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It was about 7pm last Naegi checked, but time really didn’t matter at the moment. He was nose deep in a book, sat on a couch that Togami had Sakura bring in after Mondo’s trial. Mondo… thinking about it for even a second brought him right out of the story, bringing a frown to his face. Reading was an escape. Everyone was looking for escape of some sort right now.
Aoi swam every day, sometimes even twice a day. Toko used the library, but only when Togami was off doing something else. Kyoko? No idea. Probably investigating a real way out, despite how hopeless it seemed.
Makoto sighed, leaning forward and placing the book down closed next to him. Saving his place was the last thing on his mind, he’d have plenty of time to re-read it anyway.
The light in the library was dim, just the way Togami liked it. And speaking of him, he was sat on his chair where he usually was. Enveloped in whatever it was he was reading. Makoto could never decipher what he was actually reading about, the covers blank and no words on the side to suggest a title. Maybe he read fantasy, just like him. To avoid the reality of their situation. But it was unlikely. Makoto knew Byakuya to be a realist, never entertained by childish hopes like “fantasy”. Makoto could almost hear the words he’d say-
“Fantasy? Don’t make me laugh. Only fools indulge in delusion like that, trying to escape reality.”
It sounded so clear in his mind, a testament to how much time the group had spent together. Had this been a normal school semester? He doubted they’d even interact beyond the first day’s introductions. But due to… this killing game, they’d been forced to become at least acquainted. That was the best word Makoto had to describe them, acquaintances. Nothing more than two ships passing in the night.
Makoto’s face crumpled as he leaned forward to rest his chin on his palm, staring off at nothing in particular. Though they naturally gravitated towards Togami, sitting there with his legs crossed. Dignified as always.
He shook his head and stood up, dwelling on Byakuya and whatever he was thinking was a waste of time. That was something he’d learned from the other man, but not by choice. Byakuya never cared what anybody else was thinking or doing, at least on a personal level. Strategically? He was always watching, but feelings never factored in the equation. A noise snapped him from his thoughts, one that for a moment he thought he imagined.
“What are you staring for? If you have something to say, spit it out”. Togami’s book was now folded neatly on his lap, a finger in between the pages to mark his spot.
“A-ah! Sorry! I wasn’t looking at you, I was just-“
“Save it, I have no interest in your reasons. Just keep it down.” Togami glared, like Makoto was worth less than dirt. An annoying pest that wouldn’t leave him alone. Whenever Byakuya gave the cold shoulder, it was easy to feel less than. And it was probably true, but that didn’t make it feel any better.
Before either of them could go back to their respective books, another familiar sound came from just out of view.
“Now now, what are you two doing!? Is trouble brewing I see? If so, you should go at each others throats! No more kumbaya tolerance nonsense! I wanna see action, suspense, more than whatever boring-ness you two have going on!” Monokuma appeared out of nowhere, stood on top of the desk right next to Byakuya. Makoto gasped in surprise, leaning away just a bit subconsciously. But Byakuya seemed calm as always, if a bit more annoyed.
“What do you want? You’re not just here to complain and be a nuisance, are you?” He gave that same cold look, expectant and unwilling to wait.
“Jeez, fine! I’m so tired of waiting around for any of you rowdy teens to actually do anything! So I’m stepping in this time! Neither of you get to leave until something interesting happens!” He crossed his tiny arms with a huff, face somehow turning red.
And just like that, with a goofy sound effect, he disappeared. Giving little explanation and many questions. Makoto instantly stood up, moving to check the door. When he tried to turn the knob, nothing. It was locked.
“Wha-? This door doesn’t even have a lock! How’d he manage to-? Nevermind! Let us out Monokuma!” He banged his fist on the door, only to receive no answer. Just the silence, and the sound of flipping pages. He turned, now facing Byakuya behind him. Who seemed far too calm for the situation.
“Aren’t you worried? We could be locked in here until nighttime! The rules say we can’t sleep anywhere but the dorms.” He said, looking at Byakuya with confusion. He hadn’t moved a muscle, face just as relaxed as it was before their interaction. Leant back on the chair, slender legs perfectly crossed.
“Why should I be? Punishing us for something he imposed would hardly be entertaining, at least not in the way he’s hoping. Besides, I’m sure one of your little friends will worry and come looking for you.” Byakuya said, eyes narrowing. He wasn’t entirely wrong, but who knows how long that would take. Makoto hadn’t intended to spend this much time with him… if he had, he would’ve prepared a bit better, mentally.
Makoto sighed, slumping back down onto the crushed velvet couch. A deep red colour to match the rest of the library, just as dated too. It smelled like dust and despair, probably the effect Monokuma was going for. Though somehow after the recent trial, it held a certain despair more potent. More crushing than even Monokuma could imagine. And being locked in here with the one person who he knew the least, yet all too much about wasn’t helping either. Byakuya had a knack for taking advantage of any situation that could benefit him, this one no different. Obviously he wouldn’t kill him, that would be far too obvious. At least he hoped. But who knew how he could twist this to some messed up edge. After what he did to Chihiro, nothing was off the table.
He didn’t want to think this way, he wanted to believe there was good in him. That deep down Byakuya felt the same way he did, or in a way he could understand. But the longer they were in this school, the more he couldn’t deny that what he thought of people wasn’t always what was true. That when the walls came caving in, anyone could do anything.
His breath was shaky, he held onto his jacket zipper to ground him and end the spiral he’d found himself going down. Dwelling on his own despair wouldn’t help him, only drag him down right where Monokuma wanted.
“So, uhm… what’s something entertaining we can do that’ll get Monokuma to let us go? I don’t really have any ideas…” He asked, breaking the thick silence that without him noticing had creeped in like a looming fog. Byakuya barely looked up from his book, like the question itself was an insult.
“I’m not interesting in playing along, there’s no incentive. I can most certainly wait him out.” His response was short and curt, like there wasn’t anymore to say. And if Byakuya wasn’t going to cooperate, there really wasn’t.
Makoto’s arms crossed, and his knees pressed together. Eyes avoiding Byakuya’s figure in the dim library light. He couldn’t help but think to himself maybe he was overreacting, that Byakuya was right. That waiting out Monokuma was the right move. The whole situation had him on edge, feeling off from his usual self.
Time passed much slower than he’d hoped, and the lack of a clock was no help. He couldn’t tell if five minutes or five hours had gone by. Makoto was curled up on the couch, resting in hopes that perhaps Monokuma would get even more bored and let them go. But hope was scarce here, and eventually he couldn’t take it anymore.
“We have to do something, Byakuya. It has to be getting close to night time. I want us both to get out of here, I really do. But you have to help me.” He said with a serious look, one that he usually reserved for facing off against a killer in a trial. That look is what got Togami’s attention, forcing him to meet Makoto’s eyes.
“Fine. But whatever you came up with had better be good.”
He was caught off guard, he didn’t actually expect Byakuya to agree. Now he was left a little embarrassed, as he hadn’t thought of anything beforehand. The irony forced a smile, something he found hard to muster in such a hopeless place.
What surprised him even more, and actually had him shocked- Was that Byakuya stood up, and came to sit on the same couch as him. He never got close to anyone, let alone him. He always got the impression that Byakuya hated him, and he supposed it made sense. They came from such different worlds, they were like oil and water. Togami was prestigious and powerful, whereas he was just… average. Nothing to write home about, a run of the mill guy.
“Nothing, hm? Just as expected.” Byakuya raised an eyebrow, full of calculations and smugness.
“I suppose I’ll have to do everything myself, as usual.” He scoffed, pushing up his glasses. “If you really want to get out of here, the unexpected is our ally.” He said in his usual tone, far above it all and ahead of the curve. He leaned down to Makoto’s ear, a subtle scowl on his face.
“Follow my lead.” He whispered, eyes narrowing and breath hot on his ear. A shiver went down Makoto’s spine, what could he possibly mean by that? As he’d soon find out, it meant much more than he’d bargained for.
Byakuya pushed him down on the couch, forceful yet steady. His eyes widened and mouth sputtered before his mind could catch up.
“B-Byakuya?! What are you doing? T-this isn’t what I had in mind…” he gulped, cheeks on fire. It wasn’t like he hadn’t thought of something like this happening, even in a place like this. But with Byakuya? For the entertainment of Monokuma? That scenario wouldn’t even play out in his darkest dreams.
He was by no means unattractive, but totally unattainable. The idea never crossed his mind. This happening now, though. It brought forward all the suppressed thoughts he’d had. Admiring Byakuya’s slender form from afar, wishing he could be that assertive or have someone assert him in that way… he’d shaken them all off before. But now he had to face them head on.
His stare was intense, blue eyes icy with mystery. His intentions clear yet so foggy. Before Makoto could open his mouth again to ask questions, Byakuya leaned on top of him. Knee between his legs, shifting ever closer. Now he was wide eyed, unable to speak and flushed as a tomato.
Byakuya connected their lips, chaste and firm. But it made Makoto’s heart flutter and fly away. Never in his wildest dreams could he imagine this. It was straight out of a dirty novel, or fanfic that Toko would write… but here he was, living it. And to his surprise, he didn’t hate it. Not at all.
He never took himself as gay, never. Makoto liked women, he peeped and did what teenage boys did most. Always to girls. But he found himself admiring men in a similar way sometimes. Mondo’s broad muscles, Yasuhiro’s smell. He hadn’t noticed it before, but now it was painfully obvious. It somehow only made him cherish this with Byakuya more.
As quickly as they met, they parted. Byakuya wiping his lips with his sleeve. Looking down at Makoto with a sigh.
“Well, Monokuma? Did that make you happy?” He looked up to the camera and asked, looking more annoyed than anything. In the silence, besides Makoto’s breathing, the click of the lock was loud and clear. Byakuya went to stand up, but Makoto grabbed his tie.
“What are you doing? Oh, don’t tell me. I did that for you, so you could leave. I intend to stay here and read. Whatever that was meant nothing to me.” He said with disdain, but Makoto was seeing clearer than he ever had. Or maybe not. But he could swear he saw the lie right in front of him, and his heart leapt to call it what it was.
“You’re wrong.” He grabbed his hand, forcing him to stay. “Tell me the truth.”
Byakuya’s gaze flickered, if only just for a moment. Briefly considering. But ultimately Byakuya yanked his hand away, turning his back on Makoto.
“You’re the one that’s wrong.” He clicked his tongue, and pushed up his glasses with a slender finger that shook only slightly.
“Look me in the eyes and say that.” Makoto sat up, brows pinned together and hands at his sides. A desperate, almost disappointed expression he reserved for the end of a trial. Trying to understand the motive from the source, see into their eyes the reason for lying. Byakuya knew exactly what that look meant and he hated it, he hated being interrogated and hated being told he’s wrong even more. What he hates most was being caught in a lie.
Byakuya sighed, sitting back down on the velvet couch, arms crossed. Yet he didn’t look relaxed, very much the opposite to his normal self. He was not put together, high above emotion and petty feelings. But right now he looked almost vulnerable, not making eye contact. The mighty Byakuya’s didn’t look so intimidating now.
“I…” Byakuya started to explain, but he didn’t get to finish. Makoto gently turned his head and pressed himself forward, their lips chastely moving together. This kiss was different, more calculated on Makoto’s part. But it was soft, kind and sweet. Not forceful, easy to pull away from. But he didn’t. Byakuya’s eyes were wide, his heart struck with sudden fear. An emotion he had seldom allowed himself to feel, a barrier broke inside him. He put his hands on Makoto’s shoulders, hands gripped like Makoto would pull away.
Makoto took it slow, almost excruciatingly slow. Something snapped inside Byakuya, his usual demeanour returning. He pulled Makoto closer and bit his bottom lip, seizing the moment to interlock their tongues. Makoto gasped, but wrapped his arms around the blond’s shoulders. He pulled him back onto the couch, where their limbs tangled together. A long leg slotting itself between his, eliciting a soft moan. Makoto could feel his heart beating in his head, breath getting caught in his chest. It all seemed like a dream, floaty and unreal.
Everything seemed lighter, the heavy weight on their shoulders lifting if just for a moment. The horrors they face daily now forgotten. Makoto’s fingers tugged Byakuya’s tie ever so slightly to bring them closer together.
A hand entangled itself into Makoto’s hair, slender digits grazing his scalp. His heart fluttered at the contact, contact he’d never felt in all his life. Closeness he had no idea he lacked, but now craved like the air he breathed. Silky skin against his, unable to tell where he ended and Byakuya’s began. So right it was like they’d always felt this way, hidden in the subconscious all this time. Everything would change, but at the same time nothing would be different.
The familiar ding dong sound that echoed from the monitors overhead made both their heads turn, but Makoto could barely hear the words. The same words he’d heard day after day, now an annoyance rather than a relief
“Do… do you want to come to my room with me?” He asked, before his own thoughts caught up with him.
His hand held firm, pulled up and walked outside the library gave him his answer. Makoto couldn’t help but smile, pulling his hoodie over his head to hide it. His goofy smile and blush that would be plastered all over his face for days after. He found himself the happiest he’d been since arriving here. Warmth blooming in his chest. He hoped Byakuya felt the same; somewhere deep inside.