Maki didn’t seem to have anything to say about it, and Kaito sighed, running a hand over his face… “Shirt. I’ll be right back.”

Kaito headed out to the bedroom, off to fetch.

Shuichi watched him go, before glancing at the letter Kaito had left behind… “I kinda want to yoink it,” the ex-detective whispered to his boyfriend, indicating the letter on the bed. “Is it rude to read his letter before he does?”

Kokichi gave the bathroom entry one last worried look before Kaito left. ...more therapy conversations, he wagered. 

But what he had written was only alluding to one. 

Side-eyeing Shuuichi, Kokichi whispered back. “Weren’t you reading all the letters anyway? I think it’s fine--Kai-chan and I weren’t exactly having private correspondence.”

“...want me to grab it for you so you don’t have to get up?”

“Yessss.” Shuichi said, “Kaito just changed out the bedding, so it should be okay to touch.”

Taking the letter once his boyfriend had snagged it for him, Shuichi opened it up, giving it a quick read…

“...MAKI!”

“What!?”

“Why are you comparing kissing Kaede and Kaito!?”

“I thought it’d make him feel better to know he was a better kisser than her!”

“That’s beside the point! …” Shuichi hesitated, “I thought you didn’t tell Kaito you slept with Kaede?”

“Shuichi!” Maki growled.

“What!?”

“I didn’t tell him that. I was talking about the party where we got bet to kiss each other! Is he in the room with you, did you just tell him!?”

“...no.”

“Is Kokichi there?”

“...” Shuchi glanced at Kokichi, “No?”

“Dammit Shuichi!”

Kokichi’s eyebrows shot to the moon as his eyes bugged. He knew there was chemistry between Maki and Kaede, that was the whole thread for Shuuichi positing that Kaede was using her. But...he didn’t know they had actually gotten together, if even just for a one night stand. 

...she had said before that dating Momotas was always difficult. Kokichi had figured Maki meant generally, outside of her own experience dating Kaito, but...maybe she had more of a survey. 

It made Kaede’s manipulation all the worse. Kokichi felt disgust curling in his stomach… Hopefully he’d get to talk more with that Makoto Naegi guy than Kaede when they were doing international business talks. 

Rubbing his forehead to ease off the shock, Kokichi called out to the bathroom. “I won’t tell if you don’t want me to, Maki-chan. But...can’t say I was expecting that.”

“It’s not like it mattered…” Maki muttered, “Not then and not now, either… Kaede just… asked me not to share it with anyone when it happened. It wasn’t like me and Kaito dating. Kaede… still had a future to preserve.”

“You told me.” Shuichi pointed out.

“You can keep a secret. Or, you used to be able to keep a secret. Besides… Kaito wouldn’t have understood. He would have treated us like we were dating. He never could get his head around why civilians and indentureds didn’t date… he’d have tried to pressure Kaede into claiming me…”

“Yeah, I can see why she wouldn’t have wanted to deal with that.” Shuichi rolled his eyes, “Thank Atua no one knows she was sleeping with an indentured.”

“You agreed we should keep it a secret, Shuichi.”

“Yeah, I know… I’m not making fun of you, Maki, or what you did. It made sense to hide it. You would have gotten the worst end of that stick, had it all come out… I’m just…” Shuichi played with a loose thread of his hat, a sad look on his face, “...mad that we had to make choices like that in the first place. It all seems so distant and stupid, now… we’re just people. It’s not a… crime to date us. It wasn’t even a crime in Luminary… people just… thought it was gross…”

Kokichi rolled his eyes a little, anger bubbling in his gut. “If it got out publicly that she and you were together, it would be giving Kaede too much credit. Maki-chan is several times over out of her league--she doesn’t deserve that coolness cred.”

And while it was a little exaggerated in his phrasing, Kokichi did believe that. But he also knew that there had been serious consequences there for Maki and any person in the program. 

And that…

Kokichi’s lips pressed into a deep grimace and his brows pulled down. He’d learned better than to voice it over the past year, but...yeah, in some cases, Luminaries were just people, different in culture and values than what Kokichi understood, but he could respect that difference. Like in the different ways they respected the dead. 

But there were some culture differences that...honestly repulsed him. Usually “class-based” ones. 

Kokichi let out a huff and held Shuuichi closer. “...they were idiots to think that. I’m sorry that that was just...life. Shuu-chan is a treasure, and anyone who can’t see that is severely missing out.”

Shuichi smiled at that, leaning into the hold. “I know.” He said softly, because these days it was getting easier to believe that, “...though I like hearing it. Thank you.”

The door opened, and Kaito came in with two shirts, calling out, “I’m back, I’m back. Alright, Maki, I got two shirt choices for you. One is a twenty copper white undershirt that I got in a pack of three to work out in sometimes. The other is my six gold shirt with the red swirls that you asked for. One is twenty copper… one is six gold…” Kaito showed her to the two shirts in the bathroom, “...which one do you want?”

Maki looked between the two shirts… “The swirl shirt looks bigger and softer.”

Kaito twitched, “... it’s made out of really good material, yeah. It’s worth six gold. Three hundred copper.”

“The other one looks cold. It doesn’t have any sleeves.” Maki pointed out, her voice remarkably soft, almost sweet, as she asked, “...is it scratchy?”

Kaito twitched again. “It’s… maybe not as soft as… my really nice shirt, no…”

Maki looked at Kaito with big, red eyes. “... do you want me to sleep in the workout shirt?”

Twitch, twitch, twitch- “Nope! No I don’t! Apparently I don’t! Just wanted to show it to ya!” Kaito said, taking the swirl shirt and putting it with the new shorts and underwear for Maki to change into after her bath, “But you better be washing in there! Wash out your hair too, I’m serious about that, we’re combing it as soon as you're out!”

“Okay.” Maki said, lounging into the hot water with a happy little sigh, “Thank you Kaito.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Kaito grumbled, sitting on the bed, “Should just grab the conditioners from our room and do your hair too, Kokichi. Get it all done at once.”

Shuichi put a protective arm around Kokichi, “Don’t take it out on Kokichi, Kaito, just cause you’re losing your favorite t-shirt.”

“And I’m always happy to say it,” Kokichi cooed, pressing his nose affectionately against Shuuichi’s shoulder. 

Even with everyone in the program freed, there would still be social stigma. But...since anyone could be an indentured, that meant that as time went on? The stigma would go away without anyone to direct it against. There were probably other social opinions that would come up, but...it wasn’t Kokichi’s problem, and if he could keep his friends and family happy? That would be enough. 

Kokichi watched as Kaito futility tried to bargain the safety of his expensive shirt--though, hearing that it was six gold was kind of jarring in itself--and just shook his head a bit. This wasn’t passive-aggression. This was just being sick and grumpy and Kokichi completely understood Maki’s side. 

But not the unintended backlash.

Looking up, alarmed, Kokichi pressed into Shuuichi’s side as he whined. “Whyyyyyy??? I combed it this morning! You don’t need to brush it out for the whole damn hour!”

“Plus,” he sniffed, “You know that magic happens in the laundry room. If they can save the shirt I got my nosebleed blood and mucus all over, they can save your shirts from Maki-chan-goo too.”

Kaito raised an eyebrow. “You combed it? I didn’t see you combing your hair. Did you actually comb it?”

“Are you suggesting Kokichi would lie to you, Kaito?” Shuichi asked, looking scandalized.

“I’m saying that if I go over there and put my fingers through your hair, they better come away clean or I’m going to go get the brush.” Kaito huffed, standing up to walk over.

Kokichi made a wounded noise and lifted his head high. “I have nothing to hide, even in the face of faulty tests. Not all of us gel our hair to the sky and can withstand wind… Plus you fussed at me so much this morning about going to our appointment that I relented.”

“Oh yeah?” Kaito said, kneeling down in front of him and, with no hesitancy whatsoever, reached forward and started gently running his hands through Kokichi’s hair. Gently scratching the scalp, his face inquisitive as he brushed Kokichi’s hair back…

Clean. 

“Mmm.” Kaito hummed, a pleased sound, before leaning forward and giving Kokichi a kiss on the forehead, “Alright. Color me wrong. No brushing for our ‘Kichi.”

Kokichi couldn’t help but let out a tiny, happy sigh at the sensation of Kaito running his fingers through his hair. It was really only the time investment that Kokichi had a problem with when it came to brush time, but Kaito just running his fingers through? Heavenly. 

But he brightened when it was done all the same, a proud, smug look in his eyes as he was proven right. “Not even one type of conditioner! My head is safe another day.”

“...You didn’t put any conditioner in it this morning?”

Kokichi paused, giving Kaito a suspicious look. He’d been cleared, he wasn’t about to condemn his hair. “...I meant that you’re not bringing out even one bottle for me now. I passed the Kai-chan inspection, any further evaluation is undue process.”

Kaito narrowed his eyes… before getting up. “I’m gonna go grab some of the leave in repair conditioner and just run it through your hair real quick.”

“Booooo.” Shuichi said, “He passed! You just said he passed!”

“It’s good for his hair! I’m just putting a little in!”

“Double jeopardy!! A cruel and unusual punishment!! My hair is already fine!!” Kokichi whined, slouching down on the pillows and putting his free arm that wasn’t around Shuuichi over his head. 

And his hair was fine. Since it had gotten much healthier because of a better diet and Kaito regularly brushing it… But he didn’t need a conditioner touch-up when Kaito was gonna fuss at him before bed too!

Kaito didn’t care. The conditioners smelled good and wouldn’t hurt anything, and it was good to keep up with Kokichi’s hair, even if Kokichi was doing better taking care of it on his own these days. 

Heading to their bedroom, Kaito grabbed the bottle and put two dallops worth on his hand, though he waited till he was back in Maki’s room to rub his hands together, kneeling in front of Kokichi, “Come here, babe, it’s the coconut smelling one. You like this one.” Kaito coaxed, like trying to entice a pet to eat peanut butter with its medicine hidden inside, “It makes your hair all silky.”

“Nnnnnnnngg,” Kokichi groaned, sliding down on the pillows even more and trying to bury his head in Shuuichi’s side. The coconut one did smell nice, but it was the principle of the thing! He wasn’t about to start doing hair check-ins in the middle of the day. 

...but Kaito had already gotten the conditioner on his hand and it’d be such a waste to wash it off… But it was a waste to use it over-abundantly too!

Kaito huffed, “...what if I went downstairs and grabbed a little of whatever they’re making for dessert early? If its cookies, it’ll still be warm by now…”

...doubt started to creep into Kokichi’s eyes. Kaito wasn’t relenting as much on the sweets game lately, unless Shuuichi phrased it as a craving...and even then he pushed harder on vegetables and protein for everything else. Early dessert? And then more dessert later?

“...could I still have dessert after dinner too?”

Kaito twitched. 

“... just one cookie this time, and then you can have whatever dessert they have later too.” And Kaito was putting another scoop of vegetables onto Kokichi’s plate. But he didn’t have to drop that bombshell until later, when the vegetables were on and it was too late.

Extra cookie without sacrificing future sweets… Was it worth an extra cookie? 

Kokichi mulled it over for a moment, his face in fierce contemplation with himself before he sighed and sat up, his hair sticking up a little from being smooshed and slid around the pillows, and he turned around to give Kaito access. “...you better not be planning on loading up my plate with veggies while I’m not looking…”

“Kokichi… I would never.” Kaito lied, though his tone and face softened as Kokichi turned around, getting to work putting his fingers through Kokichi’s hair, gently pulling the conditioners through the long, uneven strands. 

“There… that doesn’t feel so bad, does it?” Kaito murmured, pressing his thumb in a little near Kokichi’s nape, massaging it as he worked. “Nice, clean smelling hair… a warm cookie…”

“Do I get a warm cookie for doing my hair?” Maki called from the bathroom.

“I want a warm cookie for carrying your baby for the last eight months.” Shuichi added in. “And Jalapeno juice.”

“Fine, fine, yeah, I’ll get one for everyone, okay? Damn, I’m gonna owe Chako more kitchen help at this rate…”

It was annoying for Kaito to put more product in his hair, but...it did feel nice. When they had a rare time--lately, anyway--of just chilling out in bed for a bit, and Kaito ran his fingers through his hair, playing with the strands...Kokichi loved it, and this wasn’t too far away from that. Especially when Kaito put in effort to make it even better. 

Kokichi shivered a little as Kaito pressed into a sore spot on his neck, letting out a little sigh. 

“You always make it sound like you have fun helping out, though,” Kokichi hummed. “And aren’t they always trying to push off mashed potato duty onto you? I really think you’re a top contender for the best mashed potato chef in the castle…”

Kaito snorted, “You just hit it and then add as much butter and salt and milk as the kitchen will let you get your hands on. And those little red flake things. Those help.” Kaito admitted, shrugging. He found a small knot on the right side of Kokichi’s neck and, well, fuck it, he was back here anyway. 

Taking care of it real quick, pressing his thumb in and coaxing the muscle mushy and flat again, he said, “And I don’t mind it. I like zoning out and just chatting to Chako. It’s calming.”

“You still feuding with the rest of the staff?” Shuichi asked.

“I don’t know? Probably.” Kaito shrugged, “We just don’t talk to each other.”

“Have you ever thought of apologizing to them?”

“Nope.” Kaito frowned, gently rubbing the newly smooth spot, before leaning to give Kokichi a kiss on the back of his head, “All done, beautiful. Alright, let me go follow through on my part of the deal. Hopefully they actually will have cookies ready by now. They usually do.”

“You hit it best, though,” Kokichi hummed, starting to relax into the massage-y part of Kaito’s fussing. Really, he was starting to melt under Kaito’s hands… When was the last time they did massages? It felt like too long…

Kokichi didn’t know the full extent of Kaito’s feud with the kitchen staff, but...he figured it was more than just coming into the kitchen, like they had both done early on. And he knew Kaito respected the kitchen flow enough to not make things harder during meal prep, since if Kokichi knew anything about Chako, it was that she’d kick him out if he was. And since Chako liked him enough…

...maybe not talking was the best coexistence they could all hope for. 

Humming happily at the kiss to his head, his shoulder feeling warm and loose, Kokichi flopped over to lounge against Shuuichi, enjoying his new comfort. “Thaaaanks, Kai-chan. Mm...I hope they’re chocolate chip cookies. Those are always the best fresh from the rack.”

“Three cookies, coming up!”

“Four!”

“You’re only getting one cookie, Shuichi!

“I’m eating for two!”

“I‘m already bringing you jalapeno juice too!”

“Two cookies!”

“No!” Kaito called back, before closing the door behind him.

“...I bet he brings me two cookies.” Shuichi laughed. “He’ll talk himself into it on the way down.”

“You deserve it,” Kokichi happily hummed, slinging an arm over what he could of Shuuichi. “I wasn’t thinking about it, but we should’ve stopped for pastries too on the way home...Shuu-chan deserves all the pastries he wants.”

(It was important for Miya to get her sugar too.)

...Kokichi blinked. 

“...do you think it’s gonna be weird once you don’t have pregnancy cravings anymore?”

“Mmmm… no?” Shuichi said, snaking his arm around Kokichi’s waist, the two settling into the pillows. “Though I think I know what you mean. Will it be weird when I stop being pregnant?”

“...I guess I mean that, yeah,” Kokichi hummed, shifting to make it a little easier to Shuuichi to settle. “It’s been so long now… I imagine it’ll be kind of a relief--Shuu-chan’s been doing all the heavy lifting of taking care of Miya, but once she’s born Kai-chan and I can start doing our parts more. You can relax more…”

“...I’d think it’d be nice to not have a little baby doing acrobatics on your bladder in the middle of the night anymore,” he softly laughed.

Shuichi groaned at that. “I swear, Kokichi, if her nighttime habits now are indicative of what she’ll be like on the outside? We are doomed. It’s like she’s waiting for me to fall asleep and then is hosting dance parties in there.”

Both of them were kind enough to not mention the... accidents. That sometimes happened these last few months. Ikou had been kind enough to supply Shuichi with things he’d need later in the pregnancy, but Shuich still burned with shame every time he woke up to find he had actually needed it.

“If I ever, ever say in the future that I ‘miss’ being pregnant, I want you to slap me square in the face and remind me that I told you to do it all the way back to now.” Shuichi huffed, his hat comfortably in his lap, hair getting some air. “It’s more familiar now, more comfortable, but… I really don’t like it. By this point it’s just this unfortunate thing Miya needs me to do. Maybe a part of me will miss having a really good excuse to have Kaito run all my errands, but even then, I think I’d prefer to just be able to walk easily and on my own again.”

“To think I’ll miss going to bed early… She’ll absolutely be one of those kids that refuses to go to bed...and then wakes up early too, because kids are little magic machines like that.”

Kokichi sighed, though it was fond. As much as he was over the moon to be a dad and raise Miya, he knew he couldn’t even fathom the nightmare of taking care of a newborn for the first time. Thankfully they had a lot of support, but...oh man. It was going to be a time. 

Kokichi snorted and snuggled into Shuuichi’s side. “Won’t slap ya, but I’ll vehemently remind you that you’re firmly set on this being a one-time thing. And I think Shuu-chan is more than capable of finding a lot of excuses for Kai-chan to do things for you. You’re gonna be able to pull the ‘I was pregnant with our kid for nine whole months’ card for the rest of your life, all while being able to walk around too.”

Shuichi laughed lightly, idly running his hand through Kokichi’s newly conditioned hair-- it did smell nice, to be fair to Kaito-- before saying, “Well, if for any reason I hit my head and forget that, it’d only be up to you to do the deed. Kaito’s all snipped up. No more biological kids for him…”

Shuichi paused. Narrowed his eyes…

“...Can I get myself pregnant?” He asked. Genuinely bewildered. “Is that possible? Oh my god, that might be possible...”

Kokichi hummed happily, getting more hair playing time from his other partner, though he soon nodded sagely. “Then it’s easy to avoid. If it’s up to me and I’m the one to remind ya. No more biological babies for Shuu-chan either. For...having them, I mean…”

Because while Kokichi certainly hoped that they would stay together forever...and he hoped they’d have a long conversation if Shuuichi wanted another biological kid and wanted to talk about finding a surrogate… It felt too body-policing to imply that Shuuichi wasn’t gonna do anything with his dick. 

...with himself too?

Instinct told Kokichi to say that it wasn’t possible, but...he really had no idea. While Shuuichi didn’t have spores anymore, and thus shouldn’t, er, do his version of ovulating, he...really didn’t know. 

So instead, Kokichi just rubbed his boyfriend’s arm. “...well, if it’s even possible, that’s pretty easy to prevent too. And...I don’t think you’d want a Shuu-chan clone? It would certainly be weird to raise the genetic copy of yourself.”

Shuichi… actually pouted a little. “I’ve been kinda waiting to drop that bombshell on Kaito for a special occasion. Hey, Kaito, wanna see a cool trick…” 

He frowned, before saying uncertainly, “I think I’d be okay with it. The trick, I mean, not raising a genetic clone of myself. That poor kid would have so much anxiety. But… I mean, I think it’d be okay…”

The archive hadn’t been the worst night. Honestly, being made to hide in there for hours and then sneak back upstairs had been worse than the sex itself. He couldn’t remember anything too terri-

--he thought she was gonna push him down the stairs-- the feeling of her heels-- words, words he couldn’t remember, but he remember that hot flash of fear-- happy arousal and longing-- don’t go home to your wife, take me with you, stay, I lov--

Shuichi took a breath, his eyes dilating, a coldness on his skin as sweat started to build… he closed his eyes, pushing the memories back down, disjointed and strange as they were. He wasn’t down in the archive. He was in… in Maki’s room. Her new room. It didn’t matter what it used to be. He was in his friends room, who was back from the war, and he was holding his boyfriend, and he was clean of spores, and having a baby in a month, and he was going to have a cookie, probably even two cookies, from his other boyfriend, who loved him. They all loved him. He was… he wasn’t garbage. He was special. 

Shuichi sighed, digging his head into Kokichi’s hair. “...you smell nice.” he complimented. Hugging Kokichi tight.

Kokichi raised his eyebrows. He had figured Shuuichi was talking hypothetically, but...huh. He did seem long enough… Kokichi couldn’t imagine it would be pleasing at all, though. A trick to show off to Kaito once was probably the use of it. 

As Kokichi considered that he...he felt something shift. A faint cold wash of fear and discomfort and...panic, almost and...he was certain it was coming from Shuuichi. Looking over, he could see his boyfriend’s face pale under his mask…

Kokichi shifted and worked his arms around Shuuichi, holding him close and rubbing his arm, feeling how tightly Shuuichi was holding him in turn. “Thank you. If there’s one nice thing about Kai-chan insisting on messing with my hair so much, it’s that the conditioners he picks up always smell really good.”

“Mm… I’m almost out of my lavender soap. I have a bottle of rose that I wanted to try out, but I dunno...I really like the lavender. And I like having a familiar smell for you guys… I do the same when I roll over onto the pillows you and Kai-chan use most often. I like how Shuu-chan smells...it’s so clean and fresh.”

Shuichi relaxed a little… clean. He smelled clean. (Not dirty… none of them think you’re dirty...they love you and want to be around you…)

“Thanks.” he said softly, still trying to ignore the pit of anxiety that had been rustled up in his moment of (accidently thinking about what happened) insecurity. It would settle down… it was just acids building in your stomach. Your body reacting to the spark of fear. It was chemical… it would settle down on its own if you let it. Calm… “I love you so much, Kokichi. I love how… calm and kind, you can be… you’re always so sweet to me…”

Shuichi breathed through his discomfort… Miya was getting restless. He could feel her pushing her little hands against his stomach. Father was being annoying, warming up her napping spot with his icky acids… “If Kaito brings me two cookies, I’ll break the second one in half and share it with you.”

Kokichi smiled softly, rubbing Shuuichi’s stomach now too, hoping to soothe Miyako as well. “I love you too… I feel like I’ve been talking about it a lot, especially today, but...you’re one of the best things to ever happen to me, you know? Shuu-chan’s amazing… I’m trying to remember more to just...spontaneously remind you and Kai-chan how proud I am of you guys. I need to say it more…”

Giggling, Kokichi shifted for just a moment to place a kiss on Shuuichi’s stomach. “Awww you’re the best. My Shuu-chan’s so generous too, offering some extra cookie. The vegetable tyranny of Kai-chan won’t stop us from our sweets.”

Just for a moment, again, Kokichi moved his mask down to place a kiss against Shuuichi’s cheek, and once he re-masked, Kokichi just...looked adoringly up at his boyfriend. Always in love, but...feeling like Shuuichi needed this reassurance a little more right now. “I’m so grateful that I get to share my life with you…”

Shuichi calmed a little more… leaning in to the kiss… “I know. You never let me forget.” Shuichi said gently, resting his forehead against Kokichi’s, “...thank you…”

The door opened, “Cookies! And the devils juice! Delivery!” Kaito called, coming in with some napkins filled with warm, gooey chocolate chips cookies, and a cup of jalapeno juice. Kicking the door closed with his heel, he said, “You two being cute in here? You look like you’re being cute.”

Kokichi closed his eyes, taking in the light pressure of Shuuichi’s head against his. Just...enjoying a quiet moment of intimacy. 

His partners had problems. Really deep, complex problems that sometimes they were just along on the ride for, and others they exacerbated. But for every one of them, Kokichi would be right beside them, dedicated to taking every step alongside. Helping someone else with their baggage meant there was twice as much to carry, but...somehow it was much easier with two people, than to try and carry half the load alone. 

Kokichi opened his eyes as the door opened and he perked at the sight of the promised cookies, his mouth watering a bit. Though, he grinned up at Kaito, cuddling more against Shuuichi. “We’re always cute. Kai-chan’s gonna have to be a little more specific about what he’s seeing, ‘cause it just sounds to me like you’re just looking at us.”

“Mmmm, nooooo, you’re definitely being extra cute.” Kaito hummed, handing Kokichi a napkin with a single cookie, and without any fanfare, handing Shuichi two cookies in a napkin and putting the cup of jalapeno juice beside him, “All snuggling your foreheads together and pressed in tight and stuff. You’re both definitely being extra cute.”

Taking the last cookie-- Kaito did have a cookie, but he ate it on the way upstairs, he wasn’t a psycho-- he walked into the bathroom, saying, “Maki, why are they acting so--Maki.”

The last word was breathless, not a shout, just a sudden, horrified gasp as he dropped the cookie, bolting from the bathroom door to the tub, throwing his arms into the tub and shifting her up, whispering, “Maki, Maki??”

Her face hadn’t been under the water, but it had still been too close for Kaito’s comfort, as Maki suddenly jerked awake, looking up blearly at Kaito and groaning in annoyance as he reached in and pulled out the cork of the bathtub. “...wah? What? Stop it…” Maki murmured, trying to push Kaito’s arm away from the plug, “...’s nice…”

“For fucks sake, Maki.” Kaito said, laying her down again as the water drained, going to grab a towel, “Fucking goddammit, I knew you were going to overheat in there…”

“‘M just sleepy…” Maki murmured, her eyes distant and glazed, skin red, “Took a nap…”

“Ya know what? New rule: no sleeping in the one place in this whole building its dangerous to sleep in! New rule~” Kaito sang-songed, taking the towel and wrapping it around Maki’s frame, before lifting her up, “And noooow, you’re going to bed.”

“...where’s my cookie?” Maki murmured. Head limply laying against Kaito’s chest.

“Maaaaybe soooo,” Kokichi sang, happily taking his cookie--yessss chocolate chip, the chocolate still looking soft and liquid, though hopefully not molten--and taking a bite, amused at seeing that, sure enough, there were two cookies in Shuuichi’s napkin. In some ways, the predictability of each other was another comfort. 

But there were always things they didn’t expect. 

The mirth and color drained from Kokichi’s face in an instant as he heard Kaito’s horrified gasp, and...well, if it was what Kaito thought, of course Kokichi thought the worst. 

...she had been quiet for a while. Kokichi had figured she just wanted to enjoy her bath and not gag over his and Shuuichi’s sentiments. She was sick and that was a concern, but…

Before Kokichi could will his body to move, he could hear Maki drowsily talking and...thank god. If she...if they…

Kokichi let out a small, relieved breath as Kaito carried Maki out of the bathroom, looking exhausted and red, but alright...she hadn’t...she’s alright…

Untangling himself from Shuuichi, Kokichi followed after Kaito and Maki, picking up her cookie--thankfully saved by the napkin--and setting it on her bedside table before backing off more. “I’m so sorry, Maki-chan… You should have some water, if you can…”

“Why sorry? Kaito’s overreacting-”

“Kaito is not overreacting.” Kaito growled, a clear bark in the statement, laying her on the bed and looking her over in concern, “Kaito is establishing new rules, and one of those rules is no sleeping in water… it feels very reasonable… Maki, are you going to be able to get dressed…”

“Mmm.” Maki hummed, closing her eyes. Enjoying her breathing being clear for the moment. The steam and sleep had opened up her nose a bit… the snot would start running again soon, but for now it was nice. She didn’t really care how alarmed Kaito seemed. She felt great...all warm and sleepy…

Oooooh, Kokichi had brought her her cookie… maybe she’d have that later…

Honestly, Kaito suspected Maki was okay. Just sick and overheated. She’d be fine in twenty minutes, but… “Guys, would you mind closing your eyes for a bit? I’m gonna dress her real quick.”

Put her in clean clothes, make her drink water, and for now take the blanket off the bed, just let her rest on the sheets… she’d be fine. She’d be fine… fuck that had scared the piss out of him…

...that was three of them, then. Maki, just because she was sick and overheated. Shuuichi, in a severe drug-induced depression. Kokichi…

(...that was probably one of the stories he couldn’t tell. He didn’t want to traumatize his partners.)

Sighing, still feeling anxious over what just happened, Kokichi went back to Shuuichi’s side, curling himself up against his boyfriend and sneaking nibbles of his cookie under his mask. 

“...yeah, got it,” he murmured, closing his eyes. For good measure, Kokichi tucked his head against Shuuichi’s shoulder too, that intimacy comforting in a different way now.

Shuichi had… sort of emotionally shut down, for a moment there.

He hadn’t been ready to face the possibility that something had seriously gone wrong with Maki while he and Kokichi were literally in the adjacent room cuddling, and when he had seen Kaito panic, he had just… shut down. Feeling a numbness come over him as he observed what was happening…

And he had been, frankly, just relieved when all it was was that Maki had fallen asleep in the tub. Sure, he could see why that would alarm Kaito, but… but she was okay. People napped in tubs all the time. She was fine…

Shuichi let out a shaky breath as Kokichi leaned in, and said, “Okay.” before closing his own eyes. Taking Kokichi’s hand.

Kaito didn’t take his time with it. And as he worked, Maki became more and more awake, coming too and helping him, sighing as the big, comfy, soft shirt with the red spirals went over her head, sitting up and lifting her arms to let Kaito put it on her. It smelled nice… like Kaito. 

She closed her eyes and leaned her head against Kaito’s chest. “...” she didn't say anything. But there was something thankful in the lean. 

Kaito looked down at her… and just sighed. Petting at her head-- damn, maybe he could do her hair later-- a little before saying, “Yeah, yeah, lay down, sickie.” 

“Water.” Maki reminded him.

“Right, right. She’s good guys, you can open your eyes. Let me go get you some water, Maki-roll.”

Kokichi focused on Shuuichi’s hand in his, rhythmically stroking his thumb down the side. She’s okay. Be better. 

Opening his eyes, Kokichi gave Shuuichi a soft look before working on his cookie again, relieved to see more wakefulness in Maki’s face, even if he knew she needed a fuckton of rest. And, indeed, water. 

“...when we go down to get food for everyone, are there any drinks besides water you’d want, Maki-chan? I dunno if there’s anything that’d really help your throat more…”

“...milk and honey?” Maki guessed, shrugging, as Kaito brought her water, “I don’t know. What else helps throats?”

“Oooooh, I know.” Kaito grinned, going to the desk and, ignoring Maki’s sigh, getting out another hard candy medicine ball, “How about the thing the healers gave you for sore throats. Wild and crazy, I know.”

“Let me eat my cookie first.”

“Eat your cookie when your throat hurts less. Medicine… after you finish the water. And then you're resting.”

Shuichi sighed, “Maybe we should let Maki rest until dinner. She apparently needs a nap.”

Milk and honey might just be nice. Maybe Kokichi would get some after dinner, as a sort of ‘before bed’ kind of thing, even if Maki was sort of always in a state of either sleeping or being in a ‘before bed’ state of rest. 

Nodding, Kokichi leaned over to start gathering up his writing supplies. “Alright. Back to our room, then? I think I could do with some chillin’ out before dinner myself. It’s...been a long day.”

A rollercoaster of emotion, really. Which made sense to tire him out, but…

...he might get a light check up in the med bay later just in case. No reason to take any risks when it’d be so easy to know for sure. 

“...dunno if I’d wanna take a nap or read or...whatever. Got any hankerin’s yourself?”

“Eh, I might take an hour in my shrine.” Kaito sighed, folding the blanket at the end and taking the second sheet and placing it over Maki, who finished her water and bundled in. “After I see she gets to sleep.”

“Your hovering is weird.” Maki murmured sleepily.

“Oh, you do not get to talk.” Shuichi said dryly, before saying to Kokichi, “I could do some reading. We’ve been talking a lot today. Let’s veg out a little.”

Kokichi snorted softly. They were all hoverers, but...and okay, some of it was out of paranoia, but a lot of it was out of love. There were worse ways to show it. 

Smiling at Shuuichi as he tried to gather up as many of their things as he could, Kokichi gave an affirmative nod. “Sounds good to me.”

-

Something interesting actually happened the very next day, but it didn’t culminate until the first day of Late Spring. People usually got a little excited for the first day of a new month, but it didn’t tend to be an event. Still, it felt appropriately dramatic for the first time Kokichi and Kaito were going to have a private dinner with Aiichi. 

They’d gotten the invitation/offer before, Aiichi talking with his son and mentioning that he’d like to have dinner with him and his partners some time. And...honestly, Kokichi was kind of hoping that...maybe it’d help Kaito’s impression of Aiichi. 

If he decided to go. Which Kokichi kept giving him outs for.

But before they knew it, dinnertime on the first day of Late Spring was approaching and...predictably, Kokichi was lying on their bed, sighing as Kaito fussed over himself in the bathroom. 

“You know, sighing loudly isn’t going to set my hair gel any faster.” Kaito told him, carefully combing his hair up… before frowning. “...Maybe I should wash my hair out and wear it down. Down is more professional, right? Or… maybe brush it back?”

Putting down his comb, he looked at himself in the mirror, “...maybe I wear the dark maroon button up. With the golden buttons? No, no, that’s stupid, wearing gold in front of the king is super fronty… here, what about... “

Kaito dug a slightly lighter maroon shirt with black buttons that looked barely different from the neutral maroon button up shirt with the dark purple buttons, showing it to Kokichi as he held it up next to himself, “What do you think? Which one?”

Such was the life he’d committed to. 

Kokichi sighed and rolled over, looking between the shirts in confusion for a moment. Sure, there were actual differences, but… “...why did you buy shirts so similar but just, like...with tiny differences? If you want to wear something different, why not just get something completely different?”

“...I like the one you’re wearing. The purple buttons bring out your eyes.”

Kokichi, in the meanwhile, hadn’t changed at all from the day’s clothes. He was wearing a loose yellow crop-top over a more fitted blue tank top, short black socks and a garishly colorful print on loose drop-crotch pants finishing out his ensemble. Literally just a few things he’d pulled from the closet that morning that were comfortable enough to work in, and he could easily run around if he needed to. 

“...you know, my father’s gonna be ecstatic you’re showing up at all. Just pick something you feel comfortable in and it’ll be perfect.”

“They evoke different feelings, Kokichi.” Kaito insisted, glaring down at the shirt, “Gold is flashy and authoritative, the one I’m wearing is professional but approachable, while this one is more of a ‘don’t mess with me even though you’re easily the most powerful person in the country and can destroy mine or my families life on a whim’.” 

Kaito continued to glare at the shirt… before sighing, putting it back in the closet as he muttered, “No, no, too aggressive… he doesn’t intimidate that easily, better to go approachable…”

He glanced at the light blue v-neck shirt hanging nearby and said, “Should I go even more approachable… this shirt used to bring out the doms at night, I swear, it was like asshole catnip…” Kaito mused, glaring at the shirt.

...they just looked like maroon shirts to him. But by this point, Kokichi knew better than to staunchly argue against Kaito’s styling. 

Though, he couldn’t hold back a groan as he rolled over again. “You already have a weird thing with Ikuo--don’t start with Aiichi too. I could easily go my whole life never hearing anyone compare my father to a dom.”

“We’re just having dinner! To talk! Because you and he have had maybe five conversations since you moved here, and it’s almost always business related!” Kokichi sighed. “I know I’m not one to talk on that front, but...that’s why we’re doing this. I want to get to know my father more as a person, and he wants that to me, too. And part of that is at least trying to get to know my partners.”

“I know it’s really different, but...can we try to just have dinner with my father? And not the king?”

“I don’t have a thing about Ikou… what, is it weird to just recognize that he’s kind of cute? And adorable, like his son? And he’s got broad shoulders on that short little body, which is…very nice to hold…” Kaito phased out, blinking… before saying, “And I’m not calling Aiichi a dom! Honestly, no offense babe? But my guess with King Aiichi is that he’s kinda shit in bed. He seems the ‘vanilla to the the point of starfishing’ type. Definitely not dom material… why are we even talking about this!? That’s your father, Kokichi! Don’t be weird!”

“And we are! We are having dinner with your father… who also happens to be the king.” Kaito said, idly taking his brown belt off and replacing it with a black belt with a silver buckle-- less approachable, more sexy, sexy doesn’t hurt anything-- as he said, “And… and he’s not actually crazy, right? We’ve established this? He’s not going to just randomly lock you back up into the castle if I say the wrong thing? That’s not a thing? We’re sure?”

A disgusted look started to cross over Kokichi’s face. He was glad that Kaito had such a good opinion of Ikuo, but...that was his dad. And Ikuo was, like, twenty years older than Kaito. It was weird! And while Kokichi could accept that to Kaito ‘good opinion=sexy’ he drew the line at his dads!

“Urg…” Kokichi groaned. 

But then he sighed, pushing himself up to look at Kaito more. “We’re sure. My dad just...he’s an idiot. But he’s trying to be better. And for myself, I’m trying to engage with his attempts in good faith.”

“...he was horrified when I told him how badly all that shit was affecting me,” Kokichi said quieter, his gaze sliding to the side. “It doesn’t excuse neglecting me, but he really never meant to hurt me. I’ve not forgiven him, and he knows that. But we’re trying to make something new. And a big part of that is listening to each other, and respecting what we have to say. So...no. We’re not going to be punished for anything, unless we suddenly decide to commit a felony just for the hell of it.”

“...there’s no wrong thing to say, Kai-chan. My father doesn’t have the authority to systematically hurt you for just being yourself. Or even wanting to be an asshole. Punishments don’t operate on the whims of the leader.”

Well, that sounded weird and fake but okay…

“...Okay.” Kaito sighed, taking off his bracelet and replacing it with an expensive watch, because that seemed classy… but wait… what if Kaito was the only person wearing something expensive like that and he ended up looking like he was trying to be more classy than the king… “Babe, is that what you’re wearing?”

Looking over his goatee, Kaito worried… did he shave it unevenly this morning? Darn all this sudden new hair… manscaping was a nightmare these days. Why had he wanted more hair for so long!? “I know, I know… he’s just like… a ‘guy’ here. Somehow. However that works. It still makes me nervous.” Kaito grumbled. “Shuichi got to get out of this… ‘ooooh, sorry, noooo, I’m pregnant and tired and get to get out of all the boring or weird or scary errands cause I’m preeeeegnant.’ Coward.”

“Mmhmmmm,” Kokichi hummed, the sound drawn out. Technically he’d been ready since that morning. For all of his griping, though, they still weren’t late, and they weren’t actually going anywhere. When they had discussed it, Aiichi explained that he didn’t want to seem like he was trapping Kaito anywhere--if they were still at home, then he could leave at any time if he felt too uncomfortable. 

It was surprisingly considerate. 

He didn’t blame Kaito for his nerves. Like what he said at the strip club...Kaito had a reason to have these responses. It just...was harder, when Kokichi also wanted to try and be more comfortable with his father. 

Giving Kaito a soft, understanding look, Kokichi smiled slightly. “Eventually he’ll be worn down by my pleading looks. Just once, is all I’m asking… I know it’s not comfortable, but...for better and worse, he’s my father, and I want him to be a part of my life. Just once, I want to try us all--or, in separate occasions between you and Shuu-chan--spending time together...then I won’t ask again.”

Kaito raised his eyebrow at Kokichi… before sighing. “Yeah, it’s… this is good, Kokichi. I want you to have a relationship with your father! And, like… considering I’m his sons prince-consort, I… probably should have had a conversation with this guy in the near last year.”

Not that he hadn’t! He was mostly exaggerating. He had… he had…

“...holy shit have I not had a single conversation with my father in law?? I think I literally talked to this guy more back when I thought he was a tyrant.” Kaito mused, “Did I talk to him during Shuichi’s birthday? No… wait, I think I thanked him for getting my armor put on display at the museum… does delivering the floorplans for the temple count as a conversation? I think I was hung over, I barely remember that…”

“...Anyway! My point is, I am all about this. Let’s go have a healthy and productive relationship with your only living biological family!”

Kokichi sighed and crossed his arms under his chin. “He mentioned that you’ve come to talk during his office hours a few times. Mostly about business stuff, but...I mean, it’s not like you’ve never talked to him. But...I dunno. I feel like we should at least try talking like family at some point…”

They talked as a family with Ikuo all the time, so it wasn’t like Kokichi was trying to fill a dynamic that he was missing out on. But...it was one he wanted to try extending to his father too. He didn’t really have high hopes, but...you never knew until you tried. 

(...Kokichi supposed he could try having a chat with Kaito’s aunt, but...he knew it wouldn’t be the same. And he had no idea if Shuuichi had tried reaching out to Miss Kirigiri again.)

(...to an extent, he was the only one of them with parents left, and he wanted to make the most of it.)

Getting up from the bed--hoping Kaito’s enthusiasm meant he was ready--Kokichi extended a hand. “Thank you for giving this a shot, hun. It means a lot to me.”

Kaito threw a grin onto his face, taking Kokichi’s hand and giving him a kiss on his knuckles, “Of course, babe. It’s gonna be great.”

-

It was a nice day out, and Kaito was pretty relieved for it. 

They were still, technically, at the dining hall, but in one of the small patio areas on the outside of the building. Kaito, Kokichi and Shuichi sometimes ate out here on their own, but not as often as you’d think, considering how pretty it was out here. You had a view of both the front gate and a distant view of the western gardens. 

But… well, the issue was usually the tiny tables. The tables outside were small and decorative and Kaito was carefully rearranging the plates of himself, Aiichi and Kokichi’s plates for the third time, trying to make it easier to leave space for the glasses… “...Ya know what? I think I’m gonna put my plate on my lap. That might be better.” Kaito laughed a tad too loud, looking sheepishly at his husband and father-in-law.

Aiichi--wearing a loose, almost cardigan-like, if not for the lighter fabric, floral-print jacket and a simple lighter blue button down over periwinkle wide-leg pants--had suggested a few things to Kokichi when he proposed the dinner. And, knowing the revelation they’d come to for therapy, Kokichi suggested keeping things to the dining hall or patio, to try and mitigate his husband’s nervousness as much as they could. But that came with its own drawbacks. 

Smiling kindly at Kaito, Aiichi regarded the table. “These are a bit small, aren’t they. Let’s see…” Excusing himself for a moment, Aiichi got an unused table, after a moment for looking, that seemed like other people had taken chairs from--unlikely for anyone to sit there anyway. “Here we are...everyone can eat comfortably.”

...Kokichi almost found it symbolic, that, with the shift, he had his glass on the table Aiichi was mainly on, and his plate on the one Kaito was mainly on. 

Once settled and ready to eat--mushroom steaks served over smashed potatoes and a red wine risotto with a light stir-fry of mixed vegetables that Aiichi was pleased to see a healthy serving of on Kokichi’s plate--Aiichi gave the two princes a light, encouraging look. “I’ve heard through the grapevine that Maki’s been doing better in the last few days. That’s wonderful news.”

“Yes! She is, she…” Kaito jolted, for a second, hearing a crash around the corner… and some laughter and apology. Apparently someone had dropped a box of something going into the castle. It sounded like they were getting it sorted though…

...it was fine. They were in public, and, King Aiichi wasn’t the type to be weird or underhanded anyway… just sorta stupid and neglectful. Relax, relax… it’s a nice day out… “She’s doing much better. We’re pretty sure she’s past the worst of it, which is kind of a relief, cause she’s definitely showing some pretty strong signs of cabin fever these days. I thought she was gonna pace a hole into the floor yesterday.”

Kokichi and Aiichi both jumped too, peering and leaning over to the corner, but...it sounded like people were handling it. Things like that happened. 

Nodding with a smile, Aiichi turned back to Kaito. “That’s great to hear. I’m sure there’s a lot she’s looking forward to--I know her siblings are excited to see her. I can imagine you all might have more than a few reasons not to be planning a summer getaway, though,” Aiichi grinned, mirth in his eyes at the gentle joke.

“Oh, really, I have no idea what you could be referring to,” Kokichi snorted, rolling his eyes. “Truly, I’m just planning on seeing Kai-chan, Shuu-chan, Maki-chan, and Tim’s utter disappointment when it gets to the middle of summer and it’s barely Luminary’s spring temperatures. Can’t go out of town for that.”

Aiichi laughed softly at that. “Ah yes, the infamous temperatures of a Luminary summer… I had thought to start asking you all,” he nodded to Kaito, “About any accommodations you might think to need for the summer, but...I’m afraid you’ll see it as quite mild. Still, I’m sure Ko’s going to be pilfering enough bowls of ice from the kitchen that you’ll be aware of what’s available anyway.”

Ahhhh, yes… the siblings. That was going to be a whole event. Kaito was both looking forward to it and deeply dreading it. Maki was going to want to be tough and strong for them, but was not physically or, frankly, emotionally all that put together right now. Kaito just… hoped everyone involved would be able to handle what was likely going to be an emotional reunion. He was planning to run a lot of interference, and really hoping he wouldn’t actually have to.

But! They couldn’t delay it. Three kids already had come to the castle in person, demanding to verify rumors that Maki was back. Maki was in the worst stages of it, nodding off to sleep constantly and barely able to breath through her face, so Kaito and Shuichi had the miserable job of sending them away and promising later. You can see her later. Two of the kids had been ready to fight them over it. The other kid had cried.

Kaito laughed politely at the joke about the ice cream, though in his head he filed away that information as: new sweets problem. If the summer really was as harmful to Kokichi, at least, as he said, then he might be tempted to make ice cream a daily habit over the summer… Kaito had to work out some alternatives to tempt his husband away from them with. Frozen fruits and yogurts? With some nuts? Maybe flavored ice shards like back home?

How bad for you was ice cream though? Kaito wasn’t sure… he felt like a little extra fat from the milk would actually be helpful to Kokichi… but all that sugar… he’d talk to Seiko about it. Maybe Chako too. 

“I’ve heard Diceans summers can get a bit warm. Especially after the cold and mild temperature I’ve had this last year in Dicea, I’m sure the heat will hit me too by this point… though, I’d love to get some of my color back this summer.” Kaito admitted, referencing his ever increasingly paleing skin. He missed his taaaaan… he looked good bronzed! These days he barely had any color at all. He felt like he looked sick. “It’s struck both me and Kokichi as funny, how wildly opposite our climates are for being next door neighbors. You lived for a few years in Danganronpa, didn’t you, your grace? What was the climate there like?”

“I did, for three years,” Aiichi confirmed, not missing the curious gleam that had entered his son’s eyes at the mention of his time in Danganronpa. Considering how eagerly Kokichi soaked up any knowledge about any and every place in the world, Aiichi was honestly surprised Kokichi hadn’t asked about his school days sooner. “Though, Hope’s Peak was in what I was told is one of the most temperate parts of Danganronpa. Considering how large the country is, I imagine the weather can vary dramatically, place to place.”

“For what I experienced? It was fairly mild. One snowfall in the winter that was only an inch or two at most, while the summers were certainly hotter than Dicean summers, but mostly without the humidity you all tend to get in the Luminous capital.” Aiichi smiled slightly, remembering something with amusement, even with the layers of differing sentiment added over the years. “Leon used to tell me he had considered joining the swim team since he was so used to practically swimming in air for months. The baseball club was likely very happy he never followed through.”

...Kokichi’s eyebrows shot to the sky in surprise before he reflexively looked towards Kaito, trying to gauge if he was alright with the mention of his dad.

Kaito had been nodding politely, a smile painted on his face, perfectly content to literally just talk about the weather for the next hour, if it meant Kaito wouldn’t misspeak throughout this whole thing…

To his credit, the change in his expression would have been brief, and subtle. A quick glance to his left, not actually looking at anything, his eyes literally just reacting to the sudden change in his level of investment in this conversation. A mild digging of his nail around the fork he was holding into the joint of his thumb. 

Small, subtle shifts… Kaito grinned pleasantly, “Oh! Wow, I had no idea my father was a part of the baseball team! Though, I’ve heard a little bit about your days as students together! I heard you were an extremely accomplished student council vice president for all three years! Considering the school was designed around the future leaders of the world, that’s quite an accomplishment!” At least, that was how his mother had made it sound. 

“You were what?”

Aiichi similarly looked at Kokichi with surprise before guilt bled into his smile. “As Kaito said, I was the student council vice president while I was at Hope’s Peak--though, I do appreciate being described as extremely accomplished,” he laughed softly. “That’s a very generous thing to say. Our president was the Grand Duchess of Espian--though I wager she’s the Tsarina now. Absolutely brilliant woman! But had a lot of difficulties with Common. My job was pretty much just making speeches for the ideas she had and taking questions.”

Kokichi breathed out a small, “Wow…” as ever star-struck by news of the world. 

“It certainly was a unique project,” Aiichi hummed. “In a different case, I could’ve seen it becoming quite vaunted to get a spot--everyone really seemed to find their niche. I suppose Leon may have wanted to put it behind him, but he was the star pitcher of the team, and, if I remember correctly, Sayaka was first soprano in the school choir. I believe it was quite freeing to some students that we were encouraged to branch out into more fields than leading.”

“I imagine! My parents didn’t talk often about Hopes Peak, but I heard a few things, and it really seemed something special.” Kaito said carefully, thinking briefly that most of the stories he knew about the school actually came from Head Secretary Tengan, who seemed to have… mixed feelings on it. 

It had clearly been his pride and joy, once, being asked to help organize such an important school in its infancy… but he always talked about it wth this small little laugh, like he found the whole concept ridiculous now. An incredibly stupid pipe-dream that had made everything worse, rather than better.

(Kaito remembered daydreaming about going to a school like that, once. A school specifically tailored for the future leaders of every country on the globe? How impressive everyone must have been…)

(Byakuya had listened to the daydream once and reminded Kaito that by the time he would have been old enough to go, he wouldn’t have qualified anymore.)

(Kaito decided after that that he wouldn’t have wanted to go to a school like that anyway.)

“Three years with all those different kinds of people… did you ever go traveling outside of the school? I imagine during winter or summer breaks, it might have been tempting to try to visit the areas your classmates were from.” Honestly, Kaito was just shy of asking if Aiichi had ever visited Luminary. But it sounded so outlandish to say out loud that he couldn’t quite bring himself to commit. How weird that would be. Visiting a country you’d end up at war with.

Aiichi nodded kindly, having a guess at, perhaps, what some of those stories had been. Sayaka in particular, though he hadn’t spent much time with her personally, had been very involved in their school life. Considering the socialite culture of Novoselic, it made perfect sense in retrospect that she had been one of the brightest social butterflies. 

He remembered one particular memory of the sharp-witted woman calling him a creepy weirdo, accusing him of brainwashing the others in the study group he’d started. Funny at the time. Less so nowadays. 

“Ah, no,” Aiichi smiled apologetically, and while it didn’t show on his face at all, Kokichi blinked, taking a second look at his father. Kokichi...wasn’t sure what he saw, but...there was an old sadness about Aiichi. Something tempered by time and not causing him pain, but a part of his history all the same. 

“I know many of our classmates did, but Fuse, our last leader of Dicea, died in my second year. I still attended Hope’s Peak until graduation, but I spent all my breaks travelling back to Dicea, settling country matters as much as I was able. It was important work, but I do wish I had been able to travel more.”

Kokichi nodded sympathetically. “You and Hideki had to train a bunch of new people, ‘cause folks walked out, right?”

“Hide’s been a lifesaver of this country for decades,” Aiichi chuckled, slumping slightly. “I hadn’t exactly won the trust of the nation, and leaving almost immediately after being named the heir certainly hadn’t helped that.”

“It sounds difficult.” Kaito said with careful sympathy, nodding along with the conversation, “I’m sorry about Queen Fuse. I can’t imagine what something like that was like, losing a parent at sixteen and gaining the responsibility of a nation at the same time. It must have been challenging in… honestly just about every way you can think of. And trying to lead from another country for the first few years?” Kaito shook his head, “It’s honestly astonishing you managed it at all, your grace.”

There was a small, nostalgic smile on Aiichi’s face. “It was very difficult. I kept moving forward on the faith Fuse had in me, but...there was no way I could’ve done it alone. In truth, a lot of it was me flailing and bringing in everyone who seemed like they had a moderately good head on their shoulders. It was...mixed results.”

“Of course, Miyako always had judgement leaps and bounds above my own--I actually met Mikaku through her.” Aiichi’s smile became wistful there, and it was clear to both of the younger men the love that Aiichi still carried for his wife. “...it makes sense looking back, but I was disappointed that Leon never came to our wedding. He had been a good friend at the time...though I think things soured after his crush on me.”

…

…

Small… subtle shifts.

Kaito honestly didn’t get too many opportunities to use this side of himself, in Dicea. He hadn’t understood how hierarchy worked in Dicea, because… well, there wasn’t one, and certain niceties and socialite behaviors were expected in Luminary culture to play second fiddle to offenses against loved ones. Kaito had been in honestly dozens of situations now in Dicea that, back in Luminary, outward aggression would have been the expected, even desired response, initiated by people that he had seen no reason to reserve himself around. 

But Aiichi was king and Kokichi and the rest of his (living) family wasn’t being insulted or threatened and Kaito had been raised a prince by a Novoselic born queen. 

So… small. Subtle. Shifts.

Kaito smiled like the rage hadn’t run through him, and he said pleasantly, “Oh?” before laughing lightly, “Sounds like a story. My… father had a crush on you?”

Kokichi’s eyes immediately darted to Kaito feeling...it wasn’t the fire of bloodlust that Maki got. But it was like a rush of rage… Gently, Kokichi reached over to put a hand on Kaito’s arm, rubbing it reassuringly. Not sure if he should ask Aiichi to change the subject...or if his hesitance was because he was deeply curious because WHAT?!

On the other hand, Aiichi’s smile dimmed. “Not so much. He asked me out right before graduation. Said he was thinking of doing some traveling before heading back to Luminary… However, I already had my own crush on Miyako, and I didn’t see him in a romantic way.”

“...he had been one of my best friends at school.” Aiichi’s expression actually looked a bit troubled, but Kokichi was getting more used to seeing vulnerability in his father, as Aiichi tried to open up more to his son. “We spent almost all of our free time together, mostly trying to get into trouble, sneaking off campus,” Aiichi’s lips twitched up into a bare smile. 

“Leon was there when I got the news about Fuse too… I don’t know if I would’ve been able to pull myself back together without him. Though,” there was a dry, flat smirk on Aiichi’s face, “It’s not the best coping method, but he did sneak out into town that first night and came back with a truly exorbitant amount of alcohol. I...do not remember anything else from that night.”

In the silence that followed, Kokichi could clearly hear the pseudo-question left unsaid by his father. ‘I don’t know what happened.’

...given what Kokichi did know of Kaito’s father? ...he did seem like the kind of person petty enough to go to war and brew a deep hatred of an entire nation from being turned down. 

...a grave mood settled over Kokichi’s shoulders.

Kaito laughed cheerfully, “Wow! That’s… so unexpected! I mean, I of course expected you were familiar with my parents due to going to school together, but… so close! That’s… heh.” Kaito grinned with all of his teeth, “The history books are going to have a field day rediscovering your past someday, your grace. What a… fascinating series of events! Right? Kokichi?”

Kaito looked down at his food, and he could feel that his eyes were a tad too wide… so he gave himself a second to drink his tea-- wine, why the fuck wasn’t he drinking wine??-- closing his eyes for a moment to protect them from the gentle heat of the steam, and when he lowered his cup with a satisfied sigh, his gaze felt less manic as he grinned at them, “The tea in Dicea really is something else… so you met Miyako during one of your visits home from school then?? Kokichi told me the story of how you met, once, but I’d love to hear it again from you!”

Kokichi hummed softly when Kaito prompted him, feeling...tight. Like a balloon blown too much, but not popped. It could pop any second, but it hadn’t and...sometimes the moments before were worse than the fallout. 

Aiichi let things sit for a moment, giving Kaito a slightly concerned look before a small smile returned to his face. “If she were here, she would probably tell a different story. Miyako could always see things so much bigger than I...eyes on the universe, as it were,” he fondly laughed. 

“But for me? We met right before I was to leave for Danganronpa. I had always liked to get a beat on the city, talking with people, but those last few days, even though I knew I was going to come back for breaks, it felt like a last hurrah of sorts. The melodrama of a fifteen-year-old,” the leader rolled his eyes.

“I came across a study session she was having with some friends. And instantly I was struck with a wonder of...this woman was special,” Aiichi said with that same fond wistfulness that he often spoke of Miyako with. “Her gentle intelligence, and above all a pronounced kindness in every movement and word… I’m afraid I might’ve given them a scare when they finally noticed me gawking like a love-struck creep. I don’t think Honoka ever truly forgave me for that.”

That had been something he and the late dancer had agreed on to the letter--Miyako had been terribly out of league. Still, Aiichi hadn’t let that stop him from doing everything to get to know her and the brillant, talented people she called friends. 

“I introduced myself, and...eventually it got to the point where I mentioned knowing Hideki.” Aiichi smiled a bit sheepishly. “I think Miyako just thought of me as a mail-deliverer at first, a go-between to pass messages to Hideki while he was working. It was really only when Toshio invited me along to a karaoke night their friend group was having that I got to know her more. She said she liked my theatrics…”

“We stayed in touch while I was in school, and I always made sure to visit when I was home for breaks. I asked her out when I was in Dicea more permanently and...well, you know the rest of the story.”

Kaito smiled warmly, “Aw, that’s a great story, honestly… I’m always a sucker for a ‘love at first sight’ story. Makes some relationships almost feel magical. Though of course it sounds like you two put in the time to really get to know each other and develop a bond. A little bit of attraction, a little bit of luck, hard work between all of that… a recipe for success!”

Wanna know how your son and I met?

Kaito bit the inside of his cheek slightly before continuing to eat his meal. Don’t. Don’t do that. That wouldn’t be fair to Kokichi. Kokichi needed this to work. Kaito had no right to start using his husbands and his father-in-laws difficult history as a way to lash out, just because he was frustrated. Kaito wasn’t doing that. Kokichi deserved better from him.

Kaito ate his food a little, collecting himself… before asking brightly, “Oh! Did you happen to get to know my Aunt Ibuki back in school? She always seemed to have the most positive stories from that timeframe. She used to be in a band? Did you ever see her play?”

“It honestly felt like a fairytale,” Aiichi softly said, a smile still on his face.

And Kokichi felt his heart squeeze, his light hand on Kaito’s hand now stroking for his own comfort. This pain, too, was dulled, but it was so deep…

Kokichi asked a lot about his mom, and Aiichi was happy to oblige, giving Kokichi some of his history with someone he’d never be able to meet. There was an endless well of happiness and love in Aiichi’s heart that Kokichi could see came from Miyako. But signs everywhere of the sorrow that came from the fact that she was no longer there. 

When Kokichi had been having his own fears and doubts with his partner, he had asked straight out if his father regretted meeting Miyako. If, to save the pain of her death, he would’ve rather lived life without her. 

And perhaps it was selfish, but Kokichi took immediate comfort in the flash of genuine horror that sparked up in his father’s eyes before the man schooled his expression more. But what he had said next was genuine too. ‘No’, Aiichi had said, ‘I only got to experience life at all because of her. And she gave me my greatest treasure in you. Even if it hurts, my life was irrevocably changed for the better by having known and loved your mother.’

Kokichi wasn’t going to leave. But he hoped to leave that impression on his loved ones too. 

Aiichi laughed, actually looking a little embarrassed. “Ah, Ibuki...yes, I did see her perform a few times. A...very experimental sound. I’m afraid I made quite the fool of myself in front of her. I asked what her method of hair coloring was, since it was always so flawless, while I could never quite get my roots to disappear. But, ah,” Aiichi coughed politely, “Her hair is natural. She didn’t seem to take offence, and in fact found it quite funny when I tripped over myself to apologize for the assumption, but I still feel a bit bad for it.”

…!?

...was it possible Aunt Ibuki…

Kaito sighed slightly, just to himself, squeezing Kokichi’s hand back, comforting his husband mindlessly as he rubbed his thumb along the side of his hand. No, no, that was such a reach… and it wasn’t like Kaito hadn’t known his aunts hair was naturally that way before this moment. He had been raised to view it as a unique quirk to his aunt, but not something unheard of… it was just the new context of what Thalia had told him that made him suddenly reconsider how… rare that was.

… what would that even mean if his aunt was like Thalia and Miyako? That one of his grandparents had gone through what Shuichi had? No, no… that would be insane. Kaito would have heard about that. Shuichi had such a terrible time on those spores, someone would have said something about it if it had happened to Kaito’s grandparents.

… If his aunt was like his daughter and Thalia, did that make his father the same?

… did it make Kaito-

Reaching. You’re reaching for something that isn’t there. Don’t start seeing conspiracies everywhere literally based on hair color. You have other things to agonize over! Real things! Like the baffling reality that his father had romantic feelings for King Aiichi.

One crisis at a time!

Kaito laughed. “I doubt Aunt Ibuki cared even back then. Princess Ibuki is honestly one of the most laid back royals I’ve ever met in my life, there wasn’t a lot she ever took seriously. She actually ended up giving up her claim to her throne voluntarily after my first cousin was born, entirely because she didn’t feel like dealing with the possible inheritance: she really, honestly was never bothered by anything. I have a lot of respect for my aunt, really. She was very honest with herself and the people around her. It was refreshing to have someone like that around… in fact, she reminds me a little of you, Kokichi.”

Kaito sipped his tea and laughed lightly, “I can’t imagine what she’s making of now being the mother of the Queen. I imagine she has mixed feelings: very proud of Kaede, but oof, suddenly a lot of responsibility at her feet. Poor woman.”

Aiichi nodded, having gotten that impression exactly when they had known each other as teenagers.

Kokichi, meanwhile, looked to Kaito with slight surprise. Honestly, Kaito so rarely spoke of his aunt that sometimes it was hard to remember she was...still around. Which was incredibly depressing, considering… 

But to be compared to the woman? (...maybe there still was one member of Kaito’s family that he’d get along with.)

“If she’d given up her claim,” Kokichi started to ask, unsure if this was safe territory or not, “Then...as the queen’s mom, would her role be kind of like your mom’s? Like...public relations stuff.”

“Traditionally? The Luminary mother of the current reigning monarch is meant to pick a social program, like Education or Arts Resources or something like that, and sort of be an ambassador for the royal family to one of those programs. Just whichever one Queen Mother takes a personal investment in. She’s considered successful in her duties to the kingdom if the project she takes on thrives during her time with it.” Kaito said, sounding a little bit like he was reciting something he had been taught years ago. 

“Being the reigning monarch skips a generation in Luminary, in an effort to…” Kaito laughed, “Discourage regicide from the Heir Apparents. So the royal family that isn’t being raised exclusively to lead as the acting head of the Momota family are all expected to take on certain traditional interests in aid to the kingdom as a whole. King Father, traditionally, is raised to become experts in trades and economy. In fact, that was originally supposed to be Byakuya’s role, and he was still partly raised into it, just in case. Had my father made different choices, I would have been traditionally raised as an ambassador for foriegn relations, Kaede, as the oldest living cousin, an expert in law for advising purposes…”

Kaito grinned, shrugging a little as he laughed again, “But, my father wasn’t known to do what was expected of him, and he saw so much potential in the next generation, even at a young age, that he canceled the tradition for us. Said he wanted us to be raised into our royal birthrights as leaders of the kingdom… heh. Didn’t really work out for him…”

“...So was he good at baseball then?” Kaito asked King Aiichi.

Kokichi nodded and hummed, taking all that in. It was just different departments, but the royal family members taking over the lead. From what Kaito and his father had said, maybe Ibuki would take on some sort of music or arts program. Personal investment was a great drive to get a program working well. 

...he didn’t feel great about the laugh Kaito had when he talked about regicide, but...if it was Kaito’s way to cope, then Kokichi didn’t have ground to comment. 

With a gentle look, Aiichi nodded. “He was incredible at baseball. One of the other students was an artist, and they once did an action portrait of Leon playing, painting his pitch to look like the ball was on fire, it was thrown so quickly. And...without breaking reality? That wasn’t hyperbole if you saw him play.”

“He also had a habit of taunting the batters,” Aiichi grinned. “Nothing shocking, but he definitely knew how to rattle them. I don’t think our team lost a single game in three years.”

Kaito grinned, but this time, some of the exhaustion leaked through, as he said, “Really? I had no idea… well, he always was very strong. I guess it makes sense he would have once been an athlete.”

Honestly, Kaito was in conflict. For a lot of reasons, but the current reigning one was… that a part of him wanted to ask for more. To know what his father had been like in school. To know what he had been like as a friend, and a confidant, and as… someone he apparently loved. What had that been like? How had he acted? What would he say?

… Aiichi had apparently known a person that Kaito had only ever seen glimpses of.

For that matter, what had his mother been like? Before his father had gotten his hands on her and brought her into the Luminary world. His family in Novoselic had sometimes made his mother sound almost peppy and sweet, if admirably tough, in her youth… but the woman he had known had been angry and bitter and had just barely kept herself from openly resenting everyone around her.

...Such a large part of Kaito wanted to ask. Wanted to know. What had his parents been like…?

...But there wasn’t a good answer, and Kaito was immediately coming to grips with that.

What if his father had once been kind and forthright, a good friend and a good man, who had comforted his friend during one of the hardest nights of his life? So what? That old kindness hadn’t aged with him, and it hadn’t been the person Kaito had known. Hadn’t been the person the world had known. Did it matter, if a bad man had once been good? Had good aspects to him? Did it make any difference to the reality of the things his father had done? To find out there had been other sides to him?

Maybe it mattered to someone… maybe it had mattered to his mother, who had stayed for the long haul, though Kaito recognized now that she could have run. Same way he could have. Maybe it would matter to historians, trying to understand him fully as a person. Maybe, a year ago, six months ago, a half hour ago, it would have mattered to Kaito. 

But Kaito had literally just had the sudden bomb dropped on him that his father had likely started a fifteen year war over less of a food crisis and more just hurt feelings over being rejected over a boyhood crush, and Kaito wasn’t in a forgiving mood right now.

Fuck him. 

FUCK HIM FUCK HIM FUCK HIM-

“This has been such a great lunch.” Kaito grinned vacantly, “We really should do this more often. But… I’m so sorry, but I think something I’ve eaten has disagreed with me. I might need to go in a moment.”

People, if you took the time to really know them, were complex. 

Leon had been a brash hot-head, a little too forthright when it came to his romantic desires, and could be pompous to a degree that had surprised Aiichi when they met, but made more sense when he met other leaders-to-be at the academy. But he had also been upbeat, his sarcastic remarks meant to made listeners laugh, and if you had been pulled into one of his schemes, you were given an equal part--except when he regaled tales to the ladies. He had been a genuinely good friend to Aiichi, and while Aiichi had meant to simply take the other teen under his wing of wisdom to help temper his temper...there had been a kinship between them. 

Then Leon had never returned any of his letters. 

There had only been polite copy returned when Aiichi had sent congratulations after hearing through international news that Leon and Sayaka had married, that they’d had one kid, then two. 

Admittedly, Aiichi...hadn’t reached out to anyone on a larger scale after Miyako died. He had been busy being constantly afraid he’d lose his son too, and launching a full upheaval of the nation-wide local leadership. 

But then Luminary soldiers started raiding farms, setting up bases in the mountains. His questions and demands to stop went unanswered. And the things his people sent back that the Luminary soldiers had said…

Aiichi couldn’t understand it. Leon had never cared at all about where anyone was from, and honestly seemed disinterested in international affairs, only interested in the personal things he could experience from different cultures. They had both gotten cartilage piercings together, interested to try a traditional style one of their classmates had explained. 

He had...gone so long. Written so many letters. Did petty trade diversions that he knew Luminous people needed… 

And it had gone to war. A war that...Leon wanted to keep burning. Killing their peace envoy. Never relenting for fifteen years. 

Aiichi remembered Leon’s sheepish grin turning into a beam when Aiichi praised the short tune he’d created on his sister’s guitar. Aiichi remembered a town by the mountains burning to the ground. 

People were complex. Aiichi wished things had been different. 

Smiling gently, Aiichi nodded. “I appreciate you two agreeing to this, Ko, Kaito. If you are feeling unwell, please head off--I hope it passes easily. Thank you for sharing dinner with me.”

Having pretty much finished--so he didn’t feel any guilt, even if he knew he would’ve left with Kaito anyway--Kokichi popped up from his seat and went around to give his father a brief hug. “Thanks, dad. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“You good to go, Kai-chan?” Kokichi held his hand out, hoping to give Kaito a little more grounding until they made it up into more private quarters. If Kaito wanted to go to their room, or his shrine.

Kaito looked away as his husband hugged the king, but smiled as he stood up, bowing briefly to King Aiichi as he said, “Of course! Thank you for inviting us!”

Kaito glanced briefly at Kokichi’s hand, before quietly taking it, trying to take some comfort from it as he grinned, “Yep! Good to go! Just need to get some rest… I’ll probably rest in my shrine a bit, honestly. It’s cozy in there, ya know? Good place to be when you’re not feeling well.”

He was just rambling by this point, making excuses in front of the king about why he was heading there next. Not that it mattered. Kaito doubted it mattered. Kaito doubted anything mattered. It was all so random. And stupid. And pointless.

And if it wasn’t?

That was, objectively, so much worse.

A fifteen year war...a fifteen year war that he had sold Kaito to end. For no fucking reasons. Not for the war! Not for the treaty! Not for anything! 

None of it had mattered. None of it had mattered.

Kaito was glad his father was dead.

“...Yeah.” Kato murmured to Kokichi, as they headed to the stairs, “That was nice. But I think a nap in the shrine sounds really nice…”

Kokichi frowned, though he saved it for only when they had passed back through the dining hall, keeping a placid, pleasant smile on for the duration. Anger...a type of desperation. The kind that wasn’t quite a lament, not quite acceptance, but...something scarier, and much sadder than that. 

But Kokichi didn’t know what to do. There wasn’t anything to change. And while the bright side of Kaito having gotten to know Kokichi was always there...in the moment, he had to process the start. Not the end. And it wasn’t like there was anyone they could ask for a new perspective...the only person they could was dead. 

Nodding gently, Kokichi rubbed the side of Kaito’s hand. “...I’m sorry… Do you want me to come get you when it’s bedtime, or you wanna handle everything?”

Was he going to come out of the shrine tonight?

“Hmm? No, you don’t have to do that, babe.” Kaito said, glancing down at him and giving him a tired smile. “And don’t be sorry. Why be sorry? You didn’t do anything. I just don’t feel good, that’s all. I’m just gonna pray a bit and take a nap. No big deal.”

Kaito wasn’t planning to stay in the shrine for long.

(But, then, he never was.)

When they got to the top of the stairs, Kaito kissed Kokichi’s knuckles, smiled at him, and gently shook himself out of his grip, heading towards his shrine.

Kokichi returned the smile, but there was nothing but worry in it. 

...he needed to talk to Shuuichi. And Maki, if they were together. 

Pulling his mask out from one of his pockets and securing it over his face--though Maki had been much less phlegmy the last day--he knocked on her door, figuring it was as good a place as any to start looking.

-

“The hound isn’t real, someone’s using it as a cover for the murder.” Shuichi argued, reading over Maki’s shoulder at the mystery novel. Maki read slower than he did, so she was in charge of turning the pages. 

“There’s a lot of evidence that the hound is real. Stating it isn’t real is deliberately ignoring the evidence the story is giving you in favor of an idea that you had before you started investigating. You’re the one who told me ignoring evidence because it doesn’t fit the current theory is foolish.”

“Accepting evidence in front of you doesn’t mean you ignore common sense. If there’s a bunch of evidence that a ghost dog killed someone, that doesn’t mean the evidence should be ignored. It means you figure out who planted that evidence and for what purpose.”

“So the assumption becomes the evidence has to be false, just because it doesn’t make sense to you? That seems still like you’re ignoring the evidence in front of you.”

“The hound is a local superstition. Someone is trying to take advantage of peoples belief in it. People do it all the time in Luminary. If someone comes to you saying ‘a demon did this or that’, then one hundred percent of the time, someone planted evidence.”

“Demons are real.” Maki pointed out.

“I…” Shuich paused, “...that’s beside the point.”

“...” Maki raised an eyebrow, “You’re not going to argue with me?”

“No.”

“I thought you didn’t believe in demons.”

“I never said that, I said there was insufficient evidence that if demons ever were real, that they were still around.”

“...so do you have more evide-”

“It’s a mystery novel, the answer is never actually the first theory presented.”

“Well that sort of thinking just takes the fun out of reading it.” 

Kokichi smiled slightly at the conversation he entered into, Shuuichi and Maki not bothering to put it on the wayside for more than just telling him he could come in. It was something that Kokichi often walked into these days, and...he’d forgotten just how much he’d missed it. Like they had told Dr. Mariah, seeing Shuuichi and Maki’s friendship back in action was like breathing a breath of fresh air after being in a closed room all day. It felt like things were right again. 

Coming closer--while he still opted for the mask, he and Shuuichi felt safe not sitting across the damn room from Maki anymore--Kokichi took a peek of the title. Ooo… Like he’d told Shuuichi, he hadn’t actually read any of those books, but, like this one in particular, he knew they were beloved classics. 

“That’s not always necessarily true,” he chimed in, taking a seat next to the bed, “Sometimes it is the first theory, but you only get to it after being led around by a bunch of other theories in the middle of the book. It’s not always easy to tell if something’s gonna have that kind of formula either.”

Shuichi sighed, “Fine, it’s not usually the first theory, then. That said, if the first theory suggested in an otherwise book grounded in reality is ‘a ghost dog did it’, then the mystery doesn’t become ‘proving a ghost dog did it’. It becomes ‘who benefits from a ghost dog doing it’.”

“You’re still viewing the story like it’s a story, which takes the fun out of theorizing over it.” Maki pointed out, giving Shuichi an annoyed look. “Stop it.”

“It is a story. Just make the fact that it’s a narrative a factor in your theorizing, and it’s still fun.”

“You wouldn’t know fun if it stole your hat off your head.”

“What? I’m fun!” Shuichi said, eyes widening a little bit at this. “Kokichi, I’m fun, right? What do you know about being fun, Maki, you spend all your time pissed off about stuff.”

“Which can be fun.” Maki huffed. “And I’m not always pissed off.”

“It’s not fun to argue with people all the time.”

“You’re having fun arguing with me right now, aren’t you?”

“...” Shuichi opened his mouth to say something, closed it… before huffing, “One incident does not make a pattern.”

“This is far from one incident.”

Shuichi rolled his eyes, glancing at Kokichi before saying, “So. Done with lunch already? Was it incredibly awkward, or just a little?”

Kokichi giggled softly, listening to his friends banter. Shuuichi was fun, but he also had a lot of that fun bantering and making snide remarks. His Shuuichi was just a snarky guy, and Kokichi loved that about him. 

Though, Kokichi’s mirth almost immediately dimmed when Shuuichi asked about the sadly plausible disaster of lunch. “It...I think some of it went alright… I don’t expect you guys to become friends with my father or anything, but...I really wanted to give having a family meal together at least one shot…”

Sighing, Kokichi ran a hand through his hair, looking...stressed. “...we went into Aiichi’s high school days. Apparently...Kai-chan’s dad had a crush on my father. Apparently they had been good friends at school…”

“...Kai-chan’s in his shrine.”

Shuichi felt a little bad about skipping the lunch, but… not actually bad enough to go to the lunch. He knew enough about the three other members of said lunch to know that the first couple of meetings were going to go poorly. Kaito got nervous around people like Aiichi, Aiichi seemed entirely oblivious to it, and Kokichi was still struggling to juggle accommodate both those personality types while dealing with his own insecurities about it.

Shuichi would rather take a step back and let them figure out their neurosis with each other a little bit at first before adding himself into the mix. All he would have done was stare silently at everything anyway. That or gotten hormonal. Either way, not helpful.

Though, when Kokichi explained what exactly had gone wrong…

“...” Maki and Shuichi glanced at each other. Both of their minds racing quickly, not entirely coming to the same conclusions, but definitely within the same ballpark.

“...King Aiichi and King Leon were friends?” Maki asked, genuinely shocked.

“... King Leon saw King Aiichi in a romantic light?” Shuichi said gravely. “...how seriously?”

Kokichi nodded somberly. “I don’t know. And I don’t think my father knows either. He just said Leon asked him out right before they graduated, and then never answered any of his letters when they were both back at their homes.”

“...I think, besides Kai-chan, Aiichi’s the only person I’ve ever heard say anything nice about Leon, even if it was stuff entirely from the past.” Kokichi sighed. “I had been meaning to ask about his school days anyway, but...I never expected anything like this.”

...Kokichi hesitated. It was one thing to think it, but...to bring that theory into the world… Looking at his friends trepidatiously, Kokichi cautiously asked, “...it...there were definitely more reasons to...have a vendetta against an entire country than because he was salty about being turned down...right?”

Maki and Shuichi glanced at each other again.

“The Dicean people are a small, underdeveloped backwards country hoarding and mismanaging land and resources that would be better utilized by Luminary government.” Maki quoted.

“For their own sake and the sake of the greater good, Luminary must absorb Dicea and save them both from their own government, and from their simple, dangerous ideas that will ultimately run their country into ruin, destroying their resources with them.”

“The Dicean government is corrupt and controls their population with brainwashing propaganda and a secret police that brutalizes its poor citizens, who need Luminary’s rescuing.”

“But, in a different way than we do it, which is very above board and understandable.”  Shuichi rolled his eyes.

“Luminary must attack Dicea, claim its farmlands, both for the survival of Luminary, and the Dicean citizens, who will destroy themselves if left on their own.” Maki shrugged, “At least, that was generally how the war was pitched to everyone.”

“It got worse as we all got older and the war went on. More specific examples of tragedies and evidence that Dicean citizens were being brainwashed to throw their lives away on the battlefield to fight back against their rescuers, or face even worse punishments back home. Tales of Dicean citizens secretly cheering on the Luminary army and celebrating every time a town was taken. Captured soldiers starving and killing themselves in fear that if their Dicean government heard they were still alive and captured, their families would be punished.”

“King Aiichi was painted as less a ‘leader’ and more a ‘Cultist’, presenting himself as some god-like being to his people, since you were all heathens and didn’t have a real god to pray too.”

“Demons had overtaken Dicea to steal food from the mouths of humans.”

“...it was a lot of stuff like that. But the more political answers when it came to policies was always just ‘Dicea has a bunch of thriving farmland, we should go get it.” Shuichi explained. “... Though… if King Leon started the war because of a personal grudge…”

“How upset is Kaito?” Maki asked with a small, annoyed sigh, though her annoyance was mostly born from worry at the moment, “Why would he even ask about that? What, Kaito’s so over the death of his father that he asked about high school crushes? He was begging to be upset. Why would he do that to himself?”

Kokichi...looked incredibly tired. Luminary propaganda hadn’t been a total unknown to him during the war. And at the time, it had instilled in him a deep anger and resentment. He despised the picture of saviors that Luminary had painted itself as, and was furious that the country that was already twice the size of Dicea couldn’t just leave them alone. It’d suck, but just don’t trade if they were that mad about Dicean culture. 

Dicea had been defending itself, a fact that Kokichi had only begrudgingly acknowledged with his view that there were two sides to every story, and neither was completely right or wrong, but...even if he now knew the bigger picture, there had been absurd propaganda on their side too. 

...just, some of it had been right. And some of the reality of Luminary was even worse. 

But knowing the food situation in Luminary...at least there was a logical reason why Luminary had tried to invade. Just...maybe not the one Leon cared about. 

...he had wanted to burn their country to the ground…

Kokichi sighed. “It was partially my dad’s fault… I’m only just getting my head around how you guys respect the dead and...I don’t think my dad knows. I didn’t catch it in time to stop it…” Kokichi cringed. “...and I was curious.”

“Kai-chan had asked what the weather was like in Danganronpa, while Aiichi had lived there, and...that kind of evolved into talking about school...and I think Aiichi was trying to be kind. Share kinder stories about Kai-chan’s parents from their school days, ‘cause...that’s a really respectful thing to do, in Dicean culture. And...eventually that got to the crush and all that…”

Maki sighed at that, deciding it was better not to comment. Dicea and Luminary cultures were different, and shit like this happened sometimes. It seemed obvious to her you don’t just casually drop information like that on someone who was still grieving, but… 

...honestly, she knew she was biased.

She just didn’t care about King Leon’s reputation. Not even to his own son. The man was a dumb, loud asshole, and honestly his only redeeming quality was that he was so focused on fucking up the war that he was basically uninvolved with the running of the rest of Luminary. Incompetent to the point of almost being inconsequential, to the things that had bothered Maki about Luminary growing up. He had made no real changes or policies involving the Indentured program, either for the better or for the worse, nor made any serious policies about literally anything else either. He had left the running of Luminary to the secretaries, having no real skill in writing policies himself.

If the secretaries had been better? At least from a Luminary perspective, King Leon could have even been remembered as a good king, leaving the country in the hands of people better suited to do it… but the secretaries had been selfish garbage constantly trying to improve their own lot and the lot of their allies, and the wealthy elites only cared about things as it affected their own bottom lines and companies. It had left Luminary with no one advocating or representing the lower classes… hell, Queen Sayaka was one of the few elites trying to actually improve things for the country, policy wise, and she just… sucked at it. Capable of organizing change but unable to recognize which policies would actually work or not and not having any reliable support to advise her.

Maki had always gotten the impression that the main issues for Luminary was that everyone currently in charge was legitimately kinda fucking stupid… and most people had thought similarly. 

There had been a reason Byakuya and Kaede were looked at with such hope for the future, and why Kaito had been so efficiently and quickly made to give up his claim. Luminary’s inheritance based leadership desperately needed some intelligence going forward. The kid who heard voices and punched walls was not going to be left to contend with the poised, intelligent and sophisticated cousin already participating in policy discussions with the Luminary leadership, or his older brother, the fierce, cunning, put-together young man already making international trade agreements.

And then that had fallen to ruin because Byakuya was mentored by the nightmare that was Head Secretary Tengan and Kaede refused to play second-fiddle to him and both were so effective at creating allies that they split the country into a civil war about it. Effective to the point of destruction.

Honestly? Fuck all of them.

...but…

Kaito was her friend. And he was in pain. And Maki had already done her part in destroying his family and way of life.

Sighing, she looked around, “Where’s that damn mask…”

“We’re going to go talk to him?” Shuichi asked.

“You don’t want to?”

“I don’t want to make it worse. He might be embarrassed to talk to us.”

“If it’s as bad as it sounds, it’s either I drag him out and make him talk today, or I do it three days from now. Might as well try it today… there it is.” Maki said, digging her mask out of the bed covers and putting it on.  “Ugh… I need to wash it. It smells like my breath.”

Kokichi looked up in slight surprise and...he was equal parts hopeful and nervous. Kaito had said he didn’t want to be disturbed--except Kokichi had, yet again, asked in a roundabout way, so...he hadn’t actually said that--but...Maki had a different dynamic with him, even with the strain between them. While Shuuichi and Kokichi mostly just left Kaito to his shrine--and in fairness, Kaito hadn’t spent more than a few hours in there in months--Maki...she had a way of getting him to open the door. 

“...I should apologize properly,” Kokichi sighed. “If he’s willing to hear it… I should’ve stopped my father sooner.”

He got up and waited for Maki and Shuuichi, offering his arm to his boyfriend if he needed it and...well, Shuuichi had said ‘we’. So Kokichi assumed he was coming. Even if it meant contending with an extra set of stairs. 

Shuichi accepted the arm, sighing as he got back on his feet, his back aching a little… ”Alright. Let’s do this then.”

-

Kaito was holding the lump of iron he usually kept on his shrine table, next to The Good Book and his blood offering bowl.

It was a gift from the Priestess’s, on his twelfth birthday. Kaito had been in a tough place, emotionally, that year, and had spent a lot of time in the temples. For a few months there, almost every day, at least a little bit. He’d get off school, and if he didn’t have anything to do with Maki or Shuichi that day, he’d spend his afternoons and evenings in the castle temple. 

Sometimes he’d have plans with other people besides his sidekicks, but… twelve hadn’t been a good year for Kaito, socially. It had gotten better! It always gets better. But shockingly enough, Kaito had found out the hard way that people lost interest in you in a big way, when you suddenly weren’t an heir to the throne. People stopped listening to what you said. Friends became distant or disappeared entirely. No one talked about your future anymore.

Except for the priestesses, who had made up for all of that. While Kaito had been walking around in a daze, trying to cope with suddenly being purposeless, the holy women in his life suddenly constantly talked to him about choices he had for the future. You can be anything you want to be now, Kaito! This is a blessing from Atua! You can travel! Be like the people you admire so much in your stories! Atua does not denounce you, he doesn’t do that, so you could dedicate your life to the temples, if you wanted to! Or go to University and learn about the stars you love so much! Or anything! Anything you want! 

And Kaito, relieved to be around people who still thought he had a future, had spent most of his time volunteering in the temples that year. And for his birthday, to reward him for his hard work, the priestesses had set it up for Kaito to take a trip to a nearby mine, chip out his own chunk of iron, cook it at the castle blacksmith’s ovens, and then had the iron blessed at the end of the day, covered in soot and sweat and grinning from ear to ear as his hard work was turned into his very own holy symbol, for him to take with him wherever he went. 

He had been so happy.

He hadn’t seen either of his parents that whole day. Kaito was fairly certain they hadn’t even realized he had taken a trip out of town.

The iron lump was heavy, burned well and hardened expertly by the blacksmiths. It was about the size of Kaito’s hand, jagged around the edges, but still vaguely circular in shape. It was heavy. Kaito had always liked the weight of it.

Once again, he wound his arm back, and as hard as he could, threw it against the back wall. Watching with some satisfaction as the lump of rock left another crack in the back wall plaster. It looked even more cracky than the others. Kaito suspected his pitch was getting better.

He went to go pick up the holy symbol, fully intending to pitch it again, when he jolted slightly as there was a knock on the door. He looked back at it in confusion. No one ever bothered him in his shrine these days… “Timothy?” He asked, his kid usually the only one who ever knocked, “You need something, kid? Come in, the doors unlocked.”

There were a lot of things Kokichi didn’t understand. And that was okay! That was just being a person! But he was always learning, and while sometimes you needed to learn something a few times for it to stick...he had known better. Recently had many conversations on the topic. And Kokichi knew the subject of Kaito’s parents was always a touchy one. 

...something more to talk about in therapy, he supposed. 

Hearing Kaito call out, Kokichi responded, “No, it’s us.” But...he hesitated to open the door. Not because he thought Kaito would change his stance on letting them in, but...if Kaito was blood-letting? Then it’d just be a whole new problem if Kokichi passed out. 

...but would Kaito be so casual about letting Timothy stroll in if he was in the middle of blood-letting? And...Kokichi was still wearing his mask. He would have a buffer, if there was fresh blood around. 

Slowly, Kokichi started to turn the handle, maybe going at an infuriating pace, but giving Kaito a chance to stop him if that’s what he wanted.

Kaito’s shoulders slumped slightly. Great… he was about to get guilt tripped for something he hadn’t even done yet. He was going to come out in a few hours! He had literally just gotten in here not even twenty minutes ago! Half hour ago? Something like that! Why did everyone treat his visits to his shrine like they were potential disasters!?

...okay, maybe because of his history of losing track of time in here for… days. Weeks. That one month.

“Oh, hold on, hold on babe, give me one second!” Kaito suddenly realized, glancing over at his blood bowl. There wasn’t any fresh blood in there today, but it was still filled with dried, old blood from previous prayers and rituals, and he quickly went to cover it with the heavy black cloth that Maki had left in here months prior. Stepping back, he looked over the room… errrr, lets cover those blood drippings with one of the bean bag chairs… good? Was it good? Yeah, he was pretty sure that was all of it.

“Kaito, we want to come in.” Maki said, voice hard.

Maki was here? Ugh… great…

Kaito sighed, picked up his lump of iron and put it back on the shrine table, before heading to the door, opening it up and throwing a grin onto his face as he realized, “Oh! Everyone’s here! Look at that! Don’t tell me we’re all suddenly feeling religious?” He teased, though stepped back as Maki immediately moved to walk in, “You here for some praying?”

“We heard lunch didn’t go well.” Shuichi said, sitting down in one of the bean bags, “We decided to come check up on you.”

Kokichi stopped as soon as Kaito spoke up, feeling both grateful and guilty. He could guess at what Kaito was doing. As much as Kokichi appreciated Kaito making things accessible for him...Kokichi just felt guilty that there were parts of Kaito’s religion that he had to hide for Kokichi’s benefit. Atua was Kaito’s solace, and Kokichi couldn’t even give him that…

Kokichi lingered in the doorway as Maki and Shuuichi strolled in, and he took a breath before bowing slightly (somehow managing to land on the appropriate angle for people of equal status). “And I wanted to apologize better.”

“I could see that my father was veering into disrespectful subjects and...I had convinced myself that I was just waiting to take cues from you, but...I could see that you were uncomfortable, and I knew that you weren’t going to speak up in front of Aiichi. It was disingenuous of me. Really, I was curious to hear those things, but I should’ve asked in private, and not subjected you to disrespect against your passed family. I’m sorry, Kai-chan.”

“...I’m going to talk to Aiichi about our different customs when it comes to speaking about the dead, and I’m going to be more proactive in...um...if we’re ever all together again. You were being very kind to me to take up the lunch invitation with someone you don’t like and aren’t comfortable around, and I did nothing to make it easier. That is not the way I want to treat you.”

“...Aw, ‘Kichi… your bows are getting really good.” Kaito complimented, as Maki went to go lean against the ritual table, forgoing one of the three bean bags, coughing slightly (though sounding loads better these days), “Seriously, who’s teaching you how to do that? That’s perfect.”

“Kaito, don’t be an asshole.” Maki sighed.

“Who’s being an asshole? It’s a genuine compliment!” Kaito argued, glaring at Maki… before looking over at Kokichi, his face softening, “Come here, babe… thanks you for the apology.” Kaito said, pulling him into a hug and kissing the top of his head, “But I’m not angry at you. And I don’t dislike your father. I’m not mad at either of you, you didn’t do anything wrong. Your father was  just…” Kaito let go of Kokichi and shrugged, stepping back and slumping himself into one of the bean bags, shrugging again, “Telling the truth. And the truth sucked. What else is new?”

(...giving a piece of your soul was not without consequence.)

Considering how much Kokichi was trying to be better about apologies to his family, he hoped his bows were getting better. He didn’t believe in submission bows or physical retribution, but...he could incorporate part of his family’s heritage into the sort of apologies he found genuine. Maybe that was what their cultural swirl was about. 

Coming forward, Kokichi hugged Kaito back, nuzzling into his chest. It was nice to be forgiven, even if it was just in that...Kaito didn’t feel as strongly about Kokichi and his father’s roles as he did about the information itself, but...he still had a case to make. 

Shaking his head, not sitting down just yet, there was a serious look on Kokichi’s face. “Aiichi was telling stories as he remembered them, but there are a lot of ways to say truthful or factual things. And he had chosen a very poor way, and I didn’t intervene. I can’t apologize for history, but I can for how it was presented to you. There were better ways to do it, if we would ever talk about it at all.”

Kokichi’s expression softened as he sank down into one of the bean bags. “...I can’t apologize for the past, but...that sucks. I’m sorry just...in sympathy.”

“Okay.” Kaito said, “Thanks Kokichi.”

Kaito did genuinely appreciate Kokichi trying to make things right between them, he really did. He was just… distracted. In that comfortable place after being enraged enough to physically lash out, but without having devolved into helpless, furious tears, and now just in that numb, exasperated spot in between those two spots. He wanted… he wanted to be mean. To lash out. To roll his eyes at his friends and kick them out of his shrine and just sit and feel sorry for himself.

But, he didn’t want that as much as he wanted to not hurt the people he loved. He wished Hideki was here. Man he’d love to get snarky and mean with that man… except he couldn’t! Cause of stupid, dead husbands. Kaito was very firmly the ‘bad guy’ in that situation, and he couldn’t justify lashing out on the older asshole anymore. Shame… “Was Hideki married to Toshio?” Kaito asked.

Shuichi sighed, “What does that have to do with anything, Kaito?”

“What does anything have to do with anything? I was just curious. I think I remember being told most people in Dicea don’t get married… Maki, could you pass me that iron?”

Maki reached over to the short table and grabbed it, tossing it to him. “Thanks, Maki-roll.” Kaito said, catching it and, leaning back into the bean bag chair, throwing it lightly up and down.

Kokichi looked up in surprise, not...at all following the thought path Kaito had taken to ask that question. Maybe just...thinking of the people in Kokichi’s life he disliked but had to coexist with. 

“They never had a ceremony or anything, but...I mean, from the emotional side of things, I think it was basically marriage.” Kokichi sighed softly, remembering fond times from his childhood. “I’ve never really liked the metaphor...I think we talked about it once, Maki-chan. But...the two of them? They really did seem like two halves of a whole...like they completed each other. They were dedicated.”

...it felt too risky to say, at least right now, that he thought his friends really would’ve liked Toshio, if they’d met. Maybe Kaito would’ve even liked the person Hideki was, when Toshio was still around. His uncle had been...a much livelier person. Toshio had told him once that even what Kokichi knew was a fraction of who Hideki had once been, before Miyako died. Before Honoka and Yui died. 

“Sounds sweet.” Kaito said, “It’s nice people can get together for love and stuff.”

There was a sudden storm in Kaito’s expression, clearly having triggered another flash of rage in himself… but it quickly passed as Kaito kept tossing the lump of ore up and down, as he said, “If you guys are here to make sure I leave the shrine tonight, I super duper promise to do so. I’ll even come down for dinner. King Aiichi will be there, I’ll thank him again for sitting down at lunch with us. Did you guys know he helps the kitchen wash the dishes sometimes? Not in exchange for favors or anything, he just likes to help out. He’s such a good guy.”

Tossing the lump of iron, Kaito paused in his catch, “... I could maybe see why my dad liked him. He could be attractive under the right light, maybe. Shuichi, Maki, you guys think the king’s attractive?”

Shuchi shrugged, “Never thought about it.”

Maki shook her head, “Too skinny. Maybe if he gained some muscle mass.”

“Kaede’s not that strong. Didn’t seem to turn you off to her.” Kaito pointed out.

At some point, he had read that letter. It was just another thing the two hadn’t talked about yet. Maki narrowed her eyes at Kaito, but didn’t take the bait. He was looking for a fight with someone, and she still wasn’t ready.

...Kokichi shivered, his breath getting caught in his throat. It was...like before, just a sudden burst of a rage he could barely even comprehend, leaving him dizzy and shaken, but...just for a moment. Like opening a window and immediately shutting it so your experience was brief and didn’t linger and settle around you. 

...it was weird...and kind of scary…

Kokichi frowned. He could see what Kaito was doing, and...he felt that familiar sense of uncertainty and shame. He didn’t have the right to say anything about Kaito’s anger. He should just leave him alone. Every bad thing that had happened to his husband was his fault. 

None of that had ever worked for them. 

Kokichi narrowed his eyes. “...what kind of pillow do you want?”

Kaito caught the lump of iron again… before giving Kokichi a confused, vaguely suspicious look. “Sorry? Pillow?”

“We talked about a lot of ways to express anger. Screaming into a pillow is one of the quickest ones we can check right now. What kind of pillow do you want?”

...don’t lash out at him. That’s Kokichi. Kokichi’s small and sweet, and Yours and you do not lash out at him. Not for anything. Not for anything. 

But Kaito felt his face redden in embarrassment, as he grit his teeth. “I’m not angry.”

“That’s obviously not true.” Shuichi sighed, “And Kokichi’s right. We’re always talking about finding new outlets for your anger. We might as well try a few now.”

“I’m not angry!” Kaito shouted, sitting up and, another flash of anger running through him like thunder, he gripped his lump of iron and turned to the wall he had been throwing it against before, and hurled it again-

‘Ricochet,’ Maki thought, and was immediately on her feet.

Her hand ached at the impact, but she caught the lump mid-air, and partly out of fury, and partly out of instinct, she immediately spun and threw it back at Kaito, aiming for a spot on his chest where she knew his pocket of air was. Literally knocked the wind out of him as Kaito gasped, coughing as the rock fell from his chest onto his lap. 

Maki stepped forward, and for a second, for a brief, burning inferno, she was Herself again. Eyes bright and focused with pointed violent intent, somehow seeming to grow in the space, bigger than life and hard as stone as she said, “Don’t try that again. Do you wanna die!?”

...and then she coughed, and the effect was lost, Maki shrinking again into a small, sick girl as she sighed, sitting back down, though Shuichi scooted over to let Maki share his bag as she said after her coughing fit. “We’re trying to help you, stupid. Get out of your own head and hear us out.”

Kaito was still trying to get his breath back, but… the second he got in a clear breath,... a rush of shame went through him. Glancing at Kokichi before his eyes fell to the floor. “...sorry, Kokichi… I didn’t mean to yell… maybe I should have gone with the pillow thing after all…”

Maki had been trained her entire life for quick reactions, to act on an instant of instinct. Kokichi was quick, but he wasn’t as quick as Maki. 

He had only been able to look in alarm as Kaito hurled his iron disk at the wall, taking in the series of impact cracks. Hearing the echoes of people talking about the difference of actually solving issues, and just hiding them. 

He had only been able to look as Maki turned Kaito’s violence right back at him, her presence growing to be fierce and almost overwhelming in just...how big it was, and...for a moment, Kokichi swore he could see an image of red scales in his mind. 

Violence had been their way, but...even trying to understand, it still didn’t sit right with Kokichi. 

When he finally reacted enough to hop out of his seat, Kokichi’s face was the picture of worry and he nodded distractedly to Kaito’s apology before heading out of the shrine with quick, light footsteps. “I’m getting ice!!”

The three Luminaries watched Kokichi run off…

“Dammit.” Kaito sighed… before gritting his teeth and hitting the wall behind him, “Dammit! Couldn’t you guys have left me alone!? This is exactly why I fucking come in here! You know this is why I come in here! What are you doing here?”

Shuichi narrowed his eyes, “Try again.”

Kaito twitched, his muscles tensing… before he closed his eyes and took a breath, crossing his arms and thumping his back into the wall a bit, “...I just want to be upset.”

“No ones saying you’re not allowed to be upset.” Shuichi said, adjusting the cap on his head as he continued, “We’re just not leaving you alone to sit in it. This is us… being here for you. We just want to help.”

“You can help by taking Kokich to get ice cream or something to make up for me being a fucking asshole just now.”

“We’re not leaving so you can keep having your tantrum, Kaito.” Maki huffed. “And before you get snippy with us about it, consider it karma for all the times Shuichi and I have tried to get away from you when we were feeling upset, and you never stopped bugging us.”

“That’s true. This is karma.’”

“That’s not the same! You guys needed someone to talk to! You just didn’t know it!”

Maki rolled her eyes, “Momotas’… it will never not boggle my mind, how even the rules you all really believe in, never apply to yourself.”

“Yeah! I know! We’re the worst! Fucking worst thing that’s ever happend to anyone! I get it, I’m fucking sold, okay!? Momota’s suck! I get it!”

One of the first things Kaito had ever noticed about Kokichi was that, when he wanted to be, Kokichi was fast. His attack had set that back for a long time, and maybe Kokichi wasn’t quite as quick as he once had been, but the young prince was still a blur going down the stairs. 

He knew Kaito wasn’t in, like, mortal peril. Maki wouldn’t do that to him. She wouldn’t have thrown the disk hard enough to break or chip a bone, or cause internal bleeding that would just slowly ache until it became serious. But…

...he had needed to get out of there. Everything was...big and angry and Kokichi could feel it building in his chest, and then dissipating in an instant and...he needed to leave. So he’d directed his frantic energy (and his fear of feeling those things) into being worried about Kaito’s solar plexus and...he was getting ice. 

Isabella had given him a suspicious look when he arrived at the kitchen, and Kokichi plastered on a sheepish smile, saying that Kaito had caught himself on a door handle. Something everyone did, time to time. And it was probably fine, but Kokichi wanted to get some ice just in case and…

It wasn’t long before he was holding the little shower cap-looking ice pack, rushing back up the stairs. 

“Yeah, Momotas’ do suck.” Maki said dryly, “And you’re pissed about it. Join the club. It’s a literal club, called Luminary.”

“Maki.” Shuichi said, glancing at her with a small glare, “Reign it back a little… Kaito, look… we just want you to talk to us. It’s alright that you’re upset-”

“No, it’s not alright! It’s never alright! Because I never know what to do with myself when I’m like this! It’s like just… randomly being crazy!” Kaito said, running his hands through his hair and tugging at the roots a bit, frustrated and filled with restless, angry energy as he said, “And… and being around people always makes it worse, because I act like a crazy person to them! And I don’t want that! I don’t… I don’t want to be my father!”

Shuichi sighed, and Maki raised an eyebrow, “...you’re not King Leon, Kaito. Sure, you both have anger issues, but there’s a difference between punching a wall and throwing people off towers and-”

“Starting a war! He started a war… because he was… because he didn’t get to fuck who he wanted! That was it!? That was all it took!? A fifteen year war because someone rejected him? I thought I was crazy for going off and having sex a lot! Holy shit, I can’t believe that… fucking psychopath!”

Shuichi leaned into Maki and whispered, “Huh… so, uh… I guess something finally broke through, huh?”

Maki nodded solemnly, “I guess so…” she said, watching Kaot get up and start pacing the room, kicking his bean bag aside to let him do so, “...hurray?”

“I… guess yeah?” Shuichi frowned, “Hurray.”

There was another little knock at the door before Kokichi returned, seeing Kaito pacing and Maki and Shuuichi looking...somber. He still felt ticks of rage, but...it felt...slightly more manageable now, and Kokichi came up to Kaito, offering the ice pack. Looking up at his husband with gentle concern. 

Kaito growled, shoving his palms into his eyes as Kokichi came in… but he looked down as his husband came up to his side, offering the pack…

...he sighed. Taking the ice pack. “Thank you Kokichi.” Kaito murmured, putting the pack to his chest and sitting back down. “I’m sorry for shouting earlier.”

Kokichi frowned a little at Kaito’s immediate reaction but just nodded as he accepted the pack, going back to sit down on his abandoned bean bag. “It’s alright. If you want to yell and shout...then I want you to be able to do that. I just worry when you get hurt…”

...he took a breath. “...and it is overwhelming for me sometimes. It doesn’t mean you need to temper yourself. It just means I need to step out once in a while.”

“Uuuuugh.” Kaito groaned, taking the ice pack and just straight up putting it over his face, laying on his back on the bean bag… before kicking the floor a bit, “Augh!!”

Maki sighed, “You know, I always imagined the day Kaito realized his father was a piece of shit would be more… cathartic, than this.”

Kaito felt the instinct to tell Maki to not say that, that was his father and his king and also he was dead, show some respect… but instead he groaned again.

He just laid there, a very cold ice pack slowly burning up his face, “...I’m so angry.” Kaito admitted. “I’m so angry I literally want to tear the walls apart… I’m so angry…”

Kaito suddenly laughed, and took off the ice pack, putting it back on his chest as he stared miserably at the ceiling as he said, “And you know what’s fucked?... I’m not even angry for the right reasons. My fathers a monster. He’s a selfish, impulsive, murderous dickhead… and I’m angry about all of that! But that’s not why I’m angry, angry… and that’s probably just another way that I’m fucking like him…”

Ah… Kokichi figured so, but...this was a clear picture. Kaito probably would’ve taken more jabs at Aiichi if he had been more upset with how his father had told the story. 

...Kokichi tried to be neutral about Kaito’s parents for his sake, so he had a space to talk about them in a way that he...didn’t really have anywhere else in Dicea. But now Kaito was angry. And...Kokichi still wasn’t entirely sure where the line was in talking with him. He...didn’t think just shitting on the former king and princess-consort like he would with Maki and Shuuichi would go well, but neither would just acknowledging they were people this time. 

Kokichi frowned when Kaito admitted the main thing that was bothering him. “...I don’t equate you and your father at all. To me...you’re nothing like him.” And Kokichi knew that was heavily biased. He had only ever heard stories of Leon, propaganda and personal grievances. He was in love with Kaito, so of course he’d see more of his husband as a person. He knew that his own opinion didn’t really matter if that was how Kaito saw himself. 

...but downplaying everything he said like he was talking politics wasn’t helpful. He was talking to his family, and he could be as biased and hypocritical as he wanted. He was allowed to do that. People were contradictory, and Kokichi was allowed to be a person...he didn’t have to be a leader all the time. 

Kaito groaned, nodding, “I know, I know… ugh…”

Shuichi glanced between Kaito, Kokichi, and Maki… and sighed. “So, what are you actually angry about then? If it’s not the fact that your father is a murderous shithead and something more selfish? What is it then?”

Kaito groaned again. “...”

Maki looked thoroughly unimpressed, as she said, “We’re really, actually not going anywhere. And do you know how uncomfortable that is for me and Shuichi? I need a tissue right this moment, and Shuichi has to pee every five minutes. The longer you keep us trapped in here because you won’t talk about your feelings, the more snotty and urine filled we’re becoming.”

“Gross…” Shuichi said, “But accurate.”

“Just blow your nose into the damn cloth I have over the blood bowl.” Kaito grumbled, “It’s your handkerchief anyway.”

“No. That’s gross, and it’ll expose the blood bowl… I may end up blowing into my shirt though.”

“That’s another one of my shirts.”

“We really should just have bought you some big sleeping shirts of your own by now.” Shuichi pointed out, as Maki brought up her mask, put up the collar of her shirt, and blew. Kaito watching her do this with a twitch. That shirt had cost him four gold… back when he used to be able to spend that kind of money on clothes… ugh…

“...You’re better than your father, Kokichi.” Kaito suddenly said, sitting up and sitting on the bean bag more normally, a frustrated look on his face. “I keep trying to find something attractive in him… something my father might have loved. Something I might have loved. I keep thinking, what if Kokichi hadn’t been around… would I have found something to love? Would I have eventually been happy with him? Maybe dad would have finally found something to be proud of me for, if I had managed to get what he couldn’t have…”

Shuich’s brow furrowed, genuinely confused, “... what hypothetical are we talking about?”

“But I realized it wouldn’t matter what my dad wanted, cause if Aiichi had been the one who’d have to sacrifice agency in his love life? If he hadn’t had a son he could just casually pass that on to… he’d have never made the offer. It doesn’t matter that he’s not with anyone now. It doesn’t matter that it would have been ‘for the good of the countries, filling in a space he needed help with’.” Kaito scoffed, rolling his eyes, “That spineless fuck would have never made a sacrafice like that. And my crazy, psycho father would have… never had the fucking chance to get his kicks through this… ‘It’s to end the war, Kaito’. You ‘need to go’, Kaito. People are counting on you… fucking… liars…”

Kaito’s face pinched in fury, eyes wide and furious… before he just closed his eyes and curled his knees into his chest, hiding his face in them as he said, voice thick and wet, “...how could they do this to us? What kind of person do you have to be… how could they do this… I thought it mattered… I thought I mattered…” Kaito sobbed into his knee… before banging his foot against the floor, shouting into his leg, “How could they do this!?”

Kokichi huffed a little smile. He knew that he’d run to get anything his friends needed, but Shuuichi and Maki were making a point and...there were more important things than running errands. There were plenty of things to fetch to make things comfortable, but...it was more important to just be there. To not make anyone wait or feel like a burden or smothered…

He looked up as Kaito said something that...well, that was his aim. Aiichi was beloved by a lot of people in the country. He could chat about any damn thing, and people appreciated that. He had a presence that tended to make people feel safe and welcomed. 

...but probably just Diceans. Just people who already trusted the Ouma name, and when their personal situations were treated as importantly as they saw them, then they just accepted Aiichi as another faceless leader, regardless of the person he actually was. Which was...kind of an airhead that couldn’t always read the room and was always focused more on the concrete things than the interpersonal ones. 

That was fine for a leader, but not for a friend, and not for a family member. 

...Kokichi realized that he couldn’t name a single person that his father was what he would consider a friend with that didn’t work in the castle. 

Kokichi was not his father, and it was something he strove to be. Not because he strove to be the antithesis of his father, like he once had, but...because Kokichi wanted to be a good person. And his definition of that wasn’t who his father was at all. 

...it was difficult, trying to follow exactly what Kaito was saying. But…

...Kaito said he looked like his father. And while Kokichi didn’t think the similarities in personality were comparable at all, enough people did compare them. ...did Leon agree to the marriage just...to live out a high school fantasy? Through their kids?

Kaito was angry because...yet again, he hadn’t mattered to someone. 

Kokichi closed his eyes, face pinched as he mourned the realization Kaito was raging against. “...it’s not fair. They shouldn’t have done this… They shouldn’t have done this to you.” But they did. Because they didn’t care about their kids as anything more than props. Aiichi, to enact a high-minded ideal without thinking about personhood and complex emotions. Leon, to enact a revenge scenario. 

“...you deserve so much more than to be treated like that…”

Kaito growled, pulled at the roots of his hair a bit… before looking up and glaring at Kokichi as he said, “‘Kichi, they did that to us!”

“What if I had been anyone else? What if I really had ended up being him!? What was Aiichi thinking, risking your well being on… on nothing!? What, was he thinking I’d be like the version of Leon he had known!? Fifteen years of war and bloodshed and slaughter… I could have hurt you, babe! You were hurt!”

“They sent me through a god damn battle zone so my father could play out a fucking kink, and your father made you sacrafice and risk so much for a tradition he didn’t even do himself… and I’m SO FUCKING ANGRY!” Kaito shouted, digging his palms once more into his now reddened and somewhat battered face, shaking his head, “I’m so mad! How dare they! How dare they! We deserved better!”

“...yeah.” Shuichi said, the tone sad...before his brow furrowed. “Yeah. What… what the hell was wrong with the previous generation? Were they all eating lead? It’s like they all shared one collective brain cell and someone lost it.”

Maki snorted a bit and shrugged, “Well, I’m certain Timothy feels the same way about us.”

“God I hope he never feels this way about me.” Kaito grimly growled, “I hope I never do anything that makes him hate me this much.”

Kokichi cringed, Kaito’s words, and the echo of Dr. Mariah’s stinging as the heavy thump of furious, wounded drums pounded behind his eyes. “...you’re right. They did it to us.”

His eyes narrowed, voice growing bitter. “...we deserved better than this.”

Kokichi loved what he had. He loved his family, and he was happy. This were getting better each day, and Kokichi was thankful for it. 

...but he didn’t even need the what if’s to be angry. 

He was getting better because of extensive therapy, support, and medication. But...he had fucking deserved better, just by the cause of a person being alive, than to have had his mother stolen from him, and his health denied. Than to have been subjected to medical abuse and constant mortal terror, and severe isolation and neglect, and depression so severe with no one to barge their way in, uncaring about giving space or being cruel so they could save him from himself.

He had deserved someone who actually saw him as a person sooner than when he was TWENTY YEARS OLD!

Kokichi’s hands curled into fists and started trembling as his brow furrowed into a fierce glare, hot, fat, angry tears starting to well up in his eyes until they started to silently fall. And...something odd happened. The average, non-magic sensitive human likely wouldn’t have seen anything more than what was already described. But otherwise...faintly, Kokichi began to glow a dim, dark, muddy purple color. 

Haneda, downstairs and prepping to go pick Tim up from school soon, suddenly felt an old resentment well up in her. That awful feeling she hadn’t been able to chase off no matter how many fights she got in of just...never belonging. 

Chako, on dish duty after the lunch rush, started scrubbing a plate so harshly that all the other members of the kitchen staff took a small step away from her. It was her life, and she was living it how she wanted! It wasn’t wrong or incomplete to be passionate about your work, and not feel much of anything towards milestones that other people wanted!

Ikuo, mopping the halls, huffed, his expression unchanging as an oppressive aura fell over the area. ...he should’ve never volunteered for that war. 

“...we deserved better…” Kokichi darkly repeated, voice low as the reverb of synchronized feelings from the people he was closest to thundered in his chest. 

Shuichi shuddered a little… Nao shouldn’t have hurt him like that. She had no right to do what she did… she didn’t even know him… and if his mentor wanted to talk to him, she knew his fucking number…

Maki frowned, feeling her bloodlust rise a little... There was still a part of herself that believed her job wasn’t done. That maybe Luminary would never be saved until the Momota line was gone entirely… but she couldn’t. She couldn’t… but she should have.

And Kaito… Kaito didn’t notice anything different. Not in himself, anyway, he was already angry and bitter and full of resentment… but…

He felt something in him soften as he saw the anger build in Kokichi. Something calming in seeing the anger in someone else now. Kaito feeling less crazy and erratic, not being alone in it… aw… his husband actually looked kinda intimidating. It was cute. .

Kaito sighed, carefully reaching out and pulling Kokichi down into his lap, cradling him into his chest. If Kokichi struggled against it, Kaito ignored it, just wanting to pull his furious husband into a hug. “...yeah. We did.” Kaito murmured, “...I’m sorry I made you sad, Kokichi. I’m just… so fucking angry.”

Kokichi hadn’t struggled, and instead sighed, releasing some of the tension in his body, though his wet gaze, tears still bubbling out of his eyes, was still angry and hurt. ...but it was enough, and the glow, which no one in that closet-turned-shrine could properly see, faded away. 

“I know. And I’m not sad. This is...just how I’m angry,” Kokichi sighed, pressing himself against Kaito, not quite like how he often did just to soak in that closeness and intimacy, but...almost like he was just pushing Kaito. “I cry when I’m angry. I cry when I have any major emotion. It’s how it is.”

“...I won’t ask you to come to any more dinners with my father.”

Kaito laughed, gently patting Kokichi’s back as his husband pushed against him, “My sweet, weepy ‘Kichi…”

Closing his eyes, Kaito let out a shuddering breath, “... no, I mean… I can’t spend the rest of my life avoiding your father. Especially not while you’re trying to restore a relationship with him. Which… I still think you should do. Your dads shitty, but… I don’t know. He’s trying not to be shitty now… and frankly, I’m not certain he even knows what he did. And… it feels almost pointless to… to hold something against someone just cause they didn’t know any better…”

“King Aiichi tries so hard to do the right thing when he can see it. I recognize that. You remember that week you and him called every single town in the country? And they weren’t just quick check ins… I’d come in and listen in sometimes and people would just be talking, sounding so excited to hear from him… he helps the kitchen staff with the clean up work, he makes time for literally anyone who asks him for it, and he answers those damn letters that I got sick of after the first week, and he still manages to keep up running the country among all of that. He’s… he’s not a bad person. He’s just…”

Kaito rolled his eyes, “He’s someone that got picked up off the street because he was so charming that everyone listened when he talked, and then he was told to run the country at sixteen, with a parental figure in his life for only three years. He does so many things right that I doubt anyone tells him when he does it wrong. And I feel confident saying that, because… he does seem like the kind of person who would correct himself if he knew. Kokichi, all I did was ask him once to let us go to Danganronpa when we first met. A stranger pointing out you’d enjoy traveling once was all he needed to convince him… I kinda hate him, but… if he’s willing and able to change for you? I want you to be able to have the father you should have had this whole time. And I don’t want to get in the way of that.”

“...and, I’d be a hypocrite to suggest anything else anyway.” Kaito muttered, “I wanted a real relationship with my parents my whole life… I wanted my brothers respect and my cousins admiration, and… fuck, Kokichi, I was even disappointed when Tengan left without saying goodbye because I wanted to matter to him too… even when the people in your life are awful, there’s… at least for me, always been that wish that maybe someday it’d get better. That I could fix it… in your shoes? If the situation was reversed? I’d have probably begged you to sit down and have dinner with them…”

Kaito sighed, closing his eyes, “...I made a thousand excuses for them… a thousand reasons why it had to happen like that… but I understand broken hearts and being rejected and loving someone who doesn’t feel the same way back and… my fathers dead. He’ll never have the chance to be better. So now he’s just that shitty thing he did, hurting everyone around him over a broken heart… and I can’t forgive that… it’s too pathetic.”

Kokichi huffed, not...entirely thrilled with that. That his husband’s first reaction to seeing his anger was to pull him into a hug and...not take it seriously. But...honestly more often than not, a hug really would be the thing to help, and Kokichi knew Kaito didn’t infantilize him. 

Maybe it would be something to bring up another day. 

“...I am still holding it against him,” Kokichi grumbled. “Even if he didn’t intend to hurt me...he still did. But he’s acknowledged it now, and wants to be better. And I want him to be better too. He’ll never be able to take back what he did to me...but we can make something new.”

It was a lot of hooey that you had to forgive someone to be able to move on. 

As Kaito described Aiichi more, though… Kokichi stopped pressing as hard against Kaito. 

Shuuichi had said it before, that sometimes parts of Kokichi’s personality, or his coping methods had just...stagnated in childhood. And Kokichi could understand why. ...but he was far from the only person with childhood trauma, and maybe...that stagnation, even if people had adult skills in other areas, was...more prolific than he had believed. 

...his father did have issues seeing things that weren’t right in front of him. Like a teenager.

...his parents had had a kid so young, on top of trying to lead a country and deal with violent trauma… Had his father had an emotional support system?

...they were having a kid so young. Kokichi so desperately hoped they could be better to Miya. To Tim. 

Kokichi nodded into Kaito’s chest, agreeing wholeheartedly with the wish that people could learn to be better. It was the whole basis of the Dicean judicial system and...it was why Kokichi was working with his father. Why he had forgiven Katsuki and Waku and all the others. 

Sniffing, Kokichi turned to bury his face in Kaito’s chest, wrapping his arms around his husband to hug him too. To hold him and just...hurt together, facing all the shitty stuff that people had done to them. “...I wish they had been better from the start. Everyone.”

But they hadn’t been. And without that chance to change...you were left with bitterness.

Kaito nodded tiredly, “Yeah…”

...honestly, Kaito felt better. 

And maybe that was stupid. To feel better just cause he had talked to the others about it and gotten to be angry and had seen Kokichi get angry too. It couldn’t be that easy. It was probably unhealthy, right? They should be… passing letters back and forth or something… rubbing stones. Something.

But… he just felt calmer. Less like the weight of the revelation of just how little his father had cared about him was crushing him. Like it was more manageable.

“...” Kaito sighed, “Did I hurt you guys doing this? I feel better, but… does everyone else feel worse?”

“Mmm… I’m kinda more tired and sad.” Shuichi said, while Maki just shrugged, curled into his side a little, looking vaguely like she might fall asleep, “Are you asking if you ‘traumatized me with your anger’?”

“I guess so, yeah.”

“...Shouting at us and throwing the rock wasn’t fun.” Shuichi decided, “I could live without that one again.”

Kokichi curled up more in Kaito’s lap, keeping his arms around him and smushing his face right below--and partially into--his pecs. He was upset. Bitter and angry...but he knew it would fade into a tired acceptance. You couldn’t fight against people’s natures. Against free will. If there really was a way to get rid of pain and trauma without losing anything else, that would be incredible! But Kokichi sincerely doubted that that was in any way possible, and the cost of losing out on everything else the experience of life had to offer was...too great. 

So you just had to accept it. 

Sniffing again, Kokichi nodded his head into Kaito, agreeing with Shuuichi. “S-mtimes it takes me a while to feel better after I cry...but usually after a nap it’s okay…”

“...I get scared about you hurting yourself. That never feels good.”

Kaito sighed, gently rubbing Kokichi’s back… “Maybe I’ll try the working out idea next time.” he said, glancing at the plaster on the wall that he’d… have to fix at some point, he guessed. “At least until, like… the physical stuff eases up? And then I’ll talk to you guys when I’m less… well, when I’m just too tired to want to punch anything. And then no one will have to worry about me hurting myself or throwing things… and I’ll just try to be better about shouting…”

“You're going to work out every time you’re upset?” Shuichi asked.

“I could try it, yeah.”

“...Wow, you are going to be so ripped.” Shuichi said.

“I’m not upset that often!”

“Often enough.”

“...thanks for coming to talk to me guys.” Kaito said softly.

Lake had said something similar when he’d asked about it. That her anger spurred her to act, and it wasn’t something she could just stew in or shelve easily. So...while she felt like punching and breaking things, she went to the gym and worked out until she was sweaty and tired and didn’t want to do anything but take a breath and talk with Nazumi...who usually asked what had happened and...it was easier to talk about without working herself back up. 

They were very different people, but similar enough in some ways. Maybe that would help Kaito past the iron disk launching phase. 

Kokichi sighed and puckered his lips into a kiss against Kaito without moving his head at all. “I wish I’d come to do something like this sooner. I don’t want you to have to deal with stuff alone...especially when it’s stuff we’re both dealing with.”

“Eh, I make it tough.” Kaito admitted, mildly amused as his husband made himself at home in what Kaito was well aware was one of Kokichi’s preferred parts of Kaito. Kaito couldn’t help but find Kokichi’s anger and frustration a little endearing… well, when it wasn’t directed at him. Kokichi angry at him made Kaito want to crawl into a hole. Kokichi angry at other people? Kaito could watch it all day. He wouldn’t, he’d try to help, because it sucked being angry all day… but he liked Kokichi pissed off on his own behalf.

“...is this all Dr. Mariah was talking about?” Kaito realized, looking around, “Is this what ‘grieving’ together looks like? Or… should we be crying more? I cried a little bit. You cried a little after that. Do you think that counts?”

“Dr. Mariah hasn’t told you something, like, ‘you’re being graded on therapy’, has she?” Maki asked, her voice dead serious. “If the answer is ‘yes’, I’m going to have a conversation with her today.”

“No, no, this isn’t that, I just mean… shut up, Maki Roll, you’re sick and I’m allowed to want to do well in therapy, okay?”

“Maybe,” Kokichi said, muffled against Kaito’s chest. It...certainly felt like it fit with what she had been talking about. No one...trying to be strong. Not trying to solve anything, or find an upside, or see a path forward. Just...hurting, and understanding each other’s pain too. 

“If it isn’t what she meant, but it works for us, then...then that’s our version of it. Therapy’s meant to give us tools...but if we alter them to specifically suit our needs then...it means we’re really absorbing the use of those needs, and that therapy’s working for us.”

He sniffled again. “She’s not grading us, though she does call our exercises homework. Like with most of therapy...we get out what we put in. So if we don’t try the exercises, it’s not gonna bother her at all. Honestly, it’s probably better, ‘cause it’d mean we’d go to therapy longer, ‘cause we don’t know how to solve our issues. Doing them, and putting in effort, is just...our intrinsic drive to be better adjusted. To learn how to solve things and interact with the world healthily ourselves.”

“...intrinsic?” Maki whispered to Shuichi.

“Natural.” He whispered back.

“I think Dr. Mariah likes us… like, as more than just paychecks, ya know? She lets us touch her koi fish… oh god, do I need approval from our damn relationship therapist?” Kaito groaned. “Man I’m pathetic.”

“I, personally, think it’d be hilarious if you looked at Dr. Mariah as a maternal figure… oh, you wouldn’t get why that’s funny, Maki.” Shuichi realized, “She literally looks like she’s maybe just a little older than Tim.”

“...really?”

“Yeah, seriously. I think she’s meant to be in her forties, but I am half convicned she’s actually a pre-teen who had just worked out when her moms office is closed and is side hustling us. That’s the prevailing theory, right now. She claims to have a receptionist? We have never seen them.”

“Oh, please don’t even joke about that. I swear to god if we get conned by one more doctor, I’m going to lose my actual shit.” Kaito groaned, “No more fake doctors.”

Kokichi patted Kaito’s back. There there. There was nothing wrong about wanting to be liked and respected by people, but...if you were doing it in the place of parental approval? That became an issue, unhealthy both for you and them. But step one was recognizing it. 

“Nmm,” Kokichi grunted, shaking his head. “It’s pretty rare, but there are conditions where people end up looking really young, like, kid-young, for their entire lives. Don’ remember if it’s a hormone thing or what… But I believe Dr. Mariah’s legit...there’s no child that can manage the depths of fatigue she gets in her eyes when we’re on some bullshit.”

“...and I looked into her other reviews n’ shit after our first session,” he confessed. “She has an extensive, visible paper trail, and the ratio of positivity and criticism is believable, while still painting her as competent and helpful. And since Miss Crystal recommended her to you...and Mr. Egami said he didn’t know her personally, but said she had a good reputation among therapists...I’m inclined to believe she’s the real deal, not even factoring in how helpful she’s been to us personally.”

Maki, Kaito and Shuichi all stared at Kokichi…

“...Eeeeeeeee.” Kaito ‘said’, a small, excited keening sound escaping him.

“I have never been more attracted to you.” Shuichi said, while Maki laughed lightly into his side, looking a little proud as well, a pleased smile on her face. “Seriously. That was the sexiest thing that’s ever come out of your mouth.”

“Shuichi, that’s so weird. Don’t tell Kokichi his responsible nature is sexy.” Kaito grinned, still looking endlessly pleased as he hugged Kokichi, “That’s too objectifying. He’s more… cool and impressive right now.”

Kokichi snorted, feeling highly amused with this reaction, even if it wasn’t wholly unexpected. They had just...had too many bad experiences with professionals, collectively. And Kokichi had felt...almost desperate to find someone who would be able to help them communicate. It had been too important to risk with yet another fraud. 

(...he’d read through the background check Aiichi had commissioned for Cedar, and he’d searched for his own stuff. It had just...been too hard to find a meaningful record, since her work had been off continent. Maybe that should’ve been a tip-off in itself.)

“Wow...I think that’s one of the first things I’ve ever done that you haven’t found sexy… I dunno if I should take it as an insult, filtered through Kai-chan-speak.” Kokichi huffed a soft laugh, nuzzling more against his husband. “Though I can live with that, if it puts stars in Shuu-chan’s eyes.”

Kaito kissed Kokich’s forehead, chuckling, “Look at that. I try to be a gentleman, and get mocked by my husband for it. I’m wounded… well, I guess having my ‘Kichi in my lap helps a bit...”

“...I can’t believe your dad had a crush on his dad.” Maki said sleepily on the bean bags.

Kaito groaned, “Are we talking about that? I feel like I’ve already talked that to death. I don’t want to get angry again.”

“I’m not trying to make you angry. I’m just saying...that’s crazy.” Maki yawned, “If he really did start the war for that? King Leon was insane.”

“Yeah, well… yeah.” Kaito sighed. “...my… my whole families kinda garbage, huh.”

“Kinda.” Shuichi said generously. “...how do you feel about Byakuya these days?”

“...” Kaito sighed. Shrugging slightly. “...I don’t know. I know what I should say. I know what you guys want to hear… does it matter that I still love him? It’s not like he’ll talk to me anyway. It doesn’t really matter how I feel about it, it’s done now.”

“Does it make you feel any better  to realize your father was a psychopath?” Maki asked. “I think I always sort of imagined it would.”

“...no? Not really. I’m mostly just ashamed of him.” Kaito shrugged. “And honestly I’m so emotionally spent right now… who knows how I’ll feel later.”

...Kokichi thought about his mom. All the wonderful things people had to say about her, the kind, gentle, loving image he’d always had of her. Sure, Hideki had given him more of a picture of her as a person--dreadfully shy and allowed people to walk over her, take credit for things she’d done. A bit silly and stubborn when it came to her fashion. Couldn’t say no to people. 

Of course, those were all things that she had been as a teenager and a young adult. No one would ever know the kind of person she’d become as she grew older. 

Would she have hurt him too?

...there was no way to ever know, and it hurt too much to imagine a yes scenario. 

(Maybe there was a version of Kokichi out there who felt just as neglected, but with two parents who were more interested in their jobs than him. Maybe there was a version who had felt loved and nurtured with his two parents holding each other accountable to raise their child. Maybe there was a version where Miyako had become disillusioned with young love and had taken her child to live a more normal life, giving that Kokichi a different hole in his heart.)

(There would never be a way to tell.)

...Kokichi hated how Byakuya treated Kaito. It was a care that never actually cared about Kaito’s real well-being. So...Byakuya cutting off contact was in-character for him. But Kokichi still hated him for it. Still thought it was shamefully self-absorbed. 

But Kaito still loved him, and Kokichi would respect that. 

Kokichi nodded into Kaito’s chest again. “...it doesn’t always help to see that the person who hurt you was truly, unequivocally in the wrong. Sometimes it just sucks, and you have to live with it. But sometimes it does help.”

“...things like this tend to change after a nap. Or after a few months of naps.”

“Depressssioooooon naaaaaaps.” Kaito cheered, lazily pumping up an arm. “...we’re going to be better parents to Miyako and Timothy, right? And Kokichi’s feelings baby?”

“Nah. I think it’s time to start brutally abusing them and neglecting them.” Shuichi said, closing his eyes, shifting closer to Maki, the two looking very close to having an actual nap themselves. “Kaito, do you have any surviving ex’s you can send Tim to marry out of some gross wish fulfillment fantasy?”

Kaito frowned, his stomach twisting uncomfortably. “... Shu-”

“Ow!” Shuichi winced, looking genuinely shocked and much more awake as he looked down at Maki, who was still laying on her side, eyes closed, “Maki, did you jus-ow! Stop it!”

“I’m just pinching you, you infant. And don’t say jokes like that. That’s shitty, Shuichi.” Maki said, entirely unbothered.

“Ow… those are gonna bruise.” Shuichi pouted… before sighing. “Sorry, Kaito.”

“Don’t pinch Shuichi, Maki.” Kaito gently scolded… but he did look a little appeased.

He didn’t quite mean depression naps--he was really trying to not use those as a coping mechanism anymore--but...yeah. As time went by and softened everything...eventually they would figure out their feelings. And maybe those conclusions would change, either on their own, or in response to things in the world changing. But...living was just adapting to the changing world around you. They’d figure it out. 

Kokichi turned his head, able to see Shuuichi out of the corner of his eye, and he frowned, about to...give Shuuichi a reproachful look, or ask him to cut it out, but...Maki had it handled. (Their last piece to restore balance.)

Tucking himself back into Kaito, Kokichi sighed.

“...I don’t want to tell the feelings baby that they’re my heir right away.”

“It’s a horrible pressure to put on a child… I want them to be able to be a kid, and then make an informed decision about if it’s the path they would actually want to take, once they’re old enough to understand what that means.”

Maybe the world didn’t need singular people at the top anymore. People who had spent a lifetime learning one thing. Maybe the world didn’t need monarchs anymore. 

...but he’d keep that part to himself for the time being.

Kaito considered that, “...that makes sense. I mean, we’re going to adopt the kid, right? Man… I hope they’re adoptable. I’ll admit, the first time you told me about this tradition, I was vaguely worried about having to wrestle a baby from their parents someday. That feels kinda… ‘tyrannical’.”

“I’m pretty sure Kokichi told me once if the kid isn’t an orphan, they’re just meant to be mentored?” Shuichi said, looking uncertain. “Though, now I’m really curious… how common is that? Are most leaders of Dicea throughout history orphans? Is that a thing?”

“Maybe back in the old days people really did just take kids.” Maki shrugged sleeplily, “Or bought them? I can imagine a monarch buying their next heir. Monarchs are kinda crazy like that.”

“Mm,” Kokichi nodded. “They’re supposed to be mentored… Maybe I’ll propose...a sort of junior internship, sort of thing… It would help young people feel more involved with the community too…”

Kokichi’s mind started to whir about that--and it also meant that there would likely be more people applying for government jobs overall, which meant more help, which meant the power would be more evenly spread across people and...the country would be able to run with fresher ideas without it becoming someone’s entire life…--but he shook his head with a lower hum. “Most are orphans, yeah. Like...I think the statistic is around 70% now...and the last thirty is split between born heirs, mentored heirs, and non-heirs...which happens when the last leader stepped down or died without having declared an heir, and someone came out of the chaos to lead.”

“...I don’t think there’s any record of someone buying their heir, unless you count adoption fees… There have been personal accounts, though, of the leader putting a lot of pressure on a family to allow their child to become the heir…”

“Yeah, well, I guess it’d still be a little tricky if they come pre-packaged with parents, though, I like the idea of just putting them with a group of other kids who are all learning government stuff.” Kaito complimented, “No one could target them for one… but, what I was going to say was that just because we adopt someone, doesn’t mean we have to tell them or the world that they’re heir. We’ll just… raise them. If we need to divert attention, you can just tell the world your weird Luminary husband randomly wanted to adopt another kid. I appear to be collecting them.” Kaito laughed.

“...” Maki opened her eyes, and sighed, “...I need to thank all of you. I know… I left a lot of responsibilities behind me and just sort of… hoped you guys would manage it. My siblings, Addason…”

“I still kind of think of that kid as ‘Bonus’.” Kaito admitted.

“...it was a lot. But, from what I hear, you guys handled it without any incidents. I mean, I still have to talk to my siblings, but… so far, it sounds like they’re adjusting well. And Temp seems genuinely excited to raise Addason… and…” Maki sighed, “... I appreciate you, Kaito, making certain Tom and Itch’s paperwork was sorted out. Verifying they wouldn’t just… disappear.”

Kaito… felt conflicted. “...I still want to have a conversation about all of that, Maki.” Kaito said softly.

Maki nodded, “I understand. I just wanted to thank you all for taking care of all of that.”

Kokichi nodded, feeling warm and thankful for Kaito’s understanding. And...he didn’t want to arrange his heir’s marriage either. Finding someone who understood what it meant to them to be heir or leader, who would support them in that...it was just the sign of a good partner. Something that he hoped to trust his heir’s judgement on. 

“...’n if they decide they don’t wanna be heir...then they’d still be our kid. It wouldn’t make them less in any way. I’d just look elsewhere for an heir, and focus on just...raising them to be a happy, wonderful person.”

Kokichi shifted around, coming to lie just the side of his head against Kaito’s chest, able to see Maki and Shuuichi at least a little more easily. ...they had a lot of responsibilities… Some just from what life had thrown at them...and some from what Maki had thrown at them. 

Looking up at Kaito, Kokichi rubbed his arm gently, trying to show...solidarity and support with his conflict. But...that probably wasn’t a talk that was going to happen today. If the others were feeling anything like how Kokichi felt, they were already too exhausted to get into another high-feeling conversation. 

“I’m looking forward to you seeing them all again, Maki.” Shuichi sighed, closing his eyes, yawning, “...it broke my heart to turn them away before. They want to see you so badly… get less sick.”

“Mmmm…” Maki yawned too, nuzzling into her friends side, “...working on it…”

“...Watching them is making me kinda tired.” Kaito admitted to Kokichi softly, “I think they’re gonna fall asleep. Should I make them go back to their rooms?”

“...nah,” Kokichi decided, curling up more in Kaito’s lap and closing his eyes. “It’s nap time right now. Right here.”

Kaito blinked sleepy, looking between his three… he didn’t know. Sidekicks? Escorts. Friends…

Family, he supposed. The three people he… he trusted most in the world. Loved most in the world. Even if it got complicated sometimes… he loved them a lot. They mattered dearly to him.

...and he trusted he mattered to them.

“Okay. We’ll sleep here.” Kaito agreed, sighing. He’d check on Timothy’s homework in a few hours, make certain Maki took her medicine and sucked on some of those throat candy things, make sure Kokichi and Shuichi ate some vegetables during dinner…

But for now. 

Nap time.

-

...It was today.

The day.

Kaito’s hand was already on Timothy’s shoulder, his whole body tense as they stood outside of the shop. He had refused to allow Chase to come, insisting she be left with Haneda for this trip. Why? Because Chase was small. Potentially food sized. Kaito didn’t know! What was the biggest thing these things could eat!?

“Not my kid, that’s for damn sure.” Kaito said darkly, tightening his grip as he subconsciously moved the nine year old closer to him.

Timothy looked up at him, confused, “What?”

“Nothing!” Kaito said, glancing behind him, where Shuichi and Kokichi were still coming up the road, holding hands, Kokichi slowing himself down to match Shuichi’s pace. Maki had offered to scope out the shop while they were waiting for them to catch up and Kaito had agreed, though he had grabbed Timothy when the boy had immediately went to follow her. “Now, there’s going to be a lot of things to look at in there. But you do not leave either me or your mothers side, do you understand? And keep your hands to yourself, don’t touch anything.”

“I’m not gonna break anything.” Tim muttered.

‘I don’t want anything to eat you.’ Kaito thought nervously, glaring at the shop.

It was slow going, but Kokichi couldn’t help but keep a (light) spring in his step as he resonated with Shuuichi’s excitement. Shuuichi was usually glowing these days, but it was like he was the sun today, and Kokichi kept looking at him with love and awe. 

“I’m so excited!! I can’t wait to see all the reptiles!” Kokichi squealed, barely able to keep his voice to a normal speaking volume. “I really hope I get to see some geckoes, but I’m gonna be super pumped for the snakes regardless!”

Despite his excitement, though, he could clear as day see Kaito’s tenseness as they were coming up the road. “...have any guesses to how long Kai-chan’s gonna last before trying to hurry us out of the center?”

Shuichi hadn’t been able to keep a smile off his face all day, not since Kaito had, reluctantly, agreed this morning that today was the day. He was so… excited! Like, really, genuinely, walking on air excited! 

“I bet he tries to talk us out of going inside at all.” Shuichi laughed, watching Kaito sternly talk to his son, likely about not touching any of the ‘dangerous’ creatures inside or something. Squeezing Kokichi’s hand, Shuichi felt another bubble of excitement… before saying softly, “You know? This… might be the most self-indulgent thing I’ve ever done in my life. I’m getting a pet. I can’t believe this is actually happening.”

Shuichi watched Kaito sigh dramatically as Timothy said something back to him, glancing up at the store with wary nervousness, and felt a fresh rush of love for the man run through him. Kaito had gotten him a pet despite being incredibly nervous around the snakes. It was… honestly incredibly sweet, and Shuichi was reminded of the reality of that as he laughed lightly when Kaito turned to them and said earnestly, “You know, maybe not all of us should go into the shop… maybe they could bring out the snakes one at a time to show them to you-?”

Maki opened the door, “Alright, it seems safe enough. You all coming in?”

Kokichi snorted. That was...entirely plausible. There were some reptiles Kokichi was sure Kaito would even find enchanting, but no snake would ever cross that line for him, he bet. And considering they were there to get a snake, and so would be in the snake section for the majority of the time...definitely not a place Kaito wanted to be, or wanted any of them to be. 

But it was something Shuuichi truly wanted, and Kaito loved him, so...they were at the center. 

Giving his boyfriend a soft look, Kokichi gently squeezed his hand. “You’re getting a pet. A creature just for you, a companion… Shuu-chan can absolutely be self-indulgent. You have more than enough responsibility to back it up.”

Kokichi giggled a little as, sure enough, Kaito tried to back out immediately, but it was too late. 

And while Kokichi wanted to marvel at the conservation center, his first thought when they went through the door was...Maki. Come on.

A blond woman with bright, trendy clothes beamed a winning smile at them, a large, bright green ratsnake draped casually over her shoulders, its tail curling around her upper arm. “Welcome to Usott’s Reptile Conservation Center! We’re delighted to help you find a new life companion, Mr. Saihara!”

Kaito sighed as Maki held the door open for all of them, watching warily as Kokichi and Shuichi both immediately started heading inside, both of them practically giggling as they went… aww… it was nice to see them so excited. Nnng.

It was okay! These were professional reptile handlers! All the dangerous things would undoubtedly be in cages. Kaito reluctantly let go of Timothy-- was Tim always this small?? He was definitely snake-snack size-- to let him walk in with his mother, catching the door as walked in last. It was fine, this was perfectly--OH GOD!

Kaito quickly moved forward, grabbing Tim’s shoulder-- who was looking in wonder at the snake-- and ignoring his sons annoyed, “Hey!” as he moved the kid behind him, reaching out and grasping Kokich’s arm to pull him back a step too, glancing at Maki and Shuichi to make sure they were both still clear as he said, “W-woah, that’s… th-that’s something! Let’s give the keeper some space, we don’t wanna… crowd her…”

Maki snickered, but Shuichi ignored all of this, smiling wide as he said, looking a little flushed from excitement, “Uh… thank you. And thank you for your patience, I know my partner put down a payment some time ago. We’ve really only just had a chance to follow through on this now.”

Timothy sidestepped Kaito, getting in front of him, though Kaito put his hand on his shoulder again as Timothy asked, “Is that Uncle Shuichi’s new snake? Can I pet it?”

“No.” Kaito said.

“If she doesn’t mind.” Maki said at the same time.

Kokichi made a little squeaking noise as Kaito suddenly pulled him back, and while he could understand...he still sent Kaito a little annoyed look. Kaito had relented on letting Shuuichi wear Pandora back at the petting zoo, and had been fine with Kokichi petting her, and that snake was maybe twice the size of this one. But...he could understand Kaito being a little more high strung this time. 

‘The hot one’s frightened,’  Gret ‘said’, and if she weren’t in front of customers, Stam would’ve rolled her eyes to the moon. Her coworker had said that Kaito Momota, who had put down a down payment for a very specific kind of snake as a pet for his partner had been a jumpy fellow, but they neglected to mention the guy was a herpetophobe. 

Oh well. She still had a deal to make, and either way they already had the money. 

Shaking her head, Stam grinned at Shuuichi. “I’m just glad you could make it--and I know your future friend won’t mind the wait either.”

Smiling more gently, Stam crouched down on a knee--though she didn’t come closer to the child and Kaito before doing so--and gently unwound her snake to lay down her arm, its head in her palm. Gret only lethargically blinked, nestling slowly into her hand. “Sorry, this is my buddy Gret, but neither of us mind if you want to pet him--stroke with your hand flat, going away from his head like this, see?”

She demonstrated, Gret completely unbothered and aloof, before giving Kaito a charming smile. “I’ve had Gret for eight years; practically geriatric for ratsnakes, and I raised him myself since he was a hatchling. He’s very calm, and is used to our visitors handling him.”

Gret blinked, his tongue flicking out of his puppy mouth. ‘You’re no spring chicken yourself, bitch.’

Timothy lit up, about to take a step forward…

Maybe she shouldn’t have been, but Maki was surprised when she saw him hesitate, before glancing up at Kaito. “...No?” Tim asked, confirming.

Kaito frowned, rubbing the back of his neck “...just do it exactly how the keeper said. And back up if it gets… excited.”

Timothy nodded, before walking up to the snake keeper, carefully petting the snake the way she had shown him, clearly extremely impressed with it, “...it’s really smooth.” Tim observed, before backing away, heading back towards Kaito. “Where your snake, Uncle Shuichi?”

“I still have to pick him out.” Shuichi explained, “Sorry, we haven't gotten your name yet…”

From around the corner, an extremely tall, very skinny man with baggy eyes and a crew-cut came out holding a heavy looking turtle, who seemed a bit non-plussed about this. The man was clearly struggling with the weight, but managed to get the turtle over to a table he was bringing it to, near a sink in the corner, and wiping some sweat off his brow, said with an accent not unlike Ikou’s, “That’s Stam. I’m Rick. Welcome to the Center. Ya’ll the royal family, right? Finally came in for your snake, did’ja? Was worried you went and got cold feet.”

Kaito grinned uneasily-- this had been the man he had talked to last time-- and siad, “No, no! We still very much want the snake and the terrarium!”

“Ready for it to be delivered then? Can send some of the boys to install it now, they ain’t doing much else. Should be making them clean the turtles, but my damn bleeding heart can’t bear to watch the poor old man suffer through them clumsy hands, no sir.” Rick snorted, taking a brush and getting started on cleaning of the old turtle, who again, looked mildly annoyed with this, “Softie that I am. Ain’t that right, Stam? Too good for my own good, that’s what I always say.”

Stam looked over, smiling so sweetly her lips might as well have been spun sugar. “Right you are, Chez-sama. Nothing more true has ever been said.”

Kokichi’s eyes widened, shocked with that level of open animosity. He had...never really seen anyone act like that in public before. 

Laying Gret back around her shoulders, Stam turned back to the royal family. “Shall we take a look at the terrariums first, then? There’s not much variety in the size of terrarium the snakes that fit your criteria require, I’m afraid, but there are a few lighting options available, and, of course, the basic furniture that your payment covered. We also sell additional accessories, so you’re free to pick out more to your heart and wallet’s content.”

“That would give the boys some time to set up the terrarium so it’s all ready by the time you’re heading home with your new friend.”

‘She seems nice.’ Kaito thought, watching the cute interaction between the two coworkers. Rick had made him a little nervous both last time and this time-- there was something about the way he moved his hands that made Kaito uncomfortable. And his eyes didn’t follow movement… and he had been surrounded by snakes.-- but Stam seemed really polite and friendly and sweet. Kaito was glad they’d be picking their items out with her, it seemed.

Rick snorted with his old man turtle, and said, “You just let me know when ya’ll got yourselves figured out, them boys will be up that hill and in the castle before you all walked out of here with your ‘friend’. How many floors up is the room they setting it up in?”

“Three.” Shuichi said, looking fondly at Gret, hoping he’d get to a point with his own snake where it’d be that comfortable just hanging around him.

Rick snorted again, “I’ll send Bobby, then. Some other poor son-of-a-devil gotta go with him cause that’s just the breaks, but Bobby about to learn all that lip of his ain’t put him in my good graces. All the way up the hill and up a three floor castle staircase. Ooooh yeah, they about to have a day of it.” Rick chuckled.

“Let’s go see the terrariums!” Shuichi said, looking excited for this, but also just really wanting to meet the snakes. He was so excited!

Stam’s expression didn’t really change, but Gret nestled around her shoulder, and the two of them took great glee that Gret’s laughs conveyed. Rick was a dick, but Bobby was a straight-up asshole and yes those things were different. There was a reason she was out on the floor most often and Bobby got cleaning duty.

Picking out the terrariums and included accoutrement went well, and Kokichi had a good time admiring all the work that went into the various snake hideyholes, Stam happy to explain the craftspeople they partnered with and all the specifications snakes needed and enjoyed in their “furniture”.

But the main event was what everyone was looking forward to. 

“Alright!” Stam brightly said, leading them over to just...a wall of large terrariums, filled mostly with snakes of all shapes and sizes, but transitioning into other smaller reptiles as the wall went on and around a corner. Kokichi’s eyes grew wide and shiny in awe as he took it in, though he focused when Stam did a small flourish in front of a terrarium at eye level. 

“This is the first snake we have for your consideration. He’s a male ball python--the best snake to have as a beginner--about twelve years old. Ball pythons live to about thirty in captivity, so you two would have a long time together! He was a classroom snake for eight years, so he’s very used to being handled by small children, and many of them at a time--a really patient fellow, this one!”

‘A juvenile and a hatchling on the way? Aw, what darlings~’  The snake in the terrarium cooed, peering out through the glass. 

“Would you like to hold him, or wait until you’ve seen the other two first?” Stam asked, more confident in these folks. If a pet was interested in the people too, it was usually a good sign. 

Shuichi’s eyes were sparkling, while Kaito looked warily from behind him. He had known Shuichi was going to hold the snake… but ngh. Still, eight years with small kids? That sounded alright…

“Yes, please! Can I hold him while we look at the others?” Shuichi asked, looking excited.

“...” Maki smirked, “Are you going to be okay? You’re losing color.”

“Whose losing color? I’m fine.” Kaito whispered back, though his eyes dilated as Stam pulled the-- large it seemed kinda big, didn’t it??-- snake out of the terrarium, gently and carefully showing Shuichi how to hold it --oh god oh god his pregnant boyfriend had a snake on him this was madness-- Kaito jolted as Maki patted his arm sympathetically.

“Why are you so nervous? It’s not a bird.” Maki whispered, Timothy reaching out to pet the snake a little as it wrapped around Shuichi’s arm, the snake booping Tim’s hand with its little nose, Timothy looking very much his age as he stared in wonder at that. “When did you develop a fear of snakes? I saw you poke a snake with a stick once to impress a group of kids.”

“I was young and stupid… I don’t know. I have no idea.” Kaito admitted, shrugging nervously, “Snakes have never been a factor before. Turns out! They make me nervous. Who knew?”

Kokichi was right in line with Tim, giving the python a pet and delighting in its cool, smooth texture. What a little sweetie…

Stam led them over to the next tank, and it was clear that the center had prepared for this visit, as this tank was at eye level as well. It was just poor business to make their pregnant patron have to bend over!

“This dear is a female hognose--see the way her snout is turned up? Hognoses live to about 20 years in captivity, and she’s six--one in a long line of family snakes! Her previous owner was a skilled breeder and reared her from the egg, but they were moving out of town and didn’t want to risk her health trying to move. Hognoses are generally considered a more intermediary kind of snake, but not because of temperament.” Stam smiled gently at that and gave Kaito a reassuring nod.

“They’re actually highly timid creatures who hide or play dead in the face of stress. Really, the most unlikely thing a hognose could ever to even to someone trying to harm it is bite,” she explained. “The slight raise in difficulty, compared to that Ball there, is that hognoses need substrate to burrow in. They feel safe when they can burrow their body in sand or reptile soil. That can make cleaning a bit more of a chore.”

‘That hot one makes me nervous… But the one with the hatchling feels calm. I think I could be happy with him…’  

Mm, more sketchy, but they’d see…

“Oh course, you don’t have to make a decision now, but what do you think about her, sir? The next snake is also good for beginners, so you shouldn’t have to make a decision based upon skill level.”

Shuichi was still happily petting the ball python, entirely happy with the sweet thing… but oooooh, she was beautiful. What a pretty snake… hmmmm, the extra work might not be a good idea for his first snake, but…

Shuichi smiled, “...can I hold her too?”

Kaito was getting twitchy as he watched Shuichi’s other arm was suddenly filled with snake, though this one needed to be handled a little bit like an infant, curling into a ball as Shuichi gently carried it. Two snakes. Two snakes. Twice the ability to strangle his incredibly pregnant boyfriend…!!

“Ooooooh.” Timothy said in genuine appreciation, though Timothy, to his extreme credit, didn’t approach to pet this snake. Even the nine year old able to sense that this snake might be more skittish than the other one and not wanting to overwhelm it. “Are you going to get two snakes, Uncle Shuichi?”

“Your father would kill me.” Shuichi snorted. “No, I’m just getting to know them. May we see the last one as well?”

What a cute little nose!! Kokichi had seen illustrations of burrowing snakes, but most of the snakes he’d seen in person were the ones in the garden. Which might’ve burrowed, he didn’t know, but they mostly slid along in the grass. 

Stam, in direct contrast with Kaito, got more confident with Shuuichi’s request. This guy really loved snakes. Any one he’d take home would be well cared for, she could tell. 

The next snake they came to was more visually striking than the other two, but smaller as well. Doing her same little flourish, Stam said, “And here we are with number three! He’s a male cornsnake, just four years old, but particularly friendly, even for a cornsnake. They live to about 20, just like that hognose, and this little fella lived with this sweet old woman until just a few months ago, actually. However, we’ve had him out for demonstrations when school and camp trips come by, and he never as much as twitched his tail. Cornsnakes aren’t related to rattlesnakes, but they do have the same stress warning of shaking their tails.”

The snake in the terrarium lifted its head a little, calm, but interested in the people right outside its home. 

‘Oooh, they’re so beautiful! I feel like we could have a lot of fun!’

“Wow, Kokichi, look at his coloring.” Shuichi gushed, bouncing on his heels once, before settling down, remembering the curled up snake cradled in his arm. “So pretty…”

“...okay, be serious with me.” Maki said, watching Kaito go increasingly pale, “Are you about to vomit?”

As Kaito watched the lady take the smaller snake out of its cage, and curl it around Shuichi’s neck, he gasped, “I may pass out before that becomes a factor.”

“Okay, okay, hold onto me… you will not pass out in front of our son, Kaito Momota. Keep it together.” She demanded quietly, letting Kaito put some of his weight onto her shoulder, while she rubbed his back before briefly pinching it, “Breathe in when you feel a squeeze, breathe out when I let go. In… out… I mean it don’t you dare pass out… in…”

“I think you should just get all three.” Timothy advised, as Shuichi laughed a little, looking positively euphoric as the three snakes hung around him. Like Shuichi had said before, this was probably the most self-indulgent thing he had done in his life, and he was enjoying just...having fun with it.

“I think even if Kaito wouldn’t hate that iea, I probably can’t handle three snakes...they are all precious though… oh nooooo, how do I choose?” Shuichi laughed, looking at the three snakes, “Kokichi, any thoughts?”

The hognose curled into Shuuichi’s side at the bounces, but she didn’t seem distressed--merely nervous. 

Kokichi oohed and ahhed at the cornsnake--a bright, glossy red with thin pale yellow stripes in between, a cute little Y of ‘em right on his head. A gorgeous snake for sure! 

And an adventurous one too, it seemed, as the cornsnake lifted his head into just the very ends of Shuuichi’s hair, and maybe Kokichi was projecting, but it seemed like he was enjoying himself too. 

Biting his lip, Kokichi let out a soft groan. “I don’t knoooow… They all seem lovely. The Ball seemed curious about Tim, but he’s pretty calm...and if he was a class pet, then I think he could handle all sorts of antics going on at home. I may be reading it wrong, but the hognose seems to like you, though...and it might be good for Kai-chan’s heart to have a snake whose first instinct is to hide or shy away. Nnng, but the cornsnake is so pretty! And curious!”

“Though,” Kokichi laughed softly, “Curious might not be what we’re looking for. There’s a lot of places an escapee snake could get lost in at home…”

“That’s true, that’s true… Kaito? Maki, what do you think?” Shuichi asked, calling over his shoulder to them, eyes sparkling.

“Nngrh?” Kaito… ‘said’. Leaning against Maki.

“What are the options?” Maki called back.

“Friendly, beautiful or curious?”

“...the turtle seemed nice!” Kaito managed to get out.

“Go friendly!” Maki called back, before whispering to Kaito, “Straighten up. Tim and your partners are looking.”

Kaito straightened up, breathing through his nose and giving them a thumbs up, “F-friendly’s good!”

“Yeah? A big ol’ friendly snake… what do you think?” Shuichi asked the snake curled on his arm, something dangerously sounding like a ‘coo’ in his voice, “Do you wanna come home with me? We got you a big terrarium. The girls are gonna looove you~.”

“Dad didn’t want me to show Kim and Cali your snake.” Tim reminded his uncle, still petting the friendly snake.

Shuichi gave Tim a small wink. “I’ll talk to him about it. Do you like the snake, Timothy?”

“It’s… pretty cool.” Tim admitted, high praise from the nine year old.

‘Girls? There are more juveniles around?’  the ball snake questioned, seeming interested at the prospect. ‘This one tastes so kind, too… He is gentle, and speaks nicely… I would love to live with him!’  The snake settled comfortably around Shuuichi’s arm, closing his eyes in contentment and flicking his tongue out, tasting all sorts of good smells from the man carrying a clutch. 

And, really, that was a ringing endorsement if Stam ever heard one. Sure, she had asked these three ahead of time if they wanted to be adopted, so they were already in that mindset, but still! It spoke good things. Being able to talk to reptiles wasn’t the most flashy kind of magic, but Stam had certainly found a good use for it, and it tended to mean fewer accidents in the center and reptiles getting good homes. 

Bringing her hands up in delight--though not actually clapping to avoid spooking the snakes--Stam grinned at the patrons. “So you’re thinking the Ball? What a lucky guy. I’m sure you two will bond more, but do you have any ideas for names? You can certainly fill it in yourself, but we can finish up your pet registry if you have one in mind.”

“Mmmmm… I’m not sure…” Shuichi hummed, still taking his opportunity to pet the other snakes as well, “... what about…” Shuichi paused, before smiling, “Nee-Nee?”

Timothy raised an eyebrow, “Nini? N. I. N. I?”

“Even better.” Shuichi laughed, “Nini.”

“Why? Does it mean something?”

“Not that I’m aware of. I just like the way it sounds.” Shuichi smiled, looking entirely at peace with this, “Nini… what do you think, Kokichi?”

“Nini…” Kokichi repeated, seeing how the name felt in his mouth. It was short and affectionate… He looked at the ball python, and tried to imagine Shuuichi out on a sunny day, his snake around his shoulders and talking idly to it. Could Kokichi envision him calling him Nini?

Kokichi broke out into an approving smile, giving a nod. “I like it.”

Shuichi beamed, looking over behind him as he shouted (not loud, just enough to be heard), “Kaito, Maki! I’m gonna name him Nini! What do you think?”

Kaito was laying down on the floor while an extremely disappointed Maki fanned him with a napkin. Kaito lifted a thumbs up. “Very cute, Shuichi. You guys look at the other animals here, me and Kaito are going to go get some air.” Maki sighed, sounding very unimpressed.

“Okay!” Shuichi looked back at Stam. “Is it alright if we look around a bit?”

Kokichi looked over as well, his eyes widening with concern as he saw Kaito laid out, but...Maki would take care of him, and Kokichi would take care of Shuuichi. Kaito was really brave to even stick around this long. 

“Aw, lovely, Nini it is!” Stam politely cheered, though she actually did walk towards Kaito and Maki with a concerned look on her face. “Is everything alright, sir? We do have a lobby area just to the right of the entrance if you find yourself wanting a seat.”

But ever customer-facing, she turned back to give Shuuichi a nod. “That’s more than alright! Though, I will ask to bring Miss Hognose and Mr. Cornsnake back to their terrariums. We will be providing a complementary carrying case to you, but if you would like to take your time looking around to bond with Nini as well, you are more than welcome to.”

Kaito gurgled something. “He says he’s fine.” Maki interpreted, “Tim! Stay with your uncles!”

“Kay!”

“Yes ma’am!”

“Yes, ma’am.” Timothy corrected himself, watching as the other snakes were gently put back, giving them both a little wave. “Bye… I hope you get adopted soon.”

Shuichi was carrying the cage, Nini still wrapped around his arm, and he said gently to Tim, “I’m sure they will be, Tim. They’re very nice snakes.”

“Mmmm…” Tim looked at the cage and wordlessly went to take it from Shuichi, carrying it for him. Shuichi quietly allowing him to do so.

‘What a polite juvenile… Farewell, young one!’

‘Oh… Thank you very much…’

Nini, ‘hearing’ the goodbyes of the other snakes, slithered up to drape over Shuuichi’s shoulder, feeling proud already that his new companion’s juvenile was a kind person. Yes...this would be a good family to be a part of. 

Kokichi smiled softly, his heart melting a bit at Tim’s wave, though he gave them a wave too as Stam returned them to their terrariums. Looked like Tim was firmly on the pro-snake side of their family. “They’re so sweet, I’m almost tempted to adopt one myself...but I think Kai-chan would draw the line there. And I don’t think I have the time to properly care for a new pet either…”

Giving Shuuichi and Tim a bright smile, Kokichi tilted his head to the side. “Do you just want to continue down this wall?”

“Oh, yes,” Stam gently spoke up. “I’ll get your adoption papers in order while you look around, but--this wall is all our scaly guests that are available for adoption, from snakes, to various lizards like gnolls and geckos, to small turtles, and while they aren’t reptiles, we do house and care for frogs as well. If you have any questions about any of them, please ask away!”

“Along the other side of the main floor,” she gestured to where the wall of tanks opened up, “We have accessories and equipment. We also sell food, but access is restricted, so please ask if you’re interested in buying any from us today.”

Timothy’s eyes widened in ever increasing wonder. Glancing down the hall in ever increasing anticipation. He had seen geckos in the wild before, but they always scurried away when he got close… could he pet a frog? Would they squish???

“Let’s go, Kokichi.” Shuichi said… before smirking at him, “You wanna hold Nini?”

Kokichi’s eyes glittered with excitement, though he didn’t quite raise his hands to transfer the snake just yet. “Can I?”

“Niiniiii.” Shuichi coo’d gently, pulling on the snake carefully to uncurl him, “Go say hi to Kokichi.”

Shuichi was careful to use both hand to put Nini around Kokichi, and a testament to the snakes history of being handled, he went easily along with it, apparently entirely undisturbed, just loosely coiling himself around Kokichi’s shoulders and blipping out his tongue to keep track of everything. Shuichi looked Kokichi over with the snake and laughed, “Thank god Kaito went outside. He’s going to have a conniption. We easily got the biggest snake here.”

Kokichi blissfully smiled when he felt Nini’s weight settle around his shoulders, the snake making small adjustments to, presumably, keep balance or get comfortable, but not moving much more than that, seemingly calm and happy to be along for the ride. Kokichi made a small excited noise as he gently stroked down Nini’s body, that cool smoothness never getting old. 

“But he’s an absolute sweetheart,” Kokichi countered, even knowing that it might be years before Kaito saw it that way, if he did at all. “...and, honestly, I think seeing all three of the snakes on you might’ve been worse for him than just seein’ me and Nini.”

“Even if he’s almost as long as I am tall,” Kokichi softly laughed.

-

Outside…

“I regret all of my choices.”

“Mmmhm.”

“I take it all back. We’re not getting a snake.”

“Let it all out, big guy.”

“They were moving on top of him.”

“That they were.” Maki agreed, patting Kaito’s back a little while her friend spat up a little on the side of the building. “Though, I do think you’re overreacting. You do not have a phobia of snakes.”

“Maybe I do??”

“No, you just got over-excited and freaked yourself out.” Maki rolled her eyes, sitting with him as Kaito slumped onto his back, apparently done sorta-vomiting, “You do this all the time. You get all in your head and do this whole internal echo-chamber thing until you feel the emotion you're fixated on times a thousand. Once you calm down, you’re going to remember you’re not afraid of snakes.”

“I do not do that! My emotions are both entirely rational and consistent!”

“You remember that time someone convinced you they had heard someone planning to put glass in all the royals drinks and you got all hyped up that you refused to drink even water in a clear glass?”

“It was a threat! That was serious!”

“Okay, you remember starting the rumor that there was ghost in the storage attic of the school building and then you told that story and heard it so many times that you cried when we finally went to the attic to find the ghost that you made up?”

“I was a kid! I got overexcited!”

“That is literally my point. Remember when you heard ‘voices’ for years because you told someone your daydreams and they told you it was voices and you heard that so much that you believed it?”

“I…!’ Kaito hesitated, “...that one felt more real…”

Maki rolled her eyes, “But it wasn’t. It was just a game of pretend that got wildly out of hand. You just convinced yourself it was real because your emotions snowballed.”

“I… yeah, I guess so…” Kaito shrugged, before glancing at Maki, “...so you think me being afraid of snakes is me freaking myself out cause, like… I’m just thinking about it too much right now?”

“I think if you were afraid of snakes we would have known about it by now. We came across snakes in the desert all the time, riding horseback. You showed off how brave you were poking one big one with a stick. You literally watched Shuichi hold one at the fair that was twice the bulk of the one he just picked out-”

“Ugh.” Kaito gasped, “It was big, wasn’t it…”

“You’re just psyching yourself out. You are not afraid of snakes.” Maki said, “You’re just… full of emotions right now and pointing them snakewards.”

“...yeah, maybe…” Kaito sighed, “...I do feel a little better having thrown up. Maybe I should try going in again? I don’t like leaving them alone in there without either of us.”

Maki shrugged, “They’ll be fine. Give yourself another few minutes, and we’ll go in.”

-

Kokichi was in heaven. He, Shuuichi, and Tim had slowly gone around the terrariums, looking at all the reptiles, when a certain kind of lizard had caught his eye. It was grey with a few lighter spots, had those cute, bulbous eyes, and its toes were wider than some of the other lizards they had passed. 

He’d asked Stam what it was, and she explained that it was a leafy-toed gecko. Kokichi’s eyes had shined. And after another explanation of the more skittish creature, how to run your hands under it like a treadmill, instead of trying to grab it if it started running, Kokichi was holding the small gecko, feeling that almost fine-velvet feeling of its feet as it plodded around on his hands. 

His smile was ear to ear as he held the gecko, a lightness about him that was hard not to smile along with. 

“Careful.” Shuichi smirked, Nini chilling out around his shoulders, Nini having decided that his hat was a good place to perch his head, “You’re gonna get attached.”

A little ways off, Timothy was staring intensely at a big, warty toad frog… it stared intensely back… Timothy kinda wanted to poke it…

Kokichi glanced his enormous, shimmery eyes up at Shuuichi for just a moment, more focused on not dropping the gecko, though it had certainly calmed down from when Stam had first handed the little creature over. “It’s just… I’ve read about these guys, you know? People always described how amazing they were… I’m getting to see it for myself now…”

“...I really don’t have the time for a pet…”

The two men seemingly settled, Stam came over to Timothy, gesturing gently to the toad the boy was having a staring contest with. “Would you like to hold this lady? It seems you’ve really gotten her attention.”

Timothy glanced up at the strange snake lady, quickly standing up and taking a quick step away from her, before glancing at the toad that had kept his attention… “Yes, ma’am.” he said softly, looking at the lady toads warty, bulbous body.

“Alright! She’s certainly large and in charge, so I can keep her steady if you’d like to pet her first, but when holding her, you’re going to want to hold around her middle. She’s going to be a little squishy, but don’t squeeze--she’ll be steady.” 

‘Hello, miss. This tadpole would like to hold you for a moment, if you please.’

Calming the creature, Stam gently took the toad out of her terrarium, indeed holding her around her middle, almost like a hamburger. Giving Tim an encouraging smile--while the toad continued to stare fixated on the boy--Stam said, “Okay, here we are. Toads don’t really appreciate people grabbing their arms and legs, but everywhere else is okay to touch.”

Timothy carefully mimicked the womans hold, the hair on his arms standing up as he picked up her squishy middle, the toad staring fixedly on him… Timothy staring fixedly back. A little frozen, honestly, unsure what to do by this point. He had never been this intrigued or freaked out at the same time before. She was so… odd… and squishy…

Out of nowhere, the toads neck expanded like a balloon, as a high pitched, “CHRRRRRRRRP!” Sound rung out loudly throughout the center.

As Kaito and Maki walked in, Kaito looking a little better, he called out, “Back from getting air! How’s everything going in here?”

“Dad, can I get a toad?” Timothy called back.

“...What!?”

“CHRRRRRRRP!”

Kokichi turned to Kaito, eyes somehow even bigger and more shimmery than they had been before. “Kai-chan. This gecko is incredible! You’ve gotta hold him.”

“Oh my god we have to get these people out of here or we’re going home with the whole damn selection.” Kaito realized gravely. 

“You deal with Kokich, I’ll deal with Tim.” Maki whispered. 

“Do not let him bring that home with him, it sounds like a damn bell going off.”

“On it.”

Kaito and Maki split of, Kaito heading to Kokichi and Shuichi, breaking out into only a minor cold sweat seeing the, at least, only one snake now draped over his very pregnant boyfriend, before looking down at the… thing in Kokichi’s hands. “What is that, a… bearded dragon or something?” Kaito asked, the only ‘big lizard’ name he really knew off the top of his head, though he was pretty sure bearded dragons ahd little beards… or maybe he was just making that up because of the name. Either way, it had cold, lifeless rings for eyes. Ah well, at least it wasn’t a snake. 

“Nn-mm,” Kokichi shook his head, still entranced by the creature, practically able to hear its steps making little ‘plop-plop-plop’ sounds despite them not really making any sort of sound. “He’s a leafy-toed gecko. They’re from the desert… They’re mostly nocturnal, though this one seems pretty alert right now, and...and they make squeaking noises when they’re alarmed and they eat bugs…”

Kokichi’s smile grew. “He’s so soft… Do you wanna hold him too? I’d always wanted to hold one before…”

“Uhhhh, yeah. Sure.” Kaito said uneasily, still glancing at… ‘Nini’ nervously every other second, before holding his hands out, palms up, like he was trying to cup water. He couldn’t see how this thing would be ‘soft’, but alright.

Over in the corner.

“I’ll name her Princess Warts.”

“You already have a pet. Chase. It’s literally a toad, it won’t do anything but sit there.”

“She will sleep on a sunny rock and stare into the void.”

“CHRRRRRRRRRP!”

“And she’ll make that noise sometimes. Absolutely not.”

“She loves me.”

“She’s a toad. Let someone who doesn’t sleep at night get a toad. ‘Princess Warts’ will keep you up at night.”

As Kaito got the reptile put into his hands… okay, he had to admit, that was pretty soft. It had a soft, pudgy little belly. The coloring was admittedly kinda cute… it was small in Kaito’s hands, it had looked bigger in Kokichi’s…

….annnnnd it was definitely peeing on him. 

Kaito sighed, “Very cute.”

Kokichi laughed sheepishly, his eyes finally returning to his usual huge size as he noticed a bit of liquid forming in Kaito’s hands. Pets did do that. Looking over, Kokichi got Stam’s attention. “Um, do you all have a sink we could use? There’s been a little accident…”

Getting up from supervising the tragically won’t be named Princess Warts, Stam headed back over to the other group, a hum in her throat as she gave Kaito an apologetic look, reaching up as an offer to take the gecko off his hands. “Sorry about that; this usually means a critter’s had enough excitement for one day. Yes, we have a sink and cleaning station. Let me just put this fellow back in his home and I’ll lead you over.”

With another sheepish look, Kokichi grinned up at his husband. “But it was really soft, right?”

“It was very soft.” Kaito agreed indulgently, quickly hurrying to the sink while Shuichi enjoyed looked at some very, very tiny, brightly colored frogs, with a sign warning DO NOT HANDLE on the cage. Pretty… Shuichi wasn’t sure why, but he vibed with these things… 

Washing his hands, he glanced at Kokichi, remembered the look on his face… and sighed, “Do you want the gecko thing?”

After gently apologizing again--and giving her own hands a wash--Stam headed back to Maki and Tim. While it was good to find their reptiles homes--the adoption fees and habitat purchases kept the conservation running for the most part--they were doing well enough that there wasn’t an incentive to push pets onto people. And it was generally waaaaay more trouble if folks had to bring an animal back...or if they decided to blame the center if something happened to their pet due to poor responsibility. If nothing else? This would be a good learning experience, and hopefully the family would return in the future, and spread the good word about the center. 

Accompanying Kaito to the sink, Kokichi looked at his husband in slight surprise before a half-guilty look crossed over his face. “It’s very cool, but no. We have a daughter on the way, and Shuu-chan’s already getting a snake… And you’re getting your fish at some point. We have enough responsibilities to look after.”

A blissful look returned to Kokichi’s face. “But I’m happy I got to hold that kind of gecko. It definitely was on my ‘life experiences’ list.”

Kaito laughed, drying his hands before gently pressing a kiss to Kokichi’s temple, “Well, if you change your mind… we could figure something out. Still don’t think having it in the room with us is a good idea just cause of the heat lights and stuff, but we could work something out.”

“Can we work something out with Princess Wart?” Timothy called out, still holding the toad as Maki shrugged in exasperation behind him.

“CHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRP!”

“Nope. Absolutely not.” Kaito said dryly, “The whole castle would be able to hear that thing.”

Kokichi laughed softly. “I’d always read about frog chirps at night being kind of soothing, but it might be a little jarring to hear her out of nowhere. I have no idea how Chase would react to suddenly having a new sibling too. She’s well-behaved, but she loves Tim so much...I think she might be a little jealous with his attention brought to a new girl.”

“Chase is a good girl. She would take care of her sibling.” Timothy said sagely, entirely certain of this.

“Yeah, yeah, let’s put Princess Wart back in her throne room, alright?” Kaito huffed, heading over to his son, ready to have the final say in this. Timothy openly pouted/glared at him, but gave the toad up willingly as Kaito picked it up, putting it back in the open cage beside Tim. “And let’s go wash our hands again, okay? That thing was wet.”

“She wasn’t wet when I was holding her.”

“Dammit… are they just holding it in for me or what??”

Stam kept her smile just for herself, though she could hear Gret’s soft hissing laughs right by her ear. Animals were masters of body language, and there was only so much Stam could do to explain things to the reptiles. If someone was as nervous as Kaito was, then the animals would get nervous too. And for non-life-and-death but still unnerving experiences, that usually meant peeing. 

As the man and his son washed up, Stam looked to the rest of the group, her gaze landing on Shuuichi. “Is there anything else you’d like to look at? Your papers are all ready to sign whenever it suits you, and I can check you out as well if there’s anything more you’d like to purchase.”

Shuichi contently shook his head, “I’m good on other purchases, thank you. Thank you so much for your help today. Let me go ahead and sign what I need to.”

Kaito sighed, “Alright, good… now it's just a matter of getting that thing home. Hopefully the terrarium will be set up and ready to go. Come on guys, let’s head out, if you want more reptile time, this place isn’t going anywhere. We don’t have to bring them home.” he reminded them sternly, Timothy giving Princess Wart a sad wave, looking entirely pitiful. “Come on, let’s go.”

Oh well… They’d probably come back for supplies and accessories at some point. 

As Stam led Shuuichi over to a surface he could write on, demurely explaining that she was delighted to be able to help them out today, Princess Wart still never broke her gaze from Timothy. As the group walked away, she put a little toad hand on the glass of her terrarium, letting loose one more croak. 

‘One day my prince shall return.’

-

Shuichi hadn’t gotten any accessories for the terrarium, because he had thought the ones in the terrarium he had picked were coming with it.

And Kaito realized with rapid apprehension that he was, apparently, going to be going back the center as his boyfriends eyes started to water, his lips starting to warble as he watched his massive snake curl into the corner, “Oh, I’m so stupid-”

“Hey, hey, no you’re not, come here.” Kaito insisted, pulling Shuichi into a hug, kissing at his cheek while Shuichi continued to sniffle.

“No, I am, look at him, Nini’s going to sit in a big empty box for his first night home and I’m gonna be a terrible father--”

“Okay, no, no, look, the snakes gonna be just fine, we’ll go back to the center-”

“-my hips hurt, I was really looking forward to taking a bath-”

“-I will go back to the center and get it it-”

“-Nini-”

“I will get Nini all the weird little holey branches and half cave stone things a giant reptile abomination could ask for, okay?”

“...you’ll get nice ones?” Shuichi sniffled.

“Uhhhhh, yes.”

“You don’t know what that means, bring Kokichi with you.”

“Kokichi went to the office, I don’t want to interrupt-”

“I don’t want Nini to have bad furniture-”

“I will ask him if he’s up to going back.” Kaito said, just barely resisting the urge to roll his eyes directly at Shuchi. “Go, take your bath, by the time you’re out and dressed, Nini will have all that stuff you saw in the display terrarium.”

Sniffle, “...yeah?”

“Yeah.”

-

Kaito knocked on Kokichi’s office door and then thumped his head against it, “‘Kichi. I gotta go run an errand back at the center… I need you to either come or tell me the name of things… either’s fiiiiiine… ‘Kiiiiiichi?”

Nadya was already gone by the time they came back to the castle, but Kokichi still had wanted to try and get some work done. The office was...emptier, these days, what with Nadya off more because the season was on. But still Kokichi was managing to get done more or less as much as he had been able to just by himself, and in far less time which he was delighted to spend with his family. 

That all to say, there wasn’t really anything holding him in the office today. 

Opening up the door, Kokichi looked up at Kaito in surprise. “I’ll come, sure, but...what’s up? Did we forget something?”

Kaito sighed warily, “The terrarium they installed in Shuichi’s study literally just has a heat lamp in it and a water bowl and Shuichi’s decided this means he’s going to be a terrible father. So, I gotta be a good other parent to this monstrosity we’ve brought into the castle and go get it… sticks or something. And Shuichi wanted me to bring you because I called the snake furniture sticks or whatever.”

Kokichi snorted, but it was followed by a worried sigh. “Aw, poor Nini… I suppose we all could’ve been more clear on that front, both them and us. Alright, we should get a big hidey-hole, something that Nini can completely fit under or in, and something that he can climb and bask closer to the lamp on…”

Taking Kaito’s hand, Kokichi quietly mused about the supplies and enrichment their new family member needed. He was all that brushed up on snakes, admittedly, but he knew some things. And he’d ask this time if there was anything the staff at the center would recommend. 

Thankfully, it wasn’t too long of a walk back to the center, and Kokichi just smiled back at Stam’s friendly, if momentarily surprised greeting. “Oh! Welcome back, sirs! Is there anything I can help you with?”

“We need, uh...” Kaito tried to remember everything Kokichi had been talking about on the way down, “... big stick thing… hidey rock thing… can we have all the stuff you guys keep in the terrarium? I just got my allowance,” Kaito decided, shrugging with an internal ‘fuck it why not’, “Just give us all the good stuff that makes snakes and pregnant boyfriends happy… please. And thank you.”

She caaaaalled it. 

Smiling kindly, Stam nodded and started to lead them over to where all the accessories were. “Sure enough. Everything a friendly ball python and a new owner could want.”

Nabbing a basket to carry everything, Stam went around, lightly explaining about the items she was selecting, and offering up simple choices to the two men--similar things in various colors or styles. A trick she’d picked up from friends in other retail jobs--when picking out a gift for someone else, it really made your customer feel like they had chosen the item, and they could brag about it later to the recipient. A simple thing to create a pleasant shopping experience. 

Not too long after, Stam was placing the snake furniture in a bag for ease of carrying home, ringing the princes up. “And that comes out to...60 copper, please.”

“Thaaaaank you, Queen Kaede and the bright, glorious Kingdom of Dicea.” Kaito muttered, digging out a gold piece and a silver from his coin purse, thinking about making a donation to the center overall-- money for Princess Wart’s comfort, he supposed-- but… mmmm, he still had to send Seiko her cut for this payout, and he had to put some money into the savings he had started quietly tucking away for Tim and Miya… eh, “Thank you so much for the help again.” Kaito grinned, putting the bag back into his pocket and picking up the various bags full of snake nonsense, “You ready, Kokichi?”

Heading outside of the center, Kaito sighed, taking in a deep breath, “Man, that place smells weird, doesn’t it? I’ve been in a place full of animals before, but nothing quite smelled like that. It wasn’t even bad. Just… weird.”

Kokichi gave Kaito a concerned look at his muttering. He...didn’t think it was bitter sarcasm, but…

He waved as Stam thanked them for coming by, taking Kaito’s sleeve instead of his hand, since they were full of bags. “I suppose so? I didn’t notice it all that much, to be honest. It smelled like...lamps and water. And a little like cleaning supplies. I guess that’s a good indication they take good care of all the animals.” He didn’t really know enough about reptiles to say, on the whole, if they looked happy, but...that was the sort of vibe he got too. 

“...Kai-chan? Thanks for being such a good sport about all this… I haven’t seen Shuu-chan look that excited about something in…” Kokichi trailed off before laughing slightly. “Since you gave him the donation certificate? You’re a really good partner, hun.”

“I can help set Nini up, though, if you’re all snaked out for t-”

...it was sudden. Kokichi just...stopping dead, his eyes wide and alarmed, but...but he didn’t know what…

...he felt an alarmed panic wash over him, but...there was nothing going on and...he didn’t…

-

Be… b-be brave, Chibi Kaito! Big Kokichi was counting on you!!

ヽ(#`Д´)ﾉ[  ] ♩♪ SIGN THE DAMN VISITOR SHEET! SIGN IT YOU BITCH!! ♩♪

Madam Yubaba raised a thin, finely plucked eyebrow on her massive, wrinkled face, very unimpressed with this small… defense? Could you even call it a defense? What was that little feline abomination teaching this child… “Shoo. Shoo.” she said to the doll, shuffling it aside with her massive fan, ignoring the clipboard it kept trying to shove at her legs. 

“Prince Kokichi? Where are you hiding? I don’t care what you’re doing, get in here, I’m done turning a blind eye to such rudeness. Get out here young man… where is he?” The large, older woman grumbled to herself, knocking on the door in the void again. Honestly, if he was going to ignore her, she was going to break in…

-

Kaito glanced down at the gasp, and immediately stopped, seeing the paleness in his husbands already usually alarmingly pale face. Putting down the bags, Kaito took Kokichi’s wrist and immediately put his thumb on his pulse, saying, “Hey, hey, you good? Do we need to sit down?”

Kokichi’s eyes were looking around, but almost unseeing, not able to focus on anything as everything in his body screamed, “BE ALARMED!” but not what he should be alarmed to. He could feel his heart picking up, and...he didn’t know! He wanted to run away or find somewhere to hide or scream for help but...he didn’t know from what!

Just barely able to focus on Kaito through the panic, Kokichi nodded, trying to take deeper breaths to calm down. “I-I...let’s sit…”

-

The void was just as blank and as impenetrable as ever, with the exception of a scattering of confetti by the door. A door locked, literally and figuratively, and for those who didn’t have a key, or weren’t invited in? It would not budge.

“Oh honestly… rudeness begets rudeness. Now I have to be the bad guy. Entirely to no fault of my own, of course.” Yubaba huffed, brushing the confetti off her dress as best she could, already aware her hair in this consciousness was a lost cause. “Now, how to get in… you.” She said, narrowing her eyes at the musical, clipboard wielding doll, “Come here.”

She reached down, picking up the small figure by the scruff of its neck-- it was wearing a little cape, which made for easy snagging with her long, sharp fingernails-- and lifted it up to eye level, focusing her large eyes on the small, beady eyed creature, “You’re going to let me in.”

₍₍ ◝(•̀ㅂ•́)◟ ⁾⁾

(⑉･̆⌓･̆⑉)

༶ඬ༝ඬ༶

“Oh, don’t get all weepy on me. Takes all the fun out of threatening you.” Yubaba scolded, shaking the doll a little, “Open the door, little construct, or you’re about to fill your masters head with what’s it liked to be swallowed whole-”

“PUT HIM DOWN NOW.”

Yubaba raised her eyebrow again, before sighing. “Not the empath I want to talk to right now, feline. Run home, kitty cat.”

The massive panther behind her growled, it coming from deep, deep within its stomach, stepping forward from the void, “You’re not welcome here. You will leave. NOW.”

-

“Okay, okay, we are ducking into this alley, let’s get you off the street.” Kaito murmured, noticing the panic starting to form on his husbands face and reacting how he would with Shuichi when he noticed a panic attack coming up. Get him away from people, find somewhere cool and private, get him sitting. Let’s go, let’s go.

Putting down the bags, Kaito glanced at the alley ground and took his jacket off, laying it down and helping Kokichi down as he said, “Take a seat, babe, keep breathing. Talk to me, what’s happening?”

Kokichi sat with his knees up, not quite fully putting his head between them, but propping his forehead up with them as he tried to keep from full-on panting. Oxygen would help! But he didn’t want to hyperventilate. 

Blindly grabbing to his side, Kokichi tried to hold Kaito’s hand with his own starting to shake one. “I don’t...I don’t know?! I’m...I just…” Kokichi swallowed, the panic almost feeling like cold waves regularly passing over him. Telling him there was danger, but not anything more. “Is… Am I...am I having a panic attack?”

-

...oddly enough, there was a slight wind starting to pick up in the void. However, it did not ruffle Chibi Kaito’s hair, nor did it breeze through Alter Ego’s fur.

Yubaba wrinkled her massive, hooked nose, the makeup caked onto her face breaking as her face moved. Windy… so he was paying attention. “Prince Kokichi! I demand an audience! I am Madam Yubaba-”

｡゜(｀Д´)゜｡ ♩♪ That is what the clipboard is for, dammit!! ♩♪

“- and you are making a grave error ignoring me-”

“I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE!” Alter Ego snarled, pouncing forward with a roar, ready to bite down and pull her out if he had too!

Madam Yubaba rolled her eyes, as the panther suddenly seemed to slooooow doooown midair, stepping a few feet aside, “Oh, please, abomination. You’re a mere infant trying to take on a High Class Witch. It’s pathetic.” she scolded, as time sped up, Alter Ego smacking into the door.

(●o≧д≦)o ♩♪ ALTER EGO!! ♩♪

“Oh, stop thrashing. This will all stop the second you open the door for me, won’t it? Be a good little doll and-” Yubaba started harshly shaking the chibi up and down by the cape, “Open. The. Door- oh, for goodness sake.” she huffed, as the panther shot up and, snagging the chibi from her hand in his jaw, leapt away from her. “You’re just delaying the inevitable, kitten. Give back the toy.” She demanded, turning to loom over the still dizzy panther, who got into a defensive stance, Chibi Kaito still hanging from its mouth. The power around her building... 

-

“It looks like it, babe.” Kaito said softly, taking Kokichi’s hand and careful to not initiate any other touch. Only what Kokichi initiated. Panic attacks would run through their course if you were careful, but it was easy to make them worse if you said or did the wrong thing. Just keep him talking, it’ll help regulate his breathing, “‘Kichi, look around. Try to tell me what you see. What’s in this alley with us?”

-

Kokichi squeezed Kaito’s hand tightly, trying to ground himself even as his shoulders started to tremble and sweat dripped down from his temples. He knew panic attacks weren’t exactly logical, but...why? They usually had some sort of trigger, but...he couldn’t think of anything. Not that he could think much at all around the pulsing, ‘danger, danger, danger!’ in his head. 

“...There’s...there’s trash cans...and...and external lights above...above the doors, and…” Kokichi cut himself off, pupils constricting even more as he curled into himself, a rush of fear just...just making him wish for no more. 

(Go away.)

-

For a moment, it was almost like...the void got really wide. Like a blanket getting caught in the wind and going extremely convex for a moment. But then, in just another moment, it snapped back, and with it was an absolute gale of wind, almost trying to push the thing it saw as an intruder--not a part of itself, and not a trusted friend--through the void and away.

“Oh, for… for pity’s sake! You won’t move me, chii-- AHHH!” Madam Yubaba’s feet got swept up from under her, her dress going over her head, old lady panties blowing in the breeze as she went- SWOOSH- out of the void.

It had been sudden, the void contracting and shoving Madam Yubaba in one huge gust of air, and even when she was gone, Alter Ego found himself pounced, growling, trying to intimidate her… before slumping onto his stomach, relieved, when he realized she was gone. Geez… crazy, entitled old broad… ugh his mouth was full of Chibi.

Lowering the small defense onto the ground, the massive panther shrunk and shrunk and shrunk… and the golden house cat sighed. “Okay, I can only imagine what’s happening out there. Chibi Kaito… Chibi Kaito, stop crying. Stand up, blow your nose on that cape, we need to go into Kokichi’s mind and reassure him everything is okay. Stand up, I mean it… okay, yes, now bloooow… good. You ready to go comfort?”

ʕ ಡ ﹏ ಡ ʔ

(　-。-)

且_(ﾟ◇ﾟ；)ノﾞ

“...pancakes? I mean… sure. Let’s try to give him pancakes. I guess that’s comforting.”

-

“That’s good, that’s good. What else? No detail is too small, babe, what’s around us?” Kaito said soothingly, letting Kokichi squeeze his hand as hard as he could, “Tell me all about the alley, and then we can talk about what’s wrong…”

“It’s…” Kokichi shivered. “...the ground is one of the older...brick models… It’s less trafficked so people decided it didn’t need to be redone, but...it gets recaulked if there are gaps or unevenness… That looks like a rosemary bush, over there...might be an herb garden or...just ‘cause someone likes the smell… I like that turtle painting on the faux window…”

He took a deep breath, somehow...feeling a little calmer, even as an exhausted tear rolled down his cheek. Shifting, Kokichi curled against Kaito, letting his body relax one bit at a time. “...I don’t know what happened…”

“...everything was fine… Then...I just...felt like I was on high alarm...but I didn’t know why…”

Kokichi sniffed softly. “...I want pancakes…”

“It can happen like that. I’ve seen Shuichi go through… hundreds feels like too big a number, dozens implies too few, but still quite a few. And some of them are just random. There’s no need to…” Kaito was going to say ‘be embarrassed’, but one of the worst panic attacks Kaito had accidentally triggered in Shuichi was telling him he didn’t need to be ‘this or that’ once he was calming down from one, which introduced the idea being those things to his friend, who had spiraled after that… not out of the danger zone yet. So instead he said, “worry. Everything is okay…”

Kaito lifted up to gently kiss all the individual joints in Kokichi’s knuckles, before saying softly, “You’re doing great… let’s take a few more breaths, wait until your heart rate is allll the way down, and we’ll go put some water and pancakes into you. What kind of pancakes do you want? Want a bunch of whip cream on them?”

...it was both comforting and alarming to learn that panic attacks really could come from nothing. Comforting, because it meant that Kokichi hadn’t just developed a new freak condition. But alarming, because it meant panic attacks could come from nowhere. He had had...depressive episodes, but Kokichi didn’t really equate them to how he’d just been feeling. It was almost like when he was freaking out over his surgery, but instead of a focused spiral, it had just been pure panic. 

Nodding slightly as Kokichi focused on his breathing, waiting to truly calm down, he took comfort in the kisses against his hand and curled more against Kaito. “...mhmm. And slices of strawberries on top. And...the fluffy kind of pancakes…”

“...but I just wanna go home…” he muttered, closing his eyes in slight embarrassment. He wasn’t sure where his sudden craving came from either, but...between stopping at a diner and getting back home, Kokichi really just wanted to be home.

“We can do both. We got a whole kitchen staff that adores you. Give them a half hour and you’ll have the fluffiest pancakes anyone’s ever seen. With all the strawberries and whip cream you can ask for.” Kaito assured him, risking a light kiss against Kokichi’s face, shifting his hand a little to feel Kokichi’s pulse. Still a bit of a thump… give it a few more minutes. “We’ll go home, and I’ll go talk to the kitchen, and while you get some rest, I’ll…” Kaito twitched, “...ask someone for help putting the stuff in the terrarium, and by the time I’m done, boom,” another little kiss, “Pancake central.”

“Thank you…” Kokichi breathed, nudging his head over just enough to place a soft kiss against Kaito’s cheek. “...I know it’s not my fault, but...sorry. I know today’s been hard enough. But I love you...and I really appreciate you… Kai-chan takes really good care of me.”

...he still had the rest of the walk home. He could do it, but...honestly, Kokichi wanted to curl right up into bed and eat a few pancakes before passing out for...a few hours at least. He didn’t think he’d need the whole day, but...it did look tempting. 

“...what are we gonna tell Shuu-chan and Maki-chan?”

Kaito chuckled, “You’re right, it’s not your fault. And today’s been a great day. Got to get my boyfriend a pet and Timothy got to name a toad and my ‘Kichi got to check off a major life goal by holding a weird gecko thing. Great day… with just a small hiccup. That’s all this is. I love you babe.”

Kaito looked at the ever increasing exhaustion on his husbands face and started doing the mental logistics of how to carry Kokichi and the bags at the same time. Probably just put Kokichi on his back, piggy-back style, that’d work. “Mm? We can tell them whatever you want. We don’t have to tell them anything if you don’t want to. Sometimes these things just happen, babe…” Kaito placed his thumb on Kokichi’s pulse. Felt normal, could be worth the risk now… “...any idea what sparked it? If anything? It doesn’t have to be anything.”

A little hiccup… It didn’t color what had already happened that day, and it didn’t mean the rest of the day was a wash. It was just a hiccup, and Kokichi was gonna go home, take a nap, eat pancakes, and check out Nini’s new digs. Yeah. 

Nodding slightly--he’d probably tell them he had a panic attack, keep that open communication up--Kokichi sighed, trying to think. “...I really don’t know. We were just...walking. And I was excited to help set up Nini’s tank...and just...it was out of nowhere. I was just...feeling like I was in a lot of danger, and I was really alarmed and panicked but...I didn’t know for what? It wasn’t focused on anything. Saying ‘watch out’ but no more information than that.”

“Sounds like just a case of nerves to me.” Kaito shrugged slightly, “Maybe you… just got some random idea in your head and fixated on it? Hell, the way Shuichi explains it, even just realizing you’re having a panic attack can freak you out and make it worse.” Kaito chuckled a little, “Or maybe it’s none of that and we should ask Seiko to take a look at you. Maki and I were talking about the idea of fixating on stuff earlier, so it might just be on my mind and have nothing to do with you. Either way, it’s okay. You’re fine.”

Kissing Kokichi’s forehead and temple a few more times, Kaito smirked into his cheek, “You want a piggy back ride? It’s been a while since you ridden me. I got a lot of pent up energy… could use the work out.” he snickered, just enjoying the fun of teasing, more than expecting anything.

Kokichi nodded slightly, though he stayed silent in consideration for a moment. “...I don’t think we need to stop by Seiko’s place...but my next check-up, I’ll bring it up to her. I’ve...I’ve never been prone to unprovoked panic attacks before… I hope this isn’t gonna be a common thing going forward…”

He sighed, slightly annoyed, but his expression softened at Kaito’s offer. Smiling slightly and nudging Kaito’s arm. “...if that would be easier for you than me hanging off your arm? I think I can walk alright, but...I’m gonna wanna steady myself.”

“...were you just talking in general about fixations?”

Kaito chuckled, giving Kokichi a final kiss before shifting up, grabbing the bags and squatting down in front of him as he said, “Get on, I’ll explain as we go. Comfy? Feel secure? Alright, annnnnd, we’re off!”

Heading down the road, keeping himself slightly bent forward so Kokichi could easily lay against him, Kaito explained, “Sort of generally, yeah. Maki thinks I’m not actually afraid of snakes. She thinks that I’m just thinking so much about how snakes make me nervous that I’m, like, echo-chambering it to myself until I’m convinced of it. Like a ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’ sort of thing.”

Kokichi helped Kaito shrug his jacket back on and...he was more or less steady standing up. But with Kaito squatting down in front of him, Kokichi certainly wasn’t going to turn down the invitation. 

Settled on Kaito’s back, having enough energy to hold on himself a bit, Kokichi hummed tiredly. “That’s...a possibility. But...at the end of the day, I think that it’s just the same thing as fear. It’s just different if you want to try and ease past your fear. If you really are hyping up your nerves into fear, then...I guess you’d just lie to yourself like, ‘this is fine. I’m nervous, but I’ll be okay’ and see if you’re still scared.”

“...or don’t do anything, I guess,” Kokichi hummed. “It’s okay to be scared of things. I think it’s a little different for phobias, but...I mean, I’ve talked to Seiko about it. There are ways to try and tone down your fear, but...for me, the effort likely wouldn’t be worth the result. My reactions are so severe that trying to acclimate me would just be poor for my health…”

“Yeah, we’ll go ahead and just skip getting any bug pets.” Kaito snorted, heading up the hill, the castle above them becoming clearer every step. “We don’t need that sort of nonsense in our lives. And I don’t really know if Maki’s right or not. Though, I do maybe kinda do stuff like that sometimes. Just get all in my head? Miss Crystal said she thought I got something called ‘Intrusive Thoughts’ sometimes, but we got distracted talking about other stuff before we really went into it. Though, I mean… aren’t all thoughts just kinda ‘spontaneous’? That’s what I think that’s meant to mean, like, ‘surprising’ thoughts. Or something like that.”

Kaito blinked, before looking over his shoulder a little at Kokichi, “How are things going with you? Therapy wise? I know we don’t talk about private sessions much, but… everything going okay?”

Intrusive thoughts… Huh. 

“That’s not exactly what they are… In Traditional Dicean, it translates to roughly ‘the call of the void’. It’s like...some thoughts are random and spontaneous, right? But intrusive thoughts are like...standing at a tall ledge and thinking about jumping off, not even in a suicidal way. Petting a cat and thinking about squeezing it so hard it’s painful for it. It tends to be stuff that’s alarming or disturbing to you...stuff that you don’t want to be thinking, and when it pops up you’re like ‘WHOA! That’s fucked up!’”

“...there have been a few times where you talked about things I thought might be intrusive thoughts. It might be worth talking about with Miss Crystal in more depth again.” Even if it wasn’t actually applicable to you, there were a lot of things that were good to at least touch on in therapy. 

Kokichi sighed. “I’m still getting used to having more regular sessions again. But it’s alright. ...we were talking about me gaslighting you. And...some of my delusions a bit. And how shitty my father is… We circle back on that a fair amount.”

As always, as always, Kaito’s first instinct was to assure Kokichi that he hadn’t gas lit him and it was fine even if he did and he shouldn’t worry about it… but he was trying to do that less. He had talked to Miss Crystal about the whole ‘relationship martyr’ thing Dr. Mariah kept mentioning and she had laughed so loudly that Kaito had almost hid under the table, people at the other side of the diner glancing over. 

Anyway, after she was done laughing, she had beamed at him and said, “Let’s work on that, yeah?”

Mostly the advice was ‘Don’t say it aloud, even if you think it’. It didn’t make Kaito feel good, he felt vaguely guilty not reassuring Kokichi that it was fine, a little gaslighting never hurt anyone… but he supposed at the very least if he didn’t reinforce the thoughts saying them aloud, then Kokichi and Shuichi didn’t have to deal with him tripping all over himself, trying to reassure them about things they didn’t actually need reassuring about. Just quietly accept it and move on.

Though, he chuckled again, one thought he did think it was okay to reinforce a little by saying aloud coming to mind, “...he is kinda shitty.” Kaito said, shaking his head, “Man, this is going to sound terrible? But that’s one thing I’ve loved about our recent sessions. Getting to rag on people I’m annoyed with and be like, ‘yeah, true’, from everyone else. I spent so long being angry at people and just… feeling really alone in it. Like I was crazy and irrational… I mean, I guess that can still be true. But, ya know… less crazy, I guess. After the last few sessions… though, I guess that’s all Maki and Shuichi have been wanting from me all this time too. Maybe validating their hate by realizing they had a point about my family… they’d do this thing, all the time, when we were growing up? Where they’d try to get me to say negative things about my family in, like, really roundabout ways? I think they thought if they could just get me to say it aloud, I’d suddenly get it. Or something… maybe I should have just given it to them. To make them feel better, if no other reason. Not that there weren’t plenty.” Kaito muttered.

Kokichi nodded slightly, hiking himself up on Kaito’s back a bit. “I think that’s what Dr. Mariah was talking about… It’s...expressing your feelings and...someone agreeing. So you don’t feel like you have to scream louder to express those feelings ‘cause they’ve already been acknowledged.”

“...but...in fairness to you,” Kokichi murmured softly, “You were in a more difficult spot. Some people can coexist really easily pointing out flaws and harping on genuinely terrible things about people they love. From everything I know about you...you’re not. Maybe Maki-chan and Shuu-chan needed their pain and anger seen, but...it did put you in a hard place with your own feelings. Any discomfort or not knowing what to do on your own part is just as important to express too. I think, anyway.”

Kaito laughed, “Sounds smart enough to me. You say anything in that tone of voice, Kokichi, and I’m likely to agree with you. You always sound so intelligent. It’s really cool. It really is a shame sometimes that you didn’t grow up in Novoselic or Luminary. Your communications skills are absolutely wasted here.”

Kaito liked to daydream, sometimes, about a more… well, funnily enough, a more ‘royal’ version of Kokichi. Someone who acted like royalty as Kaito understood it. Kokichi’s ideas of rudeness, his wit, his calm, composed speeches… he’d have excelled in higher etiquette social circles. He’d have given Queen Kaede a run for her money. 

Kaito gave a nod to the guards, who checked Kokichi over to see if he was injured or in distress, before continuing standing their post. “Wanna stop by the kitchen to ask for the pancakes before I take ya upstairs?”

Kokichi smiled slightly, knowing what Kaito meant. “Considering my job is about communicating, I’m pretty happy I have the skills to do it. I think I’d have trouble in Luminary or Novoselic too…”

He would be too self-conscious to speak up as much in...well, Luminary, at least. Because, some people at least, would just believe him without a second thought. Kokichi felt confident enough to shoot his ideas into the wind knowing that the people who heard would be weighing it against their own ideas and would fact-check things they were unsure about. There was more of a dialog, and Kokichi wouldn’t feel as secure just...saying speeches to people. 

Waving to the guards with a small smile, reassuring that he was alright, Kokichi turned a little pink. “...I...I’m alright. I feel weird just asking for pancakes in the middle of the day…”

“Booooo! I want pancakes! With cinnamon!” Kaito whined, bouncing on his heels, causing Kokichi to bounce on his back a little, “Pleeeease?”

Kokichi squeaked, scrambling a little to keep his grip across Kaito’s shoulders. Turning redder, he sighed, squishing his face into Kaito’s back. “Fine! Fine. Let’s ask… Thank you.”

“Yessss.” Kaito smirked, readjusting Kokichi around his hips, before ‘running’ off into a trot towards the kitchen, “Let’s go bother Chako! Woo!”

With minor embarrassment, Kokichi and Kaito requested a pancake snack from the kitchen, getting a completely disinterested approval and a more insistent shooing away from the kitchen, telling them to come back in about half an hour, Kaito’s initial guess pretty spot on. Kaito brought Kokichi back up to their room--empty; Shuuichi was probably still with Nini in his study--and while Kaito left to house a snake, Kokichi...kicked off his shoes and pretty much fell asleep immediately.

And when he woke up in his mindscape, he was only mildly surprised to find he wasn’t the only person there. 

“Ah, Alter Ego, hi…” he greeted his mentor with a small, embarrassed smile. “Sorry for pulling you away… I...guess I had a panic attack a little while ago?”

Alter Ego licked at his paw a bit on Kokichi’s bed, ear twitching as he said with a small sigh, “You had a panic attack? So that’s what it felt like for you… I have some news-”

ヾ(((;ꈡ▱ꈡ;)))ﾉ !!!!!

Chibi Kaito crawled over Alter Ego, running over to Big Kokichi, a string of bells gushing from his mouth as he crashed into Kokichi’s side. Trying to explain through a series of musical sounds that she had been so mean and that she had completely ignored the clipboard and Kaito had tried his best he was sooooorrrryyyyyy!! 

"♩♪♫♪♭♬!!!"

Alter Ego sighed, “You had a bit of a visitor while you were asleep. I imagine your panic attack was your defenses trying to let you know what was happening.”

“Oh!” 

Kokichi caught Chibi Kaito, and soon his expression softened and he lifted the small creature up, starting to cradle him. “Kai-chan...aww… Hey, shh, it’s okay. You’re alright…” 

...especially against their first real defensive test. 

His face falling, Kokichi gave Alter Ego a concerned look. “...that might be an issue… And...I’m assuming they didn’t sign the visitor’s sheet.”

"♫♬♬!! ♮♮♮!!!!!! ♬♫♩!?"

“In his defense, he did try very hard to get her to sign the sheet.” Alter Ego said, feeling a little protective of the chibi after having had to literally rip him from that woman’s hands, “But it’s alright, I already know who it is. And she’s… ugh.” Alter Ego sighed, “She’s both extremely annoying but ultimately harmless. Madam Yubaba. She’s… honestly, she’s just kind of a busy body?”

"♪♫♬♬!!"

“No one knows what you’re saying, Chibi Kaito. Anyway, she’s known in the empath community as someone who sort of randomly gets it into her head to go yell at other empaths for… well, being empaths, mostly. She’s a firm believer that empaths should never go into non-empaths minds for any reason.  And she randomly gets it into her head to go tell people so… but, from what everyone says about her? She’s usually a one and done annoyance. She comes around, yells at you a bit, then goes away forever until she feels like yelling at the next empath she comes across… though, for someone who believes in total privacy for non-empaths? She treats empath minds like fair game, and is not particularly… gentle with constructs. Your door held just fine against her, but I felt compelled to intervene after she got her hands on Chibi Kaito.”

"♪♩♩♩♩..."

“Also, you expelled her yourself. It was… honestly? It was a little bit like your lobby took a shit.” Alter Ego laughed, “There was a pulse, some air, and she just slipped out. Nicely done.”

Kokichi listened to Alter Ego describe his ‘guest’ and...honestly he had kind of been waiting for something like this. Ever since Alter Ego had described the vast spectrum of what Empaths believed they should do with their powers, and Kokichi had decided to do things with his abilities, he knew there would be Empaths that thought he was a megalomaniac going too far, and others who thought he was a hypocrite tender-footing his way around making any actual change. 

But he’d found his own path to believe in. So it’d just be a matter of weathering their ire. 

Sighing, Kokichi smoothed some of Chibi Kaito’s bangs to the side and placed a kiss on his forehead. “Thank you for trying. It was really brave of you, Kai-chan… I don’t want to put you in danger, though. I think we’ll work more on what to do if someone’s not being peaceful about things next…”

Looking back up at Alter Ego, Kokichi quirked a smile at the cat’s description. It was good that his mind was holding out. But… “...I suppose I should get that conversation done with her, huh.”

“Do you think so? I don’t really know if you owe her a conversation… but. Considering if she comes back she might trigger another panic attack? Might be good to just get her out of the way, yes.” Alter Ego sighed, tail twitching, “Though, my recommendation? You go to her. She’s a rude bitch, to be perfectly blunt about it. If you get sick of her, it’d be easier to leave her mind than it would be to kick her out of yours, and you and I can talk about what it takes to protect yourself from specific people. Creating a blacklist, sort of thing… and while, yes, Chibi Kaito did his best… he’s literally a foot tall and basically a living doll. He’s maybe not what you should be using as a defense.”

"♫♫♫♫!!!"

“You make a perfectly good memory fetcher and an excellent mood stabilizer. You don’t need to be a defense as well. You are just… so small… where’s the other small one, by the way?” Alter Ego asked, looking around for Chibi Kokichi.

"♩♪."

“I don’t know what that means. I’m assuming he’s just around somewhere.”

Kokichi snorted softly. Considering he wasn’t planning on renouncing his abilities...it might serve him well in the future, even when he could recognize his defenses going off, to just...give certain people an access denial note. Kokichi was happy to open a dialog with people, but the kind of people who would try to knock down someone’s defences wasn’t the kind of person that would be willing to have a genuine debate. 

Rubbing Chibi Kaito’s back a bit, Kokichi nodded apologetically. “I’ll work on a new defence, then… You already do a lot for me, Kai-chan. And while I know you would, it does stress me out, imagining you facing down someone who isn’t just here for a friendly visit. You can hold down the fort inside the door, you know?”

Taking Alter Ego’s cue, Kokichi looked around a bit before looking under the bed, smiling a little as he saw the chibi version of himself fast asleep, curled up in a tiny comforter and on a tiny futon. Very cute… And if Kokichi had been that tired out from his panic attack, he could imagine his tiny self being similarly tuckered. 

“Did you make that bed, Kai-chan?” Kokichi softly asked, sitting back up.

ヽ(^◇^*)/ He had! 

The memory the futon itself represented wasn’t the happiest, it being a memory of Kokichi trying to stay up late to watch a performance in the dining hall o the castle and falling asleep, waking up on Hideki’s office futon, but the memory the comforter came from was a happier one, a memory of Kaito being absurdly proud to have managed to fold it at the end of the bed in the super neat and professional way Waku could. 

Neither memory would actually affect Chibi Kokichi’s rest on them, but Chibi Kaito did prefer to give his smaller husband gifts from happier memories. In the future he’d find a happy memory of the bed to bring him… mmmmm… maybe not the memory of the second time Big Kokichi and Big Kaito had slept together. That tiny bed would probably have stains. He’d find a suitable one!

Chibi Kaito rubbed his face into Kokichi’s neck, hugging him as fiercely as his little arms could. He didn’t want Big Kokichi to go talk to the mean, hideous old woman… she threatened to eat him! Who does that!??

“Aww… They look really comfy, Kai-chan. You’re always good at taking care of us.” Kokichi indulged his tiny husband for a few moments, gently hugging him back and massaging his back. It was probably terrifying for the little creature to come across someone who wouldn’t play by the rules of Kokichi’s constructs. Even with Alter Ego’s annoyance, Kokichi knew that his mentor wouldn’t actually hurt Chibi Kaito. Other people wouldn’t have the same reservations. 

But he still had to confront her. 

Gently trying to ease Chibi Kaito off of him, Kokichi smiled at the chibi. “It’s alright, we can hang out more later. Though, I am gonna wake up in a bit to eat pancakes. I’ll share that memory tonight and we can eat them together, alright? But I gotta go talk to this lady before I need to wake up.”

Heck yeah! Pancake win!

( *¯ ³¯*)♡ Chyuu! Be safe! Kick that old woman’s ass! Reward yourself with pancakes! See you tonight Big Kokichi! 

Chibi Kaito glanced at Alter Ego… before sighing.

( *¯ ³¯*)♡ Chyuu.

Alter Ego’s fur all went on end, a befuddled look on his kitty face as Chibi Kaito, having thanked the cat for the earlier save now, jumped off the bed and headed under it to nap with Chibi Kokichi.

“...that was very weird.” Alter Ego said, fur going back down, “I’m assuming I’m coming with you? No need to face her alone.”

Kokichi laughed softly at Chibi Kaito’s gratitude and Alter Ego’s reaction. Aww...maybe even their thing together would ease up too. Maybe. 

Getting back up with a stretch, Kokichi gave his mentor a grateful grin. “I would appreciate it. It’s still a little nerve-wracking, visiting Empaths on my own. Especially one that isn’t too pleased with me right now.”

“...You said her name was Madam Yubaba? Lemme just…” Kokichi closed his eyes and reached out into himself, finding the feeling of the woman that had been there before. Just enough to open a portal to her…

-

Madam Yubaba’s lobby was, for such a vile woman, very, very pretty. 

It was a long, comfortable luxury train-- or, rather, what fantasy sci-fi books Madam Yubaba read imagined a train might look like one day, if any mad-woman ever managed to make one-- that went down an endless track that was covered in foot high, clear blue water. The sky was in constant sunset, and the water rippled as the train moved through it. It was very peaceful.

Kokichi and Alter ego were sitting in a booth in what looked like a ‘dining’ portion of the train, small tables and booths set up in the already small train-car. Not long after they had arrived, one of the doors opened, and ducking its head under the low cieling of the train door, a massive, black-smockey figure wearing a white mask pushed in a cart full of tea and small snacks, stopping in front of their booth.

“...hhhh…. Hhhh.” The masked figure breathed, gently gesturing to the tray of accommodations. Offering them some. “Hhhh…”

Alter Ego blinked their golden eyes, “...weird.”

While he had come for a purpose, Kokichi’s eyes widened in awe at Madam Yubaba’s lobby. It...it wasn’t like anything he even had a frame of reference for. Maybe...like a huge, fancy caravan...maybe. 

Too bad he didn’t want to overstay his welcome. It would be incredible to take in the sights. 

Looking at the dark masked figure with amazement, Kokichi smiled politely. “Thank you, but I’m alright. My name is Kokichi Ouma--I believe I missed Madam Yubaba when she came to see me earlier. Do you know if she’s free to talk now?”

“Hhhhh….hhhh…” The black figure breathed mildly in distress, gesturing more urgently to the snacks. “Hhhhh… hhhh…”

“Um… a green tea for my friend and small bowl of milk for me.” Alter Ego said, if only to make the smokey creature happy.

It did indeed seem relieved, looking through its cart and delivering perfect little cups and saucer bowls of each, placing them down in front of Kokichi and Alter Ego respectively. As it pushed its cart forward, there was a loud whistle sound.

As the smokey creature exited, Madam Yubaba squeezed in from the other side, clearly too big for the train both in height and in width, and seemingly perfectly content with that as she shuffled down the narrow passage, huffing as she somehow managed to squeeze herself, larger than life, onto the booth seats opposite of Alter Ego and Kokichi. 

Taking out a fan, sweating a little from the effort, she fanned herself as she said, “I’m here, I’m here. Honestly, getting through all these cars is always such a hassle, I need a new system… well! It’s about time you showed up, your highness. Quite rude, quite rude, to ignore me earlier. I was very offended, but, well, nevermind all that. Did my construct offer you food? Why do you only have drinks. I swear, if that creature forgot to offer food again…”

Oh, uh...well. Alter Ego had it handled. Kokichi smiled gratefully at the creature, thanking it for the tea and...well, of anything he could’ve expected from the Madam’s appearance, he somehow wasn’t expecting her to be so...big. Honestly, he thought that impression of her being was just personality-based.

It could still be. He was certain Mikado never dressed in life how he did in his mind. 

“No, no, your construct was quite polite. I did want to contact you, but I’m afraid this isn’t an extended visit. All the same, thank you for having us.” Smiling a bit more politely, he gave Madam Yubaba a lightly apologetic look. “I was occupied at the time earlier, I’m sorry I could not greet you properly, Madam. For such occasions, I’ve left a visitor’s sheet on my “door”, so I can get back to people as soon as I can, but, evidently, it needs some work.”

“I am quite happy to meet others in the community, but may I ask if there was anything in particular you wanted to contact me for?”

“Hmph. You need to teach that little defense of yours some manners. I asked it to open the door, and it just screamed at me in bell sounds like a hooligan. Very poorly made, even more poorly trained. Cat, why on earth is he still so bad at constructs? Didn’t you tell the community you were going to teach him? What happened to that?” Madam Yubaba demanded, squinting her giant eyes at the small feline, “You might have some raw power, I’ll give you that, but if that’s what months and months of training from you looks like-”

“Kokichi is progressing at a perfectly reasonable rate, and is actually quite advanced in a few practices already.” Alter Ego interrupted, for all intents and purposes looking entirely unbothered with the dressing down, “I’m quite proud of my charge and his accomplishments, thank you. And while visually his lobby and defense are a little unpolished… they certainly kept you out, didn’t they? More than adequate.”

The madam sniffed through her massive nostrils, clearly quite offended… before turning her attention back to Kokichi, clearly deciding it was better to ignore the abomination. “I tried to get in contact with you because apparently no one has bothered reaching out to teach you some basic empath manners, Prince Kokichi. Now I know everyone’s been being ‘patient’ because you ‘only just recognized you’re an empath’ and are ‘learning’ and have ‘immense raw power to sort through’. All that’s well and good… to a point.”

She leaned down, squinting her massive eyes at him, and said grimly, “We are past that point. You need to learn to behave.”

Kokichi nodded, listening to the woman’s complaints. Even if she was just a raving bitch like Alter Ego said...she was still an Empath, and even if he didn’t agree, he could still listen to her points. Maybe she would even have some valid ones. 

“Yes, I agree. While Chibi Kai-chan is a very helpful construct in many ways, I’ve realized from your visit that, due to his language barrier, he may not be the best suited to convey information to those that come by my lobby. Along with the sign in sheet, a more active defence is something I’m going to be reworking. I’m not always available to answer my door, so it’s important to be able to address the messages and concerns of anyone who may come by.”

Kokichi was...a little annoyed at Madam Yubaba criticizing Alter Ego’s teaching, but...Alter Ego took it upon themself to defend him as a student and... Breaking from his ‘business face’ Kokichi smiled softly at his mentor, proud of being able to make them proud. 

It was a very good idea for Alter Ego to have come with him. 

Turning back to the woman, Kokichi nodded, hearing her out. “That’s quite the complex matter, Madam, as what constitutes as ‘behaving’ is a wholly subjective matter. To that point, I believe you are saying that I have violated your personal morals--would that be a valid interpretation?”

Madam Yubaba scoffed, “A language barrier isn’t always the problem there. And I’ve found that letting the things talk can be more annoying than helpful. No Face! I need a cigarette… No Face! Now!” the old woman called out, her whole body seeming to inflate as she shouted.

The black-smoke creature in the mask hurried out, carrying a long pipe with a small cigarette perched at the end of it. As Madam Yubaba took the pipe, the creature’s black body seemed to puff a little, and at the same time as her cigarette lit up, all the windows in the train opened up as well. 

She breathed in deep, and when she let out her breath, the smoke came out of her mouth, nose and ears as she sighed. “Quit these things thirty years ago. Worst decision I ever made. Still, got tired of all the ‘judgy’ looks and not being able to peacefully go to the park with my grandchildren. We were all outside, what was the harm? Ugh… don’t get old, young prince. The world will turn on you.” The woman grumbled, taking another deep puff of the cigarette.

“And don’t get snippy with me either. You think you can up-talk me? I was born and lived through the ages of polite society politely snipping at each other, child. I’m old enough to have watched that age end. I was being talked down to by Leader Nellis Ouma sixty years ago and I wasn’t even a young woman then. That bratty young man never saw reason either as I recall. Had the nerve to call me fussy. Can you imagine!? Leader Fuse made iffy deals in her day, but at least she had the good sense to not use magic. Was a blessing when she took the helm. Good riddance to bad rubbish I say…”

Another blow of smoke. Alter Ego’s ear twitched in annoyance. “Was there a point to any of this? Or were you just looking for company?”

Yubaba snorted, “With you? Six is a crowd, kitten.”

Kokichi frowned. Things…’it’. Ironic enough she wanted to talk to him about proper behavior. He was just glad this was all on the mental plane--there’d be a much larger problem if someone started smoking by him in the physical world. Even so, Kokichi could feel an itch in his chest, just from the idea. 

“I can’t say I have a particularly positive view on smoking, but...it must be difficult. When you have found yourself and have experience and trial and error to back it all up, it’s difficult to see the world still ever-changing,” he softly commented.

Though...Alter Ego did have a point, in asking what Madam Yubaba actually wanted to say, but Kokichi found himself awed by her tangent anyway. Because...one of his predecessors had been an Empath too? There had been someone else just like him…

(Taking into the accounts of Nellis Ouma, though, Kokichi was a little surprised that ‘fussy’ was the worst Madam Yubaba had been called. The leader, while having said to be particularly active in trying to help out the people who came for help, was also described as...prickly. To be kind. Apparently there had been a trend at the time of coming up with particularly creative insults for people, a fashion started by the king.)

“I apologize for obscuring my own intent, as I would prefer to keep it clear. But my question was genuine. Said more plainly…” Kokichi thought for a moment before giving the woman a small shrug. “If you have a problem with me, say it.”

The old woman sniffed, some residue smoke coming out of her nose in a huff… but she flicked some of the ash onto the flooring of the car, and seemed to take Kokichi’s bluntness far better-- she was a Dicean, after all. She may have been raised in more polite times, but she was still living through the current one-- as she said, “You’re abusing your abilities, child. To ‘put it more plainly’, you’re making a terrible habit of assaulting non-empaths. And it’s time someone called you out on it.”

Alter Ego’s fur bristled at this, as he said, “‘Assault’ is a word with gravity, Madam-”

“And it used to be what we called it, when I was young. This is what happens when society starts its moral decline-- a werewolf is allowed to join society here and there, and now suddenly there's whole packs running around, a vampire feeding from tubes is somehow ‘vegetarian’, which it’s amazing how they got away with that, and the empaths looked at all these magical creatures running around non-magical people like kids in a candy store and thought ‘let's have our fun too’. It’s disgusting what the modern day empath thinks is okay now. A vile assault and molestation of helpless peoples minds.” 

Another deep puff of smoke, “And you, Prince Kokichi, are doing it constantly this last year. It seems every few months there’s another mass burst of power from you. You need to get it under control.”

That did seem to track with the way of thinking that any use of powers was going too far. And in fairness, they did have a point. It was something Kokichi thought over every time he went into someone’s mind (knowingly, at least). Non-Empaths didn’t know what was happening. They couldn’t truly consent to anything. 

But there was representative consent, like the deal they’d made with Shuuichi, and Kokichi had made his peace with that. And for healing people from the grand assault of conditioning they’d already had, Kokichi would not stand idly by. 

Not that any of that was Madam Yubaba’s business. 

...werewolves and vampires running around? Kokichi did know there was magic folk. But…

A little line appeared between Kokichi’s eyebrows. Segregation was not the way to handle differences. Danger, yes, but just...differences? Magic folk deserved to live just as much as anyone. Deserved to be a part of the global society. They shouldn’t be cast out just for the world they could see differently. 

But, again, what the old woman was saying wasn’t all madness. And Kokichi knew her point well. 

“I agree.”

“In part, that has been what the majority of my lessons under Alter Ego have been about. I have not had the time or practice to put into certain other aspects which other empaths may have mastered in the same time, because we are working on controlling my bursts. My priority has been with safety--it’s just,” Kokichi sighed a little. “...very complex.”

Phoooo- the smoke filled the train almost entirely for a moment, before quickly blowing out the windows as Madam Yubaba considered Kokichi for a moment… before huffing, “It only becomes more complex, young prince, the more you learn about your abilities. There’s wisdom in control, but danger in knowledge.”

“You only have to look at those poor bastards in Luminary to see the worst case scenario.” The old woman grumbled, something genuinely… sad in her expression, for a moment. Not weepy or overwhelmed, just sort of… a resigned sadness to the ugliness of the world as she smoked at her pipe, watching the sky and water turn as the train moved, “Young empaths today are convinced there can be some sort of balance. Young people always believe they can find some secret formula to getting both what they want and keeping people safe that somehow every generation before them missed. Ah… I suppose that’s just the pride of being young. Gods know I had my own silly ideas when I was a girl…”

Shaking her head, the old woman gave Kokichi a newly impressed look as she conceded, “At least you understand there is a danger to it. Puts you leagues above your stupid peers. They look at the situation in Luminary and blame Flora and the dessert folk and even the frail morality of specifically Luminary empaths. They blame everything except for the actual problem: Luminary Empaths got cocky. They developed and refined their abilities and flaunted their accomplishments, and when the world saw what those abilities could do? Tsk… what were they expecting to happen?”

“Magic is dangerous. You cannot use it on people who do not have those same abilities without opening yourself up to a myriad of abuse opportunities. And if by some miracle you actually manage to exercise your powers on others without abusing them? Well, good for you: but you still answer for every empath riding your coat-tails, using your hard won knowledge for their own pleasures. Every decent Empath has a moral responsibility to stay out of non-empath minds, and insist their peers stay away as well.”

There was a pause, Madam Yubaba puffing at her pipe… before she sighed. Looking older in this moment than she had the whole time as she said “And I suppose that’s all I really have to say about it.” with some tired resignation that it seemed like managing to get her whole point across had done little more than depress her. Too many arguments falling in deaf ears in the past to allow her to feel accomplished.

Kokichi had a preconceived notion of what Madam Yubaba was going to tell him, and, admittedly, he’d been snippier to her for it. And there were genuinely things she did and believed that rubbed him the wrong way. 

But people were complex. And almost no one set out to be a villain. 

And as she spoke, Kokichi leaned forward, his expression becoming more serious. Because she had a point, one that had been honed through experience. 

And when she finished, Kokichi felt...a sympathy for the old woman. Able to see the weight of years and lives lost and ruined in her eyes. He took a small breath. 

“...I can’t say I wholly agree with your action plan,” he softly started. “But...brow-beating me into agreement doesn’t seem like it’s your point. I can’t… Really, thank you for telling me all this.”

“Magic can tragically, painfully, irreversibly destroy people,” he continued, still with that soft gravity. “You pointed out Luminary, and what they did to people is...horrific. I only know the iceberg, and...honestly, I don’t think I could take knowing the full extent. The Empaths who worked under the program...what they did was unconscionable. But it’s not them alone to blame. Especially when many of them were kidnapped and forced to do so. I cannot place the same moral unforgiveness to someone who is presented the options of committing atrocities and being killed. That’s no choice at all.”

“...however, it was not their act of discovery alone that led to the atrocity of the program.”

“Empaths hold a great power over people who do not share this ability. And so it is our responsibility to use it wisely.” Kokichi sighed softly. “As it is for a doctor, creating medicines and treatments--or bioweapons. As it is for a ruler, monitoring and creating guides for people to live by. As it is for an inventor, to make things beyond imagination that could improve life for millions...or could slaughter just as many.”

“...there are things almost anyone could do that can destroy life. So we carry that responsibility to use it well. And some people don’t. But to not do anything isn’t living either, and you cannot control everyone. Innovation and change and experimentation will happen. For those of us who care...it is then our responsibility to understand and move within our moral purview to try and guide that innovation as much as we can so no one gets hurt. We may fail, we may make mistakes...but the only option otherwise is to simply watch while others without such inhibitions move ahead without us and leave us in the dark, taking our choices away before we’ve made them.”

Kokichi took a small breath and gave Madam Yubaba a small smile. “...it’s really comforting to meet people like you, who care for people so much. ...I’ve met a lot of people in the past year that don’t fit into that group. While I know they are the minority...it still gives me hope to see people like you, Madam. Thank you.”

Madam Yubaba sniffed a little, looking a little impulsively defensive… before she smiled a little, emptying some ash from the end of her cigarette on the ground again as she said, “Well...I know a very polite ‘no’ when I hear it. Your great grandfather said basically the same thing, young fool that he was… but I will say that you said it better at least. So maybe the next generation isn’t entirely doomed… still mostly made up of young idiots swinging their magic around like it’s a substitute for their dicks, but you at least seem to have a decent head on your shoulders.”

Alter Ego’s eyes widened at that, just… that was so strange to hear come out of this old woman’s mouth. Literally all of his shards agreed all at once that old people should in no way be aware that people even have genitals, let alone make jokes regarding them. It should be a law.

“Alright then. I’ve said my piece and you’ve said yours. I can’t actually stop you from using your empath ability on people, and frankly, my old bones can’t support repeating my points to the same person over and over again. I’ve given you my warning and you’ve heard it. That will do, I suppose…”

The old woman’s face went far away for a moment, clearly thinking intently about something… before she said haughtily, “I may advocate for non-use of our abilities, but I’ve been alive older than your nanny or their nanny. So, with that said… if you ever find yourself in the inevitable crisis learning about your abilities will someday put you in, and this infant can’t help you?” Madam Yubaba said, gesturing to Alter Ego, who narrowed his feline eyes at her, “Than… you have permission to seek my advice. Hopefully you’ll be wise enough to take that opportunity when it comes. Gods know you’re meant to be, but wisdom seems so subjective that who knows how She accounts for it. Certainly doesn’t seem to lend towards my understanding of it.” Yubaba snorted, rolling her eyes. “Now, with that said? Go. I’m an old woman and I should be listening to my books being read right now, comfy in my retirement. Not running around after you children with a wooden spoon. Go home. Make better defenses and lobbies. Yours were a disgrace, even if they did keep me out. Presentation counts, young prince.” 

Kokichi laughed softly, looking kind of pleased that he had made his point to the woman. Seeming to have a decent head was likely high praise from her, and it felt nice to be recognized. Even if there were some things she could have a better head about herself. 

His gaze softening as his smile widened, Kokichi gave Madam Yubaba a thankful nod. “I appreciate the offer, Madam. I’m sure we’ll be in touch again. And I’ll be getting to work on myself. Have a good afternoon.”

Kokichi took the dismissal, but...who was “she”? What was that supposed to mean?

With a small wave, Kokichi opened up a portal back to his own mind and stepped through, leaving the strange, beautiful large caravan behind.

Alter Ego let Kokichi step inside… but hung back, for just a moment.

Turning their gold eyes to Madam Yubaba, their tail flicked, for just a moment. Staring…

Madam Yubaba snorted. “Have something to say, abomination?”

Alter Ego’s tail flicked once more.

“...an apostle of Bathul owes me a favor.” The cat said, “Don’t ever try to break into my charge’s mind again. I’d hate to waste it on you.”

Madam Yubaba’s eyes narrowed, watching the cat turn and jump into the portal, disappearing. She took a long huff of her cigarette. There wasn’t much you could threaten a witch as old as herself with, but a connection to the God of Death and Trade was no idle thing…

She huffed. Smoke pouring out of her nose as she muttered, “What’s the threat of death to a woman as old as me? Ridiculous…”

But she wouldn’t test it.

-

Alter Ego landed on Kokichi’s bed with a small bounce, and immediately rolled on his back, lounging out with a sigh. “...well. That was a whole thing.” He observed, glancing over at Kokichi, “You okay?” 

Kokichi smiled at the sight of Alter Ego rolling around on his bed and came over to sit down too, reaching out to give the cat some pets. “...yeah, I’m alright,” Kokichi decided, some bitter notes in his smile. “She wasn’t who I was prepared for, and that’s a good thing, but...I dunno. Hopefully I can remember these feelings, at least, to talk more with my therapist.”

“We may not ever see eye-to-eye or convince each other, but...she wasn’t the kind of person you just have to tune out, or that you have to find a specific path of denial to get through a conversation with. I really meant it when I said I was glad to talk to her…” Kokichi’s eyes crinkled a little, his pets slowing down for a moment. “...I’m probably cherry picking. But...this past year, it’s been...really hard finding people who fundamentally disagree on matters, but still have a heart. I was more caustic to her than I should’ve been.”

“...I need to be more willing to hear my people out again…”

“To be fair to you, the world hasn’t exactly made it easy on you to do so.” Alter Ego purred into the pets, closing his eyes as he rested. “But, then… you’ve met a lot of people who were fundamentally enemies to you, this last year. Not necessarily your people. And aren’t most of the people who have been messing with you this last year Luminary?”

The golden cat opened their eyes and seemed to smirk a little, “I’m not trying to be anti-Luminary is that question. But Luminary and Dicea have been at war for fifteen years, and that just ended. Any Luminaries that are in a position to talk to you, the Dicean Heir? Probably aren’t the average, emotionally stable, or neutral Luminary civilians. Any Luminary talking to you right now has something going on, one way or another… not a good criteria to judge the world on.” 

Kokichi nodded, a sad weight in his eyes. “It’s foolish to take the words of teenaged death cultists. And yet...between them and Chisa and that asshole...I lost the faith I had in people. In some ways, I did need a wake-up call...but all the things they did weren’t good ones, and aren’t representative of the world. I know that...but sometimes it’s hard to...interact and engage with the world with that in mind. I just...need to make myself practice more with keeping that balance between faith and reasonable caution.”

“...my reactions to trauma aren’t very healthy,” he sighed. “I need more practice just...being better. So when I’m put in a situation where I have to follow my gut, it’s not going to hurt people.”

With another sigh, Kokichi flopped back on his bed, softly smacking himself in the face with his free hand. “Is becoming well-adjusted always this hard?”

Alter Ego snickered, “Don’t ask me. I’m an ‘infant’ who literally doesn’t have to live in the real world. The whole of my existence is made of navigating delusions and ideologies, and the truth is, if I didn’t want to? I’d never have to deal with anything. I could hide in Hiro’s mind for easily the next sixty years, and live comfortably in my own safe bubble until he dies… and then figure it out from there, if there’s anything to figure out at all for something like me.”

A small twitch of the ears… before Alter Ego opened his eyes, moving onto his belly, giving Kokichi a soft look as he said, “But you and I both know that’d be a terrible life. Dealing with the trials and hangups of other people isn’t the… ‘obstacle’ to a happy life. It’s the road to it. It’s what makes all of this, any of it, worth going through. The good and the bad of it… we’d go insane without it. Even the conflicts. Especially the conflicts… people go looking for conflict, if it's not forced on them in some way. I’m a perfect example of it… so, frankly, are you.”

“Sitting at home, where none of your ideologies were ever tested, just… doing nothing but waiting to die was a terrible way to live.” Alter Ego mused, something in his voice suggesting he wasn’t just talking about Kokichi, “This is harder… but it’s better. It’s worth it.”

Kokichi snorted softly, but...he took in exactly what Alter Ego was trying to say. There were truly horrible things in the world. Things out of a person’s control, but also things a person chose and created. Pain and suffering they could inflict. And, certainly, some of those things the world would be better off without, and having never experienced. But...not all tragedy was like that. Even things that hurt so much you wanted to die… 

People were given freewill. The ability to shape the world as they saw fit. And tragedy was a part of that, as much as anything else. 

“It’s worth it,” Kokichi softly agreed. “The hardships over the past year have made me a better person, in my own definition, and have given me the opportunity for incredible things. It’s worth it...but I do get tired sometimes. But there’s nothing to do but keep trying and face the new day ahead…”

“...at least I have a plan of what to do. If I didn’t know what was wrong, or I didn’t know how to fix it, I think I’d be even more frustrated… Having a guide makes things tenfold more doable.” Kokichi grinned, giving his own guide a scritch under the chin.

Another soft pur, as Alter Ego sighed, “Thankfully I have the collective wisdom of my shards… it helps to be able to tap into them for advice. Sometimes I’ll break up into all four of us and let them talk things out between each other, and when they reform back into me, I have a better understanding of what to do next. It’s helpful…”

“And I know it’s been difficult this last year, but you really are doing much better. Your power burst the other day? Lasted way shorter and was less hostile then the last one. I was really proud of you.”

It was a unique experience, that Alter Ego could have four different perspectives on literally any and everything. While that had brought them into conflict with themself before, Kokichi figured that, as his mentor said, it was helpful. Just...a wonderfully unique experience in the world. 

…

Kokichi blinked. “....what power burst the other day?”

Alter Ego blinked back, tail flicking a little more jittery, “... the power burst back about four days ago? It started off as a massive burst, and then it seemed like you got control of it right away. I wasn’t even sure what it was you had done by the time I got here to check on you, that’s how fast you got it under control… I know you wouldn’t have recognized it at the time since you were awake, but I had assumed you’d have remembered it getting here. I assumed you hadn’t mentioned it yet because it either hadn’t been a big deal or you were distracted by Yubaba and planning to tell me later… you don’t remember pulling a big empath move the other day?”

Kokichi slowly shook his head, an increasingly concerned look crossing over his face. “Four days ago? ...no...no, I didn’t…”

...four days ago...he and Kaito had had dinner with Aiichi, then all four of them had gone to Kaito’s shrine to...collectively grieve. 

Licking his lips as his mind whirred, Kokichi tried to think of...what he could’ve possibly done. “...I mean...emotions were kind of high that day. But I wasn’t...trying to mindhop or anything. Kai-chan and I just had dinner with my dad and...it didn’t exactly go well...and then with Shuu-chan and Maki-chan, we talked a lot and...got mad at the circumstances of our lives before taking a nap. I don’t...think I did anything…”

“Hmmmm… you definitely did something. Again, it was short and controlled, but…” Alter Ego got onto his paws, before sitting on his hind legs, “It might be worth taking a look. Just to confirm one way or another what happened. Would you be up to visiting that memory?”

Kokichi nodded worriedly. From a memory just a few days ago, he didn’t need to call Chibi Kaito out for help. This time, Kokichi simply closed his eyes for a moment before the scenery around them morphed into the dining hall patio, Kokichi and Alter Ego sitting at an unoccupied table while the memory of Kaito, Kokichi, and Aiichi started to play out.

Hesitating for a moment, Kokichi looked down to Alter Ego. “...I...guess I should warn you… We talk a lot about my father’s school days. And...apparently that Kai-chan’s father had a crush on Aiichi at one point.”

Alter Ego frowned, eyes narrowing as he hopped up onto the table, looking around before focusing on Aiichi. 

“...Hm.” Alter Ego hummed, “Taka said ‘disgraceful’ and Mondo said ‘Of course’. Essentially. They don’t really talk talk when I’m here, but I can tell which of my feelings come more strongly from which people. I don’t know what Mondo means by ‘of course’, but he seems really unsurprised by the idea… neither does Taka, really. More ‘offended’ than ‘surprised’.”

Then he glanced at Kaito, and said more softly, pulling from Chihiro, “That’s a terrible thing to learn about your parent.” … and then Hiro imputed, “Kind of hilarious though, in a really morbid ‘don’t think about it’ kinda way.”

Kokichi sighed, nodding with a small, grim smile. “...Kai-chan didn’t take it well. I don’t really think there is a good way to learn something like that. I really wanted to try having a family meal together, but...I think it’s just not meant to be. We kinda...talk all about that for a while, before Kai-chan excuses himself.”

He was barely listening to the repeated conversation, just keeping his eyes on himself for...some kind of sign he was having a power burst. Not that Kokichi knew what that would even look like while he was awake. 

“...my father can be a real idiot,” he softly sighed.

The memory continued on. After a certain point, Kaito excused himself and Kokichi and him went up the stairs, where Kaito then told Kokichi he was going to go pray for awhile, the two going their separate ways.

Kokichi headed to Maki’s room and listened to her and Shuichi at first debate the mystery of the novel they were reading, and the merit of tracking evidence for what it was, even if it lead to what seemed to be an obviously false conclusion. Then arguing about whether there was any fun in trying to solve the mystery in its meta, narrative sense. 

Alter Ego watched this memory of Maki and Shuichi with interest. For having met both of them, he didn’t see either too often, either as memories or in ‘person’. They seemed comfortable together… “I always forget how very pregnant your boyfriend is.” Alter Ego commented. “He is… so pregnant.”

Kokichi brightened up a bit, seeing this part of the memory, and he laughed softly at Alter Ego’s observation. “He’s so fed up with it. Our appointment at the hospital is at the end of the month and Miya’s already overeager for it. He’s always been a sleepyhead, according to Maki-chan and Kai-chan, but Shuu-chan resolutely tries to stay asleep as long as he can in the morning, hoping that it’ll trick Miya into not waking up too. We are going to get no sleep once she’s here…”

A softer smile came up on Kokichi’s face. “...I can’t wait to show her to you, once she’s here.”

Soon, though, the more difficult part of the memory came up, and Kokichi followed the memory group up over to Kaito’s shrine. And...despite himself, Kokichi looked up this time, taking in the true extent of the wall damage Kaito had inflicted before they came by. ...he was working on it too…

Alter Ego also looked between the cracks in the wall and Kaito, watching Kaito ask Maki to pass him the iron again… 

“...is he throwing a holy symbol?? Into the wall??” Alter Ego asked, genuinely dumbfounded as he gave Kaito a baffled, concerned look, “Isn’t your husband super religious?”

Kokichi braced himself, though he still flinched when Kaito launched the disk into the wall, and Maki threw it back into him. “He is, but… I mean, he’s gotten loads better at managing his anger! But...it’s still something he’s working on…”

Sighing softly, Kokichi started to follow after his memory self as he darted away to get an ice pack, convincing his own logic to allow him and Alter Ego to float after the memory. Kokichi could match his own speed, but it was just easier to keep an eye on things.

“...I’m not thrilled about him throwing his iron, but...I suppose it’s better than him punching or headbutting walls...or cutting himself to ribbons again.” Kokichi smiled grimly. “...I dunno if you could feel it in the memory, but...I always get nervous when I knock on Kai-chan’s shrine. If I do, it means he’s in there because he’s struggling with someone, and...if he’s been bloodletting? Then I would just feel like a jerk, passing out when he’s already dealing with other stuff…”

“Heh, to be fair, you would very quickly distract him from whatever else was bothering him.” Alter Ego laughed, giving Kokichi a glance before saying, “What? Too much? You know, most Atuan’s only bloodlet once a month, and most Atuan’s don’t even do that much. It’s one of those rituals everyone knows you’re expected to do, but no one ever really… does it. Like most Atuan rituals, honestly. There’s a few big ones that are more ceremonies, people getting together a few times a year in the temples during holidays and such, but…”

Alter Ego shrugged, ‘What I’m saying is, have you considered asking Kaito to limit bloodletting to just one specific day of the month? Lots of even devout Atuan’s do it that way. It’s a little much that he bloodlets just for… general prayer.”

Kokichi gave his mentor a frown at the tasteless joke, but...he grimaced with a bit of a shrug. “He doesn’t do it as much, these days, and I know I saw the worst of it while he was full of spores… It was really a nightmare scenario, but...I guess I just reference it as a worst-case scenario now… Kai-chan has a...difficult relationship with Dicean Atuans, but that was one thing they mentioned that he passed on to me too. That it’s a once a month thing for most people.”

Kokichi sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “...I don’t want to ask him to...do something like that. He’s already given up so much when it comes to just his religion… I think the fact that bloodletting is a thing at all is just always going to make me nervous...but, I mean, that’s why I knock. If Kai-chan’s in the middle of it, I just...won’t come in.”

“That’s understandable.” Alter Ego conceded, curling up cheerfully in his floating form, letting the current of Kokichi’s memory take them where they will. It was a little bit like floating down a lazy river… very relaxing…

“I bet he learned to bloodlet during prayer because he went to the castle temple to learn worship. I have to imagine to end up a priestess there, you have to really be devout. Maybe they have a culture of it within the castle itself.” Alter Ego mused, swishing his tail through the air, as the memory of Kokichi awkwardly negotiated an ice pack for Kaito from the kitchen, sounding alarmingly like he was trying to cover up for some sort of beating as he insisted Kaito had ‘run into a door’. Alter Ego supposed Kokichi didn’t want to let it slip Maki had thrown a rock at him. “Mondo and Chihiro almost never went to temple at all, not even for holidays, but Taka and Hiro went pretty regularly. Hiro’s mom thought it would be a way to keep structure in his life and Taka’s parents are believers. Hiro’s temple told its worshippers to bloodlet once a month, but no one was keeping track, so Hiro never really did it. Taka’s temple did it at least once a month all together as a sermon, and would do it more if there was some holiday or ritual or just big event going on that seemed worthy of it… Taka also went to an upper class temple, so maybe the difference is just the higher in society you are, the more devout you’re expected to behave? I don’t really know, I’m just making observations.”

While Kokichi supposed he could talk to the Atuans in Usott, hearing Alter Ego describe the experiences of their shards kind of made him realize that...pretty much all of his knowledge about Atuan beliefs and proceedings came from Kaito. Which was pretty important, since Kaito was the most important Atuan in Kokichi’s life, but...it was one perspective. 

Kokichi nodded slowly, taking the information in. “...I could see that being the case. Since...the Momotas were said to be Atua’s chosen, and there wasn’t really a way to be higher in society… Though, Kai-chan said he was the only one of his family who believes. But they did still keep up appearances, so…” Kokichi shrugged, before his eyes narrowed a little. “...Kaede, according to Kai-chan, is open that she doesn’t believe in Atua, though. And the plan she originally posed to Maki-chan had her getting rid of key people in the religious structure…”

...he left it unsaid, but...the future of Luminary having a national religion was as up in the air as anything right now.

“Huh… weird.” Alter Ego mused, “I wonder what she’ll do. Luminary is going through Interesting Times. A Luminary a few decades from now might be unrecognizable to the one that existed last year. Not the first time Luminaries had that happen. Our history books are a mess. It’s almost impossible to learn anything before the oligarchy, and I’m pretty sure, historically, the oligarchy lasted a pretty short time too. Who knows what was leading Luminary before that.”

“It’ll be interesting to see what happens… Hiro thinks about moving out of Luminary someday. Maybe after his mother passes. Not that that’s happening any time soon, but someday, when it does. He has vague dreams of retiring in Novis. Apparently that place is a party.”

Kokichi thought about what Madam Yubaba had said, about having lived through the age of ‘polite’ sniping. Their history, at least for the past five hundred years, was decently documented, but...Kokichi figured that a Dicean a hundred years ago wouldn’t look anything like how he saw people to be today. A change in leadership was certainly a drastic change, but...maybe that’s just how people as a whole were. 

Nodding along with Alter Ego’s musing, Kokichi quirked a small smile. “I hope that he’d think of stopping by Dicea before heading off-continent. I know it’s not really all that different...but it would be nice to meet in the physical world sometime.”

“Besides,” Kokichi softly snorted, “My family kind of agonized over realizing that Dicea operates on what they consider party rules. It might be a nice stop regardless.”

Alter Ego laughed lightly, saying somewhat playfully, “Somehow I can’t imagine you and Hiro at the same type of parties. Mind you, Hiro and Mondo wouldn’t enjoy the same kind of party either… Taka’s surprisingly flexible. Or maybe it's better to say he can find what he enjoys in most situations. Chihiro enjoys get-togethers more than parties… I like to imagine I’d probably lean towards Chihiro’s preference. Temp showed me what a strip club was and I, not taking into account my shards individual preferences, wasn’t much of a fan. Too loud, and kinda sketchy. Didn’t really get anything out of it.”

Alter Ego also suspected that, being what he was, he might not actually feel any real attraction towards peoples bodies. He didn’t know yet if attraction just… wasn’t a thing for him? It hadn’t happened yet if it was. But naked bodies dancing around hadn’t sparked anything within him.

His shards, though, had had a blast, when he decided it wasn’t for him and let them out to hang out with Temp. All in all it had been a fun night.

And now, thanks to Hiro, Temp owed him a favor.

Alter Ego watched as Kokichi returned to the shrine, and the four continued to talk. He hadn’t been paying too much attention to what they were talking about before this, but… “This is a pretty intense conversation. I can see why you’d have had an outburst this day.”

Kokichi turned pink and tittered a bit as Alter Ego mentioned that they had taken Temp up on his offer to show them a strip club, though he shrugged a bit. “Probably, but I think there are a lot of parties in Dicea that aren’t really my scene. Mm...it’s scarier in retrospect, but maybe sometime I’ll show you the party at the brewery Kai-chan and I went to. Despite it being a death cult party and...everything, some of it was fun. Maybe just ‘cause I like dancing…”

...the memory of dancing with Aba still hurt. And Monokuma trying to hit on him in the bathroom, and seeing Kaito’s hand all cut up… There were some horrible parts of that night. But...the memory of being caught up in the loud, upbeat music, dancing with tons of people and...despite what the party was for? He knew there were a lot of people who came to those parties just to have a fun night. And being able to chat with them and...feel like he was among peers? That part was a nice memory.

Once the memory Kokichi came back to the shrine, and the four of them really began to talk about things, Kokichi sighed, feeling the weight of it come back to him. He ran a hand through his hair, sighing. “Yeah… I think we managed to handle it in one of the best ways we ever have, for a conversation like this, but...it was a lot. Sometimes we can get into some...really heavy convers…”

Kokichi trailed off, blinking once, then twice. The whole memory was tinged with a spiteful, hurt anger, but…

...even metaphorically...he shouldn’t have been glowing, right?

“...Alter Ego? What…?”

“Shhh.” Alter Ego said, narrowing his eyes, watching, “Hold on…”

Alter Ego focused his gaze, his pupils turning into slits… ever so subtly, Kokichi could feel rules of his universe being mildly altered. Alter Ego reaching in and whispering to the memory, slow down…

As the memory slowed, the glow, sputtering and flamelike, fading in and out rapidly in real time, became brighter, more condensed. The flecks easier to see the slower they went, each small beam a steady, dazzling light as it slowed…

It looked like Kokichi was literally a source of light, beaming out, those beams passing through Kaito, Maki and Shuichi, and when those beams touched, ever so briefly, the people in the room lit up as well. Inconsistently, but… it was definitely there. A flash of light around Shuichi. A change in expression on Maki. Their faces hardening the second the beams touched them.

Kaito seemed to be the only person in the room more or less unaffected by the beam, at least in his expression, though he also got the flash of light when a beam touched. His expression seeming to soften veeeeery slowly as the scene moved on, something amused touching his eyes. The more angry the group around him getting, the more relaxed he became.

Sloooooow…. Sloooow…

Alter Ego watched a beam very, very slowly hit a wall… and keep going. Clearly not deterred. Hmmm…

The memory paused. Kokichi a beam of light, flashing out like a firework in every direction. Hmmmm…

“... I think this is an emotion dome?” Alter Ego finally said, looking around, “Though, the name feels inadequate seeing it actually happen… an empath is capable of sending out specific emotions in a certain radius of space around them. Some Empaths use that to calm down fights around them. But… well, like most everything with us, it requires a certain amount of power to do at all, and how big it is depends on power levels as well… I wonder how big this dome was…”

While Kokichi could feel that little prod, he relaxed and allowed his mentor to alter what they needed to. Kokichi hadn’t heard of any Empath ability letting him glow--honestly, that seemed more like a psychic thing than an Empath thing--so...if Alter Ego had an idea? He was all ears. 

Kokichi watched himself intently, the glow reminding him of a sputtering purple fire, but without the comfort and warmth something like that usually brought. Instead...it was sending out sparks...hitting his loved ones and… ...he couldn’t take it as a coincidence...at least fully, right?

As Alter Ego explained what an ‘emotion dome’ was, Kokichi chewed on his lip, looking at his loved ones now, and how quickly reactions from Maki and Shuuichi had sparked up one they were hit, and…

Kokichi groaned, dropping his head into his hands. “...another high level Empath ability I’m doing basically asleep...great. And lucky me, I used it to make my friends just as pissed and hurt as I was. I think this is a whole new level of emotional burden…”

“It’s not ideal.” Alter Ego agreed, letting go of his hold on the memory, it immediately returning to normal pacing. Watching as Kaito pulled Kokichi onto his lap, Kokichi starting to look wet in the eyes as he seemed to like… keep just pushing against his husband? Like a very weak tackle. “Though, it’s not like this is a habit. We’ve never observed you doing anything like this before. It’d be difficult to miss… and you stop doing it pretty quick.” He observed, watching the glow die down after Kokichi gave Kaito a briefly annoyed look, clearly not pleased with Kaito’s coo’ing.

“And thank goodness for that, because until you start remembering? There’s not a lot we can do about what you do during your waking hours.” Alter Ego sighed, “Beyond make you some constructs that can maybe disrupt you when you start? But it happened so quickly, it might not be worth it.”

At least it was quick… And while they had no way to know how far Kokichi’s dome reached, Kokichi...hoped it wasn’t too far. He hadn’t heard any gossip about people just suddenly getting pissed in the middle of the day. Hopefully it was just...a rare, quick thing when Kokichi’s emotions reached a true boiling point. And it wasn’t like it always happened when that happened either, so…

Kokichi sighed. “Not to mention that I have to figure out how to rework the defences and constructs I already have so I don’t start having another meltdown on top of it. Though, between influencing other people’s emotions, it might just be better for me to cut myself off with a panic attack.”

Smoothing his bangs out of his face, Kokichi glumly watched the four of them settle down into Kaito’s beanbags, still happy they’d managed to resolve an issue, but...not feeling as proud as he’d been before. 

“The day I can remember can’t come soon enough.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself.” Alter Ego said gently, “You didn’t hurt anyone, and you’re literally not even conscious of what you’re doing. Be a little more generous to your waking self: he doesn’t know what’s happening. You can’t blame him for when things get a little out of control. And somehow I don’t think your family would appreciate you choosing to terrorize yourself over a small burst of ‘feel badness’ for a moment. You’re already plagued with heart frailties, I don’t think randomly stressing your body out is the answer.”

Awwww, they were going to take a nap in here, apparently. That was pretty cute… though that meant the memory was about to go dark. “I think that’s about all we’ll be able to learn from this.”

Kokichi was quiet, just giving Alter Ego a soft, glum look before he nodded, the scenery melding back into his bedroom. Punishing himself wouldn’t help anyone, and...nor would trying to be a martyr. It wasn’t right to blame someone for making mistakes while they were learning…

...it was harder, when he looked at other Empaths. They could have all sorts of conversations about responsibility and duty and ethics, and...the reality was, Kokichi just...wasn’t up to that level yet. He had a lot of power, and he could do amazing things, but...he could barely control anything, and he...he was only half an Empath, really. Until he could remember, his waking hours meant that...he was basically non-magic. He had to give himself the same courtesy as any other non-magic folk. 

Sighing, Kokichi rubbed the bridge of his nose. “...yeah, you’re right. ...I guess we’ll just...see how it goes until I can remember.”

“...Kai-chan’s probably going to wake me up soon. You’re welcome to stay, of course, but I might not be around much longer.”

“It’s not urgent, but you should make certain Chibi Kaito knows he’s not your lobby defense anymore.” Alter Ego told Kokichi sternly, looking up at his friend, “He’s not suited for it. And constructs can be damaged to a point where you subconsciously associate that pain with them. You don’t want to mix your memory construct with expectations of pain. I couldn’t give you an specific example of how your metaphors would interpret it, but it doesn’t sound good does it. That’s why most constructs do very specific jobs. Overloading them can make them so overwhelmed to the point where the construct itself can no longer be counted on to function and would have to be replaced with a new metaphor.”

The cat relaxed a little, and said lightly, “And I’m a little fond of the little terror. It would be a shame to see you have to replace him with a different form. Chibi Kaito suits it.”

Kokichi’s eyes widened with worry. He’d told Chibi Kaito before they left that he wasn’t on door duty anymore, but...it might be good to have a clear conversation about it. The little creature brought Kokichi a lot of comfort, and was exceptionally good at finding memories; he didn’t want to get the tiny version of his husband hurt. Or have to abandon him. 

“I’ll make it clear,” Kokichi promised. “And I’ll get to working on a new defence. I kinda like giving nothing to people until I invite them in, but...Madam Yubaba and Mikado’s lobbies are so intricate… Maybe I can figure something new out…”

Alter Ego nodded, “Call for me if you need me. And you don’t have to listen to Yubaba’s criticisms. My lobby is literally just a big mess of stairwells that don’t lead anywhere. Definitely not the artwork Mikado and Yubaba seem to think their lobbies need to be. Practical is better than aesthetically pleasing.”

Giving his friend a nod, Alter Ego spun in a circle a few times, and the last time he spun he walked behind his own body and disappeared as he went. Because Empaths are Extra As Fuck.

He’d think about it, at least. Maybe at least something to keep people occupied so they wouldn’t try to bust down his door immediately. 

Giggling softly as Alter Ego took their leave, Kokichi barely had time to blink before-

-

Kokichi tiredly blinked his eyes open, groaning softly as he stretched out in bed. “‘S been thirty min-ts already…?”

Kaito snorted softly, kissing at Kokichi’s forehead against as he said “You wish. It’s been an hour babe. You ignored my last attempt to get you up. Totally dead to the world. Figured you might need the sleep then.”

Running his hand through Kokichi’s hair a bit, he asked, “How we feeling? Do you want anything? Water? Painkiller?” Kaito offered, just in case recovering from the panic attack came with headaches. “The pancakes are ready. They’re probably even still warm. Hungry?”

An hour…? Kokichi’s eyes widened in sleepy surprise before he sighed, taking in the comforting feeling of Kaito stroking through his hair. ...ugh...he felt like he hadn’t slept at all…

“...water sounds good, thanks, hun.” With a soft grunt, Kokichi sat himself up rubbing an eye tiredly as he blearily looked around for where Kaito had set the pancakes down. “Mhmm. Wanna eat ‘em while they’re warm…”

“...Shuu-chan an’ Maki-chan doin’ okay?”

“Maki is grounded cause I caught her gearing up to running, saying she felt restless. And before I get accused of being overprotective, she still cannot breath through her nose, and her runs take her miles away from any and all society. I don’t need her sick ass passing out in some farm field somewhere and no ones knows where she is.” Kaito grumbled, heading to the desk to grab Kokichi’s pancakes-- Kaito had already demolished his-- and bringing it to Kokichi in bed, giving him another kiss before heading over to the bathroom to grab some water, “So now she’s in study pouting with Shuichi, who’s still rearranging the terrarium. He’s determined to get that log as close to the heat lamp as possible. Honestly, with the way he’s fussing over that snake, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s in there all day.”

Bringing Kokichi his water, he looked him over critically, before saying agan, “You’re sure you’re okay? It’s okay if you’re not. You had a hell of a scare earlier.”

Kokichi started to tuck in, the fluffy, buttery, sweet taste of the pancakes already chasing away some of the funk he was in. It wouldn’t totally get him back up to speed, but things did get a little more manageable when you had some food in your stomach. Something he’d observed, but also a model his therapist seemed to live by. Dr. Egami always seemed to have a new tea and something fresh from the oven every appointment Kokichi had. The man was very talented in the kitchen, so Kokichi wasn’t complaining. 

“Mm… I think that’s a good call for Maki-chan… She’s doin’ a lot better, but even for her I think it’d be better to build back up to that kind of activity more slowly…” Hopefully they’d be willing to have dinner together. Kokichi was excited to see Nini’s terrarium when Shuuichi was satisfied with it. 

Taking a few sips of water, Kokichi gave Kaito a small, tired smile before returning to his pancakes. “I think I just need to sleep some more… I felt like I barely slept at all. And...well, it’s normal for panic attacks to tire a person out, right? Think I just need to recoup energy and all that… Nothing else feels off.”

“Yeah? Alright. So long as you’re sure.” Kaito gave him a warm grin back, “My sleepy ‘Kichi… alright, well, if you’re going to back to sleep after this, then I should…” Kaito paused, thinking about it, “Maybe I could get Tim to do his homework before dinner rather than after… nah, that’s not fair of me. Kid probably makes plans around that. Hmmm…”

Kaito hit that roadblock he had sometimes, these days, when no one in his family actually needed him to be doing anything and he wasn’t sure what to fill his time up with. “...maybe I’ll go bother Waku? See if she’s used that coupon yet. Or, I could sleep with you if you want some company babe?”

Kokichi shrugged a little as he ate, a smear of whipped cream at the corner of his mouth. “I’m always happy to have a cuddle buddy, but I’m sure Waku or Tim would be happy to spend time with ya too. The world is your oyster.”

“...I love you a lot, Kai-chan,” he murmured, suddenly feeling...grateful, and a little guilty, though he couldn’t quite place the feeling. “Thanks for helpin’ me out.”

“I’ll probably check in with Waku then. See how she’s doing today.” Kaito mused. Had to be a good friend to her. She was literally like… her and Chako. Did Chako count as a friend? Kaito liked to think so… but Waku definitely. He had to take care of that friendship. He literally ran out of friends if she lost interest in him. 

(You should call Kaede.)

Ha ha ha ha no.

Though, the second the thought was in his head, Kaito knew it was inevitable that he was at least going to yell at himself about it for the rest of the day. He should have called her… literally months ago. The fact that he hadn’t yet was hugely disrespectful… the sheer fact that he was still getting the allowance Byakuya had set up after all this and him still not having called her?

Ugh… he needed to call her…

… well if he was going to do that, it was definitely going to be after Waku. He was not putting that negative shit on his friend. He didn't want to only ever seek her out when he was in a bad mood, he already felt like he did that too much.

Kaito grinned though, heart warmed at Kokichhi’s little thanks. Hell yeah… Kaito was helping! Fuck yeah! “You’re welcome, babe. It’s really never a big deal.” He assured him ever so humbly, though on the inside he was giving himself several high fives for a job well done! 

...hmmm. Kokichi got a weird...up and down kind of feeling, but at Kaito’s acceptance of his thanks, Kokichi could practically feel the warm pride. Always good to thank and praise the people around you. 

Finishing up his pancakes, Kokichi let out a little yawn and made grabby hands for his husband. “Gimme a kiss before you go--I want Kai-chan’s good luck charm for sweet dreams. And...if I’m not awake for dinner, please wake me up. I think I need the rest, but I don’t wanna be out the whole day.”

Work would have to wait another day. And...that was okay. As long as he wasn’t falling behind, it was alright to take time for himself, his family and his health. If he did start to fall behind...he’d reevaluate things then. 

(Still have some work to do. But...that could wait a little longer.)

Kaito collected Kokichi’s dishes first, taking them to the desk, but came back and smirked at Kokichi’s request, plopping himself somewhat on top of his husband and pulling him into a hug, saying into his shoulder blade, “Okaaaay, I will. Up at dinner.”

Then, he kissed at the corner of one eye, saying softly, “This kiss is for dreams about nice food,” placed a kiss on the corner of his other eye as he said, “This kiss is for a dream about nice people,”

And then a kiss on Kokichi’s lips as he said, “And this is hoping for a sexy dream. Preferably staring me, but I still wanna hear all about it even if it’s, like, some random faceless hunk or something. Feeling lucky now?” he asked, giving him another kiss.

Kokichi giggled, kissing Kaito back as he wrapped his arms around his husband in a tight hug, even if for just a moment. “If I get a sexy dream, I want it to be you. I think that counts for something, as far as my subconscious is involved. And I’ll definitely tell you if I get any dreams.”

Snuggling against Kaito for a little longer, Kokichi eventually sat back and got himself more properly oriented on the bed. This definitely wasn’t him going to sleep for the day, but...it tended to be kinder to his body if he wasn’t twisted and curled up in a weird spot. Even if he ended up there by the time he woke. Sleeping without two bodies to keep him secure meant all bets were off. 

“Have a good afternoon, hun. Tell Waku-chan I said hi.”

“Will do. Love ya babe.”

-

“Kaito!” Cheered a voice from the other line, after nearly forty minutes on hold. “Is it you!? Ooooooh, if you’re not Kaito Momota and just said you were to get me on the phone, I’m going to be verryyy croooossss~”

Kaito had jolted a little, having been quietly staring at the other side of the phone room, waiting for either Kaede or the secretary that had gone to see if she could come to the phone to come back and… well, literally let him off the hook. That was what that little catching part on the phone was, right? A hook? Where did that saying originally come from? Probably actual hooks, right? That was pretty morbid. Kaito suddenly remembered a very uncomfortable night where he had absolutely had to shut down one of Kore’s, uh, ‘wilder’ ideas, because no no no way-

“Kaito?”

“Oh! Sorry, I was lost in my head. Queen Kaede-!” Kaito grinned, hands immediately on his joints, massaging them urgently, and taking an appropriate pause to allow Kaede to say-

“Please, please, Kaito, when we’re alone you’re more than welcome to continue calling me Kaede. We grew up together, it’d be strange to start using titles with each other by this point.”

“Of course. Thank you.”

“Kaito~ooooo, stop! You’re so formal! It’s going to make me sad!” Kaede laughed, the sound, always, slightly musical. She always spoke so sweetly… Kaito felt his stomach sink slightly. A terrible part of himself realizing he had missed her… which made him feel even worse...

Kaito laughed. “Sorry about that. It’s… wonderful to finally get in touch! I’m sorry I haven't yet. Um, congratulations on the corantation. I heard it was beautiful! I’m so sorry I couldn’t make the trip.”

“Not at all, not at all, Kaito. If that was an easy trip to make, you would have come to Byakuya’s!” Kaede laughed, and Kaito curled his shoulders inward a little, staring at the floor. “Entirely understandable you couldn’t make mine, if you couldn’t make your own brothers.”

There was a moment of silence, and Kaede said softly, “I’m not trying to be cruel. We need to be able to talk about it.”

Did they? Kaito didn't think there was anything to say. “...um… is King Sou handling his new position well?”

“Excessively. I am… very tempted to send him on vacation! For a year.” Kaede laughed sweetly, like it wasn’t a very serious threat, before sighing, “He has opinions on how I should run the country and I’ve promised to indulge him. It’s a lot of tense arguments… with a few good ideas in there.” She seemed willing to admit, before sighing, “It’s not what I need from him at this point though. Kaito… Shuichi’s capable of carrying a baby because of those Danganronpa spores, right? I heard that process was a bit challenging-”

“Don’t do that to him.”

“Kaito, getting information on it isn’t the same as deciding to do it.” Kaede said, something stern in her voice, “I’m asking you now, right? It was a difficult process? As in, not worth considering difficult, or…? Keep in mind if it’s just the pregnancy part that’s difficult, one of us has to do it, and I’m trying to lead a country-”

“Shuichi’s life was hell during that transformation. He almost didn’t survive it. He barely wanted to survive it, and we’re still untangling all the ways its harmed him. You made an oath to protect your husband. Don’t. Do that to him.”

“...” Kaede laughed lightly, “I wish you were here, Kaito. You have a way of keeping me honest…”

“No I don’t.” Kaito said simply, his stomach tightening in nerves, but an anger flashing through him at that. “You’re just trying to flatter me to make me less angry with you.”

“Am I? Why would I do that? Tell me, Kaito, do you, say… have influence on Dicean politics? Can you change Dicean policy in Luminaries favor? Can you rally Luminary elites to oppose me and my beliefs in any way? Are you hiding some special ability to make me accountable in any serious way?” Kaede asked, pausing to give Kaito a chance to answer, before saying, “No? Nothing? …” 

Kaito didn’t say anything. She knew he had nothing to threaten her with.

Kaede sighed. “There I go, feeling guilty again… I’m not trying to be cruel…”

“It makes me a little upset, I have to admit, to know you don’t realize the effect you had on me, growing up… I felt like I always knew when I was going too far, based on your reactions to my actions. You never had any motivations, any outside influence, other then just how things made you feel… horrified or happy or angry… you were such a good way to gaugue things outside of myself. My needs. Luminaries needs.”

“I didn’t have that benefit, Kaito. I had to do things that made me feel very, very bad. I couldn’t make my choices based on what felt good… it didn’t feel good. This last year. None of it. But it was necessary.” Kaede paused… before saying softly, “I’d like to hear that you understood that. That it was necessary.”

“...you want me to say it?” Kaito asked dryly.

“It’s the truth, Kaito.” Kaede said, “And yes. I want to hear you say it. So we both understand it's true.”

“... what is it exactly you want me to say?”

“That my upheaval against Lord Byakuya was entirely necessary for the future and prosperity of the Kingdom of Luminary.”

“...” Kaito thought about calling her out. Daring her to make him… but what would be the point? Dicea had already made a public statement recognizing Kaede, and no one would care if Kaito refused too. No one else would even hear him doing so now. It was literally just… her asking him to say it for her own reasons. Whatever those reasons were. Maybe she just thought if she could make him say it, he’d believe it.

Hell, historically? That was probably true…

“... you’ll swear not to put Sou on the spores?”

“Kaito.”

“I’m serious, Kaede. It’s not worth it. It’ll do irreparable damage to him. You asked me to tell you the truth and keep you honest. That’s the truth, and I honestly won’t say any of that other shit unless you swear to me to leave that shit out of your future plans for offspring.”

“... I swear not to use the spores.” Kaede said.

Kaito sighed. Ignoring the part of him shriveling up in fury as he said, “Your… upheaval against Lord Byakuya was necessary for the future and prosperity of the Kingdom of Luminary.” He echoed.

“It was the right thing to do?”

“...it was the right thing to do.”

“You swear fealty to me as your queen? Recognize my rule?”

“...yes.”

“Please say it, Kaito. Things like that need to be said.”

“...I… swear fealty to you and recognize your rule, Queen Kaede.”

Kaito could hear her smile on the other end of the line, and stared numbly at the far wall as she said, “Thank you, Kaito. It’s such a comfort to hear that.”

-

Usami sighed softly to herself as she curled up in one of Nell’s big sitting chairs, sipping at some tea. She could hear soft breathing and...not so soft snores coming from the companions she’d traveled so far with. It had been months of tense travel, not only contending with just the sheer distance from the Ronpan capital to the Dicean one, but also dodging any Flora who were idly connected to the hivemind. Which was...most of them. Even as they got closer to the Dicean border, where social norms were different from the castle, so many Flora, though they treated people differently than the queen’s influence generally had people acting, were still connected. Even accepting a genuine kindness could spell doom if they weren’t careful…

...but they’d made it. Months and months of hiding and trading between horses and carriages and...they’d made it…

And yet, they were at another crossroads. 

Grinnell had opened her home to them for the time being, had introduced them to a few people in the magic community that would be allies if they needed more help, but...this was a resting place, just as they recovered from the long journey. (And, well, Usami would be staying with Nell for a while anyway. She had been invited, even if they had other reasons to do so, and she was going to...try to enjoy a vacation with her old friend before heading back to Danganronpa. Despite what the queen might consider treason...Usami still had a duty to the seedlings she cared for.)

Now…? Who knew? 

Nell explained that the Dicean King would certainly grant citizenship to any of them. They could easily start a new life in Dicea. And...honestly, that might be the best prospect for some of them. 

But Usami knew that the two women, Komaru and Sahara were from Luminary, and especially with the civil war done…(and Komaru’s brother still around) Usami thought that it wasn’t...unlikely that, once rested, they would start another journey back to their homeland. 

And for the children…

Usami stifled a small yawn. Well...it was another thing to figure out in the morning.

-

Amber made a point of watching her calories, enjoying her shape, so her eating habits were very rigid, to put it mildly. Not unhealthy, or even disappointing… but she had long learned exactly what she both liked to eat every day and what would allow her to maintain her weight and shape, and once she had worked out a good balance between the two, never really erred from that schedule on any normal day. Eating the same things every certain day at the same times, as surefire and certain as clockwork.

On this particular day of the week, she always got a muffin at the bakery near her store in the morning, grabbing a magazine with all the celebrity gossip, which was always right next to the newspapers. She’d also get a coffee with her big ol’ blueberry muffin. Blueberry muffins weren’t all that good for you or, especially your weight, but Amber treated herself to one in the morning once a week, mostly because yesterday was swim cardio day, and she was always ravenous the next day after swimming laps. They burned hella calories, so she had more wiggle room to enjoy herself. And it wasn’t like she forgoed real food for muffin and coffee. She had her omelet this morning, the same as every morning. She loved her omelets. She honestly loved omelets more than big, beautiful muffins… but it was still a nice additional treat.

As she waited in line, like every morning, she waited till she was second in line to snatch her magazine, and… frowned somewhat in surprise. Huh. Glancing between the cover of the magazine and the newspaper. 

That was unusual. Both the magazine and the newspaper were using the same portrait of the same woman. Gossip mags didn’t usually talk about the same thing as headline news. Weird. It must be big news if both of them were trying cash in on it… Cedar? Why did that name ring a bell…

Amber opened up the magazine, going straight to the headline article, and her brow immediately furrowed as she started to read.

Oh.

...oh.

“...miss?” the associate at the counter said again, “Miss? Are you ready?”

“Huh? Oh! Yeah, gorgeous, so sorry! This magazine, a coffee, annnnnnnnd~” Amber looked at the magazine again, “Three blueberry muffins. Bag ‘em please, they’re taking a trip!”

She’d nab Stacy first. Then Kokichi. Temp wouldn’t be into this.

Time to go kidnap her friends!

Today would be fine. Kokichi had given his consent, and had done it knowing that this would happen. Honestly, he thought it’d happen sooner. He was glad that people would be informed, and thus could keep themselves safe. 

...her statements in court had been just...so casually cruel… Wielding the absolute letter of the law for any sort of plausible deniability…

Ikuo had stopped by early, giving him a heads up of what was in the paper today. It wasn’t a therapy day, so Kokichi wasn’t really planning on going into town anyway, but...going to meals...and if he wanted to go downstairs at all, really… Everyone pretty much knew of his attack when it had happened. And...he knew it wasn’t like people were going to scoff and tell him it was his own fault, or something victim-blame-y like that. 

...sometimes the pity hurt just as much…

But he’d be fine! It was just going to be a normal, fun day. 

Until Amber and Stacy came to steal him away from work, and while going to a spa meant going into town...they’d have a little more privacy and be in the relaxation zone while they were there. 

...the day was looking a little better.

“Okay, Baby! I’m making an educated guess and assuming you’ve never had a spa day before?” Amber laughed, looking over her shoulder at her friend and winking, before looking to Stacy, “And, Stacy, bestie, beloved, sunshiiiiiine, I know you’ve done a few things like this, but, liiiiiiike, I was feeling reaaaaal extra. So extra. So I think this place might be a bit of new experience for you too, girlie… thank you.”

Amber said this to the doorman, who was doubling as a security guard, opening the door for the three, Stacy looking around with something akin to suspicion. She wasn’t entirely in the know about various spa places in the city, she was a pretty busy with school and didn’t honestly have a lot of money or time to spend on stuff like this when Amber wasn’t dragging her around, but… this was…

“Amber!” Stacy gasped, seeing the sign engraved beautifully above the front desk, “Is this Igloo??”

“Guilty!” Amber giggled, trotting over to the front desk, taking out some identification as she said, “Reservation under Amber? Thank you~”

Stacy’s eyes widened, looking around the ritzy lobby with new expectation as she said, “How did… you even get a reservation this short notice? Did you know we were going here today?”

“The owners an old friend, I stopped by and asked her if she could move some things around for us. Thank you again, I know you were called in.” Amber said, beaming with appreciation at the receptionist.

With the receptionist laughed lightly, waving her hand dismissively, “Not at all, we’re all getting overtime and an extra vacation day for coming in last minute like this. Besides, a spa day for the Prince Kokichi!?” The receptionist giggled, looking with blatant excitement over at Kokichi, “We’re more than happy to have you, Prince Kokichi! It’s an honor!”

Kokichi nodded with a small smile, finding it easy to be focused on his friends and not any of the people they passed. “My sibling’s done my makeup before, and I am a fan of luxuriant bath times, but I’ve never had an actual spa experience. I’m pretty excited to see what it’s all about.”

Thanking the doorman as well, Kokichi’s eyes bugged as they stepped into...what he had been expecting to be a spa floor, but was very obviously a lobby. This...this was a high-end spa. And judging by Stacy’s reaction, one that was relatively competitive to get an appointment with. 

Still gawking a bit as he looked around, Kokichi refocused on the receptionist, feeling flattered and thankful, and a little embarrassed that...this whole day was literally for them. Giving the woman a smile, Kokichi laughed with a slight bit of flustered energy. “Thank you for having us! This place looks incredible--I appreciate you all coming in. I hope I don’t ruin my impression too much with how much I’m blown away...it’s such a welcoming atmosphere, with a crisp, fashionable edge…”

“Perfect! We do try our best here, and honestly, if you’re not a little overwhelmed, then we really haven't hit our goal.” The receptionist laughed, watching as an extremely built, muscular man just barely squeezing into an ice blue polo and slacks came out of the backroom holding a clipboard, as she said, “ I’ll be certain to pass on the compliments to the owner and managers, but for now, let me go ahead and pass you three off to Geno here, who’s going to be your guide through the spa.”

“Amber, Stacy, and of course, Kokichi, right? The names Geno, and I see you all have asked for the full package today! That’s a full day for you all, but we’ll move on through each event on your pace today. Find yourself not super into sauna time but absolutely loving jacuzzi time? No worries, you can spend as much or as little time on each event as you like, the day is yours. We also have a varied and extravagant list of massages and relaxation techniques to go through, and your full package also entitles you to a full makeover in any style that suits your fancy.”

“We are not going to want to skip the saunas.” Amber grinned, following Geno through the door to the rest of the building, “They’re scented and the steam is colorful, and this really nice music is always playing somehow through it? It’s so extra and I pretty much love it above all else. But, I insist we also try all the cold lockers and blasts that this place is named for. Going to all these things after a gush of freezing becomes a heavenly experience, so worth it, oh my god.”

“We are named for it, but not everyone appreciated the option. Find you don’t like the freeze blasts and cold rooms? No pressure to follow through on it, there’s plenty else to enjoy.” Geno called behind him.

Kokichi laughed along a little with the expectation the spa set for itself and...damn, Kaito was going to love hearing about this place. Something so fancy and extra seemed like just the thing that would make his husband squee and look around with glittering eyes. Hmm...if not a shopping day, maybe Kokichi would look into booking a spa day with his husband, after everything he went through with the reptile conservation center. Kaito deserved to have a really fun, amazing outing too. 

As their guide came out, Kokichi… Okay, his eyes did linger on the way his sleeves clung to his biceps. Ooph. Geno was an attractive guy. Maybe that would be a bonus for Kaito too. 

While Kokichi hung on Amber’s vivid description of the saunas--and the...cold locker and blast?--Kokichi was certainly interested, but...he was relieved to hear they weren’t on a strict timer. Giving his friend an apologetic smile, Kokichi softly shrugged. “Don’t get me wrong, I definitely wanna try out all that, but...for extreme temperature stuff, I might have to have a more brief experience. The last time Shuu-chan and I went to the castle sauna I passed out from heat exhaustion...but I should be alright for a nice time to experience everything.”

...though, he hadn’t been in anything sauna-like since his attack… At least he wouldn’t be doing yoga. 

Geno took them into a beautiful hallway, that the second you walked in had a very strange combination of ice symbology and natural, floral scenting, a first introduction to the overall theme and aesthetic of the spa itself. Lavender hung from the ceiling, its purple flowers swaying slightly in the heat of the vents, but the walls were all ice blue and while not actually ice, were cold to the touch. Temperature wise, the warm venting mixed with the ice of the walls and the floors was immediately soothing on tough, knotted muscles, each touch somehow a refreshing break from either the heat or the chill. And as the hallway opened up to the back…

“Some of you might be interested to know, that our spa is actually licensed also as a conservatory for extremely rare, delicate arctic plants. Now, we encourage our guests to enjoy gazing and smelling the Thapolosis, Captselz, and Lilyvadas we have on display here,” Geno said, tucking a few stray dark hairs out of his face as he gestured to the plants lining the walls, ice blue flowers and strong, vibrant bushes of similar color, but with light pink linings in the veins, and lavender still hung from the ceiling, but it was intermingled with ice blue vines whose thorns were also that bright, light pink, “However, we ask all guests to look, but not touch. The plants are very fragile and too much handling causes them to wilt.”

“Giving them the rundown, Geno?” A short, but equally muscular and equally handsome blond man, this one wearing cargo shorts and… not much else came around from the other side of one of the rows of plants, putting down a watering can and wiping some dirt off his hands as he said, “Should I go grab Silvia? These our massagees?”

“Silvia should be here any minute, why don’t you show them the menu of the kind of massages they can get here with us, and I’ll go grab the tools.” Geno said, turning to the group with a grin, before gesturing to the three soft, white massage beds lining the middle of the room, “This is Niko, he’s one of the masseuses helping us out today, and Silvia will be the third. Down that hall is a locker room to change into your robes, and once you’re all changed and have picked which massage styles you want to try? We can all get started! Sound good?” Geno asked, winking at Kokichi.

This wasn’t an aesthetic combination Kokichi had ever seen before, and before he knew it, his artistic brain and logistic brain were tumbling hand in hand full speed down a tall hill of thought. Ice flora...crystalline patterns were a natural fit for flowers, both obeying similar rules, and little cracks in ice, or even smaller crystal patterns could be easy stand-ins for plant veins… Heat pumped in through vents, while the walls were cool, working together to bring an equilibrium that was still both extremes…

Even Kokichi’s excitement walking through the halls couldn’t compare to the amazed little gasp that escaped him when they reached the...room? They were headed to. Immediately, all nervous thoughts were shoved to the side as an insatiable, creative urge to paint hit the small prince. 

Though, he’d have to wait until he got back home. 

“These are incredible…” Kokichi breathed, eyes wide and astonished as he swept his gaze across the flowers again and again. Honestly, he felt like he could just sit in that room for hours…

But that wasn’t what they were there for. 

Distractedly looking back to Geno, his mind catching him up on the plan, Kokichi gave the man a wide, innocently delighted smile, nodding his understanding and agreement. It, if Kaito were there to easily recognize it, was incredibly similar to the smile Kokichi had worn seeing the sea for the first time, or the smile he wore when Kaito had done something lovely and amazing. It was a smile of Kokichi seeing the world, and appreciating it with every atom of his being. 

Aw. Cute. The prince seemed delighted, and man, that dude could smile sweetly. Very cute. 

Geno headed off to collect the supplies, and Nico reached under one of the tables looking for something, before pulling out three laminated menus, with a small aside on each of them what the massage consisted of. 

Swedish Massage: full muscle body massage 

Hot Stone Massage: Heated and frozen stones are placed on different tension spots on your body at different intervals

Aromatherapy massage: a swedish massage with scented oils

Deep Tissue Massage: Swedish massage with more pressure: Ideal for muscle injuries.

Sports Massage: A massage that focuses on pre-discussed parts of the body the entier massage: ideal for prepping for future extremely physical activity.

Trigger Point Massage: A trigger point, or ‘pressure point’ massage, where certain parts of the body that cause pain in other parts are put exceptional pressure on: warning, this massage can hurt in the process, but is ideal for chronic pain relief.

Reflexology: Massage only for feet, hands and ears. Designed for touch-shy patients.

Shiatsu: The masseuse will massage you using their feet and heels rather than hands to apply additional fully body pressure.

Thai Massage: A type of assisted Yoga, allowing for fuller stretches. Ideal for costumers looking to ease tension but have difficulty moving.

Pre-natal Massage: Reduce pregnancy aches and joint swelling: WARNING! Not for use through first trimester. Igloo advises all pregnant people to wait till second trimester before getting a massage, when the fetus is firmer.

“We also do requests for special types of massages people hear about, like the cacti-massage, the glass-heat massage, the Upside-Down Massage. We even have a deal with a farm nearby if you all really want a Goat Massage, though you’d have to give us time to go fetch the goats.” Niko said, smirking a little as he shook his head before telling them, “People get really hyped up on the ‘trendy new massage’ and we try to keep up by keeping the supplies around, though, those kind of massages are more… novelty experiences than actually more helpful than just a basic full body massage. And if you’re looking for an acupuncture massage to help with chronic pain, you need to go to an acupuncture clinic for that, since that’s actually more a medical procedure than it is a massage. Any questions about your options?”

Stacy smirked, battering her eyes at Niko as she said, “Can we choose who our masseuse is gonna be?”

Niko laughed, giving her a smirk back, but said, “We tend to decide based on who we know is better at what kind of massage you want. If you want a Shiatsu? I’m your guy. If you want a Swedish style, my husband Geno is a master at it. And Silvia is amazing Trigger Point.”

Stacy pouted: why were all the hot men in her life gay? Auuuuuugh! It’s not like she was gonna try to take him home, but she would have liked the fantasy, dammit! Amber laughed, patting her friend on the back while the blond said, “Ooooh, you’re married… to the guy tree made of muscle who just left… you’re both so lucky-”

“I know.” Niko said kindly, also patting Stacy on the arm sympathetically, “It’s really not fair.”

As Kokichi read through the menu, a part of him that had relaxed...stiffened a bit. Some of the stuff on there… Seiko had said as much. That she knew them to be general massaging techniques… And not everything Cedar had done had hurt him--they’d just been...ineffective. Things that could be done fine for just relaxation. It wouldn’t hurt him…

He glanced up from reading, smiling slightly as yet again, Stacy struck out on...well, at least a fantasy love life. One of these days they’d go out on the town and he’d be an excellent wingman for his two single friends. A giant for Amber and a prettyboy beefcake for Stacy. If...he didn’t scare anyone off by being ‘Prince Kokichi’. 

“Did you two meet through work? Since you’re both masseurs? I feel like that could be a very cute story,” Kokichi softly grinned, more...purposefully putting his momentary discomfort behind him. 

“We… did meet through work, yes.” Niko said carefully, chuckling as he ran a hand through his hair, “Just not this work. I actually used to be a part of the guardforce, Geno ended up in a bad crowd full of sticky fingers, a loooooot of other things happened, and we decided if we wanted to be together neither of us could stay in our previous job. That was all about seven years ago now, so thankfully tough decision seems to have worked out for us.”

“That… is kind of an amazing sounding story and I supes wants the deets,” Amber smirked, “Also, I’d like a Shiatsu massage, so I guess you’ll be with me, handsome. You can tell me all about it while stepping on me. Sounds like a great time.”

There was a sudden, thump, thump, thump… and a massive woman, ducking her head under the door, walked into the room as she said, “Tell about what? You telling the ‘ex-guard/ex-con love story’ again, Niko?”

“It’s a great story! Our clients love that story!” Niko pouted, “A love story for the ages!”

“Yeah, yeah. You just like to gush. Let our clients relax and enjoy their massages. I am Silvia-”

“You’re La Pantera!” Amber gasped, “I saw your match last week! It was amazing!”

Silvia blinked, before sighing, smiling softly, “That’s my part time job. I’m glad you enjoyed the match. Off the ring my name is Silvia.”

“Can I get an autograph!?” Amber begged, eyes sparkling. “If I bring back a t-shirt would you sign it!?’

“...yes.”

“Yes!”

Kokichi let out a soft, almost cooing, “Aww!” at the summary of the story, able to envision it easily on the back of some modern romance novel. It certainly did sound like a love story for the ages. He was always a sucker for those, ‘meeting from two worlds’ kind of stories...and even his own version of it hadn’t dampened his enthusiasm. 

As the next masseuse came in, Kokichi’s eyes widened a little. Sure, there were many tall women in the city--and likely across Dicea, honestly, though Kokichi had no real way to know conclusively--this woman was, like...Sakura-big. Built with a big frame and...aw yeah, with a softness to her too. 

But a wrestler? Kaito would adore this place. 

Looking over to Amber, Kokichi gave her a mildly surprised look. “You’re a wrestling fan? I never knew.”

“Oh, defo!” Amber beamed, still looking at Silvia with stars in her eyes, “I grew up on professional wrestling! It was how me and my dad bonded! We’d go to all the major events in the city, get really into all the storylines and subplots, I got a mask from your brother, The Blue Devil when I was seven and dad had gotten us front row tickets! I still have it!”

Silvia seemed to noticeably brighten at this, grinning proudly as she said, “Aw, you’re one of Alejandro’s kids? He gives those masks to kids in the crowd he wants to encourage to get into wrestling themselves. You must have looked really enthusiastic that day if he got it for you.”

Amber blushed, a full body burn as she practically squirmed in place as she said, “Oh, ha, I-I’d never get strong enough to be a professional wrestler! I mean, I try to keep in shape, I work out regularly, but what you guys do is incredible, though, I’ll admit, I made up a whole character and persona and plots I think I could have done well-”

Silvia laughed, putting up her hands as she said, “I see, I see. You know, the gym down on sixth has a class for amueter professional wrestlers to learn and perform smaller matches for the community. If you’re still enthusiastic for the idea, you should check it out. Alejandro goes and assists teaching sometimes.”

“EEEEEEEEEEE” Amber said, short circuiting.

“Alright! I have all the basics! Our guests picked which massages they want?” Geno asked, pulling in a cart.

Kokichi’s gaze softened, enchanted by the passion and enthusiasm and...straight up love in Amber’s voice. It wasn’t something they had ever talked about before, but he could hear how much it was a part of her life. While he was sure Amber was checked out on a fantasy of making what sounded like a life-long dream come true, Kokichi still laughed, nudging her arm gently. “Am-chan, you totally gotta tell me all your worldbuilding. Next coffee date, for sure.”

As Geno returned, focusing them all back on the massages, Kokichi nodded slightly. Stuff like the Reflexology and yoga massages were...a little too much for his psyche at the moment, and while a trigger point massage might be good for him, considering his chronic pain, really? Today was for relaxing, and Kokichi could just...have a treat. “I’d like the aromatherapy massage, please. Though, can I ask, what do the oils smell like?”

“You're with me then, Kokichi.” Geno smirked, taking up a box on the trolly and saying, “Come take a look. We have all kinds of oils, any scent you could possibly hope for-”

“Not chocolate,” Silvia pointed out, heading over to Stacy, who was still looking over the menu, “Do you need help choosing?”

“What about the hot rock thing? Would you recommend it?” Stacy asked, looking up, and up, and up at Silvia, “It sounds fancy.”

“Hot rocks is pretty fancy, and it can be very soothing. Your posture suggests shoulder pain and feet pain though, so with your permission, I’ll probably also work on those while the rocks do their thing.” Silvia advised, Stacy subconsciously rolling her shoulders at the suggestion.

“Oh! Sure, okay. All of that then.” Stacy smiled, following as Silvia lead her to the far bed. Amber hopping onto the middle as Niko went over to her to discuss specifics.

Kokichi laughed softly at Silvia’s clarification before he peered over the oil box. As amazing as it would be, chocolate scents tended to be pretty difficult to get right. Kokichi was yet to find a candle that really fit the bill and didn’t end up smelling more waxy than chocolatey. 

As he looked over, Kokichi hummed and pointed to one tincture bottle, looking up at Geno. “I’m a big fan of lavender--use it for my body soap at home and my family’s given it a seal of approval too. I’ve been thinking about trying out a rose scent soon but, I dunno. I kinda like the consistency.”

Heading over to the last bed in the line, Kokichi hopped up on it, just...appropriately calmed by the fluffy robes the spa provided and the wonderland-like room of rare plants. 

...this would be his first massage not done by Kaito, huh. ...probably...he shouldn’t be as vocal as he usually was for his husband. That would be a little inappropriate.

“Lavender is a solid option for anyone, honestly. It might honestly be one of the most universally beloved scents in the world. That’s me entirely guessing, but damn if it doesn’t feel that way.” Geno smirked, taking the oils while Silvia got her rocks set up, Amber, Stacy and Kokichi all settling in. 

“Geno, give me a hand up?” Niko asked his husband, as both Amber and Stacy were helped out of their robes, towels placed on their asses for a sense of modesty as they laid on their fronts, their faces laid against the hole in the bed that would comfortably allow them to lay straight down while still being able to breath and talk comfortably. 

“I got you shorty, come on.” Geno laughed, leaning down and offering his hand to stand on as Niko, still just waiting cargo shorts, used the lift to stand on the bed around Amber. “Silvia? Music and lights?”

“On it.” she said, heading to the far wall and moving a few switches. “Feel free to talk, but also feel free to just lay there and relax. This is all about letting the stress go.”

The lights dimmed, and on the ground, looking through the holes of the mattress, the lighting somehow managed to make the floor look like ice forming and crystalizing, cracking and shifting, a kaleidoscope of blue and white as music, some form of harp, gently filled the room.

Geno went to Kokichi and laughed gently, “You comfortable taking your robe off, Kokichi? I’m sorry to tell you that oil massages don’t work all that well through the silk and cotton.”

“It does tend to be the first thing I think of when I think of relaxing scents,” Kokichi nodded. Just unfortunate that it was a not wholly uncommon allergy. Not enough that it kept people from putting it in soaps and the like, but enough that it wasn’t a surprise if someone requested other things. Some people were just missing out. 

Kokichi took a deep breath as the mood started to be set, looking around in calm amazement before his cheeks tinted and he started to disrobe. “Uh, yeah, sorry… I’ve never really been to anywhere like this…”

It was different from the castle facilities. The basis was there, sure, but...it was all self-directed. Kokichi had just figured out for himself what was nice about the sauna and jacuzzi and all that, and Kaito’s first few massages for him had been because Kokichi had been in so much pain he’d nearly been in tears. For following a menu and being at a place that took care of everything...it was the definition of pampering, but also a little intimidating.

“Ooooof.” Amber sighed, as Niko stepped carefully around her back, feeling it out as the air was lightly pushed out of her lungs at the pressure, “Oh man, just… break me.”

“Mmmm, no.” Niko said, though he did put a little more pressured around her lower back, kneading his toes in as he said, “But I can almost break you if it helps?”

“That sounds almost just as good.” Amber agreed with another deep sigh, relaxing into her massage.

“These first few here are going to be frozen, but I’m going to replace them soon. Speak up if it feels like too much, it’s not meant to hurt.” Silvia informed Stacy, who twitched as the few frozen rocks were put down, but seemed otherwise fine.

After a moment, Stacy admitted, “That actually feels pretty good by itself. It’s nice… oh man, there is a lot of pain in my shoulders, isn’t there… how did you know?”

“Posture.” Silvia said simply, putting on more rocks.

“She’s La Pantera.” Amber sighed happily, “She’s amazing.”

Geno, in turn, put oil on his hands, but also slathered it onto Kokichi’s back, the oil surprisingly warm. Large hands pressed into Kokichi’s back, the method behind it too different from Kaito’s to really mistake the two. While Kaito did small, hard circles around the muscles that seemed to hurt Kokichi most, Geno kept his hand flat, using his palm more than his fingers as he pressed up and down the curves of Kokichi’s shoulders blades and spine with his palm, like someone rolling out dough.

Aromatherapy was a full body massage, and as time continued on Geno would do Kokichi shoulders, arms, and was even massaging his hands a little, before moving onto his legs. “Let me know where I’m going to high, Kokichi.” Geno told him gently, working on his thighs.

Stacy was entirely still as the heated rocks worked their magic on her back, Silvia massaging the balls of her feet, and it was quite possible she was actually asleep right now, as Amber and Niko talked, Amber making plenty of noise with each step as she said, “Mmph… so do you… oh… miss it?”

“Guard work? Sure, sometimes. I miss the sense of purpose it gave me. I put a lot of my identity into my work, and was aiming to be the Captain of the Guard someday, but… well, there were a lot of reasons I had to stop, but-”

“It was too hard to keep myself out of the underbelly of Dicea when my husband was constantly directly interacting and bringing those people back into our lives.” Geno shrugged, running his hand up and down Kokichi’s thigh, squeezing the muscles, “People kept trying to bring me back in specifically to have an advantage over him. And… it was tempting a lot. It could be hard to say no.”

“You miss your old job, Geno?” Amber sighed, before grunting. “Fuck.”

“Mmm… some parts of it.” Geno admitted, shrugging, “I thought I was going to work thieve rings my whole life. There were talks of mentoring me into a mob-boss someday… I miss the confidence of doing something that people really respected. The danger of it…”

Niko sighed, “But?”

“But crime is bad and makes my husband sad.” Geno snorted, “And he’d totally leave me if I went back.”

“Damn right I would.”

Kokichi did censor himself a bit, but...hearing Amber right next to him? He felt more confident letting out his soft sighs, pleased with the broad strokes more warming up and calming his muscles than the targeted knot release that Kaito usually gave him. There wasn’t really any just breathing through a moment of pain before release--just a nice, calm time. That smelled absolutely wonderful. 

And Kokichi quietly thanked Geno for his work and consideration, never pressing too hard on his jutting bones and giving him clear moments to speak up if he got too uncomfortable. But while there were a few places no one but his partners had touched before, it was so obviously professional that Kokichi couldn’t feel an issue with anything. 

“...it can be difficult, balancing a personal relationship within two worlds that...hm. Don’t even have to oppose directly...but are just involved…” Kokichi sighed softly. “I’m glad you two figured things out.”

“It wasn’t easy. But getting what you want most rarely is.” Geno sighed, moving onto Kokichi’s feet, taking the heel and the back of Kokichi’s foot and stretching it up a little, lengthening the calves a little before pushing and moving around the oil into the bottom of balls of his feet, idly slathering the oil between his toes, every movement practiced and expertly understood. “And I just decided getting to marry Niko was what I wanted more than the…” Geno sighed.

Niko rolled his eyes. “Here we go.”

“Da-pulta Pink Diamond… 8.23 carat, lined by 1.1 carat diamond, with the note of Ikana engraved in gold somehow within the fold of the diamond itself… it was sent as a gift and a code in the fourth dynasty of Othain to the Grand Mistress in Esprain, a concubine of the Warlord family at the time of Esprain, and some say the code was meant to be a love confession and a time and place to escape with him, and others say the Grand Mistress tricked Da-pulta into sending the current wearbouts of his secret home base, which lost him the war. No one will ever know, the secrets died with them. But the ring itself is worth-”

“1, 6500,000 coin.” Amber sighed, Niko getting her shoulders as she said, “And that’s just the general market. If you got a dedicated collector, you could negotiate that waaaaay up… but that diamonds in the museum over in northern Dicea, right? That place is impossible to break into, no ones ever managed to do it. That’s why Dicea’s most expensive gifts from foriegn nations always go to it.”

Geno snorted. “Do you think if the museum known and trusted for its impeccable security would ever tell anyone if they were successfully stolen from? I saw a painting in Don Mioxites home once that looks reaaaal similar to the Capela’s Secret Garden painting that the museum has hanging up in its eastern hall.”

“Then he has a fake. There’s no way you’d get into that museum, grab the Secret Garden, and leave the pink diamond behind. Unthinkable.” Amber sighed gently.

“Not if he switched out the painting before the museum got their hands on it.”

“The museum wouldn’t have accepted the painting as authentic when they got it then, and it still wouldn’t counted against their reputation since they hadn’t gotten the painting yet. Your Don has a fake, I’m telling ya.”

“Yeah, well…” Geno pouted, “Maybe.”

Kokichi was a little more vocal, though overall that didn’t amount to much, when Geno started on his feet. Always sensitive, they were. But the riveting conversation was more than enough to pull his attention away. The Da-pulta pink diamond…

The worth of such an item had always been overwhelming to Kokichi, but he could tell that it was a high value even without. A historical item and a marvel of artisan craft all in one? 

Kokichi sighed softly. “I hope not… Artifacts like that are kept in the museum so everyone can enjoy them… I’ve always wanted to go. I feel like I could spend a year just looking at the paintings alone--it’s not the same looking at copies in books. I know a few of the paintings we...ngm. We got from Luminary for the treaty are in there now too…”

There had been a big dispersal of all the treasures the Luminary Party had brought. More consumable items going back to the communities that had supplied Dicean goods for Luminary, and some items heading to local museums. But there were a few artworks, once they’d been appraised, that had been sent to the museum up north for safekeeping and enculturation. Pieces they could date and identify as “grand works”, and would be congruent in preservation alongside the other pieces in the collection. 

...they still had to go see Kaito’s armor in the Usott museum, when the exhibit was open…

Kokichi snorted softly. “I dunno how much a baby’s gonna enjoy a museum. It might be a while before we go to one as a family trip…”

“Pfff, baby’s enjoy being where they are and shiny objects.” Amber snorted, sighing contently as Niko on onto his knees, resting on her back, and started massaging her shoulders, “Just give her a rattle and a bottle, I’m sure she’ll love the museum.”

“Congratulations on the pregnancy, Kokichi. Big news, when that got out. You lost me a bet, but it's still a very happy event.” Niko congratulated.

“And IIII won some money. Knew the second I saw your husbands picture in the newspaper- that’s a guy with swimmers.” Geno snickered.

“They’re both guys! It shouldn’t matter that he had ‘swimmers’! I thought it’d take more time to plan out kids than the first year.” Niko groaned.

“”Still, five?” Geno snorted. “Swimmers gotta swim. I bet that guys been biting at the bit for kids. Beefcakes always are.”

“You don’t want kids. Why are you so convinced big, muscular men do?” Silvia pointed out, being gentle with her sleeper. 

“I am the exception that proves the rule. Wanna know what all my gym partner's all have in common? Kids. Kids everywhere. Pablo? His wife is pregnant again. It's their fourth!”

“That sounds like a ‘just your friends’ thing.” Niko snorted, “Though tell Pablo congratulations for me.”

“Thank you. We’re very excited for Miya and, honestly,” Kokichi softly laughed, “I would be very surprised if you were the only people with a bet like that.” Such was public life, as much as he wanted to be able to promise Shuuichi some protection from it. People would always be interested in what they were up to, as the royal family, and while it could feel a little weird for people to bet on such personal things, like having a child, you just sort of have to take it in good humor. People didn’t generally try to take it too far in front of him, at least. 

Though, Kokichi burned red against the massage table as Geno and Niko discussed Kaito’s...er...swimmers. 

“We, uh… We had discussed that we wanted kids, but originally we had planned things a little further out. Kai-chan already has Tim, after all… But we’re happy to have Miya. I can barely wait these last few weeks, honestly...and Shuu-chan’s been about ready for months.”

“I bet. We get a few pregnant people in here every blue moon, and they do not talk about how much they ‘love’ being pregnant.” Geno laughed, before saying seriously, “Well, one woman did, but she seemed a little off. Again, an exception that proves the rule.”

Niko glanced at his watch, before saying, “How are we feeling? After this, we want to take you three to the saunas, and then let you relax in the jacuzzi’s. There’s frozen hallways blasts between the different areas, but you can go around them if you’re not up to that. After your time in the jacuzzi, we’ll do the makeovers and facials. Get into these nails and open up those pores. Sound like a plan?”

“I never want to leave this place.” Amber groaned into her massage, before looking up, “I know this was last minute today, but do we still have available the champaign and cheese, crackers and fruit platters for the jacuzzi?”

“You know it. We’ll get it set up while you’re in the saunas.”

“Yeeeees.” Amber groaned, “I owe my friend every favor in the world.”

Maybe Kaito would end up giving a massage today anyway. Kokichi could see Shuuichi getting a hankering when Kokichi told them about all this. 

...just a few more weeks, then they could meet their daughter. And Shuuichi could finally put her down. As frantic as they’d be, taking care of a newborn, Shuuichi was going to have as much time to rest as he wanted, after nine months of inescapable baby time. 

As much as Kokichi would be happy with a massage forever--and as much as it wasn’t the pinpoints Kaito usually did, Kokichi was still feeling happily boneless--time in a sauna and a jacuzzi sounded nice. And he’d give the frozen hallway a try, at least once. Maybe he’d even get his nails painted something bright and fun…

...he’d go with the facial, but he was good on the makeup front, though. 

Kokichi closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the last bit of his massage with a smile. “...thanks for taking us out today, Am-chan. I really appreciate it.”

“For the baby having a baby? Anything.” Amber sighed contently… before stretching, Niko climbing off of her, “Alright, let’s wake up Stacy. Sauna time!”

-

Amber, Stacy, and Kokchi, still in their robes, barefoot, wearing nothing beneath the robes, stared in intimidated excitement at the hallway.

It looked like the inside of a glacier. The flooring was rock, but the walls might actually be ice. There were glass balls and other small decorations frozen into the ice. It was beautiful. And even standing outside of it, they could tell it was freezing.

At the other end of the hallways, was a door to the saunas.

“This is madness.” Stacy whispered. “Am I still sleeping? Why are we doing this??”

“It’ll make the sauna feel amazing… and it’s not… that long of a hallway.” Amber whispered back, her eyes widening as she realized the small blur in her vision was beng able to see her breath… before squaring her shoulders. “Baby. Bestie. Both of you take my hands. We’re gonna run for it.”

“Oh, goooooood.” Stacy squealed, grasping Ambers hand, “Nooooo.”

“Yes.”

Already Kokichi could feel himself starting to shiver. Getting out of the bath was always a nightmare, one that Kaito had mitigated with his constantly radiating heat, when Kokichi had the opportunity to press against him and mooch until he could dive into bed, but this...this was a new level. This was getting out of the bath and opening a window. In winter. While they were snowed in. 

Kokichi let out a little breath, it fogging up in front of his face, and took Amber’s hand with a determined look in his eyes. “At least once. For the experience! And the sauna will warm us up immediately.”

Looking down the hallway like it was an opponent, Kokichi nodded. “On three, we run.”

“One, two…”

“Three!”

With only Amber’s hand in his to tell Kokichi that the girls were keeping up, Kokichi booked it down the hall, the slight slaps of bare feet echoing softly against the stone.

Cooooooooold!

COLD COLD COLD COLD Apples?

The sauna as they got inside of it, the steam roaring out as they opened the door and ran in, Kokichi taking lead, Amber barely keeping up, Stacy practically dragged behind her, was a bright green color, and as they closed the door behind themselves, forcing out the cold, the apple scented, green smoke settled and shifted around them, the benches calling out to them in the pitter patter of lights coming in through the wood walls around them.

“Woo!” Amber laughed, “We did it!”

“I am, like, so awake now.” Stacy laughed, tucking her hair behind her ears and taking a seat on one of the benches, “Wow. I haven't run like that in ages.”

“Hhhhhhhhhhhhrr…”

Kokichi shuddered as his body tried to acclimate from freezing to warm and he joined Stacy on the bench, shaking his head as he breathed in the apple-scented steam. “This? Very cool, but I might take the side path to the jacuzzi later… Ugh...there’s a reason my partners call me a heat leech.” Kokichi took another deep breath and rubbed his arms before relaxing more.

Looking around...the scenery was just as jarring a change as the temperature. Wood all around, and the green steam just gave the impression of woodland...like they were taking a break in a cozy little cabin after taking a trip out to a wooded glen…

Kokichi laughed softly. “Wow… It’s like every room here wants me to break out my sketchbook…”

“It’s a lot, isn’t it?” Amber grinned, spreading her arms against the second bench elevated behind them, the steam blowing out like a puff as she huffed a relaxed sighed, leaning back, “I’m a total sucker for big, showy buildings like this. Where all the different rooms clearly had so much time and thought put into it…  I definitely got it from my father. He loved stuff like this too. The more gaudy and extravagant, the better.”

Stacy laughed gently, giving her friend a fond look as she said, “That’s never not going to surprise me, since the word you always use for him is ‘hick’.”

“I say it with all the love in the world, but that is what he was. My backwoods country bumpkin papa.” Amber said, a touch of sadness in her voice as she said, “We used to go to that nail salon over by the market? The ladies there were obsessed with his accent. They’d ask him to say all these different things for new costumers who weren’t familiar with him. I used to get a little offended on his behalf, but he always had a real good sense of humor about it. Would play it up a little for the giggles, all the while they were doing his pedicures and scrubbing his feet… he’d have loved to have met you, Kokchi. Sweet little Baby Prince, all regal and bouncy and kind? He’d have doted on you. And Stacy, he’d have been a shameless flirt with you. Absolutely would have complimented you, like, craaazy, and then would have laughed at me while I got embarrassed.”

It was an experience for sure. And while Kokichi might not always be prepared for big experiences, he still loved to at least give them a try. The whole production of everything...Amber was definitely the kind of person who could gleam in this kind of gem, while still having her feet touch the earth. It was one of the things Kokichi really admired about his friend. 

And to hear it was a family trait too… Kokichi smiled softly, propping up his chin as he turned towards Amber. Past tense...but full of love. “I would’ve loved to meet your dad too. Raisin’ someone like Am-chan, I’m sure we would’ve gotten along great.”

“...can I ask where he was from? My family were kind of surprised by my dad’s accent, when they met. It’d be kinda funny if they were from around the same place.”

“Tidan, over far east? Near the Danganronpa border. Saw it once when we went to visit his hometown as a kid. Nothing there.” Amber laughed, shaking her head, “But the trip itself was fun. The town was a middle of nowhere series of small, dusty farms. Papa wanted me to see where he came from to better appreciate growing up in the capital… they did make great licorice in that town though. That candy lady had no one to sell it to, she just did it for the love of it, and she had mastered it. Man, I’d go back for the licorice alone.”

Kokichi nodded slowly, pinpointing the tiny town on his mental map. Tidan… It had been something of an issue in the area when they had started having to inspect Ronpan goods. The town wasn’t a trade hub, but being so close to the border, it would be really easy to smuggle things in. The town just didn’t have the industry to systematically check through new goods...but thankfully, there were some folks from a nearby city who had wanted to live more rurally, and they had opted for setting up a check station, so they could easily check if someone was trying to smuggle spores into the town. 

Smiling at the mention of licorice--and of people creating just for the love of it--Kokichi laughed softly. “Maybe that’ll be a stop one day. The best licorice in the country? Definitely a place to visit.”

“Nm, my dad’s from Foncet, though. Still east, so...maybe it’s a family of accents, or something.”

“It might not be the same accent.” Amber chuckled, before saying…

Well, she definitely said something. But it sounded like she was trying to mumble while sucking on a fist sized rock in the back of her throat, the gargle strangely… musical, in a way. 

Then, in common Usott accent, she said, “Is your dad like that?”

Kokichi raised his eyebrows a bit before grinning. Thinking how the light teasing his family gave him over his own accent, and then thinking about how it’d go if he had a Tidan accent. “Not quite,” he softly laughed.

Dropping all expression, Kokichi lidded his eyes a little. “M’ pa’s mer like this, y’in?”

“Though, I think it’s shifted a little more in past years,” Kokichi shrugged. “I can see why people would be thrilled with your dad’s accent. Don’t hear too much like it in the city.”

Amber laughed, “Nice. What about your folks, Stacy? Oh, did you mom enjoy her birthday gift?”

“She loved it, yeah. And my parents both grew up in Usott too.” Stacy shrugged, smiling softly, “Why leave? It’s a great city, suits all my needs, all my friends and family are here. Though, sometimes I feel a little lame that I never felt the need to, I don’t know… spread my wings and go somewhere new. By this rate, if I get into any of the fashion companies I’m aiming for, I’ll probably spend my whole life in Usott.”

Amber shrugged, “You’re in good company. Just because my dad was brave enough to head out somewhere new doesn’t mean I did it. I grew up in Usott too. And yeah… Usott’s great! Why leave? The city has everything, including the vineyards just outside the city border… oh man, now I really want that champaign. Do you guys wanna move onto the jacuzzi soon? I’m already breaking into a sweat and I don’t want to be too hot heading to the jacuzzi.”

“I think we’re gonna end up going through a frozen hallway again… well, you and I will, not Kokichi. Kokichi gets to watch us run like crazy people.” Stacy giggled, “But I doubt we’ll feel overheated.”

Kokichi nodded along with Amber reassuring Stacy that it was fine to want to spend her life in one place. “With Usott in particular too, I mean...it’s a pretty metropolitan city. Of anywhere to stick around, it is a place that’s always changing, and connected to so much.”

He had a lot of places he wanted to travel to, places he wanted to see, but...Kokichi knew that Usott would always be home. Even apart from his duty...he loved the city. No matter where he went and the amazing things he experienced...there wouldn’t be anything quite like coming back home. 

Giggling softly, Kokichi shrugged a bit, feeling a little more than warm, but a jacuzzi with snacks? He certainly wasn’t going to say no to heading there early. “I think that running like crazy people is part of the fun, but it’s a little too extreme for me. I’m cool with heading to the jacuzzi, though.”

“Oh, but speaking of...are the vineyards cool? Kai-chan and I got to look around the Kiginko orchard during Harvest last year, and it was amazing.”

“The Tealeaf vineyard is a lot of fun with some great drinks and I cannot recommend it for you, baby.” Amber beamed, shaking her head as she stood up, stretching her incredibly relaxed muscle a bit, preparing to leave, “It’s an old-school vineyard that doubles as a really sketchy nightclub at night ever since one of the kids to the old owners inherited it and renovated. A great time!... for a certain kind of person.”

“The Lionette vineyard is really steady, super fancy, like, where you take someone if you want to impress your in-laws sort of thing, but the family that owns it are a bunch of boring snobs. Their eldest daughter is a lot of fun! ...but she spends most of her time at the Tealeaf Vineyard, sooooo~”

“And, finally, the Clay family vineyard. Veeeery cool drinks, very exotic flavors with a rich tapestry of mushrooms and tea leaves selling there too, but… ehhhhh, the vineyard doubles as a cemetery, and the bodies that are buried there double as fertilizer for the crops. The owners are super nice and friendly, but that’s stiiiiiilll kinda weird to me.” Amber shrugged, “Otherwise a nice time though! Those are the ones I’ve been to.”

Kokichi snickered quietly, appreciating the run-down of the vineyards. Tealeaf was...yeah, not his scene. And probably not Kaito’s anymore either. But it was good to know about, if the scene stayed the same when the kids were teens. It wasn’t exactly the kind of place Kokichi would want Tim or Miya going to either, but it was better to know than having the kids disappear to a “party” on a night.

Lionette, on the other hand, was...probably somewhere touristy they could go if they had Luminary guests. And while Clay sounded absolutely intriguing to Kokichi...Kaito probably wouldn’t be a fan. Maybe it would be something fun he and Shuuichi could do. 

“It’s a little weird,” Kokichi conceded, “But I think it’s a sweet sentiment. Continuing your life, in a way, to plants. I think I’d be interested in visiting, but it might be an uphill battle convincing my husband.” 

As they got to the exit, Kokichi headed over to the side path, giving the girls an encouraging smile and double-fisted gesture. “I’ll see you on the other side! Good luck!”

Amber smirked, staring down the intimidating hallway as she put her hand out to Stacy. “Together?”

Stacy took a deep breath, taking the hand. “Together.”

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH COLD COLD COLD COLD

JACUZZI JUMP!!!!

While it was perfectly temperate, Kokichi didn’t dawdle in the side hallway, and he made it just in time to see a wave of water slosh in the jacuzzi, giggling at the sight. It really was a cool thing for the spa--literally--but Kokichi wondered how many people actually managed to just not dash through the halls. 

Taking his time a bit, Kokichi settled in the jacuzzi, taking a look at this room as well. While he loved the underground gem quarry look the hot tub in the castle had, the gauzy, ethereal, dewdrop look of this room was just as impressive, making the occupant feel like they were in the middle of a fairytale. 

And the slight sparkle in the bubbling water helped too. 

“Survived alright? No one suffering from frostbite?”

“I’m absolutely traumatized, pass me the strawberries, a glass, and the champaign bottle.” Amber demanded, taking the open bottle and pouring it generously before passing it to Stacy, “Haaaa…. Oh yeah. This is the stuff.”

“S~ooooo… Amber?” Stacy asked, pouring her glass before passing it back to Kokichi, sighing into the water, their tossed robes grazing her ponytail. “...you ever gonna tell us what inspired this impromptu spa day?”

“Mmm.” Amber sipped at the glass, “Do I need a reason to want to treat my besties?”

Stacy gave her friend a gentle look, before saying, “You know if something’s wrong, you can talk to us about it. Is it stress from work?”

“No, no, no, works going great, everything’s going great.”

“...boy troubles?” Stacy guessed, raising an eyebrow, “Someone breaking your heart?”

“Ugh, I wish.” Amber snorted, “There’s no guys left in the world, I swear. They’re all marrying hot shorties like Kokichi and Niko. Tragic.”

Kokichi wasn’t the biggest fan of champagne, but...it was part of the experience! So, as Stacy passed the bottle back to him to set aside, Kokichi poured a little into his glass, snagging a few berries himself to snack on. 

And...he stayed quiet. 

It could be fun to riff a little, but… It wasn’t like Amber had said anything. But the timing was...too spot on. And Kokichi...he was so thankful for his friend. 

Tracing the stem of his glass with his thumb, Kokichi spoke quietly, eyes watching the bubbles in the tub though there was a small, bittersweet smile on his face. “...did you see the paper today?”

Amber sipped at her glass. “I saw it, but it had this really ugly woman all over the front page. Like, I’m not the type of lady that likes to point out things about other women's appearance that they can’t, like, change in ten minutes, ya knoooow? But this gremlin was a disaster. And trust meeeeee, it’s not something she can change in ten minutes.”

Stacy raised an eyebrow, surprised at her friend, “Damn, Amber, tell us how you really feel.”

Amber shrugged, sipping at her glass again.

Kokichi smiled a little more, and he was thankful it was so humid in the room because he could feel his eyes tearing up a little. “...thanks, Amber. This is by far the best way I could’ve spent today.”

Amber smiled, giving Kokichi a small wink. “What else are besties for?”

-

Kaito had woken up that morning and, the second Kokichi went to his office, started cleaning.

He was in their room for hours, cleaning and organizing, doing small, intricate detail work. He dusted and wiped down the tops of all the shelves and took a broom and got under the bed, turned over and battered out the rugs, went to the closet and started organizing by color and style and size, at first just his side of the closet, then Shuichi’s, then Kokichi’s.

At first Shuichi tried to be supportive by sticking around, but eventually he had escaped to his study. Not just because he didn’t know what to say, but because…

Shuichi didn’t think Kaito had done anything wrong. He knew that.

It wasn’t like he hadn’t also known this was coming.

But it was still very… uncomfortable. And he didn’t want to say the wrong thing. He didn’t want Kaito to think Shuichi disapproved, so… for now, it was better to not say anything. And so away in his study he hid.

When Maki had found out what Kaito had did, she looked at him like her friend had suddenly grown three heads and said, “Really? Wow… and he knew?”

“Of course he knew! I wouldn’t have done it without his permission!” Kaito had barked, clearly offended and more than a little defensive, as he scrubbed at the bathtub, trying to make it shine as Maki leaned against the door frame.

“Okay…” Maki said, clearly uncertain what to say. “...I suppose if he was fine with it…”

“He is, was, he is fine with it, I did it like this because this is how Diceans, like, do it, okay? I’m being a good husband!” Kaito insisted, before cursing. Why the hell did rust never come off?? “This is me being a really good husband and I don’t fucking need that fucking tone with you right now Maki!”

He huffed, scrubbed at the drain… before sighing. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to yell, I… oh.” Kaito sighed, looking over his shoulder and seeing Maki was gone. “...dammit.”

He ran out of things to clean and went down to the kitchens. Chako wasn’t working that day, and Kaito thought of asking if he could help clean anyway, but lost his nerve seeing no friendly faces and went back upstairs, heading to his shrine. 

He knelt in front of the table, bowing his body low, resting his forehead on the back of his hands as he murmured, “Atua, who… who loves me…”

...I aired out my husbands dirty laundry to literally four different countries and who knows how far it’ll spread on its own past that, I told everyone I told everyone oh fuck oh fuck what was I thinking this was a terrible idea why did he do this oh god oh god he wanted to take it back DAMMIT!...

Kaito punched the floor and then cradled his hand… oooooow……

He walked into the med wing and sighed. “Can I get an ice pack and a bandage please?” he asked the first healer he fund, “I hit my hand on a door.... Accidentally.”

Ya know what! Being inside was the problem! He’d go sit in one of the fucking, like, ten gardens they had around here. So many gardens! Why did Diceans like gardens so much!?

Kaito sat on a bench and stared at nothing.

...man… he really wanted to be drunk right now… why had he stopped drinking again? Something about an unhealthy coping technique or something… stupid. 

… it was fine. Kokichi had known it was coming. He had given permission. Airing out dirty laundry was literally how Diceans dealt with things. Kaito hadn’t betrayed Kokichi’s trust. No one… no one here was going to think less of Kokichi for it. Kaito hadn’t hurt his husband. It was fine.

...he wanted a drink.

-

The girls had dropped Kokichi off in the mid-afternoon, and Kokichi walking through the castle now, as compared to the morning? Well, for one, his skin was pearly and glowing, and a lovely gradient of red, purple, and blue now adorned his nails--while his toes were a bright rainbow, but that would be a surprise for later--and there was even more of a cloud of lavender scent around the prince than usual. But most markedly, his back was straight and relaxed, his head tall, as he greeted people. 

Kokichi had gotten a brochure from Igloo, a condensed menu of their packages, and he was looking around for Kaito, wanting to regale his husband with his tale of a place he was sure Kaito would adore, but...he ended up searching for a little bit. Noting how spotless their room was when he checked in there. And eventually he got a tip that Kaito was hanging out in one of the gardens and…

Kokichi’s expression dimmed, seeing just...the sheer stressed depression on Kaito’s face. 

Taking a breath, Kokichi brightened himself up again, giving Kaito a gentle grin as he approached. “Hey, hun! I just got home… Did you wanna be alone out here?”

Kaito looked over at Kokichi, some of that far away look lingering for a second, honestly having gotten to a point sitting there where he wasn’t really thinking about anything anymore… but the fog lifted for a second and he grinned, “Hey babe! Welcome back! Holy shit, look at you! Come here, beautiful, let me see you! What did they do to you!?”

Kaito reached out to Kokichi, inviting him to sit on the bench with him, looking at his nails in particular. He had never really imagined Kokichi with nail polish, not in any serious way, but huh! It looked surprisingly good on his husband! Neat! 

Before sitting, Kokichi leaned in to give Kaito a peck on the cheek, cuddling right against his husband happily once he was down. Kokichi knew that today wasn’t going to be fantastic for Kaito, but...well, he could try and make it better. 

Giggling, Kokichi showed off his nails. “Cute, right!? I was kinda tempted to get sparkles everywhere but I figured it would be more annoying to find them in bed later. I had...no idea that professionals put so many coats of polish on. My nails feel a little weird, but they’re so smooth.”

Flashing the brochure, Kokichi nuzzled against Kaito’s arm more. “I think you’d really like this place. It’s really fancy, but it’s incredible… Am-chan is friends with the owner so she pulled a few strings so we could get a spa day kinda impromptu. Oh! And the massage room is a conservatory for arctic plants!! It’s really incredible!”

“Yeah? Let me feel… ooooh, very smooth.” Kaito said appreciatively, running his thumb over the polish, before touching up and down Kokichi’s hand… and taking his hand up to his face and sniffing, “Wow. You feel really soft and smell amazing. They covered you in oils, huh?”

Kissing at Kokichi’s hand, Kaito then quickly pecked at Kokichi’s lips a bit, just enjoying the scent of him, before saying, “That was nice of her. I knew she had come to kidnap you today, but I didn’t know you guys were going to a…” Kaito glanced at the brochure Kokichi was showing him, “Spa? Nice. And, heh…” Kaito chuckled, shaking his head as he looked around the lush garden around them, “I was just thinking today how much Diceans love plants. Somehow I’m not surprised your fancy spa place is also a plant place. That was nice of her, to take you there… you look great, babe. Feel rested?”

“Mhmm!” Kokichi giggled, taking the chance to stroke Kaito’s cheek for a moment. “You could choose from a lot of different massages and I got, uh, it was called aromatherapy? It’s a full body, like, regular massage, but with a scented oil. Even if I shower later I think I’d still smell a little, so I chose lavender. Oh, and two of the guys there, they congratulated us on Miya.”

...he could keep some of the comments to himself. 

Snorting a bit, Kokichi looked out at the garden too. “It is a bit of a true stereotype, huh. I feel really good...that nice intersection of energized but calm, you know?” Kokichi’s expression softened and he looped an arm around Kaito’s, hugging him in that way. “...I’m really happy you sent her portrait to the papers. I was nervous today about seeing what people’s responses would be, but...that doesn’t really matter. What she did to me was horrible, but...now hopefully people have a warning so they can protect themselves. So she won’t be able to hurt anyone else.”

“...I know it’s not the justice you wanted,” Kokichi pecked Kaito’s arm, “But...to me? It feels like you’ve protected me. Like you’ve defended my honor. So...thanks, Kai-chan. I really love you.”

“...I got to have a nice, relaxing day, but… Is there anything that can make today better for you?”

Kaito’s eyes dropped to the ground. Oof...that obvious it was on his mind, huh? Still… he supposed it wasn’t a secret that he had misgivings. They had talked about it a little in therapy after all. Kaito was trying his best…

And his stomach warmed as Kokichi reassured him, giving his husband a soft, gentle look. “...anything for you, ‘Kichi.” Kaito murmured, a promise and a reassurance. He might not always feel good, personally, about his choices in Dicea, but… if he could really protect Kokichi in a way that actually made Kokichi feel safe? Really could defend him, even if the ways forward felt… strange and alarming? 

He’d learn. He’d adjust. He’d try to understand. He was determined to do right by his husband.

And as he asked if there was anything Kokichi could do for Kaito…

“...I mean, if you’d let me be the one that puts the vegetables on your plate for dinner tonight…” Kaito grinned. “A few scoops tonight?”

Kokichi rubbed Kaito’s back a bit though he sighed, pulling an exaggerated grimace as he stuck his tongue out. “Ugh… Only for you. I will request that I have a dinner that’s not entirely vegetables, even if we’re having salad, but...yeah, you can be the vegetable king tonight.”

Shaking his head, another idea...if not pulled into the station of thought, then drifted by at least. “...do you have anything planned for the rest of the afternoon?”

Kaito shrugged, “Staring into the void was my plan until you got home.” he admitted, before gesturing around them, “A very pretty void, to be fair. Shuichi’s in his study, Timothy’s spending the night at Cali’s today, uuuuuh.” Kaito sighed. He should find Maki to apologize to her… “Maki’s somewhere. Probably her room.”

Kokichi nodded slowly. “...I’ll prolly say hey to Shuu-chan and Maki-chan around dinner, but...d’ya wanna spend some time together? Alone. In...whatever way that culminates?”

He knew that trying to cheer Kaito up with sex wasn’t the best thing to do. So...he wasn’t trying to pigeonhole his husband into that option. But it had been a very long time for them, and they had some free time, and...Kokichi loved Kaito very much. If they were hanging out, and the mood went right? Then that would be fun.

Kaito’s eyes widened for a moment… before he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. Staring at his feet.

“...” Kaito opened his mouth, closed it, “...wanna paint while I work on some of my figurines?” he asked, giving Kokichi an urgent, uncertain grin. “I got a new one! A winged human lady. I’m thinking of painting her wings gold.”

Kokichi’s gaze softened--though in honesty, he was pretty surprised--and he grinned. “That sounds awesome. I have a bunch of new ideas from the spa; it’s like it was designed for inspiration, I swear. Maybe I’ll paint a cool scenery for your gold winged lady.”

Kaito felt his shoulders relax a little, relieved. Kokichi didn’t seem disappointed… gah, Kaito was gonna kick himself later, but… he really didn’t like to bring negative energy into sex, if he could help it. He also really didn’t like telling his partners no, but… Kaito was, especially these days, extremely aware of how erratic he could act during sex, just in normal circumstances. He felt everything so fucking strongly, and he could… get a little lost in those feelings, especially when he was doing something physical.

GYM! HE SHOULD HAVE TRIED THE WORKOUT THING TODAY! GAH IT DIDN’T EVEN OCCUR TO HIM!

“Yeah? Hell yeah, it’ll be like a… diorama? Is that what a diorama is? I feel like I’m using that word wrong.” Kaito mused, taking Kokichi’s hand and getting up from the bench, heading upstairs, “But, hell yeah! Make my sexy winged lady a cool background! It’ll be our neat little art project!”

Kaito still worried over what he had done, but… he leaned down and kissed Kokichi on the cheek, “I love you, Kokichi.”

Kokichi thought for a moment before shrugging. “If we put them in a box, or even like a really thick frame, I think that counts as a diorama. It’s a collaborative art piece, whatever it is.”

Smiling at the kiss, Kokichi pressed into Kaito’s side. “I love you too, Kai-chan.”

-

Dinner ended up being a spicy gumbo--and a non-spicy gumbo, for the Luminaries--which, while it already had a ton of veggies in it, thanks Kai-chan, was accompanied by an entire plate of grilled corn, peppers, and zucchini for Kokichi that evening. Kokichi usually tried to eat well during meals--he had a lot of weight to catch back up on eventually--he was stuffed after dinner, and probably for the worst reason. Filled up on vegetables...horrid. 

But Kokichi’s slight post-meal lethargy gave Maki the opportunity to ask to talk and...well, of course Kokichi always wanted to hear out his friend. Back out in a garden, enjoying the sunset, Kokichi stretched out on the bench they were sitting on, comfortable, but aware.

“So...what’s up?”

“...” Maki sighed, “...I’m a bit conflicted.” She confessed, giving Kokichi a cool gaze, her red eyes in slits, “...I’d like to make you a bunch of offers, but… I can’t suggest them with the same sincerity I might have been able to before. But I still feel compelled to offer them regardless.”

Tucking her hair behind her ear, she said after a moment of silence, “Do you need me to spar Kaito for you? Over this newspaper business?”

...Kokichi thought for a moment he knew where this was going, but...he was dead wrong. His eyes widened in surprise for a moment before giving Maki a grateful smile. “I appreciate that offer, for what it means, but...no. I’m happy that Kai-chan sent out those notices, and that the papers decided to print them.”

“...sure, it might be uncomfortable, time to time, if...yanno, perfect strangers wanna talk about what happened with me. But her face and name being out there, attached with the case…” Kokichi sighed, a soft, satisfied look in his eyes. “...it means that people have more information to protect themselves with. And short of some time machine making it so we could’ve avoided everything...this is the best sort of retribution Kai-chan could’ve given me.”

After a moment, Kokichi tilted his head to the side. “...he’s making me feel safe, by making society a little safer. So...things feel right and resolved to me.”

Maki nodded, “Fine…”

And then because some things would never change, she asked next, “And you don’t want me to go just… push her down a flight of stairs? It would be very quick. She seems old and weak, I could make it so that she never even wakes up to realize what's happened.” Maki offered, trying to appeal to the sensibilities of her audience. “I could probably find her in a week.”

Kokichi laughed softly. Not because he found Maki’s threat childish and absurd, but...because he understood what that meant too. And Kaito’s nervousness, and Maki asking these things...it meant they really cared about him, and wanted Kokichi to be happy and feeling secure. And he really did appreciate that--it’s what he wanted for them too. 

“Thanks, Maki-chan, but that’s alright… Honestly, I think I’d be happiest with just...never seeing her again. And she doesn’t have to be dead for that to happen.” Kokichi kicked the grass a little. “...we’re trying out Seiko’s new medicine for me at the castle. The distilled stuff worked wonders when I had my attack so...we’re seein’ long-term stuff now. She’s been working on it for months… Kai-chan funded the research, so she could get employees to run the pharmacy and have more time to focus on medicine.”

“...there will never be a miracle cure for me. But this might make it so I’m not sick for as long when I have my bouts. And I think that’s something still worth getting excited for.”

“It is.” Maki agreed, even if she didn’t really feel it. The part of her that believed the world could be bent if you were just firm enough idly thought about collecting the best minds in the world and throwing them in a basement with a time limit might do the trick, but… that was crazy and Maki was trying to indulge her insane side less often now. 

It was still there. But… this last bout of sheer, insane effort had nearly destroyed her a few times. The thought of starting again actually filled her with a real, genuine fear.

Seiko with extra time on her hands would have to do over a group of terrified geniuses locked away.

“...Shuichi told me what happened. But… he was angry when he told me about it. And angry people paint a picture that doesn’t always reflect reality.” Maki sighed, glancing over at Kokichi again, “Wanna tell me what happened from the perspective of someone who's emotionally calmed down from it?”

Kokichi blinked and...for a moment he was really confused. Because...surely they’d talked about it since Maki had been home, right? It was one of the first things she had asked him! 

...it was one of the first things she had asked him, while she was beaten and sick and exhausted and just wanted to see Kaito and Shuuichi. 

Sighing slightly--he could be better than that--Kokichi nodded, looking out into the painted sky. “...it was right after the new year. She came to the castle and asked for a meeting with me and Kai-chan. Said that she was a healer that had just come home after traveling all over the world… Said she’d seen conditions like mine...and had seen them cured. Had learned how to do it herself.”

There was a soft sadness in Kokichi’s eyes as he looked at the sky. One decision that could’ve changed a lot. 

“...I’ve gone through that song and dance a lot, you know? My father hired everyone in the damn country who had something even resembling a medical license to try, if not cure me, then figure out exactly what was wrong with me… Sometimes we got some really brilliant people. Seiko… Someone who figured out that...I mean, it was pretty obvious I have heart problems. But they narrowed down how all that worked...how my blood pressure is really low, and so oxygen can’t always get around my body alright. That my blood doesn’t clot right, so any open wound is incredibly dangerous for me…”

“...then we got people who…” Kokichi sighed, his eyes tired. “...the folks who had to be sent back to school, or have their licenses taken away. Who hit me or overdrew blood or…” Kokichi snorted harshly. “Tried to provoke an attack so Aiichi would be forced to choose a new heir.”

“...I wasn’t, just...jumping at the opportunity to let Cedar do whatever she wanted to me. We did background checks, talked with clients she’d taken on already in Dicea… We thought we were being careful. But...other than the fact that she had gotten licenses in the countries she said she had, we couldn’t verify anything… And instead of seeing a lack of data as a red flag...I just...wanted to believe…”

Kokichi sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. “We had a system. Cedar would write up a plan for what treatments she wanted to do that week, I’d take it to Seiko, who talked me through things… And she kept telling me… So many of the treatments were just...weird massage stuff. Or things she hadn’t read any studies of where it had any sort of impact. But...if other countries had results, it’s not always easy to get that information...you know?”

“Then every session, Nazumi sat in on them...and every time Cedar tried something new, Nazumi tried it first, just to make sure that it wouldn’t hurt me… We were being so careful…”

Kokichi shifted on the bench, sitting up more, and while he wasn’t distraught over it anymore, there was still regret in his eyes. “...it’s so much easier to see in retrospect. That Cedar was changing just...little stuff, on the fly. And the way she spoke to me was always so...pressuring. But as the months went by...I was always so tired...and I lost all the weight I had managed to gain, and then some. But...everyone...and myself too...we just kept saying that it was just the hump. Things worth doing were difficult.”

“...but my body just couldn’t take being pushed like that all the time. And I had an attack. Aunty whisked me off to Seiko’s office, and she and some folks from the ward here saved me, but...it was still too much. I was out for a week, and I couldn’t walk for ages. Only started being steady a few days before you came back.”

Another sigh. “...she wasn’t giving me treatments for my conditions...but she wasn’t doing things that couldn’t possibly help them...in technicality. She was just...messing around with me, claiming me as a patient, and not paying attention to my actual medical needs… She was charged with medical mistreatment, and her license was revoked… And she’s banned from practicing medicine anywhere in Dicea. And...now no one will fall for it if she tries to lie about that too.”

Maki let out a small, light whistle… “...it’s hard not to be protective of you. When I first came here, one of the first things I knew immediately was that there was no physically punishing you, even if you deserved it. And I’m an assassin from Luminary… I can’t imagine what kind of person you’d have to be to look at you and decide to harm you. You’re so… easy to kill. It’s just not fair.” She mused. 

“...You’re aware that you didn’t do anything wrong?” Maki said, raising an eyebrow, “You’re a prince. Princes are expected to delegate certain responsibilities to trusted individuals. It’s literally half the point of having a government, collecting experts you can trust. If your doctor and your detectives and your secretaries all advised you to keep going? Or weren’t willing to stop you with serious warnings? That’s a sign that you should have some serious conversations with the people responsible to you. You need to be able to trust your experts.”

“...” Maki sighed, “Shuichi was extremely upset with me… he wanted me to answer for recommending Nazumi for the job… I did so because I trusted her to put your needs above her own during a high risk situation. As one of your experts who made the recommendation…” Maki frowned, before sighing, “...I honestly don’t know what to say. Apologizing feels hollow. I’m sorry if my recommendation was short sighted. Nazumi seemed well qualified for the job as I understood it.”

Kokichi huffed a soft laugh. He was tiny and delicate and he hated violence. Even if he didn’t just lay down and take it, if someone decided to get physical with him? Kokichi was screwed. And...oddly enough, that put a grand majority of people, even people who regularly fought, off of trying to hurt him through blows. 

Still, some people tried. And it usually meant really horrible things. 

Nodding a bit, Kokichi still couldn’t help but sigh. “It wasn’t my fault...but I didn’t hire her as a prince. I hired her as just...a guy. Really...it was just her fault for being a liar. No one else’s.”

“And I don’t blame Nazumi either.” Kokichi blinked tiredly before rubbing his forehead a little. “She did everything I could’ve asked for, in terms of being my bodyguard. And she’s been great so...your recommendation was sound. Even after knowing things were approved, she still tried out everything Cedar wanted to do, just to make absolutely certain that I would be okay. That things were safe and...not burning or poisoned or harmful or whatever in practice, and not just paper. And when things went wrong? She acted immediately, getting me the help I needed to save my life.”

“That’s what I asked of her for her job. It’s what I had asked of you.”

“For...not going to get a medical degree? I’m not going to blame her for that. And while Seiko could’ve been more adamant about how nothing was proven to actually be a medical treatment...it’s not her job to yell at patients either. She told me. If I decided to keep going after that, it wouldn’t matter if she screamed it. It’s the same information…” Kokichi paused before looking over at Maki with a shy smile. “...she does blame herself to an extent, though. She told me she wants to be better than her fears, so...I wouldn’t be surprised if she starts getting more pushy in our future check-ups.”

“She doesn’t need to scream it, but she can’t whimper it either.” Maki said, making a guess based on everything she had ever seen Seiko do, “And this would not be the first time she’s let us down being too cowardly to speak up. It’s good that she’s said she wants to be better already… but you are a leader, Kokichi.”

Maki looked into the sunset and said, “It’s literally your job to hold people accountable. To ensure things are getting done the way they’re supposed to, for others and for yourself. And we put a lot of faith in Dr. Kiruma. I’m not usually a ‘three strikes’ sort of person, because it’s annoying to give people more than two chances, but… Seiko’s valuable to us. So…” Maki’s face tensed for a moment, “...if she makes this same mistake again? With a consequence this serious again? After that… after that? Then yes. Her mistake is your fault by that point. You should know better than to trust her by then. We all should.”

...Kokichi thought about what Kaito had said, about how much they owed her. In a way...his, Shuuichi’s, and Kaito’s lives. But that didn’t mean that she was absolved of any mistakes…

“...yeah,” Kokichi sighed. 

“...I really hope this new medicine works as well long-term as it does in immediacy. I really hate being out of commission for so long…” His family needed him. He didn’t want to just...be gone for weeks, causing stress and grief. If things got even a little easier, then it would mean the world to him. 

“...I was actually doing pretty well in training before I had to stop,” Kokichi murmured. “When it started getting too cold to do it in the yard, Kai-chan and I were teaching the kids some tumbling and gymnastics stuff. Kimiko really has a knack for it, though it can get her into a little trouble.” Kokichi smirked a bit. “I was showing them the library archive, and there’s a display down there to show what it would’ve looked like when it was still used as a dungeon. She gripped the wall shackles and flipped herself upside down, but couldn’t get back down until I helped her.”

“She did?” Maki said, eyes lighting up in interest, “Hmm… I haven't… I haven't thought about joining in on training since I was back… but it's good to know I might have a raw-parkour talent in one of them… should maybe talk to Ikou...”

Maki’s eyes beamed with interest...before they dimmed. Maki sighing.

“...The girls, my siblings… even Tim, and you, and Shuichi and Kaito… it’s so hard to be around you all sometimes, right now. I don’t… feel like myself, right now. I’m hesitant. And unwilling to make choices or step up on others behalf. I shouldn’t be advocating for you to hold Seiko accountable, I should be working out a plan to sneak into her office and issue her a warning myself. I should know Kimiko has a talent for gymnastic based activities already because I started up training already. I should know exactly where all of my siblings are and met all of their caretakes by now. I haven't looked into what’s happened to Itch and Tom outside of what Kaito’s told me, and I haven't threatened Aba into never returning to Addason’s life once she’s gone.”

“I should have sparred Kaito by now and given him his closure, I should have sworn to Miyako’s protection to Shuichi by now, and I should have wanted to look up the names of all of your previous abusive medical practitioners to learn their names and faces so that they can never so much as walk into this city, or any city you ever choose to visit on my watch. I should, I should, I should…”

Maki closed her eyes, putting her hand on her forehead and massaging her temples as she said softly, “I should have asked for my job back by now… but I can’t. Everything feels like too much… every decision, no matter how small, makes me feel… brittle.”

“I’m sorry.” Maki whispered, “I wish I could be stronger for you right now.”

...it was really nice, seeing that fire of life in Maki’s eyes again. It wasn’t like she’d been walking around like a zombie, or a shell since she’d come back, even in her more vulnerable moments. But...there was a certain...passion to her that was just...absent. The thing that drove Maki to make plan after plan was just...greying ashes. 

It was something that Kokichi loved about Maki, and also something that drove him up a wall. But it was a part of her that was just...dampened right now, and that was always hard to see. 

Kokichi looked around, making sure no one else was out enjoying the last moments of the day. And, with no one there, he slid up to Maki’s side and pressed their arms together. “I forgive you. With...however you feel about feeling this way? Frustrated that you are? It’s alright. You’ve been through more than I could ever imagine, Maki-chan. You’re more than entitled to time where you don’t have to be strong, even if you don’t want it.”

Kokichi ran the pad of his thumb across the smooth finish of his nail polish, fiddling with his fingers for a moment before sighing softly. “...I wish I had something better to say. I wish I had some guidance I could offer, or...some way to relate, so you could piece together your own path. But...I don’t feel like I have the tools to help you. I know what I feel, but not any reasoning.”

“...I really think you should talk to a therapist, Maki-chan,” Kokichi softly murmured. His conviction strong, but the delivery gentle. “They won’t know exactly what you’re going through either. But they’ll have more tools than I have to offer you.”

“...you’ve had the world on your shoulders. Countless lives, visible and future ones. But...now it’s over. This might be just my own perspective, but...I don’t think you need to find more weight to carry. Even if you’re more than capable of it.”

Maki wanted to say no… Kaito hadn’t made her go yet and for whatever reason, she was fixated on the idea that it should be Kaito to make her go… to make her do anything. For too many reasons that she didn’t entirely understand…

(Because she owed him.)

(Because she trusted him.)

(Because he was her prince.)

...but Kaito seemed unwilling to directly order her to do anything other then not run while she was sick. And take showers. And comb her hair. Dozens and dozens of basic necessities, but nothing more…

… Shuichi and Kokichi wanted what was best for her, both in their own ways… and both had said she should go to therapy.

“Thank you.” Maki said quietly, “...and I don’t really know where to start, when it comes to the head medical stuff… but I guess if I’m going to start, I might as well go with all of you. I’ll go to your next weird relationship thing. And… decide what to do from there.”

Kokichi gave her a soft gaze and nodded. “Dr. Mariah is...a little unique, but I think you’ll get the gist of what it’s all about. And...if you decide to find a personal therapist? Then I’ll do what I can to help you find someone that fits with you. If you don’t...then I’m happy you gave going to a session a try, and I’ll support what you decide to do next.”

“...therapy isn’t always a road to...happiness, I guess. But for a lot of people it does help.” Kokichi shifted, tucking a leg under himself. “...for me...well, it’s a lot of things. I know I have a lot of trauma to sort through, and I’ve known for a long time before I started going. But, also...I know what my own definition of a better person is, and I have goals I want to reach. And therapy helps me see the steps I need to take to get there...and it keeps me honest, when I start to quail under just how difficult my goals are.”

“...I hope you can find something to work for. And the tools you need to achieve it.”

-

Maki wasn’t saying anything, and Kaito was talking way to much.

“So, the theory is of compulsion, right? If you could attach an explosive, like, a firework or a dynamite but times, like, legitimately a million, you could put a ship up high enough that it breaks through the atmosphere and a lack of gravity would suspend that ship within space itself! Though, you’d still need a shit ton of explosive power to propel that ship within space itself, and returning would also theoretically need, like, a lot of compulsion as well to steer within the atmospheric barrier of the planet-”

“Is this something someone is actually… working on?” Shuichi asked, “Making one?”

“Oh god no, we don’t even kinda have the technology to actually construct it or even survive the ships contact to space even if we did have the technology to get a ship up there, it’s all purely theoretical, but in theory we’d need an explosive engine that could maintain, like, sixteen million horsepower worth of energy?”

“That doesn’t seem reasonable-” Shuichi mused.

“It’s not! Like, it’s totally impossible, but, like… maybe not impossible forever. Ya know? Like maybe someday someone will figure out some technology where it’s like ‘oh fuck! 16 million horsepower is not only possible, but sustainable! Which would be wild! But then they’d also have to figure out how to make a ship capable of surviving that sort of impact… and then making that ship capable of supporting life… though that’s actually more possible today then you’d think! People have been working on making underwater facilities capable of sustaining human life and stuff, and its thought that all that same technology could one day translate to space travel! Wouldn’t that be amaz-”

“Is this it?” Maki asked, as the three men automatically turned towards a building door.

“A hardy vessel capable of withstanding constant explosive power to escape the earth’s gravitational pull, and to withstand space pressure...unless you just wanted to launch a load of junk into space, which would still be a huge achievement…” Kokichi murmured, just...kind of trying to take in the theories of space travel Kaito was talking about. It sounded… Like?! Kokichi thought Miu sounded insane sometimes, talking about her invention plans, but getting to the point where people would have even close to the level of technology needed for space travel made Miu’s plans sound like the most basic of carved tools. 

That anyone was capable of even making a theory for it was beyond incredible. 

Shaking his head in wonder, Kokichi looked up and darted forward to get the door. “Mhmm! Dr. Mariah’s receptionist is pretty much never here, so we tend to just knock on her door when it’s time for our appointment.”

Maybe talking about something fantastical would serve them well going into whatever sort of trial their session would be. Other than Dr. Mariah’s initial excitement over finally getting to meet Maki...Kokichi had no idea what was in store for them. Hopefully it wouldn’t be disastrous.

Kaito was going to be calm.

He was going to be supportive.

He was going to be fine and mature and and and a fucking prince.

Sure! He wasn’t, historically, all that good at being a prince! But Maki needed him to do it today. He needed to be able to do it today. Calm. Cool. Emotionally under control. Maki already barely wanted to do this, and this was going to be her introduction to therapy. Kaito couldn’t… let himself get angry, or lose control, or start yelling at her through this. This wasn’t about him. He had promised to take care of her. He was going too. He wasn’t going to get emotional.

Take care of your sidekick! 

Don’t think about how angry you are.

“Ya know… that receptionist must be amazing at their job, if they still have it despite never being at their desk.” Kaito mused, giving his husband a thankfully nod as the smaller man grabbed the door, the group filing in. “Come on, let’s head to the roof. I bet she’s already waiting for us. She’s been looking forward to meeting ya, Maki-chan.”

“You all keep saying that. Why?” Maki asked, suspicion laced in every word.

“She thinks we’re in a relationship with you.” Shuichi said, heading to the back hallway and opening up the trick wall, heading up first, Kaito moving up behind him to offer him a supportive arm if he needed it, Shuichi moving slowly. “She’s really convinced of it.”

Maki blinked, “Romantically?”

“No.” Kaito said quickly… before admitting, “I don’t think that’s what she means? She’s never specified.”

“Since we’ve never said anything about doing anythin’ romantic with you--because we haven’t--I think it’s just...yanno,'' Kokichi shrugged, “That you’re an important person to us to the point that you move along with us in every stage of our own relationship, and we all take considerations for each other. Which...in a sense, is kinda true, but...there’s semantic differences. And probably a few actionable ones too.”

It was...they had a relationship, not that they were in a relationship. Maki was a best friend. A sibling. A co-parent. While they were all individuals, her life was entwined with theirs too. There just wasn’t anything romantic about it. 

Kokichi brought up the rear of their little group and…

...hm. 

Size-wise, Kokichi should probably sit with either Kaito or Shuuichi, just so they paired up the larger members of their group with smaller ones. But...it probably wasn’t a good idea to stick Kaito and Maki right next to each other ‘cause...well, surely Dr. Mariah would be able to pick up on the tension between them, and there was no way the therapist was going to let that go without at least asking. So...yeah. He should sit next to Kaito…

As the group got the roof, Kaito had to shield his eyes from the sun for a moment, before…

...he knew their therapist liked them. Holy shit though…

The two benches and the single foldable chair that they had been using at this point was all gone, and replaced with very notably five single swinging chairs, comfortably dipping with cushions to lounge on, and over hanging with tightly knit weaving of dark wood that offered shading from the hot sun of the roof. It was beautiful and extravagant and so clearly bought and set up with this group in mind, and Kaito actually felt the back of his eyes burn a little as Dr. Maria, sipping at some chinaware from the little circular glass table that all the chairs also had at their own spots, looked up at them calmly, looking almost regal and mysterious in her own hanging chair with her long, lolita dress sprawling over it…

“Good day.” She said to the group, “Please feel free to sit anywhere. It’s good to finally see everyone for a full, complete session.”

Shuichi was also looking in awe at the fancy, comfy looking new chairs, though Maki, who had no idea anything was changed with them in mind, was more focused on Dr. Mariah, intense, suspicious red eyes training on calm, collected red eyes, before looking around the roof. This place was dangerous, assassination wise, most of the building around here taller than this one, leaving them exposed to all sorts of potential spying or harassment or dang-

“Hey Maki,” Kaito said, patting her shoulder, “Come pet the fish with me. They’re friendly!”

Maki refocused-- she had sworn to follow Kaito’s lead and this more than counted towards that-- as she headed over to the koi fish, narrowing her eyes at the large, red and gold colored fish. Once again, her eyes shifted up to Dr. Mariah, staring with suspicious, intense energy, and Dr. Mariah didn’t look back this time. Sipping at her tea again, before saying, “Shuichi. I placed white tea over at that chair over there, if you’d like to claim it. Would anyone else like a drink?”

“No thanks, Dr. Mariah!” Kaito called cheerfully, happily petting the fish-- he liked to imagine they were starting to recognize his hand-- as Maki squatted next to him, not petting the fish but observing him doing so.

“No.” Maki said.

Dr. Mariah nodded. “Kokichi?”

Kokichi gaped a little when he saw the new seating arrangement, his plan completely thrown out the window and...well, they had said before that things were difficult with Maki. Dr. Mariah probably knew exactly that arranging themselves in groups of two could lead to some difficult circumstances. But beyond just getting individual chairs…

Grinning gratefully at the youthful-looking woman, Kokichi selected a chair for himself, gleeful at the slightly swaying feeling of them. “Thank you, Dr. Mariah; yes, I’d like some. These are some incredible chairs! I don’t wanna distract too much, but can I ask where you got them?”

...and because Maki seemed like she wasn’t going to…

Gesturing lightly, Kokichi gave Maki a soft smile. “And I’m sure you figured, but this is our friend Maki-chan.”

“Of course,” Dr. Mariah said, getting out of the chair with the grace and surety that could only be earned by having struggled to get out of the oval dipping swinging chairs in private a few times before finally just adding more cushions to even it out. Grabbing an additional cup from a tray over by the sink, she brought it and the tea kettle to Kokichi, placing the cup down at his little table and filling it cleanly before returning to her chair as she said, “And I supposed she might be, though I do appreciate the introduction, Kokichi. It’s fine if she’s feeling a little shy though. Therapy can be intimidating even to those well-acquainted with it, and if I understand right, this will be Miss Harukawa’s first ever attempt at it.”

“Not exactly.” Maki said, watching Kaito go to wash his hands, still standing by the pond, “I went to therapy in Luminary as a condition of the Indentured Program.”

Dr. Mariah, at this, smiled slightly. It was not a happy look, as she said simply, “They might use the same word, but Dicean therapists do not recognize conditioning as a form of therapy. However, I’m happy to say this is simply your first Dicean style of therapy.”

Maki shrugged slightly at this, before looking to Kaito as he returned, “Where should I sit?”

“Oh, um… that one.” Kaito picked randomly, pointing to the one next to Shuichi’s, Shuichi the closest to Dr. Mariah’s left side, Kokichi on Maki’s right, leaving Kaito the seat closest to Dr. Mariah’s right. Because of the koi pond, there was a great deal of space between all of them, and it was easy to see everyone in this circle as Kaito settled into the odd chair, also taking a moment to enjoy the swing of it, though his feet rested on the floor while, as did Shuichi’s. Maki, Dr. Mariah and Kokichi’s feet all swung above the air. “These are nice, Dr. Mariah.”

“Thank you.” Dr. Mariah said, a note already burning into her journal, before looking to Kokichi as she explained, “Two were already made and on display at the furniture store on 1rst, but I had commissioned from the carpenters three more to make the change over more feasible for having company over. The benches were starting to look uncomfortable, the more I saw you all sitting in them. I figured a change couldn’t hurt.”

A therapist would be the best person to explain how Dicean therapy wasn’t conditioning, but...still, Kokichi felt like it might be an uphill battle convincing Maki of that. She seemed to accept that they weren’t being hurt, but that really wasn’t the same as believing in it. Though...sometimes Kokichi wasn’t sure if Shuuichi or Kaito really believed in it either. 

Everyone got something different out of therapy, and their experiences would always be different. There wasn’t any sort of expectation that Kokichi could hold them to. 

He nodded along with Dr. Mariah’s explanation, making a mental note to start checking out the furniture store on 1st more. They were pretty set on furniture for the time being, but these chairs were really something special, and if nothing else, it’d spark the design juice in Kokichi’s brain. 

It just so happened she ended up buying five, huh. 

Kokichi gave their therapist another grateful look as he sipped his tea, delicate and floral and delicious as always. “It’s a change I’m finding myself enjoying quite a bit--these are really cool.”

...and because he always felt the need to do this… Kokichi fidgeted slightly before sending a cautious look around the circle. “Er… So, Kai-chan and I explained some of the stuff we talked about in the session with just us, and...I think we did end up having a sort of group grieving session together.”

Dr. Mariah, though far more reserved right now then she usually was for their sessions-- more like how she had been for their very first session ever-- still got a light of approving interest in her eyes as she glanced at Kokichi. Tucking her feet beneath her on the chair, she rested her tea cup on her lap as she said, “Oh? That is excellent. Would anyone care to add anything onto that?”

Kaito was struggling a little to sit in the chair. The design of it encouraged leaning back and getting comfortable, and Shuichi was taking full advantage of that, sighing as he leaned back into the oval, hands idly rubbing his stomach, but Kaito felt too strange and awkward to relax in it. Glancing at Maki, she had delt with this by crossing both legs into each other, sitting criss-crossed within her chair and comfortably able to keep her back straight, but Kaito was too tall to pull that same move comfortably. So, he leaned his elbows against his knees, leaning forward instead of back, as he explained, “We… had this moment where we were all just… kinda talking about a situation and how bad it was… we weren’t really solving anything, we just kinda… complained about it together. Were sad and angry and stuff… it seemed like the sort of thing you were talking about. Though, maybe we didn’t cry as much as you wanted us too.”

“Did you feel as if you were observing and accepting your feelings mutually? Did it feel…” Dr. Mariah paused, “...satisfying?”

“It did for me.” Kaito murmured.

Dr. Mariah looked around, before saying, “And this was… all four of you?”

“Maki and I were more there for moral support than anything.” Shuichi explained, “Kaito was going through a thing and it ended up being a bigger thing and we all just sort of took turns talking about how unfortunate it was.”

Dr. Mariah glanced at Maki, who stared blankly back at her. She didn’t think it was a coincidence, that they had managed to do it while Maki was finally around to participate, nor was she at all surprised that Maki had been there at all. The fourth member. 

It was a bit of an odd position, Kokichi put himself in, one leg in and one leg out, able to keep himself sitting up but giving himself enough leverage to sip at his tea and place it down on the side table if he needed to. It was a sitting position in no world of its own, poised for both movement and relaxation, for whichever way the conversation turned. 

“...I’m not really all too sure of how I feel about it, honestly,” Kokichi murmured when it was clear Maki wasn’t going to say anything. “I think I feel better in the long run to have had a conversation like that, and to be mad and upset without any caveat, but…”

Kokichi’s brow furrowed. 

(A purple glow)

“...I wouldn’t call my feelings ‘satisfied’, exactly. I just...kinda felt miserable, then got back up to continue life after a nap.”

Dr. Mariah tapped at her cheek a bit, looking back and forth between Kaito and Kokichi. “Interesting… so one member left the conversation feeling ‘better’, and the other one felt like nothing had been accomplished. Shuichi felt distant from the conversation, based on his explanation. Miss Harukawa?”

Maki blinked, before saying, “Like Shuichi explained: it wasn’t really involving us. We simply supported their conversation.”

Dr. Mariah nodded, tapping at her cheek for a moment. It sounded a bit like only Kaito had actually gotten to say everything he wanted to say during that conversation, then. A feeling of ‘satisfaction’ usually came from a sense of feeling ‘heard’. That you had finally said everything on your mind and gotten it out of your system. Another way of explaining it being less ‘satisfied and more- “Would any of you say you felt ‘empty’ afterwards?”

Maki narrowed her eyes, “Numbed out?”

“If that’s how you interpret that feeling, yes. Satisfied, empty, numbed. Some people talk like a real, physical weight has been lifted off of them… if only Kaito felt that way after the group grieving session? It does not feel unlikely, especially based on what I know of this group, that the rest of you were ‘holding back’.” Perhaps even for Kaito’s sake, the man looking a little surprised at the idea, before looking at the rest of the group in concern. “Supporting Kaito in his grief, but not really letting out all of your own.”

Kokichi’s brow furrowed more. It wasn’t that he felt nothing had been accomplished… That they had been able to have a conversation like that at all meant enormous things! And even if it didn’t feel good for him, acknowledging that he had been harmed was still a hugely important thing. 

It was just…

...it didn’t feel right that Shuuichi and Maki were ‘simply there’ either…

Thinking it out for another moment, Kokichi made an uncomfortable sound. “...in that sense, actually, that feels more right for me. Like...feeling empty. Hollowed. And...I’m not really sure if I have any more grief on the topic to express. It felt pretty...thorough, to me.”

...and though it wasn’t how he felt at the time, now? Looking back? Kokichi just...felt guilty. Though...he had no idea why.

The taste of guilt on Kokichi did not, exactly, reassure Dr. Mariah that the group had this whole ‘grieving together’ thing down, but… well, if it was easy to do right the first time, they wouldn’t be here, asking her to help guide them through it. ”It sounds like you all made a solid effort to handle the situation well.” She said, looking between all four of them as she said, “And sometimes it can be enough that only one or two members of your group left it feeling better, or at least not worse.” 

“A sense of understanding, a sense of being heard, a sense that you’ve said all you really wanted to say about the subject and are satisfied that there’s nothing else to tell… all of that mostly equals a sense of ‘community’, which is what most people grieving are seeking out. They want to be accepted and sheltered and heard by the members they consider a part of their intimate communities, and ideally, everyone leaves those moments feeling closer and stronger and better prepared for the next day than they had before.”

Maki raised an eyebrow “...I don’t understand.” She said, looking around the group as she said, “Why are you bothering telling us this? Obviously people feel better talking to their friends when things bother them. I thought you were meant to be some sort of ‘expert’ on relationships or communication or whatever it is you’re meant to be teaching us. This is just common sense advice.”

“Maki.” Kaito said, a warning in his tone.

“No, no, we don’t silence each other here. We wait to take turns, but we never silence.” Dr. Mariah interrupted Kaito’s scolding, running her finger over the edge of her teacup as she said to Maki, “Miss Harukawa is always welcome to question my methods and practices. Just accepting my words without understanding them isn’t particularly helpful to anyone. Questions are always allowed.”

Maki said nothing in response, not looking pleased or angry or anything that Dr. Mariah had stood up for her question or that Kaito had tried to scold her. She still just looked intently at her, her silence demanding an answer.

“Understanding good advice, recognizing it as ‘common’ advice, though there’s no such thing as ‘common sense’, is all very different from understanding how to actually utilize that advice in daily life.” Dr. Mariah explained, “I’m certain the idea of ‘talk to each other when you’re feeling upset’, in theory, isn’t a new concept for anyone here, and likely advice they’ve taken at certain times, and even more likely given out to others at certain times, because it is far easier to recite these practices then practice them… but this group, historically, is not actually good at that.”

“To various degrees, everyone in this group has a certain level of emotional ‘martyr’ complex to them. Their own emotions, discomforts, fears, anger, even basic curiosity, all take a back seat to keeping the overall ‘peace’ of the group. Shuichi has it disguised in the form of stoicism and a desire for emotional independence, but Kaito and Kokichi both have extremely vibrant and even hostile versions of it, Kokichi unwilling to put his partners even through small discomforts at the cost of his own emotional stability, and Kaito apparently acting on the idea that a certain level of self destruction is required for his partners emotional stability. As for you…”

Maki narrowed her eyes, but Dr. Marah simply said, “Well, I have no idea yet. Perhaps you’ll be the exception to this rule. But yes… getting this group to talk to each other when they’re upset, in a healthy, non-buildup way, is not only advice I’m offering, but one of my overarching goals in these sessions. It’s not going to happen right away. Martyr thinking is very, very hard to give up once it's in your mind. But it is what we’re working towards, and I will very likely end up repeating that advice several times before even this session is done.”

Maki glanced at the rest of the group, “...” and seemed to think better of it. An air of ‘fine then’ in her body language, though she was clearly not convinced.

Trust was paramount in a relationship, and trust was built from tons and tons of communication. If they couldn’t communicate fully and effectively, then there wasn’t trust. At least not full trust. And being with people you couldn’t express certain things to...Kokichi knew how much that wore on Kaito. How horrible it made him feel. 

To make things work in the long run, they needed to be able to express anything and still feel heard and accepted. Otherwise…

Kokichi sighed quietly. Maki’s question was a good one, and while Kokichi found Dr. Mariah’s explanation satisfactory...it was clear Maki didn’t. An uphill battle indeed. 

Nodding gently, Kokichi glanced across at Kaito with a soft expression. “...Kai-chan actually caught that with me during that conversation. I think...I was trying to make sure Kai-chan could express his own grief and make sure that it was acknowledged but...I just shoved my own to the side, in that moment. To focus on someone else. And...he kept me honest about it.”

“I’m not...diminishing someone else’s pain by hurting too,” Kokichi said with a small sigh. “It’s hard to remember, but...especially in cases like the conversation we had...it’s more helpful for the group to contribute the genuine feelings I have than to hold back and try to...mediate, or validate. By expressing myself too, I think that’s validation in itself.”

“Ah, I wasn’t trying to… like keep you in check or anything, ‘Kichi, I was just angry. Had a lot of ‘what-if’ scenarios running through my head…”

“Kokichi is both paying you a compliment and showing gratitude to you for thinking about his feelings in that situation, Kaito.” Dr. Mariah gently informed the man, who laughed sheepishly as she continued, “You don’t have to deflect or take an apologetic tone. You did well, and should be pleased with yourself.”

“Aren’t you going to ask what set off the whole conversation and grieving stuff in the first place?” Shuichi asked, looking mildly amused at the therapist as he said, “You’re usually nosy about that sort of thing. And, honestly, it’s incredibly juicy.”

Dr. Mariah, briefly, looked genuienly pained in her temptation… but sighed. “There are certain things I feel require precedence over whatever your scenario could be right now, and as curious as I am, I’d rather discuss it when the group seems to be in crisis over either it or something like it again. As much as I’d love to know what happened, drudging up old hurt when you all seem ready to move past it for my own benefit is the opposite of being a good therapist.”

“Spoiler alert:” Kaito grinned, a sort of morbid humor coming over him, though the absolute exhaustion was clear in his eyes as he said, “It may have actually started the fifteen year war.”

“...” be a good therapist don’t bite the bait be a good therapist, “Are you feeling in conflict over it? Do you want to discuss it?”

“...Not really. I feel kinda… apathetic is the closest word. Maybe numb. I get real, real angry whenever I think about it for longer than a couple of seconds, but…” Kaito just shrugged. A helpless sort of ‘what can ya do?’ in the expression.

“Please be certain to bring it up with Miss Crystal, then. Communication wise, the group seems to have handled the event admirably, but individually, you sound like you still need assistance.” She advised Kaito, before looking to the rest of the group, “Does anyone else still feel in conflict over what happened or how you handled it? This is an open floor, your chance to say anything you held back on or didn’t occur to you at the time.”

Kokichi got a slightly strained expression on his face for a moment as Kaito tried to backpedal his own actions, but as Dr. Mariah intervened, he relaxed, giving an emphatic nod. “Yes! That’s what I mean… I really appreciate you doing that for me, Kai-chan.”

Even if it wasn’t consciously trying to get Kokichi to better follow the communication rules they were trying to implement...it still had that effect. And Kaito being able to express that anger, to have that effect was...honestly, huge for them. The more they could be open with each other, without trying to hold back, the better. 

Letting out a dry, grim huff of a laugh when Shuuichi and Kaito tried to tempt Dr. Mariah into prying for her own interest, Kokichi hadn’t really felt like she had pushed them into talking about things that they weren’t currently struggling with, but still he felt a bit of pride in seeing her restraint. Most people probably wouldn’t make the connection, but...it was probably a good idea not to just say it to the world that Leon had a thing for Aiichi when they were teenagers. They might tell her about it, but probably not today. 

Nodding gently, Kokichi mirrored Kaito’s shrug. “I mean...it’s not great to think about, but for me...there’s nothing to do and not much to dwell on.”

As for how he handled the aftermath… Kokichi chewed on his lip a little. “...I think I’m too quick to give people space. I just...can’t tell if a situation really is someone needing some time to think by themselves, or if they need to talk it out. If Shuu-chan and Maki-chan hadn’t been there to initiate things, I probably wouldn’t have talked to Kai-chan about it for another day...if we ever went back to it at all.”

“Ah… that can be a little tricky.” Dr. Mariah agreed, “It’s an extremely delicate balance: pull back too much, and you allow someone to spiral into self destructive behavior uninhibited. Push forward too hard, and you risk exacerbating the problem. Unfortunately, the hard truth is that there’s no real formula to working out which person and which situation requires what approach… other than personal trial and error, and listening to the warning signs of both the person in question, and those that know them well. Individuals indicate behavioral patterns that you can eventually learn, push when they act like this, hold back when you see this warning sign, but… trying to generalize or use what works for others and force the person into that same pattern is rarely helpful, and learning an individuals patterns tends to require the sometimes painful process of making mistakes and learning from it.”

Kaito frowned, and partly because it was true, but also partly to defend Kokichi’s first impulse, he said, “I mean, I do go to my shrine in the hopes of getting some privacy, which is where I was when they sought me out. It’s not like it wasn’t what I was asking for. And… I was really upset when they showed up. I didn’t want to be bothered…”

“So it was a mistake?”

“...well, no…”

“May I ask, if Kokichi didn’t want to disturb Kaito during this moment of crisis, why did you?”

“Maki said we should go.” Shuichi explained, sighing, “I advocated giving him a day, cause Kaito can sometimes sort of… ‘double down’ when confronted in his shrine. But Maki went in with a sort of ‘kick the door down’ mentality.”

“He opened the door for us.” Maki huffed, “And sometimes Kaito just needs a kick and to be told to shape up or he becomes absolutely useless for days.”

Dr. Mariah noted the wording, which was somewhat alarming, but simply asked, “How did you know this wasn’t going to be a ‘double down’ incident?”

“I didn’t. It just seemed worth a shot, since otherwise he was absolutely going to hole himself up in that closet for too long anyway.” Maki shrugged, “It’s classic risk assessment. The risk was worth the chance of reward.”

Dr. Mariah nodded, before looking to Kokichi, “Miss Harukawa looked at the scenario and saw the benefits of succeeding outweighing the fallout of failure. What did you envision might be the worst case scenario of interfering, over allowing him to remain in his shrine for another day? What were you avoiding?”

Kokichi nodded slowly, a small frown on his face, though he wasn’t really upset. He figured it was a case by case and person by person kind of thing, but...even after all this time he still couldn’t read Kaito well enough, at least when it came to if he needed time to himself. Really...he just wondered if he was missing something obvious. But if Maki had gone in on just a coin flip then...maybe not. 

His face twisting uncomfortably, clearly recalling Dr. Mariah’s call out on his own martyr tendencies, Kokichi sighed. “Well...Kai-chan hasn’t stayed in his shrine for over a day in months. I...figured he wanted some time to vent to himself, and...I mean, we’ve talked about it before. He doesn’t like getting pissed in front of me. I thought...if I tried to go see him immediately, then...he’d shut down, and not actually be able to feel what he needed to feel about the situation. And it’d just build until we ended up having another fight...or, really, since we are trying to be better about that...until the next time he found some time alone to process it.”

Kokichi frowned more, feeling...shameful. “...I felt like I’d make things worse by being there. Not because of any direction, but because things would grind to a halt.”

Dr. Mariah didn’t sigh, but there was a small dip in her head that suggested she’d quite like too as she said, “So, to not trigger Kaito’s tendencies to clam up around you, the best path forward to allowing him to process his pain was to remove yourself from the situation entirely, thus forcing any pain you yourself had in the situation into isolated coping techniques, along with his. An attempt to process grief by actively creating barriers in your communication…”

“You don’t understand, you’re getting to know us after we spent, like… months blowing up at each other.” Kaito insisted, while Dr. Mariah against tilted her head in a way that wasn’t quite a sigh as he said, “Like we didn’t start doing this out of nowhere. I’d get angry and say something shitty that would make Kokichi cry, and then Kokichi crying would make me realize I needed to shut the fuck up, and… I mean, I’m kinda guessing my husbands perspective here, but I’m gonna go ahead and say that seeing how him crying made me shut up probably didn’t feel great for him and… and it just kept getting worse and-”

“And you both came to the conclusion that not talking at all was the only way forward?”

“I feel like that’s simplifying but…” Kaito again looked exhausted as he said, “It was really bad, for awhile there… I didn’t think our relationship was going to survive it, at one point. There were a couple nights there where I thought we wouldn’t survive it…”

Dr. Mariah tapped at her chin… before, pulling out her journal from a pocket in her dress, she flipped it open. Reviewing her notes.

“...but that’s not the version of your relationship I’ve met. Which means at some point you went from regularly fighting, to not talking, to… something.” She said, closing the journal, before putting it back in her pocket and indicating to the rest of the roof, “That brought you here. Something that made you both realize that this wasn’t going to work on its own… and now that, I’m suspecting, every member who influenced that series of events is here?” she said, indicating to Maki and Shuichi.

“I think it’s time we talk about why you decided to get relationship therapy.” 

Kokichi cringed and nodded, and deflated even more when Kaito tried to speak up on his behalf. It had been a poor decision, and a line of thinking that wouldn’t do any favors for them. When you were in the process of learning and changing, mistakes would happen, but Kokichi really needed to learn from them for it not to be learning in name only. If his first instinct when major issues happened was to go back into his comfort patterns? Then he wasn’t actually absorbing the lessons they were trying to take. 

Admittedly, going to find other help was a valid option, but...it took his own agency out of the situation, which wasn’t a good thing. If Maki hadn’t decided to go talk to Kaito? Kokichi hadn’t gone to them looking for backup. They wouldn’t have gone. 

...and...yeah, they did have reasons for those reactions. But they were trying to be better and not rely on them. 

Fiddling with his fingers a little, Kokichi sent a wary glance between Kaito and Maki. “...from my own perspective...I think the first time Kai-chan and I talked about getting counselling was...from a fight we had in the memorial garden last fall. But...to get into that…”

Kokichi’s lips were pressed into an uncomfortable, uncertain line. “...I don’t think we can get into it without talking about the stuff between you two, Kai-chan, Maki-chan… And I don’t want to start it off if you’re not ready.”

Dr. Mariah’s body language didn’t so much as shift, but internally, she was HIGH FIVING HERSELF!

She KNEW IT. She knew it would have been pointless to ask why they were there before completing the set! What the event was! GAH she was SUCH A FUCKING GOOD THERAPIST, HIGH FIVE!

While Dr. Mariah quietly reveled in her own talents as a relationship therapist-- you think Dr. Khan would have worked that shit out? Fuck no! God she was amazing-- Kaito and Maki both gave each other tense looks, neither of them in anywhere near as good a mood as Dr. Mariah now was. Nether of them… knowing where to begin or how to start of even if they really even wanted to…

“...Maki wasn’t on vacation, when she was gone.” Shuichi finally said, lowering the brim of his hat a little, “She went back to Luminary to take down the ruling Momota family.”

“Shocking.” Dr. Mariah said simply, looking distinctly unshocked, though she watched Maki and Kaito’s eyes… and of course could taste the shift in the air from both of them.

Anger.

Bitterness.

Guilt.

Regret.

All of that from both of them.

Maki narrowed her eyes, glaring at Shuichi as she said, “Shuichi, that sort of information is still potentially dangerous to me-”

“It’s not.” Shuichi said dryly, “Or, no more than it already currently is. By this point, with the amount of evidence left behind in the war? The only people who don’t know are the ones who don’t care. History is already being written Maki. It’s just… less obvious, in Dicea. I can guarantee there is no one in Luminary who doesn’t know what you did by now. It’s not a secret, it’s a textbook-footnote that will be published within the year.”

“If I may?” Dr. Mariah said, getting Maki attention, “Miss Harukawa, there is nothing you can say in here that I will repeat to anyone outside of you four. You have guaranteed discretion in privacy from myself when it comes to these meetings and anything discussed within them. I can swear to you, in the name of my profession, that everything discussed here is done in confidence.”

Maki looked unimpressed, “Swearing from a Dicean. How reassuring.”

Dr. Mariah paused… hmmm, that had been enough for Kaito and Shuchi, but… Maki needed something more…

“... I’m deathly allergic to a very specific type of water.” Dr. Mariah said, noting Maki’s eyes narrow slightly in confusion as she continued, “There’s a temple in the outskirts of the city devoted to a Goddess named Pelora. They infuse their holy water with these special crystals that, mixed with water, creates a chemical that most people are a little allergic too. They get rashes and acid-like burns when they touch them… and for me? I’m particularly sensitive to it. This water even in small doses burns me quite badly, I found out the hard way once. It’s easy enough for me to avoid, since they only keep it at the Pelora temple, but… it’s still quite alarming to know something like that is around, that could harm me so easily.”

Dr. Mariah smiled. “That said? I swear on the Nectar-water in Pelora’s temple that everything you say to me can and will be kept in confidence.”

Maki blinked… there was silence for a moment…

She shifted in her seat and said, “You can call me Maki, if you want.”

“Thank you Maki.” Dr. Mariah said, “Let’s talk about the war.”

…

...just for a moment, Kokichi glanced to Dr. Mariah, confusion in her eyes. 

(An absolutely elated pride…)

But…

In truth...there wasn’t any danger in Dicea for Maki, if it got out that she had fought in the Luminary Revolution. Even that she was a major player. To the average person, it didn’t matter a bit who was in charge of Luminary as long as the treaty was still in effect. And, after a meeting as soon as Aiichi could manage to get one from Kaede, it was, so...it didn’t matter. 

Really, the only people to whom it mattered was Byakuya and the elites on his side of the war. But they had lost. So...there wasn’t danger anywhere, other than people wanting to take out their frustrations on her, which was no different from people who would want to do the same from her assassin days. Or, at least not tangibly different. 

So while they weren’t going to announce it to the skies, they...actually could talk about it where it was relevant now. And there was little more relevant than potentially the person who could help Maki and Kaito resolve their feelings. 

But that was Kokichi’s own logic, and appealing to Maki’s was… 

He gave their therapist another concerned look, but...there was respect in it too. Straight out telling someone who had spent the majority of their life training to kill one of your greatest vulnerabilities… Maybe Dr. Mariah and Maki would get along better than he thought. 

Letting the silence sit for a moment, Kokichi softly sighed. “...there was a lot Kai-chan and I talked about, but...kind of the major thing was… Well… I mean...civil wars don’t start overnight. And…”

Kokichi scratched his cheek, trying to find a place to start. “...not long after we’d first met, Maki-chan told me about a plan Kaede had to...usurp the existing power structures in Luminary. Maki-chan and I had our own misunderstanding about that, but...we’d kept it a secret from Kai-chan. And our fight in the memorial garden...I told him.”

A strange mixture of feelings from all four of the people involved. Dr. Mariah looked at all four of them, and while some of the emotions were simply agitation, or resigned sadness… all of these emotions ran hot. Vibrant. This had been a big event, and it still emotionally affected all of them. The sort of event that would have cemented the idea that they needed outside help.

“Kaede… Queen Kaede?”

“Long may she rule.” Kaito muttered.

“She’s going to do well, Kaito.” Maki said, glancing over at him, “Things will be better under her rule, despite her personal issues. She’s the best choice forward.”

“Why are you even telling me that? Like it matters? You want me to just parrot it back to you or-??”

“It should matter to you how Luminary is doing, you are it’s prince-”

“Don’t fucking lecture me about my place, if that shit mattered then you wouldn’t have anything to do with who was currently rulin-!”

“Five minutes.” Dr. Mariah sighed.

“What?” Maki asked, looking confused, as Kaito just groaned, kicking the floor once in frustration before looking embarrassed.

“She wants us to take five minutes of silence. Makes it easier to get back into the conversation without losing our shit.” Shuichi sighed.

“I wasn’t losing my shit.” Kaito grumbled. “Not ever allowed to say shit about anything-”

“Let’s respect the five minutes.” Dr. Mariah said sternly, “And if anyone needs a re-fill of tea, now is the time.”

As Kaito and Maki began to fight, Kokichi’s shoulders tensed but...it was a long time coming. They needed to do this, and...probably? With Dr. Mariah around, they could do it without one of them beating the other to death. 

...he really hoped. 

Kokichi honestly had no idea how they would be able to reconcile any of this. Kaito still hadn’t been able to find a way forward from having his brother murder their parents. He desperately wanted there to be a way they could talk things out and find peace, wanted a way for their friendship and love to make it through, but...he didn’t know. 

Kokichi gave Kaito a soft, worried look before sighing and leaning back more in the nest chair, finally tucking his other leg in. Resolving to stick out this conversation to the end. 

...well, he and Maki had already talked out some of her feelings. Her resentment and passive aggression towards Kaito. Her never-ending drive set adrift, feeling brittle when faced with any step forward. Maybe that would make them a little easier to communicate now. 

...and maybe Kaito would find it easier to voice his betrayal too. His feelings of legacy and feeling like he’d lost it for Miya. Of what he thought was right, and what he thought Byakuya should’ve done. Of feeling like everything had fallen apart over the last year.

...Kokichi had a feeling they might not even get to their fight in the garden today.

Five minutes gone and re-tea’d up, Dr. Mariah took a long sip, sighed… “Alright. Let’s approach this with a little more structure than that.”

“You wanna ref while we spar?” Maki asked, mostly making a joke, but… only just barely joking. Her and Kaito both tense in their own chairs, Kaito glaring at the ground while Maki glared at him.

“Shut up. We can’t spar right now.” Kaito muttered.

“I’m not sick anymore.”

“Shut up, Maki Roll… your… your head isn’t right for it right now. Don’t fucking tempt me, it’s not fair.”

“Don’t tell me to be quiet and use my nickname in the same breath.” Maki scowled, “Do you want me to absolve you of your vow? Is that it?”

“...no…”

“Maki, Kaito.” Dr. Mariah interrupted, her tone stern as the two looked to her, “If you want to make snide remarks at each other and have half-thought out arguments while punching each other, there’s the door. Shuichi and Kokichi can continue with this session and maybe get some use out of the time remaining, and you two can go destroy each other on your own time. But while you’re here, asking me for help, you’ll either follow my cues or leave.”

Maki scowled, and started to get up- “No, Maki… please?” Kaito stopped her, looking worried, eyes wide, “Please, don’t. I… we can’t handle this. We need the help. Please.”

The assassin hesitated, conflicted by her desire to call the doctors bluff, her promise to follow Kaito’s lead, and the sheer… pleading in her friends tone. She bunched her hands into a fist, heat starting to build… before she let it out in a breath. Sitting back down. 

“What kind of structure?” She asked.

What kind of structure indeed? The problem wasn’t that the source of the conflict was complicated, though it was. The problem was that there was a myriad of other conflicts that were directly layered either beneath or over this one, and that made it much, much easier to set both of them off at any given time. They needed to make this argument more… manageable. More bite-sized pieces.

And Dr. Mariah needed to know what she was working with to make those pieces easier to divide.

“...Kokichi? Shuichi? You’re both going to speak for them for a little while.” Dr. Mariah said, looking to the two men, “Which of you would feel more comfortable speaking for which?”

“...what?” Shuichi blinked.

“Maki or Kaito? Who do you wish to speak for?”

...or Maki would just think it was a waste of time. 

But even if it wasn’t exactly fair...she still stayed. And they were left at the standstill. 

Until Dr. Mariah completely up-ended it. 

Kokichi’s eyes bugged before he glanced between Kaito and Maki, this...being exactly not what they had been trying to do. “...I don’t feel like I can accurately speak for either of you guys. I mean...we’ve talked about stuff but...I’ve never understood the sparring stuff between you, or really what vows mean to you. Nnnnnnnnggg…”

Kokichi groaned, putting his head in his hands. “Shuu-chan?! Pick!”

Because no matter who he was going to mess it up and completely misrepresent their stances and feelings...oh no…

Shuichi, also, looked a little lost, looking back and forth between Maki and Kaito, his own mentality of ‘who can I afford to piss off more??’

“...Kaito. I’ll do Kaito.” Shuichi said, taking the cowards way out. “Wait, but… I don’t understand what we’re doing? Isn’t this the literal definition of Mind Reading?”

“I’m not asking either of you to recite motivations or interpretations. I want to know what’s physically, actually happened. Neither Maki nor Kaito are emotionally capable of explaining the events of the last year or so, however long ago this started, without breaking into a fight, and I am unable to help them unless I know what it is exactly I’m working with.”

And, honestly, having Maki and Kato both react to Shuichi and Kokichi, two people they were less willing to be physically or emotionally violent with, and their interpretation of events, would be a great starting point for her to see where the wounds ran deepest.

“So… Maki was a part of a plan to usurp Kaito’s family from the throne, clued Kokichi into that plan, and Kaito found out in the Memorial Garden, which all lead to eventually you all being here, and Maki and Kaito still fighting.” Dr. Mariah summarized, “Let’s start at the beginning… Kokichi, where does this start for Maki? As far as you understand it.”

Shuichi twitched, already feeling an issue with this. Because he knew this technically started in Kaede and Maki’s relationship, but Maki and Kaito had also never gotten around to discussing that… oof.

...the sequence of events was...more doable. And considering that Kokichi had talked to Maki about a lot of them...that made it more doable. 

Taking a deep, steadying breath, Kokichi lightly slapped his cheeks before sitting up again, that crease between his eyebrows likely going to be an ever-present feature for this whole conversation. “...well...the Indentured Program was a nightmare. As far as I know, from...really, stuff we’ve all talked about, Maki-chan’s always wanted, in some capacity, for it to not be a thing.”

“And...I don’t know exactly when, but sometime before they all came to Dicea, Maki-chan was approached by Kaede with a plan. A…” Kokichi’s eyes flicked to Kaito, something apologetic in his gaze. “...a bunch of assassination plans for...basically all leadership in Luminary. The royals in line before Kaede, families of nobles, the heads of the Indentured Program, and high ranking religious leaders of Atua...everyone who could even have a small hand in shaping Luminary to how it was. Then, with those people gone, Kaede would take the throne and shape Luminary to her own vision...which, she had promised to Maki, meant completely dismantling the Indentured Program.”

“And...that plan is, as far as I’m aware, where things started…”

Kaito grit his teeth and curled his fists, “Sure… just fucking murder dozens of people we grew up around and were my fucking family… I’m so curious, was I ever on that list?”

“Of course you weren’t, you’re not an heir, and I wouldn’t have-”

“Wouldn’t you-!?”

“S i l e n c e.”

Kaito and Maki both stopped talking, though… they didn’t actually know what. Just something cold and frightened, primal, filling their stomachs as they both paused, startled. “...uh, sorry.” Kaito murmured first, while Maki just looked confused at her own reaction.

“You’ll both get your turn to explain your version of events.” Dr. Mariah said softly, “But for now follow the structure. Shuichi?”

“Um…” Shuichi looked at Kaito, uncertainty on his face, “I think sometimes Kaito knew something was happening, but… he had just gotten informed that he was being sent to Dicea to marry Kokichi at basically the same time as the plan started to form for Maki. Things were so chaotic, I don’t think Kaito ever really had five minutes to really sit down and put all the pieces together… though, Maki eventually asked me to...well, make certain he wouldn’t be able to figure it out.”

Kaito’s face flashed a notable hurt, having known this to some extent, but… it hitting different to hear Shuichi say it aloud. Maki didn’t flinch, but she did look away, and Dr. Mariah could taste the guilt coming off of her. Mmm… delicious.

“And I agreed, but… I really thought once we got to Dicea, Maki would get over it… sorry, that doesn’t actually matter. Um, so we got to Dicea, and Kaito had seen this big curtain, on Maki’s wall. Maki had hung up this massive, like, display of the whole plan onto her wall for… reasons? And again, Kaito knew something was wrong, but he never wanted to ask… right?”

Kaito shrugged, “I don’t fucking know… thinking something is weird doesn’t mean, ‘Kill my whole family’ popped into my fucking head.”

...it really circled back on people not prioritizing Kaito, but...they’d get to that. That was a huge part of their fight in the memorial garden, so...they’d get to it. As they would Shuuichi thinking that Maki would ‘get over it’. His frustration with her priorities too. 

Nodding slightly, looking glum, Kokichi took it from there. “Maybe...four? Or five weeks after we met? Maki-chan came to me, presenting the plan and…” Kokichi winced a bit. “...I totally misinterpreted it. I thought Maki-chan was asking me for help with Luminary. And...after learning more and more what it was like, I...tried to take on responsibility for Luminary’s future and well-being. Meanwhile, Maki-chan was…”

Kokichi sighed, giving his friend a softer look, this matter, at least, settled between them. “...she was asking for protection. Among other things, from Kai-chan, hoping that if it came as an order from me, he wouldn’t blame her.”

“...but even with my interpretation, I couldn’t conscionable advocate for mass murder, and...I didn’t think it’d actually help either. So...things kinda got put on standby until I could talk to Kaede directly, and...well, we had other things going on too…”

“...I can’t believe you brought my husband into it.” Kaito grumbled at her.

“Look, I’m not proud. In my defense, you had known him for not even two months by that point… it made sense to me, okay? If I had known Kokichi even a little better, I would have realized it was pointless asking in the first place, and if any of our relationships were going to get ruined over this, I thought a barely two month one was a worthy sacrifice.”

“Fucking everything is a ‘worthy sacrafice’ to you, Kokichi and I were already struggling and you put that shit on us-”

“Struggling? You were more than struggling, and the fact that you were struggling so much was again your psycho families faul-”

“Oh sure, everything always comes back to being the Momota’s fault, you never do anything wrong-”

Dr. Mariah looked endlessly exasperated. Tapping her temple as she watching the two take pot shots at each other… before sighing. “Time to bring out the big arrows.” She sighed, getting up and walking over to Kaito and Maki, who were still arguing with each other as she approached, digging into one of her pockets…

...and pulling out an overly large lollipop, she shoved it into Kaito’s mouth, before handing Maki the other one. “Suck on this until Kokichi and Shuichi are done.”

“...is it poisoned?” Maki asked, grimly taking the lollipop in hand.

“Would it make you feel better if it was?”

“A little.”

“It’s not. It’s just meant to keep your mouth full. Suck.”

...to even Maki’s own astonishment, she put the damn thing in her mouth. Whatever… even she could tell this was getting out of control…

“...Annnnnywayyyy.” Shuichi said, watching this absurd visual, “We did eventually get Kaede schedules to get on the phone. We were going to go over the fine details of the plan, but… well, from Kaito’s perspective, the next thing that happened was we told him that Kokichi was missing and upset and we couldn’t find him. We sent him to go find Kokichi, and that search eventually brought Kaito to the Memorial Garden. And… that got complicated.” Shuichi shrugged, not feeling like that was his story to tell, “but they came back the next day with Kokichi sick and Kaito knowing everything.”

Shuichi paused, “...annnnnd then we all didn’t talk about it all that much… for a loooong time. I mean, Kaito went on this whole tangent about blaming it on old men for awhile, and I have no idea what sparked that, but he seemed pretty content to just suggest it was all someone else's fault and then never talk about it again.”

“Mgmfsfn.” Kaito mumbled around the lollipop. “Ucngn aughhki.”

They were struggling from more than just Kaito’s family issues, and Maki knew that she’d made a mistake using Kokichi like that. And...while maybe even Maki herself sometimes believed that everything could be a sacrifice...she had been unwilling to fully sacrifice her relationship with Kaito. Just not to the extent that Kaito would find meaningful. 

Kokichi watched on in astonishment as Dr. Mariah shut them up with lollipops, and while it was a brilliant tactic--but absolutely not one he was going to use for Miya, considering chances were she’d already have a huge sweet tooth--Kokichi could only find himself looking on in slight envy. He wanted a giant lollipop…

Instead, he had to talk about one of the worst nights of his life. 

Sighing, Kokichi closed his eyes and rubbed his temple a bit. “...even if we should’ve talked about it sooner...I think Kai-chan still had a point. Everything was so much bigger than just the four of us...even the six of us, if you counted Kaede and Byakuya. Trying to discuss everything as if we were every part was… No wonder it all went to shit…”

Shaking his head, Kokichi looked up at Dr. Mariah with a bit of a grimace. “...I had a bit of a breakdown. I’d been having trouble for a long time, looking outside my own world, and me, Maki-chan, and Shuu-chan just...talking about Luminary in general before that call was a last straw for me.”

“...I accused Kaede of using her personal bond with Maki-chan to keep her from questioning the plan, or her part in it. That the plan was a suicide mission, and that Kaede was willing to use Maki-chan as a sacrifice to get even a little closer to her own ambitions.” Kokichi sighed, rubbing his temple a little more. “...then I walked out of the castle and ended up in the Memorial Garden, where Kai-chan eventually found me. It...wasn’t as purposeful, I don’t think, but...it still was a suicidal episode, for me.”

A hurt, rueful expression on his face, Kokichi stared at the koi pond. “...I felt awful for betraying Kai-chan’s trust...but I immediately led off telling him that he should’ve killed me. Just...being even worse to him. I...treated him like he couldn’t think for himself, and was only around me, and kind, out of obligation… That I was the root cause of his unhappiness in Dicea, but for some dumb reason Kai-chan could never speak up about it because he didn’t want to disrespect me...or something.”

Kokichi took a shuddering breath and dropped his head into his hands again, just...unable to continue right away. The regret of everything he’d done that night rolling off him in waves. 

Kaito twitched, “Ooghibi, ouph grabsh-racy ust… ophligashed!”

“Kaito, no one can understand you.” Dr. Mariah sighed, “And I promise you, you will get your chance to discuss all of this. I can see that there is…” she gave Kokichi a sympathetic look, “... a lot to unpack here, but we’re still only halfway done with the series of events. Kokichi, take a breath. You did very well. Shuichi?”

“...” Shuichi looked like he’d rather comfort Kokichi, but… he sighed. Letting Kokichi have a moment as he summarized, “Like I said, we all just sort of decided to not talk about it for a long time… and then one day Maki decided to go. She got a call from Kaede, asking Maki to change the plan and come help with the revolution due to Maki’s status among other Indentured, and… Maki just basically let us know a week before she was going to leave. After that, she was gone, and… we really weren’t sure if she was ever going to come back.”

“And she left us all of this shit to deal with.” Shuichi suddenly groaned, running a hand over his face, “She left me a secret baby to watch over from literally our worst enemies-”

“What?” Dr. Mariah asked, though Shuichi kept going like heh hadn’t heard her.

“And told us to watch out for, like, actually 30+ kids she was sending as refugees of the war, not to mention just leaving us to deal with all the emotional fallout of where she had gone in the first place, unable to talk to anyone else about it, and barely able to talk to each other about it. For Atua’s sake, Maki… it was so much…”

Shuichi rolled his eyes, “The war ended, Maki threatened to starve the country because of course she was able to pull that off somehow, Byakuya’s family was banished, Kaede’s queen, and she came back bloodied, exhausted and sick on a wild mountain horse in a thunder storm on devoted’s day.”

“Ockf -locker!”

“And… that’s sort of physically everything that happened.” Shuihi sighed, looking to the other three, “Right?”

Kokichi nodded into his hands and just...tried to breathe for a bit. Centering himself so they could actually talk about this and it wasn’t him just throwing his guilt around like globs of scalding water. But...everything Maki had left in her wake didn’t exactly make it easy. 

...it was so much… Kokichi really didn’t know how Maki didn’t just...explode from everything she took on. Maybe this was her exploding. 

Rubbing his face a bit, Kokichi nodded. “Pretty much… Maki-chan and I had a conversation while we were coming back from the mountains about her leaving but...yeah. That’s pretty much everything that happened… The Indentured Program is...or, it’s been announced internationally, at least, as being dismantled. I do believe it really is, but that’s just the news we’ve gotten from over the border.”

For a moment Kokichi just looked up at Dr. Mariah, tired and upset and strained and...well, this was why they decided to come to group therapy. And it was a very big, complicated reason. 

“Thank you, everyone… that was very helpful.” Dr. Mariah said honestly, considering the group as a whole. No wonder they had barely been able to talk about this. This was another one of those ‘would have destroyed any other relationship’ issues. Everyone here both performing and experiencing some of the most extreme forms of betrayal people could actually go through… it was shocking they had made it out the other side of this incident with their feelings for each other intact at all. 

“You four truly are absurd…” Dr. Mariah said… before digging into her pockets, “Kaito, Maki, you can take the lollipops out of your mouths now, though hang onto them. Shuichi, Kokichi? I noticed some interest in your gazes when I brought them out. Would you like ones as well?”

“Please.” Shuichi said, eyes wide.

Kokichi’s expression was still a bit more strained than the interested envy he’d felt before, but...of course he still wanted one! “Yes, please,” he tried to smile, eyes tracking the lollipops just a bit too much. 

“Is it our turn to be occupied, or can we just have them casually,” Kokichi asked, wanting some clarification. There was a lot to get into, and if they decided to tackle the fight in the garden, then that meant Kokichi was going to have to speak--though likely after letting Kaito have the stage to explain his own feelings, since Kokichi had initially gotten to say his piece--but...he felt a little worn out already. Trying to explain difficult things… But maybe some candy and a breather would be what he needed. 

Dr. Mariah laughed lightly, bring Kokichi and Shuichi theirs, before saying, “If I ever need to use these as a pacifier for you two, I’d be very surprised, but I’d let you know. No, you can just enjoy these as you will for now. It’s these two that I may need to hold onto this technique for in the future.” she said, indicating to Maki and Kaito, both who had taken their lollipops out the second they had been given permission too, Maki looking annoyed and Kaito embarrassed. 

Sitting back down, Dr. Mariah sighed slightly… “Maki. You did something peculiar earlier that I wanted to ask about, and then afterwards said something that only increased my concern. May I?”

Maki shrugged, “I’m attempting to do this in good faith. I feel like the fact that I followed the candy rule should be enough of a sign that you ‘may’.”

“Very good. You don’t seem the indecisive type. Why did you ask Kaito where you should sit? It seems like such a small but strange thing for someone like you.”

“...” Maki looked uncomfortable, now, crossing her arms, a tense, annoyed look on her face, “...I thought maybe there was somewhere he’d prefer me to sit.”

“And you said later he made some sort of vow to you that would make sparring difficult?”

Kaito saw the discomfort on Maki’s face… before running his hand through his hair. “... Maki’s not feeling all that good, since she got back from the war. It’s one of the reasons we wanted her to come see you so badly… none of us really know what to do for her, by this point. “

“Kaito…” Maki protested softly, looking increasingly uncertain, “...that’s not her-”

“You made me vow to take care of you, and that’s what this is.” Kaito growled, every muscle tensing as he said, “She can’t help us if she doesn’t know what’s happening, Maki, and… fuck we just spent the last ten minutes listening to Shuichi and Kokichi recite the timeline of events that shows how bad we are at fixing shit on our own. If you’re going to ask me to do this, have some fucking faith in my choices.”

Maki looked away, but didn’t say anything else, while Kaito glared at her… before his face crumbled. Looking ashamed as he sighed, putting his head in his hands, “...I need help if I’m going to keep my vow… this is too hard and I keep… fucking biting her head off… I don’t want to treat her this way, but I’m so fucking angry…”

Dr. Mariah considered some things, but decided to wait for Kaito to collect himself, and eventually he did, continuing on, “...anyway, most of the time she’s fine. She’s totally normal. But every now and again, she gets… stressed out, and starts being unable to make really basic decisions. She’ll go from arguing with me over everything and trying to order me around, to being overwhelmed at dinner and asking me to pick her food for her… she’s… she’s not in a place right now where we can have a fight about this stuff. It’s not fair to her, she can barely fight back…”

“...Kaito, Maki.” Dr. Mariah said after a moment, “This doesn’t have to be a fight. Based on everything I know about this group, and everything I just heard… you’re both on the same side.”

Maki and Kaito gave her openly disbelieving looks… the fuck? Was she on something? Had she not just heard all this shit???

...they hadn’t explained that, but it was pretty obvious so...Kokichi figured Dr. Mariah would’ve picked up on it. It really was something Maki needed to work on, either through her own personal discovery or with a therapist, but...even aside from that? She was their friend, and someone who had just been through war. She needed their support, and they needed to know how to give it to her. 

Sighing slightly and moving his lollipop away from where he’d been sucking on the side, Kokichi gave both his friends soft looks. “...I’m not speaking for what Dr. Mariah means. But you’ve both said, even to each other, that you want to be friends. That neither of you want to lose the relationship you have. ...that’s a common goal to work towards.”

“...that said, I am curious about what you mean,” Kokichi nodded to Dr. Mariah. “There’s...a chunk of stuff Kai-chan and Maki-chan don’t see eye to eye on.”

“They wouldn’t.” Dr. Mariah sighed, “Victims of abuse where part of that abuse was turning them against each other rarely notice how little agency they have in that decision.”

Maki looked… incredulous was a generous word, and Kaito suddenly looked annoyed and exhausted as he grumbled, “Not again… I’m not being abused… I need literally everyone, forever, to stop saying that…”

“I think you’re confused.” Maki huffed, “You haven't known me long, so it’s understandable. I have an abundance of self agency. My willpower is literally how I get anything done. And I get everything done.”

Dr. Mariah wasn’t being even kind of subtle. The look on her face was straight pity, as she gazed with resigned sadness at the two of them before saying, “I know this is going to be very difficult to hear. Especially for your personality types… but I’m not saying this idly, or as a ‘guess’. This is a clear example of manipulation and abuse. Unfortunately, it’s manipulation and abuse from multiple different agents, but all of them you have in common. Maybe the point wasn’t to have you two fight, though I wouldn’t be shocked if that was a factor considering the stacks, but you both were very clearly turned against each other for the benefit of other people.”

Kaito and Maki both stared at her in increasing agitation… before both saying at once-

“Oh sure, let’s just say it was the Momota’s again/If you mean Kaede, I made my own choices and-”

“Guys,” Shuichi said tiredly, “Listen to yourselves. She literally just said the word ‘abuse’ and you both referenced Kaede at the same time… you both know what she was capable of. What they all were… fuck, it’s no secret that Kaede and that psycho brother of hers were the ones that first started the talk about Kaito being too crazy to rule. And now over a decade later she’s queen… for fucks sake, how much proof do you need...”

Abuse…

...well, it’s not as if it was a surprise. Kokichi had known for...close to how long he’d known Maki and Kaito period. Maki from the program. Kaito from Tengan and his brother, and even neglect was abuse, so he could count his parents there too. 

...and both from Kaede. 

Kokichi looked over to Shuuichi in confusion, not...having known that at all. He’d heard off-hand once that Kaede’s brother had been executed for treason but...nothing more than just that. And it was pretty clear that Kaede had some sort of manipulation over Maki, though Kokichi would probably never know the extent. But…

(...is that really a surprise too? She tortured the teenager she was married to for shits and giggles.)

...Kokichi’s frown deepened. He usually didn’t want to listen to thoughts like that, but...what? 

Feeling distinctly wary, confused, and disgusted, Kokichi...didn’t know what to say. 

“...I mean...neither of you are particularly happy she’s queen now…”

“I have a lot of really valid reasons to not be happy.” Kaito said through gritted teeth.

“... she’s… still better than the alternative… it doesn’t matter what else she does, so long as the Indentured Programs taken down… I have to pick my battles.” Maki insisted, brow furrowed, though she didn’t argue Kokichi’s accusation that she wasn’t happy with Kaede. “No one was ever going to be perfect. She’s good enough.”

“That is an argument I could see her make to you, when she started burning her other bridges with you.” Shuichi mused, his eyes deeply sad as he said, “God knows I… made similar choices, when it came to resenting her or just… accepting what she did. It could have been so much worse… it took me a long time to wonder why it had gotten that bad in the first place...”

“Shuichi?” Dr. Marah said, glancing at the pregnant man, “May I ask… it sounds like you have your own personal history with Kaede.”

“I did. I do. It’s not that surprising, Maki and I had important jobs in the castle and a close relationship with her cousin… Kaede, Byakuya… Maki and I basically grew up beside them, though I’m certain Byakuya didn’t think of it like that. And, sometimes I wonder if Kaede thought of it like that, or just liked to say so…  she and Byakuya used to have a lot of arguments, over what inspired more loyalty, love or fear. She used to argue love was easier to sustain.” Shuichi shrugged, “Byakuya argued fear had quicker results. I only remember this because they pulled me and my mentor into the conversation, clearly with the purpose of getting a look at the argument from the ‘other’ side of it... Miss Kirigiri advised the heirs to look into how the conditioners in the indentured program did it and decide from there.”

“Byakuya told her to not be difficult. Kaede laughed.” Shuichi said tiredly, “I don’t know if she was just uncomfortable and filling the silence, or hadn’t realized it wasn’t a joke. I remember respecting Byakuya for at least recognizing it as disapproval.”

Shuichi sighed, “Sorry, I’m not answering the question, am I… not long after Kaito was made to give up his claim, Kaede’s brother, Haiji… he basically convinced me to start collecting dirty info on the ruling Momota family, particularly Byakuya. Haiji can order me, but Byakuya’s higher on the chain of the command then him, so once he asked me to do that, I really had an obligation to tell Byakuya what he had done even without conditioning compulson, even if I couldn’t say no to the order… which I could, though he wasn’t aware of that. But he…” Shuichi glanced at Kaito, before saying, “He convinced me that it’d be better to not tell… he told me he could use it to help Kaito-”

Kaito looked surprised at this, but Shuichi just sighed and kept going.

“-so for awhile I kept doing it, even though it was treason… and one day Kaede pulled me aside and said that it was about to get out that I was committing treason with her brother. That evidence had been found and unless she and I did something immediately, I was going to end up beheaded alongside him in defiance of the crown. She promised to save me, and together, we went to King Leon with all this evidence I had collected… the king was furious, and she was right. Haiji was put to death almost immediately after it all got out what he was doing.”

“...and then later I asked what had happened?” Shuichi said quietly, “Who had the evidence? How had they known? I thought I had been so careful…”

Shuichi sighed, “She laughed. And she said it would have gotten out eventually, and she had just wanted to save me. That she was looking out for me...” Shuichi shrugged, “I still look back at all that and… I’m really not sure. Maybe she was.”

...there was still a part of Kokichi that wanted to scream that there were thousands of alternatives to Kaede, but...Luminary wasn’t his responsibility. As long as they kept their current agreements with Dicea, none of it was his concern to try and fix or improve. How they thought of leadership was up to them, and no one else, least of all him. 

But while they didn’t live there anymore...Kaito, Maki, and Shuuichi were all still citizens of Luminary. And for the program, Maki had more than enough reasons to be involved. 

...and they all had a deeply entrenched history of already being involved. 

Kokichi looked up as Shuuichi told the story of, what once upon a time, had been the only dissenting opinion Kokichi had ever heard about Kaede. And… Kokichi’s expression softened as he watched Shuuichi, that deep well of disgust that pertained to Kaede deepening while his sympathy for Shuuichi grew. “Shuu-chan…”

...he knew they were people, complex and layered in all the ways people were. But seriously...what the fuck was wrong with that family, and how on earth did Kaito and his aunt make it out as themselves? (And really, Kokichi couldn’t even definitively say for Ibuki because...he didn’t know her at all, or anything she’d done.)

To think he’d once hoped to have a good rapport with Kaede…

Kaito frowned, “...I really wanted to believe she had just wanted to save you, Shuichi… Haiji was a nightmare. I had… I had always thought he must have threatened you or something…”

“No… I was scared and implied that, but no.” Shuichi sighed, shifting his hat, “And I guess I just never saw a reason to clear it up after the danger had passed, but… Kaito, everything was going really bad for you back then. You had just lost the throne, your ‘lessons’ with Tengan were still happening, everyone was turning their back on you. You were walking around like a zombie and I had no idea what to do for you, and… I knew Haiji was bad news, but he swore if he was heir-apparent that you’d be taken care of. And… I don’t know, I was still just a kid. I understood he was ‘bad’, but I didn’t know until years after he died how bad… and it was hard not to sympathise with Kaede once I knew.”

“Maybe she did some extreme things, but… fuck, look at who she was fighting against.” Shuichi said, half sounding like he was talking to himself, “Leon was an explosive maniac, Byakuya was, especially at the time, cruel and sadistic, and her older brother… god, if he had ended up king, the castle would have become a literal horror show under him. I didn’t like feeling manipulated like that, but I still couldn’t help but feel like she had saved me from him.”

“It sounds like Kaede is very good at finding what you need,” Dr. Mariah said, tapping at her tea cup, “and using that to her own advantage. And if the rest of the Momota family was putting the people around them in desperate situations, that would just give Kaede more and more leverage to work with for those same desperate people… and it does sound like you were all made… desperate.”

“And that desperation made you all easy to take advantage of.” Dr. Mariah said softly, “And because of her style, she couldn’t do it on her own… the abuse you three faced from the people in Luminary, from, yes, Kaito, your family, made you extremely easy targets for her. Considering you grew up alongside her? I wouldn’t be surprised if she practiced and refined these techniques on you all… no one had less of a chance against what she was doing than you three. No one. You’re not fighters on opposite sides of some ideological battlefield. You’re all… victims to the exact same scam, from the exact same abuser.”

“You need to be allied in getting through that. Together.” Mariah said to Kaito and Maki especially, “It’s not a fight.”

Kokichi...still didn’t know a damn thing about Kaede’s brother, but for all that Shuuichi and Maki could trash talk Kaito’s brother and parents, for them to only be able to describe Haiji as a nightmare in comparison? ...Kokichi still didn’t believe in executions, but...perhaps the world was safer without a person like that. 

His eyebrows deeply furrowed, Kokichi balled his fists in his lap, just...furious with Kaede. But though they had really needed to go on this tangent...she wasn’t the point. ‘Getting through this’ didn’t mean doing...anything to Kaede, really. The fight in Luminary was over. 

Now was the long, difficult task of trying to heal from all the pain she’d wrought, and to try and mend the relationship between the four of them. Which...would be a lot easier if they didn’t see each other as enemies.

Kokichi looked up, really trying to see Kaito and Maki. See how they were absorbing that, if at all. Because...it would be up to them to take the first steps. To try to work alongside each other, instead of longing for a brewing fight. 

“...you’ve said you don’t see yourself as a victim,” Kokichi quietly prompted. “...Maki-chan? What are you thinking?”

Maki was quiet for a moment. Not to be difficult, just clearly collecting her thoughts, brow furrowed hard, arms crossed…

...she glanced at Kaito and something shifted in her expression. Some stray thought that seemed to shift the tide…

“...I don’t consider myself a victim. Even if bad things have happened to me… dwelling on that is a waste of time.” Maki said, before quickly adding, “But… I don’t see myself as an enemy of Kaito, either. I never have… Kaito was my best friend growing up. He was the first person to ever really reach out to me, and I made it very difficult for him to do so… and I remember what Shuichi’s talking about. He was erratic, and walked around like he was in a daze, and he would just sit there and stare at things until you touched him… I never blamed Kaito for the faults of his family. How could I? Not after seeing what they did to him…”

“...and… I had always hoped that seeing what they did to me… what Byakuya put me through… a part of me always hoped that you wouldn’t be able to blame me either.” Maki admitted, looking away from Kaito, frustrated and embarrassed, “That seems hopelessly naive to me now, but… a part of me hoped that once it was all done, you’d… understand… that maybe all that brainwashing-”

“I wasn’t conditioned-”

“OH FOR FUCKS SAKE YES YOU WERE!” Shuichi suddenly shouted, standing up, waddling only slightly as he adjusted to the weight of himself before shouting furiously, “Yes you were! It’s… it’s not dangerous to talk about it anymore! No ones gonna punish us! No ones gonna stop us! And you… you seem better. Like you’re not going to have a fucking meltdown over it and… we have to stop fucking dancing around this!”

Kaito’s eyes widened with worry, getting up as well as he sad, “Shuichi, please calm down, sit down, this isn’t good for you-”

“Miyako’s fine, so am I, YOU are not! Kokichi was JUST talking about how he felt like he couldn’t talk to you at the memorial garden because you COULDN’T say no to him or something, and as much as I always hoped it wasn’t true, that it hadn’t gone that far… Kaito, he didn’t fucking PICK THAT UP OUT OF THIN AIR! Tengan conditioned you! Your brother conditioned you! You’re conditioned!”

“I AM NOT!” Kaito shouted, “I’M A PRINCE, NO ONE WOULD HAVE ALLOWED IT, THOSE FUCKING DICEAN AMBASSADERS HAD NO RIGHT TOO-”

“Lollipops.” Dr. Marah said. “Everyone. Now.”

...it was astounding how that kept working. Kaito and Shuichi sucking furiously at their candies, while Maki just held it in her mouth, looking annoyed. Dr. Mariah sighed, “Five minutes.”

For all Kokichi, Kaito, and Shuuichi’s styles of obfuscation, Maki was, at times, painfully blunt. She spoke her mind when it was safe to do so. Regardless of how harsh her truth might be to hear.

Kokichi and Shuuichi had desperately danced around Kaito’s conditioning during their sessions. It’d set Kaito off into denial and...it wouldn’t be productive talk. And...it’d just make Kaito feel even worse about people disregarding him. 

But as soon as Maki said that word...Kokichi closed his eyes, resigned, even as Shuuichi hopped up and spurred a worried look from Kokichi, and even as Kaito’s shouts made him simultaneously want to curl into a ball, take Kaito into his arms, and yell at him that being a prince, a brother, a son, had meant nothing to his family. 

...an image of tightly bound, grotesque yellow ribbons appeared in Kokichi’s mind. A sword cutting through them, inspiring hope. 

...but still Kaito denied it. Because the truth was horrific. 

Kokichi couldn’t even bring the lollipop to his mouth, though he didn’t speak. His eyes burned, furious, grieving tears in them for what had been done to his friends. To his husband. A grief that he was actually right to separate himself from because...he hadn’t been conditioned. Violated right down to his core self. But he could still hurt in sympathy for the horror that had been done to them, and how it affected so much of their lives. 

(...I wish I could tell him. Tell all of them. Beg for help about how to possibly solve this in the waking world. He’s healing, but there’s so much more to do…)

No one would have allowed it, no one would have allowed it, his parents would have stopped it…

Kaito remembered the hundreds of times Byakuya and Tengan had used that word around him. About him. About the lessons… but Kaito had put up a fierce wall against it. He hadn’t been told to. He had just… he had to. Because… his brother couldn’t be amazing and the best and love him and take care of him and also do that to him. It couldn’t be true.

Atua would have never allowed it.

He didn’t interfere, sure, sure, but for Kaito he did. Kaito had grown up hearing him. Atua was real and loved him and took care of him. He and Byakuya were both his chosen and Atua would have told Byakuya to stop. His parents would have told Byakuya to stop. 

Byakuya would have stopped because his brother loved him and you don’t… do something like that. To someone you love!

(Oh please, please, he had nothing else to offer, please just love him, please Kaito had nothing else to protect himself with-)

(Wrong.)

(Calm down, already. I’m protecting you. This is my place.)

(And these-- fucking things augh fuck off already how many of you do I have to cut today!??-- aren’t welcome here.)

(Calm. Down.)

Kaito felt his vision, which he hadn’t realized had started to narrow and fog over, the heat in his head building as the feeling of suffocating started… eased up. His heart rate pounding, but becoming more manageable, suddenly aware of the-- ugh these things were too sweet how did Shuichi and Kokichi stand it-- taste of the sugar standing on his tongue, the way his hands were shaking, how restless and frightened and furious he felt…

...he heard a painfully familiar sound and looked up to see Kokichi sniffling to himself. Kaito had no concept of how much time had passed in the five minutes, but he got up and went around the pond, kneeling down in front of Kokichi’s chair taking his free hand, kissing at his wrist as he said softly, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to… I’m sorry, I promise I’ll stop yelling. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

He opened his eyes, looking worriedly at Shuichi too, who was hugging one of the cushion pillows to himself and just looked frustrated. He needed to go apologize to him too…

Kokichi held Kaito’s hand, but he just let out a frustrated sigh. “Stop…! Apologizing to me.”

Annoyed with himself, Kokichi wiped away some of the tears building in his eyes. “I’m not scared just ‘cause you got pissed and raised your voice. I’m not scared period. I’m angry! And I cry when I’m angry!”

“I like that you can admit when you do wrong--it’s a good quality in a person. But you do it even when you haven’t even gotten close to doing anything wrong… This was what I was afraid of when I want to talk to you when you’re upset. If I remain stoic, then you’re alone in your feelings, and feeling like your reaction is overreacting. If I get angry with you, then you drop everything to try and reassure me of...of nothing! Because you’ve done nothing wrong!”

Kokichi let out a small huff and went to run a hand through his hair, before he remembered he was holding a lollipop and...sticky sweets plus hair was never a good time. “I’m upset. Of course I’m upset, hearing about how much the world took a shit on people I love dearly. You, I think, have a right to be upset about that too! And my emotions aren’t more important than yours, Kai-chan.”

“So...please. Stop apologizing for having emotions…”

Kaito’s eyes widened in surprise, but… his gaze dropped.

“...I just… want to be able to take care of you…”

Dr. Mariah had thought about letting this go for a bit, but felt the need to chime in now as she said, “Martyr complex, Kaito… and indulging in it forces Kokichi into a position where he has to choose to do the same. Besides, you can’t protect him from all bad feelings. Even if you feel like you can for being in some way the cause of them… it’s just not realistic. You being upset will upset him. That’s just how empathy and emotions work. You can’t fight it.”

“...I still wanna apologize for yelling.” Kaito whispered, standing back up, giving Kokichi’s hand a squeeze before letting it go, looking worriedly at Shuchi, “I don’t… I can’t keep shouting at you guys. It’s not fair. I don’t want to be that person to you… I’m sorry.”

“Kokichi just told you not to apologize.” Shuichi said dryly.

“To him. Now I’m apologizing to you.” Kaito said earnestly, walking over to Shuichi and taking his hand, pressing a kiss against the back of it, “I’m sorry, handsome.”

Shuichi looked dryly at him… before nodding. “Fine… but we still need to talk about this. So much of our problems this last year, hell, this last few years, leads back to this. Maki could never be fully honest with you over what was going on because you weren’t capable of hearing her. You really weren’t. You had no choice… and Kokichi isn’t wrong. He was having the same problems. If we want to honestly discuss all of that stuff? We… we have to admit how much conditioning had to do with it, Kaito. There’s no way around it. It affected everything.”

Kaito hesitated, on impulse wanting to argue again… but the panicky feeling didn’t come back, and he just sighed, heading back to his seat and slumping inside of it, “... I still don’t think… I mean…”

Kato ran an exhausted hand over his face. “...fine, we can discuss… as a hypothetical… fuck….”

Kokichi knew they had different meanings for what it meant to take care of someone, but for him? Absolving someone of all wrongs and taking all blame onto yourself was just enablement for manipulation. And Kokichi didn’t want that for either of them. 

...it also pissed Kokichi off to think about why that would be Kaito’s ideal for taking care of someone.

Squeezing Kaito’s hand back before he let go and got up, Kokichi gave his husband a soft look. Because for all of their problems, well, that was why they were in therapy. Because they wanted to be able to get through those problems, because they loved each other. 

...and discussing Kaito’s conditioning as a hypothetical was...still the closest they’d ever gotten to being able to talk about this stuff. 

Kokichi sighed and pressed his free hand briefly against each of his eyes. “...during our fight at the Memorial Garden...it destroyed me to see how much it truly hurt you to...run so hard on the theory that you were conditioned. And I’ve wanted to live up to my apology then...I want to trust you about your thoughts and feelings. You think for yourself and make your own decisions, and it was just...cruel for me to consider anything different. You’re more than a supposed block in your mind.”

“...you mean so much to me, Kai-chan. You’re amazing… And in my life, I’m always going to consider you. I might have responsibilities I need to attend to, but...you’re right up there with everything else, because I care about you. Because that’s a promise I’ve made, and I’m going to do my damnedest for the rest of my life to uphold that promise.”

Kokichi smiled at his husband before sighing. “But in your views of hierarchy, and...if I really ever was able to trigger conditioning? That means I would be in a place of privilege over you. It’s far from meaning you’re powerless, but...not acknowledging it at all...feels like I was just one mistake away from deeply hurting you. And I know we’ve talked about them so much, and...while I believe that...the outcome, I guess, was right… If I had managed to keep you from killing Nao? From that guy in the bar? ...if that was true? Then...I would’ve violated you on one of the deepest levels there is...and that’s unacceptable to me.”

Dr. Mariah… suspected she was missing a few details here, but kept silent, watching this with intentful curiosity. It was clearly a conversation they needed to have… to the point that no one had so much as hinted at this conflict before this moment to her, that being how deeply it was buried in the group.

Fascinating… also damn it was a buffet up here right now, wow.

Kaito cracked at his knuckles, leaning his elbows against his thighs, staring at the ground. He was listening to what Kokichi was saying, but he was… lost in how to respond…

But before he had a chance to respond, Shuichi spoked up next. “Maki and I… Kaito, if there were any two people in the world you’d trust about this? Maki and I know what conditioning looks like in an intimate way, and we’ve suspected you had some… levels of it are whole lives. Maki always assumed the worst, but even then, my ‘best case scenario’ was that you simply had devotion training-”

Kaito flinched at that, wanting so badly to argue… but he just kept listening. Still cracking his knuckles.

“-but… seeing how you treated Kokichi? Barely knowing him and how just… entirely dependent on his words you were? Hierarchy explains a lot of it, but Kaito, you… you’d just stop doing things at Kokichi’s word. Just full stop… I can’t ignore that. You definitely have obedience training too, and… and we need to be able to acknowledge that and work with it.”

“I won’t give myself an out and say I absolutely would have told you about my plans if you weren’t conditioned, Kaito. I don’t know if its true and its not fair to suggest it.” Maki huffed, “...but you would listen to my complains about life in Luminary and try to understand and try to sympathise, even when it came to your parents… but the second I questioned Byakuya, you’d phase out. It was like you couldn’t understand what I was even saying, on a… literal vocabulary level. There was no easier way to shut you down then to get you to even kinda start thinking about questioning Byakuya, and so we just… tried to avoid doing that to you. Tried helping you in small ways that barely ever accomplished anything… I can’t say I would have told you without conditioning, but I can say I couldn’t tell you with it. Especially not back in Luminary… though being in Dicea? It’s really seemed to help… maybe if I had noticed sooner that the effects were easing, I… could have done things differently.” Maki shrugged. “Maybe… I could have asked you for your advise. For your help.”

“...” Kaito swallowed, looking at the koi fish, the back of his eyes burning hot as he struggled.

“...I can’t he-help, mmph.” Kaito cleared his throat, it wet and choking on his emotions as he said, “..I can’t help but feel like everyone sayings this is all somehow my fault… i-if I had been easier to talk to, th-then what?” Kaito demanded, looking up, tears starting to run down his eyes, “M-maki wouldn’t have gone to war? And the m-memorial garden wouldn’t have happened? And...and that my feelings for Kokichi are fake?? That’s what we’re t-talking about?!”

“No, Kaito.” Dr. Mariah said, looking stern. “That’s not what your family is trying to say to you… take a few minutes. I know you feel emotional and defensive, but take a few minutes to really think about what they actually said and then try to meet them in the middle. Your husband literally just asked you to stop apologizing for feeling emotions: you know they’re not following that up by saying everything is your fault. Take a few minutes. Take a breath.”

Kaito was still slightly choking against his sobs… but he pulled out his stone and started idly rubbing it, nodding his head, the lollipop lightly bobbing in his hands as he rubbed. “Okay…”

...Kokichi knew he’d barely scratched the surface of what a truly honest discussion involving Kaito’s conditioning would cover, but...well, he’d wanted to ease into it. But maybe easing into it would lead them to talking about this far past their session time and into next week. 

...still, if it was hard for Kokichi to hear Shuuichi talk about what exactly the kinds of conditioning Kaito had, it must’ve been excruciating for Kaito to hear it. And it just about broke Kokichi’s heart to see Kaito taking it all in, pushed to tears himself. 

But none of that was Kaito’s fault, and Kokichi had just been about to reassure so when Dr. Mariah intervened and… Abstaining was his whole issue, wasn’t it?

Getting out of his chair--with a little bit of awkward maneuvering--Kokichi walked around the circle and knelt by Kaito. Not saying anything, letting his husband think. But...being nearby. Keeping a hand open and near if Kaito wanted to hold it at any point. 

...having your whole world changed was monumentally difficult, and it hurt like nothing else. Especially if it wasn’t a change, and just...something you had tried to ignore.

Kaito had startled a little, not seeing Kokichi coming, but… he stopped rubbing the rock to take his husbands offered hand, still teary eyed and stressed, but giving his husband a small, fond smile…

“... my feelings for you aren’t fake.” Kaito insisted, brow furrowing, “They’re not… you can’t… force something like this. They’re not fake…”

Kaito rubbed the side of Kokichi’s hand with his palm… before looking away, a small whimper in his tone as he said quietly, “B-but… it was… maybe a little difficult… to say n-no to you for a… a long time…”

“Some things were-!... I mean, if we’re… if we’re talking hypotheticals,” Kaito said urgently, spinning the lollipop in his hand quickly, “Some things were… not just me feeling like I couldn’t say no to you… at all. We’d have disagreements! We fought! I just… didn’t like disagreeing with you in public, cause that’s disrespectful, and I could get a little overwhelmed cause it… it really felt like everything I said hurt you in some way, so I stopped… wanting to say things like that. Those things were definitely me…”

Kaito bit his lip, “...but other things… it was like I didn’t even think about them. I just… did it. And I had to figure out why I did it afterwards… b-but I mean… I’m impulsive sometimes. Sometimes I just move and do things without thinking… it doesn’t have to mean anything more than I’m impulsive…”

“...I…” Kaito looked a little repulsed by this now, but confessed, “I did have a period of time there where… I kept comparing you to Byakuya… sometimes when I was talking to you, in my head, I’d accidentally use Byakuya’s name… b-but I swear, that was only in the beginning, it never happens now! I love you! My feelings for you aren’t compelled or or the result of anything outside of me just thinking you’re sweet and sexy and cute and so fucking capable and...”

Kaito grit his teeth, “...I just… don’t want anyone to tell me that’s fake. It doesn’t feel fake…”

Kokichi nodded along, listening to Kaito speak, holding his hand, and even if there were points where he wanted to pipe up...he let Kaito say his piece. Kokichi had already gotten to say his. And when it seemed like Kaito had said everything he wanted to, Kokichi leaned in to place a kiss on Kaito’s hand. 

“I know your feelings are real. And...that makes me beyond happy, you know? So happy I barely even have a word for it,” Kokichi grinned, looking up at Kaito adoringly before he sobered. “And I believe you, when you say that comparing me to Byakuya stopped a long time ago. And I believe you that there are things that are completely you, and they’re different from the things you have to think about later.”

“...what I said to you at the Memorial Garden was cruel. And...I don’t even believe it. You’re Kai-chan, and you’re so much more than any type of influence anyone could possibly ever hold over you. I was in a really bad place that night, but…” Kokichi’s expression crumpled a little, still frustrated with himself for that night. “That’s no excuse for how I hurt you. ...honestly, I think that partly stemmed from my own insecurity, a bad brain telling me that no one could truly love me, even despite how much you show it everyday.”

“But your feelings are real, as real as mine are for you, and I’m sorry for accusing otherwise. It was cruel and faulty and not even close to the reality I want, let alone the one I see.”

Kokichi kissed Kaito’s hand again. “...I’m sorry, hun.”

And Kokichi let that sit for a moment before sighing. “...and it’s because I love you, and I know you love me that… I never want to trigger any of your conditioning,” Kokichi looked to Shuuichi and Maki with a difficult expression. “Every time I have, I always want to take back time a few seconds so I can gut myself before I do… It’s a horrible thing to do to a person, and I never want to be that to you...someone that’s using you.”

“...I don’t think there’s anything to...do or react about that, but...I still feel like I should say it.”

Kaito still wasn’t quite ready to say Kokichi had triggered any sort of conditioning in him… but… he could maybe admit to himself by this point that he had really, really struggled for a minute there to not look at Kokichi as some sort of… final word on everything. And… that didn’t feel as natural, as it used to. Not that long ago, he might have had this conversation with them and furiously argued that Kokichi should be the final decision maker in Kaito’s choices, but…

...that thought kinda freaked him out now. Not only was that a weird amount of pressure to put on his younger husband, but also Kaito… didn’t like to think of himself as someone who needed someone to do that. Sure, Kaito loved being looked out for, he loved those obvious signs that people cared, but he didn’t see that as the same thing as being ‘controlled’, and… the feelings he had had for Kokichi early on? Looking back at it, Kaito realized there had been a real part of him that wanted to be controlled. To let someone else take the reigns when it came to… everything.

And now seeing Maki struggle with the same thing, Kaito realized that was a really shitty way to live… he didn’t want it for her. And he definitely didn’t want it for himself. No more than he had wanted it for Kokichi when Kaito had first thought he was a prisoner to his caretakers, and no more than Kaito had liked rigidly planning Shuichi’s hour by hour while getting him off the pollen.

Being controlled sucked. Holy shit it suuuuuucked.

And there were other ways to let someone know you cared beyond fussing over their physical needs, as Kokichi was displaying brilliantly, Kaito holding onto Kokichi’s hand like a man drowning. He had known, to an extent, that Kokichi hadn’t meant what he said at the garden-- hell, Kokichi regularly got it into his head that his loved ones were just there out of obligation, Kaito was far from alone or special in that-- and that his husband knew he loved him, but… it was still, all this time later, massively reassuring to hear it. 

“Thank you, ‘Kichi…” Kaito murmured, rubbing his thumb along Kokichi’s palm… before chuckling a little, using the broad side of his shoulder to wipe the edge of his eyes as he confessed, “You know, I want to apologize for the things I did that night too, but… I barely remember what I said? I barely remember what you said. Most of what I remember from that conversation is this feeling of… burning up and just drowning at the same time… I remember just having this realization of ‘whelp. This is it. This is the moment we’ll never recover from’, and just us… not talking about it. Forcing ourselves forward. Pretending like it hadn’t happened…”

“...but, hey!” Kaito beamed, giving Kokichi a wet grin, “Check us out now! We figured it out! We made it!”

Dr. Mariah smiled at the obvious joy on the tallest mans face, but held back her warnings on the tides of feelings that were still pretty normal for experiences like this. In all their lives, it’d likely not be the last time they looked back at that memory and ached. Needed to talk about it. Maybe even to argue about it. Pain gets better, but especially in an emotional sense, the thing that hurt you in the first place-- a careless insult, a pointed dismissal, malicious takedowns-- is always still true. Those things still hurt you feelings even years later. You always had to be ready to revisit them and take care of it again.

But… it’s not like they hadn’t discussed that before, and this was a moment of real, substantial hope for them. Why bring up the ‘Um, actually’s’?

Maki and Shuichi, too, didn’t miss that look Kokichi gave them, and Shuichi smiled adoringly while Maki sighed a little. They had both found their uses in triggering conditioning, both in themselves and others, over the years, and maybe didn’t always treat it as seriously as they should, but… Kokichi had always taken extra care to not do so for them. And they appreciated how much it mattered to him, that they were treated well and not taken advantage of.

“We made it?” Shuichi mused, “...Pleeease let next year be way more boring than this year.”

“Don’t ask for so little, Shuichi.” Maki scoffed, “Let the next ten years be more boring than this one.”

Kokichi smiled back and stood up a little so he could briefly press against Kaito’s arm, giving his shoulder a kiss, but he didn’t leave back to his seat right after that. Even for just a little longer he was going to hold Kaito’s hand. “...honestly, I think the thing that scared me most that night was you...not knowing what to do, and asking if we should get a divorce… Of everything that hurt that night, that one was the worst… I don’t want to think about a future without you…”

He had a life outside of Kaito. Outside of Shuuichi and Maki. And Kokichi deeply valued his other friends. But...if they left? There would forever be a piece of Kokichi missing, and maybe that was overdramatic, but it was how he felt. He didn’t want a life without them. 

Giving Kaito’s hand another kiss, Kokichi let out a sigh and rested his head on his husband’s knee. “I could do with a completely uneventful ten years… We can get all excited for Tim and Miya reaching milestones and doing cool stuff, and that’s it. We’ll become the most boring people on the planet.”

Kaito chuckled, placing his stone and the lollipop-- fuck it he didn’t even like sweets all taht much-- onto the table before using his now free hand to run his fingers through Kokichi’s hair. “I am so down for that. We’ll be those boring people that only talk about their jobs, kids, and wistfully promising each other that they’ll get that mostly done milk puzzle in the corner of their room finished someday. It’ll be great! We’ll be insufferable!”

Maki watched Kaito and Kokichi fuss at each other… before sighing. Leaning back into her chair as she said, “It will be great… but not if you and I can’t work our issues out, Kaito.”

Kaito’s shoulders fell at that, some of the wind taking out of his sails, “...yeah, I know…”

“Maki.” Dr. Mariah said, “Kaito is a member of the royal family that you risked your life and happiness to usurp and destroy, and was a person of status and comfort in a place that you yourself were a slave and regularly battered. Your ideological differences and political actions, in any other situation, would have pitted you against each other as mortal enemies… why is this relationship worth the effort?”

Maki blinked, before giving the doctor a confused, suspicious look, “You were the one just arguing that we’re not on different sides of thi-”

“She’s leading to a whole ‘thing’,” Shuichi sighed, waving his hand vaguely, “Honestly it’s best to just answer her, she’ll get to the point.”

Maki’s lips pursed slightly, but to her credit she did seem to think about it… before saying, “I’m possessive of Kaito.”

Dr. Mariah looked… honestly a little surprised at this. “That’s a very loaded word, and not one people usually volunteer-”

“I’ve known Kaito since we were ten years old.” Maki continued, gaze intense, “I indulged all of the stupid, random make-believe games he ever came up with, and taught him how to fight with his hands rather than a sword. I was there for his first heartbreak, and all the other heartbreaks that paraded after that through his life. I fought people who thought he’d make an easy target after losing his title as heir and made enemies of people looking to take their frustrations out on a Momota without the protections of inheritance. I went to all of his fucking plays whenever I was in town for them, and when I knew I wouldn’t be, went to the damn rehearsals before I left just to say I saw it. Because I knew it mattered to him and it would make his fucking day.”

“I spent half my life protecting him as my best friend and the other half of my life pining after him as a lover, and all of that is not going to end with me losing him as both just because I went to protect my family from his.” She growled, heat radiating off of her as she looked intensely at Kaito, who stared back at her wide eyed, “Kaito is mine and I earned him. I’m not giving him up without a fight.”

“...” ...Dr. Mariah smiled, and then laughed a little, “You are delightfully damaged. No wonder Miss Crystal wants a stab at you so much.”

Ah, he should’ve seen this coming. The three of them had answered the question on their first session, but while Kokichi knew for sure Maki wanted her bonds with them--if she didn’t, things would be looking very different right now--answering exactly why was helpful not just for yourself, but for them rest of them to hear it too. 

And as Maki made her explanation, Kokichi smiled and gave Kaito’s hand another kiss before quietly making his way back to his seat and bringing his lollipop back to his mouth. It was...well, it was so intensely Maki that it was comforting to hear something like that, and Kokichi had a hunch Kaito would find comfort in hearing it too.

The word ‘mine’... In any other situation, the way Maki and Kaito presented their possessiveness would’ve been huge red flags. But while it was scary...they didn’t do scary things with it (most of the time). So...you just had to accept it as their attached feelings, and do the translation in your head. 

If Maki ever did end up giving Miss Crystal a chance, that...that’d be a doozy of a therapy session. 

(They were part of her hoard. Maybe there wasn’t a human translation for that.)

Kato was very aware that Maki was a little crazy… but honestly he had picked up the ‘mine’ thing from her anyway, when they had been together, and none of this was actually news to him. Once Maki had claimed him, Kaito had never had to question if she cared about him, because, well… Maki never let him forget it. Cause she had spent their entire childhood looking out for him and helping him through hard times and indulging his various and sometimes nonsensical hobbies, just because it made him happy to do so. 

Maki had… never made Kaito doubt if she cared about him… honestly right up until that day at the waterfall, telling him he had to either choose to push her off the cliff or let her go…

...and honestly, even then, Kaito… hadn’t really felt like she didn’t care about him, but just more cared about Luminary in that moment. Kaito was used to Maki treating him really, really roughly, even sadistically, and just… never feeling like she didn’t care. And… maybe Kaito gave his loved ones too many chances with horrible behavior on the basis of ‘no, really, they love me… deeeep down’ … but...

… Byakuya, when he was upset with Kaito, stopped taking his calls.

Maki came back to Dicea and was currently in therapy with him.

There was a difference.

“Well… Kaito?” Dr. Mariah said, turning to him, “Why is this relationship wor-”

“I just love her a lot.” Kaito said softly. “Even now… I get really angry when I think about everything she did. And then I get… a little angry at myself for being angry? Because I do understand why she did it… I just still wished she didn’t. I wish she hadn’t gotten involved, but… I don’t want to be angry at her. Especially not forever. I love her...” Kaito shrugged, smiling wainly, “She’s mine too.”

“Alright.” Dr. Maiah laughed lightly to herself again, shaking her head, “Mutual possessiveness by mutually possessive people. I might want to keep my eye out for some red flags there, but, for now, let’s go ahead and take that at face value. You both want to keep each other in your lives because you’ve invested a considerable amount of time and emotions into each other already. You want to maintain the relationship because you worked hard for it already and are willing to work harder to save it. Does that sound right?”

“I… yeah.” Kaito grinned weakly, “That sounds right to me.”

“...agreed.” Maki said, “Though that was a very roundabout way to get to that conclusion, considering we already knew we wanted to work it out. I mean, I came back, and he didn’t kill me. What more obvious a sign do you need?”

“Delightfully damaged.” Dr. Mariah sighed.

Kokichi raised a bit of an eyebrow at Maki. It wasn’t obvious that they both wanted to work it out, and Maki even knew that. Considering how convinced she was that Kaito hated her and that they were both worried about killing the other if they tried to spar.

...but it didn’t feel right calling her out like that, so Kokichi just sighed. “It’s still important to be on the same page about why you both want to work it out, though. Even if you had different reasons, but...I mean, because it’s pretty much the same, I’d think that’d make it easier to understand each other… And you guys are both mad, but also mad at yourself for being mad, so...there’s another similarity there.”

So...they were both on the same side, having been manipulated by Kaede, they both cared deeply for each other and wanted to make things work, and they were both conflicted. And...really, they did understand each other’s positions. So...what was the next step?

Kokichi tipped his head back a little. “...should we talk about the letters?”

Dr. Mariah looked briefly confused… before putting her hand on her forehead and shaking it, annoyed with herself as she said, “The letters… I’m so sorry, we should have led with that. It honestly entirely slipped my mind, I was a little giddy and distracted by our fourth member.”

“Giddy?” Shuichi asked skeptically.

“Wasn’t it obvious? Exceptionally.” Dr. Mariah said calmly, before saying, “Yes, the letters though. Were you four able to practice them? Or at least the two of you?” She asked, looking between Kokichi and Kaito. “How did it go?” 

“We… tried it once? For an hour, and honestly we ended up talking a lot about Maki.” Kaito admitted, “I honestly can’t even remember what we were trying to talk about, but it all just kept coming back to Maki.”

“It was interesting to watch.” Shuichi added, smirking slightly, “Maki and I read over their shoulders while they did it.”

“Seems a bit pushy and nosy.” Dr. Mariah noted, raising an eyebrow, “I’m not surprised the conversation became about Maki if she was reading over your shoulders.”

“Well, I mean, she’s also one of the biggest things going on with us right now… no offense? Maki?” Kaito asked, not sure if that was offensive. Maki in turn just shrugging, apparently not sure if it was either. “And so of course the tension between us came up.”

Kokichi snorted softly at Dr. Mariah’s exasperation, though he shrugged a bit at the question of how writing the letters actually went. “It was more than just reading over shoulders. At one point it just became Kai-chan and Maki-chan writing to each other...and then we just kinda gave it up and hung out. I did kinda snitch out that Kai-chan and Hajime-chan needed to talk, though…”

...he wasn’t sure if he should mention the trade he and Maki had, or that they had been talking about the war. Maybe it’d come up later, maybe in another session, but...well, they could focus on the things they were all a part of first. 

“...we talked a little about what we’d talked about the last session, and...how it sucks to feel bad. Then...it was kind of what we just talked about. Kai-chan and Maki-chan saying they want to ease things with each other, but not knowing where to start. And I suggested talking about it here, so...here we are.”

“Ah, I see. How did that work out with Hajime then?” Dr. Mariah asked, glancing at Kaito as she said, “I know there was quite a bit of tension there. Were you able to resolve it?”

“I mean… yeah?” Kaito said, though the discomfort coming off of him-- crackers and guacamole-- intensified as he glanced at Shuichi, who sighed, “Yes, okay? Shuichi kinda got us through it. Explained that he had basically begged Hajime not to tell, and Hajime hadn’t known any of very well by that point and just… figured if Shuichi didn’t want anyone to know… it was understandable, ya know? I still wish he had done it differently, but it’s not something I can really hold against him. And we kinda just agreed it coulda gone better.”

“It’s helped that Hajime’s apparently been trying to make up for it ever since. Apparently wanting to make amends was a huge reason he agreed to escort us on our vacation. And, well… if Shuichi forgives him, who am I not to follow his lead?” Kaito shrugged. 

“I believe we discussed at length your difficulties with forgiveness. That for you, apologies are just the first step, that true acts of regret come from… well, to summarize, some sort of penance or trial. Punishments, essentially.” Dr. Mariah noted, considering their last session, “Did that apply to Hajime for you?”

“...Look, that trip to the beach was really awful for a second there.”

“Let’s talk about the tensions between you and Maki. Maki?” Dr. Mariah said, shifting her focus. “You referenced that if you and Kaito weren’t trying to make this work, you’d be dead. Can you expand on that?”

“...when I returned, I put myself into a submission bow for judgement.” Maki said, eyes dry and distant. “It was… important to me to get that done. I… wanted to give Kaito his chance at revenge.”

“Ah, a submission bow. I’ve read up on this a little more since we last spoke about it here… it’s a very serious ritual, in Luminary. Even when not killed, most people get seriously hurt performing it. It’s not a custom in Dicea, and it won’t give Kaito any legal protections doing it. Why risk it here at all?”

“Because I wanted to come home.” Maki said simply, “And I couldn’t stay here and force Kaito to live with me without doing a proper apology for what I did. I don’t regret what I did, but I still owed him an apology for betraying his trust and harming his.”

“And… Kaito? She’s still alive and well. Did you forgive her?”

Kaito looked at Maki… before starting at the ground, “... me not wanting to kill her doesn’t mean I’m just ‘over it’. And… she was hurt when she showed up. She was sick and malnourished and literally bleeding from her trip here. And… I don’t like seeing her hurt. So… I forgave her.”

“But not really.” Dr. Mariah said gently.

“...no, not really.” Kaito murmured.

Kokichi sighed softly. The beach trip really was a nightmare for a bit there. And...well...if being there was enough penance for Kaito to emotionally start to forgive Hajime, then...there were far worse punishments Kaito could crave. For Hajime’s sake, Kokichi was glad. 

For Maki’s forgiveness, though…

...he understood her making the bow. At the time...it was all she could give. But...did she really think that it was enough? That it was anything more than a painful IOU for figuring out forgiveness for real? ...maybe she did.

...how did Luminaries even start serious forgiveness if it didn’t involve death or physical pain? How did they forgive someone they loved?

...Kokichi didn’t even know how to ask that without...sounding like an asshole, painting all Luminaries over with a brutish brush. ...without painting Maki, in particular, like a monster. 

Worrying his lip, Kokichi spoke up softly. “...so...what would you want in forgiveness, then? If seeing Maki-chan in pain just makes it worse?”

“Um, I mean…” Kaito looked to Maki, like somehow she would give him a clue. But Maki was just staring vacantly in the middle distance, a resigned, stern look on her face. “... I guess I’m not really sure…”

“Well, what has forgiveness looked like to you before?” Dr. Mariah prompted, shifting in her seat a little as she said, “You forgave Shuichi quite easily over his sexual transgression against you, and you’ve forgiven Kokichi for making your life here more challenging by not correcting some of the misinterpretations from his mental illness you had. And you’ve been forgiven by Kokichi for a very serious sexual assault against him, that you’ve accepted. What’s the common factor?”

“Well… for Kokichi forgiving me, my husbands more… insisted on that then anything. It was getting to the point where me asking him to punish me was hurting him waaaay more than he could have hurt me.” Kaito winced, giving Kokichi an apologetic look. “I had to finally just accept that he had already genuinely forgiven me without punishment, because, well… he just really wasn’t gonna do it.”

“Shuichi’s was a mistake and he genuinely regrets it and I can understand why he made that mistake in the first place. That’s easy to forgive without a punishment. Kokichi’s thing barely feels like it was his fault at all: my husband didn’t lie to me, he was just as confused as I was about things and accidentally dragged me into it. I don’t even really feel like he has anything to actually apologize for, there.”

“So… intent matters to you? Not just the result?”

“I mean, yeah? Sorry, I don’t mean to sound like that, I mean… it just… my only beef with Hajime was that I felt like it should have been obvious Shuichi needed help after being bedridden for three days. But Hajime wasn’t trying to hurt Shuichi or even cover for Nao. He was trying to respect Shuichi’s wishes. His intent wasn’t harmful, and though it still feels painfully stupid, I can forgive it. Seiko…” Kaito frowned, before closing his eyes, rubbing his forehead, “...look, I already know I’m incredibly biased when I already like the person to begin with. I’m a hypocrite and am only consistent in how inconsistent I am. I already know this about myself… Seiko did something terrible to us, had good intentions, and was painfully stupid about it. And I found it easy to forgive her too. But that might… or, was, because I had already decided I liked her.”

“You sound frustrated with yourself as you explain this. Why?”

“Because I like Maki too!” Kaito said, looking incredibly frustrated as he said, “I want to forgive Maki. I want to let it all go! But I’m so angry every time I think about all the shit she did! It’s… really confusing!”

Dr. Mariah raised an eyebrow at this, “...are you trying to suggest right now that you’re unfamiliar with having to forgive someone you care about who you still feel wronged by?’

“I guess? Maybe? It doesn’t usually go like this, it’s usually they’re assholes who do asshole things and I hate them so I don’t need to forgive them, or I like them and they made a mistake and its easy to forgive them. It’s… never more complicated than that!”

“...you’ve never had to forgive someone you like but were still angry with them?’

“I don’t think so, no?”

“Kaito… your brother killed your parents.” Dr. Mariah said, “And you never speak about it as if that’s something he needs your forgiveness for.” She said, her eyes wide and curious, “And your family, from everything I know about it, sounds like it regularly betrayed you. Your lovers, from everything you told me, regularly betray you. Misuse you. Are careless with your feelings and well being, at the very least…but you always, with rare exceptions, refer to them with open fondness or even adoration. And you’ve never found it difficult to forgive someone you ‘like’ before?”

Kaito gave her a confused, worried look, “...well, okay, it sounds insane when you put it like that.”

“It sounds like a very convenient mentality for the people around you who wish to keep harming you without the consequence of you holding it against them.” Dr. Mariah sighed, looking just… very tired all of the sudden, “It’s an ideal mentality to instill into an abuse victim.”

“I wish everyone would stop using that word.” Kaito grumbled.

“I apologize… but I believe Shuichi was right. I think your confusion over where to even begin reconciling with Maki leads back to your alleged conditioning. You’ve never had to practice forgiving a family member because you’ve been encouraged your whole life to always take the stance that your loved ones never need actual forgiving… but you know that Maki does. That trying to blindly forgive her will hurt you too much, and will further hurt the relationship. And… oh dear.” 

Dr. Mariah sighed, “We really need to start with the basics, I think.”

Kaito was far from dumb, but...he wasn’t the most...critical thinker, sometimes. Or, rather...critical thought didn’t really matter to him. Kaito was almost entirely ruled by his emotions, even down to his visual perception of people, and when you tried to find consistency in that pattern? You couldn’t. The world was people Kaito hated, people Kaito liked, and everyone else may as well not exist until they were right in front of him. The people Kaito hated were always wrong and always acting in cruel intents, and the people Kaito liked were always right and could only make mistakes that they didn’t have to make up for.

...the issue was now that Maki was a person Kaito liked, but...her mistake had been too great for Kaito to let go. And he didn’t know what her making it up to him looked like.

Kokichi really hated Tengan. And the rest of Kaito’s family, naturally, but...Tengan most of all right now. Fucking...power-tripping, perverted asshole…

Kokichi echoed Dr. Mariah’s sigh softly and rubbed his temple. “...what does that mean?”

...what did that mean? Dr. Mariah tapped at her knees, trying to think… Maki and Kaito, both, seemed illsuited for this problem. Kaito’s extremely flimsy forgiveness system, for the people he ‘liked’, hinged on the idea that the action was a ‘mistake’ with no ‘ill intent’. But that wasn’t what Maki was asking forgiveness for. Maki had known her actions would harm Kaito, had done them anyway, and then returned apologizing for purposefully causing that harm. She had meant to do it, and while she hadn’t been ‘malicious’ about it, she had known and accepted that Kaito was going to be a bystander harmed in the process. Maki had harmed him on purpose. Kaito didn’t hate her. Kaito didn’t know how to forgive her while still being aware that Maki wasn’t fitting the criteria of his, again, extremely simple and flimsy concepts of right and wrong to begin with.

Maki, in turn, seemed reluctant to… well, that was the tricky thing wasn’t it. She wasn’t reluctant to act like she needed forgiving, she had admitted she caused Kaito harm, apologized, done a serious Luminary ritual alongside that apology, and could recognize that they weren’t really done. Her actions were all correct.

But Maki both verbally and in attitude showed a complete lack of regret. She kept repeating it: she did not regret doing what she did. She was asking for forgiveness anyway.

It was...basically the antithesis of everything Kaito was looking for in a normal argument. Maki was only sorry that Kaito was a side effect of her greater goals, which she was very much not sorry for, and wasn’t going to pretend she was. Which, probably felt like a slap in the face to Kaito, who cared deeply about the family Maki’s actions got banished, degraded, and cast out of their home for.

And neither of them felt okay with punishment based forgiveness, because Maki, in this moment of emotional dependency on Kaito for her well being, can’t properly defend herself from the worst of the punishment.

This was… very complicated. And Kaito was already a man who couldn’t handle this level of complexity due to his own abusive upbringing, and Maki in turn seemed entirely unwilling to influence the discussion one way or another, having fallen silent to allow them to figure out her fate for her, and this needed to be simplified. They needed the basics of learning to forgive, but this was insane-

“Do you mean Maki and Kaito should talk about the little things they’re having issues with right now, and come back to the big stuff later when they have the basics down?” Shuichi guessed.

Dr. Mariah blinked.

“...yes.” She said, “That’s… that’s exactly what I meant. Well observed… are there smaller issues that need to be discussed?”

“I can name a few.” Shuichi sighed, “Because they all have names.”

Kokichi sighed again. “...start with Addason? ‘Cause talking about all of Maki-chan’s siblings might...take a little longer.” And it was slightly lighter fare than just jumping into Tom and Itch right away, at least in Kokichi’s opinion. Tom and Itch were, at least supposedly, alright in isolation, but...isolation was never a happy thing. (Though he did hope they were getting the help they needed.) Addason, on the other hand, was going to be born in about a month, and was going right into the arms of a loving father who was over the moon already for him.

(Temp had shown him the baby obstacle course and Kokichi couldn’t wait for Miya and Addy to be old enough to try it out. It was going to be so cute! And good exercise for babies getting more used to crawling.)

Plus, Shuuichi could pitch in his own story about the task Maki had left him with and...maybe get some catharsis of his own, if they hadn’t already worked it out. 

(...did he have any of his own grievances to address? Kokichi really didn’t know…)

(The stuff Maki had left them with, particularly Addason, were kind of shitty to secretly leave with people who already had a bunch of stuff on their plates, but...Kokichi kinda felt like he was over it. And they’d be going over it again now, so…)

(...really, he had missed her, and felt conflicted between her feelings and Kaito’s. But...that would be resolved by helping them sort it out.)

There was a heavy silence, no one knowing where to begin…

“...I’m not sure what else to say.” Maki said after a moment, “I’ve already apologized for Addason.”

“Maki!” Kaito suddenly growled, glaring daggers at her, “You left my pregnant, drug addicted boyfriend in charge of a secret baby. And specifically told him to keep it from me!”

“I did.” Maki agreed, “And Shuichi agreed to it.”

“Oh, come on…” Shuichi muttered, giving Maki an exhausted look, “What? I was going to say no? No, I won’t assure one of your new infant… I don’t know. Nephew? That a baby going into the system that you care about is taken care of? Fuck the kid, let it disappear into the system, it’s not my problem? How could I possibly justify saying no to a request like that?”

“Maybe it’s not my fault that it had to be a ‘secret’.” Maki scowled, her own eyes flashing in anger as she said, “Maybe if Kaito hadn’t spent the last few months trying to fight literally everyone we came across-”

“Oh, that’s rich coming from you-”

Dr. Mariah ran a hand over her face, actually just letting this fight play out or a bit as she watched Maki and Kaito take more and more jabs at each other, their earlier resolve to work this out nowhere present as they got more and more pissed at each other. Calmed down and peaceful, the two remembered they loved each other, but in the midst of an argument? Dr. Mariah could see why they were afraid to spar. They both looked like they were seriously tempted to throw the other off the roof.

“I keep getting blamed for ‘keeping secrets’ when everyone here knows how dangerous telling you anything is! You lose your mind and self destruct, or worse, destroy everything around you! Especially since getting to Dicea! Not trusting you with the task was the logical path!”

“Well, fucking jokes on you, I took over all the responsibilities you dumped  into Shuichi’s lap, and I handled all of them JUST FINE-”

“A pregnant drug addict was still a safer option than you! How can you not see what that sort of reality pushes me to do!? You left me no choic-”

Dr. Mariah sighed, “Lollipops.”

Okay, admittedly, there was a little demonic influence in how the two of them shut up and sat down, bitterly shoving the lollipops back into their faces as they glared furiously at each other. It was more ‘suggestion’ than ‘possession’, but that suggestion was ‘put the damn lollipops in your mouth or I’m throwing you off the roof.’ 

Kokichi sighed again, continuing to rub his temple as Kaito and Maki went back at it. Maybe there was a part of them that did need to scream things out at each other, but...they had to figure out how to do this safely and productively. And Dr. Mariah was probably keeping a keen eye on that balance. 

“Kai-chan isn’t always best suited to stressful dilemmas or situations, but...Maki-chan, completely going behind his back is a huge sign saying that you don’t trust him, and would rather put Shuu-chan through pain and stress than give Kai-chan even a chance. That’s really hurtful.”

“And if you felt like you had no choice? Then you gave Shuu-chan the exact same ‘no choice dilemma.” His temple massage expanded out to cover some of the top of his cheek too. “...normally I’d feel terrible, because feeling like you had no choice meant something is wrong with the structure of our adoption systems, but...I know that’s not what your wariness means, and regardless of the states of any of the structures in Dicea, you’re gonna be wary. So...you had no choice, then decided to give someone else that ‘no choice’ too. And the frustration of being put in that position, especially in a way that prevents someone from seeking any help, is both hurtful and harmful.”

Maki… opened her mouth around the lollipop… and then closed it. Furiously sucking on it, but with a-- if still very intense-- thoughtful expression.

Dr. Mariah raised an eyebrow, watching Kokichi curiously. She might want to intervene, but… noting the expression on the ex-assassin’s face, she held back. Curious to see how this might progress… after the time limit was up.

There was another minute of silence…

“I don’t like it when you guys call me a pregnant drug addict.” Shuichi said grimly. A depressed resignation in his face as he lounged in his nest chair, gently kicking off the floor, rocking the chair in self-soothing frustration, “I… know it’s true. But it really hurts me when you guys call me that like that’s what I am.”

Another flash of emotion ran through Maki’s face, and along with that thoughtful concern from before, now there was a heavy taste of guilt coming off her. The look went to and from Maki’s eyes only briefly, but…

Dr. Mariah glanced at Kaito, tasting uncertain empathy on him. The good doctor didn’t always know what emotions translated to when it came to actual thoughts, but she suspected Kaito was fighting the urge to both soothe Maki’s guilt and also his desire to back Shuichi up, if only because of his character profile that she had put together by now. Honestly, his conflict was a good sign, though still a tricky one. She could use his very specialized form of empathy…

...Kokichi didn’t mean to blame Maki for caring about her siblings. It was something he admired about her, her grand capacity to care. That she wanted to make sure her siblings would be able to integrate safely was an incredibly valid concern. That she wanted to make sure Tom and Itch weren’t going to be shuffled off to a dark corner to be killed was reasonable, considering the environment she’d grown up in, as was making sure that Addason would go to a loving family who’d make sure he got every chance he could have in life. They were all good things to care about, and that care couldn’t and wouldn’t just disappear if Maki wasn’t around to ensure them herself.

...but she instead placed the burden of that care onto people less invested, but who weren’t callous or heartless, and...they had a right to frustration and resentment. There were certainly things she could’ve done differently, but...the grand actions she’d left to them? Were far from wrong. 

...but Kokichi hadn’t managed to say that before Shuuichi spoke up and...he deflated a bit, giving his boyfriend a saddened, apologetic look. “...I’m sorry, Shuu-chan…”

Shuichi shrugged. “We’re talking about things that bother us, right? That bothers me.”

The time limit was up, and Maki pulled the lollipop out of her mouth, her tongue actually a little numb from just having pure sugar just sitting on it, as she said, “Sorry, Shuichi. I don’t… I’m not trying to be cruel-”

“Yeah.” Shuchi said dryly, “You never are.”

It was subtle, but there was a clear wince in Maki’s expression at that, worriedly twirling her hair in between her fingers… before glaring at Dr. Mariah. “You said you were going to teach us the basics to this.”

“You already know the basics, Maki. For all of your extremes, you actually seem to have a considerable amount of emotional intelligence and self-awareness, to the point where you know how to pick and choose how to implement it.” Dr. Mariah noted, giving the woman a cold look as she said, “And you know that this is the basics. Talking out your issues... this is how you start. You just don’t want to do it.”

Maki narrowed her eyes at her… before crossing her arms and huffing, “Fine. But I’m not planning to just sit here and be yelled at. My choices weren’t wrong.”

“Sitting there quietly taking a verbal beating is what I’m trying so desperately to train out of Kokichi and Kaito.” Dr. Mariah smirked, the coldness leaving, “I’m not about to encourage you to take up the mantle as the group's emotional martyre. It wouldn’t fix anything.”

“God, can’t you just admit you were wrong to hurt me? Even just a little bit!?” Kaito snapped, accidentally breaking his big, circular, rainbow lollipop in half as he forgot himself biting through it, trying to talk with it still in his mouth. Putting the broken piece on the table, he said, “Like, a little regret! That’s all I’m asking!”

“I won’t say I was wrong or that I regret it. I wasn’t wrong and I don’t regret my actions. I will acknowledge that those actions harmed you, though…” Maki narrowed her eyes, “barely.”

As Kaito cursed, standing up and walking around his egg chair, grumbling to himself and running a hand through his hair, Maki watched him dispassionately… before saying, “I… will say that I regret how I handled the Aba situation. At the time, I really did feel like it was my best option, but…” Maki looked between Kokichi and Shuichi, her brow furrowed… before she sighed. Bowing her head and closing her eyes as she said, “The truth is, I was acting selfishly. I knew I wanted the Addason situation handled, but… was unwilling to delay my trip any longer to ensure it got done myself. And, I… took advantage of the fact that I knew Shuichi would say yes, if I asked him. I wasn’t as confident that if I brought it up around Kaito and Kokichi, that I would get the result I wanted. I thought Kokich might advocate me staying out of the situation entirely, trusting the system. And I thought Kaito might try to convince me that I had a duty to stay and see it through myself, which… if my other duties hadn’t felt so dire, I might have been convinced of.”

“I was selfish and pushed off a concern I had that may have slowed down my trip onto you three, and… slowing down may have…” Maki opened her eyes, a frustrated look on her face, as she said softly, “...made me more vulnerable to my doubts.”

“...I wouldn’t have guessed you had any doubts.” Shuichi said quietly.

“I was determined to succeed. Expressing doubts when you intend to commit to the act only opens you up to persuasion and weakness.” Maki said, reciting it like a lesson she had learned a long time ago, “Never show doubt unless you want to be convinced to give up.”

Kokichi gave Maki a small, apologetic smile, her...essentially landing on his actual intention. ...maybe that is where their past discussions had stalled. Because Maki just...didn’t engage with it, not wanting to be berated, but...that’s not what these kinds of discussions were. 

...the other issue was that what Maki and Kaito wanted in order to move past this were...very different things. 

Sighing softly, Kokichi gave his friend a gentle look. “...doubts can be really helpful for problem-solving. Because no one person ever has all the answers. You can have an action plan and take the steps to follow through on it, but expressing your doubts lets people know which parts you don’t have all the information about, and...if they have that information? Then they can supply it, and your solution will be better for it.”

“Doubts can be used as leverage. And it is never a person’s fault for being manipulated. But...especially for you?” Kokichi gave Maki a plaintive look, “Your doubts, at least that you’ve ever expressed to me, aren’t from a place of insecurity. They’re pertinent questions to the situation at hand. Expressing doubts among people you trust...would get you answers, or at least enough perspectives to sift through for you to see the pattern of an answer.”

Kokichi pressed his palm into one of his eyes for a moment before...being brave. “...in broad strokes, I don’t think you were wrong, Maki-chan. And...to a point that was always going to hurt us. But there were some things that could’ve made things easier… And maybe talking to us, as people you trust, could’ve been a road to that.”

“...” Maki frowned, before saying, “I wanted to trust you. And I couldn’t.”

There was...a weight that dropped Kokichi’s shoulders and dimmed his eyes slightly, but...it wasn’t a surprise. He nodded slightly, accepting, just quietly saying, “...yeah.”

“Oh fuck no.” Kaito growled, swinging back around to the front of his chair, gaze furious as he walked a few steps towards Maki, fists clenched as he said, “You don’t get to fucking tell Kokichi it’s his fault that he didn’t keep your shitty secrets!”

“Why not?” Maki asked, staring cooly back at Kaito, not rising as he loomed threateningly over her, “My fears that you all would dissuade me or, even worse, actively sabotage me weren’t baseless. Shuichi would have rather I forget Luminary ever existed, and the only thing I could ever trust him with was the fact that he knew how to keep a secret: all of his analysis of my plans were always begrudging at best, and he spent most of that time trying to convince me it was impossible. Kokichi, in turn, not only thought my actions were misguided and manipulated by that point, essentially denouncing what I was doing once it was time for any action to be taken, but then he went and told the person who was easily the greatest danger to me by that point. You had every ability and motivation to make all of my plans entirely impossible and essentially tip the scales of the war in Byakuya’s favor by that point since both myself and Kaede were hinging on most of the public being not entirely aware of what was going on, so Byakuya couldn’t justify hanging one of the most beloved politicians Luminary had.”

“...I was literally facing a war, where someone I desperately wanted to believe in was asking me to give up everything to save my loved ones.” Maki said, “And none of you supported me. I was entirely alone. And I need to apologize for not trusting you?”

Kaito’s jaw was clicking, his fists still clenched, a conflicted look between rage and grief pressing lines into his face and reddening his eyes, as the two fighters looked tensely at each other…

“...I didn’t tell Byakua.” Kaito said, his voice choking with emotion, not unlike how he sounded when he was insisting his love wasn’t fake. The feeling largely the same as he reminded her, “I kept your secret right up until the very end. I risked his life to save yours. I could be trusted.”

Maki’s eyes widened a little at that… before saying softly, half speaking to herself, as if this was a detail she had genuinely forgotten about. “...yes. I… suppose that’s true.”

“Fucking hypocrit. Everyone wants to blame my temper, or my fucking conditioning for not telling me shit… I have never betrayed any of you. Never fucking once have I picked someone else over any of you. I… I do terrible things myself. I’ve done terrible things-” Kaito amended, glancing with sudden uncertainty at Kokichi... before gritting his teeth, “But I have never picked someone else over any of you. You can fucking trust me.”

Kokichi...neither shrank nor deflated could really convey the appropriate mode of wilting he went through as Kaito made his own case as a dear friend and trusted ally. Because...it was the one thing that kept hurting Kaito over and over, that all of them were choosing things over him. And yet...the four of them had always been Kaito’s priority. 

...Kokichi thought about the conversation he and Maki had had on the way back from the mountain. And...he was a little hurt. Because...he had advocated for Maki going to fight in the war. Had validated her reasons and, essentially, given his blessing, along with a promise that she would always have a home to come back to. He had only asked her to think. That not every problem had to be solved with deaths, even against a cruel and unforgiving opponent. 

Yes, he thought Kaede was manipulating her. Yes, he was wary about the power structure that would be left after the war. But Maki’s reasons to fight? He had supported her, even when Kaito and Shuuichi had thought it was suicidal and betrayal to leave. 

...but he didn’t earn trust from that. Because he had told Kaito. Because he couldn’t bare the pain of betraying his husband any longer. 

He’d chosen Kaito over Maki. And even if that was still safe? Even if Kaito was a trusted person? That was still…

Kokichi’s gaze lowered to the ground. Knowing that he wouldn’t be able to uphold the kind of trust Maki wanted.

Dr. Mariah watched the group, feeling them at a pretty substantial low for the day, even taking into account Kaito’s earlier meltdown. They were finally saying things to each other, but those words were only causing pain, and even the ones speaking them aloud didn’t feel better for having done so. Shuichi looked depressed, Kaito furious, Maki defensive, Kokichi retreating and feeling guilty, that same flash of guilt sparking in all of them before the other emotions pushed it down.

Dr. Mariah didn’t think an issue like this could likely be solved in one session, but it was always very important to at least accomplish something per session. There was nothing more poisonous in a relationship than leaving one of these sessions feeling worse and more hopeless than when you came in. You always needed that hope of progress to keep moving you forward.

“...let’s take another small break. Five minutes.” Dr. Mariah advised, before saying as Kaito reached for the lollipop, “No, no, there’s no need for that this time. Unless you want to, I just mean for this to be a moment of peace before we keep going. In fact, Kaito, why don’t you pet the koi fish for a moment-”

“I don’t want to pet the fish.” Kaito grumbled, “I’m not a child. You don’t need to distract me with shiny shit.”

Dr. Mariah considered him… before standing up. “Then why don’t you attend to me instead. Walk with me, I want to fetch some clean, cool water for the group. You can help me bring it up.”

Kaito briefly looked like he wanted to argue… before sighing. Following Dr. Mariah downstairs.

As they were gone… Shuichi sighed. “This is hard.”

Kokichi suckled on the edge of his lollipop before echoing Shuuichi’s sigh, barely bringing his gaze up to his boyfriend’s knees. And while it was clear he was downcast, there was still a small attempt at a smile on his face. “Didn’t expect for it to be easy… Even past the ability to figure this all out ourselves, it’s...still a lot…”

...he felt the urge to apologize to Maki for telling Kaito, all those months ago. Even if he didn’t believe keeping it from Kaito was the best idea...how he had done it was awful, and doing it without consulting with Maki and Shuuichi was a betrayal of trust. 

But they were on break, so...no difficult conversations before they had a chance to cool off.

“...I wonder if Dr. Mariah always has these on her, or if she prepared some specifically for our session.”

“I feel like it says something about us if she, after spending this much time with us together, decided the best way to control our outbursts was with hard candy,” Shuichi mused… before taking an exaggerated lick against the lollipop, “Not that it isn’t working amazingly.”

“I can’t believe you all willingly do this twice a month-”

“It can be more than that sometimes-” Shuichi murmured with another exaggerated lick.

“-this is easily the most stressed out I’ve been in ages and I was at war not that long ago.” Maki muttered, her eyebrow twitching as she said, “Whatever happened to just burying our feelings forever and ever?”

Shuichi raised an eyebrow, “Are you kidding? The only person who tries to get people to talk more about their feelings than Kaito is you. You just do it differently than he does by always wording it like it’s obvious we’re going to confide in you and that holding back is just a waste of time.”

“I‘m meant to protect you all. You should confide in me, because that makes it easier to protect you.”

“Yeah, well…” Shuichi stared at the koi fish, before saying, “Maybe I should have tried harder to protect you… you really felt like you couldn’t trust me? You tell me everything. You made me keep your secrets from Kaito, and tasked me looking out for your siblings while you were gone… why did you say you couldn’t trust me?”

Maki frowned… “...I was a little angry when I said it.” She admitted, clenching her fists against her knees, “I may have exaggerated the reality of the situation, but… not how I felt about it. I didn’t want to go back to Luminary all alone, uncertain what I would find there. I…” she paused, suddenly looking lost… before confessing quietly, “Sometimes, when things were hard, I’d indulge in this… stupid daydream. Where when I left you… all insisted you couldn’t let me go on my own… and in the stupid daydream, you’d all be helping me work through whatever awful problem I was stuck on that day. Shuichi would be handling intel, Kaito would be training fighters, Kokich would be handling negotiations…”

“I didn’t like being alone.” Maki said quietly, “You’re my friends… I wish you would have helped me.”

“...Maki… you… you went to war. I’m pregnant, Kokichi has heart problems, someone needed to stay and raise Ti-”

“I know. That’s why I said it was stupid.” Maki said quickly, defensively, looking away from him. “I’m just explaining that I felt alone, okay? It… doesn’t always have to be a rational feeling. It was just how I felt.”

Well, that’s why they were taking five. So the things said in the heat of the moment could cool, and people could clarify what they actually meant, soothing wounds from sparks, the main fire not meant for them. 

But as Maki explained her daydream, how she was feeling during the war...Kokichi unfurled a bit, leaning more towards his friends, though the apology in his eyes only turned more sympathetic. “...I wish we…”

Kokichi sighed. “I wish I had helped you more. I want to take care of you, but...it’s taken me too long to realize what that means more personally, than on an establishment level. You’re my friend, not just one of my people.”

“...even if that just meant being more outwardly supportive of you? I should’ve done it… I just...couldn’t reconcile how I thought Shuu-chan and Kai-chan would react. Fuck knows how hard it was riding the line between both your perspectives when I was trying to talk Kai-chan down…” Kokichi softly groaned, remembering that...difficult talk in the shrine. Desperately trying to talk Kaito down from calling Byakuya, tearing himself apart that he was betraying the people he loved, and trying to reassure that Maki was coming back.

...it had been months of...blinding peppiness, trying not to let Shuuichi and Kaito fall into despair thinking that Maki wouldn’t come back…

… Maki’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. 

“Talked Kaito down from what?” she asked.

-

Meanwhile, downstairs.

“... I’m not going to do it.” Kaito said in lieu of nothing, a determined frustrated look on his face as he held the silver tray low for Dr. Mariah to easily arrange the glasses on, “I’m not. I don’t want to.”

“Are you going to make me ask ‘what’, or are you going to clarify your clearly obtuse statement?” she asked, her tone stern, like a tutting mother as she finished placing the glasses, heading to grab a fresh pitcher, almost identical to the now empty one she had on the roof. “I understand the desire to be dramatic and vague, but that sort of wordplay is only useful in plays and books: in real life, it’s actually quite childish to make people ask you to clarify your statements.”

Kaito winced, before saying softly, “Sorry, bad habit… um, I mean, that I… I’m not going to just say I forgive her to make everyone feel better. I don’t… want to do that.”

“No one is asking you to do that. Put those down and fetch me my step stool, it’s in that closet over there.” she gestured, opening the fridge and considering the fruits inside, “It is, in fact, one of the things I am desperately trying to get you to stop doing. It’s not helpful.”

“It is helpful! You know how many relationships and connections I would have destroyed if I had, like… stayed butt-hurt about some of the shit they pulled? Most of them! You have to be willing to let things go if you want to stay with people. That’s just… a part of it!”

“Certainly… to a healthy extent. You are far past that healthy line. And your relationship with your loved ones has suffered dearly for it… if you’re okay with the idea of blindingly forgiving someone just to maintain the relationship, why is Maki the exception?”

“...cause I’m not currently dating her?” Kaito muttered, before shaking his head, finding his own joke a bit in bad taste as he said, “Cause what she did was bigger than anything else I’ve ever had to just ‘let go’. There has to be a line. Usurping my family from the throne behind my back and then against my wishes has to be the line.”

“Her choices had a lot more to do with thing of greater consequence than your feelings, Kait-”

“No, fuck that, I’m not accepting that answer either! I’m not pretending I’m not hurt by something just because it was a case of weighing the scales and I didn’t cut it! Great! Great for the world! Still sucks for me! And I’m the one she lives two doors down from and is raising a kid with her! If my feelings are inconvenient, she’s gotta live with that!”

“Kaito…” Dr. Mariah sighed, taking out some blueberries and strawberries, putting them in a bowl and, using the footstool he brought, washing them in the sink as she said, “Temper your anger. Miss Crystal has been working with you for months, you know better. This isn’t an effective way to communicate your upset.”

“...damn it…” Kaito frowned, looking a little shame faced at the mention of Miss Crystal, “...sorry.”

“You’re forgiven.” Dr. Mariah said, stepping off the stool, putting the bowl on the tray, with the glass and the pitcher… before looking up at Kaito. Her eyes cool and distant. “Your brother murdered your parents.”

Kaito stared down at her. “...?” he expressed, “Why are you bringi-”

“Your brother murdered your parents. I’ve read up on it a bit. It was quite gruesome. From the reports, it sounds like they both put up a fight, you may be proud to know. It’s theorized that your brother brought two trusted guards up to the war tower with him and cornered your father there, and by the time your father had been dragged to the wind-”

“Stop it? What are you doing?” Kaito murmured.

“-ow, one of the guards was dying of internal bleeding after being beaten with a blunt object. Considering you destroyed Kokichi’s desk with the intentions to do the same to Nao, perhaps that’s a trait you got from him? Your father was then thrown from the window of a eighty food window and, about what I can only assume were two and a half interesting minutes later, he landed in the yard below. Now, eighty feet is a long way to fall, and the official statement is he died on impact, but a report of someone witnessing the end of the fall suggested there was another few agonizing-”

“I’ll kill you.” Kaito said blankly, eyes glassy and far away. “Stop.”

Dr. Mariah tasted the air, and risking the warning signs, continued, “minutes where he was very vocal about his pain, before eventually bleeding out. Your mother, arguably, would have had a gentler death, though Byakuya was reportedly not interested enough to be present for hers, had she not tried to kill her poisoners. I’m told she had a very creative use for a hair pin that permanently blinded one of her attackers eyes and caused a second one to run, but the two remaining men managed to pin her down onto the floor-”

Kaito briefly, clearly envisioned what it would take to reach out and grab her neck and squeeze until she couldn’t speak anymore… and reached into his pocket to grab his stone instead, reminding himself internally ‘You picked blue and purple because it reminded you of your partners, you picked blue and purple because it reminded you of what you stood to lose’, “Please stop.”

The taste in the air shifted, and Dr. Mariah’s tone was slightly gentler, but no less informative as she said, “-and forced her to drink the poison. A handmaid heard her screaming and tried to come to her aid, but was intimidated out of the room by the men, and reports that for the next several minutes, your mother screamed curses at your fathers name and begged Byakuya for help, apparently convinced in her dying moment that it had been Leon, and not her son, who had killed her.”

Kaito stood there despondently, his eyes hollow and distant, mildly rubbing at the stone in his hands without much enthusiasm. He looked lost and unfocused, and there were idle tears running down his cheeks, that she very much doubted he was even aware of.

Dr. Mariah watched him for a moment, red eyes wide and curious and, thankfully, not entirely unsympathetic as she said softly, “What your brother did to you was worse. In fact, what I’ve just spent the last five minutes doing to you, is worse… than what Maki did. We have both hurt you considerably more, entirely on purpose.”

Kaito stared despondently back at her.

“May I have your forgiveness?”

“...what?” Kaito asked, looking genuinely confused.

“I’m trying to help you, Kaito.” Dr. Mariah said, “It’s okay if you don’t want to forgive me now. I hurt you. We can work with Miss Crystal, and work through what I did. Get the basics. You don’t have to learn this lesson through Maki. You can learn it through me. Do I have your forgiveness?”

“...oh, uh… sure, okay.” Kaito murmured.

Dr. Mariah was only briefly disappointed, but… she’d reach out to Miss Crystal. They’d get there. And Maki would likely seem far more manageable to him now. “Let’s go back upstairs.”

Kaito nodded, grabbing the platter and quietly following the demon upstairs.

-

Kokichi sighed, looking stressed as he ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the ends a bit. “...a few days after you left, Kaito was in his shrine. It was the last time he’d been in it for a few days, and...he was freaking out. I mean...we were kind of expecting it, but...still.”

“...I checked up on him in the middle of the night, just… I was worried. He was still in a better place than when he was on spores, and I know that’s always going to be a very poignant exception to how he is when he’s in there but...I worry.” Kokichi closed his eyes for another moment before...vaguely looking in Maki’s direction. “...he was terrified, Maki-chan. That he was either going to get you or Byakuya killed, no matter what he did. He was tearing himself apart…”

Something...pained winced across Kokichi’s face for a moment as his voice softened. “...even aside from your specific circumstances...of course I know there’s always a chance that someone who goes to war isn’t coming back. Of course I know that.”

“...but I couldn’t let that be a possibility we entertained. Even if Shuu-chan and Kai-chan never believed anything I said. I still had to say it…”

Shuichi’s shoulders sagged, seeing the pain in Kokichi’s eyes at that. “Oh, Kokichi… shoot, I guess I was being a little difficult, I never thought about if that was stressing you-”

“You thought I wasn’t coming back from the war?”

Shuichi rolled his eyes, “Maki, I thought you’d either die in battle, die to assassins, or get yourself killed cause it would occur to you halfway through that you don’t have an identity past this goal and you’d rather not deal with that when its over. Or-” he continued, ignoring the sudden heat coming off of her, “-I thought you’d refuse to come back even if you did win to not deal with… this.” he finished, waving around them vaguely, “Answering to us. And don’t be surprised at Kaitos’ reaction, you were just saying how he had every motivation in the world to turn you in. Of course he was gonna agonize about it. That’s what you left us to do. Agonize about you.”

With that little takedown done, Shuichi shot Maki a cold, unimpressed look… before going back to Kokichi and saying, “But, I didn’t mean to be cruel to you feeling that way, Kokichi. Honestly, I did appreciate how you always seemed so certain everything was going to work out. It was reassuring… but, that said, I wouldn’t have been so flippant with my responses if I had known they were upsetting you. I didn’t mean to put that sort of pressure on you and, at the risk of belittling what you did… it’s not really what I would have wanted either, if I had been asked.”

“I… really don’t need you or Kaito to… okay, no, sometimes I need you all to be wary of my feelings a little, because sometimes I’m already frustrated or sad or whatever and I can’t handle my emotions that well.” Shuichi admitted, shrugging a little with a small sigh, “And I’m sorry when I act like that. But, when I have a handle on myself? I don’t need you two to… put this emotional buffer around me. Maki never has and I talk to her more than anyone-” he said, Maki nodding at this in agreement, “I just… need a little bit of room reading and consideration more than anything. I don’t need protection.”

“...though, thank you for doing so.” Shuich said softly, “I know you did it because you love me. And I really do appreciate that.”

Kokichi nodded slightly and offered a tiny smile to his boyfriend. “I know it’s one of the big things I have to work on...being overly cautious when it comes to upsetting you or Kai-chan. And...I know that it’s normal to worry or have doubts, especially with something like war…”

“...but I’ve also seen people obsess over it, or grieve someone and move on, only for that person to come back and things just...not working anymore.” ...which...very privately, was Kokichi’s leading hunch about what was going on between Cali’s parents. He really hoped they weren’t fighting as much as the girl seemed to report, and...if they were, he hoped they were trying to figure things out, but… While it is a relief to find out someone was alive, where you thought they had died, if you had emotionally moved on? Sometimes you really couldn’t bring things back to the way they were. At least not without a lot of help and effort. 

“And after Kai-chan’s breakdown, and how hurt you two were when Maki-chan left…” Kokichi sighed, deflating again. “...me mixing up my work and personal life, I suppose. I’m supposed to be hopeful and reassuring...people can choose to take or leave it. But not for people in my personal life… I’m happy for any comfort I did manage to give you, but...I’m sorry for buffering you. I know you won’t just...fall apart if you’re hurt.”

“I am calm and cool as a cucumber.” Shuichi mused, looking almost a little smug, “You don’t have to treat me with kiddy-gloves.”

“I am repeating that to you verbatim the next time you get hissy with me.” Maki swore.

“I’m allowed to get hissy, I’m pregnant.”

“You just said you don’t want to be called that like a title.”

“That rule doesn't apply when I say it, as I am pregnant. And a recovering drug addict,  for that matter.”

“Why did I come back?”

“For the same reason most people do irrational things.” Dr. Mariah said goodnaturedly, opening the door to the roof and holding it for Kaito, who was holding the platter of fruit and freshly poured water, quietly bringing it over to the group as she closed the door behind them, “In pursuit of love.”

“Maki is not a part of our polycule.” Shuichi called back dryly, “And don’t say there’s ‘different types of love’, I heard your tone of voice, I know what you’re saying.”

“Allow an old woman her flights of fancy.” Dr. Mariah sighed, watching as Kaito started distributing the glasses and fruit without being asked, grabbing the empty glasses and putting it back on the tray before taking it over to the sink and leaving it there. “Thank you Kaito.”

“Mm? Yeah.” Kaito said distractedly, going to sit down at his chair, looking down at the pond… before wordlessly deciding to get up and go sit by the water. Petting the fish. 

“Now…” Dr. Mariah sighed, settling in, “That was a bit longer than five minutes. Did we all take our time to calm down? How is everyone feeling?”

Kokichi managed to huff a small laugh at Shuuichi and Maki’s bickering, raising his gaze finally up to their faces again. He still kind of felt like shit, but...well, he had their whole future to earn Maki’s trust in him. He had betrayed it once, and maybe that was it. But that was no reason to not try. He just...couldn’t expect it. 

Though, as Kaito and Dr. Mariah returned, Kokichi...frowned. Murmuring a quiet thanks to Kaito for setting out the water and fruit, but his gaze never leaving his husband. There was...there was a sort of heavy static in his head… Like a fuzzy weighted blanket, but...not comforting in the slightest. Like if that blanket was made with sadness. 

...Kokichi didn’t even hear Dr. Mariah, the static in his ears too loud, as he just looked at Kaito in worry.

“We didn’t really spend it resting, but Kokichi and I started talking something out.” Shuichi explained, while Dr. Mariah nodded, wordlessly encouraging him to continue, “Kokichi… well, maybe I shouldn’t explain on your behalf, Kokichi?” Shuichi realized, glancing over at his partner… before following his worried gaze, “Kaito? Are you alright?”

“Mm? Yeah.” Kaito said immediately, “Uh, Dr. Mariah and I weren’t… uh, resting either. Got into a… um… it’s been a tough day, you know?”

Dr. Mariah felt a bit of guilt at that. Kaito’s instinct to cover for her was immediate, and she could already see the wheels almost lazily turning in his head as he supplied, “Talked about, um… that maybe I’m being too hard on Maki? And how I… don’t want to just blindly forgive her, but… I think… I’m being overdramatic?” Kaito tried, piecing together separate parts of the conversation downstairs into something slightly coherent.

Dr. Mariah sighed, “No, Kaito, that’s not what I was trying to say. Letting a statement meant to be asked for further explanation hang in the air is overly dramatic, and a habit you should kick. I was simply trying to suggest that maybe your feelings and the reality of the offense against you don’t entirely match up.”

It was Maki who narrowed her eyes at this. “How is that different from telling him he’s being over dramatic?”

...Kokichi barely heard the conversation around him, almost like he was half-submerged. That heavy layer of sadness making everything hazy, and...in that confusion...trying to reach out. Grasping at a few things you did recognize to keep moving forward, or...relying on old habits…

Kokichi’s brow furrowed. 

“...you two talked about something really deep-cut. Something horrible. Something that someone shouldn’t have to process in just a few minutes…”

Kokichi’s voice was barely more of a murmur before he blinked a few times, looking up at Dr. Mariah. Not suspicious or wary, but just...confused and curious. “...how would those two things be tangibly different? If Kai-chan’s hurt, then it doesn’t matter how “bad”,” There was a heavy emphasis on the word, Kokichi glancing over to give Maki a considering nod, “What Maki-chan did was. He’s still hurt, and saying that what Maki-chan actually did wasn’t that big just, well, it’d make me feel silly and alone and like I couldn’t talk to anyone about taking my feelings seriously. That’s the whole issue between them.”

“Certainly,” Dr. Mariah said gently, “But recognizing that your reality didn’t match your feelings was also one of the revelations you had to have, Kokichi. You know better than anyone how oppressive and suffocating the world can seem when you’re going by your feelings alone. And I’m never suggesting what Maki did wasn’t worth discussing. I’m suggesting that his resentment isn’t necessarily based on a foundation that supports it-”

“Your words are getting more technical and at the same time more vague.” Shuichi pointed out dryly, “That’s not going to work for most everyone in this group. Kokichi and I actually know what those words mean and Maki and Kaito don’t respect flowery language to begin with.”

Dr. Mariah paused…

“Kaito is struggling to reconcile what Maki did because it harmed someone he cared about, specifically his brother.” Dr. Mariah said, “I suggested to Kaito downstairs that his brother was not worth his protection and that Maki’s actions did more to protect Kaito than it did to harm him, because his brother was more of a danger to him in every way. I told him this very bluntly, because Kaito has proven to be the type of person who sometimes needs to hear things bluntly, if he’s going to hear it at all. It was in his best interest.”

Kokichi backed off a little at that, nodding slightly. You couldn’t decide what you were feeling based on logic alone, but...if you couldn’t differentiate reality and your perception… It was a spiral he wouldn’t wish anyone else to go through. 

...the thing was, though, that Kaito did know, logically, what Maki had done. He knew it wasn’t based on malice towards him, and even that Maki cared for him deeply. That Luminary was in a bad place. But he was hurt anyway. Kokichi hadn’t gotten the impression that Kaito thought Maki was a true enemy. 

...unlike how he was determined not to see Byakuya as one. 

“No, it wasn’t,” Kokichi said bluntly, looking at the therapist with more than a little concern. 

“Yes, sometimes Kai-chan can appreciate straight-talk, but…” Kokichi narrowed his eyes, his confusion towards the doctor deepening. “You know Byakuya is a difficult topic with Kai-chan, and especially about all the shit he’s done. And if…”

…

Kokichi’s eyes widened. 

“...why the hell would you try to talk about his parents alone?”

“That’s…” Kokichi sputtered a bit, just...flabbergasted. “That’s in no way something someone should hear alone, let alone have to quickly shelve to go back to a greater conversation. If you did want to go that direction, it should’ve been as a group!”

“And...especially if you wanted to...make yourself a villain to help Kai-chan?” At this, anger finally started to bleed into Kokichi’s face. “You’re our therapist! You’re not a throwaway person to run experiments! We’ve had so many people try to be villains in the name of helping, and it never works out! And you’ve agreed with that!”

“What the fuck!?” Kokichi punctuated, getting up out of his seat and throwing his hands in the air for a moment, impacting his words. 

...and even quicker than the last time, there was a quick glow of a bright, blazing, angry green across Kokichi’s form, though the sparks--if there were any in such a quick moment--wouldn’t have any time to travel even to those on the rooftop.

...Actually, yeah?

What had she been thinking? She had taken Kaito specifically away from his support system specifically to emotionally batter him on the half hope/ half certainty that Kaito would be too embarrassed and uncertain to want to do anything more than cover up what had happened and immediately try to (unhealthily) move on, on the vague idea that Maki would seem less villainous in his mind in comparison.

That was… hugely inappropriate both for her job and also just… like, as a person who knew how abusive this was.

What had she been- oh for fucks sake on top of everything else he’s an empath-

Dr. Mariah was an old demon. On instinct, her face pinched, a small growl in her throat as she felt the stinging burn of divine intervention, and just as everything froze, she snarled, “WAIT.”

Honestly, to her shock, the divine presence… paused. Which was not what divine presences usually did. Everything else was frozen, but Dr. Mariah, hestating only for a moment, was able to stand up, looking around. Kokichi’s outraged expression. Kaito’s depressed hurt. Shuichi’s increasingly judgemental look, and…

Oh dear. Maki had been pulling out a blade. Probably best things had frozen before she finished.

The divine presence was still hovering there. Her skin was starting to really burn. She might actually smoke in a minute. Best to hurry whatever this was.

“Why did I do that?” Dr. Mariah demanded, looking coldly around her, “That was unlike me.”

IT WAS.

She felt a spark of fear run through her. She wasn’t expecting an actual answer, she realized. She tried to keep the fear off her face, as she asked coldly, “Well? Why?”

PEOPLE ARE INCONSISTENT, AND IN ALL OF THE MULTIVERSE, WITH ALL OF ITS VARIANTS, EVEN IF EVERYTHING HAS BEEN PERFECTLY ALIGNED, CAREFULLY PLANNED, AND SEEMS TO BE ENTIRELY ON COURSE… PEOPLE STILL RANDOMLY DECIDE TO ENTIRELY GO AGAINST THEIR OWN CHARACTER AND DO SOMETHING ALMOST ENTIRELY ON A WHIM.

THE TRIALS OF FREE WILL. IT’S VERY FRUSTRATING. 

“I see. And yOu are saving my reputation for… what reason? Don’t tell me I have the favor of a god. I’m pretty certain The Red Horned Ram would disapprove.”

USUALLY I, AND MY BRETHREN, DON’T INTERFERE. THE IDLE WHIMS CAN BE DEVASTATING, BUT DIRECT INTERFERENCE CAN OFTEN LEAD TO WORSE RESULTS. BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, IN ALMOST EVERY MULTIVERSE, MOMENTS INVOLVING THESE FOUR DIRECTLY RESULT IN FULL UNIVERSE COLLAPSE. IT'S TOO BIG TO LEAVE TO CHANCE. WE INTERFERE WHEN SOMETHING THREATENS THE GROUP.

“The direct interference of gods? No wonder their lives are absurdly terrible.” Dr. Mariah muttered.

RUDE. BUT NOT INACCURATE. I TRY MY BEST… BUT YES. FOR YOUR EARLIER QUESTION? YOU HAVE THE FAVOR OF A GOD. DON’T WORRY ABOUT YOUR PATRON DEITY, THE RED HORNED RAM IS ACTUALLY A VERY REASONABLE GUY WHEN IT COMES TO END OF THE WORLD EVENTS. I’M SURE WHEN HE EVENTUALLY ESCAPES HIS CAGE, HE’LL UNDERSTAND THE SCENT OF DIVINE FAVOR ON YOU.

“Why do I not feel reassured?”

WORST COMES TO WORST I’LL TALK TO HIM FOR YOU.

“Oh hellfire… alright, well, if you if you’re going to fix this, can you at least leave me my memories of the event? If this mistake as an ‘idle whim’ to my character, than I need to know I’m capable of it, and take matters to adjust accordingly, so as to not make the same mistake. What I did was repulsive. I don’t want to succumb to such things again in ignorance.”

...ACTUALLY, SURE. 

“...really?”

YEAH. I MEAN, I KNOW YOU SHOULDN’T MAKE DEALS WITH DEMONS, BUT, WELL, I TRUST YOU. AND MORE INFORMATION COULD MAYBE HELP. CAN YOU SURVIVE KNOWING THAT YOUR WORK COULD, IF YOU FAIL, DOOM THE MULTIVERSE TO DESTRUCTION?

“I’m not a child. Of course.”

GOOD. TAKE CARE OF MY CHILD AND HIS FAMILY. EVERYTHING FOR MIYAKO.

Dr. Mariah thought that was curious… but when she blinked, she was standing in front of Kaito, the scolding for his hanging question fresh off her tongue… huh.

“Sorry, bad habit. I just… don’t want to have to forgive her. I don’t want to do th-”

“Kaito,” Dr. Maraih sighed, heading to the fridge to grab the fruit, “I want to hear this, but take this break to find some calm in yourself. That is the point of these breaks, and its for your own benefit.  It’s okay to just… take a minute.”

“...yeah.” Kaito sighed, “Okay.”

Kokichi huffed a small laugh as Shuuichi and Maki bickered, but as Dr. Mariah and Kaito returned to the roof, he felt...strangely tired. But...not. Almost liked he’d done something like...running upstairs quickly, but the moment passed and he was left just fine. 

...bizarre. It was a difficult session...maybe he was just getting a little tired. 

Maybe some fruit would help. Kokichi had only managed to move his legs out of the next by the time Kaito placed one of the five bowls of berries by Kokichi, and he softly thanked his husband, popping a blueberry in his mouth and taking a sip of water. 

Okay, time to gear up for the rest of the session.

Dr. Mariah sat down in her chair, sipping at her water. Well… as strange as all of that was, and as mildly alarming as being suddenly aware that the group you were giving relationship advice too was apparently key to the continued survival-- she wasn’t entirely certain why, but she was guessing it had something to do with their child Miyako-- of the universe… she needed to not dwell on that. 

For one, supernatural shit happened, especially to demons, and you couldn’t lose your mind every time something happened. And two, being too afraid of failing would cloud her judgment on helping the group. Which, divine intervention or not, was still her priority during these sessions.

...also Kokichi was an empath and that was something to keep in the back of her mind.

But! Kaito and Maki. And Maki and Kokichi and Shuichi, as apparently that conversation went the same as Shuichi said, “...well, maybe I shouldn’t explain on Kokichi’s behalf. Kokichi?”

Kokichi sighed a bit, but looked more sheepish and exasperated than glum now. “I was trying to manage Shuu-chan and Kai-chan’s emotions while Maki-chan was gone, taking it upon myself to head off grief over her nebulous return. I was too scared of them breaking down over thinking about if she might not come home that I made a job for myself just...being relentlessly positive about the whole thing. Which didn’t give them the space to worry, and gave myself a lot of stress.”

Tugging on his hair a little, Kokichi turned to Maki and Shuuichi. “That’s...pretty much it? I think that’s a pretty good summary of it all…”

...he could ease into talking with Kaito about their talk in his shrine, but he didn’t want to suddenly hoist it on his husband...though he kind of did that anyway by mentioning it at all.

...practically feeling the judgement, if only from himself, Kokichi let out a little note of a groan. “...and those worries started from how bad everything was on Maki-chan’s departure, and a conversation Kai-chan and I had in his shrine a few days later.”

“Oh yeah…” Kaito mused, having actually allowed himself to relax a little downstairs, zoning out as he played errand boy to Dr. Mariah, who had insisted on silence. He was chewing idly through the strawberries, as he said, “...that night was pretty bad. But, in comparison to a lot of those nights those first few days, it was actually a highlight of that week. Kokichi visiting was really nice.”

Maki narrowed her eyes, “The way Kokichi described it, he said you were ‘tearing yourself apart’ when he visited you. What do you mean that was a highlight?”

Kaito shrugged, really enjoying this strawberry-- waaaaay better than lollipops-- as he said, “I was a mess when you left. I literally went upstairs and watched until your carriage disappeared, hoping you were going to turn it around, and I only went to my shrine after that because when I tried to go to the phone room, the secretaries noticed my sword and made the pretty reasonable guess that I was going to destroy all the lines and made me leave.” Kaito paused, before sipping water as he said, “In retrospect? I’m surprised nobody scolded me about that. I guess they never told anyone I tried to attack the phone with a sword?”

Shuichi put his head in his hands and groaned.

...if his visit had been a highlight…

Kokichi thought of the cracked plaster in the shrine.

In fairness, Kokichi had come by while Kaito was asleep, so he hadn’t been a wreck from the start, but...it had gone south pretty quickly. Kokichi could vividly remember sliding onto the ground, Kaito curling up in a ball and tearing at his scalp as he pleaded for Maki and Byakuya not to die…

Kokichi let out a heavy sigh, that tired feeling growing. “...I really should buy a nice office gift for the scribes’ office one of these days… Having to turn away an armed person isn’t even slightly in their job descriptions…”

...maybe him trying to be overly positive was mostly a self-made task, but...surely they could at least see his reasoning?

“...you tried to break the phone?” Maki asked, giving Kaito a thoughtful look, “The first day I was gone?”

Kaito gave her a tired grin, “Look, I really don’t know how many times I can prove it. I didn’t want to push you off that cliff--”

“What?” Shuichi asked

“--and I didn’t want to warn Byakuya when he might have executed you. I kept… telling myself that maybe if I begged him to send you back, he might? Just because he knew what you meant to me? But… the truth is I knew that wasn’t going to be how it went. And I spent… months making that argument back and forth to myself, but those first few days? Easily the strongest temptation. I thought, ‘if I tell him before she gets to the border, maybe she’d realize it was suicide and come back’...” Kaito shrugged. “You would have just found another way. Potentially a more dangerous way.”

Maki considered that quietly.

“And, yeah, maybe we could get them some sort of ‘Sorry I tried to rush past you with a sword like a crazy person a few months ago’ fancy cheese platter or something… but, yeah. When Kokichi came to check on me, I was ending another… really bad day.” Kaito winced slightly, old memories bothering him as he said, “Honestly, I was suffering… and then Kokichi just…” Kaito grinned fondly, “Showed up. Curled onto my bean bag with me, told me…” he sighed, “Told me to trust Maki would do the right thing. That she wouldn't resort to killing him if she could help it, and if anyone could find another way, it was her… I really needed to hear that. I wasn’t… ‘fixed’ or anything, after that, I ended up there for another half of a day, but… it really did help.”

“...and ultimately he had been right.” Kaito admitted, “She got there in a really roundabout way, but… she didn’t kill Byakuya.”

“...and you never called him.” Maki agreed softly.

Dr. Mariah was about to be real annoyed if starting their reconciliation was this easy she literally just almost pissed off a god and actually got time reversed.

Kokichi also gave Kaito a quizzical look at the cliff comment, but it seemed his husband was on a roll. Kokichi remembered telling Kaito that in the shrine, that even if Kaito pleaded with his brother...Byakuya wouldn’t put Kaito first. Maki would die if Kaito made that call. And while he didn’t want to hear it...Kaito had known it too. Because Byakuya had never stopped his own momentum for Kaito before. 

Byakuya had wanted to help Luminary, in his own definition, which was why Kokichi knew that he would surrender in the face of mass starvation. But he couldn’t be trusted to care for the Luminous people as a whole. Maki could be ruthless, but she wasn’t as much of a killer as she might tout herself to be. And even if she didn’t do the same for him, Kokichi trusted her. If there was a way she could’ve made it out of the war without needless deaths, she’d find a way. 

...and she did. 

Kokichi looked between his friends, feeling like...they were nearly on the precipice of something. They both cared so much about each other, to the point of making agonizing decisions that...still prioritized the other. Despite what they so wanted to do. 

To be fair, Kaito and Maki were finally admitting to themselves that… maybe they both weren’t giving the other enough credit.

Maki had been angry and resentful for a long time that Kaito wasn’t more, emotionally, supportive in her problems and her pursuits to solve them. The fact that he wouldn’t support the end of her families slavery and abuse was… endlessly frustrating. And there had been several times where she wondered why she was actually putting up with it. Kaito was-- at the very least in the most simplistic manner you could describe it-- a rich kid whose lifestyle had only been possible on Maki and people like hers back. And his unwillingness to support her was… auuuuugh.

...but the truth was, Kaito in the short time he had actually known about the plan, had taken the biggest risk and done the most physical action of supporting her than any of her friends, either in Dicea or Luminary, had done by that point. Kaito had made the very real and very stressful choice to risk his brothers life by not telling him Maki’s intentions, and had chosen to hide it several times, as Maki doubted Byakuya’s calls had stopped after she left.

Hell… he might have even been directly asked and lied for her.

Shuichi had also lied for her, through omission, but not telling Kaito, but that hadn’t put Kaito’s life at risk. Kokichi had emotionally supported her more than anyone outside of Kaede herself, but had refused to risk anything to help her through it.

Kaito loved Byakuya. And he had risked hs brothers life, protecting Maki’s.

That was… a very serious sign of support, from him. At least for her as an individual.

And, on Kaito’s end…

He actually really didn’t like the indentured program.

Maki and Shuichi’s life had been limited hugely by it, and Kaito had spent a significant portion of his life both trying to protect them from some of its greater consequences and, when he couldn’t, being their sympathetic ear as they raged against their fate at the pubs, or on their midnight walks. Kaito couldn’t claim to understand how the program affected Luminary, like, financially, or socially, or any larger grand ideas of if it was a good thing for Luminary or not-- it wasn’t, but he had been raised to believe it was-- but he DID know how badly the indentured program hurt the indentured’s he himself knew, including two of the most important people in his life, Maki and Shuichi.

In a different circumstances? He might have celebrated the end of the program, cheering Maki’s success loudly for all to hear. He had just… been so scared for so long of what Maki’s actions, as an individual, would mean for his life-- losing both his brothers life and with it, her friendship, and with that, a ripple effect of Shuichi and Timothy’s and Kokichi’s happiness-- that even with it all over, he still felt scared and angry and overwhelmed, like it was all still happening…

...but it wasn’t.

The war was over and… Maki, like Kokichi had promised, really had spared his brother. Byakuya wasn’t king anymore, and he was mad at Kaito and refusing to contact him, but Byakuya and Marigold and their still unborn son were all… just fine. Their feelings hurt, their place in life turned upside down, their inheritance gone and their place in society violently and publicly taken away, but…

…

…

Kaito knew better than anyone that there was a life past that. 

Byakuya would recover.

“....fuck I’m really tired of crying today.” Kaito muttered, idly wiping at his eyes as for whatever reason, this thought started the water works again, though at least this time he wasn’t actually sobbing. “... I’ve been really stupid, havn’t I…”

Maki frowned, “Kaito, you haven't bee-”

“Hey! It’s just occurred to me!” Kaito chuckled, shaking his head a little as he said, “Maki… you’re not working anymore, right?”

Maki raised an eyebrow. “...no.”

“I should take you out for a drink, then.” Kaito grinned, some of it tinged in sadness, but the sentiment entirely sincere as he said, “Even with all the bad shit that came with it… the program’s stopped! That’s worth a celebratory drink, right?”

Shuchi and Maki both looked at Kaito like he had grown a particularly weird looking second head, and Kaito chuckled, looking at his feet, “...just because my family suffered doesn’t mean it’s not amazing what you accomplished. That it’s not amazing that your family is free, Maki… I’m sorry it took me till just now to remember that.”

Kokichi’s gaze softened, that precipice reached and...they weren’t tumbling down. They would be alright. There would probably be moments where Maki and Kaito’s anger would flare up, their hurt not solved in an instant, but...this would be a point to hold onto to get back on track. To remember how much they meant to each other and keep taking steps forward together. 

Smiling softly, knowing that even with this realization of sorts, it was still difficult for Kaito, Kokichi nodded, speaking up in a gentle voice. “The end of the program is more than worth celebrating,” he echoed. “And you’re feeling alright, right, Maki-chan? We could stop by a liquor store on the way home and get something special.”

...they had been wanting to do some sort of thing like that, before Maki left. 

Maki literally couldn’t remember the last time she had drank. Which she did enjoy doing. She just didn’t like to do it when she thought she might be in danger, or might miss something and someone else would be in danger.

“...you ever had mimosas, Kokcihi?” Maki asked, “I bet even you would like mimosas. Champagne and orange juice.”

“That’s a breakfast drink.” Shuichi rolled his eyes, “If I have to watch you all drink while sipping on water, at least do it right.”

“Could do flaming-lambourgin-”

“No.” Both Maki and Shuichi said at the same time, Kaito pouting a little as Mak then sighed. “...I don’t know how I’m feeling. I… Shuichi said something earlier that kind of hurt-”

“Sorry.” Shuich said automatically, though he didn’t actually look sorry. He looked tired. Like he needed a nap.

“-but only because it’s... kind of true?” Maki frowned, watching the edge of the roof, idly looking for climbers and peepers, “...I don’t know who I am, past this. My whole life has been building towards this goal and… it’s done now. The program has been shut down. I put… everything into this. The whole of me, and… it’s done.”

“So,” Maki asked, staring at her hands now, there being no danger around and nothing to…. Focus on. “What now?”

Dr. Mariah could have answered, but she paused. They were honestly doing great on their own right now. She was incredibly pleased. And just in time too…

Kokichi perked a little, humming consideringly. He did enjoy orange juice, and while the champagne he’d had at Igloo was probably far more high end than he’d want to normally get, it wasn’t half bad, for alcohol. Mixing the two did sound intriguing…

And completely bereft of fire. Kokichi giggled softly as Maki and Shuuichi immediately shut down Kaito’s suggestion. 

But they’d figure it out. Drinks and...everything. 

Giving Maki a kind look, even if her own gaze was lowered, Kokichi waited a beat before speaking. “...as much as I think it could be fun to throw out suggestions? And that still might be something we could do together later, but… I think that is something you have to figure out and decide on yourself.”

Blushing lightly, Kokichi scratched his cheek and looked to the side sheepishly. “...this may be stereotypically secular, but...the meaning of life is what you make of it. What you choose your meaning to be. You can find meaning in causes, like you did with ending the program, but...for the stuff in between? That’s something you can discover within yourself.”

“...I know that’s not particularly inspiring, since I’ve been born into a role,” Kokichi sighed, “But I’ve found other meanings than being a leader, so I still believe in it. And...I don’t think there’s too much of a rush to find out either. You’ve done a lot...you can just rest for a while if that’s what you want, or everything else feels like too much.”

...which, considering that brittle feeling, might be what Maki needed, despite her usual drive to always be doing something.

Maki nodded at Kokichi, before saying, “I know that makes sense, but… I just wish I was better now-”

Kaito suddenly laughed. Realizing he had just cut her off, he said, “Sorry, sorry.”

“What?” Maki asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

“No, it’s just… you looked just like Tim for a second. Trust me, you’ll notice it soon enough for yourself, but that kid really wants to be tall, like, immediately. I’ve seen him bring it up twice now, and he does that same pinched forehead, swelling cheek thing you do when he talks about it. He is so upset he’s not grown to six feet in the last six months, for some reason.”

“He does do the chipmunk face when he talks about it, doesn’t he?” Shuich murmured, “Did he get that from Maki or???”

“He had to have.” Kaito grinned, “It’s so specific…”

Maki sighed, “I feel like you’re trying to make a point towards something, but I’m honestly not tracking it. Are you suggesting I need to wait like Tim does, or-”

“No, no, though that is a solid point. I just laughed cause you and Tim make the same puffy face when you’re frustrated and want something and I think its cute…” Kaito paused, before shrugging, “And, if I had to make a point about anything? I’d say… that when I got to Dicea, my whole purpose in life basically ended the second I got married, and I found out afterwards that even that didn’t matter to anyone beyond my dad getting his kick out of it, and… maybe it’s not much of a substitute for getting to be some big hero in a war, like I thought I was being, or like you actually were… I get a lot of purpose out of making sure he does his homework right and doesn’t let Cali talk him into doing shortcuts and… making sure Shuichi’s comfortable and Kokichi’s eating right and brushing his hair and… making sure that even when I’m mad at you, that you’re still doing alright…”

Kaito shrugged, “I don’t know. I guess I’m saying purpose has this way of just showing up, sometimes. I wouldn’t stress about ‘finding it’. Knowing you? You’ll have three new big, earth shattering purposes before you hit twenty-five. You’re just sorta suited for it, ya know?”

“...I suppose so.” Maki said, “...” before puffing out her cheeks and saying with a frustrated pinch in her forehead, “Still would prefer it now.”

Kokichi smiled and shook his head a little. Despite only knowing each other for a short while, Tim was so much his mother’s son. And while maybe not as earth-shattering as overthrowing a ruler and dismantling slavery in a country, being a mom was an important purpose too. Maki would certainly find other things, but raising her kid was something Kokichi hoped would stave off the great need to do at least a little. 

Giving Kaito a soft look--he really hadn’t been the most sympathetic to his husband’s upheaval of purpose, especially at the beginning--Kokichi offered Maki another kind smile. “...well, how do you feel about coming back to training soon? Kai-chan and I have done alright leading the group, I think, but it hasn’t always been the most consistent over the past few months. And I’m sure the kids will be excited to show off what they’ve learned.”

Again, it wasn’t a huge purpose...but Maki had been their teacher. And while there would have to be another break soon, for Miya and for Cali and Kimiko going to summer camp, it’d still mean the world for the kids. 

“...I do need to see about Kimiko… if she was capable of teaching herself how to do a handstand on shackles, that’s a tremendous amount of untapped potential for a free-climber. I knew young assassins who’d kill to have that sort of ability at nine… not that I would teach her to be an assassin.” Maki said, glancing suddenly at Dr. Mariah.

“I would imagine so. Alright… homework.” Dr. Mariah said, tapping her hands together, “Maki, for you… and just understand, when I assign homework, I can’t actually enforce it in any serious way. Its more just helpful practices I want you all to try between sessions… but I would never much like you to at least try speaking to an individual therapist. I know that’s a lot, and maybe not even my place to say, but… I feel like with an individual like yourself, trying a single-person therapist once will tell you whether or not you’d actually get any use out of it. If you try it and don’t feel like it helps, well, then maybe you’re not the type of individual therapists. You can tell us all about it at the next group therapy session.”

Maki raised an eyebrow, “Isn’t that implying I’m going to be at the next group thre-”

“Kokichi, Kaito?” Dr. Mariah quickly moved on, “This is, again… just advise. An exercise you don’t have to participate in, but I think could be valuable...I think you two should get out of the castle for a night or two.”

It was Shuichi who looked confused by this, “...why? Without me?”

“Shuichi, you prefer to not travel, and you’ve said that you have the easiest time talking to Maki out of anyone. And it won’t be terribly long before all four of you are essentially trapped together in a hostage situation where breaks are going to more difficult to coordinate. And judging by how this session went? The four of you are very, very close… but the occasional break away from each other might actually be good for you. Shuichi and Maki bonding and spending time comfortably at the castle, Kokichi and Kaito taking some time to get some space and some air. Shuichi, your homework is, again, largely just to relax.”

“That’s… a lot to ask, Dr. Mariah.” Kaito pointed out.

“It’s simply optional advice. Taking a break or getting space from each other shouldn’t be a catastrophic event where one of you is locking themselves in a room and crying. It’s okay to take a break from each other for non-miserable purposes, where you're just de-stressing and making certain you’re ready for the next heavy conversation with each other. Consider it easier practice for when you’ll desperately need those boundaries for the next…” Dr. Mariah glanced at her stop watch, “Five years. It’s easier when the child starts going to school to find time for things. A little.”

The kids were going to have many skills that they likely weren’t going to find a purpose for. But that wasn’t necessarily the reason to learn skills, and if they were put into a position where one came in handy, it was incredible. Sometimes it was just nice to learn cool things. 

Maybe that would be something Maki would try out finding her new purposes in life. She was already a highly capable person--if there was a new skill she wanted to learn, Kokichi had no doubt she’d put her all into it. And maybe that new skill would come in the form of trusting a stranger to help sort through her thoughts. Maybe.

Similarly to Shuuichi, Kokichi looked a little confused when Dr. Mariah recommended that just he and Kaito take a night or two out, though he was mildly amused by her phrasing of calling the birth of their daughter a hostage situation. And...well, it made sense to him that it might be nice to get a little time away to...decompress a little. Not constantly be in each other’s space, even if he really enjoyed it. It wouldn’t hurt to take the option before it wasn’t an option at all. 

...Kokichi had wanted to do something nice for Kaito. As a couple. 

Thinking it over for a few moments, Kokichi shrugged at his husband. “...guess we’ll start brainstorming what we wanna do?”

Kaito was… mildly concern about leaving their ‘about to burst’ boyfriend by himself, but…

Well, he wouldn’t be. Maki would be there. That… did make a little easier to not worry about him…

Kaito grinned, “We’ll talk about it. Even if we don’t stay overnight somewhere, a date between us could be nice… and then I’ll totally come home and just shower you with attention Shuichi-”

The detective rolled his eyes, “You can make it up to me with foot massages. Preemptive foot massages. I’d really like a massage tonight, getting here hasn’t gotten any easier for me, you know. We start and end every trip with stairs… ngh…”

“You all did very well today… I apologize if at any point I made it more difficult to talk rather than easier.” Dr. Mariah said, sighing a little, the earlier divine incident still fresh in her mind as she said, “My goal is to always do my best for the group during these sessions, but I can get caught up, sometimes. Any of you can always tell me when I’m being careless with your emotions, at any time. Do you all understand?”

Kokichi, for a moment, gave Dr. Mariah a...strange look. It...seemed like she was guilty, but...Kokichi couldn’t think of anything that she’d have to be guilty for. The lollipops hadn’t felt patronizing, at least to him, and her speaking up to get Kaito and Maki to stop arguing with each other hadn’t felt like crossing a line either. Really...she had helped them navigate something that…

...Kokichi didn’t fully think that they would...be torn apart completely. Kaito and Maki had already said they were both determined to make amends, though they didn’t know how to do it. And like they’d said now, they were both too invested in each other to leave. They had a kid together, for fuck’s sake, and Kokichi knew that a life without either Kaito or Maki in it would be a dimmer one, and he had a hunch that Shuuichi felt the same. 

But things could’ve been a lot worse. Maki and Kaito could’ve drawn this out a lot longer, or never fully resolved, or resolved in a way that one or both of them didn’t feel was right. Where one person just had to give in. (And...honestly, Kokichi felt like it would’ve been Kaito, and...his husband had already done that for so many people in his life. It was cruel for one of his deepest friendships to possibly have that on it too.)

But Dr. Mariah had guided them through, and now...there was a clearing and a path, and Kokichi was confident that even if they stumbled to the side, they’d find their way back. 

...so what was she guilty for?

Still giving the therapist a quizzical look, Kokichi smiled softly and nodded. “Of course. And thank you for your help today...and the refreshments. Is our time just about up?”

“It is.” Dr. Mariah said, not mentioning that ‘just about’ was actually ‘just about’ ten minutes ago. “And, if I could steal the tall one for another moment, Kaito, if you wouldn’t mind bringing all these things back to the kitchen with me? It’ll save me a second trip.”

“Of course! ...but first, quick goodbye pets for the fish! I think they miss me when I’m gone. Don’t you? Don’t you, yes you do, yes you do-”

-

They ended up getting more than just one thing at the liquor store. They managed to find a decently priced champagne bottle to, one day, try mimosas, and Kaito ended up springing for a bottle of nice whiskey for Maki. And, as he was looking around, mostly admiring the fancy bottles, Kokichi found something...intriguing. 

He knew ‘liquor’ and ‘liqueur’ were different things but not really how, but thanks to a very helpful information plaque and apparently someone else making a mistake, he scuttled back to the group with a bottle in hand and a gleam in his eyes. A creme-style mix of chocolate liquor...and not liqueur, so instead of actual alcohol, it was a thick, sweet, mix of pure, distilled chocolate. 

Something that Shuuichi could enjoy too!

After reassuring the shopkeep that he was indeed of age--and almost 21, thanks!--the four of them headed home, celebration awaiting them. 

Shuichi’s eyes practically sparkled at the chocolate bottle, while Kaito and Maki both looked physically repulsed at it, Kaito saying warily, “You guys know that’s meant to be a mixer, right? Not to be drunk strai- oh, whelp.” he sighed, watching his two men head to the counter with a defeated sigh, “...that’s going to be so hard to watch Shuichi drink. I can already feel my stomach turning.”

“If they like it they like it.” Maki shrugged, giving Kaito a small pat on the back, “Let your weirdo boyfriend drink straight mixer. Think of it like orange juice.”

“It is not the same thing Maki-roll, don’t reinforce their madness.”

“...Still Maki-roll, huh?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“...do you hate me, Kaito?”

“...I’m not that good of an actor, Maki. You and I wouldn’t be talking like this if I hated you.”

“Do you hate me sometimes?”

“...” Kaito gave Maki a wary, tired look, “...only ever briefly. Just… flashes of it. I seriously doubt it’s as often as you're imagining right now. And I don’t think it’s ever hating you. I just… hate some of the things you did.”

“I see…”

“Do you hate me?” Kaito asked, “Sometimes, I mean?”

“I hate the part of you that loves your family.” Maki admitted blankly. “I wish I could take your love for them and squeeze it in my hands until it bursts and dies and toss it in a shallow hole as a poor excuse for a grave. I hate your family, and everything they’ve done to us… but no. I’ve never hated you.” Maki said, watching Shuichi and Kokichi finished checking out, “It’d be self destructive. You’re more mine than you are theirs.”

“...yeah.” Kaito murmured, “That’s true… Maki, there’s still so much I need to talk to you about. We need to talk about Tim, and how we’re raising him… and I need you to swear some things to me, when it comes to Shuichi and Kokichi. I need assurances. I love you, but I still hate so much of what you did...it eats away at me.”

“...I think I have a few things I need you to swear towards too.” Maki admitted, sighing and running her fingers through her hair, “And… I should have expected I’d come back and you’d have more opinions about Tim. He listens to you, now, when we both say something. Did you notice?”

“Yeah… he’s a good kid.”

“... he seems happy.”

“God, I fucking hope so. I’m really trying.”

“...alright. We’ll talk about Tim. And the rest of it. But, for now, let’s go home and drink Kokichi under a table, and try not to lose our stomachs watching Shuichi drink straight chocolate syrup.” Maki smirked, glancing up at Kaito, “We have time to work it all out.”

Kaito grinned, “Yeah. We do.”

-

The chocolate liquor was very, very thick, so...the surface tension of a shot glass probably wasn’t the best thing to drink it from. But it was easy to lick at when, eventually, the chocolate dripped mostly into his mouth and Kokichi just didn’t want to leave a thick coating on the glass, and it was a great thing to slurp at when Kokichi couldn’t take the taste of whiskey lingering in his mouth for too long. 

Of course, this was all something he discovered within the first ten minutes of them lounging in their room and popping open the bottles. 

Licking his lips of chocolate, Kokichi hummed consideringly before he looked at Kaito. “...so...if we did take an afternoon to be out and about...where would you wanna go? There are plenty of museums in town, we could go on a shopping trip or schedule a tour with some of the bigger businesses...or head out to an orchard or vineyard or farm...or just kinda hang out. What kind of thing would you wanna do, Kai-chan?”

“Ummm, I’m not suuuuure.” Kaito mused, watching with amusement as, just as he had feared, Kokichi and Shuichi both started to drink the mixer straight… he thought briefly of telling Kokichi that you put the liqueur with the whiskey, rather then chasing the whiskey with a desperate licking of chocolate, but… eh. Kokichi seemed happy enough with his method. “...tours with bigger businesses? Have you done that before?”

Maki came in holding a bag, dropping it on the desk as she said, “Found it.”

“Eyyyy! The carriage stash!” Kaito cheered, getting up from the bed and peeking into the bag, laughing as he said, “Oh no, look at how much dirt is on these… we really didn’t keep these bottles clean.” he observed, pulling out a large, half full blue bottle and shuddering as he looked at it, “Oh no, the unicorn… god, I was obsessed with this for a little while. It’s so terrible.”

“You always swore you weren’t going to drink it, would get drunk, and then say you just wanted to pour it to see the ‘pretty, sparkly colors’.” Maki remembered, pulling out an old bag of snacks they had apparently left in the bag at one point and opening it up, “...hmmm. What do you think? Still good to eat?”

Kaito peeked in, “...those were definitely not white the last time we opened that.”

“I’ll toss it.” Maki agreed, putting it back in the bag, before saying, “Shuichi, I’ve got that fire brandy you enjoy.”

“I hate you, go die.” Shuichi said easily, dipping his finger into his shot of chocolate spooning it up. “I can’t believe you kept all that.”

“Why not? It’s still good… mostly.” Maki wrinkled her nose slightly, the wine bottle she was pulling out turning green at the cork, which hadn’t been placed back in right. Nope. No drinking that either.

“No,” Kokichi sighed, “But I know they happen, and I’ve heard people talk about them. Apparently the one for the glassworks in town is really cool--they mostly make, like, window panes, and glass for utility purposes like that, but I heard that when they have a tour group going through, someone will make some glass art during the tour. I’ve seen a few figurines in the art museum before--it’s super impressive!”

There was also a weavers’ collective and the city water treatment plant that he’d heard people talk about with interest, though...he had a feeling the latter wouldn’t be as interesting to Kaito. 

Leaning forward with interest as Maki brought something new in, Kokichi was puzzled for a few moments, his nose wrinkling a bit at the suspicious snacks headed for the garbage. However, these certainly weren’t provisions they’d taken to the coast, so a carriage stash could only mean…

Kokichi looked at his friends with surprise. “Is this your stash from the trip to Dicea? Like...a year ago?”

He eyed the wine bottle Maki placed to the side before shaking his head. “I mean...booze is supposed to age, so I guess it’s alright…” He snorted. “...I can barely believe it’s been almost a year.”

“It is.” Maki confirmed, before sighing, pulling out a strange looking baggy as she said, “Ah, damn… what do you think the odds are the root kept for a year?”

“Oh shit that’s right the root!” Kaito laughed, taking the small baggy from Maki and opening it up, “...prooooobably not. It’s like, an actual plant, right? And that coloring looks weird to me… ah, geez, what a waste. Toss it.”

Shuichi rolled his eyes “I entirely forgot you two packed that. You two are the most optimistic pessimists I’ve ever met. When did you think we’d have time for that?”

“Hey! If we had ended up in a dungeon or something, or, like… were just reaaaaally bored and bummed out? This shit would have saved our lives!” Kaito chuckled, tossing the baggy to Kokichi and saying, “We’re throwing it out because there’s no way its not gone bad, but check it out, babe! A bona-fide Luminary drug! Hollow roots! I’m pretty sure those don’t grow outside of Luminary-”

“You have no evidence that that’s true, you’re literally just talking out of your ass-” Shuichi observed.

“-but you can find them growing in our desserts. You cut it up, chew on it like gum or tobacco, and everything becomes fun and funny and-”

“It turns you into a giggling idiot. We brought it in case things sucked here and needed a pickmeup one night.” Maki shrugged, “As like a special ‘oh no Kaito married a dictator’ treat. The alcohol is just what we had leftover when we finally got here. We were planning to have our own little ‘ended the war’ celebration between the three of us after everything, but…” Maki shrugged. Kokichi knew why that never panned out. Too much happening too often, and then after awhile, it just felt like it was too late to do so.

There were only a few rum and vodka bottles that were still good after a year in Maki’s closet, and most of them were half empty and covered in firesoot and campground dirt, and they had just bought alcohol… but there was something about bringing out what had originally meant to be their ‘celebration’ stash for their first drink as a group together since… well, since their failed attempt at the beach. And before that…

“Wow, it’s really been a year.” Kaito said, shaking his head in bewilderment at Kokichi, as he poured himself a glass of the fire rum, coughing at the first sip-- fuck, fuck that shit burns he had forgotten-- but sitting down at the bed with him and Shuichi as Maki sat at the desk chair, still sipping at her whiskey, “Weird. I’d say it went by like nothing, but it’s felt like a damn decade… is there anything you’d really feel like doing Kokichi? We don’t go out that often, is there anything your hankering for? We can go look at glass stuff if thats something you’ve wanted to do before.”

Kokichi’s confusion returned with the ominously referred ‘the root’, looking at the baggy with no bit of recognition. Considering how Kaito and Maki were talking about it, it sounded like a drug or something similar, but…

“...you chew tobacco?”

It was just a confused murmur as Kokichi caught the baggy, looking over the odd plant inside that was, as he’d guessed, a drug. Something that made the world funny and light. Considering all the worst-case scenarios his loved ones had talked about with him, the root would’ve been a small reprieve for a night…

Kokichi sighed softly, giving Maki a small, sadly but acceptingly knowing smile as he handed the baggy back to be put in the ‘to toss’ pile. The wedding reception had been many people’s celebration for the end of the war, and Kokichi had a hunch there were plenty of people having more personal celebrations once their loved ones returned. But considering that they just kept having crisis after crisis...the four of them, and for that matter the three of his Luminaries, had never really gotten to celebrate. 

...Kokichi wanted to do something special for their anniversary. There’d no doubt be some sort of thing going on in town, remembering and respecting everyone who’d fought in the war, but...it was his wedding anniversary too. They could probably get away and have something special just for them. 

His nose wrinkling a little at his whiskey, quickly followed by the chocolate liquor, Kokichi shrugged a bit. “I mean...it’s something I think would be cool, but I don’t really wanna go out and do something that only I’m interested in, especially if this is sort of supposed to be a fun, relaxing time out before everything we do is scheduled around Miya. I’d wanna do something we both can get excited about.”

Kokichi licked a little at the rim of his chocolate-covered shot glass. “...we could go to the aquarium?”

Kaito laughed, sipped at his rum, winced at the unfamiliar burn again… before saying, “Oh shit, yeah? Aquariums are cool… have I ever actually been to an aquarium before?”

“I don’t know, have you?” Shuichi asked, pulling many, many pillows around himself and settling into them, once again back into nesting mode as he looked lazily at Kaito, “That one hallway at the university kind of counts.”

“That giant, wall long fish tank? That thing was awesome.” Kaito grinned, “Man, I really feel like I’ve been to an aquarium, I know I’ve definitely seen some cool fish, I just can’t remember when. Maybe I was young and just don’t remember the specific event.”

“Where’s this obsession with fish coming from? I feel like you’ve developed some weird hobbies since we got here.” Maki asked, sipping at her whiskey.

“I don’t think it’s an ‘obsession’, I don’t really know anything about them. I just think they’re nice to look at. Soothing, you know?” Kaito shrugged, watching Kokichi lick at his glass, “...babe, maybe try mixing those two things together a little? It might ruin the taste of the chocolate a little, but it might make the whiskey a bit better.”

“Want a glass of unicorn?” Maki asked, shaking the purple bottle, “It’s basically sugar and vodka and…” Maki narrowed her eyes at the bottle, “...sparkles? What is that sparkly stuff in here anyway? They didn’t actually just pour glitter in here, did they? I feel like that’s not edible.”

“Hasn’t killed me yet.” Kaito grinned, “I gave it plenty of chances too to!”

Honestly, Kokichi was...pretty surprised that Kaito had never been to a full aquarium, since his affinity for aquatic creatures was so high. But considering how much of Luminary was a desert...well, he’d never heard of there being any major water shortages, but supplying constant clean water for an aquarium might be a little much. As it was, the Usott aquarium was split about half and half between fish and aquatic mammals--which did need a lot of water anyway, but slightly less in comparison, since they had a bunch of “land” space too.

The aquarium seemed like a good option…

Frowning slightly, Kokichi considered his two glasses before sighing and starting to carefully pour the rest of his chocolate liquor in his whiskey glass, gently swirling it to...try and incorporate the syrupy liquid more. And as he raised his gaze to the bottle Maki was holding…

“...I mean, I know you can make glitter from seaweed…” He scoffed lightly. “...are you two trying to get me drunk tonight? And Kai-chan just said that it tasted horrible.”

...though Kaito had no palette for sweets, and if it was just sweet vodka…

Kokichi’s lips narrowed into a line that went through a series of waves before he sighed, giving a nod to the spare glasses they’d brought up. “Pour me a shot.”

“Kaito and I are drinking for fun for the first time in almost a year.” Maki said dryly, going to pour a shot glass for Kokichi-- the liquid came out a dark, swirling purple, that shimmered and shined with what indeed did look like some sort of silvery glittering substance-- before bringing it over to Kokichi, “And we like to drink. We’re just enjoying ourselves.”

“You can make glitter from seaweed?” Kaito marveled, eyes wide with actual wonder, as he said, “How do you even figure that out? Wow… is unicorn vodka seaweed??”

“Do you think it’d be fun to be a mermaid?” Shuichi brought up entirely randomly, still contently just sipping and fingering at his chocolate, though his mind was idly on Kokichi’s candy stash in his drawer. Mmmmm. “Swimming through the ocean with a big ol’ powerful tail, looking majestic?”

“I think fish have babies outside of themselves in little red eggs, so… I think you’d love it, Shuichi.” Maki smirked, “Just leave the fetus in its nest and go chill out.”

“Fish are living the dream.” Shuichi sighed.

“Being a mermaid would be terrifying. It is dark in the ocean, and there’s a bunch of giant, dangerous things in it.” Kaito frowned, shaking his head, “It could be fun if you’re feeling risky and want a little adventure, but living in it? I’d never sleep again.”

“Do fish sleep?”

“They can’t because it’s terrifying to.”

...which meant he was probably going to get drunk tonight. He was in no way going to try and pace himself with Kaito and Maki, but...well, offering him different kinds of drinks, which he’d then drink all of...it was what happened at Shooting Star, though thankfully these weren’t masked by delicious fruity mix-ins. Well, that was alright. This, too, could be a fun little hurrah before the baby came. 

Accepting the glass of unicorn, Kokichi held it up to eye-level, swirling it around and watching with a bit of glee how the swirls of glitter swirled even more in the glass, almost like rapid, tiny galaxies. Oh yeah, he could totally see why, visually, Kaito was enamored with this drink he didn’t even like. 

And taking a sip…

“Hhupbuh…” 

...it wasn’t horrible. But he wasn’t going to get another glass. 

Shaking his head, Kokichi tuned back into the conversation, laughing softly at Kaito’s horror. “I think if you were a mermaid, you’d be one of those, if not giant, then dangerous things.” Laughing a little more he remarked, “Oh, you know that magic creature guide the kids and I found? We managed to look at the pages about sirens--which was how the whole boob thing happened--and while I think in lore they’re different from mermaids, it did describe them as, like, feral and too dangerous to make contact with. If the ocean’s their home, I think mermaids would’ve adapted to fit right in.”

Both Kaito and Shuichi laughed at Kokichi sputtering, Shuichi saying, “Awful, isn’t it? It’s like if you mixed medical liquor and syrup, and then tried to make up for it by just dumping a bag of sugar inside.”

“Yeah, and if you drink too much of it, you get really, violently sick.” Kaito groaned, “It’s evil. Beautifully, beautifully evil.”

“You had the whole bottle, Kaito. You’d get violently sick drinking any bottle of vodka.” Maki scowled.

“So pretty. Feel like damn royalty when I drink that stuff.”

“...you are royalt-”

“Nah, like… fairy royalty. Or siren royalty. Something cool and mystical and regal. You just gotta ignore the taste and it fits the fantasy perfectly.” Kaito grinned, before giving Kokichi a considering look, “...babe, I know you’re literally the worst person to ask… but was she hot?”

Shuichi rolled his eyes, “Kaito.”

“What?? This book sounds cool, if its got pictures of hot lady sirens in there. Sort of thing I’d like to check out!”

Kokichi nodded miserably along with Shuuichi’s description of the drink, it horribly spot on. Even for a sweets lover, the taste of the alcohol made the sugar cloying and almost bitter and...well, kinda like antiseptic. Not like he’d throw it up, it still was genuinely sweet enough that he could get it down, but...not a drink anyone should get other than for aesthetics. 

Giving Kaito a dry look, Kokichi sighed as he rolled his eyes and shrugged. “I mean...she wasn’t horrifying to look at, I guess? It’s just a drawing of a fish lady that someone put all of their effort into drawing the boobs.”

“And I’ve been trying to find a reproduction,” he sighed again. “Apparently it’s not so much of a common one, especially with anyone putting in the flair for the binding that the original had. Still, I’d take a regular version if I could find one. I might just have to hog the copy we have in the library proper for a while so I can read everything.”

Trying to take slightly larger drinks of the unicorn just to finish it off, Kokichi shrugged a little. “I kinda get it, though… It’s a lot harder to make reproductions with illustrations in them, and it’s just a niche tone that I can’t imagine too many people are clamoring for a book like it. Still…”

...Kokichi paused for a moment, something kind of...pinging in his head. “...there was a really cool illustration of a dragon in it. And a legend about, apparently, the last dragon in the world, which made its home in what’s Luminary today. It was kinda cool to find something like that.”

There was a brief flash of… something. In Maki.

She frowned at it, not sure what it was… before mentally dismissing it as she sipped at her whiskey, “Oh yeah? Sounds interesting. Never heard that one before.”

“Same. A Luminary dragon… maybe it’s an outsider myth about Luminary? Could be someone trying to explain the heat there.” Shuichi offered, adjusting his hat as he conceded, “Not that all dragon mythology is specifically fire based, but the most popular versions on this side of the world usually are.”

“Do you know a lot about dragon lore, Shuichi?” Kaito asked, finding the idea of it being the ‘last’ dragon kind of romantic. Made for a more epic of a story. The Last Dragon. Very cool. “Doesn’t sound like the sort of thing that’d come up in a case.”

“I had hobbies outside of my career.” Shuichi pouted, looking a little offended… though then he added, “Though, some lord was hiding this elaborate laboratory in his study that me and Miss Kirigiri needed to enter to follow the last thread for some missing persons we had, and it had this dumb, finicky wall puzzle keeping the hidden door closed that required really niche information about dragon lore. Would have been tough, had this moron not also kept all of his books on dragon lore in the study. He even highlighted the answers, probably from when he was first coming up with the puzzle. It was a little ridiculous.”

“Oh yeaaaaah, I remember you telling us about that… ah, geez, this was the guy doing that thing with twins, right?”

“Mmhm.”

“Creep. Maki, were you sent after that guy?”

“No. They decided to take him alive, pick at his brain for the research. As far as I’m aware, he’s still living in the castle dungeons.” Maki shrugged. “Not comfortably, but alive.”

“Good riddance to garbage.” Kaito muttered… before suddenly lifting his glass and saying, “Speaking of! It’s about damn time we toasted this: to the death of the Indentured Program!”

Shuichi and Maki automatically both raised their glasses, echoing, “To the death of the indentured program,” before drinking, or attempting to, in Shuichi’s case, deeply from their glasses, Kaito doing so as well. Maki and Kaito finished theirs, and Shuichi eventually gave up, shrugging and licking the glass a bit, as Kaito continued, “A program that’s been in circulation for almost a hundred years! Has ruined countless lives, was run by the insurmountably powerful, and was about to become a beast like the worlds never seen before… and Maki fucking killed it at twenty-three! To Maki! The… ah, I don’t want to use your old titles. They were made with bad taste, and you are way past what you were when you got them. You’re way fucking scarier than a reaper, you’re… mmm…”

“To Maki.” Shuichi smiled, “The Last Dragon of Luminary.”

“I don’t know so much about the heat, but it did associate the dragon with fire. Said she battled to the last to protect the people of her home from a hostile magic species, even leveling mountains and turning it into a desert. I kinda thought at the time that it was a sort of creation myth about Luminary’s deserts, rather than just its temperature.”

Kokichi kept sipping from his unicorn as Shuuichi told the fascinating story of where he’d gotten his work-related dragon knowledge, and...as gruesome as why he’d been there, having a secret door locked with specific trivia sounded incredible. It’d be kind of a hassle in everyday life, but having secret passageways and hidden doors was super cool!

...though to be fair, there were a few of those in the Dicean castle, and it just happened that, other than the secret passageways between the wings, no one really used any of the other hidden areas. 

It took Kokichi a moment, unused to the custom, but he raised his chocolatey whiskey glass along with his friends, echoing the toast, though he sipped more conservatively from it. Not half bad, honestly…

..nor was Shuuichi’s new nickname for Maki. The last dragon of Luminary...it fit. 

Kokichi grinned, giving another little gesture with his glass. “To Maki-chan. Powerful with an indomitable will that would go to any length to protect their own...I’d say that’s an epithet that works.”

“To Mak-chan.” Kaito and Shuichi dutifully echoed, though Maki, being the subject of the toast, just smiled softly before also drinking deeply from her own cup again, Kaito needing to refill his quickly in order to toast again.

“...so,” Shuichi said, looking at Maki curiously, “What was it like? Taking Luminary hostage? I… honestly can’t even imagine having that sort of power in my hands.”

“Awful.” Maki said immediately, pouring herself another drink and sitting back in the chair, sighing, “Maybe the worst feeling of my life. I felt like my skin was on fire, to the point where I was convinced that if I touched my hair, it’d actually, literally start falling out. I could feel myself aging. Actually feel it. Every nerve in my body was alight for days. It never let up, even a little bit. I was terrified.”

Kaito blinked at that, “...really?”

“Mmhm.” Maki said simply, eyes calm but far away, “The fear just never stopped, not until the negotiations were done, and even a bit after that, I really only started to calm down when we turned over the farms… I wouldn’t recommend it. It didn’t feel great.”

“Sure, but… with what you did with it-”

“What did I feel when we won?” Maki asked, glancing at Kaito, “When Kaede agreed to dismantle the indentured program? When word came in that it was starting?”

“Yeah.” Kaito said, “That had to have been… I mean, that was huge. You must have felt…”

“I haven't actually felt anything yet.” Maki confessed, shrugging, “Trust me, I was waiting for that feeling too. Of accomplishment, euphoria… even just to feel smug or relieved. Nothing yet. I’m still just… stressed.”

…

One of the things that came with Shuuichi and Kaito settling their feelings (at least more) with Maki meant...they could all talk about the war now. As a group, Shuuichi and Kaito being able to catch things Kokichi would just have no context for, even with how much he wanted to be a listening ear. 

This was another big step for them. 

Bringing his leg up to rest his head on his knee, Kokichi...wasn’t wholly surprised to hear that having so much power over Luminary wasn’t exactly thrilling. He nodded slightly, listening to Maki’s description of her stress and fear. Knowing that people’s lives were in your hands...at least in his own experience, it was always scary. Pushing you to do your best in the best cases, and hanging a heavy shadow of fear and failure over you in the worst. 

He nodded again, not...entirely surprised that Maki wasn’t feeling satisfied yet either. “It might come slowly, as we get more news about how the orphanages are doing, or how people who were in the program are adjusting to citizen life. When you can more easily see the impact you had on individuals' lives.”

Kokichi shrugged gently. “You pulled the knife out, but there’s still the whole process of healing to go through. The end of the program is such a huge accomplishment...it might just take time to absorb the whole of it.”

“It will be nice to hear about the orphanages getting their shit together. I have some eyes keeping tabs on that…” Maki narrowed her eyes as she said, “Kaede better not test me. She better make good on all of her promises.”

Kaito frowned… before taking a deep drink. “I’m sure she will.” he murmured, refilling his cup, before saying, “You know what we should do again soon? We should see another play. I don’t know what brought it to mind, but damn Hina and Sakura’s play was fun to watch.”

“Should be another month before they’re back, right?A little more than that?” Shuichi recalled, “Hina, Sakura, Yuta and all the rest that went… I wonder if some of them will stay in Luminary now that its safe for them to do so? Or, well, safer, anyway.”

“I doubt it. They all have lives here in in Dicea, that are just on hold right now. Not abandoned.” Maki said, swirling her drink in her cup for a bit, “I owe them a debt that probably can’t be repaid. They risked everything, following me back to Luminary. I’m honestly shocked Byakuya didn’t execute any of them. I have literally no idea what held him back. I was expecting them to be used as hostages, but he never brought them up.”

“Don’t make a threat you can’t follow through on.” Kaito quoted, scratching his goatee idly, “Bluffs are only as good as your reputation, and can ruin you if handled wrong… I’m gonna guess Byakuya just knew he couldn’t do it. Couldn’t guess why though. Public pressure?”

“It’d be nice, going to see another play… Or any sort of performance, really. It feels like it’s been years since I snuck into the back of the theater to watch practice or a mid-week performance.” And once Miya was around...it would probably be a while since they saw anything but children’s theater productions. Long plays and concerts certainly wouldn’t stimulate or entertain the attention of a toddler, and the dark and loud noises would startle an infant terribly. Hopefully there would be something she’d enjoy when she got a little older, though. 

Kokichi set his now empty unicorn glass to the side, sparkles littering the glass, as he sat back a bit with cheeks starting to rosy up. All the “exchange students”... He’d been so worried about them, and proud of them too…

...and while it had always been a possibility… Kokichi looked...tired, as his friends questioned Byakuya’s motivations. “It might’ve been a poorly thought out bribe, but...the actual exchange and paperwork was all official and above board. If Byakuya had executed Dicean citizens who were promised an educational visa in Luminary, that would be a breach of the peace treaty, and would be considered an act of hostility against Dicea, thus nullifying all other agreements.”

Kokichi sent that tired gaze to Maki, a slightly strained little smile on his face. “It’s the same reason why, even if we found volunteers, we couldn’t officially send anyone to help out in the revolution. It’d be an act of war.”

“Ha, that’ll do it.” Kaito grinned, looking at Kokichi with something like admiration, regardless of how much his husband had to do with it. Still sounded like some king shit to him as he said, “Byakuya couldn’t even consider going to war with Dicea again in the middle of a civil war. The exchange students were basically arrow-proof, by that point.”

Maki sighed, “Wish I had known that. Would have slept a little easier. Somehow, it is reassuring to know that even after the fact though.”

And she waved her hand dismissively at Kokichi’s somewhat tense explanation, “Adding a bunch of Diceans would have just made things more complicated. Re-sparking the war would have maybe brought us more soldiers and maybe distracted Byakuya, but knowing everything I know about both Dicea and Luminary? We would not have been cohesive. Beside just our difference in cultures, Luminaries aren’t as… forgiving, as Diceans. Mixing our troops with yours is begging for behavioral issues and countless, stupid ‘vengeance’ fights. More of a headache than its worth.”

“Even just getting the supply lines from you all looked like it was pulling teeth.” Maki recalled, ignoring Shuichi and Kaito’s startled looks, “Makoto’s one of the agreeable, doormat personalities you’ll ever come across, and every time he got a letter from either Aiichi or the Kuzuryo family, he looked like he wanted to pull his hair out. And that was literally just managing supply crates with you all. Imagine managing people...”

Well, that was true. It had been something of a miracle Hina had been able to talk to other immigrants in the area and have them agree to be hostages, if protected ones, but finding more people? Who would be willing to fight alongside Luminaries, even if for a good cause? There were plenty of people who would argue that war was never a good cause, and right after they’d just been fighting for fifteen years just to keep their country…

It was impossible in a lot of ways. 

...but apparently Dicea had still been able to help in others. 

Kokichi looked shocked along with Kaito and Shuuichi, though his tapered off quickly as he groaned and flopped his head into a hand for a moment. “Oh my goooood… I knew about the lines during the war, but...for fuck’s sake, Aiichi…”

No wonder his dad had been so cagey and at ease when they talked about the revolution. Sneaky bastard. 

With a breath, Kokichi sat back up and smoothed his hair back, taking a large gulp of his drink. “Fuck… I wonder what’s gonna happen to all that now. I imagine it’d be harder to set up an underground supply chain now when some of the people in charge had facilitated a previous version of it.”

“I mean…” Kokichi started, a ramble imminent on his lips as his brow started to furrow, his eyes focusing on nothing in particular as he was wont to do when he got into ‘business mode’. “Of course the hope is that the government can appropriately and fairly distribute goods and resources among all people, so...acting in good faith, I wonder if those lines are just...gonna be regulated by international trade agreements. I know we’ve been working on adjusting the agreements for food supply, ‘cause of the famine and everything, but so far Kaede hasn’t requested to reevaluate any other agreements… Damn, dad’s just made a few extra months of work, I bet…”

Shuichi blinked at that, “...food rations during the war, huh? Huh… that explains some things. Or, at least, adds new context to conversations I’ve listened in on at the castle. That’s… huh.”

“...Dicea was feeding us during the war, huh?” Kaito asked blankly, grabbing the whiskey bottle this time and pouring it into his cup, filling it quite a bit, before swigging it back, placing the glass back down with a small thud… before saying, “I should probably drink a few cups of water before my next glass.”

“Probably,” Maki sipped, “You haven't drank like this in a while, right? That’s the impression you’ve given me. Your tolerance is probably way down.”

“I have drank since you’ve been gone, but it was like a… depression bender thing. So far the opposite end of just normal drinking that it still probably doesn’t count towards me keeping my tolerance… Waku helped me through it. Saved me from some loser… were Waku and I starting to be friends before you left Maki?”

“We’re talking the squirmy service girl that literally ran away from you several times in terror?” Maki asked, looking deeply amused, “No, I don’t think so. You’re friends now?”

“Yeah, she’s really cool. I think you two would probably get along. She reminds me a lot of you, sometimes… ugh, let me go splash water on my face and fill my glass.” Kaito said, getting up and heading to the bathroom, muttering to himself, “...course… obviously…”

Kokichi nodded a little, starting to get to the point he was feeling warm inside and out. Not even really buzzed, but aware that there was alcohol in his body. “Before the war, our major export to Luminary was food crops. Considering in the early days of it we were blocking trade routes from other places into Luminary...I don’t really know the decision, actually. Just that at some point, we got in contact with the underground in Luminary--the Kuzuryuu Clan, I know now--to give out food rations that wouldn’t be distributed by the Luminary government.”

...meaning, not going to the elites first. But considering that Kaito wasn’t exactly...enthused by the news, Kokichi elected not to say that straight out.

Watching Kaito head to the bathroom with not a small amount of concern, Kokichi sighed and gave Maki a smile. “Kai-chan and Waku-chan apparently hang out in a dive bar sometimes. I’m not so sure I see it, but he’s said she has a bit of an edgy side.”

“To the point he gave her a strip club coupon,” Kokichi rolled his eyes.

“Hey! She used that coupon!” Kaito called defensively within the bathroom, splashing some water on his face before catching himself in the mirror… his eyes narrowing for a second… before huffing to himself, looking away from the image and starting to fill his glass, “Apparently, she and Denji had a great time! Which means I guessed right!”

Sending one last passing glare at the reflection, Kaito headed out, relaxing a little as he head to the bed, laying down his head on Shuichi’s lap and balancing his glass of water on his chest as he put his free arm around Shuichi’s waist. The golden eyed boy gave Kaito an amused look, “Just suddenly making yourself comfortable?”

“I wanna hang out with Miyako.” Kaito insisted, placing a small kiss on the side of Shuichi’s belly, cooing into it, “H~eeeeeey, Miya. Dad’s come to visit again! Did you miss me, baby? Are you being a good girl for dada?”

“You know, I was thinking about getting myself candy, and now I can’t move.” Shuichi pouted.

“You are literally eating chocolate mixer straight, do you need candy?”

“Do you need rum and whiskey?”

“...Kokichiiiii could you get our boyfriend some of your candy?”

Kokichi just snorted a snicker at that. Apparently Denji had gotten a cold the day after they went out, and while Kokichi had gone to check up on his big sibling, Denji had just griped at him to let them sleep. Maybe because Kokichi had been trying to pry at if they’d enjoyed themselves at the club, but that was just a little detail. 

Rolling his eyes a bit, Kokichi set his glass down and hopped out of bed, going over to his desk for his stash. “Whatcha in the mood for, Shuu-chan? More chocolate, or something more fruity to diversify?”

...and while it wasn’t exactly diversifying himself…

Kokichi glanced over to Maki. “Do you want anything? ...aaaaand can I have some more whiskey?” The chocolate-whiskey combo was starting to grow on him, who would’ve thought. 

“Diversify, please. Anything sounds good at the moment.” Shuichi said, idly petting Kaito’s hair, who was still whispering to the baby, telling her how amazing she was and how excited everyone was to meet her and how she was going to knock those other babies out of the cute baby competition, yes you are, my little princess, can you hear me Miya? Dad looooves you. 

“How can you two still want sugar after having to suck on those lollipops all afternoon?” Maki more accused than asked, though she wordlessly started to pour and mix Kokichi’s drink, “There’s insatiable and then there’s just being weird.”

“You and Kaito had to suck on lollipops. Kokichi and I got to enjoy lollipops. Key difference.” Shuichi explained, glancing down as Kaito began to hum. “You’re getting tipsy.”

“Am not. I don’t even feel it yet.” Kaito said happily, petting Shuchi’s belly, “Miiiiyaaaako. Do you think I can teach her her name before she gets here? Miyako~”

“He’s had three glasses in not even twenty minutes. He’s gonna shoot right past tipsy t this rate.” Maki observed, “Drink your water, Kaito.”

“In a second, in a second. Miyakooooo. Dad loves youuuu.”

Nodding, Kokichi searched around his stash, finding some strawberry-flavored gummies in the shape of fish. He made a stop by Maki with a chirping, “Thanks, Maki-chan!!” before delivering his boyfriend’s goods. “I could eat sugar for every meal of the day. I did, sometimes, before someone made me stop,” Kokichi playfully griped, nudging Kaito’s arm gently. 

“And get ready, Shuu-chan. Once I start getting tipsy, you’re really not gonna be able to move. All I want when I’m drunk is someone to snuggle,” Kokichi nodded, matter of fact. And that was something his family knew well, as Kokichi had said it every other occasion they’d had drinks, which wasn’t incredibly often, but often enough that patterns could be seen. 

As it was, Kokichi settled down on some of the pillows Shuuichi had made into his nest as he sipped at his chocolatey whiskey. 

“...I’m absolutely telling her about Kai-chan doing this when she’s older,” Kokichi smirked. “If I find the right phrasing, I think I could embarrass all three of you.”

There was a sudden sadness rushing through Kaito, for a moment, at Kokich’s joke. Not because there was anything bad in it, just because it made Kaito think of something else… but he kissed the side of Shuichi’s stomach again and laughed, “Ha. Jokes on you babe. Miyako’s gonna be able to remember dad pulling this crud all on her own, cause I’m still gonna be cooing at her by the time she’s Tim’s age. If I can hug that little assassin-wannabee in front of his school, I can definitely keep up the ‘embarrassing, fussy’ dad act for Miya.”

“You hug Tim?” Maki asked, a little surprised.

“Yeah. He claims not to like it all that much, but I think he does a little. Plus, it’s revenge for him randomly getting on top of my feet and insisting I walk around places. If he can do that, I can hug him, dammit.”

“I think I’ll still be able to move even with you cuddling me, Kokichi. You’re pretty light, I’ll just take you with me when I inevitably desperately have to pee.” Shuchi mused, happily eating his strawberry gummys.

“One, no, no picking up heavy things while you’re pregnant. Kokichi counts. Two, maaaaybe don’t bring Kokichi to watch you pee. That’s a little weird for me. Me and Maki will be here just staring at each other, judging our taste in friends.”

Kokichi huffed an amused laugh. That was true enough. Among every possibility in the future, Miyako was not going to grow up thinking she was unloved. Kaito was almost embarrassing with his level of doting, and Kokichi certainly had his moments on that level too. But they all knew what it felt like to desperately want affection and approval from a parental figure, and none of them wanted that for their daughter. Even in Shuuichi’s more subdued moments, she would know. 

Just like Tim knew, even if it had been a difficult, confusing journey to get there. Kokichi could remember that conversation with his nephew, the light and hope and vulnerability in his eyes as Kokichi reassured that they wanted him. That he was loved. And with Kaito becoming more of a dad every day in the past few months, Tim wouldn’t have reason to doubt it again. 

Humming happily, Kokichi leaned in to nuzzle his head against Shuuichi’s shoulder before sticking his tongue out at Kaito. “I would never make Shuu-chan carry me! He’s still exempt from Prince Carrying. Buuuut I will barnacle as much as I can, and it’ll be up to Kai-chan to make himself more appealing as a cuddle buddy so I don’t up and follow Shuu-chan to the bathroom anyway. I’ll go where the snuggles are.”

After a moment of thought, Kokichi gave a considering nod Maki’s way. “I only didn’t include you ‘cause you’re sitting all the way over there and distance is a polarizing factor in the snuggle-quotient. And you’re sitting in a one person chair, an’ I don’t think you’d be as comfy with me in your lap.”

Maki smirked, eyes fond with amusement. “You’re not wrong. Also, I’m not tired, and leeching onto someone’s body heat is more of a ‘going to sleep’ sort of thing. That or comforting.”

“She is not kidding.” Kaito snickered, placing the tips of his fingers under Shuichi’s shirt and gently grazing his skin. “When Maki and I were together-”

“Kaito-” Shuichi cautioned.

“No, no, I mean… okay yes, it was gonna be sorta a sexy story-”

“Kaito’s probably going to talk about the fact that I always got up and went to do other things when we were finished.” Maki shrugged, sipping at her whiskey, “He’d want to lay there and hold me, but, unless we were going to sleep afterwards? I have other things to do and sitting in the glow is overrated. Just take it with you.”

“We were never going to last.” Kaito pouted, smushing his face into Shuichi’s lap a little, “She left me heartbroken so many times.”

Kokichi snorted a bit, finding that...very Maki. Cuddling after sex was far too much of an indulgence and completely not the kind Maki tended to opt for when she did want to treat herself. 

Shaking his head and taking another sip, Kokichi playfully sighed. “I don’t know how you’d do it. I want nothing more than to cuddle after--mostly ‘cause I can’t keep my eyes open at all. I would temper it with just the fact that it’s late, but no. No matter what, I’m snoozin’.”

Perhaps, if she were privy, this conversation would make Dr. Mariah lean forward in intrigue. Not because they were talking about sex, really, but because Kokichi was casually and easily talking about sex with someone other than his partners. Another point into her relationship theory. 

“But sharin’ body heat is nice...pretty much any time? Except summer, I guess. But maybe that’s just ‘cause I’m cold all the time.” There was a pause before Kokichi pouted, looking plaintively up at Shuuichi. “...Kai-chan said I have weird, cold little hands.”

“Your hands aren’t weird...but they are freezing.” Shuichi said, taking Kokichi’s hand and kissing at his knuckles. “Freezing little hands.”

“I think it's kinda cute how sleepy you get every time, Kokichi.” Kaito hummed, closing his eyes, “My sleepy ‘Kichi… it dooooes limit our windows of opportunity though-”

“Kaito, you still haven't drunk that water.” Maki reminded him. “Getting drunk is only fun after you’ve been drinking sober for awhile.”

“Truuuuuue.” Kaito sighed, shifting up to sit up, starting to drink the water before sighing again, “Actually being drunk is the worst part of drinking. That sweet spot where you’re not quite tipsy and you’re not quite drunk… that always the goal.”

“And entirely unobtainable.” Shuichi rolled his eyes, “I’m just thrilled you’re not gonna end up running around a pub tonight, trying to find someone not entirely awful to go home with.”

“You make me sound so obnoxious. It wasn’t that bad.” Kaito huffed, “And I played wingman just as often as I went hunting! Maki, I helped land you plenty of good nights-”

“-pointing out someone and saying ‘I think that’s your type’ doesn’t count.” Maki said dryly.

“They were your type! I was like an eagle among a field of rabbits, finding the… Maki’s, what a kind of animal you like?”

“Birds.” Maki said simply.

“Ugh. Fine, I was an eagle searching a field of bunnies for the perfect, like… other eagles and hawks for you to munch on! I was best wingman!”

Kokichi smiled, pleased with Shuuichi’s kiss and his affirmation that, while very much small and cold, his hands were not weird. And sometimes small and cold was a big benefit! Like when Shuuichi was achy and overheated--Kokichi could give him the best massages! 

...not actually the best in technique, since Kaito was still king there, but Kokichi had the biological advantage in that specific circumstance. 

Scooting to cuddle more up to Kaito’s side as he sat up, Kokichi nodded. “I haven’t seen it, but I believe it. You were puttin’ in a good effort trying to find Am-chan someone to hook up with at the club. Unfortunately, all the tall hot guys are married to short hot guys. It’s a trend.”

“...but I’m glad you’re not goin’ out ta eye people either,” Kokichi lightly huffed, nuzzling his face into Kaito’s arm. “You’re ours.”

...Kaito notably lit up, grinning wide as a not entirely alcohol based flush came to his cheeks and ears. Putting his arm around Kokichi, he hugged him to his side, kissing at his cheek as he said, “Hell yeah I am.”

Kaito kept going back and forth between snatching kisses from Kokichi and finishing his water, before saying loudly, “More rum, and then I think it’s time to swish around a little unicorn! For the aesthetic!”

Maki was easily pacing herself, happy to sip at drinks that she genuinely just… liked. Though, even she wasn’t immune to the affects of alcohol, some of the flush coming to her cheeks, her body warming up as her thoughts became a little… looser.

“...one issue not drinking in public though? I can’t find some idiot to draw into a vicious debate about something.”

“Not it.” Shuichi sighed. “I’m not drunk enough to deal with a drunk, argumentative Maki.”

“You’re not drunk at all, handsome. There’s definitely no alcohol in that, right?” Kaito asked, suddenly glaring suspiciously at the chocolate mixer. “Miyako can’t get drunk for the next twenty-one years.”

“Kaito, didn’t you start drinking at fourteen?”

“And that was a mistake. Twenty years.”

Kokichi giggled, preening at Kaito’s affection, and the predictable turn to pouring more unicorn. He definitely wouldn’t be drinking it this time, though. 

Looking over at Maki from Kaito’s arms, Kokichi offered her a grin. “I mean, it’s still not now, but I think most people you’d pass on the street would be up for having a heated debate over stuff if they had time. You wouldn’t believe how many arguments over food opinions I’ve heard while hanging out in the market.”

People were just opinionated, and loud and proud about those opinions. If someone called someone else out, loud debates going over each other was...kind of normal to hear in day to day life. 

Thrusting his arm out around Kaito to gently rub at Shuuichi’s belly a bit, Kokichi nodded emphatically. “There’s none! The big sign on the shelf said there’d been a mix-up, and instead of chocolate liqueur, they made a mix of chocolate liquor. So it’s just chocolate! And I made sure to ask the owner if it was true and there really wasn’t any alcohol in it. There’s not, but because it was still packaged in a distillery they can’t sell it at a food market, an’ they’ve been trying to get rid of the bottles…”

“...nnnm, Miya’s prolly gonna find a way around us if she wants to,” Kokichi hummed. “I did. I’d still advocate for her waitin’ until she’s of age, but it’s important to teach her about how to take care of herself around alcohol just in case. Better than her experimenting willy-nilly.”

“She’ll make mistakes. She will, in fact, make mistakes that she will spend years thinking we never knew about, because as good parents, we should allow her some privacy to both make and deal with her mistakes herself… and then mock her a decade later because she ever had the audacity to think she could keep a secret from her detective father.” Shuichi sighed, “Worked for me.”

“No it didn’t! You got pulled into a treason plan and befriended an incredibly dangerous  person who was almost completely impossible to keep accountable known for their rage issues.” Kaito argued, eyes widening as he gave Shuichi an earnestly worried look, “And if Kokichi had wanted to become an alcoholic, no one would have stopped him cause no one stopped any of his self-destructive habits! We just need to tell her some hard no’s and be really involved and strict about it. Like Maki’s mentor was!”

Maki raised an eyebrow, “You want to base your parenting style on me? Are you insane?”

“You’re emotionally healthy and extremely capable and self reliant!”

“In comparison to who? Kaito, I’m a mess, you should know that better than anyone.” Maki scoffed, running a hand through her hair as she said, “Kokichi’s the most emotionally stable of all of us-- don’t interrupt me Shuichi, you keep all your crazy under a tight little lid that’s already exploded several times and will explode again. If you’re gonna base parenting style on anything, it should be based on how he was raised.”

“He wasn’t raised! He just grew up here! Kokichi’s amazing all on his own, despite literally everyone involved.”

Kokichi pretty much agreed with Shuuichi and...well, some of that freedom he felt okay about because...Dicea was safer than Luminary, or at least the Luminary his family had grown up in. The kinds of mistakes Kokichi was expecting were things like trying alcohol as a teenager, or getting into a relationship that wouldn’t last, or sneaking out to a teen’s club. 

But maybe that was being a little narrow-minded… And he did want to be more involved in her life. Just not...stifling it. Not making Miyako feel like she had to go around their backs, like she had an option to really be heard out about even dumb ideas. Like she had a truly supportive system around her that respected how she wanted to live her life. 

...and honestly, Kokichi was going to disagree with Maki too, but…

Kokichi shut his mouth, giving Kaito a hurt look. “...I don’t want Miya to grow up in any way like I did...but there were a lot of good people around me. Who looked after me and raised me, even if they weren’t as involved as they should’ve been. I didn’t just...spring up like this…”

Kaito bit the inside of his lip, “...well, fine. How were you raised then? Cause like… Shuichi’s mentor just got him to do whatever she wanted by playing ego mind games with him his whole life-”

“She was the master of the long pause and the judging look… she’d pause and look at me and I’d go mentally through every single thing I did that day, trying to guess what I did wrong, and then in a well of guilt just hypercorrecting everything for the next week.” Shuichi sighed, “Looking back at it? She probably was just generally trying to make me feel guilty in general, rather then knowing about any specific mistakes.”

“-And Maki for a really long time wasn’t allowed to differ from her mentors schedules and rules at all, to the point I had to go to her mentor to ask for special permission to let her eat snacks with me when we hung out because it wasn’t part of her ‘warrior diet’-”

“-keeping up a thin, pretty, unintimidating form while still feeling dense with muscle requires extremely careful dieting.” Maki sighed, “I knew what I was eating on random afternoons a year in advance, because it was written down.”

“-And I was drinking at fourteen because I literally had no rules in my life and no overhead supervision the second Byakuya told Tengan to back off… except for my brother himself, who liked to try to correct me by just telling me to shut up and insulting me a lot.. For like a really long time… like, so much browbeating. No wonder I started drinking at fourteen.” Kaito realized, a lot of choices he made at that age suddenly making more sense now that Byakuya wasn’t literally ‘Atua’ in Kaito’s head. “...anyway! I’m just saying, like… we could really use some good examples. Who can you point us too?”

...well that was incredibly manipulative, but Kokichi couldn’t say he’d never use it. Kids got into a lot of trouble, and you couldn’t always rely on openness and goodwill, even if that was what you were trying to teach. 

But Maki’s rigid upbringing, and Kaito’s...well, everything...just no. 

Sighing, Kokichi started off strong. “My dad. While he was around, I think he was an excellent parent. There’s a reason I consider him my dad, and kept missing him the entire time he was gone.”

Kokichi’s gaze went soft. “...I can’t imagine how hard it was, trying to raise a kid like me. But...despite how I started thinking in later years, Ikuo never made me feel like I was...wrong, as, like, a person. I was just different...and differences are what make people wonderful. He always paid attention to what I was interested in, even if it was a short phase, and...he would ask me questions. Letting me just talk on and on about stuff he probably knew. We’d draw together a lot, and whenever I’d get frustrated from being in bed so long, he always tried to introduce new activities to me that I could still do. And when I’d go outside to play, or even around the castle, he played with me.”

“As for discipline…” Kokichi snorted, getting a little lost in the memories, “If I had hurt or bothered someone else, he’d bring me to ‘em to apologize...and he made sure I knew exactly what I was apologizing for. So I wasn’t just going through the motions, or regretting getting caught… I had to face what I’d actually done to people. And if it was just me doing something dangerous for myself…” Kokichi went quiet for a moment, realizing that...that part was something he’d really forgotten in the ensuing years. “...I mean...he explained that I could get hurt, but...he’d tell me how much I’d scared him. Because if you hurt yourself, then it’s also hurting all the people who care about you…”

...he wanted to go give Ikuo a hug…

“Ikou does seem to be a pretty positive example of a caretaker,” Maki mused, resting against the armchair as she swirled her whiskey slightly, “I know Shuichi has some ‘opinions’-”

Shuichi frowned, “Why call me out? I’ve done nothing to you, and yet, you just threw me under the carriage.”

Maki shrugged, “-about his long absence, but somethings can’t be helped, and children aren’t raised by one person. I’m sure teenage Kokichi had his own Kaito while Ikou was away. Lake talks like she was a big part of his life, if half of her rambles during our patrols was any indication.”

Kaito frowned at that, before sighing,  pulling away from Kokichi to head to the bathroom real quick, refilling the water, gulping it down. As he headed there, he said, “Yeah, yeah… well, Kokichi’s still our best indication of a healthy adult-”

“I really feel like you all are significantly underestimating how healthy I am.” Shuichi said, popping another gummi in his mouth, “You have one drug episode-”

“I don’t really see why you’re so worried, Kaito.” Maki said, watching the red-head come back out and start to pour himself a unicorn, ignoring Kaito’s annoyed look as she said, “You’re saying all this stuff about taking other peoples examples and being hyper protective and all that, but you’re already developing parental habits with Tim. You’re just going to do with Miya what you’re doing with Tim. And Kokichi and Shuichi are going to figure their own things out when they hit the ground running in a month. There is no planning by this point. You’re already in the thick of it, learning by doing.”

“...” Kaito swirled the unicorn, “...what if I’m ruining Tim??”

Shuichi and Maki both sighed at the same time.

Kokichi frowned a little though he nodded. “I mean...he feels the same way. It was devastating to me when he left, and he’s told me it’s one of his biggest regrets. I mean...I’m not gonna advocate for any of us suddenly leaving for a decade with the reasoning of broader protection, that’s for sure, but...that’s not the example I was saying.”

“And I did have other people too. People that are and were really important to me, and helped shape me into who I am today,” Kokichi bravely stated, even if he felt his stomach harden as Kaito pulled away. “I’m not well-adjusted, but I’m trying to be, and...in that journey I can recognize how my family raised me. We don’t have to take people as examples whole-meal…”

...and maybe it was ‘cause he was a little drunk, and a little riled up from that, but as Kaito started questioning his own parenting abilities, Kokichi…

...well, Kokichi started tearing up and punched Kaito in the arm. Not hard, even by Kokichi’s standards, but it was more than just a nudge.

“You’re not!”

“You’ve been a great dad to him! And you’re gonna keep being a great parent to our kids!” Kokichi half-shouted, a little louder than he meant to be as his eyes shined. “You’re not a bad influence, and even if we had shitty childhoods, that doesn’t mean we’re meant to repeat the cycle. That you’re so worried about this is example number one of that!! We’re gonna make mistakes as parents, but every parent does, and we’re concerned enough to try and learn from those mistakes for the sake of our kids! So don’t talk like you haven’t put in the effort every day to be a better dad to him!”

Kaito looked startled at first, but… 

“...” a warm gin split his face, as he exaggeratedly rubbed at the spot Kokichi hit, “...oooow. ‘Kiiiiichiiii, that huuuurt.”

Maki rolled her eyes, “You keep playing with him like that, and I’ll give you an actual owie. He’s right. I said all that stuff about you already being a parent because, as far as I can tell? You’ve already been learning to do a good job. Timothy seems happy and he listens to you when you tell him things and he has friends and a pet and is doing well in school, and didn’t stab you while I was gone.”

“Well, that did admittedly take a conversation, but, yeah, he didn’t.” Kaito muttered.

Maki continued on like she hadn’t heard him, as she said, “You wanna know something I genuinely believe? You can raise a kid in almost any way you want to, and if the kid believes the entire time that you love them? Then they’re gonna be okay. My mentor was a strict asshole of a person, sometimes, but I knew the entire time that he was just doing his absolute best to keep me alive in a world that was going to be dangerous for me. Shuichi’s mentor wanted to keep him on his toes and self-aware because she knew the manipulations he both could and did face. Kokichi knew Ikou still loved him, even when he was gone, through letters that assured him over and over he did. Kaito…”

Kaito deflated at the pause, before Maki said, “He had Atua. Someone whose love he never had to question, because priestesses at the temple determined to be a guiding and affectionate force in his life kept promising to him that Atua did. It… helps to deal with everything, all of it, knowing without a doubt that someone loves you… and all of you are going to love her.” Maki said, shrugging a little, sipping at her whiskey as she said, “So Miyako, and Timothy, are going to be fine.”

Kokichi just pouted with burgeoning incensed tears at his husband, demanding in that moment that Kaito pay himself the proper respect for his efforts. And when Maki began backing him up, he nodded emphatically with her words, as if all of it together was being shoved in Kaito’s face. 

...sometimes just love wasn’t enough. Sometimes...love looked like Aiichi, and that wasn’t enough for a child to hold onto. But in most cases? Whether a parent was being too hovering, or too laissez-faire, or trying to be more of a friend than a parent, or too strict...when it genuinely came from a place of love? Of wanting your child to succeed and be happy and healthy and able to come into the world around them as themself. Then...mistakes felt easier to accept. Because they loved you. 

Sniffing, Kokichi nodded again with Maki’s words, looking like he’d punch Kaito again if his husband put himself down again. “You adore Miya, and not - not because she belongs to you like an object, or you’re just infatuated with the idea of a baby. You already love her as a daughter, as a person, and she’s not even born yet. You love her, so you’ll be a good dad. You love Tim, so you are a good dad.”

Kaito snickered, grin growing wider at Kokichi’s increasingly offended, watery look, pulling him into his arms-- trying to be careful not to spill his drink and mostly succeeding-- and hugging him close as he said, “Awwwww, baaabe… my poor weepy-’Kichi… don’t beat up your poor husband. I was just being… contrary and dramatic and insecure. You guys are right though, I am… doing my best on the dad thing. And honestly, that’s gonna be good enough.”

Kaito still had fears. Of course he did. He’d probably still have fears after all of his kids were grown, looking back wondering if he had done enough… but it was harder to be afraid when everyone else seemed confident in him. They’d all work it out. 

“My ‘Kichi’s also gonna be a good dad… gonna take Miya into dungeons and let her read nudey books covered in fangs.” Kaito grinned, kissing at Kokichi’s cheek, “Damn, are you gonna be the cool dad and I’m gonna be the stick in the mud? Who saw that coming?”

Kokichi still gave Kaito a tense, suspicious look, but he relaxed as Kaito relented into a more positive outlook. Good… They had had too many people talking down about them for them to do it too. Kaito was an incredible father. And while a lot of people had that fear, Kokichi didn’t think his husband needed to worry at all about turning into his father.

Now relaxed back into cuddling in Kaito’s arms, Kokichi huffed and stuck his nose up, though there was a smile playing at his lips. “I’ve always been cool. ‘Course I’d be a cool dad. We’re all very weak to certain things, so Miya’s gonna learn real fast who to talk to for different kinds of fun. It’s good! But we also gotta talk so she can’t play that game all the time.”

She was already going to be really attuned to them; no need to give her the normal observation freebies without any constraint too. 

Shuichi smirked. “I can hear it now… father, can I go to that sleepover at Catherines?”

“Ask your father.” Maki immediately drawled.

Shuichi pinched his forehead, his voice now slightly higher, “...which father?”

“Whichever one didn’t tell you no before you came to me.” Maki continued without missing a beat, the two smirking at each other, incredibly pleased with that. Though, Shuichi groaned as Maki said, “You all have to do that… for decades.”

Kaito was still kissing at Kokichi, just… very caught up in having his husband loose and pliant in his arms. His free hand wrapped around Kokichi’s waist was starting to travel upwards a bit, under his husbands shirt, and cheek kissing had quickly evolved into chaste kisses, which Kaito was… quickly loosing focus on why they couldn’t be less chaste kisses…

Maki rolled her eyes, grabbed a book that was left on the desk, and threw it at Kaito’s head.

“Oooooow.” Kaito whimpered, rubbing his head, “Why does everyone keep hitting me?”

“You’re forgetting yourself.”

Kaito narrowed his eyes at her… before suddenly exclaiming, “I want to give you an earring!”

Despite being very pleased with Kaito’s affections, Kokichi’s expression turned solemn and determined. “We have to unionize as dads. Always ask if she’s asked another one of us, and come to a group consensus. It won’t always be feasible, but if we can ask the question and confer, we must, lest Miya run us for all we’re worth, and we never end up telling her no.”

Though, with that declared, Kokichi snuggled right back against Kaito, kissing back in between his finishing sips of the chocolate whiskey. That...would probably be his stopping place. Even warm and comfortable like this, Kokichi knew that pushing past his limit any more likely wouldn’t be a good time for anyone, least of all himself in the morning. 

But that wasn’t going to stop him from other bad decisions. 

Kokichi perked, big round eyes widening as he remembered that conversation. “Oh, right! Maki-chan’s earring! It was gonna be a shell one, and Am-chan is gonna get really excited that she can make more jewelry for one of us!”

Looking over at Maki with enthusiasm, Kokichi chirped, “You an’ Kai-chan could match!”

...Maki sipped at her whiskey… before carefully placing it down on the desk.

Shuichi’s eyes narrowed, “We’ve got a runne--”

Maki was off!

“Oh, hell no!” Kaito shouted, stealing one last kiss from Kokichi before bolting off the bed, running after Maki into the hallway, “MAKI HARUKAWA, YOU COME BACK HERE AND TAKE YOUR EARRING!”

Maki didn’t see why she had to if Kaito couldn’t catch her, and though her brain was a little fuzzy from the alcohol-- yeah, maybe jumping down the different floors wasn’t the move right now, based on how the distant floor spun and blurred when she looked off the railing-- she called back from the stairs, “NOT A CHANCE, MOMOTA!”

Kokichi flopped backwards a little as Kaito suddenly left him--though thankfully his glass was empty by the time he did--and he sighed, pouting as he turned to see the empty doorway. Geez… It was just an earring. They were pretty!

Setting his glass down next to the one that had had the unicorn before, Kokichi scooted up the bed to Shuuichi, put out with his missing cuddle buddy and heading to the next nearest person. Throwing his arms around Shuuichi, Kokichi nuzzled into his shoulder. “...don’ wanna go after them… I can’t run down the stairs right now.”

“Coward.” Shuich teased, pulling Kokich closer to himself, nuzzling his chin against Kokichi’s forehead before resting it on top of his boyfriends head, Kokichi’s face pressed against Shuichi’s neck. “But it’s okay. I’m not gonna run after them either, and I’m entirely sober… that and my swollen ankles.”

Downstairs, Maki was faster than Kaito, but Kaito was reckless, and as Maki bolted down the hallway, the luminary prince noticed a custodian cart left in the hallway outside one of the bathrooms, pushing forward and hopping onto the cart with force as it started to roll down- “AUGH!”

Okay no that didn’t work. Toppling over the cart after a mere feet, Kaito blinked at the ceiling in bruised confusion… before, as Maki peeked down at him, he reached out and snagged her ankle, “Got ya-ow ow ow! Stop it!”

Kaito let go of the ankle as Maki started stomping on his shoulder, before taking off again as he let go, Kaito pushing off his knees and heading after her again, “Dang it Maki, I stood still for all my damn earrings-oh!” 

Kaito turned the corner and immediately stopped, a sheepish, uncertain look on his face as Maki smirked at him from behind her new defense, “H-hey Lake! Hows… things??”

...honestly? Lake had been heading to the office to sign out on her shift, put her things away. But the shouting descending from the stairs and through the hall had been intriguing to say the least, and she’d found herself walking towards them, wondering what her little bro’s family was up to now. 

But as soon as Maki ran behind her, and Kaito came forward, Lake instinctively held herself high, holding her arms out to make herself bigger as her cap flared out, effectively hiding Maki behind it. With a big grin, she waved to Kaito. “Hey Prince Kai! Doin’ alright myself; how about you? Heard you guys were out and about today; enjoyin’ that sun?”

Kaito frowned, starting to side step around Lake, with Maki taking an opposite side step every time he did, the two circling around Lake as he said, “Oh, you know, you know… little of this, a little of that. It’s nice to be able to work on my tan- Come here you!”

Kaito tried to leap past Lake, ducking under her arms and attempting to surprise Maki by appearing through her cape, reaching out wildly.

Lake laughed, the sound happy and booming. “I imagine summer will be something of a reprieve for ya. Won’t get nearly as hot as Luminary, but we definitely get a sunscreen season here. Hopefully your little girl will inherit some of your heat resistance too.”

Lake took smaller steps as Kaito and Maki circled her, trying to keep the wider side of her body always between them but letting them dictate most of the movement. Things were harder to calculate when you had to factor two moving objects instead of one. 

Though, when Kaito tried to surge, Lake followed his movement, still trying to block even with Kaito blindly grabbing through her cape. 

...ya know what? 

As Kaito tried to surge forward, and suddenly his world was full of Lake waists… he just leaned into it, moving forward and throwing Lake over his shoulder, a genuinely surprised Maki revealed behind her as the cape turned over and hung behind Kato, off Lake’s shoulders. A guard apparently stolen, Kaito kept moving towards Maki, reaching out while he still had her surprised, Maki only able to take a few steps back.

“Oh, wha- Ha-HA!!” 

Lake’s surprise was overtaken with delight. Ha!! She knew those muscles weren’t just for show! Good maneuver, Kaito!

...really she had no idea what the two of them were doing. But it seemed like a lot of fun!

Having slightly longer reach, Lake pushed her weight forward and held her legs out behind her, trying to trap Maki between them, her allegiance to none.

“Lake? Dammit!” Maki really hadn’t been expecting Lake to trap her next, and she struggled in between her thighs, before there was a tug at her waist, and… “Whelp.” Maki said, hanging upside down in Kaito’s other arm, raising an eyebrow at him, “What’s the plan here, Kaito?”

“...uhhhhhh.” Kaito said, already feeling the strain of holding both of them. Lake was not a small person, and while Maki kind of was, ‘kind of’ were the key words, “...I’m going back up to the bedroom, obviously!”

“You gonna put Lake down?”

“Hell no, I have no idea what she’ll do, can’t risk it.” Kaito said immediately, “Sorry, Lake. You’re coming with us.”

“You cannot carry both of us upstairs.”

“Watch me.”

The guard snickered at Maki’s surprise, figuring she’d been an excellent asset in this game of Octopus, though...she was kind of amusedly watching to see what would happen since Kaito made no moves to set her back down. 

“A reasonable assessment,” she agreed good-naturedly when Kaito confirmed that he wasn’t releasing her. “Though watch your shoulders, big guy. We’re not exactly a balanced set, if just from the inches I have on Mak-Attack. You start feelin’ that workout strain and we’ll figure out another imprisonment method.”

“...so, what were you guys running around for anyway?”

“Nnngh…” Kaito adjusted Lake on his shoulder a little, re-establishing his hold on Maki’s waist to turn her more comfortably on her side, before heading back to the staircase. The custodial cart was already gone, Kaito guessing the housekeeper who had been using it had collected it and went on their stuff, as he said, “We’re… Maki’s getting a new earring.”

“Not if you put me down, I’m not.” Maki grunted, wiggling in Kaito’s arm a bit. Sure, she could grab one of her knives and knick him, that’d probably work, but… it felt in bad taste, as she said, ”You don’t even know how to give an earring!”

“You poke a hole in, rub some alcohol on the needle first, put in the earring! Of course I know how to do it, you’ve done it to me twice! Ngh.” Kaito winced as he tottered up the staircase, a few people heading down giving them baffled looks that he pointedly ignored as he said, “I was perfectly good for mine! Both of them! You didn’t see me running off!”

“That’s cause you're a spineless people pleaser,” Maki argued, kicking her legs a little, “Of course I’m not gonna sit down and take it!”

“Hey! I’m not spineless! What do you think I’m breaking right now getting you two up here!?”

...it was a little confusing, even with that explanation, but...there was something about it that even Lake was able to parse. 

Looking around Kaito’s head, Lake raised an eyebrow at Maki. “Why would you give Kaito something you won’t take yourself? Especially if you’re both amateurs on the matter--and it sounds to me he’s got the idea. Just numb the area a little before then BOOM! New earring.”

“Because, sometimes, Lake, I am a bad friend.” Maki scowled, just hanging limply now, her feet bumping against the stairs as Maki huffed, “But I’ve already come to terms with the fact that I can be a bad friend. And now Kaito’s trying to punish me for being a bad friend and…”

“And you should let me! I wasn’t even the person in trouble when I got my earrings, you were mad at Kokichi both times! I just want one earring for you being a bad friend! That’s not too much to ask!”

“It’s not my nature to hold still, Kaito!”

“Well I’m tired of taking other peoples punishments!”

“Well I’m sorry, okay!?” Maki shouted at him, as Kaito huffed and puffed at the last part of the stairs, needing to take a break as sweat pulled on him, “I’m sorry you keep getting hurt because other people do things! That sucks and I’m sorry and I’m sorry I’m one of the reasons it keeps happening!”

“Well… good! Thank you! ...but I’m still mad and you’re still getting an earring!” Kaito huffed, getting off the staircase, staring down their hallways and blinking tiredly as his heart pounded from effort… “Okay! Last part! Almost there! ‘KICHI! PLEASE HAVE THE DOOR OPEN BEFORE I GET THERE!” Kaito shouted.

Lake had opened her mouth to say something like, good for recognizing that, but coming to terms is step one and you should never stop trying to be a good friend, and stuff along those lines, but...he mouth closed as Maki and Kaito surged forward, yelling at each other for...something a bit more real that Lake had thought. Not about the earring, but...more. 

“...shit, guys,” she murmured, feeling out of her depth. 

...but something else made a little more sense when, after a moment, her little brother peeked out of their room, looking flushed (Kaito and Maki were to an extent too, but Lake thought it was just from running downstairs) and a little unsteady and pleased…

...they did smell a bit like alcohol, now that she was thinking about it. 

Dropping her head down, Lake groaned. “Aw maaaaan! You guys are having a drinking night? And you didn’t invite me?”

“‘Kiiiiiichiiiii! I stole your siiiiisteeeeeeer.” Kaito grinned, immediately put in a better mood seeing his Kokichi at the door.

“Kokichi! I need you to kick Kaito in the balls! It’s the only way!” Maki shouted, kicking in the air, “Kick him! Kick him now!”

“It’s fine, Kokichi, Kaito’s neutered, you can’t make it any worse.” Shuichi called out playfully, perfectly content to watch his increasingly drunk friends fall apart.

Kokichi watched the image before him with some amount of bewilderment, Maki and his sister both hoisted over Kaito’s shoulders. And as the others goaded him on… Kokichi pouted, coming forward and putting his arms around Kaito’s waist. 

“Sorry, Lake-nee, it was impromptu after we finished with therapy,” Kokichi said, his voice muffled by Kaito’s chest. “And Maki-chaaaaaan, Kai-chan can’t even give you a piercing now--we haven’t gone out to pick your earring. And if you run out of the castle to leave the whole time, I’m gonna cry ‘cause you’re my friend an’ I love you an’ I tried to make your room as nice as I could and even if I didn’t finish it by the time you came back I still think it’s really nice and it’d make me sad if you hated it.”

Lake chuckled, reaching back to pet her brother’s head. “Oh nooo… What have you guys been drinking?! He’s already in the ‘I love you guys so much’ phase.”

“Rum!” Kito shouted.

“Whiskey!” Maki grumbled.

“Chocolate mixed with whiskey, for the actual answer you were looking for!” Shuichi called out, as Kaito started shuffling forward, Kokichi holding around his stomach, his feet trailing on the floor as Kaito shuffled into the room, “That’s what Kokichi’s been drinking. For some reason they won’t let me drink anything.”

“Unicorns, too!” Kaito shouted, “Rum and unicorns!... Okay I think I need to put you all down now or I’m gonna die.”

“...chocolate mixed with whiskey?” It was simultaneously disgusting and the most Kokichi-sounding thing Lake had ever heard. And she didn’t know what the fuck a unicorn was, but if it wasn’t the name of a mixed drink, then it was probably gross too. Lake chucked a little more. “You guys are wild this evening.”

While Lake easily adjusted herself to hitting the ground again, Kokichi just made a stubborn noise and held his arms tighter around Kaito. “Nnnnoooo! Kai-chan’s promised to be with me forever.”

“Kaito, if you put me down, I’m going to run again, I swear it!” Maki shouted, wiggling in his arms, “Anarchy! Anarchy! Fight the monarchy!”

“That joke isn’t fun Maki, dammit! And stop wiggling!” Kaito insisted, sweating as his drunk brain tried to work out what to do next. He didn’t want Maki to run, he didn’t want to let Kokichi down, and he was super uncertain what Lake would do once she was free and he had no idea how to adjust for her unknown priorities… okay.

“Shuichi. Here. Maki’s yours.” Kaito said, taking a breath and, with a grunt, tossing Maki onto the bed next to Shuichi. 

“Got her.” Shuichi said easily, reaching out and lazily putting a hand on her arm, “Boom. You’re trapped.”

“Lake, here, feel free to pour yourself a drink.” Kaito said, placing her down to stand next to the desk chair.

“Make me a drink too!” Maki shouted, “This is your fault anyway, Lake!! You make a terrible guard!”

“Annnnnd, up you go.” Kaito sighed, picking up Kokichi, letting his husband sit against his arm and waist, giving Kokichi a chaste kiss before saying, “Lake, make me a drink too. I need more unicorn!”

Kokichi hummed happily and looped his arms around Kaito’s shoulders, kissing him back before littering his cheek with kisses too. Now this was where he wanted to be. 

Lake put a hand to her chest in mock offense before gripping a fist and striking a hero pose. “Hey, I’m a great guard!! The Hero of Justice always finds the right cause to fight for! Obviously getting everyone back to the drinking party was the right thing to do!”

Still, she went to go pour the others a drink before…

“Aw, shit,” she muttered. “I’m still technically on-duty.”

“Give me, like, two minutes then I’ll be back!”

“Booooo.” Maki shouted, sticking her tongue out at Lake, “Work is for losers!”

“Work is for losers who can actually get jobs! Guess who’s never had a job! Not this winner!” Kaito pouted, heading over to the desk, Kokichi still in tow, and pouring his own unicorn, thank-you-very-much. “Maki, what kind of drink do you want?”

“Kaito, you really need to let the kitchen thing go.” Maki sighed, Shuichi idly patting her arm, “Like, I get it, it wounded your pride, but if you really wanted to prove you could get a job, you could just-”

“I applied for four other positions at four other places.” Kaito grumbled, just deciding to pour her another whiskey, bringing her the other cup, “I got real pumped up after the kitchen rejected me, started applying around. Was gonna tell you all, but when the second place rejected me, I decided I’d wait till I actually got a job to tell you. Three more places and I just got discouraged and stopped. I’m twenty-four with no job history, a liability for customer service positions due to my reputation, and the administration place I tried for timed my typewriter skills and apparently I’m an ‘unusually below average typer’. They… really wanted to let me know that. I think they were concerned.” Kaito paused, before saying, “On the plus side, the entry level security job I tried for told me I was over qualified from my military based education! So that was a nice way to be rejected.”

“Two minutes!!”

With that, Lake ran out of the room, filled with a purpose to sign out of work faster than she ever had before. 

Kokichi...had just thought it was the kitchen, but hearing that Kaito had been rejected from more places. “Aw, hun… Typewriters suck. If you’re fast then I guess it’s fine, but for most people handwriting is still faster! And you can get accents ‘n flavor into writing so much easier. You ever try to get an underline with a typewriter? It sucks!”

“An’ if you were overqualified, people tend to reject the application since - since they can’t pay you as much as your skills are worth… You could’a totally kicked ass at that job. Booo.” Kokichi nuzzled into his husband’s neck, giving him a rough kiss against the juncture of his neck and shoulder. 

“You’re so sexy when you’re nice and you know things.” Kaito grinned, his face flushing with interest at the rough kiss. “But you were wrong earlier, you know. See, your husband has… many earrings now. I’m a guy who has earrings now! An earring guy! Ya know why!? Maki!”

“Mm?” Maki asked, sipping on her new whiskey, “Why d you have so many earrings? I dunno… cause I gave you a bunch of piercings?”

“Cause you gave me a bunch of piercings! And, and, and, you know what? Sometimes, I’m not entirely cool with you stabbing me!!”

“What, like… never!?” Maki shouted, a furious look on her face, “Cause sometimes you deserve stabbing! A little! How can I stab you when you don’t want me to stab you!”

“Not never just… most of the time! Especially around other people! I don’t want you to stab me in front of our son! And I don’t want you to stab our son! He’s already got all these confusing ideas of Luminary violence and Dicean pacifism and we can’t tell him that he’s not allowed to fight anyone but it’s okay for him to be hurt! He’s gonna get a fuckng complex! Shit like that fucks with your head!”

Kokichi blinked in slight confusion, his brain working a little too slow to pinpoint where he had been wrong before. And...Kaito’s explanation didn’t help with that, but it did bring up another point. 

...and it was never going to be something he was going to say. That he thought casual stabbings just...weren’t a good thing to ever do, and doing it to Tim, in particular, was child abuse. Maybe he was failing Tim by not speaking up but...he didn’t know. There had been so much grey area around Tim being taken in by Maki, and the last thing Kokichi wanted was there to be any chance of someone taking Tim away. 

...but coming from Kaito, who knew all these things better about Maki, maybe that would be the way forward. 

Kokichi went quiet, his not quite focused eyes taking all what Kaito said in. 

“...I’m sorry for punching you… I shouldn’t do that, even when you make me angry.”

“Oh, noooooooooo, dammit Maki!” Kaito shouted, turning his distraught expression from Kokichi to Maki, glaring at her as he said, “See what happens!? I shout at you and now Kokichi’s gonna stop doing his cute, sexy things! Why is your new purpose in life to cockblock me!?”

“I think Kaito’s earlier point of getting a ‘complex’ has just been proven.” Shuichi mused, blinking sleepily, crashing from his rapid sugar rush, “You gotta stop cutting Tim or he’s gonna be one of those weirdos who thinks getting hit by his husband is hot.”

“Context! Under the right context! Kokichi’s small and cute and he’d never actually hurt me! Him punching me softly out of love is adorable!”

“Does anyone wanna go for a walk?” Maki mused. “Is it night time yet? I wanna go on a night hike.”

“We gotta wait for Lake to come back.” Shuichi mused, “and then she can take all you drunk idiots on a walk and I’ll take a nap.”

Kokichi frowned, shaking his head a little. “It’s not s’pposed to be cute or sexy. I was mad, ‘cause you were putting yourself down. My anger isn’t s’pposed to be endearing...you should take it seriously.”

“...but I need to take you seriously too. Unless you’re in a fight, or someone is holding or touching you in a way you don’t like and they haven’t stopped after you’ve said something, you shouldn’t hurt others. No matter how you’re feeling. Otherwise that’s just assault…”

There were the sounds of quick footfalls from the hall before the doorknob rattled, though it didn’t open. Instead, there was just a loud knock. 

“Two minutes! I did it!”

“Awwwwww, ‘Kichiiiii… that’s not how you usually get angry.” Kaito pouted, a genuine look of confusion on his face as he said, “You didn’t try to kill yourself even a little… ooph. Saying that out loud, maybe that’s not the criteria I should use to judge if you’re upset or not…”

“Lake! You’re taking us on a walk!” Maki shouted, leaning over and giving a kiss on the forehead to a mildly surprised Shuichi, before placing another mildly surprising kiss on his belly and saying, “Be a good child and let your father sleep, no kicking…. This is your Aunt Maki. So you know. That’s my name. Kaito grab the booze!”

“Ooooon it.” Kaito sighed, grabbing the bottles, tucking the rum bottle into Kokichi’s lap against his body, drinking down the last of his glass of unicorn, before grabbing the unicorn bottle as Maki grabbed the whiskey, opening the door and saying, “Lake! Would you like some rum? Take us on a walk.”

Kokichi’s face just crumpled a little at that. “I can be angry a lot of ways. And I’m trying not to be angry in a self-destructive way anymore. It’s a bad outlet for me.”

Lake...just kind of looked on in concern for a moment before… Well, sure! She could be chaperone for this field trip. And maybe a referee if the conversation got a little too heated. 

‘Awww’ing a little at Maki setting Shuuichi up for a nap--and little Miya too--Lake gave the crew a double thumbs up. “I’m about it! You okay with me taking a swig? Never been good at water fountaining.”

“Aneeeeee!!! Take us on the urban trail!”

“That walk is like two hours, bro-bro.”

“Aneeeeee!”

“The urban trail! Kokichi’s always wanted to go onto the urban trail! It’s been his life long dream, suppressed by his freak over-protective and negligent father!” Kaito guessed, raising his unicorn bottle and saying, “Don’t let him down! And we’re all drinking swish-backs today! Take Kokichi on his life long dream of… shit, a two hour walk?”

“Don’t be a coward, Kaito, we’re the jocks! We can walk two hours drunk! Bring it on!” Maki shouted, a scowl on her face as she raised her bottle, “To the urban trail!!!”

“We’ll cut off if you start getting too sloppy,” Lake decided. 

“Good enough!” Kokichi cheered, happily still in Kaito’s arms and not going to be walking at all. 

Getting the rum bottle from Kokichi, Lake took a swig and shook herself from the burn before punching forward through the air. “Alright! I’ll lead the way!”

The trail itself was pretty cool, a walking trail that went around the whole city, but cut through mostly different parks and gardens to give the whole thing a natural feel. If you didn’t have the time to go on vacation, and were too worried about going into the woods, the urban trail was the best place to get that hiking feel without leaving the city. 

And because it wasn’t a main road, they probably wouldn’t be bothering too many folks if they got a little rowdy. 

Kokichi took a deep breath as they got outside and smiled, cuddling more against Kaito. “Mmm, we’ll get to see a bunch of the parks we’ve never been to. I usually like - like the one we usually go to, that we got married in, ‘cause...I like it, an’ we got married in it, but it’s also the closest. But I like the one on the hill we found too. Those swings were really good!”

“I loved that swing. I don’t think I could go on a swing right now, cause I think I’d be sick and gross, but I loved that swing. It could be fun to be sick and gross on a swing.” Kaito grinned, placing a kiss against Kokichi’s forehead, before whispering, “God, I’ve had dreams about that slide though- ow!”

Maki looked surprised, glancing at her hand, which had automatically wacked the back of Kaito’s head as she was passing by, “Sorry, I have no idea what you were even saying, I just know when you use that tone of voice you’re saying something sexual and weird.”

“One of those dreams was totally innocent! The slide had legs and Shuichi told me to catch it because it was committing tax fraud!”

“You’re still weird, I take nothing back.” Maki pouted, stepping forward and putting her arms around one of Lake’s, walking in step with her as she said, “It’s occurred to me that we’ve had quite a bit to drink after a quite long time without drinking at all. I’d like to apologize early for our obnoxious behavior. Considering he’s not here to defend himself, I’ve considered just blaming Shuichi for it.”

Kokichi snorted and leaned in to place a light nibble on Kaito’s ear before settling back down into comfortable snuggling. “Weirdoooo~”

“But tax fraud is really serious… ‘s how we can ensure to keep the roads maintained, ‘an building inspections up to date, and that’s there’s relief funds, and…” 

As Kokichi rambled on about everything taxes went into, Lake looked pleased at Maki linking their arms before waving off her apology. “Hey, it’s all good. It’s kinda nice seeing you guys more relaxed, honestly, though that is really not me advocating you guys getting drunk all the time,” she chuckled.

“But it is nice to let loose every once in a while, especially when your body can still take it.” Lake grinned at Maki before tipping her head a little. “I’d say enjoy your youth, but you all are already in the kid game. Have to be a little more strategic with that.”

“Timothy ruined my body. My poor mentor worked so hard on it…” Maki sighed, before snickering, “I’ll take great comfort in watching Shuichi’s body get wrecked in a similar way.”

“Hey! Not funny! Especially since you get to keep your tight body and Shuichi’s been worried about being several layers of folds of skin for months!” Kaito scolded, looking around lazily at the nature stuff going by, being… naturey. “I’d always love Shuichi, regardless of his body, but do you have any idea the stress I’ve been through, worrying I’d give into my desire to taking some of his folds of skin and flopping them for fun! It can be very endearing, but man, out of the two people I was physically capable of doing that too, Susanna did not like it.”

“Susanna was a bitch, I literally physically gagged when you said you had slept with her.” Maki called back, “Easily one of the worst people you ever took to bed, it made me judge you as a person.”

“I admired how dedicated she was to her diet! It’s inspiring when someone picks a goal and sticks to it!”

“She complained about everything and littered everywhere she went. She said it ‘gave indentured’s job security’!”

“Okay, well, yes, that was gross.” Kaito admitted, a mildly regretful look on his face, “They couldn’t all be winners… or, not utterly repulsive.”

Lake snorted, taking a short swig of the rum she hadn’t returned to Kokichi’s lap, her brother seeming quite content to have his arms around his husband than act as a bag. Even with adoptive parents, she’d heard people talk about ‘parent bodies’ but...well, the Ouma-Momota-Harukawa-Saihara family literally exercised together every morning when they could. Lake doubted even back from vacation and not working for the time being Maki would get a ‘mom bod’. 

“Shuu-chan’s gonna be fine,” Kokichi murmured, taking a bit more interest as they got to one of the openings in the path, right through some of the trees in the park by the castle. They were all green now, the pink from spring having faded into verdancy. Nice trees were going to get so much food soaking up the sun this summer…

Kokichi wrinkled his nose a bit before kissing at Kaito’s neck. “...you have much better taste than someone like that.”

“Ha,” Kaito grinned, “No I don’t.”

“He really doesn’t.” Maki muttered. 

“I always have an exit plan! But maaaan I fall in love too easily.” Kaito groaned, hugging Kokichi’s waist tight as he took another sip of the unicorn-blegh. “I don’t know… people are so attractive and hopeful and shiny right up until you… get to know them and they say shitty things like making trash for people already trapped in indentured servitude to pick up to ensure that more people are needed to be trapped into indentured servitude, creating and sustaining a need in the system to trap more people for that cheap labor and treating it like doing them a favor.”

“FUCK YEAH!” Maki shouted, raising her bottle of whiskey, “FUCK A SYSTEM THAT REQUIRES THE ABUSE OF A CLASS OF PEOPLE TO FUNCTION!”

“YEAH, FUCK THE PROGRAM!” Kaito shouted.

...that was kind of depressing, in Kokichi’s experience. That you liked people until you got to know them. But...well, that wasn’t the way Kaito was living anymore, and even if he became infatuated with someone, he certainly wasn’t going to act on it at all. 

But more importantly--

“Fuck the program!” Kokichi echoed and Lake nodded firmly, raising the rum bottle in agreement. “If a system can’t adequately provide for all of its people or sub-systems, then it’s flawed and broken and needs to be deconstructed and/or replaced with something that can!”

“Hear that!” Lake hummed, nodding again, that sentiment, if not specifically tuned to the Indentured Program in Luminary, at least in a general sense taught and ingrained in Dicean society from a young age. People were entitled to a means to live and the respect to express themselves, just from the fact of being alive. If they couldn’t do that, then something was deeply wrong.

“...” Kaito bit at his bottom lip, before saying, “I’ve loved you more getting to know you, Kokichi. That’s not common for me. I mean, you’re not unique for it, no offense babe, I just didn’t wanna sound weird and desperate, but also, like, seriously, I love you so much more now than when I first met you. And the second bit of time I knew you. And the third bit of time! I just love you more and more the more I get to know you! Which is great! And… I just want you to know that. That I loved you more over time.”

Taking back out of his righteous indignation and triumph, Kokichi just blinked owlishly at Kaito before his lips wobbled and he crashed forward against his husband, smashing their lips together before he senselessly just...kind of rubbed his body against Kaito.

“I love you tooOOoooOO!!!” he wailed. “More every day!! All the time! Getting a clearer picture of my Kai-chan and being on the journey while he grows and changes has been the best part of my life and I love it with all I can give!!! KAI-CHAN!!!!”

Lake tried to stifle her laughter behind her wrist. “Oh my god…”

The senseless body rubbing was definitely interesting, but… Kaito wasn’t not into it. And the extremely messy kiss was adorable and Kaito laughed while it was done, giving his husband an incredibly fond look as Kokichi wailed his adoration. “You are so drunk. Have you been drunk this whole time? I literally just noticed how very drunk you are.”

“We’re all drunk, Kaito, except for Lake, whose being lame and responsible and not drinking enough.” Maki said dryly, kicking a branch out of the way and mostly failing to do so as it got caught on her show, Maki shaking it off with a huff as she said, “It’s like she thinks being drunk out in public on a city nature trail is not the most responsible thing to do.”

“...” Kaito bit the inside of his lip again, still worried about a question that was pooling around awkwardly in his mind. “...Maki?”

“Mm?”

“How come you broke up with me?” Kaito asked… before his brow furrowed, saying slowly, “How come… how come… is that right? Am I saying that right? How come you broke up with me? That sounds like gibberish, is that even the saying? What the hell does ‘how come’ mean, that can’t be the actual substitute for ‘why did’.”

“You’re thinking about it too hard.” Maki said, taking a long sip of her whiskey, before clarifying, “That’s the answer to both questions. I told you why I broke up with you and the answer hasn’t changed. It was too complicated dating you, and we just… tried it too late. We weren’t young and stupid and convinced it’d all magically work out anymore. We were in our senior year and facing some really harsh realities of what our lives would be like out of high school, and how those lives would… see you off to be a royal officer in the military, and I’d be stuck back in the castle, doing dirty work for your family in a world that barely saw me as a person. It was just… never going to work. We were lucky to even be allowed to be friends.”

“Iiiii was starting to get drunk at the start of my second glass of choco-whiskey. I don’t drink at all, Kai-chan, and I’ve had three cups of liquor. And not just chocolate liquor.”

Should’a brought some water with us,” Lake laughed before just shaking her head at Maki and taking another conservative sip of the rum. “Hey! To be fair, I’ve only just started. You’ve all had a major head start. Also, I’m in my thirties. I’m not fallin’ asleep after a glass of wine yet, but if I get trashed I’m gonna have a worse time of it than any of you will.”

Lake considered that for a moment. “...’cept maybe, Ko.”

Kokichi nodded sadly, but knowingly. 

Though, Lake did that same knowing nod to Maki explaining her reasons for something that, until just that moment, Lake hadn’t known at all. But she wasn’t that surprised to know it. “Sometimes relationships are more than just feelings, and ‘the power of love’ isn’t enough to change the world around you. Looks like it still worked out alright, though, with you guys holding onto that friendship. Sometimes that’s even better than romance.”

Kaito sighed, “I know, I know, and I’m glad we ended up where we did. I just always worried I did something… I don’t know, terrible to you, and that you just never told me what it was because you didn’t want to hurt me or ruin my reputation or something.”

“Nope.” Maki said dryly, taking another swig, “That’s your M.O., not mine. We wouldn’t be friends if you had hurt me, Kaito. I just saw a future where we’d be happier dating other people, and decided to pursue it, that’s all it was. And, shocker, I was right. Lake, you may not know this about me yet, but I am usually right. Even when I should be wrong!”

“See, that’ shit right there is why Shuichi gets exasperated with you.” Kaito pointed out.

“The universe bends.” Maki slurred slightly.

Lake sighed, notes of both a groan and a chuckle in it as she ran a hand through her hair, tousling it a little. “Oh no… I was really hoping you guys aren’t philosophizing drunks. Things like right and wrong are waaaay too complicated for me--I leave that shit for the lawyers, you know?”

“It’s a complicated subject,” Kokichi nodded. “But regardless, Maki-chan makes shit happen. It’s her Thing.”

“And I’m glad you two broke up, ‘cause it’d be reeeeal awkward if we got married while you two were tryin’ ta tryst.”

“...I’m no word nerd, but I don’t think that’s a verb,” Lake hummed. 

Kokichi shrugged. “Bite me.”

“Did you ever worry that I was bringing my escorts because I was secretly dating them?” Kaito asked Kokichi, giving him a curious look, “I mean, it came real close to being the truth. Literally nothing but timing stopped that reality. Would it have weirded you out?”

“Lake, I need you to calm all the way down about the fears of philosophising.” Maki sighed, patting the guards arm gently, which she was still holding onto, for no particular reason, and definitely not because she’d be embarrassed if people saw her swaying, “I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but if even hearing talks about whether it was right or wrong for one of your friends to break up with someone freaks you out, you probably have some more issues beyond finding morality ‘complicated’. That sounds like you’re afraid of making decisions entirely.”

“Mmm…” Kokichi hummed, really considering the question. “...I wasn’t worried about it, no. I know plenty of other people were, and especially for a few months after we announced Miya, there was a conspiracy going around of just that, that you and Shuu-chan had been dating and the polycule and surrogate thing was just a cover to save face. As for if it had been a thing, would it have bothered me?”

Kokichi thought for a while longer, resting his head on Kaito’s shoulder. “...I don’t know, honestly. I probably would’ve felt like I had to leave you alone more, or felt like I was in the way of your relationship...which I technically would’ve been. I don’t think I’d make a big stink about it though.”

Lake stared out in front of them, a concerned look on her face. “...aw shit, am I? I mean...to me it sounded like a good idea for you an’ Prince Kai to break up. It just wasn’t feasible to have a relationship in the situation you were in. I just don’t feel qualified to make any sort of assumption about the quantitative ‘rightness’ or ‘wrongness’ about the decision. Am I scared of choosin’ shit?”

“I don’t know.” Maki said dryly, taking another swig of whiskey, “Are you asking me if you’re scared of choosin’ shit?”

“...pff, haha,” Lake rolled her eyes and very heroically chose not to nudge her drunk friend who was using her for stability. “More asking the world, I guess. Or myself, aloud. Fun conversations like that.”

Smiling a little grimly, the older woman shrugged a bit. “...I guess it isn’t much of a question though. I haven’t had much issue making decisions regardless of whether I think it’s moral or not, or whether it’s socially moral or not. I just do shit, and I’ll pay the price later if I have to.”

“Well, sounds like you make decisions just fine. I was wrong. There, see Kaito!? Shuichi has no leg to stand on! I can admit when I’m wrong!” Maki called back drunkenly to Kaito, before shouting, “Fight me!”

Kaito was mostly ignoring her-- Maki was a loud, argumentative drunk-- before confessing to Kokichi, “You know, it never occurred to me that you might have someone on the side when I got here? I had a lot of worst case scenarios in my head, but for some reason, the very reasonable possibility that you wouldn’t be single for your forced marriage never occured to me...I don’t know how I would have felt either. If you were repulsive, I might have felt relieved. I think otherwise I’d have gotten a bit competitive and jealous…”

“...but then, maybe, after spending all this time competing in my rival of love for you, one day we’d meet up together in the garden in the middle of the night, finally ready to have it out with each other. They’d say something cruel, I’d say something really badass, we’d stare at each other in the full blood moonlight…” Kaito’s eyes were wide with imagination as he said, “And just as one of us finally lost our temper and struck out, the other would catch the wrist, and we’d get real close, too close, breathing in each others breaths until we realized-- neither of us were really fighting over you anymore… not when-”

“Are you daydreaming to yourself out loud again?” Maki called back, “You’re doing you weird daydreaming story voice!”

“Maki, have your own conversation! Damn!”

Kokichi giggled a bit and settled down for Kaito’s story time, letting his gaze drift as he took in the imagery of his husband’s creative imagination. “I don’t know if I would’ve been able to handle another hot-head. Kai-chan isn’t exactly what I always thought my type was, growing up, but look at me now! Very happy with my Kai-chan, and I wouldn’t have him any other way.”

Punctuating that with a kiss, Lake just snickered a little more at the sight before turning back around to make sure their group wouldn’t wander into a bush or get as lost as you could on a pre-established path. “Did Shuuichi say you can’t admit when you’re wrong? Sure, you’re not the most emotional person in that way, but I’ve known ya to be the kind of person who can easily look outside themself in the grand scheme of things. And actions speak waaaay louder than social cues.”

“It’s not that he thinks I can’t admit when I’m wrong… he just thinks that I’ll try an unreasonable amount to force the world to make me right.” Maki mused, stumbling over her feet for a moment before continuing on like that hadn’t happened at all. “And if I was a little more clear headed, I’d probably give you examples of myself doing exactly that, but somehow make those examples also proof that Shuichi just needs to get over it and let me just… do my thing! If he wants to be right so badly, he can go force the world to bow to his viewpoints too! Nothings stopping him! Anyone can do it! You just have to be willing to risk everything, all the time, and be a little insane… otherwise? Not that hard!”

“Okay, well… you know what could be fun? What if you told me what your type as a teenager, or at least your type before you met me, was, annnnnnd maybe for a night I could just…” Kaito grinned, giving Kokichi a wink, “Be that guy? I’m a pretty good actor, and not a bad improviser! It’d be fun! I could be whoever you wanted! What were you into? Waaaaas iiiiiiitt moody pretty boy detectives? ...that one might be less fun for me to play, cause Shuichi’s gonna spend the whole time arguing he never acts like that, so maybe don’t go with that one.”

Lake nodded and...okay, she could see a little of where Shuuichi was coming from. The tolerance was vastly different for everyone, but there was a point where people would just throw in the towel. What it would take to keep pushing your point just wasn’t worth what ‘being right’ would mean. It sounded--and from her own experience, seemed to track--like Maki was just at the upper extreme of that tolerance.

Smirking a little, Lake shrugged again and shifted just so, so that, if she chose to, Maki could easily put a little more of her weight on her with no one else being the wiser. “Ah, gotcha. I mean...granted I don’t know him as well as you guys, but Shumai seems like the kind of guy who’d like to...like, empirically be right about the world, without putting any of himself in it. I could be way off, but...it kinda sounds like he just doesn’t want you to have to risk things anymore. Or...that he feels like he’s risking you from your actions. Can feel real helpless, when other people’s actions and decisions affect deeply personal stuff like that.”

Kokichi snorted and kissed a bit at Kaito’s neck. “I mean, he really is my type. I’ve told you before, pretty boys catch my eye. A little shy, maybe a little awkward, nervous but feeling like they could confide or let loose a little with me… The kind of person who’d stumble a little when I grabbed their hand and ran off, but would have a smile on their face. Someone who has a rich inner world…”

Thinking for a moment, Kokichi burst out into giggles and surged up to peck at Kaito’s lips. “Huh, I think I described you anyway! At least sometimes.”

“...Pfffff, oh noooo, I’m your ‘shy, awkward’ pretty boy?” Kaito grinned, looking both entirely pleased and utterly embarrassed, “Maki! Maki!’

“What!?”

“Kokichi says I’m his shy, awkward pretty boy daydream! With a rich inner world!”

“Eh, sounds about right. I’d describe you as awkward. And you can be pretty shy in the right circumstances.” Maki shouted back, before whispering to Lake, “He can be a flustered mess pretty easily, actually. It’s kind of ridiculous. You’d think he’d be impossible to embarrass after literally everything, but nope. Painfully easy.”

Kokichi nodded, humming the affirmation as he placed kisses to Kaito’s cheek. Maybe it was just because of the complex multitudes of a person, and his ‘type’ had been rather one-dimensional, but it really slapped getting to marry your dream guy. 

Leaning down a little towards Maki’s whisper, Lake nodded conspiratorially. “I believe it. Prince Kai seems like the type to grin and get red cheeked and ramble from a single genuine compliment. Or a pointed look.”

“Why does that sound like you know that from experience? Kaito hated you for awhile, I can’t imagine you had too many opportunities to fluster him.” Maki snorted… before narrowing her eyes as she said, “Wait, actually I might remember this story… Kaito!”

“What!?”

“Did you and Lake have some dumb conversation about capes, like… when we first got here!?”

“...Yeah Why!?”

“Ughhhhh. Course you did.  Kaito wanting to kill you was the best thing that could have happened. You two would have been insufferable together.”

“Huh?” 

Lake blinked a little in confusion, looking between Kaito and Maki, trying to put together why that first conversation she’d had with Kaito was relevant to this...before she let out a booming, sheepish laugh. “Oh shit, was that right?! Was that Kai-guy being flustered? I just thought he was overwhelmed--in a new place, just proposed, yanno how it goes.”

“Aww, did you like me at first?” Lake beamed at her fellow cape-lover. “Course there was everything that came after, but that’s rad, dude!”

Kokichi just sighed and flopped his head down on Kaito’s shoulder again. Kaito and Lake being thick as thieves would’ve been...cataclysmic. 

“Pfff, are you kidding?” Kaito said blankly, raising an eyebrow at Lake, “Literally, liiike, the first thought I had was ‘shit it’s a shame I’m not marrying Lake’. I thought you were pretty, funny, confident, nice… and I was suuuuuper mad at Kokichi. Oh my god!” Kaito’s eyes widened, “Lake, did you know me and Kokichi met before I proposed?! Is it alright for me to tell people about this story now, Babe!? It’s such a weird story!!”

Lake did this...weird little jaunty movement. She didn’t like Kaito that way--he was attractive, sure, and from the start she’d had a good feeling about him, but her heart...well. And, plus, she was a lot happier seeing him with Kokichi. But it was still flattering to hear something like that, that he had, at one, naive point, wished he was marrying her. It was pretty silly, but Lake had still been raised on fairy tales too, and the novelty of being chosen by a prince still had sway. 

Snorting, Kokichi looked up and smirked at his sister before giving Kaito a nod with a laugh. “It is a weird story, and kind of funny in retrospect. I...don’t think there would be any issues to telling at least our friends about it--we’ve come to love each other and have a happy marriage together, so how it started isn’t, like, some grand statement.”

Lake, on the other hand, was looking a little shocked and intrigued. “You guys did? Aw, don’t leave me hanging! Give me a good drunken story time.”

“Well, first of all, Kaito was acting super irresponsibly--”

“Hey! Give me a break, I was about to sell my whole damn life to someone! I just wanted a chance to go explore the city without, like, a guard on me or something! We had no idea what we were walking into!”

“Yeah, but I told you it was a bad idea, and you guilt tripped me into covering for you, and what happened?? The universe proved me righ-”

Kaito suddenly laughed, a full belly laugh, before saying, “Yeah, yeah, the universe proved you right. You did say it was a bad idea annnnnnnnd it was! We almost totally busted a treaty! …maybe? Actually, the treaty would have still been signed if Kokichi refused to marry me, right? Ahhhhh, so much needless stress~”

“So, Kaito basically begged me and Shuichi to cover for him leaving the caravans and running around the city in Shuich’s spare clothes, which as you can imagine did not fit well-”

“It was fiiiiine, I just left the jacket open and tried not to flex too much.”

“Humble brag much? Shuichi was a stick once upon a time, it’s not hard to outflex him. Anyway, so he goes off skipping through the city in disguise like some princess in an old djinn-based fairy tail. He had one job. One criteria! Don’t talk to anyone! That’s all I told him to do! So what does he do-”

“A twelve to potentially fifteen year old kid came running up to me, making fun of my hair and offering to give me a tour of the city out of nowhere, and I was… yes. This child will be my protege.”

“Didn’t take much, did it?” Maki observed dryly.

“I was going through a thing and needed something else to think about! And apparently I have strong dad instincts!”

“You thought he was a teenager?” Lake raised an eyebrow, just...totally not seeing it. “Nah, Ko had a tooootal babyface as a teen. When he was fifteen you could’a thought he was just a slightly tall eight-year-old with a precocious mouth. But look at him now! Can’t mistake that face for a kid.”

Kokichi sighed softly, slowly blinking his huge, round eyes with his rounded face. “...like, everyone who didn’t recognize me thought I was a kid. I used that to great effect in trying to keep on the downlow.”

“Meanwhile, I was doing my usual thing of trying to pester travelers for information about the world, and I happened to find someone who entertained me more than a sentence or two. I showed him around town a bit, we got some food together, which is kind of hilarious now since Sakura-chan absolutely knew who I was and probably thought you were a huge weirdo for fully covering the bill, and…”

Kokichi sighed again, his gaze going a little farther away. “And through conversation, Kai-chan offered to meet up again the next day so he could teach me how to swordfight.”

Lake seemed enraptured by the story, but at that her face screwed up a little, trying to wrack her memories. “...wait, but wouldn’t that have been that day I saw you crying and you hid in your room for a few hours?”

“Yeah…”

“Uuuuugh.” Kaito groaned, kissing at Kokichi’s face a bit, before saying, “I was meaaaaaan… I wasn’t trying to be, but ‘shocker’, the Momota literally couldn’t give a child one sword fighting lesson without sending him home in tears.” Kaito snorted, a miserable little laugh at that. “Or, in this context, the man that I was meant to propose to in front of everyone the next day! ...yaaaaaay.”

“He pushed him.” Mak explained, rolling her eyes a little, “And held a sword to his throat.”

“I was trying to impress him! And remind him how dangerous swords were to play with! By playing with one!”

“He did this at a public park. The Luminary Prince met the Dicean Prince and almost immediately held him by sword point in public. If there was any justice in the world, we’d all still be at war, for how fucking stupid these two were acting. All royalty in the world are crippled by a case of the stupids.”

Lake frowned a bit, feeling a protective surge in her chest, though she was more than adept enough to not let it affect her. Instead, she gave her brother a curious look. “...I mean, holding a real sword to your neck is pretty intense but...just between the two of us, we’ve roughhoused plenty. I didn’t think that would really make you as upset as you were.”

Kokichi heaved a larger sigh. “It wasn’t about the pushing or the sword… I got scared at first because of how much I was risking by just...messing around. Kai-chan and I didn’t have to like each other for the treaty, but...if I had been killed right before it? There’s no way the Luminary Party wouldn’t have been blamed, and it would just make everything worse.”

“And when it was the motions of that, but Kai-chan not following through… It felt like he was mocking me. Like saying ‘oooh, look over here, the prince who’s too weak and dumb to do anything, ha-ha-ha, why would he ever leave the castle when he’d just die outside of it’.” Kokichi sighed again and ran a hand down his face, feeling the heat of his cheeks. “...I was in a really bad mental place before the wedding. And after it. So...I built that sort of narrative and...I was upset.”

Lake paused for a moment, reaching out to gently tousle her brother’s hair and give him a sympathetic look. “...I’m sorry… I wish I had helped more. I thought you were stressed and cagey but...I didn’t know how bad it really was. I mean...of course I saw what happened when they picked you out of the bathtub-”

Kokichi stiffened for a moment.

“-but...I don’t know. I wish things had been different.”

“...me too.” Kokichi managed a small smile at his sister. He had wanted things to be different, but...having them get better now was a good second in his book.

“...bath?” Kaito whispered to Kokichi.

“I wonder if things would have been all that different, if Kaito and Kokichi hadn’t met before the proposal… probably not that much would have changed.” Maki decided immediately, shrugging as she leaned her head against Lake, “Kaito would have inevitably said something Kokichi considered tasteless or cruel, causing them to feud. Tim would have still tried to assassinate Kaito and Tengan would have still pulled all his shitty little mindgames and tried to get me to kill Shuichi…” 

Maki scowled,  “… I look back at it all the time and it was all so pathetically inevitable.” Disentangling herself from Lake a bit and moving to the other side of the path, she spat furiously on the ground, clearly expressing her sentiments as she said, “We were so stuck...all my ‘what-ifs’ lead us back to the same damn results… it makes me so angry! What a stupid, worthless series of events that there was just no… getting around. You’d have to change fundamental parts of our personalities and the situation around us, there was no ‘best version’ of ourselves at the time we could have relied on. Everyone at their best back then was so worthless… ugh!”

Kokichi shook his head a little, just murmuring back, “It’s another story…” And...it would be one he told one day, probably. But in a way where...he wouldn’t traumatize Kaito in telling it. He’d figure it out sometime. Maybe at therapy. 

Lake paused by Maki, letting the other woman move as she needed but remaining close in case she needed to steady herself suddenly, but...she frowned a little. “...I can’t say I’m as familiar with everything that happened then, but...if you want to call anything worthless, then I’d agree that coot’s goals were worthless. But not you guys. You just...were.”

Kaito gave Kokichi another mildly worried look but… he had already asked once and Kokichi didn’t seem to want to talk about it. Kaito wasn’t going to push… as badly as he wanted to auuuuuuuugh WHAT OTHER STORY!? ANOTHER ASSASSIN THING? ARE THERE MORE ASSASSINS? BATHTUB ASSASSINS!?

He wasn’t gonna ask! Give Kokichi his privacy… AUUUUUUUUUUUGH.

“Yeaaaaaah, our therapist kinda said the same thing our last group therapy session. She said it wasn’t our fault that all that stuff happened, that we were unequipped to help ourselves… it made me feel a little better to hear it, but I can understand how Maki-roll feels too. It sucks to think there wasn’t anything we could have done to help ourselves.” Kaito sighed, his loopy, swirling brain deciding to change course out of internal screaming mode.

“Mmmhm.” Maki grumbled, taking another swig of her whiskey, before stopping, blinking slightly at nothing… before saying, “Does anyone wanna find something really tall to climb? Are there any really tall buildings in this city? Or maybe a really big tree? I like being really high. It’s safer. Very peaceful.”

Lake nodded a bit, getting a better picture of her brother and his family with every bit they spent together. There was something so...frustrating, seeing a situation and seeing that it was completely out of your hands. It didn’t mean you were worthless, or even inept--sometimes, there were some things that were just too big for individual people. But in that same helplessness, there was something freeing. Knowing that you hadn’t led to your own downfall either. 

At the end of it all, it was just something you had to live with. 

And they had. 

Laughing a bit, Lake shook her head at Maki. “For you, Mak-attack? I think you’d be just fine, but it’s a phrase like that on a drunken walk that leads to the night ending at the hospital.”

“I had a dream once,” Kokichi hummed, “Where I climbed a building way higher than any in Usott and I could see the whole city from the top. I followed a cat up there...and the cat walked off the building but was on some sort of invisible platform, but when I tried to follow I just fell. Then my dad was there, falling with me, then we were back on the top of the building and Kai-chan was there, and his arm was broken again, and the only way he could get down was by taking a spiral slide that was on the side of the building.”

“And that’s why we shouldn’t climb anything really high right now,” Lake affirmed.

“Maaaaan, I was busted for such a long time.” Kaito chuckled, “And honestly? Sliding down a slide in a cast sounds awful. My arm hurt constantly and busting it against the side of a slide? Ooph.”

“Stop being weak, Kaito! If I had a broken arm, which I never have--!”

“Not that she’d ever admit too.” Kaito muttered to Kokichi, “She fractured her bones all the time growing up, and if you dared point it out.”

“--If I had ever broken my arm, I would never be afraid of a slide! I’d slide everywhere! Let’s go find a slide right now, I’ll prove it!!”

“We can’t break your arm to prove a point Maki… it’d make Kokichi cry.” Kaito argued, “Do you want my husband to cry again!? He’s cried so much today! Don’t be a monster!”

Kokichi nodded, an odd combination of a pout and a sage look on his face. “I’d cry. I don’t want Maki-chan to be hurt anymore. She can take it, but she shouldn’t have to.”

“I think somehow if Ko started crying I’d get blamed for it all,” Lake mused before shaking her head a bit. “We can go to a playground if you want, though. It’s not particularly high, but getting to the top of a jungle gym can still feel like nice elevation.”

“I think if I got onto a swingset right now I’d hurl,” Kokichi sighed, cuddling back down against Kaito’s neck.

“I can’t be trusted around slides with Kokichi.” Kaito said seriously. “I’m way too horny and inappropriate. Look at how beautiful my husband is. I bet he’d be beautiful vomiting on a swing too.”

“You’re so dum Kaito.” Maki huffed, “We should spar. Can we go to a playground to spar? What time is it!? Are there children still there? Kaito just asked me to stop stabbing him in front of kids.”

“I only said in front of Tim!”

“Wimp.”

“Kimiko probably wouldn’t be traumatized! You can stab me in front of Kimiko! … You’re the wimp!” Kaito paused, his drunk brain processing, “Actually don’t stab me in front of Kimiko, it might ruin the romance of stabbing for her to see it in real life. I don’t want to ruin her hobbies! I love that little weirdo… and don’t stab me in front of Cali! She’s more sensitive than she looks! I really want to teach her to punch things properly, I think she’d be an amazing hand to hand fighter. She’s so much like me. Is it weird how fond of her I am? I fucking love Cali.”

“Fight me Momota!”

“Kai-chan goggles~” Kokichi sang right as Lake realized exactly how drunken nights with Kaito and Maki went. Oh dear…

Laughing softly, Lake looked around and judged where they were in relation to the castle. Just in case. “I may be off duty, but if you guys get into a brawl I can still intervene as a citizen. Spars are one thing, buuuut not when you’re both drunk.”

Kokichi nodded, humming as he closed his eyes, nosing against Kaito’s neck. “S true. It’s all about consent, an’ you can’t consent to shit when you’re drunk.”

“I CAN CONSENT TO WHATEVER I WANT, I’M A FREE WOMAN!”

“YOU ARE BUT DON’T YELL AROUND MY HUSBAND!!”

“Nnnnnngh, okay.” Maki whispered, veering back towards Lake and putting her arm around Lake’s arm again, steadying herself, “Lake, you’re sober right? You can be my proxy. You fight Momota for me then!”

“Nooooo, Lake fights dirty.” Kaito grumbled, “She uses moves that stop you fighting, not that keeps the fight going. And I’m gonna lose my shit if she ties her hand behind her back again. Ugh.”

Very briefly, Lake put a hand against Maki’s back, helping steady her in a movement that didn’t look like much before she just snorted. “Kai-guy’s drunk too; he can’t consent either. And while I’ve since learned that the arm thing was a switcheroo of respect, stopping a fight is also the Dicean way, baby! The goal is to disarm, unless you’re doing an art showcase or something.”

“I thought you swore off fighting,” Kokichi mumbled, not having opened his eyes during the yelling at all. “If you guys cut each other up, I’m gonna cry too. Cuts aren’t a big deal, but it makes me sad to see you guys hurt each other…”

“...you swore off fighting?” Maki asked, giving Kaito a briefly hurt look.

“...Yeah? I think I did that before you even left?” 

“...So, what? You’re not holding back sparring me because you were worried about me, but because you quit fighting? It’s got nothing to do with me?”

“What?” Kato asked, eyes widening, already starting to swim with tears while Maki glared at him, looking distinctly hurt, “No, no, no, I would totally fight you still! Quitting fighting doesn’t mean I’d never fight you. I love you! I’d fight you any time!”

“Oh, really?” Maki scowled, crossing her arms, “So if Kokichi told you no, you’d still fight me?”

“Of course I’d still fight you! ...Secretly! What, no, you do not get to look at me like that, you’re not even dating Kokchi and we still fought secretly when you had stuff you wanted to say! I am not the bad guy here! I will fight the shit out of you… when you’re ready!”

“...you guys fought secretly?” Kokichi murmured, though...he was far too out of it to push the issue much more than that. 

“‘I love you, I’d fight you any time’,” Lake quoted, bemused. “You two have one hell of a relationship, I’ll tell ya. But whenever you’re gonna fight, it’s not gonna be tonight, ‘cause you’re both drunk. Whadd’ya say we start heading back to the castle--it’ll still be a bit of a walk, and I don’t care how big your biceps are, Kai-guy, but Ko looks about halfway to sleep and I don’t wanna have to try convincing you to let me carry him if your arm starts to shake.”

“Noooo, I could carry Kokichi anywhere. Your husband will never drop you, Kokichi.” Kaito promised, kissing at Kokichi’s face a little before whispering, “Sleeeepy~’Kiiiiichi.”

As the group turned around, Kaito mindlessly singing , “Whyyy’s he sleepy~ cauuuuuse he’s ‘Kichiiiii~.” Maki sighed, rubbing her face on Lake’s arm for a moment…

“Why do you even like Nazumi?” She suddenly asked, looking a little baffed, “I know you love her. I respect that. And I know her past was a long time ago. I, out of anyone, know ‘things happen’...but outside of all of that? Outside of all the extra, dramatic nonsense… why did you bother? What did you like about her? She seems like way more work than I’d ever personally put up with… mind you, you also seem like a lot of work...”

“D’n patronize me…” Kokichi mumbled, tucking his face more against Kaito’s neck with a sleepy little noise, his arms relaxing a bit from around Kaito’s shoulders though not falling off him yet. “...m. Love you, Kai-chan…”

Lake looked at Maki fondly as the younger woman rubbed her face against her, though Lake wouldn’t be surprised to find some drool on her sleeve later. Though, she kept her shrug to the shoulder Maki wasn’t leaning against. “People are work. In a way, finding love is just...finding someone whose work you enjoy.”

The guard’s cheeks tinted but, for once, she didn’t bother trying to correct Maki. “...at first it was really selfish, honestly. I knew she was dangerous, had a lot of issues to sort through, but teens never really listen to that stuff.”

“...and I wasn’t a hero until I was older,” Lake admitted, her voice softer in memories. “For a lot of my childhood, after I came to the castle...I just felt like a monster. I was the unhinged kid that murdered people...something unforgivable to a lot of people. And folks don’t tend to keep opinions to themselves. There were people in the castle, Ko and Ikuo...they were family to me, but...being seen as vulnerable or a victim didn’t always feel great either.”

“Nazumi was the first person I had met that took an interest in me. She listened to what I had to say and asked questions and...I was thrilled to have that kind of attention. To be admired,” Lake grinned a bit, though there was a pointedly sarcastic eyeroll from her. 

“Then we both got older. More stable into the people we wanted to be. But...we kept in touch. And I started to take an interest in her more than just...an adoring audience.”

“...she’s so kind. And hardworking. And fun. Even when we barely see each other in a day, all the time with her feels like the best parts of an adventure with the comforts of being home...and not literally home. She feels like home to me.” Lake’s grin was a little more vulnerable as she chuckled. “And I don’t know. I’m not good for flowery words. But I think if I can listen to her talk about soil composition for native plants for an hour like it’s the most interesting thing I’ve ever heard, I think we’ll be alright.”

“Uuuugh, domestics.” Maki scoffed, walking as she kept her eyes closed, and frankly, very impressed with herself for not falling… holding onto Lake notwithstanding, “I just can’t imagine it. You, Kaito, Shuichi, Kokichi, Nazumi too actually… I just can’t imagine putting up with it all. Relationships make everything harder. Shuichi and Kaito have taken years off my life. “

“Are you complaining about loving us! I know your ‘complaining about loving people’ voice!”

“Go back to singing your stupid song, Kaito! You’re exhausting!”

“She’s full of shit, Lake! No one collects more meaningful relationships than Maki! She’s so sensitive! She’s literally swimming in feelings!”

“Fight me!”

“No!” Kaito shouted back, before wincing, “Sorry, sorry… not shouting in my sleeeepy-’kiiiiichi’s eeeeaaaar… noot gonnaaa paaatraniize with siiingiiiing~.”

“Years. Years off my life, Lake.” Maki grumbled, “And I was stupid and didn’t limit it to one crazy childhood friend that I’m not even in a sexual relationship with. I have two. And it’s only not three because I dumped the third one for finally just being way too much work for me. Fuck you, Kaede.”

Lake laughed softly. “It’s certainly a way to look at it, and life is much simpler if you don’t concern yourself with other people. But...for me, at least, that’s the point of it all. Without relationships and other people, there’s nothing I’m working for. So...it works itself out for me. The work is the purpose.”

Kokichi groaned a little as Kaito raised his voice, tightening his arms around Kaito’s shoulders. “Shuuuuuush. You’re exhausting but in the wrong way… Just lay me down next to Shuu-chan…”

“Though,” Lake continued, “If you find someone whose work is work? It can be hard, but dumping them tends to, in my experience, be the best thing for all of you. No more emotional exploitation on your end, and they’re open to find someone who cares about their bullshit.”

“Shuichi’s nooot heeeeere, babe.” Kaito chuckled, “But if you go to sleep, I bet he’ll be there the next time you wake ~uuuuuup.”

“Yeaaaaaah.” Maki sighed, basically just entirely leaning on lake no, not even pretending to be able to walk on her own. “...love suuuuuucks. It’s only for losers.”

“Thaaaat’s not truuuue.” Kaito grinned, keeping his voice light and soft, looking adoringly at Kokichi, “You’ll find someone someday, Maki… maybe just stop dating Momota’s? I’m not sure if there’s any other Momota’s left to date by this point… you could date Aunt Ibuki?”

“Pass, that woman is lazy and still manages to dredge up drama.” Maki scoffed, “And her music sucks.”

“Well, good! No Momota’s left! The world is your oyster!” Kaito cheered, before saying softly, “Soorry, soooorrryyyy~ staaaay asleeeeep~”

Feeling Maki lean more on her, Lake shifted a little to better support the other woman, chuckling a bit. “Eh, maybe. There are a lot of ways to love too, though you know that already. I don’t have to say maybe one day you’ll find someone, since you already have a lot. But people find their driving purpose in a lot of ways. Maybe yours won’t be focused around people, who’s to say?”

“Love’s pre- great…” Kokichi murmured, nosing in further to Kaito’s neck as if he could get away from Kaito’s louder statements in the process. “An’ I found a wonderful Momota to love. Bu’ you an’ Maki-chan already dated, so...mine. In the date way.”

“H~iiiis.” Kaito keened, very clearly bragging, “Maki did you hea-”

“Yes, Kaito, I heard, you’re very happy, good for you.” Maki rolled her eyes-- literally just opening them to do that, before closing them again-- before muttering to Lake, “Domestics.”

Lake just snickered, rubbing Maki’s back a bit. “You can brag about your next great adventure when it happens, and they’ll be jealous. Or be too caught up in calling each other or parenthood an adventure to be appropriately jealous. That second one seems more right, now that I say it.”

“I suppose so… I really have… no idea what the future looks like.” Maki murmured into Lake’s arms, sighing slightly, “No idea at all… it’s a bit scary. I don’t know how anyone puts up with it.”

Kaito could sympathise. He had felt like he had known what his future was going to hold, only to have it fall apart around his ears… several times now. Over and over. It was terrifying, feeling like the world could fall beneath your feet any moment, and you could lose everything you had thought was guaranteed…

He hoped his latest ‘certain’ future really was so. He hoped no one would take away the man in his arms or the man at home, carrying his baby. He hoped his son would need him in his life and Maki would still love him when all her healing was finally done.

He hoped his family would still want him, in the years ahead. He was painfully aware how that was never guaranteed. 

But, even with everything, it was… nice right now. Kokichi trusting Kaito to get him home alright-- and, okay yes, his arms were burning a little, but he could handle it!-- and Maki opening up, even if it had taken some whiskey to let her be more vocal and vulnerable about it to him and Lake. Shuichi and Tim happy and healthy, safe at home.

“...everything’s going to be okay, Maki.” Kaito said, “You’re the strongest person I’ve ever known. You’re already well past the hardest part of all of this… finding identity? Finding a way past all of this? You’re Maki Harukawa… you can do anything. I believe in you.”

...Maki smiled into Lake’s arm. 

-

On the whole, and not even with notable caveats that would make people grimace and raise their eyebrows, it was a good night. Warmed by alcohol and his husband’s body, Kokichi didn’t make it until they got home, falling asleep about halfway back, and Lake had to adjust a few times to support Maki more and more without just picking her up. And back at home, curled up comfortably next to Shuuichi as promised, Kokichi was dead to the world for the rest of the night.

It had been a night of reconciliation and vulnerability and friendship and silliness and...it had just been nice. To be young adults for a while.

So why did the regret taste as acrid as stomach acid?

Kokichi had barely had much, only three glasses, but once the morning like started to peek up over the mountains in the distance and over the city rooftops, Kokichi cringed with his whole body, smothering himself into a pillow as if that would allay the scratchy pounding in his head. 

“...oh no…” he whispered, barely a breath.

Kaito, at first, did not remember why he felt like this.

He would not, in fact, remember for a good few minutes. He just woke up with that immediate tension in his body, that too warm, too full feeling. The kind of swelling in his throat and chest that was his body warning him: You are absolutely going to throw up.

Kaito swallowed uncertainly, mostly just confused and a little disbelieving at it. He certainly wasn’t going to actually throw up. That wasn’t something Kaito Momota did. Especially out of nowhere. His body might be giving him all these warning signs, but they couldn’t be real…

And after a moment, it didn’t matter, because Kokchi made a painfully familiar sound to Kaito, and his next thought after ‘There’s no way I’m actually gonna throw up’ was ‘Kokichi’s got another migraine.’

Hopefully it wasn’t a ‘rush to medical’ type of migraine, hopefully their bathroom painkillers would be enough. Grunting, Kaito pulled himself away from his wrap around Kokichi, blinking his eyes open-- oooow, fuck it was bright-- and seeing Kokichi trying to hide his head in the pillow. “Hold on, babe, hold on-- I’ve got you.” Kaito grumbled, sitting up and, with another grunt, pushing himself to his feet off the bed.

Oh, fuck… dizzy.

Why did he still feel like he was going to vomi- ooooooh noooo.

The memories suddenly rushed back… sort of. For the most part. It gets a little fuzzy and disjointed near the end, but… oh nooooo they weren’t supposed to get drunk drunk… ugh they had all overdone it… “Painkillers.” Kaito muttered to himself, only waiting for his vision to stop spinning, before heading to the bathroom.

Shuichi just yawned, nuzzling into his pillow.

Kokichi shivered as Kaito shifted behind him, though the slight bounce of the bed was too much for his head. However, Kokichi could only scrunch his eyes tighter and hope to ride it out. It was almost like that detached, floating feeling he got when he was too high, but with a tight scratchiness that was just enough pointed pain to remind him that this definitely wasn’t that, and Kokichi couldn’t hope to wait it out and come down from the high. 

Three glasses!! That was it! He shouldn’t have a horrible hangover from three glasses! At least Kaito he could understand, if Kaito was even affected--which Kokichi was in no way going to peek his head out to check--because he’d been drinking hard and fast and straight from a bottle at the end. Uuuugh...he was only twenty. He shouldn’t be getting too old for this already. 

Kokichi groped around in the bed a little, finding Shuuichi’s arm and hugging it to his chest, trying to take any amount of comfort in this hellscape of a world he could.

Kaito got the bathroom and, purely out of instinct, switched on the light-- OW OW OW nope bad idea, lights off. 

...do not throw up. Do not throw up. You’re not even at the toilet, and also, you’re fine. It’s just a little hangover, you’re not going to--

Shuichi’s nose wrinkled in his sleep, half woken up by Kokichi clutching at his arm, half woken up by the messy sound of vomiting from the bathroom. Blinking his eyes open to see Kokichi’s head buried beneath the pillow, he sighed. “...overdid it, huh?” He asked softly.

Kokichi cringed again--no peeking out needed to confirm after all--and was very thankful he wasn’t a sympathy vomiter. Well, at least it sounded like Kaito had gotten to the toilet. ...hopefully. Maybe they were pathetic enough to plead with someone to help clean it, since Kokichi knew he and Kaito definitely weren’t up to the task, and Shuuichi had trouble bending over. 

“...yeah…” Kokichi sighed out, hugging Shuuichi’s arm tighter. “...only three glasses...bullshit…” As much as Kokichi didn’t want to hear much of anything, some validation that this was, indeed, a high peak of bullshit would at least soothe his soul a little. 

“...not goin’ t’ work.”

Shuichi laughed lightly, giving his extremely small, extremely thin boyfriend a sympathetic but unsurprised look. “Sounds like some bullshit. Should be a law… and that sounds about right. Take a sick day.”

Kaito waited in front of the toilet-- he had made it!...mostly.-- with some trepidation, not certain if his body was done, taking some steadying breaths… okay. There was still a lot of warning signs that his body wasn’t quite done with him yet, but Kaito’s delusion of invincibility were strong. He had already unnecessarily vomited once, he wouldn’t need to do it again! His body could whine all it wanted, Kaito didn’t like it, and was done with that. So…. there! No more vomiting! 

He stood up, gripped the sink beside him as he felt another rush of wooziness, waiting for it to pass…

Painkillers. Kokichi needed painkillers. Also, Kaito could maybe use some too, a little.

Taking two himself real quick-- he already had them, he might as well just take them real quick, it only made sense-- he drank the water from his glass, grunting at the fresh water made his stomach quake… okay. Lets bring ‘Kichi’s his. Ugh…

Heading back to the bed with a glass full of fresh water and more pills, he sat next to Kokichi in the bed and whispered, “Babe… painkillers. It’ll help.”

“Inflict law on...nature itself. No hangovers for...ung. Tiny amounts of booze…” He could write up a damn proposal himself, present it to the universe and make it so. Damn bullshit…

So what if he was only 91 pounds?! He could handle a glass or two or three even if he didn’t drink that often and they hadn’t eaten much before. 

...ugh. He probably wouldn’t have any cider during Harvest next year. Gotta be responsible for the baby. He was gonna make sure to make clear how hell hangovers were...uuuuuuuuuugh. 

As Kaito came back, Kokichi let out a disappointed sigh, because painkillers would help, and he really wanted them. But taking painkillers meant sitting up…

Bracing himself, Kokichi kept his face screwed and scrunched up as he slowly pushed himself up onto his side, blindly reaching out for the painkillers and likely glass of water Kaito had brought.

Kaito watched blearily as Kokichi blindly reached for the glass… missed. Missed again.

He sighed as he heard a small sound of frustration from his husband, before trapping the glass between his thighs for a moment, murmuring quietly, “I’ve got you, I’ve got you, breathe deep and keep ‘ur eyes closed…”

Carefully helping Kokichi sit up, holding the back of his neck and supporting the back of his head, his other hand taking pressure off his husbands waist in the movement upwards, Kaito ordered, “Open up. Pills incoming.” 

“Mrf?”

It was...a little weird, Kaito maneuvering him like this, but was Kokichi going to throw in the towel and open his eyes? Not a chance. Letting Kaito guide him, Kokichi did as he was told, sitting up as Kaito dictated and opening his mouth for the pills, expecting the rim of a glass to follow.

Pop the pills on his tongue, grab the water, gently lay it across his bottom lip, “I don’t want to choke ya, babe. Tilt it up a bit, I’ve got the weight.”

The truth was, Kaito was just immediately falling into the muscle memory of taking care of Kokichi when he was recovering from an attack. Just assume he can’t move himself, protect his neck when you move him because it hurts him when it lolls backwards, grab his waist because he’s easier to maneuver in any general shifting direction from there, assume there’s a very real possibility he can’t quite comprehend what was happening around him after just waking up, so speak simply and explain as you go.

Kaito was an expert at post-heart attack Kokichi care by this point… was it necessary for hungover Kokichi? He had literally no idea. It hadn’t occurred to him to wonder that yet.

“How long were you guys out last night?” Shuich murmured, still looking up at them with bleary amusement, purely from still just being sleepy. 

Kaito blinked, “...uh… give me a minute to… to like ‘person’ for a second.Then questions.”

If he had any leeway in not keeping his eyes closed as tightly as he could, Kokichi would’ve rolled them. He reached up, taking the glass from Kaito--or, just holding it with him--once he felt the rim, able to guess where the rest of it was from there. Not quite realizing how thirsty he was, Kokichi gulped down the full glass with the pills, pulling back with a small gasp before he immediately slid back down into bed, burying his head under a pillow. The movement wasn’t exactly quick, as moving too quickly was a recipe for stirring up nausea he, at the moment, was lucky enough to avoid, so...it was just efficient. Yeah. 

“I’unno… Maybe an hour? Walked ‘round th’ urban trail for a bit, talked… Fell ‘sleep in Kai-chan’s arms, so I’unno…” He figured they hadn’t taken any detours after he fell asleep, and they had already decided to turn back while he was still awake. Technically. He’d been drifting for a bit, in a warm, comfortable space amid varying degrees of awareness. 

He was pretty sure he saw Maki practically draped over Lake’s back at one point, though.

...shit, did she have a hangover too?

“...Maki-chan get hangovers?”

“...’pends who you ask.” Kaito muttered, “We used to think ‘nah’ but-”

“Her mentor had this crazy, like, concoction that made it really easy to deal with hangovers. Some sort of really powerful caffeine that Maki usually drank to deal with injuries and multi-sleepless night missions and stuff. Well, he says it was some sort of caffeine. I was never allowed to analyze it, but I’m pretty sure it was some sort of cocaine or something.” Shuichi sighed, “Maki said she felt invincible on the stuff. My mentor eventually had a ‘conversation’ with her mentor about it and she stopped taking it so often. After that?”

“Painkillers like the rest of us.” Kaito chuckled, groaning as he put his head in his hands-- ooph… there it was… he would start feeling like there was a crack in his skull after he took the painkillers. “Speaking of… let me go check on her.”

“She’ll kill you.” Shuichi warned him idly, as Kaito went to go fetch the painkillers from the bathroom, refilling the water again and taking the whole bottle with him as he headed to the door. “You’ll leave our child with only two fathers. Doesn’t seem like enough.”

“Well, it is what it is. See you at the trials.” Kaito mumbled, heading out.

Mm...right. The super-mega-coffee that had Maki staying up for three days. He remembered her telling him about that. It certainly sounded terrifying, but if it let you get away from a hangover no problem...that was tempting, at least. If only it probably wouldn’t stop his heart on the first sip. 

Kokichi sighed softly. “A noble sacrifice,” he remarked on Kaito’s journey two doors over. “He will be remembered fondly. A hero. Miya can spread his story with pride…”

Kokichi snuggled in against Shuuichi almost demandingly, burrowing like he could escape all sound and light if he could get under his boyfriend. “...m’ head hurts, Shuu-chan.”

“Alcohol is a cruel mistress. Should have never tried chocolate whiskey. It doomed you.” Shuichi whispered, perfectly content to let Kokichi burrow. He had very few hangovers in all his life, and with each one he swore he’d never make such a stupid mistake again. And sure… he was pregnant and hadn’t been allowed to drink a drop. But he felt very smug to have upheld his latest attempt at this vow, while the rest of his family toppled to their hubris.

He was still sleepy. At least he had a really valid reason to stay in bed now. Had to support Kokichi through this trying time. What kind of boyfriend would be to leave now? In this moment of crisis?

“It made whiskey taste good…” Kokichi whined, tucking his arms under himself. “Nothing should make alcohol taste good...it should remain the poison it is. Disgusting and available only for those who want to bring their own downfall.”

…

Kokichi sighed, his eyebrows arching up a little as he tried to push his face farther down, like that would help. “...wish I was unconscious again.”

“Mmmm… I know some pressure points that Maki taught me, but…” Shuichi frowned, “You’d wake up feeling worse later. Blocks blood flow to the brain to make you pass out. And it’s honestly not as instantaneous as books make it seem. You have to keep a really strong grip for almost a minute… unless the person is really weak, it rarely works out for the person trying it.”

The front door opened, and Kaito-- looking extremely hassled-- brought in a clearly fuming Maki, who was wearing a blanket over her head and was leaning against his whole body, grumbling angrily. “Maki’s hanging out with us. She’s still drunk.”

Shuichi snorted a laugh, before looking up, disbelieving, “What?”

“She took the ol’ hair of the dog that bit you wisdom… several times, last night, apparently. She’d wake up, feel like shit, and because she had all the bottles from last night, just drank some more till she stopped feeling like shit before going back to sleep. So, she’s sleeping it off in here, in a bottle free space. Now, wait here, Maki.” Kaito suddenly growled, sitting Maki down on the bed, where she immediately laid back down, “I gotta go back for the pill bottles, which is suddenly full of knife. Why is it full of knife, Maki?”

Indistinct grumbling, Maki still hiding under the blanket she had stubbornly hung onto while Kaito had herded her out.

“That’s right. Cause you stabbed it. The pills are our friends, and you stabbed them, Maki. Shame. You’re gonna take some, go to sleep, and apologize to the bottle when you wake up.”

More annoyed grumbling, as Kaito rolled his eyes at her, before heading back out to grab the now knifey pill bottle.

Kokichi sighed wistfully. “Thanks, but I just have to ride it out… Anything that messes with bloodflow I should probably stay away from.” And so he just had to suffer. 

It was only Kokichi hearing two sets of footsteps that clued him in before Kaito said anything that Maki was with him...and the fact he could hear Maki’s footsteps at all meant...hoo boy. Perpetually binge drinking over the course of a whole night...poor Maki. 

Shifting slightly, Kokichi blindly lifted the corner of their blanket with a soft huff. “Get under here… We’re in pain an’ sleepin until it stops. Hangover club.”

Another unconventional sleepover, but that was the only part of this Kokichi wasn’t going to complain about. 

Maki mumbled some more gibberish, but she scooted over into the offered space, still bringing her own blanket with her, curled up and burying her face against Kokichi’s pillow, taking Kaito’s as her own.

Kaito took some time to use Maki’s bathroom, needing to be sick again and using her sink to splash water on his face, his skull… ugh. Grabbing the pill bottle, it took a few yanks to get the knife out, which he tossed onto Maki’s desk once he finally managed…

...oh nooooo hadn’t he said to Tim and the girls he’d start training back up today.

It had entirely slipped his mind last night. He hadn’t meant to get this drunk. God, he felt like he was dragged around behind a four-horse carriage. He felt wrecked…

Kaito took another pain pill and glared at himself in the mirror. You told those kids you’d be there this morning, guess where you’re going to be, asshole??

(Stupid red-headed fuck…)

Another few breaths, and he headed back to the room. “Nooo, Maki, back up. You’re taking these before going back to sleep. You’ll thank me in a few hours, trust me.”

Maki mumbled some gibberish, before bringing her out her middle finger from the bundle of blankets around her. Kaito look at it dryly, before grabbing it, and with a firm grip, pulling her up from the blankets.

He didn’t even have to dodge the knife. He watched it wildly miss, and it didn't even manage to lodge itself into a wall. Sloppy. “Pills. Now, Maki. It’s an order.”

Her unfocused gaze, if it could have actually landed into staring dead at him, would have been terrifying in its anger… but instead it vaguely looked at the space above Kaito right shoulder, and after a moment, Maki pouted, taking the pills and drinking the water.

“Thank you.” Kato muttered, watching Maki burrow back to safety. Bed looked nice…

He sighed, heading over to shower.

Kokichi whined a little as he felt Maki be pulled up and away, though he knew she’d be happier in the long-run with some painkillers in her. He didn’t even want to consider what her final, eventual hangover was going to be like if she was still drunk now. It sounded like a form of torture outlawed even in the most pro-torture countries for how inhumane it was. 

Scrunching his face more against the bed, Kokichi grunted, not...feeling right, even if Kaito was giving Maki painkillers for her own good. “...don’ order her...i’ sucks. Sucky stuff…”

(It wouldn’t work anymore anyway. Maki could choose on her own to take care of herself--though likely with pressing insistence from the rest of them.)

Kokichi brought Maki closer in when she came back into their cluster, and when he didn’t feel the bed dipping with Kaito’s weight too...oh that poor, dumb man. What a solider… 

Well, maybe he could ask someone to stop by with...maybe lunch. That might be long enough that Kokichi wouldn’t want to take his head off and chuck it out of the window.

-

Timothy looked up at Kaito as the man explained, with a grin, standing very particularly underneath the shade of the tree in the courtyard, “Now, I know it’s been awhile for everyone! So, we’re going to take things… real easy. To get back in the habit--”

“Tumbles! Let’s do tumbles!”

“Let’s… not be so loud, Cali! Though I love the enthusiasm!”

“Why are you already sweating?” Timothy asked dryly.

“...cause…” Kaito grinned, “Dad needs to do a pre-workout workout to really keep these muscles! Like Mom used to do!”

“You workout before we workout?” Kimiko asked, rocking back and forth on her feet. 

“Y...yup! To stay this fit! Gotta put in the effort!”

Cali pouted… “I wanna be that fit! I want biceps! Can I come early for your early workout tomorrow!?”

“...uh, well, I don’t… uh I mean, that’s a really early workout, Cali-”

“When does it start?” Cali asked.

“Um…” Kaito tried to think of a really discouraging number, “Well I’m usually out here by five, doing my… normal, private workout routine. So you’d have to be awake by four to make it...”

“Ooooooh.” Cali’s face fell… before saying determinedly, “Well, if I can wake up in time, is it alright for me to come!? I’ll try real real hard!”

“Uh… tomorrow? Uh…” Kaito deflated on the inside, “Yeah, if you can make it tomorrow, I’ll be here-”

“If I can’t do it, I’ll try really hard every day! I’ll make it one of these days, I promise!!”

“...Gonna try… every day huh..” Kaito was sweating for a lot of reasons now… just tell them you were lying get it over with you can’t-- “Alright! Love the hustle Cali! If you can make it, you’re more than welcome to do early workouts with me!”

“Yay!”

“Yay…” Kaito grinned weakly.

-

Kokichi did eventually tough past his aching head and fall back asleep, and with his head sufficiently buried, no beam of sun managed to make him wake. Through Kaito trying to get through training in the yard and taking the kids to school, Kokichi slept, trying to get past his hangover with the oldest trick in the book. 

Eventually, though, he did wake, a discomfort in his stomach not from nausea still, but from hunger. Bravely, he tilted his head, opening an eye to see if light was just as sickening as it had been earlier.

…

...he could do this. 

Like a snake shedding its skin, Kokichi worked his way down the bed, trying to get out but not disturb Shuuichi or Maki. He’d go downstairs, drink an entire pitcher of juice, and...bring back some kind of food to devour. And then figure out just what the hell he could do for the rest of the day. Once he could get more of a sense from his body than ‘hungry’ and ‘not sent into a cave from light’.

-

Kaito was half asleep at the back corner table, half eaten lunch curled around his arms, not quite out but… really having only meant to lay his head down on the table for like a second and now it was ten minutes later and he was pretty sure he lived on this back corner table now. 

His plan was to eat real quick, get his strength back, bring food up to his family… and sitting down had been his downfall. He had gone to curl onto the bean bags in the shrine after coming back from dropping Tim off, not wanting to wake anyone up trying to crawl back into bed. That had been nice, but food had insisted he leave the safety of his shrine and face the cruel world again.

Those kids had so much energy… how did kids have so much energy?

Kokichi smiled slightly when he saw Kaito passed out in a corner of the dining hall, taking a guess at what his day had been like. Poor guy… Filling up a plate just for himself for the time being, before he’d load something up for Shuuichi and Maki to take back up, Kokichi sat across from Kaito, giving his husband room to sleep but keeping an eye on him.

And...in the meantime, Kokichi was devouring his lunch, filling up on dumplings and an omelette and a salad, having poured out two glasses of juice just because he knew how thirsty he was. It turned out, not having breakfast or dinner and drinking a bunch made you really hungry. Who would’ve known. 

And if it weren’t for the physical limitations of his stomach, he’d eat more too. Probably a recipe for a stomach ache on top of everything, but Kokichi was ravenous. 

Kaito opened his eye slightly, glancing warily in the person eating opposite of him… it could only be Waku or Kokichi, Shuchi and Maki both wouldn’t and couldn’t come down, Chako was working, Hajme would have announced himself loudly, and no one else would sit with him… and when he saw no pink--

“...they have spinach…” Kaito narrowed his eyes at the plate, “...I don’t see any spinach.”

Kokichi puffed his cheeks, his husband’s first words predictable, but totally uncool! “I’m eating a whole ass salad, Kai-chan. I’m getting my greens. And I even put peppers in my omelette. And these dumplings have celery and cabbage in them, I’m pretty sure.”

“...you doin’ alright? Want me to get you more water?”

“Oh, well, if the fried dumplings have cabbage inside of them.” Kaito grumbled, trying and, well, basically succeeding to back up, leaning on his elbows and staring miserably at his own food, “...food does taste pretty gross right now. Even spinach…”

Taking a deep breath, he said, “...yeah, water would be nice… how you feelin’ babe?”

Kokichi nodded and got up to quickly get Kaito his water first before answering anything. And...by now he had enough food in him to think. 

“I’m...okay,” he decided after a moment, honestly a little surprised. “Things seem a little slow and stiff, like, mentally, but...I’m okay. Hungry as fuck, but I’m solving that.” He took a pointed bite of his omelette to punctuate the point, chewing on it a bit though it was fairly tender. 

“Maki-chan and Shuu-chan were still out when I left, so I’m gonna take food up in a bit. You wanna head up and keep sleeping?” Kokichi tilted his head a little, a sympathetic look on his face. If food was still unappetizing to Kaito, and he was this exhausted… Not something he’d just managed to power through today, huh. “...you okay?”

“Mmmgh...spinach fills you up just as much as dumplings.” Kaito grumbled, though he gratefully took the received water, drinking it slowly and enjoying how cold and refreshing and not poisonous it was. 

Then, half of it drunk, he put the cooling glass next to his temple, and said, “I actually felt kind of okay during the workout this morning, but I skipped breakfast and regret it now. I feel sick. Why do I ever drink? This wasn’t worth it…. Though last night was kinda nice.” Kaito shrugged… before sighing, “Also, I’m going to be getting up an hour earlier for workouts from… now on, basically.”

“Completely untrue. You have to eat, like, five times as much spinach to equal a dumpling. And dumplings taste way better too, even if you put spinach in a dumpling,” Kokichi huffed, though he was comfortable in the conversation. The conversations they’d had last night were fun too, but...it was like Maki said. He really was a domestic kind of guy.

Eyes widening--Kaito had gone to work out? That was today?--Kokichi just shook his head in lament, mourning Kaito’s easy morning he could’ve had. And instead, he’d entertained and tried to keep three nine/almost ten-year-olds on task for exercising and working out. And then to decide to regularly wake up earlier?

Kokichi gave his husband a questioning look. “...why? Are you trying to do a pre-workout workout like Maki-chan? Once Miya’s born, when on earth are you gonna sleep?”

“Look, it’s either I wake up an hour early every day, or Cali shows up in the courtyard some random morning, looking around alone and in the cold, heartbroken at her mentors betrayal-” Kaito put his head in his face and just… “Uuuuugh.”

“I’m pretty sure I just never need to sleep. ” Kaito decided, letting his hands fall, expression dry and unamused, “That’s the answer, Kokichi. Just never sleep again. It’ll probably be fine, I think.”

Kokichi sighed, getting a picture. “Well, of course you can’t just tell her you don’t want to be out at the ass-crack of dawn. Maki-chan had been doing it for months, though I’d wager hers was even earlier than yours is gonna be.”

“...just take stock with her, okay? Kids need a lot of sleep--they’re growing a lot.” Kokichi frowned slightly, suddenly hit by an image of Cali struggling to stay awake in class or during the day because of an extra early training session. Especially when she was a teenager… There was a reason the high school class schedule that started at eleven was the most popular. It was really only the kids who had work or projects that they needed more daylight to do who took the earlier schedule. 

Shaking his head, Kokichi reached across the table to pat Kaito’s arm. “There, there; I’ll try and tell you tales of sleep. You can live through me.”

“Oh, right… Cali needs to sleep. Maybe I can tell her in, like, a week or two ‘sorry, in your best interest, we all need to sleep more, Cali Fornia.” Kaito tapped his fingers together menacingly, as he said, “Yessss… then I’m a good mentor who doesn’t have to admit he lied to cover up a night of binge drinking… yessss.”

Kaito looked down at his food and sighed, “Alright, I should finish this… ugh, food looks so unappetizing. Maybe I don’t need to eat. I can have dinner instead.”

Kokichi just shook his head again. Knowing him, tomorrow during training he’d just admit they’d all been hungover and ruin Kaito’s entire ruse. But it was important to be appropriately transparent with kids, and while they’d all likely had some talks about alcohol, this would be another learning experience for them, at the adults’ expense. 

Taking a look at what food Kaito had left, Kokichi’s lips thinned. “...have you gotten anything down so far? Maybe just try to eat some eggs, since they usually sit easy, then eat more at dinner if your appetite returns. We didn’t have dinner yesterday, so it’s important to get something in you. No energy without fuel, and you need energy to repair what we did last night.”

Kaito’s nose wrinkled, begrudgingly pushing the ood around on his plate as he said, “Who told you all that shit? Sounds fake… fine, I’ll eat the eggs.”

Kokichi gave his husband a markedly dry look. “If you get to bully me about my eating habits, I get to bully you too. Get some food in your stomach, then you can go back to sleep upstairs. Depending on how he’s feeling, Shuu-chan might just wake up to eat then go right back to sleep too, so you can have a cuddle buddy.”

He smirked after a pause. “...I have a feeling Maki-chan will either refuse to lie down anymore once we wake her up, or refuse to wake up in the first place.”

-

Kokichi was right on both counts, though he was somewhat, ‘technically’, wrong. Shuichi would quite like to just eat and go back to sleep, honestly, and Maki would have been happier just sleeping through the day entirely.

But what was actually happening was Maki was vomiting into the toilet and Shuichi was holding back her hair, which was only just long enough right now to get within splashing zone. She needed to get it cut again. He told her so, as she once again hurled.

“Shuichi,” Maki groaned, as Kaito and Kokichi arrived with the food, “I need you to knock me out. Use one of the pincher moves.”

“That’s a hard no… do I smell food? Who’s come back with food? Who's my favorite boyfriend now?” Shuichi called out. “I have favorites, and whoever brought me food just now is winning!”

Oooph...oh dear. Kokichi cringed a bit as he set down the tray he’d been holding on a nightstand. They’d elected to get a little of everything, just so Shuuichi and Maki would have options about what they’d be able to get down or what would be appetising, but...Maki might not want to eat, at least for a little while. 

“Sorry--we both brought food back. Guess the race is still on.” Kokichi poked his head into the bathroom, giving Maki a sympathetic look as she hurled. “You want some water? We brought some easier to eat foods, but...I’ll get you some water.”

“Just put me out of my misery. This isn’t how I wanted to go, but some things can’t be helped.” Maki muttered, burping alarmingly, resting her head on her arm on the toilet seat as Shuichi rubbed her back, “Tell the children my story. Maybe they’ll learn from my mistakes.”

“Man, waxing poetic from Maki? You must feel awful,”  Kaito chuckled, calling out, “I’ve brought coffee, Maki! Wanna have some and then go back to sleep?”

“...Yes.”

“After the water Kokichi offered! Two cups of water, then you can have coffee! I’m assuming you’ve already had more painkillers, if you only had two, you can have one more with the coffee since you been vomiting. If you had more than two, that’s it, you're cut off!”

“Tyrant.” Maki scowled. She had already had four. She could lie, but Shuichi would out her, the narc.

They’d brought some juice--Kokichi had a feeling Shuuichi would want something a little sweeter--but Kokichi just filled up a glass from the sink, heading around to sit at Maki’s side with it until she was ready to try drinking. “All in the interest of keeping us all healthy. Sucks, I know.”

“If you wanna feel any better, Kai-chan was havin’ a big whine downstairs when I insisted he try to eat something and not go a whole day without food. Especially when he was a lunatic and worked out with the kids this morning.” Kokichi grinned a bit, hoping to ease Maki’s misery if just the slightest bit. 

But while he hadn’t been drinking, Shuuichi still had his own stuff goin’ on too. Giving a nod to his boyfriend, Kokichi asked, “And how are you holdin’ up? Get enough sleep?”

“Who was whining!? I never whine! I am as cool and healthy as a cucumber!” Kaito said, his voice only slightly muffled as he laid face down on the bed… beeeeed…

Shuichi, in turn, smiled brightly, as Maki started gulping down the water, really wanting that coffee. “Oh, I’m doing great. Watching you all today has been, just… very entertaining.”

“”Sadist. Laughing at our suffering.” Maki grumbled, feeling better nough t stand up and go get herself more water, which she also gulped down, before heading out. 

Shuichi watched her go with a small, amused smirk, flushing the toilet, before going to wash his hands. “You look a little better though, Kokichi. Eating help?”

Kokichi laughed softly before he followed suit and got up, figuring he may as well wash his hands too. Never a bad thing. “I imagine it’s been kinda silly. But as terrible as hangovers are, it was a lot of fun to do something like that.”

“Eating helped so much,” he sighed, following Shuuichi and Maki back out into the room. He climbed up on the bed, but just sat on the lower side. He didn’t think he could comfortably go for another nap, even if that’s what Shuuichi and Kaito would be doing. And maybe Maki too, depending on how she felt after some coffee. “I was starving when I woke up. No reason to skip so many meals, but it is kinda nice to feel hungry like that again. I like liking food.”

Gesturing a little to the plates they’d gotten, Kokichi explained, “We got a little of everything, but if there’s something in particular you want I can head back down and see what I can do.”

Maki, sipping at the coffee already, looked at the wide variety of food, “I call… this side.” She said, gesturing to half the platter, “This side of the food. Shuichi, you can have the other side.”

“We’ll see about that.” Shuichi said simply, heading over to Kokichi and putting his arms around him, giving him a few soft kisses on the cheek, before sighing happily against him, “Thanks for going to get food, Kokichi. You’re my favorite now.”

“Nnnnnnngh.” Kaito groaned into the bed. “I was gonna bring stuff up too… ngh.”

“But, only because Kaito’s kinda weirdly into stuff like that.” Shuichi whispered to Kokichi, shrugging a little, “Don’t worry, I’ll tell him he’s my favorite at his next big gesture. It’ll make his day. Love you lots and lots and lots though.” Another small kiss, before he went to the platter, “Alright, so what are you trying to claim Maki? ...Yeah no. Let’s trade… some of these for some of those…”

Kokichi made a small, happy noise at his boyfriend’s affection, always pleasantly surprised when Shuuichi was in the mood for this kind of thing. In turn, Kokichi hugged around Shuuichi too and returned a few kisses, rubbing the upper parts of Shuuichi’s arms affectionately. 

Yesssss he was the favorite boyfriend!

“I love you too--a ton and a ton,” Kokichi said, kissing Shuuichi’s cheek again. “You’re my favorite boyfriend hands down, and I’d always go get you food if I’m able. I hope you enjoy--the dumplings are really good today, even if Kai-chan’s moanin’ about the spinach.”

Kokichi sat back a bit as Shuuichi and Maki divided and argued over the food they wanted, having their first meal of the day in the early afternoon. This was comfortable too, though Maki and Kaito might beg to differ. 

...closing his eyes, Kokichi could even imagine Miya in her crib just to the side of the bed, or even resting against Kaito’s side as he drifted off while they chatted and ate…

-

Kaito peered uncertainly at the small flier in his hands, opening its foldout map of Usott where the various events and ‘must see’ spots for the city were busily indicated throughout the map. Tomomi had given this to him when Kaito-- not wanting to put the pressure on Kokichi to pick a date spot but Kaito, still not really certain where everything was, unable to think of anywhere new-- had gone to her asking for recommendations. 

She had gone a mile and minute about all the various events going on in the city for the next few months, and maybe seeing Kaito’s increasingly lost look, had gone to fetch this flier for him, which listed everything she had been talking about. Kaito had eventually wandered over to his favorite bench at his favorite garden, trying to puzzle out what he was looking at.

Man, there was… a lot going on. Hmmm…

For once, Nadya didn’t have to leave early for a game or practice, and while she had originally wanted to work a little longer in compensation for how few her hours had been lately, Kokichi waved her off at her usual time and told her to go enjoy a free afternoon. Which...admittedly, Nadya didn’t do too often these days, so...it could be really nice. 

But before she could even think about leaving the castle, she had asked where she might find Kaito at this time of day. Delighted, her boss had rattled off a few places, and not wanting to disturb Kaito if he was resting in their room or praying at his shrine, Nadya had opted to check outside. 

And it seemed that fortune favored her that day. 

Kaito seemed a bit preoccupied, but there was no harm in at least asking. Approaching the man, Nadya called out to him. “Good afternoon, Kaito. Would it be a distraction should I ask to speak with you?”

Kaito had looked up when the shadow went over him, and though it took a second for his eyes to adjust to the sun-- “Oh! Nadya!”

He glanced around real quick, looking for Kokichi or Shuichi, but it was just her. Oh, okay… huh! Feeling a need to be respectful, he stood up from the bench, giving a nod, “Sure, of course! What’s up, what can I do for you? Or, no, not--” Kaito laughed, rubbing the back of his neck, “--not, sure, as in yeah, it’d be a distraction. Sure as in… go for it! What do you need?”

Nadya paused for a moment, sorting out what Kaito meant--if he was just turning her away kindly or not--but when it seemed he was willing to talk, she nodded with a smile before...well, turning a little pink. “I do realize this is a bit more personal than we usually talk, but...I have an old friend coming into town soon.”

Nadya glanced away, her smile...almost a little giddy as much as it was bashful as she rubbed the back of her neck. “...or...a bit more than a friend, at one point. But...I should like to show him a nice time in town while he’s here, at the very least, and...hopefully figure out along the way how to broach said subject of our past.”

Giving Kaito a generous look, Nadya gestured to him. “Of while you, Shuuichi, and Kokichi are all in a relationship, you have always, at least in appearance, been the most well-versed in matters of the heart. May we speak more on the matter?”

It took a brief second for Kaito to decipher what she was saying, but--

“Oh! Oh shit, Nadya?” Kaito grinned, looking incredibly pleased, if a little flustered, as he said with an excited little bounce on his back heels, “Are you coming to me for relationship advice!?”

Laughing, he sat back down, gesturing to the other side of the bench as an invitation for her to sit too as he beamed at her, “Or, I guess more… ‘wooing’, advice? That sounds weird, forget I said it. Dude, hell yeah I’ll talk to you about that stuff, I’m flattered you even thought of me! Though, I wouldn’t call myself the, uh, ‘heart’ in my relationship, Kokichi and Shuichi are both really overtly affectionate when they want to be, I’m just… loud about it.”

And a whore sometimes, a little bit, or kind of a lot, but ANYWAY.

Kaito waived his hand vaguely, realizing in his excitement he was rambling, before focusing. “But, hell yeah! You’ve come to the right person! I want to hear all about this! You’ve already dated this… guy? Did you say? Tell me more about him!” Kaito grinned at her, keenly interested as he said, “I’m all ears!”

It was endearing, how excited Kaito was for her to be coming to him for advice. And it set Nadya at ease that, even if there wasn’t much to Kaito’s advice, then they would still both benefit from having talked about it. A social bond, as it were. She still spoke to Shuuichi semi-regularly when she saw him in the castle, usually while she was running errands for the office and he was heading to or from his study, and she saw Kokichi during work, of course. But Nadya hadn’t had the time to say much more than a welcome back to Maki, and she rarely saw Kaito around while she was in the castle. It was nice to just...talk for a bit.

Nodding to confirm that this was indeed what he’d explained, Nadya sat down on the offered space on the bench and...just kinda grinned to herself though she let out a sigh. “Our previous relationship...is complicated. Conrad didn’t grow up in Falcon’s Hollow the whole time we were kids, but we did spend time in our youth together, and...for a time it almost seemed clandestine,” she laughed. “We were both on our individual travels, but we kept bumping into each other. We made a system of treating each other to dinner, whether that be a restaurant we both wanted to try out in a new place, or doing our bests to not spectacularly fail at cooking on the road. And...when we were headed in the same direction, we did travel together. It was…”

There were all sorts of things Nadya could say about those times. Words weaving together into dense tapestries of meaning and description that she’d spent a youth studying. But instead, her gaze just went fond, her cheeks pink as she quietly said, “...it was really nice. Being together. And I am certain that my enjoyment was not one-sided.”

That was all about how they knew each other, but as for who Conrad really was? Nadya tucked some hair behind her ear. 

“He’s an incredibly kind person. I’m not exactly inclined to ignore those in need either, but whenever we would find people requiring insistence, he would never hesitate a moment before lending his hand, regardless of the task. It’s an example, but he just...lives his life that way in all aspects. He’s incredibly brave, and noble in personality--to the point it can be a little shocking if you get to know him personally after seeing that side of him. He’s very sweet personally, but I think he may have fashioned himself after storybook knights, when it comes to people he meets but once.”

Nadya smiled a little more, just...kind of caught up thinking about her old friend. “...our paths took us different places, but...I think we’re both at a point of change. I...would like to ask him if he is as fond of me as I him.”

“Ha! A ‘knight in shining armor’ type, huh? That’s nice, I wish more guys out there fit that description.” Kaito confessed, crossing his leg over his other knee and resting his chin on the curve of his wrist as he said, “He’s sounds like a keeper! Now, forgive me, but I’m not actually hearing the issue.”

He, placing the flier down in his lap, lifted up his free hand, counting out on his fingers one at a time, “He’s, one: A good guy, someone it doesn’t sound like you're having any second thoughts about. Two: Someone you know well, who’d be just as happy making side of the road charred lizards as he would be at a fancy restaurant… so long as you’re there.” Kaito grinned, giving her a small wink, “And three: absolutely totally into you too… right?”

Dropping his hand, he leaned back against the back of the bench, giving her a curious look, as he said, “Or am I misinterpreting? Because based on your description? You’re right, there’s no way he’s not head over heels for you. My only point against Conrad is that he’s not confessed to you yet. Tsk tsk, you’re a catch Nadya, he needs to get the fuck on that.”

“So…” Kaito gave her a mildly confused look, as he asked, “What’s the holdup? What were you hoping for help with? Cause it sounds like you’ve got a ‘home run’ set up here… is, is that the right terminology? Home run? Kokichi was talking about baseball and I got the impression home runs were, like, perfect situations or something.”

Nadya tittered amusedly. A knight in shining armor...mask and cape and everything. Only she had been fighting along beside him, rather than being rescued. Though, in fairness, Thieza hadn’t been a damsel in distress herself.

Things were calming down in the world. At least where it concerned them, there were no huge quests to go on, at least for the time being. By all accounts, now would be the ideal time to sit and think about the future, but…

Nadya looked a little unsure when Kaito got to his third point. She gave him a grateful grin at trying to use baseball analogy, but… “More or less, and the way people use the phrase is how you’ve used it. I...I do not harbor insecure fears that our relationship will be ruined or strained, and...I do think there is a likely chance he will accept my feelings. Even if he does not, it is far from the end of the world.”

“I...simply…” Nadya gently threw her hands up, looking a little lost. “...how does one start that sort of conversation? And while Conrad has expressed interest in seeing one of my games while he is here, that’s not exactly something we can do together. I’m not quite attuned to...what people actually do on dates. Or simply things that two people can do together while enjoying one another’s company.”

“Oh, yeah, do not ask him at one of your games.” Kaito said immediately, a small concerned crease in his forehead as he put his arm around the back of the bench, navigating himself to be positioned directly towards her, trying to give her his entire attention through body language. “I totally understand the temptation and why that seems like a good idea, but trust me, as someone who’s been on the other end of more than a few uncomfortable confessions--”

Sure, you could call them ‘confessions’. It was maybe too generous a term for the passes he’d get pretty regularly, but ‘confessions’ were a nice word for it.

“-- I started noticing a pattern with some of the ones that felt the worst? Never confess to someone at an event that, in some way, is meant to celebrate you or your accomplishment. You can make the argument that you’re just offering yourself when you’re at your most appealing, but the truth is it's a lot of weird pressure on the person you’re confessing to to not ruin your ‘special day’ while everyone else is screaming your praises. It sucks, you’re better than that, Nadya.”

“But, okay! You just want help working out a nice way to confess?”

Nadya nodded, paying serious attention to Kaito’s advice. Neither she nor Conrad were shy to the point of social hyper-awareness, but...she would say, they were reserved. Friendly, but details about themselves were saved for people who actually cared to listen, and had proven so. Asking him on such a grand scale was not an idea Nadya had entertained before, but now she really knew not to.

“I see… I had not been planning to, but that is a point I had not considered,” she hummed, before giving Kaito a semi-pleading look. “And...yes, that is what I’m asking. Or even some guidelines, like you have already given me. Like…”

Nadya sighed. “When should I aim to bring it up? It does not seem fair to either of us to wait until the end of his trip, but nor does it seem right for it to be one of the first things brought up. Should he reject me, as I’ve said, I do not think it would put considerable strain on us, but...it’s weird, yes? To have two weeks knowing that the person you are visiting had entertained unrequited romantic leanings, and then spend all of that time still doing things together? I would like to give him the time and space to think on it, should he need it, but...not make it seem like an anxious afterthought.”

“Ah geez…” Kaito scratched the back of his neck, before saying, “Honestly? My gut instinct is to tell you to give it a few days and find some fun, grande way of letting him know. Build a memory, sort of thing? That’s what I always daydream about doing. It’s what I always want to do, ya know?”

“But, the truth is what I always end up actually doing is letting it slip from my mouth in some small, stupid moment where I’m not keeping my guard up.” Kaito chuckled, looking up at the sky a bit, reminiscing, “I have a really hard time holding back telling people when I’ve fallen in love... I don’t honestly know how anyone does it? Holds it back? I mean, I spent a good part of my childhood being in love with my friend, Maki, but… she knew. She just never loved me at the same time as I loved her, and… vice versa. I can’t understand how people resist screaming it from the rooftops, when they fall in love. It’s such a nice feeling…”

Kaito frowned… before running his fingers through his hair in aggravation, before looking at Nadya seriously, “I get why you don’t want to do it. I totally understand your logic, and I’m not even saying I’m right… but I know if I was in his position? I’d want to be told as soon as you knew, that you loved me. It… sucks, not knowing. Trying to guess by little clues and guesses, hoping desperately it’s not just you reaching for something that isn’t there. I’d tell him the first day and just… live with the consequences of that.”

“And, you guys are friends! Wouldn’t you want to get that uncomfortable conversation, if he says no, done and over with the first day, so it’s not hanging over your heads for the rest of the two weeks? Like, maybe don’t tell him the second he gets out of the carriage, give him a chance to rest, but… I don’t know. Tell him sooner rather than later. That’s my honest advice.”

...there was a nice temptation. Schedule most of the things where they’d be ‘stuck’ together early on then...pop the question with some nice setting. Maybe in a walk in a garden or when they got back to her apartment after a day out…

And yet Nadya was well aware of the millions of ways people said ‘I love you’ without saying any words at all. 

“I’ve found it admirable, your openness when it comes to being around those you trust. Those you love can speak for themselves, but I hazard that it’s comforting to never have to question your feelings for them.” There were a lot of ways to say ‘I love you’, but saying it never hurt either.

...Nadya tried to imagine Conrad’s reaction. Good, bad… 

She took a breath and gave Kaito a small nod. “...thank you. I think that may be the wisest course of action...if I do not let myself overthink.” Chuckling softly she shook her head. “...I do not intend to ‘blow up your spot’ as it were, but...I don’t suppose you have any favorite date locations you would be willing to share?”

“Ha! Now there’s a tough question.” Kaito chuckled, grinning brightly at her before sheepishly showing her the leaflet. “I can give you really good reviews or all of two dance clubs, and many diners… and one ramen place.”

As he looked briefly over the flier, he was still grinning to himself, feeling pretty light. Sure, he’d feel kinda bad if his advice ended up not working out, but… it was sincere advice. If Conrad was going to say no, then it was going to hurt Nadya regardless of when she confessed… but there was a good chance that by the end of those two weeks, she’d get to genuinely enjoy something she’s had for years. A nice time with one of her best friends.

...unless either she or Conrad reacted to the rejection like he had reacted to Shuichi’s rejection and hid themselves away for over a month. But, liiiiike, they had other problems if that was the reaction. He knew that very well too!

“That’s actually what I was thinking over when you came across me. Check it out, I got this from… fuck I can never remember her name... Tomomi! Yeah, she gave me this thing as like a… list of everything going on in the city? I’m trying to pick a nice date place for Kokichi, thoooouuuuugh,” Kaito laughed sheepishly, “I think I know my husband well enough to know that he’d like… most of this stuff. I think the only way I could choose wrong is if there was anything, like… remotely sketchy about it. So I’m more just trying to figure out what he’d like to do, but wouldn’t treat himself with… though, I think considering it’s a confession setting? You could probably play it a little safe…”

“So, what are you thinking? Nice dinner, nice view?” Kaito asked, scooting closer to her so she could read it with him.

“I may take you up on learning about that ramen place,” Nadya sincerely said as she peered over at the...honestly it looked like a tourist guide. Which, in a way, was exactly the sort of thing that would help Nadya plan Conrad’s visit. Gardens and museums and performances and attractions…

Nodding as Kaito explained what he’d been doing, Nadya hummed understandingly. “I see. Kokichi loves this city quite dearly, and he’s ever enthused with new knowledge. During work, he’s mentioned a few times a desire to see the immediate areas outside the city, but he seems just as excited when he talks about the goings-on within it. I know he’s been quite excited to see your wedding armor up on display in the art museum.”

Though there were tons of other things Kokichi had also mentioned being excited for so...really, Kaito couldn’t go wrong. 

Thinking for a moment, Nadya hummed softly. “...I think I will confess to him separate of any event. Especially since this trip is for him to be able to sightsee a bit, I think, should things go that way, it would be nice to both choose things to do… But as a plan within that...if he says yes, I think I would like to follow up on our tradition and treat him to a nice meal.”

“I’ve tried out various places in town, but… It should be interesting to see what is advertised. I don’t think the places the Andelusians go for team meals is quite the vibe I’m looking for in this particular case…”

“Okay, okay, so a restaurant… somewhere comfy but nothing too formal, you’re not asking him to marry you…” 

Kaito spent some time pointing out a few restaurants, he and Nadya idly discussing vague pro’s and cons to the meals. And as much as they kept discussing more and more interesting ideas… 

“...are you sure you’re not just… like, currently hungry for ramen? Cause you sound like you might just straight up want some ramen right now.” Kaito finally accused, giving her an amused grin.

Nadya laughed softly, shrugging a bit. “You may be correct--now that you originally brought it to my attention, it has dawned on me it has been quite some time since I have had any kind of noodle dish that isn’t the instant kind I make at my abode. Which is not slop by any stretch of the imagination, but it is not the same as restaurant quality. Still...it is the kind of food that is nostalgic for many in Dicea, Conrad and I included, and going to a shop of a master of the craft would be a wonderful experience. And it would likely leave us with leftovers to plan a more packed day in the future without having to worry about cooking or going out to eat every day.”

There was a pause before Nadya gave Kaito a curious look, something just...genuinely open. “...if I may ask, what sort of cuisine is nostalgic for you? I do not know if there’s anywhere I would be able to recommend, but...I am curious. Some of the other Luminary-born people I have met can…” she let out a huff of a laugh, something amused, though not poking fun in her eyes, “Well, they have opinions about broad Dicean cuisine.”

“Aw, it’s easier when you get used to it… being forced to eat it, three times a day, every day… every damn day…” Kaito grimaced for a second, before suddenly brightening, “You find things you like about it! Eventually! So, ya knoooow…”

“As for what do I miss… man, I miss pineapple and ham. And cranberry and turkey! And apple slices with ribs… why don’t you guys put fruits in your meat sauces? You’re so good at pastries, but you guys totally missed the whole ‘sweet meats’ thing! And I miss butter. You guys don’t put enough butter in anything. Don’t tell anyone… and I mean it, don’t tell anyone, but I keep ‘accidentally’ putting ‘too much’ butter in the mashed potatoes when they ask me to mix them. Seriously, Chako might kill me if she finds out, take that secret to your grave.”

Fruit and meat...huh. 

“Hm… I suppose the closest thing we have to sweet meats is certain kinds of barbeque, though the sweetness tends to come from honey or brown sugar. I...don’t think I’ve ever heard of using any fruits in a savory dish like that, though, unless you count using citrus juice,” Nadya remarked.

“And my lips are sealed,” she grinned. “Some dishes could use more butter in my opinion, and mashed potatoes are definitely one of them.”

Nadya had heard the gripes and complaints of Luminary defectors during the war, but...she was...possibly familiar with Luminary cuisine from another angle too. Thinking for a moment, Nadya sent her friend a curious look. “...this may sound odd, but are you familiar with a dish known as poke? The raw fish salad, cured with soy and sesame?”

“Hm? Oh, yeah, of course! It’s a little on the expensive side, but Poke’s a stable in Luminary. Sort of thing you buy for someone you’re trying to impress.” Kaito mused, “Mom loved it. It’s waaaaay cheaper and waaaaay more common in Novoselic. The sort of thing she grew up on.”

Nadya smiled slightly, not particularly fond of the former queen of Luminary herself, but partaking in a fond memory from her friend. “That would make sense then… My mother would always make it when we had guests, though I suppose it is a little different with river fish than ocean fish. I’ve never been able to find it here, though one can generally find at least one sushi restaurant in a given town. A different cultural path of cuisine, I suppose.”

Kaito looked mildly surprised, saying uncertainly, “Was your mom from Novoselic, or… oh! You know, sorry, sorry, I really should remember this, but I think either… you or Shuichi told me your mom’s from Luminary. That’s pretty wild! I totally forgot about that till just now.”

Kaito gave Nadya a more curious look, before chuckling slightly, “I’m guessing she doesn’t go back to visit. I feel like you’d have said something if you ever visited Luminary… I mean, outside of the war. Did you ever cross the border? Ever get a chance to see any Luminary stuff? I know you guys were mostly just holding the lines, so I guess I’d actually be pretty surprised if you ever pushed back far enough to hit a Luminary town…”

For a moment Nadya was surprised as well. She didn’t think Shuuichi would relay her mother’s whole story to his family, but she figured he would’ve mentioned that she had been from Luminary. And, apparently, he had. It had been long enough now that Nadya had merely forgotten to preface it appropriately...embarrassing. 

But while Iliyana had been from Luminary, while there were things she had shared with Nadya...Nadya could not quite consider herself a child of both nations. Giving Kaito a small, apologetic smile, she shook her head. “No… My mother hasn’t left Falcon’s Hollow since she first moved there before I was born. While, geographically, it is relatively close to Luminary, there has not been much influence from it. There has not been much influence from anywhere, really, other than the fact that the village has agreed to Dicea’s rule.”

“And no… We crossed over into Luminous farmland once while I was fighting, but the majority of the battlefields had been in the mountains, holding the border.” Nadya looked contemplative for a moment, remembering her time in the army. “...I think I should like to actually travel to Luminary as a proper visitor, however. It would not be the world my mother saw growing up, but there is still plenty to experience. Perhaps I’ll ask you for another round of tourist trips before I do,” she grinned, giving Kaito a friendly look.

“Heh, well, last I heard the roads through the borders are meant to be, like… made more straightforward and stuff. For trade and tourism. I don’t know if Queen Kaede still considered that a priority, but the last administration started those discussions, so…” Kaito shrugged, “Maybe it’ll be an easier trip soon! Well, ‘relatively’ soon. Hell, I’d bet you’d know better than me how long it can take to pave out and secure new roads.” Kaito laughed, giving her an admiring look, “Military’s making new paths and roads everywhere you guys go. You must have learned, like… so many practical building and road maintenance out there!”

“You know, I was gonna join the military, before being sent to Dicea. Like, literally right now? I should be prepping to graduate from the academy, and be getting my first assignment! I was really excited to work with people like you, and Ikou, like… General Juzo used to say that officers were only as good as their men! Or, troops, obviously not just their men, I was just… sorry I just misspoke.” Kaito laughed, looking genuinely embarrassed, “But, yeah, I was really excited for it! Though… Dicea doesn’t even have officers. I’ve always wondered how that worked?”

“Bringing in more commerce I would think would be an appealing project to work on, but even at the best of times administration has its hands full. I suppose will shall just have to see it as it goes,” Nadya nodded before laughing softly. “Honestly, I learned much in the militia that I wish I had known when I was travelling for my own fancy. There are so many ways to build temporary shelter I had no concept of before.”

...it was surprising, in one sense at least, that this was the first time she and Kaito had really talked about their countries’ respective militaries. In another...she understood completely. 

“There is a lot of pride and honor in serving one’s country,” she quietly said, a sort of respect in her nod to Kaito. “Less so in war itself, but...I have no doubt in my mind you would have carried your duties admirably. I dread to think of a world where we would’ve met on the battlefield, but…”

Nadya sighed. Something...far away and heavy in her eyes for a moment. “...there were others I did face, who while we were on opposing sides, I still hold in respect. They were admirable fighters and officers.”

“...and while, no, officially there were no titles or offices in the militia,” Nadya grinned, pulling herself back, “It becomes evident quite quickly in battle who is predisposed to what. Those who can think quick on their feet, but only for their own actions, those who can bend and mold a plan into fruition, and those who can see the battle as it unfolds from both sides and plan accordingly. After a battle or two, one knew whose plans they should heed.”

Kaito winced at the clear sadness in her tone. He kept forgetting that the returning vets were very much not proud of their time at the border. It was a culture thing he hadn’t quite gotten his head around, but… he didn’t want to keep insulting them by bringing up painful memories.

Still, he couldn’t help but whistle at the equally strange culture difference in their formation of their troops, and how… chaotic it sounded. “Damn. I honestly can’t even imagine. Luminary military is so rigid and structured, literally everything we do is written down approved long before we even have to decide to do it. Don’t tell on me to ‘Kichi, but,” Kaito huffed, “Soooooo much of learning to be an officer was just… learning endless paperwork and memorizing protocols… ugh, I’ll be honest, I kinda hated it. The schooling for it, anyway, I always hoped once I got out into the field I could do something… heroic! And brave! Buuuuuut… probably what would have actually happened would have been I ended up a really glorified secretary for a General somewhere. Safe, desk work. That’s where my brother wanted me.”

“But, because of the way I was trained into it, I really struggle to visualize how you guys lived. I mean, you can’t argue with the results, you guys kicked our asses.” Kaito chuckled, “Hell, maybe it was all our structure that killed us. I imagine we became easy to predict, after awhile. You all had fifteen years to figure us out, after all…”

“It’s incredible, sometimes, just how wildly different everything between Luminary and Dicea is. Even our religions… like, religion’s I’m familiar with? Wildly different across the border. Way more than I ever thought possible.” Kaito chuckled. “Wow.”

Nadya laughed a bit, a bit more fondness in her tone. “Oh, I am aware. The few Luminary soldiers I had the opportunity to talk to during the war were appalled by our lack of structure. A few accused that it was a front we all put on to deter spies from our true plans. In truth, I have difficulty conceptualizing what having every maneuver planned out in advance by another would be like. To my own person, it sounds maddening, and my work currently as a bureaucrat does not temper that, as ironic as it may be.”

“But each system has their strengths,” she nodded. “In truth, there were many disasters we likely could have prevented if we had more structure in the militia. It is more difficult to keep track of people when they act upon their own moment-to-moment sensibilities. And the ability to act as a cohesive team will overwhelm even the most skilled or creative single fighter. Had Dicea a standing military, I would imagine it would be going through quite a change after seeing Luminary’s.”

That was the biggest issue in the war, actually. Being overwhelmed by Luminary’s numbers, which, when they did move, were efficient and cohesive. While the military’s movements as a whole could get predictable, the smaller groups were dangerous in any altercation. 

It was just...a difference. Among many.

Nadya let out a huffing sigh. “Nearly everyone in my village was a follower of Mother Mila--while I had known it was not so elsewhere, I still had a grand shock when I left home for the first time. After living in an entire country that worships Atua, I cannot imagine how jarring it must even still be at times. Even once the temple is finished, that is not much a return to something familiar, I would imagine.” She tilted her head, encouraging Kaito to speak his thoughts on the matter if he so wished.

“It’s… definitely weird.” Kaito admitted, shrugging a little, before admitting, “It might be weirder still if anyone in Dicea ever talked about or… expressed a religion in a way I recognized? But it so rarely seems like a thing here. If people are religious here, they keep it real under wraps. Religion seems super private, here. In some ways, that makes it kinda easier. I’m not randomly reminded of how different the actual faiths are here.”

He didn’t mention that he had no idea what the Atuans he met here would use the temple for. Their rituals would be… strangely forieng to him. If everything else was as different as the parts of the religions that he was introduced to by the group. It was strange… they literally worshiped Atua as a whore god, but had no idea what Kaito was talking about when he had mentioned prayer rooms. Sexual worship just not having developed here, he guessed.

Raising an interested eyebrow, he felt compelled to ask though, “Mother Mila? I think that’s the first time I’ve heard of… her? Is it alright for me to ask? What’s she all about?”

Nadya nodded, looking out into the garden. “People are quite open if they’re in a religious gathering, but...out in a true public setting, religion tends to be a more private way of being. You will still find those who bless with their respective faith but...if I could hazard a guess, it just did not become a social norm due to the religious persecution some faced in history. There was a time where monotheist religions were crusaded against, from varying degrees of general dislike and light segregation to full on arson and lynchings. It may not be the reason, but I could see how that history influenced the culture of today of not speaking gregariously of one’s religion.”

That said, though, Nadya lit up as Kaito asked about Mila. “Oh, that is more than alright.” Carefully, Nadya reached into the collar of her shirt and pulled out a wooden locket, pulling the leather string over her head. It was rectangular and the impression of a tree was carved on the front, but when Nadya opened the locket and held it over to Kaito, there was a painting of an ethereally beautiful woman on the inside, a peaceful expression on her face and her long green hair flowing over long, pointed ears.

“This is imagery of Mother Mila, the mother goddess of the earth. Her followers worship her as the earth itself, and vice versa. The bounty of the land is her blessing.” Nadya smiled, her voice smoother, at peace speaking of her faith. “There are many interpretations, of course, but I believe that she created the land and everything on it. Mila is in every river and mountain and desert and field, and every creature that lives here.”

“While in the Hollow we celebrated the national holidays like Zenith and Harvest, they are more dedicated to Mila than the general thankfulness you’d find people celebrating out here,” Nadya explained. Though, she thought for a moment, remarking, “...you know, when I told Shuuichi of my faith, I think he said something about Mila being in the minor pantheon of the Atuan faith. I’m not sure how much there would be, but I wonder if there is any crossover.”

“Ah, man, I wish I knew more about her so I could answer that,” Kaito pouted, genuinely regretting his lack of knowledge of the lesser gods. “I do remember a minor nature goddess. I think she… aided the changing of the seasons? Ugh, I feel like such an asshole that I don’t know more, she sounds awesome, from how you describe her. And it’s not like the lesser gods aren’t important. They help Atua with so many things! They just were never… stressed that much? In the temple I grew up with? We mostly just discussed the saints. Which, looking back at it now, does seem kinda strange, to focus more on saints than gods…”

Kaot paused, thinking about it some more… “Maybe... Maybe the lesser… oh, uh, the ‘other’ gods were more widely discussed in temples outside the castle temple? Maybe the focus on Atua was so fixed because, I mean… the castle funded and housed the temple I went to, and the castle was owned by the Momota family, who… ya know, we have a lot of reasons to want to focus exclusively on Atua. Maybe we just didn’t want to acknowledge other gods in our temple, cause like… well, cause like someone like me would be there.” Kaito shrugged, laughing sheepishly, “A Momota.”

“Mother Mila, huh… well, that’s still pretty neat. Um, I mean… maybe this isn’t an offer I need to make, but… if you ever have a religious holiday you could use some company for? I don’t really think Atua would mind. He loves us regardless of what we do, so… I don’t think he’d really have a problem with me helping celebrate another god… I think.” Kaito said the last part with less certainty, but… yeah! He felt like his logic made sense. His god wasn’t a jealous one. Luminary worshipped Atua because they loved him, not because Atua made them!

...Or, well, okay… Atua didn’t make people worship him, but… admittedly Kaito’s family may have pushed the issue...

Nadya laughed softly, not put out at all by Kaito’s lack of knowledge of her goddess. Even as devout as Kaito was, it was ridiculous to expect him to know a more niche part of his religion just because it coincided a little with hers. Simply being able to talk with someone who felt religious faith was an uplifting experience. 

“Perhaps,” Nadya shrugged. “While they all have their own stories and practices, how you practice and learn faith tends to serve the specific community doing it, I have found. Perhaps learning of the saints was more pertinent to understanding Atua than the stories of the other gods. Perhaps it was more political. But your faith is yours, and, barring something like persecution, how you feel your faith cannot be wrong, even if it is different from someone else’s experience.”

That was how Dicea as a whole tried to operate these days, at least, even if for many people it was a non-religious faith that they felt within themselves. But even if it wasn’t a god, there were still many things people could worship. 

For a moment, Nadya looked at Kaito in slight surprise before her smile softened and pure gratitude and appreciation radiated out from her. “...thank you, Kaito. I really appreciate that. I would like to extend my own offer as well, though...unfortunately, I do have some limits.” She gave him an apologetic look. “I do not do well with hallucinogens. But for such services as cleansing your shrine, I would be honored to celebrate and worship with you.”

...it was more that her mother made her promise never to take church drugs, but...well. Nadya had some tact.

“Ha! Absolutely, my partners hate that shit too.” Kaito laughed, rubbing the back of his neck a little as he shrugged, “I’ll keep it in mind...um, ya know, it was really cool to talk to you about stuff. I guess I don’t need to say this, since ya seem to already know, but you can totally come to me about anything! I’m Kaito Ouma Momota, uh…” Kaito decided to skip his titles, just settling on, “Available! To talk! Anytime you need!”

Nadya gave her friend a grin. “This has been a most positive experience from my own perspective as well; you’re a great person to converse with, Kaito. While we don’t always spend much time beyond passing together, I find the time we do rewarding. I think I would like to make more of an effort to do it more often.”

“Naturally, the next telling you how things with Conrad go,” she winked, getting up from the bench, kind of feeling like this was a natural conclusion. “And I hope you will regale me with how your date with Kokichi goes. I wish you well choosing a location for it.”

“Yeah! Tell me how you knocked it out of the park! ...that’s a baseball thing, right!? You’ve totally got this, Nadya! I can’t wait to hear all about it!” Kaito said enthusiastically, giving her a wave… before looking back down at his flier.

...hm… maybe… there?

-

Kaito, when he came to Kokichi with the date idea, had sort of worried that maybe his choice was too… selfish and self-indulgent. Sure, Kokichi would want to go, but Kaito had ultimately still ended up picking something he was pretty sure he’d get a real kick out of himself, and, like… he just was worried he was being self-centered and…

So he was a little sheepish, and quickly said, “We could absolutely go somewhere else! There’s so much going on in this area, ‘Kichi, we really could just do whatever--”

“And ‘whatever’ includes the aquarium!!” Kokichi chirped, swinging their hands together a bit as they walked. “I’m really glad you brought it up, ‘cause I really wanna go too! I haven’t been to the aquarium in...years, at this point, and I’ve always loved walking around. All the colorful fish and jellies and river fish and otters and seals and penguins and starfish and urchins and-!!”

Kokichi did a little dance, his feet tapping on the stone road beneath them. “I’m excited!”

And while he was personally excited...he had been so relieved that Kaito had proposed something he was genuinely interested in too. Kokichi just...felt like they did a lot of stuff that he wanted to do, and Kaito was just happy to be along for the ride. Sure, there was genuine enjoyment in that, but...Kokichi wanted them to do something Kaito really wanted. And they were!

“What do you think you’re most excited to see? Like, not specific exhibits, ‘cause I don’t know what’s there exactly either, but, like...what kind of animal?”