Good gods did not have favorites. They loved everyone equally and without standard, like a certain resident of Shinjuku did (or at least, Joshua had heard about through Ikebukuroâs incessant complaints about broken property). But Joshua was not a good god -or even a good Composer some days- and he disliked most people on a bad day, and found them generally tolerable (if not fascinating on a base level) on a good one.Â
And he had a completely shameless, obvious favorite.
A favorite that was standing right in front of him now, face its usual stoic arrangement but pinched slightly at the corners.Â
How embarrassed, Joshua thought with a small amount of amusement, would Neku be if he knew that he could hear his music? That heâd heard the orchestra (well, band was closer in Nekuâs case) take a pause and then restart with a brighter, stronger tune? Probably pretty embarrassed, and a bit infuriated as well. Heâd keep that bit of information for himself.Â
"Ahh, Neku." He drawled out, face sliding into a chipper grin just a few shades more genuine than his usual ones. He didnât understand why hadnât recognised Nekuâs tune immediately- the only reason he could think of was the fact that he hadnât visited Shibuya in a while, and Joshua had issues sensing people inside the green loop in general; nevermind wherever the heck Neku actually lived. âIâve missed you. Glad to see me?âÂ
He held out his arms in an open embrace, giggling out of sheer habit at the sight of his favorite bruise-colored proxy. âNo hugs for your favorite partner?â
And- well, gay as it sounded in both meanings of the word, hearing Neku so close by felt like having a bit of his Shibuya back. He supposed he could put âhomeâ down too, but that was pushing it.
Because if there was anyone he trusted a bit further than he could throw him, it would be Neku.
If there was anyone he felt could do better than him with Shibuya, it was Neku.
If there was anyone heâd be comfortable being stuck with while being stranded in the RG and missing most of his powers, it would be Neku.
âŠThat didnât mean he wasnât about to torment him a bit first, though.