Joshua was convinced Beat didn’t like him. Why would he? There’s no reason for Beat to give Joshua the time of day, all things considered. The same went for all of Neku’s friends. Beat was particularly protective of Neku, and Joshua frankly had expected the two of them to grow close after their return the Realground, but apparently not as close as Neku and Shiki did.
After several aggressive attempts on Neku’s part to convince Joshua to meet with them, he finally caved. That’s when he really got to talking to Beat and they buried the hatchet, so to speak. Joshua began to spend his downtime in the RG seeking out his company. One thing led to another, and Beat asked him out (which Joshua did not see coming.
“Can ya even do that? Do they let you outta your bird cage?” Joshua had giggled at that.
“I’ve already been breaking rules to see you. I suppose your rebellious nature is rubbing off on me.”
Even though they’re drawn to each other, they’re, for all intents and purposes, polar opposites.
They don’t make sense. And that’s what Joshua loves about them – about this. Bundled up in Beat’s hoodie at the skate park, watching him perform stunts with silly names.
It’s just so… normal. If Joshua ignores the thrum of the UG in his Soul and tunes solely in to Beat, he can feel his vibrance for life. It’s addicting. It’s nothing like Joshua’s accustomed to, not even when he was alive.
As he peels back the layers, becoming ever more intimate with each other, he continues to discover new things about Beat that endear him. His loyalty was especially attractive, and more so now that it’s been bestowed to Joshua. Beat’s not from any elite background; he’s not textbook smart. One might suspect Joshua would gravitate toward the more eloquent and erudite types, but that’s not the case. If there’s anything Joshua detests, it’s being bored. Beat challenges Joshua simply by being himself. His boundless excitement and penchant for total spontaneity ensure Joshua’s never bored.
Even when things feel so normal like they do now. He could get used to this. He can’t, but to acknowledge that he could is… monumental.
But for everything Joshua adores about Beat, he can’t fathom what Beat sees in him.
Joshua watches with a growing smile as the brawny boy comes jogging back to him after practice, covered in sweat, panting and beaming with pride.
It’s the least ideal time to ask, so it’s obviously the best time to ask.
“What do you see in me?”
Big blue eyes bat open wide, perplexed. Joshua lets slip a fond giggle and pats the space beside him to sit.
“As in… what drew you to me? Why are you dating me, of all people?”
It clicked then and Beat, flashing him one of those boyishly toothy grins, slings his arm around the petite set of shoulders to tuck Joshua in close.
“Anyone can be forgiven, a’ight? Even you. You got a good heart. It’s just buried under a whole lotta hurt. I dunno what happened…” Joshua flinches and Beat gives him a reassuring squeeze. “But I don’t have to know what all went on when you were alive. All that matters is now. Yer smart… you teach me things. An’ you’re not so prissy, after all, not when I’ve got you squealin’ laughin’ an’ tryin’ to’ do ollies even if you fall an’ scuff up yer jeans. I know ya do that for me…” He takes Joshua’s hand and intertwines their fingers, resting their joined hands on his knee. “You’re more than ya want everyone to think you are. But I see you, more and more each day and I like the side of you that’s real.”
Joshua stares fixedly into his boyfriend's eyes, unaware of the pure shock wiping all semblance of dignity from his face, complete with slacking jaw. And Beat, looking adorably nonplussed, gives Joshua the tiniest shake.
"Yo... you okay?"
"That... was so articulate." Joshua says, awestruck, and smirks. "Maybe you are rubbing off on me."
For just one stolen moment, Joshua’s not the Composer; he’s just a boy, and yet he's never felt more... important.
