Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hello, Hello!
You may call me Spider!

🥀-Angst
💐-Fluff
🪻-Romance
🍀-Comfort
🍄-I don't know how to label this.

I hope you enjoy my fics!

Have a good day-! :D

-🕷

Chapter Text

Nagito couldn't help but smile as he watched every survivor take their place at the dining table. It was starting to seem like maybe a happy ending was in the cards for all of them. 

Sure, they were horrifically traumatized and many of them had new missing body parts and such but they had each other. Friendship prevails despair, or something stupid like that. 

Nagito was pulled out of his thoughts as Hajime finally joined him, sitting down in the chair to his right and flashing him a smile.

Nagito smiled back before he watched as Teru-Teru placed the food he and Akane had cooked onto the table. 

The group spoke of little things that had happened on the island, new things they had made, more plants they had grown, and their discoveries. 

It was an rare occurrence that they all got to take a break and meet up. Usually they all came and ate at different times, and never spoke much at meal times. 

It was busy on the island and nobody got much downtime between trying to recover from all that tragedy and make the island sustainable. 

It was nice, Nagito thought. Nice that they all could speak without being interrupted by their past, without being angry or upset. 

That was until Hajime suddenly stopped talking. 

He had dropped out of the friendly debate he had been having with Ibuki on what kind of fruit juice was the best and why, and had gone completely silent and blank in the face.

Unfortunately, this was not a new random issue. Ever since the despair 'and all that', as Hajime called it, He had been dissociating.

Ibuki finished her point on why fruit punch juice is superior before she had realized what happened. "Oh, Hey, Haji!" She hummed, waving a hand in his face. 

Nagito gently shook Hajime's shoulder. 

"Hey, Hajime, you're alright, remember where you are." He said softly, gently rubbing his arm.

Normally he only needed to be spoken to or wait it out and he would be back to normal. 

But this time? This was so much different. 

It took almost thirteen minutes for Hajime to come to and when he did, he didn't laugh or make a joke like he usually did to brush his issues under the rug. This time he only stared at Nagito. 

"Are you alright?" Nagito asked, reaching his metal prosthetic hand up to brush some hair out of Hajime's face. 

"I'm alright, Servant." Hajime answered causing everyone to pause and look at him. 

Nagito looked horrifed and almost sick. "Ha- Hajime, why would you...?" He cut himself off as he realized. 

He knew that expression, that tone, that stare. This wasn't Hajime anymore..

"Izuru." Nagito said, quietly. "Hi." 

"Hello." Izuru responded, their eyes carefully taking in every expression and moiton Nagito did. 

Mikan practically gasped. "M-my theory was correct-! Their brains combined, I knew Hajime wasn't just disassociating." She said, sounding a bit too proud of herself and curious.

"Yes, Mikan, you are correct. For once." Izuru nodded, glancing over to the nurse. "I've been attempting to gain control, just to see if I could. It turns out I can." They said with a shrug. 

"..as nice as it was to see all of you again, I would like to retire now. Come, Servant." Izuru ordered as they stood up from their chair, Nagito fumbled to get up and follow them.

"Uhm, are we sure that is exactly safe? They could plan to hurt Komaeda for all we know." Sonia questioned to which Nagito gasped, offended. 

"They are not going to hurt me, Sonia. Even if they planned to, I am perfectly capable and protecting myself and knowing when to run away. I'm just going to go help them get settled and, y'know, watch them incase Hajime comes back.." Nagito explained. "Seriously, it's nothing to be worried about." He assured them before he quickly slipped out of the dining halls doors. 

Izuru gave him a slighty amused glanced. "That wasn't concerning at all." They teased as they continued to walk to Hajime's cabin. 

"I was doing my best. They're probably still gonna come bother us later.." Nagito defended himself with a sigh. He watched as Izuru entered the new code for Hajime's cabin and walked inside as if they owned the place, which they technically did..

"..being in the body isn't much less boring than just watching and speaking." Izuru admitted as they sat down on Hajime's bed. 

"Though Hajime is very vocal and very upset right now." They said with a smirk. 

"Really? Why is he mad?" Nagito asked as he sat next to Izuru on the bed, using this moment to cuddle up agaisnt them and rest his head onto their shoulder.

"He's upset I'm near you." Izuru explained. They didn't seem to mind the closeness and even placed a hand onto the small of Nagito's back. 

"He thinks I'm going to hurt you or undo all your rehabilitation progress." Izuru said, their tone slightly mocking, showing they really didn't quite care what Hajime thought. 

"If anything, I'd think this is helping your rehabilitation. It's like a training exercise." Nagito simply hummed, far too comfortable and tired to make any real remarks. Izuru noticed this and looked at the man. 

"Are you tired?" They asked to which Nagito made a kind of 'mh-hm' noise to.

"Yeah, I still don't really get much sleep.." 

Izuru sighed softly and looked back to the bed. "Lie down." They instructed before they stood up from the bed and clicked the lights off, making sure to leave the door unlocked, incase anyone came to check up on them. 

Nagito had, of course, immediately done as he was told and was already curled into bed and half asleep. Izuru huffed quietly in amusement before they slipped under the covers and pulled Nagito to their chest. 

"Night, Izuru.." Nagito mumbled, attempting to place a half hearted kiss onto their neck. 

"Good night, Servant." Izuru mumbled as they ran their hands through Nagito's hair. 

They knew Hajime would be embarrassed and angry when he came back, but for now, that didn't matter, what did was the slow heavy breathing of Nagito's body against their chest and the knowledge that he was okay and alive. 

Right now the only thing they could worry about was making sure Servant got enough rest.

Chapter Text

"Hajime, C'mon, you have to get your shots too.." Nagito said, looking at the other man. 

It was flu season and Mikan had taken it upon herself to vaccine everyone. How she knew everyones vaccination statues and had access to vaccines, nobody knew and honestly nobody wanted to. 

"I am aware, Nagito." Hajime snapped, glaring up at him. 

Getting a shot had proved extremely hard for Hajime, ever since the kamukura experiment he was extremely wary of anything medical. He couldn't even stand to take a singular pill anymore.

Nagito stared at him for a moment, a bit perturbed at Hajime speaking to him in such a manner. He gently placed his hand into Hajime's. "Hey..."

"...hey..Sorry. I just, I'm scared and they're trying to take control." Hajime explained and squeezed Nagito's hand. "Having you around really isn't helping. They want you." 

Nagito pulled his hand away and nodded, the slight frown on his face unmistakable. "Ah. I understand." 

Hajime couldn't help but feel bad at the way he had shut nagito down, knowing the other man had extreme rejection sensitivity. "Sorry-"

Fuyuhiko spoke up from his place in the corner, cutting Hajime off. 

"Maybe I'd be good to let them out. They take over getting the shot and give you a break. Besides, if they don't get their chance won't they forcibly take over eventually?" 

Hajime seemed to think over this logic for a moment, his brows furrowing before he sighed. "I.. I guess.. but what if they try something?"

"Ya really think that between me, Peko, Akane and Nekomaru that bastard would be able to do anything? Besides, ain't they like wrapped around Komaeda's finger?" Fuyuhiko chuckled.

Hajime still looked worried. "I dunno.. it's kinda the opposite from what I understand?" He questioned, looking over to Nagito. 

Nagito nodded. "Ah, but they will listen to me. They probably won't hurt anyone.."

Fuyuhiko nodded and took a step forward. "See, Hinata, it'll be fine!"

"Alright, alright." He said before waving his hand. "Komaeda, could you go grab Mikan for me?" 

Nagito nodded and quickly left the room, going to find Mikan, she had been called away from doing Hajime's shots by Souda needing medical attention. 

Fuyuhiko sat onto the bench next to Hajime, gently knocking their shoulders together. "C'mon, you'll be fine. You're a big boy." 

Hajime chuckled. "Yeah.. I'm just worried." Fuyuhiko shrugged. "No reason to be. I'm right here." He assured him, his voice getting softer as he gently grabbed Hajime's hand. "You wanna let em out?" 

Hajime let out a sigh. "Yeah, I guess.." Hajime closed his eyes and went silent. A few moments later his eyes opened, Izuru's blank expression settled on his face. 

"Fuyuhiko." They hummed, looking down at the blonde. 

"Hey, Izuru." Fuyuhiko greeted. "You ready for a shot?" 

"Obviously. It's ridiculous that Hajime's dragged this out for so long.." They said, a small smirk on their face, feeling superior than their other half.

Nagito entered the room with Mikan following closely behind. She quickly grabbed the needle of the counter, anticipating Hajime to freak out again. 

"Hello, Mikan. Servant." Izuru said, watching the woman closely and humming in appreciation as Nagito quickly sat next to them, opposite of Fuyuhiko, clinging onto their arm. 

"O-oh, Kamukura. Hi!.." Mikan said seeming midly suprised. "I wasn't expecting you." 

"Yeah, well, this was the only way you'd manage to give the body any type of medical care so." They shrugged as they rolled up the sleeve of their t-shirt and moitioned to the correct place. "Speaking of, Go ahead." 

Mikan looked at them nervously before she quickly pressed the syringe into their arm, administrated the liquid and stuck a bandage to their arm after she finished. "S-sorry.." she mumbled as she cleaned up. 

"No reason to be." They assured her before they turned their head to look down at Fuyuhiko. "Would you like Hajime back now?" 

"Nah. You can stay." He muttered, resting his head onto their shoulder. 

"If you wish." 

Chapter Text

Kamukura glared into the mirror.

They swear that they could feel her hands on their face and back.
They swear that they could see her smiling face.
They swear they could hear her voice, her laughter, her screams..

They could barely remember her. Why were they being plagued by memories of her?

"It really feels like she is here, Servant."
The man looked up from the bed as they spoke his name.
"Mh, I feel the same way too sometimes."
Izuru felt their fists tighten, anger was not a very common feeling for them.

"But she's not here. Why is my brain tricking me?" They asked.

Servant's eyes widened. He had practically never heard this form of desperation in Kamukura's voice. It was exciting to hear this hint of despair in his beloved's usually toneless voice.

"I don't know.." He said, his voice aloft with that strange tone it often took. "Perhaps it is because you miss her?" Servant questioned as they walked up behind Kamukura and wrapped his functioning arm around their waist.

"Does my presence help?" Servant asked, staring at Izuru's face in the mirror.

"No." Kamukura sighed, turned to face Servant and rested their head on his shoulder.

"Why do I miss her so much?" They asked. They had never really felt these feelings before, why did this strike them now?

"I don't know, Kamukura-san." He said as he brushed Izuru's hair away from their face. "But it is best not to dwell on it, right? She's dead. There's no use worrying about her now.."

Izuru nodded. "I guess.."
Servant gently grabbed Izuru's face, making them look at him before pressing a kiss to their lips.
Kamukura usually would've requested a warning but at the moment they couldn't have cared less. They were grateful for the odd comfort Servant was providing.

They kissed back softly, allowing themselves to temporarily unburden their mind.
Eventually, much to Izuru's odd dismay, Servant pulled back and silently led them over to the bed.
Kamukura let Servant move them to lie down on the bed.

"It's late. You need sleep. I can keep watch." Servant reassured them, a small smile gracing his face as he pulled the thick feather down comforter over his partner.

Internally a part of kamukura doubted that Servant would even stay up through the night but they would feed into his disillusions for the night.
"Goodnight, Izuru." Servant said as he flicked the last lamp off, taking a seat in a chair next to the bed so he could take the role of observer as Izuru typically does.

In the darkness of that room it was almost like she was really there.
She would never come back but for now, in the stillness of the night, they could pretend.

Chapter Text

Chihiro gingerly touched the back of their head, wincing as they sat up on the small cot in the control room.
It took them a moment to remember why their head would be bleeding at all but when they did they let out a loud huff.
Taka, whom was sitting at the nearby desk and watching the monitors, didn't seem to hear their noises and continued watching the footage, tapping his fingers against the metal of the desk.

Chihiro attempted and managed to stand up as they made their way over to the desk. They leaned what little body weight they had against the back of the desk chair, trying to catch his attention.
"Hello, Fujisaki." Taka hummed, his tapping pausing as he looked back at them.
"How are you feeling?" He asked as he went back to watching the monitors.

"Horrible. Why did Mondo have to actually hit me so hard?" They asked, beginning to watch the footage as well, gasping softly when they realized that Mondo's execution had already taken place.
"That's fake, right?" Chihiro sounded slightly panicked, as if they didn't trust Kiyotaka not to actually kill Mondo. They stumbled away from the desk and peeked around looking for Mondo.

"He had to make it look realistic." Taka sighed as he stood from his desk. "It was absolutely amazing to see how he would really feel if he really did kill you though, so gorgeous." The man muttered, still not answering Chihiro's question on whether Mondo was alive or butter.

Chihiro went silent and simply stared at Kiyotaka before they began to walk into the hall, trying to see if they could find Mondo or at least some evidence of his death.
Taka quickly stopped them with a gentle but forceful pull of their wrist.
"I wouldn't do that."
Chihiro frowned and glanced down to their wrist.
"Why not?" They asked, they seemed upset about his grip on them but didn't pull away or make any verbal protest.
"Because I'm saying not to." Taka said with a small smile as he looped his arm around Chihiro's torso and led them back to the cot, lying them down. "You're clearly delirious and need rest."
"Am not." Chihiro scoffed but stayed lying on the cot.
"Are too." Taka responded as he began to sift through a bag of medical supplies.

Chihiro attempted to brush their hair out of their face, cringing as they felt the wet, slick crunchyness that often came with blood soaked hair. They reached up and began to fingercomb the blood out of their hair. "Kiyo, could you help me-?"
"I was preparing to do so." Taka interrupted as he held a cold wet wash cloth to the wound on their head. "Mh, he nearly broke in your skull..."
"It feels like he did." Chihiro muttered, leaning to the washcloth but hissing softly when it started to feel painful.
"He paid for it." He responded, beginning to brush their hair away from the wound. "I'm sure he feels as much pain as you do.
Chihiro hummed. "Feels." They smiled as if they had just solved something. "So, he is alive."

Taka didn't respond and only began to apply a disinfectant causing Chihiro to cry out in pain.
"Ahg, That stings!" They whined, pulling away from the liquid soaked cloth.
Taka grabbed Chihiro's shoulder and pulled them back down and closer to him. "Stop. It will sting more if it becomes infected. Allow me to clean it." Chihiro scoffed but relented and let him clean their injury.

"Can I watch the footage of my death?" They asked, looking up to Taka and pouting slightly.
"Of course, if you wish." Taka hummed as they finished cleaning the wound and began to bandage their head. He stepped away from the cot and tapped a button on the keyboard, rewinding the footage.
"Try not to fall over." He said before walking into the hall, seemingly going into their bedroom.

Chihiro carefully sat up and watched the video, they knew that the only person who had witnessed this was Taka but they were still proud of how well they played out that scene.
It almost seemed completely real, as if Mondo would ever really kill them over such a stupid thing.
Chihiro rolled their eyes as they watched the trial, they carefully got up and clicked off the footage, they had seen quite enough. They watched the live video from the dining hall while trying to ignore the buzzing pain in their head.

A loud thump broke them out of their boredom. They got up from the desk chair, slowly making their way into the hallway and pressing their ear against their bedroom door, hearing Mondo shouting inside the room.

"No, you have to let me see them!"
He said, clearly upset.
"They are alive, Mondo. Why would I deceive you over this?"
Taka asked, his voice as serious and unemotional as usual.
"I just- I need to see them, I need to talk to them. Taka, please.."

Chihiro was almost taken aback, Mondo wanted to see them so desperately that he had reverted to begging? Now that was surprising. Chihiro wanted to ease drop more but was stopped by Taka opening the door and catching them.

"Fine. Go ahead, they are right here."
Taka said, choosing to ignore them ease dropping, for now.
Mondo quickly left the bedroom, immediately sighing in relief when he saw Chihiro.
He grabbed the smaller person pulling them up into a crushing hug.
"Oh, Chi, I'm so sorry." He muttered into their hair as he hugged them. It was odd for Chihiro to see Mondo so upset and not angry.

"You're going to hurt them."
Taka muttered as he sat at the desk and began to look at the cameras.
It was as if Mondo suddenly remembered that Fujisaki was injured as well as he very quickly placed them back down on the cot, kneeling on the floor so he was still eye level with them.

Chihiro looked at the man, confused.
"Mondo, are you feeling alright?" They asked as they gently grabbed his hand.
"I'm fine, Chi. I'm just so sorry, I didn't hurt you too bad right?"
He asked, looking almost on the verge of crying or having a panic attack, or both.

"You just barely avoiding breaking their skull."
Taka chimed in, having turned his chair to watch their interaction.
Mondo looked horrified and glanced to Chihiro's head before looking at the floor.
"Please forgive me."

Fujisaki almost burst out laughing, having to cover their mouth with their hand to avoid doing so.
"Yes, I forgive you. I'm okay." They assured their partner, gingerly patting his hand.
"Thank fuck.." Mondo muttered.

"How cute.. I didn't think you'd care." Taka hummed. "Anyhow, with both of you dead, you can help even further. Get over here so we can discuss plans."
Mondo sighed softly and shook his head, regaining his usual energy.
"Really, Kiyo? Can't even let us have a minute?"

"Despair waits for no-one."
Chihiro reminded Mondo before standing up and making their way over to the desk, leaning onto Taka's left side as they looked at the monitors.
After a few moments Mondo joined them, taking his usual spot on Taka's right.

"So, any execution ideas?"

Chapter Text

Hajime's eyes slowly opened as he felt a metal hand smack against his face. He groaned and very carefully moved Nagito's hand off his face, he really needed to get better about taking it off before he went to sleep.

He glanced at the clock on the wall.

4:02.. entirely too early. far too late.

Hajime rolled his eyes at Izuru's commentary and sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He stood up and carefully tucked the blankets up around Nagito. How cute. He walked to the bathroom and got ready for the day. He might as well since he was sure he wasn't going to be able to go back to sleep.

He stood infront of the mirror, moving his hair out of his face. It came down to his shoulders, much longer than he usually kept it, he hadn't gotten around to cutting it yet. I like it currently.

'Of course you do.' He thought with an eye roll as he brushed his hair and pushed it back, attemping to style it somewhat. He went back to the bedroom and dug through his dresser before deciding to wear something normal, a pair of black dress pants and a white short sleeved button up. He didn't feel normal today but he could at least dress like he did. You aren't normal, obviously. 

Hajime dressed himself, taking extra care to make sure he got the buttons aligned properly.

Today was not going to be a good day. 

He grabbed his dark brown loafers and stepped into them before he walked outside of the cabin. He walked to the dining hall, going to the kitchen and making himself coffee. As he watched the bitter liquid drip into the white mug he considered what he should add to the beverage. Sugar..Are you a child?..Cream..Disgusting..Maybe a syrup..She always added the strawbery to her coffee. 

"Can you shut up? I'll have my coffee however I like. It's my body." Hajime snapped, accidently speaking outloud. 

It's our body..but yes, go on. Put whatever you wish into whatever you consume. I have no say. Izuru muttered, sounding only a little more sarcastic than usual.

Hajime sighed. "Thank you.." he huffed. He grabbed the mug out from under the coffee maker and poured a teaspoon of sugar into it along with a splash of cream. He took a sip of the drink, nodding his head in approval before he remembered that he probably should eat something. Caffeine on an empty stomach was a bad idea, especially since he had such a strong reaction to caffeine now. 

Hajime pulled a pan out of one of the lower cabinets and placed it on the gas stovetop. He crossed to the fridge and pulled out a half used stick of butter and two eggs. He clicked on the stove, watching as the flame rose before he rubbed the butter onto the pan, cracking the eggs and dropping them into the pan. 

You got shell in that. 

'I don't see any shell.' 

I do. You'll feel it when your eating.

'I doubt it and I don't care.' Hajime watched the eggs as they cooked.

You're going to burn something. You should really let me cook. You're no good at it. 

'I'm not going to burn eggs, Izuru. Shut up.' Hajime picked up a spatula and poked one of the eggs, attempting to see if it was done yet.

I can hear your thoughts, y'know. You want to burn something. You are impulsive. I am not.

Hajime sighed as the yoke on the egg broke when he tried to flip it. 

'I'm fine, Izuru.'

No, you are not. You just ruined that egg. Let me help. You clearly need it.

"Shut up, I don't need anything from you!" Hajime growled, tossing his spatula onto the counter.

"Good morning to you too, Dear." A raspy voice chuckled from behind him.

Hajime quickly turned around, sighing at what he saw. Nagito, dressed only in a pair of grey shorts, one of Hajime's t-shirts, which was a little short on him but very large everywhere else, and his dark green slippers. His tiredness was evident on his face and his hair was still messy. He's pretty. 'I think that's the only thing we agree on.'

"Sorry, he's being annoying.. Did I wake you up when I left?" Hajime asked, turning back to the stove. Nagito wrapped his arms around him from behind, leaning down to rest his chin on Hajime's shoulder.

"No, no. I just noticed the lack of warmth in the bed..." He hummed, his eyes half lidded as he watched Hajime attempt to swirl the egg around the pan. "How is Kamukura being annoying?" He questioned.

"He's micromanaging, telling me things I shouldn't do and telling me his preferences on everything, trying to get me to give over control." Hajime sighed. "He's just stressing me out." 

"Sounds like he's just trying to be helpful..you need to stop shouting at him. Let him help with something, He's like a toddler in a way. Placate him." 

I am not a toddler, I do not need to be placated. I know more than you.

Hajime chuckled at Izuru's annoyance. "He's upset you called him a toddler."

"Oh, c'mon, Kam, you know I don't mean it like that." Nagito hummed as he nuzzled his face into Hajime's neck. "Besides, I'm only trying to make peace."

Hajime sighed softly as he flipped the other egg. "We aren't not at peace. We just struggle sometimes."

"Yeah, I know. It's a big change, you two just need to learn to coexist. If I can deal with sharing my body with both of you then you can deal with sharing a body." 

"That sounds so perverted." Hajime muttered as he grabbed a new spatula.

"Can't help my nature." Nagito chuckled before pressing a few kisses to the side of Hajime's neck. 

I don't understand why he stays with you. He's too good.

'me neither.' 

Hajime managed to half scramble one egg and then flip the other without breaking the yolk. He grabbed the plates he had nearby and carefully put the eggs onto them before clicking off the stove.

Check if it's still on. 

Hajime decided to ignore him. "Go sit." He told Nagito, snapping the other man out of his tired snuggles. 

Nagito made a noise of understanding then went to sit at the table, leaning the upper half of his body onto it and resting his head on his arms. He watched as Hajime walked around the kitchen, making some toast, pouring a cup or juice.

Hajime placed two plates,with forks, onto the table, then his mug and a cup of white grape juice for Nagito. 

"Thanks, honey." Nagito mumbled before he started taking small bites of the toast. 

"No p-" Hajime started before he heard the unmistakable crackle of plastic being caught on fire. He rushed over to the stove top, realizing the flame hadn't been entirely out and subsequently a piece of plastic from a bread bag had caught fire. He used the edge of an apron and scooped up the plastic, throwing it into the oven and pushed everything away from the stove.

What did I tell you..?

"Shut up!" 

Chapter Text

Footsteps approaching behind him pulled Kokichi out of his blank staring at the ocean.

"Anything interesting in there?" Nagito asked as he sat next to the younger man. "Or are you having a staring contest with the little fish?" He questioned, waving his metal hand towards a nearby shirasu swimming by.

Oma puffed up his cheeks a bit, embarrassed to have been caught. "No, I was just plotting. Y'know my next evil plan."

Nagito gave him a tilted smile. "Sure.." He hummed, digging in the sand slightly and pulling out a few small seashells. "I heard you and Harukawa had an argument this morning. Something about you torturing Momota?"

Kokichi rolled his eyes, looking back to the water, lapping up on the sand.
"Yeah, we had a fight. Apparently, I can't even talk about my own death without it upsetting her. It doesn't even bother Kaito anymore, so I dunno know what she's on about!"

Nagito hummed, showing he was listening. "Well, he might not want to tell you that it upsets him. I told everyone that hearing about what I did as servant did not upset me because I wanted them to not have to cater to trash like me."

At that Kokichi gave him that look, that one that seemingly everyone on this island had mastered.
"You aren't trash, Komaeda."

"I was talking as in the past tense, but you are missing my point. Kaito would probably rather tell his girlfriend he feels upset over your death, than you." Nagito said with a dismissive hand wave.

Oma shrugged. "I guess that makes sense, but still... It's my death. He's the one who helped me with it- hell, Maki's the one who basically caused my death. I should be able to talk about it."

That gave Nagito pause, he let out a small sigh and nodded his head.
"I understand.. Still, he might not want to hear about it- just as you might not want to be reminded about your hand in Gonta's death."

Oma's brow furrowed. "..yeah." He said after a moment of consideration.

"You can always talk to me though." Nagito said, giving him a light smile and a gentle pat on the shoulder.

Kokichi's eyes widened before he bounced up from the sand.
"Thanks, Komeda! I feel enlightened, I'm gonna go do some apologizing now!"
He exclaimed as he picked up his water gun, a boyish grin on his face as he set off up the beach.

"Have fun!" Komeda called after him, rolling his eyes. That boy would never learn. That it was okay to feel fragile and that he could trust them. He instead would always run away from gentle moments.

"Have you picked up another child?"
Hajime's voice called out as he walked over to where Nagito was sitting.
"First the warriors of hope and now Kokichi?"

Nagito smiled at him ruefully.
"What can I say? I have a tendency to pick up strays."

"That you do.
Hajime agreed as he sat next to the man, reaching over and grasping his hand
"I think it's sweet.."

"I would've been a good father."
Nagito said softly, his eyes darting back to the water, strangling the sand.
"If I wasn't.."

"There's still time."
Hajime said lightly. He wasn't set on anything, especially not if they should have children or if they even should have children.

Nagito laughed softly, drooping to the left and leaning against Hajime.
"I don't know. I don't know if we'll ever be...steady enough for that.."

Hajime slid his arm to hold onto Nagito, to hold him up.
"I'm sure we'll be steady one day and if not? Well, I'm perfectly fine with just you."

Silence passed between them. Nagito clearly didn't believe him. He'd never believe that anybody would be even content with him, let alone want to live with him for however much longer he has left.

"..Ibuki said she's gonna set up a party here tonight."
Hajime said, moving to stand up, pulling Nagito up with him.

"So we should retire before everyone shows up?"
Nagito suggested, to which Hajime chuckled.

"Precisely."

They knew the others would question where they went and one of Nagito's strays would probably come knocking on their cabin door sometime tonight.
But hey, they needed a night alone together.