure of Authority, the kid is worried that they won't be accepted.
But you know what? When he found out about his kid, the first thing he did was reach out to his closest queer friend and ask for resources for parents of questioning children. His biggest fears are that his kid will be bullied or discriminated against and won't feel comfortable enough to be themself. His second action was to find himself a mentor in another parent who went the same situation (kid coming out in a conservative town). The other person is preparing him for some of the struggles his kid may face and the fights he may need to take on as a parent to make sure his kid is safe and treated well.
Something I want to emphasize for people focused on language as the primary method of allyship is that when we spoke, he used some outdated terms and thoughts about gender and sexuality. That does not make him bad. These were the terms and thinking used about questioning teenagers when he was growing up and he never needed to learn more current ones. But now that he does have that need, he's throwing himself in head first because that's his kid and he's darn well going to make sure that his kid feels welcomed and has a safe place to be themselves even if they never come out to him.
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