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the locker room’s door slams shut as the last phighter exits, leaving boombox alone in the empty room. his session of phights have ended for the day, and he should be leaving, just like everyone else. he has his phone pinned under his ear as he struggles to open his duffle bag, cursing under his breath. he just wants to refill his water bottle before he leaves, but of course the zipper is stuck.
“soooo, how were your matches today?” slingshot asks. a brief mental image of him laying on his stomach and kicking his feet in the air enters boombox’s mind and he almost chuckles.
boombox scowls, finally getting the stupid zipper unstuck. he starts searching for his water bottle. “kinda horrible. i only won one of them.”
“oh, really?”
“yeah. placed pretty badly in every single one, too, even the one we won, which was totally not frustrating at all. my last match was in banland, because of course it was, and i ran out of water after my first match because i forgot to refill it, so i was already thirsty, and banland is, like, a bajillion degrees hot. so, you know. and then medkit got pissy at me for phighting ‘under par,’ but apparently ‘sorry, i’m so thirsty and hot i’m about to pass out’ isn’t a good enough excuse?” boombox sighs, finally finding his water bottle. “sorry. just sorta having a bad day.”
“aww, i’m sorry,” slingshot says. boombox hums, holding his bottle under the water fountain faucet to refill it. “you wanna hang? we could go get food at a place you like. it might help make you feel a bit better.”
boombox can’t help the small smile that comes to his face. “that sounds nice. just let me go home and take a shower first. i’m still sweating, dude.”
slingshot laughs a little. “no, because i want to see you sweaty and gross. of course i’ll let you shower. i’ll invite skates, too.”
the locker rooms door slams shut again. boombox almost brushes it off before remembering he was the only one here, which means someone had entered after already leaving. he pauses, lowering his phone slightly with a “hold on” to listen a bit better.
there’s a sound of heavy feet hitting the floor. the footfalls are accompanied by the soft jingle of bells that immediately make boombox tense. those bells belong to one person and one person only.
he whirls around, finding himself face-to-face with katana. well, not face-to-face, more like face-to-chest. boombox has to tilt his head back to see katana’s blank mask. his heart drops to his feet and he freezes. his phone slips from his hand and clatters against the ground. the sound snaps him from whatever trance he was briefly in, and he drops his gaze to stare at it on the floor.
“apologies for startling you,” katana says after a moment, making boombox look back up. “are you finished with the water fountain?”
“oh, shi- shoot, sorry, sorry.” boombox finds he can move again and he snatches his half-full water bottle, quickly crouching to pick his phone back up. he says a fast i’msorryi’llcallyoubackinasec before hanging up on slingshot and shoving his phone into his pocket, backpedaling to put some distance between him and katana. “i’ll, uh, get going now!”
“wait.”
boombox lets out an embarrassing but thankfully quiet yelp, caught in the middle of his escape. he slowly turns to look back at katana. katana’s mask stares at him, and he can’t help but feel like he’s being assessed. after what feels like a century, katana speaks. “are you… afraid of me?”
“what?!” boombox quickly tries to regain his composure, crossing his arms and leaning against a set of lockers. “no! no, of-of course not.”
katana makes a sort of chuffing sound. it takes boombox a moment to realize he’s laughing. “you are not as good at hiding your fear as you may believe.”
boombox forces his stiff shoulders to relax, nervously glancing around the empty room. how the hell does he respond to that? “um… sorry?”
katana places his water bottle under the fountain. “there is no need to apologize. i understand how one may find me intimidating.”
boombox chews on his lower lip. “i… um. it-it’s nothing against you as a person..?”
katana doesn’t immediately reply. he takes his refilled water bottle, twisting the cap back on. he turns towards boombox, the bells in his mane and on his tail jingling as he does. “would you care to join me for tea sometime? perhaps i may be able to alleviate some of your fears of me.”
boombox can’t believe his ears. he stares for what must be an uncomfortable amount of time before remembering he’s supposed to respond. “uh. uh, sure. what… what time works best?”
god, why did he say yes? he squeezes his eyes shut under his visor, resisting the urge to slam his head backwards into the lockers.
“are you available later today, perhaps at four o’clock?” katana asks, oblivious to boombox’s internal anguish.
TODAY?! boombox almost screams. instead he replies with “yep, yep! that works!” like a totally calm person.
katana nods. “do not worry about transportation. you are friends with slingshot, are you not? he, vinestaff, or shuriken will be able to drive you to my tea house. i’ll contact them shortly to alert them of our plans.”
“sounds good!” boombox replies, voice an octave higher than normal. his ears burn a little in shame.
katana doesn’t comment on it. “i await our meeting later, then. goodbye, boombox.”
“yep! cya later!” boombox squeaks out.
he watches as the door to the locker room shuts behind katana, the sound echoing in the empty room. boombox shakily pulls his phone from his pocket, opening his contacts. the recipient picks up their phone after only a few rings and he raises his own to his ear, still staring at the door.
“slingshot, i think i am going to die.”
“you are not going to die.”
boombox resists the urge to sob, instead going limp in his car seat. “i’m totally dead, bro. what do i even do?! am i- am i dressed okay?” he looks down at his hoodie and jeans, suddenly doubting if casual was the way to go.
slingshot lets out a deep breath. “just listen to me, okay? your clothes are fine. when we get there, take your shoes off at the entry. don’t bring your boombox out, since it’s technically a weapon-”
“i should’ve written a will,” boombox mumbles.
“there’s still time!” skateboard exclaims, popping up between the two front seats. “use your phone’s notes app!”
“try to not shout,” slingshot continues despite being interrupted. “like, keep your voice at a reasonable level-”
“don’t shout?” skateboard cuts slingshot off, shaking boombox’s shoulder. “dude, you are so dead.”
“shut it, skateboard! you aren’t helping!” slingshot loudly snaps, elbowing skateboard in the face. he falls into the backseats with a laugh.
“be quiet? slingshot, i don’t do quiet!” boombox wails over skateboard’s laughter. “he’s gonna kill me!”
“no-” slingshot’s ears pin back against his head as he takes a deep breath. “dude, just listen. your normal speaking volume is fine. it’ll be fine.”
“i’m dead. i’m so dead,” boombox mumbles, pulling his legs up to his chest.
“boombox, get your shoes off my car seat.”
“i don’t even drink tea.” boombox lets his feet slide off the seat, following the motion to rest his head on the dashboard. “what if i ask for the wrong kind?”
“wh- there’s no wrong types of tea?”
boombox just moans. “would he be mad if i mysteriously didn’t show up?”
“well, it’d be rude,” slingshot replies. “he’d probably be at least a little disappointed. and then he’d ask you why you didn’t come, so if you want to answer that, then, sure, mysteriously don’t show up.”
boombox reaches to grab his horns. “why couldn’t you have just said no?”
slingshot sighs for the up-tenth time since he started driving. “i feel like medkit right now. we’re almost there.”
boombox sits up straight, a mournful frown on his face. “this is it, guys. i love you, thank you for being my friends-”
“boombox, i promise it’ll go well.” slingshot tries to reassure. “katana isn’t nearly as bad as you think, trust me.”
“easy for you to say! you don’t get your ass handed to you every time he sees you!” boombox protests.
slingshot falls silent, unable to immediately think of a response. “well. he’s not gonna attack you or anything.”
“but what if he does? i think i’m gonna be sick.” boombox groans, burying his face in his hands. “hooooh, god, i can’t do this.”
“hey, hey.” the car, already beginning to slow down, rolls to a stop. slingshot gently grabs one of his shoulders. “take a deep breath. you’re okay. please don’t throw up in my car.”
boombox doesn’t respond, too focused on his nausea. he doesn’t register the back door opening or closing, but he suddenly finds himself being harshly pulled out of his seat. he hears slingshot say “skateboard!” in protest but he’s too surprised and disoriented to react. he barely catches himself before he falls onto the gravel, stumbling to his feet.
two hands drop on his shoulders. “boombox,” skateboard says.
“what-?” boombox holds his arms out to balance himself. “hey, did you just-”
“stop, listen. this is important.” skateboard shakes him, hard. boombox nearly falls again with a muttered jesus.
“you’re gonna be okay. if katana attacks you, you fucking get your boombox out and run , okay? you run, and you get your phone and call me, and i’ll come whoop his ass for you, alright? i’ll be hiding in the bushes. he won’t see me coming.”
“oh my god, you’re both idiots. he is not going to attack you,” slingshot angrily corrects, slamming the driver’s door shut and walking over to the pair. “katana doesn’t do surprise attacks. he would’ve invited you somewhere else if he wanted to spar, and he also would’ve asked you if you wanted to beforehand. he probably just wants to talk about something with you.”
boombox blinks, trying to filter the sudden rush of information. “okay.” he takes a breath in. “okay, okay.”
“okay?” skateboard affirms. “you hear me and sling? you’re gonna be okay.”
boombox tentatively nods. “yeah.”
“say it.”
“what?”
skateboard shakes him again. “say ‘i’m gonna be okay.’”
“um.” boombox shuffles his feet a little. “do i have-”
“say it.”
“okay, geez. uh. i’m-” boombox bites back a laugh, turning to look away from skateboard.
“say- say it,” skateboard commands, but there’s a small wobble to his voice that signals he’s similarly holding back laughter.
“i’m gonna be-” boombox bites his lip, unable to contain a small snicker.
skateboard is very clearly fighting back a smile, and the very sight almost makes boombox burst into laughter. “you- you’re gonna be what?”
boombox takes a breath to compose himself. “stop looking at me like that.”
“oh my GOD JUST SAY IT!!” skateboard shouts.
boombox can’t help but laugh. “o-okay! i’m gonna be okay!”
“THERE!” skateboard lets boombox go, throwing his hands in the air. “was that so hard?!”
boombox is giggling too hard to respond. skateboard turns to slingshot, putting his hands on his hips triumphantly. “slingshot, i did it. i made him feel better.”
“finally.” slingshot leans back on the hood of his car with his hands on his face. “boombox, you’re awesome and i love you, but you were being so dramatic.”
“i think i was being perfectly reasonable,” boombox defends himself, but his smile probably ruins the effect. “it was like- imagine hyperlaser asking you to drink tea with him.”
“i would just say ‘no,’” slingshot deadpans. “you’re too nice and can’t say no to people.”
“you ruined my example,” boombox grumbles. he squints at the small stone path some feet away, trying to see its end destination through the trees and foliage. “is katana’s tea place up there?”
slingshot walks up beside him. “yep,” he says, popping the ‘p’. he turns to look at boombox, giving him a softer smile. “it’s gonna be okay, dude. katana’s intimidating, but he’s actually super gentle and nice. ‘gentle giant’ and all that.”
boombox sighs, flicking his finger against the middle of his palm. “yeah, yeah.”
skateboard comes up on his other side, dropping a hand on boombox’s shoulder. “hey, listen, man. it doesn’t matter how good or bad this whole thing goes, because afterwards we’re gonna go get food and hang out and go to slingshot’s house.”
“i didn’t agree to that last part,” slingshot objects. skateboard gives him a look that’s a mix between disgusted and annoyed, and slingshot rolls his eyes. “i wasn’t saying you guys can’t come over. i just have to check with vinestaff and shuriken.”
“psh, whatever.” skateboard turns his attention back to boombox. “just let me or sling know when you’re done here, ‘kay?”
boombox nods. “alright. i should, uh, probably go.”
he takes a few steps forward before pivoting to walk backwards, giving his friends a small smile. “cya later, probably. hopefully?”
“you will see us later,” slingshot affirms, “because you are not going to die.”
“if you die, can i get your guitars?” skateboard asks. slingshot punches him in the shoulder.
boombox laughs a little. “sure, man! thanks for driving me here!”
“bye!” “good luck!” slingshot and skateboard say at the same time.
boombox grins, waving before turning his back on them to walk forwards. the path gently slopes upwards, and by the time he gets to the top he’s mildly out of breath. he turns to give his friends one last glace. skateboard is sticking halfway out the passenger side car window, waving enthusiastically. boombox waves back, watching as skateboard gets yanked back in by slingshot. the car drives off and boombox lowers his hand, turning towards the building with his shoulders squared.
despite boombox’s earlier laughing fit dispelling most of his nerves, he’s still a little tense as he walks the rest of the way to the building. it’s an open and traditional looking style of build that he doesn’t quite know the name of. it looks innocent and welcoming enough.
boombox pauses by what he thinks is the entrance, taking one last glance around the surrounding area. with a small jolt, he spots what looks like katana’s weapon propped up against the outside wall. why would he leave his katana outside? he scoots around the weapon, nervously keeping his eyes on it. at least if katana tries to attack him, boombox won't be completely helpless. then again, katana was physically much larger and stronger and could probably still beat boombox if he wanted to.
regardless, the fact that katana wouldn't have his weapon on him relaxes boombox slightly, enough for him to turn and enter the building. he pauses in the entrance, spotting a pair of the traditional sandals that katana usually wore next to a wall. slingshot had told him to take his shoes off at the entrance, right? boombox leans down, untying and shifting his weight back and forth to take his shoes off. he opts to leave his socks on, placing his high-tops beside katana's sandals after a moment of consideration.
after a few more nervous seconds spent fidgeting in the entry, boombox tentatively steps further into the tea house. there’s two side paths leading to rooms he can’t figure out the purpose of at a glance. he takes a few more steps towards the third doorway in front of him, freezing at the sight before him.
the room was welcoming enough. the wall in front of boombox was opened to a small pond, surrounded by lush green trees. there were two small cushions in the middle, each on a side of a low coffee table. it would’ve been peaceful, if not for the man sitting on one of the cushions.
katana was facing outwards towards the pond, his back to boombox. the shorter phighter loiters in the doorway, pulling on his fingers. was it too late to back out? katana still hasn’t noticed him. if he was quiet enough, maybe he could sneak-
katana turns his head, and any escape plan boombox might’ve executed shatters into pieces.
“apologies, i did not notice you. you are surprisingly quiet,” katana greets.
boombox bobs his head, shuffling his feet. “i- um, sorry.”
“it is alright.” katana gestures to the other cushion. “come, sit.”
boombox waits a second or two before stiffly moving from his spot. he sits with his legs crossed, which was hopefully okay with katana. the other man had his legs folded under him, but if boombox sat like that his legs would probably cramp after, like, two minutes.
“that is for you.” katana points towards a steaming cup on the coffee table, not commenting on how boombox sat. he had a cup of his own in his other hand. “it is still hot. i advise waiting a few moments for it to cool.”
boombox takes the cup anyways. he sniffs it, finding it to be faintly familiar but unable to place the exact scent. “okay. thanks.”
they sit in an awkward silence for a few beats until katana starts up again. “do you know the name and meaning of this building?”
“no, sorry.”
“do not apologize. i would not have expected you to have known.” katana swirls his tea. “this is a chashitsu, a tea house. it is considered neutral ground. all parties are to feel safe and neutral under it’s roof. we may discuss without fear of offending the other.”
“oh. okay, that’s… that’s cool,” boombox replies, consciously forcing his shoulders to relax.
“so, i ask you do not feel fear or embarrassment answering my questions,” katana continues.
“um. alright. you're the boss.”
katana considers boombox for a moment before looking away. he raises his mask slightly, just enough to expose his mouth and underbite fangs. he raises his mug upwards to take a drink. from his position, boombox can see a faded scar that starts just beneath katana's chin, climbing upwards and disappearing under his mask. he realizes with a jolt that he's staring and quickly looks away.
boombox keeps his gaze determinedly fixed forwards, even as katana pulls his mask back down. was katana mad boombox had seen an, albeit very small, part of his face? he wore the mask for a reason, one of them probably being to hide what he looks like. then again, katana wouldn’t have raised the mask in the first place if he didn’t want to boombox to see it. right? or had he expected boombox to respect his privacy, catch a hint, and not look at all?
“may i ask why exactly your fear me?” katana asks, halting boombox’s thoughts. “i have my theories, but i’d like to know the exact reason.”
boombox isn’t able to immediately reply, trying to think up a response that wouldn’t offend katana. as if hearing his thoughts, the older phighter adds on “remember, you may speak freely. i will not take offense to any of the reasons you list.”
“okay, well.” boombox takes a breath in, deciding to just spit it out. “it's just… you’re tall and i'm short and you're very intimidating and everytime i try to phight you by myself i lose and if you wanted to, like, seriously hurt me i would have almost no way of defending myself and would die instantly, but it's- i’m sure you’re, uh, a… pretty nice person?”
katana nods like he was expecting that answer. “is there anything i can do to make my presence less threatening?”
boombox is a little surprised at the question. he thinks for a moment before sighing. “…no, not really. y’know, every phighter has, like, their, good and bad matchups. you just happen to, uh, completely overpower me. but i don't want you to go easy on me or something just to make me less scared of you, ‘cuz that would be unfair to just about everyone.”
“then this is an unfortunate situation,” katana says, sounding slightly mournful.
“well, i dunno,” boombox continues. “talking to you right now is helping, gotta admit.”
katana seems mildly surprised. “is it?”
“yeah, just-” boombox glances over at katana’s expressionless mask. “knowing that there's a person behind that mask is… reassuring?”
katana nods slightly. “would you like to know more about me, then?”
“huh? sure, um…” while trying to think of a question, boombox’s gaze drifts down to the cup of tea in katana’s scarred hands. “oh. what's your favorite kind of tea?”
“ah, good question.” katana says, raising his mug a little. “i like many different types of teas. this, in particular, is a cup of earl gray tea. it helps to calm and soothe the mind.”
“oh, cool! i don't really drink a lot of tea myself.” boombox points at his cup. “what is this?”
“that is peppermint,” katana replies. “i was unsure of what flavor you might like.”
“oh, that's what it smells like!” boombox takes a small sip, reflexively wrinkling his nose at the taste. “...it's kinda bitter.”
“it is an acquired taste. i can go grab some sugar for you to sweeten it, if you would like?”
the offer is tempting, but boombox shakes his head. “no, it’s okay. i’ll manage.”
katana hums in response. the two lapse into a comfortable enough silence. boombox takes another drink, containing the urge to make a face at the taste. he side eyes katana, slowly placing the cup on the tatami mat before his crossed legs. katana either doesn’t notice or doesn’t comment on it.
boombox taps his fingers on his legs, looking at the scenery in front of him. it was pretty enough. he wasn’t really the type to sit and admire the view, but katana seemed perfectly content to continue gazing. would it be rude if boombox told katana he was was bored? he sticks his tongue into his cheek, adjusting his position. was he supposed to say something?
“that is not the only reason i wished to talk to you,” katana says, breaking the silence.
“hm?”
boombox glances over at katana. the older man is still, gazing straight ahead. he’s silent, long enough for boombox to doubt if he even spoke at all, until katana unexpectedly responds. “i sense there is more to your story than you have told.”
boombox doesn’t immediately reply, cautiously sizing up katana. “...what do you mean?”
katana dips his head. “i am able to recognize the certain ways people under darkness carry themselves. forgive me if i am wrong or if i am acting insensitive, but i sense you are not as carefree as you lead others to believe.”
boombox narrows his eyes a little at katana before looking away. he picks up and swirls the tea in his mug, a dismissive response on his tongue but he hesitates. lying probably wouldn’t do too well for him in this situation, considering how katana’s implying he already knows. he sighs a little in defeat. “well,” he mumbles. “you… you wouldn’t be wrong, i guess.”
“would you like to talk about it?”
boombox doesn’t bother to hide the confused look on his face. “what? why?”
katana looks over the pond for a few thoughtful moments. “a friend once offered to listen to some of my history. you do not realize how heavy it is alone until someone is there to share the burden with you.”
he tips his head towards boombox. “but of course, it requires a great amount of trust in the other. i understand if you do not fully trust me, considering the impression i have left on you, but my offer still stands.”
boombox doesn’t immediately reply. he looks away, staring outwards over the water just like katana is. “i dunno. you… i trust you, i think. it’s just a lot. i, uh, don't know where to start.”
“we all have to start somewhere,” katana replies. “lost temple was not built in a day.”
boombox thinks for a moment before laughing a little, placing his mug back down in front of him. katana gives what he assumes to be a confused look, and he waves a hand. “sorry, sorry, i’m not laughing at you. it’s just-” he snickers, “out of all the people i know, i never expected to talk about my problems with you. like, until maybe ten minutes ago i was scared to death of you.”
katana hums. “ah. i can see the humor in a situation like this. though, you are aware that i am not the only person who will listen to you, right?”
boombox lifts his shoulders. “eh, yeah. i know.”
“perhaps you would have an easier time talking to your friends, then, if you still fear me?” katana gently suggests.
“i-i don’t fear you, not really anymore.” boombox adjusts his sitting position, raising one leg to lean on it. “and, to be honest, i’d much rather talk to you than them.”
“why is that?”
“lotta reasons.” boombox raises one of his hands, ticking one finger as he speaks. “for one, i don’t wanna burden them anymore than i already have.”
“you have already talked to them?” katana asks.
“um, no, i just fuc- i just broke down in front of them both in slingshot’s apartment. so- i mean, i think they think- or know, that i’m not… a hundred percent alright? man, i dunno. i don’t wanna worry them, more than i already have.” boombox shrugs. “i’m just afraid of messing it up, i guess.”
katana hums like he understands, and maybe he does. “what are your other reasons?”
“i… uh,” boombox waves one of his hands slightly while he talks. “i don't want to change their perception of me. i want them to see me and think ‘there’s that happy, cheerful guy!’ not ‘there’s the guy who’s been lonely most his life and probably has some deep-rooted issues because of it!’”
“you are lonely, then?” katana asks, and boombox freezes.
“i- um.” boombox bites the inside of his cheek. he gives katana a nervous glance. “...if i said no, would you believe me?”
katana doesn’t respond, simply gazing back with that blank mask of his. boombox grimaces, pulling his other leg up to lean on.
“i- okay,” he says before the silence gets awkward. “i’m- it’s…”
boombox sighs, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking again. “i've been getting better, i think. but just ‘cause i’ve got actual friends now doesn’t… doesn’t make the, uh, time i spent alone hurt any less, you know?”
katana nods, giving boombox the small go-ahead he needs to continue speaking. and so, he does.
“like, i’ve had friends before, but it didn’t…” he trails off to a mumble. “it didn’t really… end well. they, uh, weren’t the best people, at least that’s what i tell myself. but- i dunno, being lonely then getting friends then leaving those friends is just… ugh, i don’t know. it's hard for me to believe it won't happen again.”
boombox pauses to catch his breath, side eyeing katana. “sorry. i’m rambling.”
“do not apologize,” katana replies, voice as calm and even as ever. “there are many things we cannot control on our lives. events will happen to you, both good and bad. you cannot let the bad experiences in your life define you forever.”
“yeah, i know, and i’m trying to- y’know, move on ‘n stuff.” boombox picks at his pants. “it’s just hard when it feels like your whole life has been one whole bad experi- sorry, that’s super corny.” he clears his throat. “anyways. i guess when my life finally starts going good, i… i just get scared of losing it again, i think.”
katana bobs his head slightly, taking a moment to respond. “perhaps this may sound obvious to you, but i believe you should speak to your friends. you do not have to tell them what you have told me today, but talking about your past experiences will be beneficial to all. slingshot is very curious about your past, but you did not hear that from me.”
boombox thinks it over before nodding slowly. “oh, uh, okay. i’ll keep that in mind.”
he raises the cup of tea to take another drink, unable to keep his face from scrunching up at the taste. it had cooled off significantly, to the point where it tasted like lukewarm watered down plant water. delicious.
katana must have noticed boombox’s face. “it is alright if you do not like the tea. do not force yourself to consume something you dislike.”
“i mean… i don’t hate it,” boombox replies, setting the cup aside regardless.
“would you like me to add sugar next time?”
“yeah, i think i’d like it more.” boombox replies on autopilot. next time?
“noted.”
the pair fade back into silence for a few more moments. boombox adjusts his sitting position again, drumming his fingers on one crossed leg.
perhaps noticing boombox’s restlessness, katana rises to his feet, accompanied by the faint jingling of his bells. “well. i believe we are done here. unless you have more you wish to talk about?”
boombox gets to his feet with a stretch, waiting for the brief lightheadedness to pass before replying. “no, not really. hold on, let me tell sling we’re done.”
boombox pulls his phone from his pocket, messaging slingshot a short me and katana are done. it takes only a few seconds for slingshot to reply with okay On my way!, quickly following it up with EW, omw. boombox can’t help but smile, slipping his phone back into his pocket.
“okay, he’s on his way.” boombox gives katana a curious look. “is he picking you up too?”
“no, he is not.” katana gives a small gesture for boombox to follow him. “i do not live far from here, so i will walk home.”
“fair enough.”
boombox trots up behind katana as he walks towards the entrance. katana easily slides his sandals onto his feet. the taller phighter waits with what boombox hopes is patience and not exasperation as he struggles to quickly put his own high-tops on. once he gets them on he doesn’t bother with tying them, only pulling the laces tight.
by the time boombox straighten backs up, katana had already stepped outside. boombox watches as katana picks up his gear from where he left it propped against the wall.
“oh, i was meaning to ask,” boombox says. “why'd you leave your katana outside?”
“it is a custom to leave weapons outside of tea houses, in order to demonstrate the safety and equality found inside,” katana replies, phasing his gear away.
“oh, that's a nice gesture.” boombox shoves his hands into his pockets. “sorry for not leaving mine outside.”
“rest easy. not only did you not know the custom, but your boombox is not a weapon, at least in the traditional sense.”
boombox narrows his eyes. “are you implying my skills as a phighter are not as good as yours because of my gear?”
“i did not say that.” katana’s mask hides his expression, but boombox could almost see him cracking a small, teasing smile.
“...uh huh.”
katana turns away before boombox can continue questioning him, beginning the descent down the stone path. boombox gives the tea house one last look before following suit. on the very first step he takes he trips over his untied laces. he barely catches and stops himself from falling down the slope with a muttered swear.
katana turns his head curiously, to which boombox quickly waves him off. the older demon gazes for a few moments, perhaps considering recommending that boombox ties his shoes. whatever he's thinking he doesn't say, and the two reach the bottom of the slope without any issue.
despite saying that he was going to walk home, katana waits beside boombox for slingshot to arrive. boombox gives the taller demon a glance, deciding to break the silence. “you really didn't have to fill your bottle up today, did you?”
katana laughs a little. “no, i did not. it was the best excuse i was able to think of to finally get the chance to speak to you. you would always flee before i could even consider attempting to talk with you.”
boombox bashfully scratches the back of his head. “yeah, uh, sorry about that.”
“there is no need to apologize. i am able to understand your fright. i hope the conversations we had today were able to lift some of that uneasiness.”
“yeah, it did,” boombox says. “thanks for, you know. reaching out and, uh, listening to some of my shi- stuff.”
“thank you for putting your trust in me. i hope you know i do not take your willingness to confide in me lightly,” katana replies. right as he finishes speaking, slingshot’s car rounds the corner, skidding to a stop next to the pair. “ah. it looks like your friends have arrived.”
“yep, it looks like they have.” boombox takes a step towards the car before pausing. he looks back at katana, so many feelings that he can’t quite put into words on his tongue. he settles for a simple “thanks again. see you later, katana,” hoping that katana could hear the genuineness to his tone.
katana dips his head towards boombox in a final acknowledgement. “farewell, boombox.”
boombox sees skateboard sitting in the passenger side next to slingshot. it’s with reluctant acceptance that he opens the door to the backseats of the car. he slides into the middle seat, reaching to buckle his seatbelt before skateboard harasses him about it.
speaking of harassment, the car has been concerningly quiet. boombox pauses, slowly looking up. both slingshot and skateboard are staring at him, wearing matching shit-eating grins. boombox points at them. “do not say ‘i told you so’”
“i told you-” slingshot starts.
“shut up.”
“okay, but we did tell you so.” skateboard says, grin growing impossibly bigger. “you owe us, bro.”
“no i don’t,” boombox rebuttals.
“yes you do. you’re paying for dinner tonight,” skateboard commands.
slingshot puts the car into drive, beginning to pull away. “skate’s right. dinner’s on you, man.”
“yeah, yeah, whatever.” boombox dismisses. he turns to look at the receding figure of katana, standing forlorn next to the street. the taste of bittersweet peppermint tea still lingers on his tongue. skateboard and slingshot are laughing about something in the front seats, and boombox smiles.
yeah, next time.