Bewitched By You

Chapter Five

"What if... what if it doesn't work? What if we try to salvage our friendship, and it just ends up being awkward and uncomfortable?" he asked, his voice betraying his fear.

Dekisugi's heart leapt at Nobita's words, hope slowly unfurling in his chest. "I don't expect you to promise anything, Nobi-kun," he replied softly. "All I ask is that you keep an open mind. We'll take it one step at a time, and if at any point you decide you can't do it, we'll... take a pause. Deal?"

Nobita took a deep breath, his eyes meeting Dekisugi's. He still felt a mix of fear, doubt, and hope, a strange cocktail of emotions. 

Finally, he nodded, his voice firmer this time. "Deal."

Dekisugi held his hand out, expecting a handshake.

Nobita looked at Dekisugi's extended hand for a moment. Part of him was still wary, still unsure. But he took a deep breath and extended his own hand, clasping Dekisugi's in a firm handshake.

Dekisugi felt a jolt of something at the touch of Nobita's hand. It wasn't exactly happiness or relief, but it was something close. He held the handshake for a few seconds longer than necessary, as if trying to communicate his thankfulness and determination through his grip.

Dekisugi pulled Nobita in a sudden embrace.

Nobita was caught off guard by the sudden embrace, a surprised gasp escaping him. He froze for a moment, years of suppressed pain and longing washing over him like a wave. But slowly, he relaxed, his body melting into Dekisugi's arms. The sound of his name rolling off Dekisugi's tongue, the familiarity of it... it hit him harder than he'd expected.

Dekisugi held Nobita tight, feeling the tension in his friend's body slowly ease. It was a far cry from the carefree, familiar hugs they used to share when they were kids, but it was progress. 

"Thank you, Nobi-kun," he replied, his voice slightly muffled as he spoke into Nobita's shoulder. "For giving me this chance."

Nobita didn't respond immediately. He was too caught up in the mix of emotions swirling within him – pain, relief, nostalgia, hope. Finally, he found his voice, albeit shaky. 

He hummed in response, a hint of vulnerability in his tone.

Dekisugi nodded into Nobita's shoulder, his grip tightening slightly. "I won't mess up again, I promise," he vowed, his voice filled with conviction. "This is my last chance, and I'm not going to screw it up."

Nobita leaned into the embrace for a moment longer, soaking in Dekisugi's assurance. The pain and bitterness were still there, still a significant part of him, but they were starting to feel... manageable.  Slowly, hesitantly, he wrapped his own arms around Dekisugi, reciprocating the embrace.

Dekisugi felt a pang of joy at the feel of Nobita's arms around him. It was unfamiliar and slightly awkward, not like the easy, carefree hugs they used to share as kids. But it was a start, a sign that Nobita was slowly, tentatively letting down his guard. Dekisugi pulled back just slightly, just enough to look into Nobita's eyes.

Nobita met Dekisugi's gaze, his expression a mixture of vulnerability and guardedness. There was a hint of fear in his eyes, a fear of being hurt again, being let down. But there was also a glimmer of hope, a hope that maybe, just maybe, they could salvage what they'd lost.

Dekisugi saw the fear and hope in Nobita's eyes, knowing firsthand the pain and hurt that he'd caused. But he also saw something else – resilience, determination.  He smiled softly, gently squeezing Nobita's shoulders. "We'll take things slow, Nobi-kun," he reassured, his voice filled with earnestness. "I won't mess this up. I'll prove that I'm worthy of your friendship."

Nobita held Dekisugi's gaze for a few more seconds before looking away, his expression thoughtful. He didn't trust himself to speak yet, not without his voice betraying his emotions. 

So instead, he simply nodded, a silent acknowledgement of Dekisugi's words. Slow and tentative... that seemed doable, as long as Dekisugi stayed true to his word.

Dekisugi understood Nobita's silence. The trust he'd broken couldn't be regained overnight. It would take time, effort, and a lot of patience. He gave Nobita's shoulders another gentle squeeze before pulling away. "We should, uh... head back to class," he said, a hint of awkwardness in his voice. "Lunch is probably almost over."

Nobita nodded again, the mention of classes jolting him back to reality. He pulled away fully, scrubbing a hand down his face as if attempting to clear his thoughts. 

"Yeah," he muttered, his voice still carrying the hint of vulnerability. "We, uh... we should go."

Dekisugi watched Nobita compose himself, his heart clenching a little at the lingering vulnerability in Nobita's voice. The fact that he was openly showing such emotions was a sign that he was slowly letting down his guard. 

"Right," Dekisugi said softly, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "I'll, uh, see you in class."

Nobita nodded again, his walls slowly being rebuilt as he mentally fortified himself for the rest of the day. "Yeah, in class," he replied quietly, his eyes darting up to meet Dekisugi's for a brief moment before he turned and walked down the opposite corridor.

Dekisugi watched Nobita walk away, a mix of hope and worry swirling in his chest. The conversation had been... well, not as bad as he'd expected, but still far from easy.  He took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. One step at a time, he reminded himself. Slow and tentative.

Dekisugi turned and quietly walked in the opposite direction, his mind filled with the events of the last few minutes. They'd talked, he reminded himself. They'd actually talked without bloodshed. 

He let out a long, slow breath, his footsteps echoing in the empty corridor. The road ahead was long and uncertain, but he was determined to try.

Meanwhile, Nobita arrived at his next class, his mind still swirling with the mix of emotions from the rooftop. It had been... well, not as bad as he'd thought. Dekisugi seemed sincere, at least, he had to admit. But after years of hurt, it was hard to trust that sincerity. The pain was still too fresh, the memories too vivid. 

Slow and tentative, he repeated softly, like a mantra. Slow and tentative.

As class began, Nobita tried to focus on the lesson, but he found his mind wandering back to the rooftop conversation. The sound of Dekisugi's voice rang in his ears, his words repeated over and over. 

We'll take things slow, Nobi-kun. 

I won't mess this up. I'll prove that I'm worthy of your friendship.

He sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. Deep down, he wanted to believe those words, but his heart was too jaded, too wary.