Chapter Text
By page 67, Keitaro realized he had no clue what love is.
That was the only explanation he could give himself. He’d been leaning back in his chair, eyes shut, doing…he didn’t know what, honestly, for at least five minutes now. He hated feeling whatever it is he felt; he wasn’t happy and definitely not having fun, and that’s a problem.
Could his notes help him? He didn’t take many when he planned his novel, or “pantsed” as Hunter insists. But, Hunter does know what he’s talking about and Keitaro valued his advice, so he covered the first few pages of his planning journal in it.
«tip one - write what you know »
Keitaro hmphed- not helpful. He loves his friends and he knows that for sure. Maybe his two page « outline » had some insight? He’d plotted every major story beat -- besides the “darkest hour” and “climactic confrontation”, Keitaro was hoping to avoid those-- so he had to have something for this.
“page 67-74 - fluffy love stuff, them falling for each other !! it’ll be so cute! do they kiss?? easy write”
Written in fluffy, hopeful green pen, a heart dotting off every “I”.. He looked back up at his monitor.
“-4/300 words written today. Congratulations! You’re -1% towards today's writing goal! That’s 10% more than yesterday-”
No! he thought, closing the tab, today is a good day. Bad thoughts ruin good days. Every day is a good day with good memories. Think happy thoughts. He muttered it to himself a few times, making it more true with every repetition.
He’s moving into Provincial University this week! On a scholarship! That's a happy thought!
You can’t be sad on a good day because then it becomes a bad day and it spoils your memories. Today’s a good day! Especially today! Smiling , he shut his laptop and sighed, breathing in the thick smokey scent of cinnamon and cookies. Candles usually helped him write, but now it was just making him hungry.
Hiro flashed into his head immediately; food always made him manifest. Keitaro couldn’t help but beam. He’d left him a tray of cookies when him and the group left a few hours ago. It was an old Christmas biscuit tin, expertly sealed with a fluffy green bow. Well, it had been sealed, until Yoichi realized that he could annoy Hiro and get food. It took Taiga tackling him and Hunter hitting him upside the head with a newspaper for him to finally stop, but it was too late, only six cookies survived Wolfboy.
Despite Hiro’s protests that they were all meant for him as a goodbye gift, Keitaro gave one to each of them there to enjoy. It was the last day they’d be together, at least for a while, and this deserved celebration.
Plus, they were too good not to share.
To that, Yoichi strongly agreed.
The photo was lying on his desk- he must’ve forgotten to put it in his journal. He picked it up, and as he ran his fingers over the smooth plastic he had to grin. His friends covered the page as a smattering of vibrant colour. Everyone had their green-frog cookies lifted together in a cheer, smiles beaming. Taiga was throwing up a peace sign, Hiro right by his side and making bunny ears behind his head, Hunter standing politely, Keitaro himself sticking his tongue out in that way that everyone agreed was twinkish, and Yoichi on the end, covered in crumbs, his other arm reaching for more sugar just out of frame. Everyone else had taken to calling the group the COC, the Cabin One Crew plus Taiga, Hunter explained, and with a hard C, Yoichi insisted, but Keitaro always called his group of friends his rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green…purple.
He taped the photo onto the page and looked at the last cookie, sitting lonely and deliciously in the tray. Hiro didn’t shy away on sprinkles nor on frosting, both Keitaro’s favourites, plus his little frog design was too good to waste. Keitaro’s stomach growled, and he could hear Yoichi’s voice egging him to just eat Mr. Perfect’s candy already! If he’s too busy being smart he doesn’t get to complain!
His smile slipped.
Natsumi always loved Hiro’s cooking.
In a moment of weakness, he opened up Snapchat and scrolled for what felt like minutes down until he found it.
Three weeks of messages. No reply. Is he okay? Where did he go? He can’t forget about us, right? Did his brother…His eyes started burning, he could feel himself getting worked up.
In the heat of the moment, he typed up one more message.
He didn’t even see if the message went through before the ping from his phone jarred him back, and for a moment he thought he’d gotten a reply, but it was just Discord. Either way, Keitaro tapped off Snapchat so fast his phone almost fell out of his hand.
Taiga had offered to make the group for them on the last day at Camp Buddy, but everyone had stared at him baffled when he didn’t add himself. Taiga, equally baffled and nervous from the attention, explained he thought he was just making it for Keitaro’s friends. All it took was one smile and a hug to put the notion to rest that he was anything but. They learnt then that Keitaro was a damn good hugger, and that Taiga could cry a lot .
His phone exploded with another five pings. He thought for just a second that maybe he should try and keep writing instead, but no part of his body moved to reopen the tab, instead he stood up and flopped on his bed.
Teen_Wolf : @frogboy ~ @frogboy ~ @frogboy ~
whore respond
@frogboy ~ @frogboy ~
frogboy~ : hi yoichi! did you have fun earlier? :)
frogfucker : HI KEITARO ( frogboy ~ reacted with a wave)
Teen_Wolf : not the point
but yes I did hiros food was ducking delicious
ducking I meant ducking
I hate all of you I see you typing taiga
the-plus-one : If I wanted to embarrass you I’d just let you keep typing
Or leave you at the mall unsupervised again
Teen_Wolf : SHUT UP oh my GOD just listen
loverboy here was crying telling us we’re not going to see you for a while ??? why
frogfucker : HEY
neilgaiman0.5 : Yoichi be careful. Remember what we talked about?
Teen_Wolf : yes Im not stupid and Im not saying anything Im not allowed to twinkerbell
besides youre lying if youre saying you dont want to know
neilgaiman0.5 : True…but I’m guessing school? It’s that time of year
the-plus-one : Yeah duh but where?? Are you thinking community college?? @frogboy ~
Teen_Wolf : hopefully not whatever planet mr. perfect went to
frogfucker : im honestly just gonna kick him hes such a dick
neilgaiman0.5 : And also for what? English/literature/photography I’m guessing?
the-plus-one : Wouldn’t be surprised cus he’s so good at writing.
neilgaiman0.5 : Did he tell you about his book? How’s that going by the way @frogboy~
frogfucker : where did he go ?? @frogboy~ don’t leave on us ?!?!
probs means his journal you know how good it is @neilgaiman0.5
Teen_Wolf : yeah ask taiga he’s read that thing cover to cover
the-plus-one : DUDE
frogfucker : WAIT KEITAROS WRITING A BOOK ???? @frogboy~ @frogboy~ COME BACK
But Keitaro couldn’t, he couldn’t do anything. His eyes had been locked on the notification at the top of his phone for the past five minutes, and from how bad he was shaking, he didn’t know how he could even breathe.
Keitaro had to open the app just to make sure it was real. But it was. There it was .
Four new chats from Natsumi.
Before he could decide whether to laugh or scream or burst into tears, Discord pinged him back. He saw 6 new DMs from Hiro, but he just couldn’t think about that right now. All his brain wanted to do or even could do was prepare for what’s appearing on his screen.
cutienatsumi is typing…
Teen_Wolf : oh my God
cutienatsumi is typing…
cutienatsumi : Hey guys. 🙂 How are you all doing?