Memories Can Be Decieving

by orphan_account

Summary:

Shuichi and Kaito have been acting weird ever since Kokichi woke up from his mini-coma after the killing game ended. Hes determined to find out why.

Notes:

I mean it, if you know me personally go read literally anything else on my profile.

Chapter 1: Chapter 1

"Can you tell me your name?"

"It's...Kokichi Ouma. Yeah."

"Are you sure?"

"Coure I'm fucking sure. I'm the Ultimate Supreme Leader!"

"Alright. Do you know why you're here?"

"Obviously! I'm here because...because...I was in a car accident? Shit, my head hurts."

"Something like that. Are you able to tell me the last thing you remember?"

"You know, now that you mention it...yeah, no, I don't remember anything. What's going on?"

"You'll remember soon enough. Just get some sleep for now."

"Okay?"

White walls. White floor. White bedsheets. Kokichi always wondered why hospital rooms were so white. Wouldn't that make them harder to clean? They were white last time he was here, too. Well, not here, exactly, but in a hospital bed. When was that, again? Why had he been there? He had no clue.

Rest. Yes, that's what the nurse had said. There was a vague twinge in the back of his head telling him that he'd seen her before. Nurse Yamamoto. The name didn't ring any bells, but the face...yeah, he'd definitely seen her before. Right?

The second nurse he'd been sure he'd never seen in his life. She'd brought him food, insisted he change back into his hospital gown because it's much easier to handle emergencies than his usual clothes. He hadn't, of course.

And the food? Well, it was hospital food, so he hadn't expected much. It had lived perfectly up to those low expectations.

Throughout the excessively boring day, Kokichi recalled a few pictures. Some people, a boy with blue hair, one with purple, two with green. A girl with grey hair. All of those images made him happy, even if he wasn't sure who they were."

After those came the images of scenes he couldn't quite remember. Spending time with the blue haired boy, running around this strange looking park thing, or maybe a forest, with one of the green haired boys, baking cookies with the grey haired girl. There was a brief flash of something large and metallic. Way too close to his face. Kokichi jolted out of his daze, panic rising in him without warning. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't quite place why or what that was.

Then the memories got worse. He recalled a girl with pink-blonde hair, scenes of them bickering every second of the day. Her jabbing him in his side and making him scream loud enough that the whole dining hall heard. Where had that been? From what he could deduce from these memories, she must've been his friend. The final image was one of her lifeless body, corpse grasping her throat in a desperate attempt for air. His friend had died. And the worst part, he had no clue when, where, or how.

More little snippets appeared throughout the day. A brunette attempting to strangle him. Being shot with an arrow. Being hated for causing the death of a dear friend. So many deaths.

That night, he dreamt of the large metallic device. Loud, suffocating. He knows that thing crushed him. He heard his own bones cracking for an instant before he inevitably died.

He died.

He died.

He fucking died

So how was he here now?

There were no obvious marks of any of this happening. Hell, now that he thought about it, he didn't recognize the scars he'd seen while changing. His arms had never been littered shoulder to wrist with deep, overlapping cut. Scars that looked only months old. There should only be three on each, perfectly symmetrical, the cuts he'd go over time and time again so the rest of him could stay clean. So many questions, and not a single answer. Were there more memories that would help him understand? What was he missing?

He was Kokichi Ouma, he lived with his mother and had a gang called DICE who were as good as family. He was the Ultimate Supreme Leader, a talent he lied his way through and was never truly his. His past was riddled with tragedy and pain, something not uncommon for an ultimate. Before the killing game that took his life, things had been turning up, and he'd been happy. There were few specific memories, just knowledge of things that he knew to be true. His family must have been so worried, they were alive weren't they? If he was, surely they would be too. They must have been so worried. Would he get to see them soon? That was who he was, he was certain. Clear as day, his previously hazy memories had become crystal clear. If he was alive, he wondered, was everyone else too? It wasn't unlikely. Just great. He was stuck in a hospital, most likely full of people who hated his guts and wanted him dead, multiple of which who'd already tried to, or succeeded in killing him.

The next morning, the familiar nurse came to bring him to breakfast. Since he was in "stable condition", he'd be eating meals outside his room. Being cooped up, she said, would make him worse. Her voice wasn't all that familiar either, he noted.

Everyone wasn't there that morning. He'd remembered the faces and names of all his classmates. Maki, Kirumi, Angie, Kiibo, Tsumugi, Rantaro, Miu, and Kaito. They were all missing. Eight of them weren't in so-called "stable condition", whatever that meant. Half of them.

"Kokichi, hi!" He was nudged towards the boy yelling his name, presumably expected to go sit with him. Kokichi rolled his eyes, but complied, sitting beside someone he'd never thought would be happy to see him.

"Hey Shumai, what's up?" He grinned, using the nickname he'd come up with for him during the game.

"Well, since we were friends during all that, I figured you'd want to sit with me. I wasn't wrong, was I?"

"I mean, I guess you could say that. But, in case you forgot, you kinda sorta told me that I'd be alone forever last time we saw each other. Not what I'd call friendly, but maybe my definition of the word is off!" He flicked his forehead playfully, surprised to see him go pale. Well, more than he already was.

"...I did?" He whispers after a few moments.

"Uh, yeah? Did you actually forget? Well, I guess I get it. I didn't remember everything at first, either."

"Oh, right. That. You're not...yeah, nevermind. You're right, I remember the first week or so pretty well but after that, it's just blank. I've been getting my memory back in order, which is kind of weird. But either way, I really did consider you a friend, I think. In the beginning, at least. I'm not totally sure. Could you fill me in what else happened? My memories stop after Kirumi."

"That is super weird, but sure! After that Monokuma gave us a motive that would supposedly bring someone back to life. Angie tried to do it, after bringing a bunch of people into her weird cult thing and totally brainwashing them. Honestly, I kinda agreed with what she was doing, trying to prevent any more killings from being possible and all, but she ended up the next victim. Then Tenko, which seriously broke Himiko's heart. Kiyo killed them cause of some fucked up trauma he has, poor guy. Also he was a serial killer before, so, watch out for that. Anyway, next Miu was killed in a sort of vr game she made. It was my fault, I forced Gonta to kill her-"

"Hang on, you did what? I mean, sorry, but Gonta is actually a really smart guy. There's no way you actually manipulated him into murdering someone. He had to have done it of his own free will."

"Well, that's...Jeez why do you have to be like this?" He sighed. "Fine, yeah, but I showed him the reason, and I ratted him out. Miu had been planning the murder me, I was backed into a corner, and did some things I'm not proud of. That's when you said...that thing. Cause, that's the last time I saw you before now, other than just in passing. Anyway, I convinced everyone i was the mastermind, which I'm not, kidnapped Kaito, Maki tried to murder me. Well, she did, actually. In a sense. We made a whole plan after that to trick the mastermind, but I don't know if it worked. Kaito crushed me with a hydraulic press, part of our plan. I was half dead anyway. And he was really sick, so he probably died soon after. Anything else that happened, I've got no clue."

"I see. So, you don't even know how you're alive, then. Right?" I nod. "The whole killing game was a simulation. A hyper-realistic virtual reality game, except no one knew they were playing aside from the mastermind. On top of that, our memories were altered. The past you had in the game might be entirely different from reality. To them, we're all avatars without feelings, just a form of entertainment for the masses."

"You mean people watched us suffer, for fun!? What they hell is wrong with them?" He yelled furiously.

"Well, it's not like anyone forced us to do this. We all auditioned for it, after all."

Kokichi paled. "What do you mean by auditioned?"

"Did they not tell you? We all signed up for this before our memories were altered. It'd be illegal otherwise. Oh, but don't worry. They said we'd get all our old memories back eventually."

"That's not what I'm worried about, Shuichi! I was dead, and now I find out everything I ever knew was a lie!" Kokichi shouted, slamming his hands on the table and standing up. "Why didn't anyone tell me this?"

"You woke up last. Three days after everyone els. I was worried about you, actually. But, I'm the one who told everyone else, anyway."

"And how the hell did you know?" Kokichi glared at him, before stepping back as a sudden realization hit him. "You...You're the mastermind, aren't you?" He whispered.

"What? No, Kokichi! I don't know who the mastermind was, but it wasn't me. At least, I don't think so? I haven't gotten that far yet."

"Gotten that far in what? You're not making sense, Shuichi!"

"Hey." Shuichi stood up, softly putting one hand on Kokichi's cheek, and the other on his shoulder. "You're crying. I'm sorry. I promise you, everything is going to be okay. The mastermind isn't a bad person, I don't think so at least. I haven't talked to the others yet. I can't explain everything just yet. Please, trust me?" Kokichi just stared at him blankly. "Alright, I understand." He sighed. "Kaito wants to see you. Room 117, two doors to the left from yours. I already memorized the layout of the building. Stress, and all, I hyper-analyze. He didn't tell me why, but I assume it has something to do with your death."

"Kaito...yeah, yeah I'll go see him." There was still quite a bit we needed to talk each other, after all.

"Can we eat lunch together?" Shuichi asked as he let go.

"Sure! Maybe I'll even be hungry by then." With a forced smile, Kokichi turned and walked away, leaving Shuichi to stare after him.

"Please remember soon..."

Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Summary:

Purely just some Kaito and Kokichi fluff

"Its been a while, huh Kaito?" Kokichi looked up at the last face he'd seen before what should have been his death. His hair was down, jacket laying on the floor of his room, dark circles under his eyes. It wasn't surprising, though. The situation was...awful. Awful, because there were no words to describe just how awful it was.

"Yeah, guess it has. You can come in, if you want." He shrugged, before turning and sitting on his unmade bed, head in his hands. Carefully, Kokichi approached him. "I guess Shu told you that I wanted to talk to you, huh? Just...God, I don't even know where to start. It didn't work, our plan. Shuichi figured it out. I got executed and all, but not really. I died of my illness. One last fuck you to Monokuma, I suppose." He let out a humorless chuckle. "Thought you deserved to know."

"Yeah, yeah thanks. For everything. Kaito, why did we fight so much? Even if I was a little shit, we always took things a little too far."

"I've been thinking about that too. And you know, I think I figured it out. We both wanted Shuichi's attention. I mean, that was the main factor of it all. No more fighting though, yeah?"

"No more fighting. I'm sorry for trying to take Shuichi away in the game, by the way. He was, like, nearly the only person who considered me worthy of kindness, after Rantaro died. Everyone just decided to hate me, he at least tolerated me. It wasn't until around the second trial that I really decided with my whole plan, but I knew I had to do something when Monokuma brought up the time limit. If everybody wanted to hate me, at least I could use that hatred to do some good, you know?"

"That's stupidly heroic of you. What about that whole message thing? Gonta found that after Kaede's trial."

"It was already like that. Twins B. I think it was connected to this other clue I left for Shuichi. No idea what it could've meant, though. And it sucks that he barely remembers anything still."

"Yeah. Actually, there is something I need to ask you. Did you think he's acting strange? I mean, I get that everyone's acting strange, with all that's going on. But he knows things that no one else does. Like, did he tell you about the whole audition thing?"

"I agree. He was lying about remembering things in order, and some other stuff too. Plus, he's weirdly calm about all of it. There's no way he's not hiding something."

"Glad I'm not the only one. Maki won't talk, neither will Himiko or Kiibo. I haven't seen Tsumugi. So, I have no idea what happened. Hell, Shuichi's the only one who's talking like everything's normal. Especially after he revealed that all our memories are fake. It's fucked up, man!"

"Totally." Kokichi finally sat down beside Kaito. "Even I'm at a loss this time. I'm nothing, Kaito. My group, my family, they never existed. You all have your talents still, and it's messed up that I lost mine, along with everything else. Do you believe that we actually signed up for this shit?"

" I don't know man. But shit, dude, I didn't even think about that." He hesitated a moment before wrapping an arm around Kokichi, who immediately leaned against him. "Do you want to tell me about 'em?" Kokichi nodded.

"We were all orphans. Eleven of us, including me. I was their leader of sorts, but we were all family, the only one we had. We'd run around at night, committing petty crimes. We'd vandalize a lot of shit, which was super fun, steal quarters out of wish fountains to buy snacks with, run away from the cops." He laughed. "It was so fun. We had eachother's backs, no matter what happened. Some of them went off to college in the past few years, but we always kept in touch. I was the second youngest of the group, actually. They still treated me like the baby, though. DICE was my home. I miss them. And honesty, I don't know how I'll manage without them. My mama adopted me when I was twelve, and I love her to death, and she's gone too." Kokichi looked up at Kaito, immediately turning red with embarrassment before turning away. "Sorry, you probably didn't want to hear all of that."

"No, don't worry about it! I'm glad we get the chance to talk now, really talk. We get all the time in the universe now. Much better than half of a panicked, dying hour."

"Hehe, fair enough. Hey, did Maki ever end up telling you how she felt? Cause, she obviously liked you."

"Yeah, she did. It was...awkward, I guess. I haven't spoken to her since I woke up. Still haven't figured out what to say."

"You don't like her back?" Kokichi asked, looking up at him with confusion. "I really thought you did."

"I do, I mean, I think I do? I dunno, man. She's great and all, but I dunno. And hey, what about you? You had a crush on Kiibo, right? I mean, no offense, but you weren't exactly subtle. I saw how you were with Shuichi, who you claimed to be in love with or whatever, but do you have any idea how many times you ended up staring at Kiibo?"

"Got me there. I guess it's just hard, since he probably hates me now, like everyone else."

"Kiibo believed me, when I told everyone that you weren't a bad guy. He was the only one."

"Really?"

"If nothing else, at least try to be his friend. Can you do that?"

"I will. I want to. And you'll figure things out with Maki?"

"Its a deal." Kaito ruffled Kokichi's hair, who smiled at him like nothing was wrong. Because for now, nothing was.

"Can't believe I had my first kiss with the guy who's telling me to go for it with my crush. Weirdly backwards, huh?"

"Can't be helped, I guess. You're the one who decided to give me the stupid antidote via make-out session."

"Maki would've known if I hadn't drank it. I guess I should apologize for that, though."

"I know. I'm not upset about it, promise."

"Good. And hey, at least it was you and not, like Tenko. She'd have kicked me in the nuts before I even got close. And anyway, you're totally the kinda guy I planned to hook up with in college. Buff jock guys, and crazy party girls. What about you, what's your type when it comes to hook-ups?"

"Why the hell would I tell you that!?" Kaito playfully shoved him to the side, causing Kokichi to giggle and hold onto him tighter.

"Come on, please? I spilled my secrets to you, so it's only fair!"

"Ugh, fine. I'm more into cute, feminine guys, and girls who could kick my ass and still look pretty while doing it."

"So, Maki and Shuichi?"

"Hey, shut up! I'm not interested in Shuichi like that, idiot. But Maki, yeah. And wait, by your standards, doesn't that mean you'd hook up with Miu?"

"I'm not all that attracted to her, but totally. She's be tons of fun to hook up with. She's too much of a bottom for me, unfortunately." He shrugged.

"Does that mean the great Kokichi Ouma is a bottom?"

Kokichi raised an eyebrow at him. "You honestly think my 156 centimeter ass could top a buff jock? Or, scratch that, want to top a buff jock? Thanks but I prefer being the one getting spoiled. That's my job as a leader, you know."

"Fair enough. Not sure I could ever imagine you of all people letting someone take care of you without resisting. I mean, you've always just seemed so independent. And the whole never letting your guard down thing."

Kokichi shrugged. "My guard is down now. It's easier to trust someone after they helped you through your own death. And you were dying too, so I figured there'd have been no reason for you to lie. And, yeah, I guess I've always wanted someone to take care of me. Had plenty of it, but I continued to be a touch-starved mess despite that."

"I get it, man, I'm glad I can be that person for you. You're someone I care about, it'd be a lie to say anything otherwise. But to be honest, you look like you're doing a lot better job taking care of yourself than most of us are. Hell, I'm pretty sure this is the first day I've seen Shuichi look even somewhat put together."

"I don't like looking sloppy, it makes me kinda uncomfy, if I'm being honest. Even when I'm feeling my worst, I always take a shower and put on clean clothes. If I can't control anything else in my life, then I can at least control how I present myself."

"Well, just so you know, I'd never think less of you if you didn't. I feel bad for how I treated you, so it's important to me that I be a good friend to you now."

"In that case, my new best friend apparently, can I tell you a secret?"

"Sure, I'm not telling anyone."

"Yeah, you don't seem like the type. I don't know if I really have a crush in Kii-boy, either. I kinda had a crush on pretty half the people there. Rantaro, Kirumi, Miu, Shuichi, Angie, you, Gonta, Kaede, and Kiibo. I'm seriously the definition of a pansexual disaster."

"It sounds like it!" Kaito laughed.

Kokichi pouted. "Dont laugh at me!"

"Sorry. Ahem- I'm sorry, seriously. Do you still have a crush on me?"

"You're super attractive, obviously, but nah. I don't know who I actually have a crush on right now. Maybe Miu. I liked her a lot more than I'd want to admit to her face, and sorta lied about her not being attractive, but I wouldn't want a relationship with her. That's why I'd go for either Shuichi or Kiibo out of that list."

"Take your time, seriously. Hey, how about this. I'll get cleaned up, and later I'll make Shuichi come to the roof with us and we can all train together. How's that sound."

"Ew, no! I don't wanna get all sticky and sweaty and gross!" Kokichi whined. "But I guess it might be fun seeing two hot guys working out."

Kaito ruffled his hair. "You're working out too, new sidekick!" He grinned.

"Gah! Kaito, don't pull that one with me! I'm a leader, not a sidekick to your dumb hero shtick!"

"Too late now! Come on, you know you love it!"

"Do not!"

"Mhm, sure. Hey, I'm gonna go see if Maki is willing to talk yet. I'll see you tonight an hour before lights out, yeah? Don't be late."

"Me? Late? Never once." Kokichi smiled before hopping off the bed. "I'll see you tonight, my beloved Kaito!" He said before leaving the room and heading to his own. So much had changed, but it wasn't all for the worst.

Chapter 3: Chapter 3

"It was Tsumugi, the mastermind." Kokichi looked down at Shuichi in shock.

They were on the roof, Shuichi laying down with his hat and jacket off, hands behind his head. Kokichi sat beside him, having been waiting for Kaito to show up. Lights out was in thirty minutes. He wasn't showing up.

"Are you sure?"

Shuichi nodded. "I remembered more today."

"Did you?" Kokichi shot him an accusing glare.

"Ah, of course. Nothing gets past you, Kokichi. The truth is, I haven't remembered anything still. Not really. Team Danganronpa, that's the name of the people in charge of all this, let me watch the show. Since I wasn't making any progress myself. That's how I know so much about it. She died, Kiibo too. Sacrificed himself to end it. Me, Maki, and Himiko were the only survivors."

"Well why didn't you just tell me that, dumbass! It's weird, yeah, but this whole thing is stupidly complicated and nonsensical!" Kokichi whacked Shuichi on the arm with his hand.

"I didn't want to seem different. Now that I'm saying it out loud, that makes more since than remembering things chronologically, huh?"

"My Shumai was smart, what happened to you?" Kokichi pouted. "Wait, no, he was logic and murder smart. Not common fucking sense smart!" He laughed. "Seriously, that was the best excuse you could think of? You were never a good liar, but damn!"

Shuichi put a hand on his chest. "I'm wounded, Kichi, really. You're a pretty shitty liar yourself once I figured out your tell. Which took no time at all, by the way."

"Oh, really? And what, my beloved, would that be?"

"You always act really dramatic when you lie. I can already tell the difference between your exaggerated and real emotions pretty easily."

Kokichi smirked. "Damn, you're not as stupid as I thought. If I really want to lie, I can do it easily. But usually, it's just for fun, and I'll exaggerate it. I don't care if those are revealed, its just a game."

"You love games, don't you? How you managed to convince us all that you were the mastermind is beyond me. We must've been so paranoid that we'd believe anything. Even the world ending."

"Hey, don't think I didn't hear that insult! I could totally be evil, it just wasn't in my best interest at the time!" Kokichi pouted.

Shuichi laughed. "Oh, of course you could. But, if I'm not mistaken, wasn't the murder game the best chance to be evil."

"Waaaah, Saihara-chan's bullying me again! He's so mean!" Kokichi started with his fake crying, earning a small shove to the side from Shuichi.

"Those tears don't work on me and you know it. It's they, by the way. I'm enby. Guess I never told you guys."

"Nu-uh! They're calling me a liar, and that makes me saaaaaaad!" He whined.

"Whatever. There's no getting through to you when you're like this. Kai's not coming, I'm guessing. He probably wasn't feeling up to it, which I get, but he could've mentioned something earlier."

"Aw, I thought I was the only one who got a nickname from you. How rude. Yeah, I figured that much a while ago. I like hanging out with you too, though. You're not totally boring."

"Already flirting with me, are you?" Shuichi asked, obviously teasing.

Kokichi stuck his tongue out at them. "You know it, beloved. Can't believe you forgot about your lover, I'm so wounded. Everyone else, who cares? But me? I could just cry." He giggled.

Shuichi chuckled softly as well. "Please forgive me, darling. It was worth being able to fall for you a second time, the moment I laid eyes on you."

"You know I could tell you were lying, right? Not lying exactly, not that I can tell, I just mean you aren't telling the whole truth. You're hiding a lot. I am too though, and I know your reasons probably aren't malicious, but just humor me. Why should I trust you?" There was no humor in his expression, more like and expectation of betrayal yet to come.

"I should know better than to hide anything from you by now, shouldn't I?" Shuichi still had a little smile. "Promise you won't tell anyone?" Kokichi nodded. "I didn't get the memories of the killing game back. I got my old ones, before all of this. That's how I know so much. I'm still sorting some stuff out, a lot of stuff. I can't say the contents yet, and honestly I don't know what to say to get you to trust me. You know my secret now though, and I don't want it getting out. I've been doing some research too, on the old seasons, anything I can find. But there's nothing I didn't already know. Sounds like they kept what really happened under tight wraps, they'll do the same to us. Danganronpa isn't supposed to hurt the players. It was supposed to be simulated versions of us, we should've never been the ones experiencing it. They say it's CGI. I don't know all the details, Tsumugi doesn't either. She's as much of a pawn as any of us. I don't know what all happens next, either. Threats, probably. Even if we try to speak out, it'll never work. The corruption in Danganronpa isn't the show itself, like we thought, it's the company."

"That's a lot. No, that's just a lot, I dont-how do I process that? We were supposed to end it. It's never going to end, is it?" Kokichi was crying, he couldn't have stopped it no matter how hard he tried. "What, we're just puppets for them to control, torture to their hearts content? I died, I felt it. I can't-I can't move like I used to. It's easy enough to hide, but I can't run well, I can't really jump, I have to put all my effort in to get out of bed. My muscles work, they just take double the effort to do anything. And this wasn't supposed to happen? I found a little comfort in having chose this, it was stupid yeah but at least I knew what I was getting into. This is so much fucking worse. So much worse."

"Come here." Shuichi sat up, not waiting for a reply before wrapping their arms around Kokichi. "It's going to be okay. I'm not really sure how, but it will be. I'll make sure of it."

"Shu-Shu, were you a good person, before all this? Do you think I was?"

"I'd like to think so. I wasn't scum of the earth by any means. Not a saint either. Just, a normal guy. I'd bet that everyone else was too, or at least most of us. You were, though. I guarantee it. Danganronpa didn't change our personalities, just our memories. We don't have long until lights out. Want me to walk you back to your room?"

Kokichi nodded.

...

He didn't want to get out of bed the next morning. In fact, nothing sounded worse. He still couldn't really handle it. He wasn't one to give up, never had been, but if hundreds of people had been in his same position and couldn't do anything about it, how could he? In the killing game, he'd only managed to save one more person than would live on default. He didn't know what resources he'd even have here. His family wasn't here. He was completely and utterly alone, with no one to go back to, for the first time in his life. There was no one waiting for him here. No one he remembered, anyway. And he was so tired of fighting. It killed him last time, he wasn't ready to die again.

"Hey."

Kokichi looked up to see Shuichi standing in his doorway, a worried expression on their face.

"I know it's probably not my place, but it's scary seeing you like this. You're such a fighter, you can't give up now."

"I'm tired of fighting. No one cares about me anymore." He sounded dull, tired, more than he was even when he first got his memories back. "Just leave me alone."

Shuichi frowned and sat beside him. "I care about you. Kai does too. Miu, Keebo, Gonta, Rantaro, and Kirumi all care. I can't say for sure the rest of them, but it's something, isn't it? And you won't be fighting alone anymore. I swore to end Danganronpa, and that's what I plan to do."

"How? It's impossible, isn't it?"

"Since when do you care what's impossible? I don't really have a plan yet, but we can work on that. Here, want me to help you get up?"

"Nah, I can do it." Kokichi pushing himself to a sitting position with a small grunt. "One of the doctors came in this morning with my results. It's not so much a muscle thing, this body just isn't as strong as the one I'm used to. Not moving for a few weeks didn't help it. My heart is weak. Which is why things seem to take so much more work. My stamina is pretty much gone. Some dumb side affect of the game. There's a low chance of it getting better."

"As if the mental trauma wasn't bad enough. Kaede told me something similar. She can't breathe as well as she used to, not so much that it's debilitating, just annoying. I'd bet you guys aren't the only ones, either. I think Rantaro said something about a constant, thankfully mild headache."

"Physical trauma to our perceived bodies believing the effects persisted even though we never actually went through them. Fucking wonderful." Kokichi sighed. "This just gets better and better. I was half dead by the time the press crushed me, if I had to guess, that's what caused it."

"You're probably right. And the muscle soreness could also be because everything in your body was breaking as you died."

"Yep. Hey, Shu, about what you said. I don't want to spend the rest of my life fighting an unbeatable battle. Last time I didn't have a choice, if I failed I died. I died anyway. Now, I just want to live my life. I'm not helping anyone by wasting it, you know? More people are going to be hurt by Danganronpa. We aren't going to be the ones to stop it. And you might have your memories, but I'm stuck here, alone aside from you guys. If it's possible, I just want to have a life. Go to college, or finish, I don't know. I don't know where my life's at. Hell, maybe I'll get married one day. We deserve normal lives, after all we've been through. I'm not giving up. I'm just aware that this isn't a battle worth fighting."

Shuichi was quiet for a while. "You're right." They said finally. "I know you are. I don't want to throw my life away for a hopeless idea. The best revenge is to be happy after all of this. Isn't it? You'll get your memories back within the next couple months, you can find yourself again. I don't have much to find, really. There's no one waiting for me out there. Ah, but the depressing story of my real life will have to wait for another time. If you want to get stronger, you need to eat. Come on, let's get you to breakfast."

Shuichi helped him up, disregarding the protests of not having to baby him. It wasn't any different from the previous morning, and right before they sat down, Kokichi noticed someone he didn't recognize, sitting with Miu. No, wait, he did recognize them!

"Oh my gosh, Kii-baby!?" Kokichi yelled, running over to them with a large grin on his face. "You look so handsome without all those nuts and bolts.

Initially, he got a glare from his apparently human friend, but they stood up and hugged him immediately after. "Kokichi. I'm glad you're okay." Their voice wasn't much different, as was their appearance. Just...more human, was the only way he could think to describe it.

Miu shot up right after, putting him in a headlock as soon as Kiibo let him go. "There's my favorite little shithead!"

"Sorry. I'm sorry, it's my fault you died." He choked out, a little overwhelmed by the friendliness. And the arm around his neck.

"Eh, I tried to off you first. Water under the bridge?"

"Water under the bridge." He grinned.

Chapter 4: Chapter 4

*smut warning for later this chapter*

 

Pulled down by Miu, Kokichi sat down with them. "How're you feeling, dickface? The simulation fuck you up too bad? I've got a little trouble breathing, same with bakamatsu, nothing I won't get used to though. And the other bitch has stiff joints. It's a nuisance, but hey, at least none of the shit is more than annoying."

"Ah, you know, nothing much. Just a weak heart. Soooo, when was I gonna find out that our resident robot isn't a real robot?" He winked at Kiibo.

His hope of glossing over the issue clearly failed, if the worried looks from his two friends were anything to go off of.

"Kokichi, what exactly do you mean by a weak heart?" Kiibo asked slowly.

Kokichi scoffed. "So what? My stamina is practically gone, I have to watch out for anything that could trigger a heart attack. Turns out I'm prone to those now, yay. The doctor says it might go back to normal within the next couple of months though, so I don't plan on worrying about it."

"Start with that, dumbass!" Miu yelled, tugging him against her and hugging him tightly.

"Miu! Gah! Pushing my face into your tits isn't going to help!"

She let go, ruffling his hair. "Awe, Kii, he's blushing! Isn't that cute?"

"Nu-uh! You were suffocating me!" Kokichi huffed, sitting back down with his arms crossed. "Already attempting murder on me again, so mean." He mumbled.

"Whatever you say, virgin." Miu shoved him lightly, laughing.

"I really don't know why I hang out with you two." Kiibo sighed. "So, what memories do you two have?"

"I have all my memories from the game. Shumai said I'd get my old ones back eventually too, which is weird."

"Ah, it's all weird. Memories from the game, course, and a couple from my supposed real life. Nothing much though. I'm not much different." Miu shrugged. "You?"

"I'm not sure why, but I have all of them. Game and real. My past is much different, being human and all, but I'd like to think I'm overall the same person. Kiibo is a nickname, but it's pretty much what everyone calls me anyway."

"Oh, yeah! Ko, did you know that we had different names? Well, some of us. I don't. But I was talking to bakamatsu, she does. She's got a mixture of memories, probably cause she didn't last long. How many people have you talked to, aside from pooichi?"

"Just Shu and Kaito so far. I didn't come out of my room until yesterday. How can you guys stand all this? I mean, Miu, you're acting the same as always, even though everything is gone."

Miu put an arm around him. "I didn't have much to leave. It hurts, sure, but the way I see it there's no use dwelling on it. We can't change it. Why grieve for people who never existed?"

"You're right. I know, it's just shitty. I spent weeks thinking my friends were good as dead, and now they aren't even real? The people who dragged me through the past decade and a half are just in my head, and I'm supposed to live with that?" Kokichi sighed her. "It's even worse than them being dead."

Kiibo nodded. "It isn't fair, what they put us through. We weren't supposed to remember any of this, that's what they said. But we do. And Kokichi, you're a good person, I bet there's people out there waiting for you. Friends, family, someone. Even if you don't, we're here too. We went through hell together, you more than anyone, and we're going to face this world the same way."

"Cut the philosophical bullshit, I'm trying to be depressed over here." Kokichi looked at them, a tearful grin on his face. "How exactly am I supposed to be sad when you guys are so sweet to me, huh?"

"Is that a compliment I hear?" Miu squeezed him. "I knew you could be nice!"

"I decided I'm not going to push everyone away this time. So, yeah, I'm trying to be a little nicer."

"Ah, I see. So, your bitch over there won't fuck you if you're being mean?" She grinned and pointed her thumb at Shuichi.

"Miu, why..." Kiibo groaned.

"Oh, please, as if I'd change my personality for one person. Unless their dick is ten or more, then I might. Nah, but seriously I'm like 99 percent sure they like Kaito. I've got my sights set on a certain ex-robot, anyway." He winked at Kiibo.

"I'm leaving."

"Nooo, babe, don't leave me with her!" Kokichi whined, grabbing onto Kiibo's hand when they tried to walk away. "She's already attempted to kill me twice!"

"Oi, I said I was sorry!" Miu laughed, shoving him against Kiibo, who caught him.

"Miu, be careful!" They scolded her, hugging Kokichi carefully, as if he might break. "Are you okay?"

"I'm not fucking fragile." Kokichi grumbled, wiggling out of Kiibo's arms with a flushed face.

"Ah, you loved it." Miu pulled Kiibo to the side and whispered something to them, a mischievous grin on her face.

"Are you sure?" They asked.

"Positive."

"Well, alright."

"Hey, stop talking about me behind my back!" Kokichi whined.

"Well maybe if you'd pay attention we wouldn't have to!" Miu snickered. "Seriously, do ya not see the fucker giving us death glares across the room?" She jabbed a finger toward Shuichi, who immediately looked away.

A grin crossed Kokichi's face as he stalked over to them. "Am I really so pretty that you can't keep your eyes off me, Shumai?"

"Ah, no. Not that you're not pretty, of course." They smiled bashfully, a small blush on their face. "Do you flirt like that with everyone?"

Kokichi gasped dramatically. "Of course not, I'm no slut!" He sat down on the chair beside Shuichi's, leaning against them. "Besides, you're the only one I have eyes for." He winked, giggling after.

"Look, I'm not going to stop you from flirting with anyone else, that's not my place. But I'd very much appreciate it if you didn't do that with me. I know it's not real, and it hurts." Shuichi stood up, sliding his hands into his jacket pockets, and left Kokichi to stare at him in confusion.

"Dammit, wait, Shuichi!" Kokichi got his bearings after a few seconds and dashed after them. Halfway back to the dorms, he caught up, grabbing their wrist, out of breath. "You don't just get to leave like that!" He gasped."The hell do you mean it hurts?"

Shuichi used their free hand to carefully pull the other male off of their arm, frowning. "You shouldn't be running like that, it isn't safe. But, it's because I like you. Hm, no." He smiled, a bit sadly. "I suppose you'll have to learn the truth soon. I'm hopelessly in love with you. But not you, an idea of you." He put a hand over his heart. "We were lovers, before Danganronpa. You, me, and Kaito. All three of us were so in love, and now I'm the only one left, neither of you remembers me. It hurts, but I'm okay. I'm holding onto hope that you'll come back. But until then, it's hard when you taunt me. I know you don't mean it, but until you do, I need it to stop. Is that alright?"

He, Shuichi, and Kaito. Lovers. It sounded...too good to be true.

"You idiot, it was always real! I didn't flirt around with anyone else like I did you, Shumai, I just pretended it was all a lie so I didn't get hurt! I mean sure, I'll joke around, but it's pretty obvious when I do. Saying I'd steal your heart, all the time we spent together, it was real."

In a flash, he was pressed up against Shuichi, lips hungry against his. He was weak against their touch, melting against them as his mouth was claimed by someone who felt as familiar as they were foreign, a memory that wasn't quite there, in the back of his mind, just out of reach.

Kokichi was pushed against a wall, he couldn't hope to meet the desperation devouring his body.

"Kokichi. Darling." Their breath was hot against his lips. "I knew your body would never forget me." They chuckled airily, kissing him again, pressing against him more.

After a few minutes of that, they pulled back, a heavy blush across their face. "Shit, I'm sorry! Are you okay? I never should've kissed you like that without permission. I'll try to remember that this relationship is new to you."

"It's fine. Just make sure you let me breathe. Stop being such a virgin bitch and do it again."

Shuichi complied, making sure they gave Kokichi plenty of breaks to breath. They pushed their hips carefully against his, asking a silent but obvious question.

Kokichi's body acted on pure instinct, rolling his hips up against theirs. In what felt like seconds, he was picked up, carried with heavy kisses, and slammed onto Shuichi's bed. When did they even get to their room?

"Is it okay to go all the way? I know your body, I know your limits and what makes you react certain ways, so as scary as it might be, you'll be perfectly fine." Shuichi hovered over him, gently caressing his cheek with a thumb.

"Yeah, just go easy on me. I'm not sure how much I can take, and don't entirely want death by fucking. Not the worst way to go, but pretty pathetic."

"Of course."

He tried to be nervous. He should be. Wasn't he a virgin? But a voice in his head kept him calm, he could tell he'd done this so many times before. His body spread itself out across the bed, muscle memory. Shuichi was at his lips again before moving to his neck, leaving marks he knew wouldn't go away any time soon.

And suddenly his pants were off, strewn across the floor along with Shuichi's. His front hole twitched embarrassingly when their now far more defined bulge pressed back against him.

'Inside, I want it inside.' His body was chanting, and Kokichi couldn't help giving in to his previously unknown desires.

"I usually like to draw this out, but it's been so long, so would you mind if I skip ahead to the main part?" Shuichi pressed two fingers to him, and Kokichi couldn't stop himself from bucking against them.

"Yes." He breathed out, and his lips were ensnared once again. His boxers were down, legs spread apart by his lover's hands. A finger prodded at his entrance, carefully sliding inside. Yet Shuichi was the one to moan against him.

"You haven't been this tight in a long time. We'll have to fix that." A few purposeful thrusts and a second one slipped in alongside it.

They rubbed deliberately at his g-spot, knowing precisely where it was and seeking it out almost subconsciously. Kokichi didn't know when the third finger was added, high on the feeling of pressure building between his legs until a harsh rub had him spilling out. It didn't feel like much for him, but it was relieving all the same. And Shuichi's drunken look as they licked off their fingers was far more than enough to make him simply throb.

Their boxers were quickly added to the pile on the floor, not wasting any more time before sliding their dick into Kokichi's waiting body. A choked cry left them both.

Every thrust flickered his memory, between the present and a situation near identical. Shuichi, holding his body, pressed so close he couldn't move. Slow, careful thrusts delivered with a passion he never thought possible. A hand on his sensitive clit, using his excess arousal fluids to jerk him off, easing him into perfect pleasure.

His orgasm hit him hard, ripping a cry from his body as his vision went white. Warmth filled his body as Shuichi spilled inside him, panting against his ear.

"I love you, ___." Static broke Kokichi from his bliss. His memory became fuzzy, and he was now fully in reality.

"Wha-What did you say?" He panted.

"I said I love you, Kokichi." Kokichi. His memory didn't say Kokichi. Kiibo said their names were different. Kokichi wasn't his real name, was it?

Feeling Shuichi's dick slide out of his body broke his train of thought. That wasn't important at the moment.

He was pulled against Shuichi's chest. "Are you okay?" They whispered.

"Mm, yeah. I'm amazing." He giggled. "Feel like I'm on a cloud."

Shuichi chuckled, stroking his hair. "Good."

An hour, maybe two, of post-orgasmic cuddling and sweet nothings, and Kokichi had to get back to his room. And shower.

Clothes back on, following a goodbye kiss, he slipped back into his own dorm. His euphoria, however, was unfortunately short-lived. A note had been slipped under his door.

"Stay away from Shuichi, they're not who they seem. They're dangerous."

Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Notes:

TW: Brief, incident misinterpreted as and referred to as r*pe

Shuichi, dangerous? No, that couldn't be right. Only their memories changed, Shuichi hated when people got hurt! So then, why? And who left this note?

Flipping it around to see if there was a signature on the back, he was met with something even more confusing.

"If you need proof, come talk to me. -Kaito"

Kaito was their best friend. Why would he be telling him Shuichi was dangerous? Of course he had questions!

Kokichi shoved the note in his pocket and, on still shaky legs, walked to Kaito's room and knocked on the door.

It wasn't long at all before it opened, he was met with Kaito looking more troubled than he'd probably ever seen him. Even when he was near death.

"Well, we both know why you're here." He sounded...defeated. Why? Kaito, of all people. Kokichi was scared to find out what he knew. No, he was letting fear get to him. Just because Kaito had said Shuichi was dangerous, he owed it to them not to believe it no questions.

Especially when, he realized, he was still full of Shuichi's cum. He'd been too caught up in thinking about the note to realize. Bad timing, much?

Kokichi went into his room and leaned against the wall. "What happened? What did they do?"

"I got a couple of memories back, that's what happened. I'm still me, I'd better stay me because I'd rather die than go back to being that person." What person? "How much has Shuichi told you, about the past."

"What, about our little threesome?" He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I guess we were all in love." Kaito cut him off before he could keep speaking.

"It wasn't fucking love. I don't remember much, just a couple of flashes. But they're bad."

"Tell me." Kokichi demanded

"The first one I was holding you to a wall, knife to your throat. Shuichi was standing nearby, just smirking. Second, Shuichi was, well, inside you. You guys were having sex. And you were fucking begging them to stop. It makes me sick to think I was ever like that. The whole only changing our memories thing is fucking bullshit."

Kokichi felt like crying. Finding out he'd been dating two people he liked, only to discover they'd both horribly abused him. Kaito couldn't remember much, so he needed answers from Shuichi. And he wasn't scared, just angry. Angry at himself for trusting them, and at them for lying.

He nodded, not trusting his voice, before running out of the room.

He pounded on Shuichi's door, and they opened it with a smirk.

"Back for another round already, love?" They teased.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" He hissed, and Shuichi's face dropped to concern.

"Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? What's wrong is that, turns out, our little loving relationship was abusive as fuck! Kaito told me."

"Don't yell that out here!" Shuichi pulled him inside the room and shut the door. "Ehehe, so Kai's getting his memories back?" He was blushing, embarrassed? Why the hell was he embarrassed?

"He probably saw some things out of context, right? Ah, I should've known this would happen. It's really not what it looks like though, I swear. Neither of us would ever hurt you-"

"Bullshit! Fucking raping someone is hurting someone last I checked!"

"That's not even that weird, tons of people do roleplay like that!" They whined, covering their face. "Lots of people are into that! You begged us to do way worse than we ever did!"

"Roleplay?" Kokichi echoed. "Wh-What about when Kaito held a knife to my throat?"

"He did that a lot. It was really hot, I loved when he threatened me. You did too. It's all just kinks, BDSM. A little extreme, yeah, but no permanent damage past a couple accidental scars. We'd talk about it, sure, but it was a mutual agreement to never do it. Mostly me. We had a safe word, grape. You chose it. And it annoyed you to know end that we checked in to make sure you remembered it every time we did anything kinky in the slightest. I know how it must have sounded, I really do understand, and that's why I was worried about bringing it up myself. From an outside perspective, it does look like abuse. But I love you both with all of my heart, and if you hadn't wanted it just as much as I did, I never would've laid a hand on you. Give me a chance, please? If I do, you can hate me as much as you want. I swear."

Kokichi didn't detect a single lie, but that didn't mean it was impossible. Shuichi was the person who reached out to him when he woke up, and stayed with him, seeming to genuinely care. And the emotion they'd shown when they'd confessed the past and their feelings. It seemed too real.

And could he really deny, that he'd had similar fantasies? It would explain their embarrassment at the subject, too.

"Okay, I believe you. There's enough evidence."

"Thank you, that really means a lot to me. Hopefully, Kai will remember the truth soon, then we can all be together again!" They really did sound excited. It was strange, sure, but honestly not as strange as the alternative. "Oh hey, by the way, considering you left my room like fifteen minutes ago, is it safe to assume you talked to Kai before cleaning yourself out?"

It was Kokichi's turn to blush. "Maybe..." He mumbled.

"That's really hot, babe." Shuichi ghosted their fingers over Kokichi's hips. "Talking to Kai with cum dripping out of your pussy, and he didn't even know. Getting mad at me while my jizz was still inside you." A blush had now spread over both of their faces.

"I was going to shower when I got back to my dorm, but Kaito had slipped a note under my door, and I forgot." He pouted.

"You always forget, love."

"How the hell am I not pregnant?" Kokichi rolled his eyes. "You must keep me hyped up on birth control if we have sex half as much as I assume we do."

Shuichi looked confused for a second. "Oh, you forgot, that's right! No, you can't. Get pregnant, I mean. You got your uterus removed at fifteen because you got such awful periods. We've always used that fact to our advantage, and we probably have sex twice as much as you think."

"Horny bitch. Good to know, though."

"You had two guys fucking you daily and you call me a horny bitch?"

"You probably did too, bottom." Kokichi stuck his tongue out.

Shuichi put an arm around Kokichi's waist and kissed him. "I've never had two dicks in one hole before, though." They smirked. "Therefore, you're more of a horny bitch than me."

"Ew, that's possible? Scratch the earlier question, how the hell am I alive?" Kokichi fake gagged.

"Because me and Kai always took care of you and made sure we never pushed you past your limit. Even when you asked us to. Especially, honestly. You did the same for me, though. Kai's a sadist, you're a masochist, and I'm the only one of us who's both. When he did things to me, you'd keep me grounded. We all took care of each other. Our relationship was, and is, everything to me. I'm sorry, none of us have family who cares. For one reason or another, we never were too good at making friends either. I have the worst dependency issues of the three of us, I hate being alone and it does affect me a lot. I'm studying to be a cybercrime detective though, so I can work from home and still fulfill my dream of being a detective. You've both supported me endlessly. Our relationship may have been far from perfect, but I couldn't imagine it being any better."

"You're a sappy, honest, lovesick little puppy, you know that? It's disgusting. But also, this is exactly how I expected you'd be. Not this freaky, but it's always the shy ones. Now come here, my legs are fucking killing me."

Kokichi sat them both down on the bed, an arm around his lover. Lover, right, he wanted to clarify that. "Hey, what am I supposed to call you? Like, datefriend or something?"

"Hm? Usually, you guys have just used boyfriend or partner. You'd call me your girlfriend if you wanted to embarrass me, but rarely. I don't care much what I'm called, neutral is just my favorite. None of it makes me uncomfortable though, by any means. I had just realized that you didn't know, I really don't have much preference on pronouns either."

"Oh, alright! I just wasn't sure. It must be really weird, having to tell me all these things again."

Shuichi smiled and pulled Kokichi onto their lap. "It is. A lot of things feel strange, little routines I always took for granted. For starters, you're always right here. You love to cuddle, and you get really antsy if you go more than a couple of hours without attention. I can't say I'm any better."

"So all in all, a very touchy relationship? I know it's probably obvious, but just so you know, I'm not going to be exactly the person you think I am. I've got plenty of reservations still, and opening up to someone for a few minutes can be hard enough. So I won't be a hundred percent honest all the time. And you can't smother me, Miu and Kiibo have decided that we're friends now so I might as well indulge them."

Shuichi nodded. "Of course, I've always respected what you want. I've been legally required to go to therapy in the past, and probably will again. We've done couple therapy too, because, as I mentioned, I have a dependency issue. She actually told us that our relationship is really healthy for all of us, for a multitude of reasons. That's something I'm proud of, being good for my partners. I worry that I'm dragging you down, but all evidence says I'm not."

"Well, duh." Kokichi laughed. "You pick me up pretty damn easily. Seriously, where the hell did those muscles come from?" He squeezed their arm, pretending to swoon.

Shuichi chuckled. "I work out with Kai. It helps me with depression, and both of us have some anger issues. You hate exercise other than swimming, running, and dancing, so you just watch most of the time. And, don't worry about the anger issues. We've never even come close to taking anything out on you or each other."

"Well, I can't really exercise in this state. Running a mile might literally kill me. Holding a ball will for sure."

"What about my balls?" Shuichi teased, and Kokichi smacked their arm.

"Pervert! Stop it!"

"I, uh, don't really like being called a pervert. Even as a joke. Sorry." Shuichi looked away nervously.

Kokichi huffed, flicking their forehead. "I know you're not apologizing for having boundaries. You pretty much have a big sign saying you say sorry for the dumbest things already, stopping proving it right."

"Yeah, I know. Thanks, it's a bad habit and I'm trying to break it. Really. Hey, would you like to take a shower together? No weird intentions behind it, it's just something I really love doing. Intimacy and all."

"Eh, I dunno, my day's pretty booked." Kokichi grinned. "Only if you promise to wash my hair! I've always wanted a partner to wash my hair!"

Shuichi nodded, and kissed the top of his head. "Of course, my prince."

He'd woken up from the worst nightmare he'd ever be able to imagine just a couple of days ago, reunited with Shuichi yesterday. Their relationship as it was now had only started hours ago. But their arms made him feel as though he was home. He had someone right here, and they were both waiting for someone else as well. Maybe things would be okay.

Notes:

That's the end of part 1! I have 7 parts planned in total, to give a rough estimate of how long this fic will be.

Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Shuichi Saihara was a lot of things, had been a lot of things, in Kokichi's eyes. But in all instances, they'd always stood out. Timid, cowardly, delusional, and gullible. Amusing, kind, smart, and even trustworthy. Weird, emotional, and observant. But right now, he couldn't think of any better word than adorable.

They'd wanted to watch a movie together, but his partner hadn't made it halfway without falling asleep, face nuzzled into the crook of Kokichi's neck. In the few days since they'd become official, again, Shuichi had been attached to his hip whenever permitted. Clingy, affectionate, and loving. And anyone could tell from a mile away that they cared a lot.

However, they preferred to keep any affection aside from hand-holding behind closed doors. Shuichi was still just as shy, as he'd predicted, so their relationship wasn't public yet. Except for Miu and Kiibo, they both knew the same day it happened.

It felt nice having someone who genuinely wanted to take care of him and, in return, loved to be taken care of as well. They weren't flawless as a partner by any means, but he didn't doubt that they loved him.

Kokichi combed his fingers through their hair. He wished Kaito could see this version of Shuichi. Unfortunately, the former ultimate astronaut had locked himself up in his room since he'd revealed the few memories he's regained. He hadn't answered when Kokichi pounded on his door, either. He'd even tried slipping a note under it, but it had been kicked back a few seconds later.

Following a kiss on his partner's forehead, a yawn escaped Kokichi. He could benefit from a nap, too. He was feeling a bit drowsy after all. Snuggling up to Shuichi, Kokichi was quick to accompany them in dreamland.

A peck on his lips eventually woke Kokichi, drawing a soft groan from him as his eyes fluttered open.

"How was your nap, sleeping beauty?" His partner teased lightly, caressing his cheek.

"Shush." Kokichi picked the pillow up from beneath his head and smacked Shuichi with it. "You were asleep before me. I only decided to take a nap 'cause you were moaning so much that I would've had to jerk off if I kept listening." He lied.

"Really? I was about to say the same thing about you. You were grinding on my knee in your sleep, only settled down once you orgasmed." Shuichi teased back, pressing his face back against Kokichi's neck. "I love you."

"Love you too, whore." Kokichi snickered. He slid his hands down and squeezed Shuichi's butt. "Squish squish!" He giggled.

Shuichi squeaked. They were quick to recover, though, slipping their hand down Kokichi's pants and groping him directly. "Be good, or I'll spank you." He warned.

"You wouldn't. You're too nice." Kokichi stuck out his tongue and was met with a raised eyebrow from Shuichi.

"I've spanked you plenty of times, love." They pulled their hands back in favor of hugging their boyfriend. "You squirt when you're getting spanked."

"I do not!"

"You totally do." Shuichi chucked, pressing a light kiss to Kokichi's neck. "And you have the cutest butt, before and after."

"Shush. You have a cute butt too, and I bet you like being spanked just as much." Kokichi pinched their ear lightly.

"Eh, can't argue with that." Shuichi stood up, scooping Kokichi up in their arms.

"Yes, carry your leader!" He smiled, holding onto Shuichi, who spun around causing Kokichi to laugh. "Wheee!"

Shuichi dropped him back onto the bed and got on top of him, cupping their boyfriend's cheek and kissing him passionately. Kokichi was quick to return it, arms draped over their shoulders.

They placed their hand over his chest and pulled back with a frown. "Your heart is racing. Sorry. Let's relax for a bit, okay?"

"Tsk, I'm fine." Kokichi rolled his eyes. "Heart problems are no fun."

"I know, but heart attacks aren't either. I'm not ready to lose you, okay? The doctors said that your heart might fix itself, so until then, we just have to be careful."

Kokichi pat Shuichi's head lightly, whose face was now on his shoulder. "I've got an appointment later, alright? They're going to check how I'm doing, I haven't been getting tired quite as easily so maybe that means I'm doing better."

"I hope so. I don't want to risk it, though. I still have a whole life I want to spend with you. With both of you."

"You're getting emotional, Shumai, but I'm still right here. I'll be careful, I suppose, if it puts a smile on your pretty face. Let's get dinner now, I'm starving. You don't want me to die, you have to feed me. Like those weird realistic baby dolls."

Shuichi laughed. "That comparison was not necessary."

"It was to hear your cute little laugh!"

They kissed Kokichi on the cheek. "You're perfect."

"I know!"

"Hey, Ko, do you like me better than the old Shuichi?"

"Huh?" Kokichi looked confused. "I see, you've been worrying about that a lot huh? Well, anyway, of course I don't! Sorry, but I much prefer my cute and loving boyfriend to the guy who straight-up told me I'd die alone. Guess you proved yourself wrong, huh?" He giggled.

Shuichi frowned and hugged him. "I hated seeing myself treat you that way. I'm sorry."

"Ah, it's no big deal. Tension was high, I get it."

"But-"

"Nu-uh. I don't wanna hear it." Kokichi scolded them gently. "That wasn't you, and honestly you weren't even talking to me, just the evil leader character I was pretending to be. It's in the past now, and frankly, I don't like thinking about the past."

"Okay, I guess," Shuichi mumbled.

"Oi, stop pouting, limp-dick!"

"What did you just call me!?" Shuichi blushed.

"Limp-dick!" Kokichi laughed. "Now you're not about to cry!"

"Ah, thanks. You want dinner, right?"

"Yeah, duh!" Kokichi hopped up. "Feed me, servant!"

"Alright, alright." Shuichi chuckled, standing up and following their boyfriend to the cafeteria.

They ate with Miu and Kiibo, which they'd started doing regularly, and afterward headed back to the dorms so Kokichi could take the medication he'd been prescribed for after breakfast and dinner.

He'd run ahead, despite Shuichi telling him not to, and was shocked to see Kaito leaving his room.

"Momota-Chan! I've been trying to talk to you for days, dummy!" He pointed his finger at him with a frown, but was quick to smile again.

Kaito sighed, clearly not expecting to run into him so soon. "Look, I told you to stay away from me, remember? So is it really that surprising that I've been ignoring you?"

"Yeah, whatever. Fortunately for me and not for you, you don't have a choice but to listen now. You saw some stuff out of context. I confronted Shuichi about it, and they explained and promised that they'd never actually hurt me. It's all weird kink stuff, and I don't totally get it, but they haven't done anything wrong as far as I know."

"And you actually buy that?"

"Yep, I do. It makes more sense given the evidence, so why wouldn't I?"

"Kokichi please tell me you aren't seeing them."

"I absolutely am seeing them, and they're super sweet and caring."

"Dammit, how can you not see that they're manipulating you?" Kaito yelled.

"Because they aren't! You think I, a master manipulator, wouldn't be able to see through it?" Kokichi argued, clearly offended.

"This isn't a game, they're a bad person!"

"Please don't fight," Shuichi mumbled, stepping out from behind the corner where they'd been scared to come out from. "I understand you don't like me right now, Kai, but I swear it has never and will never be my intention to hurt him, or you."

"Shut the hell up!"

"Huh?"

Maybe Shuichi was stupid for thinking it would go any other way. Kaito had punched people, punched them, for less. Kokichi had a feeling he knew where it was going, but what could he have done, anyway?

Wasn't it sweet, in a way? The fact that it was so predictable for Kokichi yet entirely impossible for Shuichi? Neither of them was thinking of that, though.

"Kaito, stop!" Kokichi grabbed his arm as Shuichi stumbled to the ground, covering their mouth. Blood seeped between their fingers. He really couldn't have held him back, but Kaito listened, and he didn't stop them when Kokichi helped Shuichi into his room.

"Hey. Are you doing okay?" Kokichi held a wet towel to his partner's bleeding nose, using his free hand to attempt to wipe their tears. "At least nothing's broken, right?"

"Except my heart," Shuichi mumbled, sniffling. "I really didn't think he'd hurt me. Even though I know he doesn't entirely remember, I hoped maybe a part of him would, and he wouldn't be able to do it."

"Well, seems like you were wrong about that one. This is real life, okay Shu? And I'm being completely honest here because I know you can handle it. You don't blame him for it. He thought he was doing the right thing."

"Did you take your meds?"

"Yeah, when I got the towel." Kokichi frowned at Shuichi's deliberate changing of the subject.

He heard a knock at the door. "One sec, beloved."

He opened it and was met with Miu. "I'm kinda busy, cumsock, so make it quick."

"Yeah, I got it, just figured I should let you know Kaito's not going to be around for a little while. He got in trouble for I'm sure you know what. Be thankful I told you in the first place. And no, I don't know anything else."

"Shit." Kokichi sighed and shut the door.

Shuichi was curled up on his bed, crying softly.

Kokichi sat next to them, petting their hair. "It'll be fine, kay? That's a promise from a supreme leader, and I legally can't break those." He smiled, but Shuichi didn't seem like they'd be cheering up to anything anytime soon.

"It's my fault, I made him mad, I should've stayed away."

"Nah, you're just hopelessly in love. Come on, make room." Kokichi got under the covers and pulled Shuichi with him, holding his partner to his chest. "I don't actually know how the whole comfort thing works, but I'll do my best since it's for someone so pretty."

"So you wouldn't take care of me if I wasn't pretty?"

"Shuichi is always pretty. No matter what they look like."

They were crying again. "I wish we'd never joined Danganronpa. I wish we were back home, all cuddled together on the couch, watching a dumb movie or show. What if he never loves me again?"

"He will. And then we can do exactly that, or anything else you want. Does that sound good?"

"Mhm." Shuichi snuggled closer to him.

They went quiet after that, eventually falling asleep.

Kokichi got up to change soon after before crawling back into bed. He didn't have much experience comforting people, so he wasn't sure if he could be doing it better, but at least he'd gotten his partner to sleep. He hoped they'd feel better in the morning.

Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Shuichi didn't feel any better over the next few days, not really, but they could still tell that Kokichi was being affected too. He was always smiling, joking around, and acting like everything was perfectly fine. Similar to how he'd been in the killing game. It worried Shuichi, as well as Kokichi's friends, but they weren't entirely in the right headspace to offer help. They still tried though, being more affectionate than usual and offering assurance when they could.

Kokichi appreciated it, of course, but he also felt even worse for worrying his partner. And for allowing Shuichi to get hurt, even if they were, physically, just fine now.

It felt like it was his fault. If he'd explained better, if he'd just been smarter, if he'd found a better solution, this wouldn't have happened. He always did have a habit of blaming himself for everything. In both pasts. It consumed him, and even Shuichi didn't know what to do to help.

Kokichi paced his room, thinking of every past failure. Even when he tried his hardest, he couldn't do anything. He'd failed to save people in the killing game, he'd failed to protect one of the precious few who actually gave a shit from getting hurt. Was he just bad luck, was that why people always got hurt around him, and why very few didn't despise him? His head was a dangerous place, and every time Shuichi tried to pull him out he only drew farther in.

"Baby, are you okay?" Shuichi asked quietly, having just come in. "Can we talk?"

Kokichi didn't waste half a second putting a big smile on his face. "Yep, just the best! Why wouldn't I be?"

They sighed. "Alright, if you say so. First off, I just wanted to thank you for sticking up for me. I forgot to tell you before, but it meant a lot to me." They picked at their nails. "And for taking care of me, I know I've been thinking about this the wrong way. I shouldn't be breaking over being punched by my boyfriend, but glad that he was willing to do that to protect you. He always has been protective, so as long as I think of it that way, then I'm okay. I need to be patient, and rational, but I'll get through it. You're protective too, you both showed it, and I'm happy that you both care so much." Little tears prickled in their eyes. "I got really, really lucky."

"Shu," Kokichi sighed. "we're lucky to have you too, okay? Jeez, I know you're just trying to cheer me up, but you're about to cry. What's up?"

"Ah, sorry." Shuichi rubbed the back of their neck. "I cry easily, that's all. I really love you both, so naturally, I'll get emotional talking about you. When I'm just a little teary-eyed like this, it's not usually because I'm sad."

"Hm, okay. Well, considering we've got all the time in the world until we're released, whenever that is, what do you want to do?"

"What do I want to do? Well, other than you of course, I really don't know. Genuinely, there's not much to do here, and I've been pretty bored whenever I'm not with you. Hopefully we'll be out before long."

Kokichi rolled his eyes at the comment. "In that case, if you could do anything right now, what would it be?"

"In that case I'd have to say take you to a park, maybe have a picnic. It's one of the things I miss the most. What about you?"

"Huh? Well, I was trying to decide between murder, being pounded into the mattress, or stealing a plastic flamingo, but I guess yours sounds nice too. My heart is slowly but surely on the mend according to the doctors, so maybe I'll be able to do all of mine before long. First thing I'm doing once I'm clear is committing a war crime and getting wrecked by your dick, in that order. Understood?"

"Understood." Shuichi chuckled. "Who says you can't do them both at the same time, though?"

Kokichi gasped. "You're a genius! I knew I kept you around for something!" He laughed. "Come make out with me, you haven't been giving me enough kisses lately." He pouted.

"I'm sorry." Shuichi placed a hand on Kokichi's cheek and kissed him softly. "Your lips must've been so lonely." They teased.

"Oh, very." Kokichi draped his arms over Shuichi's shoulders. "They've missed you lots."

In all honesty, Shuichi barely bordered on making out with him, instead pressing numerous lazy kisses to his lips, but Kokichi was still satisfied.

"You mind if I go hang out with my friends for a bit?" He asked. "I'm already kinda sorta totally late, sooo I need to head out."

"Hm? Sure, go ahead. I'll see you later." Shuichi pecked his lips one last time.

Kokichi set out to join Miu and Kiibo on the roof, where he'd asked them to meet him. And then, promptly showed up fifteen minutes late.

"Hey asshats, did you miss me?" Kokichi plopped down beside them. "Sorry I'm late. But that's a lie! I was busy having better sex than our resident cum dumpster will ever dream of, no way I'd be sorry about that!" He laughed.

"Your virgin ass wouldn't know what a dick looked like if you didn't have one!" Miu smacked him playfully on the arm. "But then again, it's probably so tiny you can't see it well enough to get a good picture!" She cackled.

"As if! My dick is over eight inches!"

"Prove it ya fucking liar!"

"Please don't." Kiibo sighed. "It's nice to see you, Kokichi."

"Oh please, I wouldn't debauch myself like that to a bitch like her. Are you saying I don't have any self-respect? That's so mean Kii-baby, I thought you loved me!" Kokichi cried.

"I hate both of you."

"And yet you still hang with us, so you must not hate us that much!" Miu snickered.

"Kokichi, what's this emergency that you mentioned needed to talk about?" Kiibo ignored her.

Kokichi sighed and flopped onto his back. "It's shitty, that's what it is. Long story short, Kaito thinks Shuichi is abusing me. And, to be fair, I don't blame him. The three of us were in a relationship before Danganronpa, and Kaito got a select few memories back, specifically about some questionable scenarios. Nothing actually bad, just kinky stuff, but it gave him the wrong idea."

"And you're sure it's kinky stuff, as you said?" Kiibo asked softly.

"Ugh, yeah, that's one I'm positive of. Shu's too big a softie to hurt me for real, least I hope so, and I judged both sides before deciding to believe them. I'm not an idiot like some people."

"Well, why don't you ask Shuichi to do some of that stuff to ya now, and know positively if you're into it or not? Then, you'll have more evidence." Miu suggested.

Kokichi shot upright. "Holy shit, you actually are smart. That might actually work! There'll be no way to reasonably say I don't like it after I've proved it!"

"Hey, of course I'm a genius!" Miu yelled. "Everyone knows that!"

"Everyone knows you're a whore, there's a difference." Kokichi scoffed.

"No offense, but weren't you just saying you're going to sleep with your partner and engage in some...morally questionable kinks, I assume?" Kiibo asked.

"Yeah, but I'm not putting it on a billboard. Glad to see you still talk like a robot though, jeez." Kokichi rolled his eyes.

"Glad to know you still talk like an asshole." Kiibo retorted, resulting in Kokichi acting fake offended.

Miu cackled. "Not that you haven't changed, Keebs! You don't take any shit now, do ya?"

"No, and it's the best," Kiibo smirked.

"So what I'm hearing is, being human gives Kiibo a base bullshit tolerance stat of zero? Yeah, you're right, they were super duper easy to work up before. A shame, really, but they're still tons of fun!" Kokichi laid his head on Kiibo's shoulder, resulting in an eye roll.

Miu did the same. "You love us, Kii!"

"I do not, actually."

They hung out a while longer before Kokichi headed to Shuichi's room. "Babe, I'm back!"

"Did you have fun?" Shuichi gave him a hug, which he was happy to return.

"Mhm! Hey, I wanna do something."

"Sure, what's up?"

"I wanna try some of the super freaky stuff we used to do!"

"Sorry Kichi, I'll have to decline." Shuichi shook their head. "I'd love to, really, but we should wait until you're completely healthy."

"Aw, come on, you're no fun." Kokichi pouted.

"What's with this all of a sudden, anyway?"

"Well, I figured, actually Miu figured but whatever, if I actually proved that I was into that stuff, Kaito would have no choice but to believe it!" He huffed.

Shuichi frowned. "You don't have to do that. You know I want him to believe us just as much, but there are better ways to make that happen."

Kokichi huffed. "You don't suppose this would be enough evidence, right?"

"Ah, no, sorry." Shuichi smiled, putting a hand on Kokichi's cheek. "But we don't have to convince him. He'll remember everything soon enough, then there'll be nothing to worry about. We'll be okay, I promise."

"Hm, I guess. It was worth a shot though. Can't believe you of all people would turn down sleeping with me, horny bitch." Kokichi teased lightly.

"I never turned down sex, just doing anything dangerous. Come on, you know me better than that. I could never say no to your body." Shuichi squeezed him around the waist, resulting in laughter from both of them.

"I'm not actually all that interested right now, if I'm being honest. You know me, I'll do anything to solve a problem."

"I know." Shuichi nuzzled their face against Kokichi's head. "That's part of why I said no, too. I could tell you weren't fully into it, and whatever the reason was, I didn't want you to feel like you had to do anything with me."

Kokichi rolled his eyes. "I already know that, idiot. You're too much of a softie to do something so mean. Give me some credit, there's more brains in my head than there are in yours." He flicked the side of Shuichi's head, causing them to pout.

"I'm smart too, you know. It isn't my fault that I'm not actually a genius like you are."

Kokichi giggled and pinched Shuichi's cheek. "I know that! I'd have to be the idiot to think there wasn't any smarts in my beloved former detective." He pat their head lightly.

Shuichi rolled their eyes. "Alright, fine."

They did have a point. Who did he have to prove anything to? He understood the nature of their current and former relationship, and he didn't have a problem with it. Besides, he should be focusing on being excited, both for getting out of the hospital soon and hopefully having a fully functioning young heart again.

This was a second chance at life for Kokichi, and a fresh perspective on one for Shuichi. For Kaito, they just had to be patient. There was plenty still to do while they waited.

Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Summary:

Who wants filler, feelings, and mild porn?

"Shumai, how did we meet?" Kokichi asked, laying on his back across the bed. "I'm bored."

"How we met?" Shuichi sat beside him. "We went to school together, since the beginning of primary school. And we met Kai in junior high. I was really shy back then, I barely said a word. You were more or less the same, but I could tell it wasn't because you were shy like me. You just didn't waste your breath when you knew no one cared to listen. You got more out of observing, anyway. You had blackmail on our whole high school, simply because you were always paying attention. I was a little scared of you if I'm being honest." They laughed. "Anyone with half a mind should be, you're insanely smart."

"Hm," Kokichi smirked. "That sounds kinda nice. But how did we really meet though? Like, becoming friends, and getting together. What started it?"

Shuichi smiled, a look of nostalgia on their face. "You see, I was bullied pretty badly as a little kid. You noticed, of course, and one day I was really sad. I was hiding behind a tree, crying because some idiot pulled my hair and said some mean stuff to me. It was a little pathetic, and you said that. You found me and told me to stop being pathetic because it was a waste of time listening to a dumbass like him because he didn't even know how to tie his shoes, and I should listen to you instead. And then you spent the rest of recess telling me all the great things you'd learned about me in the past few years. That was in fourth year, by the way. It sounds a little dumb now since we aren't kids anymore, but it stuck. We've been friends since."

"Awww!" Kokichi giggled. "That sounds so cute! I can't wait to remember cute little baby Shu Shu!"

Shuichi blushed and chuckled softly. "Thanks, I suppose. It wasn't quite so dramatic with Kai. He and I had a few classes together in junior high and hit it off pretty much right away. You just tolerated each other at first, but eventually, you guys got closer too. I didn't have to deal with bullying much after that, between him being so intimidating without having to try much, and a lot of students knowing that you've got stuff on them, they mainly left me alone."

Kokichi grinned. "Good! Next question, I want to know how we all got together."

Shuichi nodded. "It wasn't a huge thing, one day in our first year of high school I confessed to both of you, and after some discussion you both accepted, and we started a relationship between the three of us. I knew you both liked each other by that point, and part of what pushed me was fear that you'd get together and I'd be left on the sidelines, never able to confess because I'd be scared of what it could do to your and our relationship. It really couldn't have gone better though, I think. You did tease me a bit, which was to be expected, and we went on a date the next weekend."

"You probably have a lot of great stories about us, huh?"

Shuichi nodded. "I probably have a thousand by now. I used to write them all down."

Kokichi hummed. "Things probably won't ever go back to the way they were. We're different people now, even once we remember everything there'll still be those pesky memories of the game. Even if they aren't technically real, it still feels like they are, and I don't think I'll ever be the exact same person. Same goes for Kaito. You know that, don't you?"

"Yeah, I do." Shuichi shook his head. "It doesn't matter much, though. You haven't changed all that much, and I still love you exactly as you are. It takes some getting used to, that's true, but it's not like you're a different person. You've just got some new experiences, and if anything I think it's changed you for the better. You're so strong, but that's always been true. I guess what I'm trying to say is, after all you've been through, my respect and love for you have only grown."

"You're such a fucking sap." Kokichi scoffed. "I've got another question for you. Shuichi, is that your real name? I know that for a lot of us, our characters had different names than the people that played them. I've been wondering if you're the same."

"I am." Shuichi nodded. "But I like being called Shuichi, too. I like when you call me Shuichi, really. I like the nicknames you have for me, too. It's not a big deal."

Kokichi scoffed. "I still want to know. Unless you don't like it."

"I do. Like it, I mean. Kagehara Ikeda. I changed my first name a couple years back, never liked the one I was born with much, so getting used to a different name isn't so hard now. If you want to call me Shuichi, that's fine. If you want to call me Kage, that's fine too."

Kokichi thought about it. "That's too complicated, I'll just call you my beloved instead."

They laughed softly. "Alright."

"I'm guessing Kaito's real name is probably Kai, since you always call him that?"

"Kai Tanji. He always thought it was kind of boring. I bet he likes being called Kaito, too."

"One more question on the names, what's mine? I know it's not Kokichi."

They pursed their lips. "Isn't it, though? You're Kokichi, you've always been Kokichi. Just like I've only ever been Kage. I think, I'm not going to tell you your name. That is, the name of the you that I've known. This is complicated."

Kokichi snorted. "Yeah, seriously. I see where you're coming from."

"Hey, how did you know that you had a different name? You weren't sure for me, but you seemed so certain. Did the nurses say anything about it?"

"I found out myself, actually. It's not that I haven't remembered anything, close to nothing, yeah, but there was one tiny thing."

Their eyes went wide. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Kokichi rolled his eyes. "It's nothing personal, calm down. It happened while we were fucking, almost like nostalgia, it felt like I was in real life and a memory at the same time. And when you said you loved me, my name kinda fizzed out like I wasn't supposed to remember it just yet. Weird, huh?"

"Very weird." They agreed before smirking. "I never knew my dick was so good it could cure memory loss."

Kokichi smacked their leg. "You are a dick, I guess the saying you are what you eat is true."

They chuckled. "Like you aren't way more of a dick than I am."

"I'm going to bite your dick off if you keep talking like that." Kokichi sat up, deciding to tackle them down against the mattress. "Your penis is at my mercy, beloved."

They laughed, just hugging him. "You like it more than I do, so I suppose I'm alright with that." They nuzzled his shoulder. "We'll have memories too. Even if you never remember, I already fell madly in love with Kokichi Ouma."

"I want to remember anyway. Even if it's not important to you, it is for me. It's not fair that you have all those great memories and I don't, you know?"

"I guess not." They frowned. "There's bad memories too, though. Things I'd be fine with if you never remembered."

Kokichi rolled his eyes. "Yeah, obviously. I have bad memories already, and I figured there's no way I wouldn't have any in my real past. For one thing, I've seen the scars on my arms. Those sorta freaked me out when I woke up."

"I never thought of that. I can only imagine how strange that must've been. Waking up in a body that wasn't quite right."

"I'm over it now. Not all of it, but at least that part. Aside from some scars, there's hardly any difference."

"Yeah, that's true." They pressed their face into his shoulder. "It was worse waking up to realize I was missing two major parts of myself."

Kokichi pet their hair gently. "I'll bet. I guess Kai is probably suffering more than any of us, though. He thinks he's done all those horrible things, but he hasn't."

"I know, I almost feel bad for being upset."

"You shouldn't. Okay, that's it, no more depressing topics. We're not getting anywhere with this, I just wanted to hear a few stories from the past. Let's have sex to distract ourselves!" Kokichi snickered.

"If you want. I'm not entirely opposed."

"I think you need to take your mind off everything for a little while. We both do, actually, the atmosphere here isn't helping us any. Also, you know, you're hot."

They chuckled. "You're hot too. How do you want to do this?"

Kokichi shrugged, rolling off of them. "I dunno. Don't really care, either. It's sappy as fuck, and I think you're rubbing off on me, but I just need a minute where I'm not thinking about all the awful shit going on. You get it. In a way, I guess I can see the appeal of drugs. Not that I have any intention of doing that, I'm not stupid. But, it's not much different. At least sex is free." He crossed his arms. "Being here makes it worse. Think we could break out?"

"Probably not." They put an arm over Kokichi, laying their head on his shoulder. "I understand, though. We can't do this all the time, we have to face our problems eventually, but just to unwind. I need it too. I hate feeling helpless. At the very least, I can make you feel good. That's not pointless."

Kokichi stroked their hair. "Things are going to turn around too, I promise." He couldn't really guarantee anything, but their depressive episode had been worrying him, and hopefully every tiny bit of reassurance he gave would help even just a tiny bit.

"This is hard." They admitted. "And I'm not. Do you want me to give you oral? I want to keep things simple."

"Yeah." Kokichi nodded. After a moment, he pulled off his pants and boxers. "I think that's a better idea anyway. I'll give you head too, if you want."

They nodded, and pressed a soft kiss to his neck. "Yeah, okay." They slowly pushed themself down, nuzzling their face against Kokichi's thighs. "You're so amazing. I know things will work out, and even though I'm not doing too great right now, I'll get better. I promise. How about we have a picnic on the roof, huh? We can have a proper date."

"That sounds nice. We deserve a date."

"Yeah, we do." They pressed their lips against him softly, breathing in deeply before slowly dragging their tongue over his folds. Kokichi threaded his fingers through their hair, heat slowly blooming in his stomach.

He was happy. At least for the moment, his partner wasn't sad. There wasn't a lingering pain in their eyes, only love. It was enough to make Kokichi ruin the mood with a dumb joke in any other scenario, but they needed this.

When his orgasm hit, he hesitated in pushing them away. Even through the first traces of overstimulation, he held off, letting them take the time to relax, as strange of a way to relax as it was.

When the pain became a bit too much, Kokichi gently nudged their head away. Their pupils were blown, nearly obscuring the gold color of their eyes completely. The look on their face was almost orgasmic, and Kokichi wouldn't have been surprised if he'd been told that they'd came completely untouched.

"I'm going to blow you." He said, and they nodded.

If the look on their face was orgasmic before, then while Kokichi took as much of their dick as he could manage they seemed to have ascended. They looked shy, a blush across their face and the back of their hand pressed to their mouth. In lighter situation, Kokichi would've loved to see it.

Aftercare was cuddling, Kokichi held impossibly close to his partner as they cried about how much they loved him. It was vulnerable, Kokichi felt naked in another way.

Fuck, love was terrifying, wasn't it?

Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Kokichi couldn't tell if things were getting better or worse. He wouldn't be surprised if someone told him they were just becoming numb to it. He still didn't know when they'd get to leave. It really sucked. They'd finally been freed from that sick prison school only to be trapped in a hospital. It wasn't fair.

He and Kage were restless. He'd decided to use his partner's real name instead, despite their insistence that they liked being called Shuichi just as much. It felt weird, but it was for the best. He had a sneaking suspicion that they only said that because they thought he liked the idea of Shuichi better.

Kokichi was sick of white hospital walls, and white hospital floors, and white hospital beds. Why was everything white? Wouldn't that make it so much harder to clean? He didn't understand hospitals. He never wanted to be in a hospital again after this. He'd rather die than wake up from near death, or what seemed like death, in a white hospital room.

Watching TV didn't pass the time anymore. He couldn't focus, even though he really did try. Neither could Kage. They'd stare at the screen, and time would seem to slow down more than anything. They slept a lot, at least then the days would go quicker. Spending time with friends didn't even seem to mean much anymore, not when they were all so bored that all they could talk about was what they wanted to do when they got out. In a way, that made it even worse.

It had been two months since he'd woken up. It'd been one since Kaito got in trouble. He didn't know where he was, or when he'd be back. That was hard too.

Kokichi knew he was missing a part of himself. Kage knew it too. He didn't lie much anymore, he didn't crack jokes. He was quiet. He didn't think he could take another month of white hospital everything. They said they had to wait until everyone was stable. All waiting did was make things worse.

He cried a lot when things first started getting bad. Now he didn't cry at all. It seemed as pointless as everything else. He and Kage had tried to distract themselves with sex for a while, but even that soon stopped meaning anything.

There wasn't anything else to do but lie in each other's arms with the TV in the background so their minds weren't so loud and try not to let themselves think about how much easier it would be to just end it all.

He asked Kage for more stories. That was the only time they really looked happy. Kokichi never said it, but sometimes he wondered if he could ever make his partner happy like that. If nothing else, he wished he could just remember. Seeing Kage so weak and hopeless was the worst part of all.

"Kage."

"Yeah?"

"We have to go eat."

At the very least, they made sure to take care of each other, as best as they could. They showered, they ate, and they drank plenty of water. It was better than nothing.

"Limp-Dick!" Miu shouted as soon as they walked into the cafeteria. "Your boyfriend's back, I saw him go into his room earlier!"

Both of them perked up.

"Go on, I'm not sure if he'll want to see me." Kage tried to smile.

Kokichi kissed them on the cheek. "I'll be back, sit with the pig-faced prostitute until I come back, alright?" Hey, he still had the energy to insult his friend. If he didn't, that's when there'd definitely be a reason to worry.

Kage nodded, and Kokichi ran off.

He pounded on Kaito's door with more strength than he'd used in weeks. Which, to be fair, didn't mean much.

Unsurprisingly, Kaito had been expecting him, and the door opened soon after. "You look like shit." He sighed. "Well, come in."

Kokichi scoffed. "You don't look much better." He complied and crossed his arms. "Look, I wasn't able to explain things thoroughly last time. Kage isn't abusive. You just remembered stuff without context."

"I know. I don't have all of 'em back, but I got back a lot of my memories this past month. I know they're a good person. I think I'll need some more time, though, before I'm ready for things to go back to how they were. What about you?"

Kokichi sighed loudly. "Still nothing. All I know is what they've told me. Which is quite a bit." He frowned. "They haven't been doing very well. I mean, no one has, but I think they're worse. I'm not sure if I can make them happy."

Kaito grabbed his shoulder. "Look, everyone's struggling. I bet they'd be doing a lot worse if you weren't here." He grinned. "I'd have been worried if I knew you guys weren't together, but I didn't doubt you'd take care of each other." He gently squeezed Kokichi's shoulder. "I'm still getting over everything too, but I'll do what I can. 'Cause I do love you guys, even if I didn't know it until recently."

Kokichi nodded and hugged him. Kaito chuckled and returned the hug, rubbing his back. "We need you, Kaito." He mumbled. "I hate it here. I can't stand it. I barely even have the energy to take care of Kage. I think about hurting myself so often, and I'm trying to stay strong for them, but I'm tired all the time and I just want to feel something. I know I don't sound like myself. I don't even have the energy to lie. Sometimes this feels worse than the killing game. At least then I was scared."

Kaito kissed the top of his head. "It's okay, let it out. It always amazes me how strong you both are. I know how much you hate feeling trapped. You know, the only thing that's kept my spirits up these past few weeks was knowing that I'd get to see you soon."

Kokichi trembled lightly, pressing his face into Kaito's chest as he sobbed, crying openly for the first time in weeks. Everything came bubbling out, emotion that had been replaced by numbness and desire to keep up as strong a face as he could.

"I want to go home. I want to remember you guys. I want to forget the life I thought I'd had. I never want to hear or think about Danganronpa again, but I know they'll make us do interviews, and I'll have to pretend I don't sometimes wake up feeling like I'm being crushed all over again. Some days I wish it had, just so I didn't have to suffer all over again."

Kaito stroked his hair gently as he dumped out everything he'd been too worried to tell Kage, in case it made things worse for them. "Hey, do you want me to start checking your arms again? I used to do that with you and Kage, earlier in our relationship. When you were trying to quit, you'd ask me to check your arms every day to prove you were clean. You said that it helped and that it motivated you to know I'd be proud of you for staying safe."

Kokichi thought about it before nodding. "I'd like that. I don't really know if it'll help, but maybe it'll at least make me feel less like it won't matter if I do." He shrugged. "Anything to keep me from relapsing, right?" He strained a small smile.

Kaito ruffled his hair. "Exactly."

Kokichi pulled away and wavered a bit before tugging up his sleeves and holding his arms out towards Kaito. He wasn't used to people seeing his scars, hell he wasn't used to himself seeing his scars, but he supposed Kaito had probably seen them a lot. "I haven't done anything. I've thought about it, I've come really close, but I'm clean."

Kaito put his hands under Kokichi's arms, not quite holding them, just keeping them up. He pushed one up a little and pressed his lips to the center of his wrist.

Kokichi flinched a bit, and Kaito glanced up to see that he was flushed, not making eye contact.

"Sorry about that, it's habit. I shoulda asked first." He let go of his arms.

"It's fine." Kokichi huffed. "I just didn't expect it." He held his wrists against his chest. "I guess we were pretty open about our scars, huh?"

"Yeah, we are. I always tried to make sure you guys weren't ashamed of your scars. You told me once that you used to always avoid looking at your arms because it made you feel sick, but because of us, you could only think about how loved we made you feel when you saw them. I was really glad that I could do something like that for you."

"Wow." Kokichi laughed softly. "We had like, the perfect relationship. I mean, have? It's so weird to hear about all these things, and know that they're true, but still have no recollection of it."

Kaito shook his head. "We don't have a perfect relationship. We love each other, that's all. We've argued, we've messed up. I guess it's good to have three people though, in that aspect, since there's always a mediator. If two of us are being unreasonable, the other one can always make sure things don't get out of hand."

"Yeah, I guess so." Kokichi pulled down his sleeves. "It's probably safe to assume we're a good fit, though."

Kaito nodded. "Hey, I meant to ask, how is Kage doing? About, you know, last time we saw each other. I feel horrible about it, it was the first time I ever laid a hand on either of you and intended for it to just hurt."

Kokichi frowned. "Well, they were really messed up cause of it at first, but they found a way to not feel so shitty cause of it. They said that it made them happy, cause you were protecting me, so they could be okay with it. I'm not sure how true it was, but I think it might've at least helped a bit."

"I'm going to apologize, next time I see them. They didn't do anything wrong, and I can't punish them for it based on my first impression."

"Hey, what do you think about them now?"

"Now?" Kaito thought about it. "I'm in love with them, obviously. I'm a little wary in the back of my mind, but I know it's for nothing. It's a weird feeling. Like, I know what's real, but it's hard trying to convince myself. Sometimes I don't know which memories are true and which are fake."

Kokichi sighed. "Yeah, I can see that. It's tricky for me because I know all my memories are lies, but they feel real still. I miss people who've never existed. But when I think too hard, I realize that I don't actually have that many, they aren't vivid. I know they're programming into my head. I have the information, but they're not real. It's not like remembering the game. It's sick."

"Yeah, it really is."

"I should go eat. I haven't eaten yet, and if I miss breakfast, Kage will be upset. It's one of the only things we've managed to do, and I don't want to mess up my streak." Kokichi rubbed his arm. "I don't like leaving them alone."

Kaito smiled and kissed the top of his head. "They're lucky to have you. We both are. Go on, I'll eat in a bit."

Kokichi nodded and returned to the dining hall. He plopped down on the chair next to Kage.

"Hey, is everything alright?" They asked.

"Yep! Kaito's got a lot of his memories back. He said he's not ready to see you much just yet, but he's getting there, he's sorry, he loves you, all that stuff. So there's no need to be sad anymore, right?" He smiled, though a bit strained.

Kage smiled a bit. "Yeah, that's good. I'm glad. You're back earlier than I expected though. Did something happen?"

"Nah, I just missed you!" Kokichi giggled and leaned on their shoulder.

"You don't have to be with me all the time, Koko. I'll be okay, I promise." They stroked his hair gently.

"I know." Kokichi sighed. "I just can't risk anyone I love getting hurt again, you know?"

Kage looked a bit taken aback but nodded. "I get it. Don't hurt yourself because of it though. I'm okay as long as you are. Let's get you some breakfast now, alright?"

"Yeah, fine."

Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Kaito returning sparked new hope in Kokichi and Kage. They weren't at 100%, maybe 20 or 30, but it was better than the less than 5 they'd been at before. Kokichi returned somewhat to his usual self, which was a relief to everyone who'd had enough energy themselves to notice.

"Kage-Chan!" Kokichi grinned. "We haven't had sex for a while, right?"

Kage laughed softly. "No, I guess we haven't. Are you wanting me to fix that or something?"

"Maaaybe~" He giggled. "We're stuck together without much else to do whether we like it or not, so let's enjoy the together part!"

Kage brushed some hair out of his face. "When Kai is ready to join, I can't wait to take you at the same time. I miss filling up two of your holes with our dicks and the last one with a toy. You always look so good when you're being wrecked."

Kokichi huffed. "Least I know you're turned on. You're always super shy when you aren't. But now you're, well," He gestured to Kage. "A horny bitch!"

Kage smirked at him. "I should punish you for that. I'm not as good at spanking you as Kai, and I'd rather not choke you until I don't have to worry about you not being able to get enough air already, so I guess our only options are orgasm denial and overstimulation."

Kokichi blinked. "I don't know a lot about those last two."

"Ah, that's right, sorry. Orgasm denial is exactly as it sounds, I bring you to the edge but stop before you can hit it, and repeat as many times as I want. It makes you desperate. Overstimulation is the opposite, it's making you orgasm multiple times in a row without break, and makes your nerves incredibly sensitive to a point where the stimulation hurts and any touch feels a lot stronger."

"Wow." Kokichi looked down. "Those must be pretty tame compared to other stuff we do, huh?"

"Yes, they are. But that doesn't mean it's boring. We do often pair those with other things, too."

Kokichi took a deep breath. "Okay. Just, do whatever you think will feel good. You know my limits better than I do. I mean, I did think I was a virgin before you told me otherwise."

Kage kissed his cheek. "I'm not actually going to punish you, anyway. I don't have it in me right now. I just want to take care of you. I want to make you feel good, happy, and loved. We can save punishment for when we're out of this place, and just want to have fun. Besides, then we'll have all of our equipment to work with."

Kokichi rolled his eyes. "You're so cheesy, dude. Just fuck me, it's that simple."

"But it's not simple. It takes a lot of trust, communication, and practice. There's nothing simple about making love to you."

Kokichi faked a gag. "I hate that term, making love to. It's icky, don't say it." The blush on his face proved otherwise, but Kage didn't mention it.

"Fine, I'll get on with it then." They pulled Kokichi's lower garments off and used two fingers to slowly massage his clit.

Kokichi hissed, back arching. "Shit. That's a lot. I guess I haven't been touched in a little while."

"I'll go slow." Kage pressed their face into Kokichi's neck, leaving soft, wet kisses and the occasional bruise. They continued to rub Kokichi's clit until he came, thighs squeezing around his partner's wrist.

Kage hummed in delight before sliding those two fingers into his hole and fingering him gently.

Kokichi lay limp on the bed, the occasional moan escaping him as he fell into the sensations. He wasn't drowning in them, more like he was floating comfortably on top of the water. Metaphors were weird.

He barely noticed those fingers leaving him and a much larger part of Kage's body taking their place until a careful thrust jolted him from his bliss.

Kage smirked down at him. "This is good, I'm assuming? You look very happy, Kichi."

"Shut up and fuck me. I was so bored waiting for your tiny dick, you'd better make it up to me by using it right."

Kage pressed down on his chest, effectively pinning him to the bed. "With pleasure."

It was still rougher than their first time, but really Kage was only going at a moderate pace. Kokichi wanted to tease them for going so slow, but he knew why. Kage refused to go all out until he was completely better, physically. And they'd just get sappy if he mentioned it.

Kage wrapped their arms around Kokichi and buried their face in his shoulder. "I love you. I know I haven't been doing perfectly, but I'm trying really hard. I love you, so much. You feel so good, I miss touching you like this."

Kokichi grunted. "I could step on you and you'd thank me, you fucking simp. Why do you always have to be so serious and lovey-dovey when you fuck me?"

"Hot." Kage chuckled. "Desire to make you feel good, and happy, I suppose. It's really just because it's true, and what better time to tell you than when you're focused solely on me?"

Kokichi rolled his eyes and grabbed Kage's ass. "Or, here's a thought, you just be your usual hot self, appreciate the fact that a nerd like you gets both pussy and dick, and shut the hell up other than to moan. I don't need you crying on me. Kage, you overwhelm yourself. Just focus on feeling good for once." Kokichi carefully rubbed their balls with two fingers.

Kage moaned. "Fuck, okay, I'll be quiet. You're so rude, Kichi. Forgive me for wanting to tell you how much I love you, damn." They laughed.

They stayed quiet for a while, the only sounds in the room being gasps and soft moans, occompanied by the slick sound of each thrust. It made them both blush. Hearing them make love made Kokichi even more wet, and Kage could feel it.

Kokichi bit down on Kage's shoulder when he came, making them groan, and soon hit their climax as well.

Kokichi scampered off to the bathroom to clean up once Kage pulled out, leaving them to get dressed.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Kage asked immediately upon Kokichi's return.

"Uh, what? You mean like, my legs being wobbly, cause you know why that is."

Kage frowned. "No, not that. The fact that you ran off as soon as we finished and look nervous now."

Kokichi groaned. "I'm fine! I just don't like feeling gross, and your jizz is super gross!" He faked a gag. "I'm fine, really."

Kage picked him and pulled him onto the bed to cuddle, holding him protectively. "No, somethings wrong. Did I hurt you?"

"No, course not." Kokichi sighed and nuzzled up to his partner. "Ugh, you're probably just going to jump to even worse conclusions if I don't tell you. Idiot. Sex is still a little weird for me. First time we did it I was so, I guess shocked at how it felt that I didn't really think about it until later. And all the recent times, I hadn't felt much of anything about it. But...you know." He trailed off.

Kage rubbed his shoulder gently. "I don't know, though. Please, Koki, tell me."

Kokichi scoffed. "Stop it with the soft bullshit, it's not a big deal. I told you already, sex is just weird still. I dont have the experience with it that you do. You didn't do anything wrong, we're just at different places with how used to sex we are."

Kage sighed and kissed his head. "Sorry, I should've thought of that. You were comfortable, right?"

"Yeah, duh. You're decent in bed, which I'd assumed, considering you've been doing this for so long."

"That isn't what I meant. I know I sort of forced myself on you at first, and even though you were into it, I should've been more considerate. I'm sorry, Kokichi."

Kokichi raised an eyebrow before squishing Kage's cheeks. "Stop being an idiot. Even if you did sort of go a little quickly at first, you instantly stopped to make sure I was okay with it. You have been nothing but considerate of my feelings this entire time, so don't give me that bullshit. I've never not been comfortable with anything you've done. Let me say this again. Having sex with you doesn't make me uncomfortable. I get self-concious and a little dysphoric when we're done, okay?"

"O-oh." Kage blushed in embarrassment. "I can't believe I didn't figure that one out. Yeah, no, I get it. Jeez, I'm stupid. You never stopped getting dysphoric after sex, though some days it wasn't a problem, some you had to get covered up as soon as we finished. And it was always fine."

"You're not stupid. You're an idiot, there's a difference. You're super smart, Mr. Detective, so you'd better stop insulting my partner."

"Sorry. You say stuff like that a lot, it's actually kind of sweet."

"I do?"

Kage nodded. "Yeah, when I say bad stuff about myself. You hold it to the same standard as if someone else were to insult me. You usually keep quiet when you're thinking those things about yourself, but it puts in perspective to me that when I insult myself, you feel the same that I do when somebody else insults you."

"Huh. I was just doing the thing where I refer to you like I'm talking to someone else. Like, when I say my beloved is super pretty. But, yeah, that works, too."

"Old habits, I guess. Your subconscious seems to remember a lot more than you think."

"Oh yeah? Like what?" Kokichi asked, confused. He never really picked up on anything.

Kage smiled and stroked his hair. "Well, that, for starters. And I didn't think you would, since you don't seem to be aware when you do it. Before I ever told you, you called me Kage once. You weren't thinking about it, and you didn't even realize you'd said it."

"Woah, seriously!?" Kokichi's eyes widened. "Why didn't you tell me, you big meanie! What else, what else?"

"A lot of small stuff. When you comfort me, you seem to know exactly what to do, without the years of trial and error it took to get it perfect. You latched on quickly to both a different name and pronouns for me, which we both know can take some time."

Kokichi thought about that for a bit. "Yeah, I guess you're right. That means I'll definitely be able to remember everything someday, right? It's just shoved really far back in my head?"

"Yeah, of course. Did you think you'd never remember?"

Kokichi shrugged. "I was starting to wonder. It's been two months and, well, there hasn't been any progress. Naturally I'm going to start worrying things will never get better."

Kage hugged him. "I'll wait as long as it takes, I promise. If it takes another month, or a few years, I don't care. I love you the same as I always have."

Kokichi scoffed. "I know that already! I'm not stupid like you are, I know that I probably care more about getting my memories back than you do."

"Sorry, I know. I just wanted to reassure you. Forgive me?"

"Ugh, fine, only if you let me take a quick nap. Just give me like, twenty minutes."

"Sure thing." Kage chuckled as Kokichi nuzzled against their chest, hugging him close while he slowly drifted off. "Sweet dreams, Koko."

"Mph." Kokichi responded, already half-asleep. Kage smiled.

No matter how much longer they were trapped here, they'd get through it. I would be difficult, sure, but they might not have made it this far alone. Being scared is awful, but it's so much better than being scared and alone. It had been easy for Kokichi to die for everyone, but as he's discovered, it's a lot harder to live for somebody.

Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Kokichi had spent the past week bouncing back and forth between Kage and Kaito's dorms, as well as hanging out with Miu and Kiibo. Who'd have guessed he'd be so social?

Kaito had apologized to Kage in person, kissed their forehead, and promised that things could go back to normal soon. It brought Kage's spirits up, and they'd even sat together at lunch that morning. It was tense, but it was progress.

On Kokichi's side of things, Kaito's suggestion had been working. He'd become less nervous about showing him his arms, too, though the shame was still there. It kept him from doing anything that he knew he'd regret late at night after he felt his bones being crushed for the hundredth time.

He spent the morning and night with Kage. They still needed to be taken care of, and Kokichi understood. He did, too. Between lunch and dinner, he was with Kaito and evenings he spent with his friends. It was a good system, and it ensured that he got enough time with everyone he cared about. Being imprisoned in a hospital sucked, but he might as well use the time to be around people important to him. He'd become as much of a sap as Kage.

"Kai-Chan, what are we going to do today?" Kokichi clung onto his boyfriend's arm, grinning. Really, no matter who he was with, a lot of the time, they just watched TV or something. Having more people to do stuff with didn't increase the amount of stuff that could be done, unfortunately. Kage had started reading a lot while he was gone, but Kokichi couldn't focus long enough to get through a single page.

After his door was shut, Kaito held out his hands. Kokichi nodded and rolled up his sleeves, proving that he was clean, as was now a routine. Kaito ruffled his hair. "Good job, Kichi."

"Mhm! You know how I had another checkup yesterday? Well, they gave me some shots, so you should really kill them cause it hurt. But, anyway, my chance of getting a heart attack is down 50%!"

"That's awesome, man!" Kaito hugged him tight.

"Kaito, stop!" Kokichi gasped, heart rate spiking unexpectedly.

Kaito let go of him, holding his shoulders instead. "Woah there, calm down, Kichi. You're okay, I've got you. What's going on? Did I hurt something?"

"I-No, I don't think so. Nothing hurts." Kokichi leaned his head against Kaito's chest. "You just squeezed me too tight. It felt like I was getting crushed again. I dream about it every night, you know. It wasn't your fault, just dumb PTSD."

"Fuck, dude, I'm sorry." Kaito rubbed his back gently. "I won't squeeze ya so tight again. You okay now?"

"Mhm." Kokichi hugged Kaito loosely, which he copied. "I forget about it sometimes, but I guess I didn't this time. Makes me claustrophobic too, I don't like it. I probably won't ever get over it, really."

"That's just fine." Kaito stroked his hair. "Hey, I'm just glad you're alright now."

Kokichi wiggled out of his grip in favor of dropping himself on the bed, stretching as he lay on his back. "It is awesome, though, that I don't have to worry so much about dying. Especially since I do have such bad nightmares, I was worried for a while they'd be the death of me. But you can't get rid of me that easy!"

Kaito chuckled and sat beside Kokichi, who wiggled closer to have his head on Kaito's lap. "Glad to hear it. I see they finally gave you your clothes back. It's fucking stupid how long it took them to look through everything to make sure we weren't trying to bring in cameras or something."

"Ugh, yeah, like forgive me for wanting something other than my Danganronpa uniform or dumb white hospital clothes. I'll be damned if I was going to wear those any longer than necessary."

Kokichi had been a but surprised by his wardrobe, though. It wasn't that he didn't like it, of course, but it was outside the realm of what he tended to wear.

He had a pastel purple hoodie and denim shorts on right now. He had a lot of pastel colored clothes and pretty cutesy stuff. There was some weird stuff there too, as he expected from himself. Nothing insane though.

"Yeah, this stuff looks really good on me! I have amazing fashion sense, you know."

"That you do. Your clothes would still look better on the floor, though." He smirked.

Kokichi gasped and smacked his arm. "Pervert! You're as bad as Kage!" He pouted.

Kaito laughed. "If you get to smack me, doesn't that mean I should get to do the same for you? You're all about things being fair, right?" He lightly smacked the side of Kokichi's butt.

"Meanie!" Kokichi pouted. "I'm tiny, I can't do nearly as much damage to you. Plus, you forgot that I'm a hypocrite too."

"Oh, yeah, how could I have forgotten?" Kaito rolled his eyes. "Still don't think it's fair that Kage gets your cute body all to himself. What happened to sharing?" He caressed Kokichi thigh.

"I'm starting to realize why we had sex so much. Your sex drives are both weed addicts." Kokichi grunted, but sat up.

"Nah, just addicted to you." Kaito winked and sat up too. "You know you don't gotta say yes every time, right? Kage and I both know how to keep it in our pants."

"Yeah, duh, never said my drive didn't smoke too." Kokichi scooted onto Kaito's lap and kissed him. "Be careful though, my dumb cock-block of a heart can't handle anything too rough just yet."

Kaito brushed some hair behind Kokichi's ear. "No worries. All that matters to me is shoving my dick inside your tight pussy." He smirked.

"Yeah, whatever. Just a disclaimer and all, from my point of view, this is our first time together. Keep it simple. I know it's boring, and I hate boring, but keep it vanilla for now."

Kaito lightly held Kokichi's chin, rubbing his jaw his his thumb. "You've got it, sweetheart. Can't risk hurting something to delicate and precious, right?"

Kokichi pouted. "I am not delicate!"

"You're not denying that you're precious, though." Kokichi whacked his arm and he laughed. "Fine, I'll give it a rest. Come here." Kaito put his hand on the back of Kokichi's neck and kissed him. "Once we get home, I'll have to seriously spoil you guys. Maybe wait until your heart's all better. That way, I can go all out treating you."

"You'd better." Kokichi pulled his goatee lightly, resulting in a playful flick in the forehead from Kaito. "Ow! Rude. Anyway, I'm a supreme leader, which means it's your job as my subordinate to spoil me."

Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Last I checked, you were as big of a bottom as they come. Power bottom, sure, I'll give you that, but you can't even dom Kage. And they're easy to take charge of."

Kokichi stuck out his tongue playfully. "I'm absolutely a top! But, yeah, Kage is only able to top cause they're sadistic and eager to please. Weird combination, but they're weird, so whatever."

"Eh, can't argue with that. I love both my little weirdos, though."

"How am I weird!?" Kokichi gasped in fake offense.

Kaito shook his head, laughing. "Kichi, you know that you're weird. You literally had a weird core phase, but I guess you wouldn't remember that."

Kokichi shrugged. "Fair enough. Weren't you doing something important?"

"Yep. I'm doing you, and you're important." Kaito slipped his thumb under Kokichi's waistband.

"Damn right." Kokichi smiled, giggling when Kaito kissed his cheek. "Your stupid beard tickles!"

Kaito pressed his lip to his ear. "You'd complain my ears off if I shaved it, though, cause you'll just think I look weird."

Kokichi started undoing his shorts. "You take so damn long, dumbass. My hair is turning grey over here."

"Still looks purple to me." Kaito brushed a hand through Kokichi's hair before gently pushing him off of his lap to lay on the bed.

Kokichi pulled his pants off completely, leaving his boxers. "One more thing, I get sorta weird after sex. Nothing much, I'll just run off to clean up pretty quick, and I might seem a bit distant. It's nothing against you, but it freaked Kage out. Sex is weird, I don't know how to describe it, I'm just not used to it yet."

"The only form of aftercare Kage really does is cuddling. Which, it's great, but I'm always the one in charge of cleaning you guys up and all. It's a dynamic that works for us, and doesn't really when missing someone."

Kokichi nodded. "That makes sense. That is all they really seem to do, yeah. It get it though, they need it too."

"Right, glad you've got it." Kaito slid his fingers over Kokichi's covered crotch. "Now that that's settled, how's about we get to the fun part?"

"Fun part sounds awesome." Kokichi grinned, wiggling his hips a bit. "You're super hard, by the way. I must be really sexy."

"You're so fucking sexy." Kaito agreed, kissing him. He pulled down Kokichi's boxers and teased two fingers at his entrance.

Kaito's demeanor wasn't quite the same as it used to be. Kokichi wasn't sure why he was noticing that now. Before, he'd always been so brash and confident about everything. Now, he seemed more protective and less aggressive. Maybe it was due to all the time he spent with Kokichi and Kage, neither of whom appreciated aggressiveness. How much of their personalities had been shaped around each other?

Kokichi gasped as he felt a finger push inside of him. It was noticeably bigger than Kage's, but was much gentler than he would've expected from Kaito before.

Kaito seemed fond of marking up Kokichi's neck. He'd done it a few times before, and Kokichi made sure to cover them in favor of not getting teased for hours by Miu. His lips were on his neck now, too, gently biting and sucking on his skin. The thought crossed his mind that he loved the feeling of being claimed, and to his embarrassment it made him noticeably more wet.

Kaito worked him up to three fingers, sliding them in and out until he deemed Kokichi sufficient prepared, and began to undo his pants.

Kokichi squeaked at the sight of Kaito's dick. It wasn't much girthier, but noticeably longer than Kage's.

Kaito chuckled, and ran a hand through Kokichi's hair. "I'll be careful, Kichi. Always am. I've gotta be with you, your body isn't really supposed to take so much. Kage's the only one who can really go all out on ya."

"Yeah, good point." Kokichi threw a leg up over Kaito's shoulder.

"If I'm being honest, I figured you'd be more shy. Like you were when we first started having sex. Not that I'm complaining." Kaito squeezed his thigh lightly.

"Nah, I wondered that at first, too. I think it's some weird subconscious memory kinda thing. Some weird voice in the back of my head telling me that this is right, that's there's no reason to be nervous. It's weird, but hey, makes things easier for us."

Kaito shrugged. "Works for me." He pressed his cock slowly inside of Kokichi, making the smaller boy groan softly.

"Ah, fuck, how the hell did I manage to fit you both in the same hole?" Kokichi grunted, sighing in relief once Kaito was completely inside.

He chuckled. "Babe, you've never had us both in the same hole. Did Kage tell you that?"

"Uh, yeah?" Kokichi gasped. "They lied to me! We were teasing each other when they mentioned it! The bitch." He huffed and crossed his arms.

"Sounds like Kage. We have done similar stuff, but in different holes." Kaito gave a careful thrust, just to test the waters, and it successfully distracted Kokichi from his annoyance.

He let his leg fall to wrap around Kaito's back instead, moaning and gasping even though it was slow and gentle. He couldn't say it was any better or worse, just more intense.

Kaito pulled him into a passionate kiss, to which he was glad to return. "You're doing great, Kichi. It's easier with lube, but we don't have that right now. You hanging in there?"

"M-Mhm." Kokichi shut his eyes, letting himself get lost in the feeling.

Kaito pet his thigh gently before placing his thumb on Kokichi's clit and rubbing it in slow circles. He smirked when it made Kokichi moan and kissed his forehead.

Quicker than usual, Kokichi was consumed by a heavy orgasm, burying his face in Kaito's shoulder as he shook.

A bit after he finished orgasming, Kaito hit his, and Kokichi climaxed for the second time without any warning.

"I see you still get off being creampied." Kaito chuckled, slowly pulling himself out of Kokichi.

"Sh-Shut up." He mumbled tiredly. Kokichi zoned in and out while Kaito cleaned him up, and fell asleep quickly upon feeling arms wrapping around him.

In his tired haze, he hadn't even realized the voice in his head that was unmistakably Kaito's, a memory similar to the one he'd had the first time he and Kage had sex.

"Sweet dreams, _o_-B__."

Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Finally! They'd been told that in a month, they'd all get to go home. It was a lot of time, still, but even if it had been a year, he'd be excited. Just having an end date for their imprisonment was enough to give them back the hope that had been lost for so long.

During his weekly appointment, Kokichi was handed a paper. As he glanced over it, he realized it was a contract, one he had evidently already signed.

"We're aware that you don't remember any of this, but we have video evidence of you signing this form. Read over it, and familiarize yourself with the content because if we discover you've breached your contract, you will be met with extreme legal trouble." His doctor informed him.

It was obviously a confidentiality contract. Any details that could give away the true nature of why this form needed signed were omitted or reworded so they didn't seem to be a problem. Kokichi knew that when he'd signed this, he'd had no idea what he was getting into. Hell, if he didn't know now what would end up happening, then he doubted he'd have thought much of it either. It was a scary thought, knowing how many people had fallen for the same trick he had.

He wasn't allowed to share any secrets regarding the process or results of transferring his personality into the game. He assumed as much. Any unreleased footage may not be released to the public, nor is he allowed to discuss anything he may know about what went on in the game itself that was not included shown. Implying that they weren't allowed to share things they saw on unreleased film, when in reality, it meant they couldn't say what they remembered. Smart. And horrifying.

It continued on like that, filling in any loopholes that the smartest person may find. There was really, truly nothing he could do while avoiding the unmentioned punishment that would ensue if he broke even one of the carefully laid out rules. He felt like he'd sold his soul to Danganronpa for a fun opportunity to be in his favorite show, uninformed of the pain and trauma it would cause, and forced to preach how incredible it was to the rest of the world so the cycle could continue. It made him sick.

Kokichi refused to show it, though. He kept a blank stare as he nodded and handed the form back to the doctor and was released to go back to his, or rather Kage's, room.

He collapsed against the door as soon as it shut. Kokichi felt Kage scoop him up in their arms soon after, shaking and sobbing with hatred and anguish. It was the interviews he dreaded most. He had to say he loved being on Danganronpa. He had to tell the whole world that it was the best decision he ever made. For once, he wanted nothing more than to tell everybody the truth. But the one time he didn't want to lie, he didn't have the slightest choice.

"Kokichi, hey, can you talk to me?" Kage had sat down beside him and pulled him onto their lap, rubbing his back in slow, calming circles.

"Just saw the contract." Was all he could mumble out.

Kage's sighed and pressed a kiss to his head. "They showed me not long after I woke up, and I remember signing it anyway. I'm sorry, Ko."

"Why did we have to sign the damn thing?"

"Because we were naive, like everyone else. There's no use dwelling on the past because we can't change it, and we shouldn't blame ourselves for making that choice."

"Blaming myself is easier because if I blame Danganronpa, then it will just hurt more because I know there's no way I can touch them." Kokichi sniffled, trying to wipe off his tears.

Kage tilted his chin up to look him in the eyes. "You should blame them. They're the ones who hurt us. And I know it's hard, I know that it's discouraging, but blaming yourself is only going to make things worse."

"Then what should I do?"

"You should be happy and live. I think you said it yourself that the best way to get revenge is to prove you can be happy despite what they've done."

Kokichi pouted. "How dare you use my words against me? That's cheating. Find an original way to cheer me up."

"Huh?" Kage blinked, staring at Kokichi. "Oh, uh, in that case, just don't forget that me and Kai are here for you, and even though it's horrible, at least you aren't alone. Is that better?"

"Meh, I'll give it a four out of ten." Kokichi shrugged, nuzzling his face into his partner's chest.

Kokichi grunted quietly when Kage picked him up, carrying him to the bed so they could cuddle properly. He'd spent so much time there these past months.

"I'll try to make sure your interviews are always with either me or Kai, even Iruma or Kiibo if we can't. That way, you won't be by yourself."

"Thanks." Kokichi sighed. "I want another story. You never told me any details about me getting my uterus removed, now that I think about it. How bad did it have to be?"

Kage nodded. "Alright, then. It's probably one of, if not the scariest story I have of us. It happened when you were fourteen, when the three of us were hanging out at your place. Your parents weren't home, like usual."

"Holy shit, you guys had to deal with that yourselves? I get why you said it was scary." Kokichi always looked like a little kid being told a bedtime story when Kage would relay their memories. At least, that's what they said. He supposed his did get pretty entranced by it.

"We had to deal with mostly everything by ourselves, so it wasn't anything new. You knew your period had started, and really, the blood didn't freak you out at all, but you started complaining about your stomach hurting a lot pretty early on. We got you some painkillers, and they helped at first, but after a couple hours, it was only getting worse and worse. You were crying, me and Kai were looking online for anything to help with period cramps, but nothing we found was working. Eventually, we begged your neighbor to drive us to the hospital. She was always really sweet, and would look after you when you were younger and your parents weren't home for hours on end."

Kokichi picked up on the venom that seeped into Kage's voice whenever any of their parents came up in conversation, even just briefly. Kokichi had decided a while ago not to ask about any of them.

"When we got there, you were in so much pain that Kai had to carry you. You said it felt like somebody was stabbing you repeatedly in the stomach. They knocked you out, asked us questions, and ran tests. You have some chemical that's abnormally high, and while it doesn't affect anything else, it made your cramps especially painful. And they'd never stop being painful. We needed parental approval to sign off on any surgery, even after you woke up and, under a ton of pain meds, said you absolutely did want it. And then confirmed the next day when the pain was dulled down. We didn't get any contact from your parents for a few days. Who knows where they were, and they didn't care, so they just signed off. I'm not sure they actually knew what they were signing off on. Honestly, they probably don't know you ever got it removed. You were happy about it, though. You already knew you were trans and were relieved you'd never have to deal with periods, plus you never liked the idea of pregnancy."

Kokichi nodded along as they talked. It was obvious that it was a borderline traumatic memory for Kage, which he supposed he understood. Seeing people you love in so much pain and not being able to do anything was the worst feeling he knew. Very few things were more terrifying.

"I can't say the experience was all bad." Kage continued. "It brought us closer together, I think, and helped build trust. You recovered the quickest, surprisingly, maybe because you were so happy. I, on the other hand, was in tears when you got out of surgery because I was so relieved. Needless to say, I was really worried." Kage chuckled softly. "I had to skip the parts in Danganronpa where it showed you two dead, you know. I don't think I ever told you that. Even though I know it was fake, I just couldn't stand it."

Kokichi hummed in understanding before kissing their cheek. "You don't have to explain yourself, stupid. I'd probably do the same thing. I mean, I would with any of them, but that's cause I saw it play out in real time. For you, I'd guess it's probably the same as watching somebody die in a movie. Which, it's not too different, aside from the person actually feeling it."

Kage nodded. "You're right. Before I knew what was happening, watching Danganronpa was just watching TV. We had no idea the characters would have lasting pain and trauma."

Kokichi scooted to sit on their lap and took their hands. "Okay, now that that's all out of the way. We need to talk."

Kage cocked their head. "Huh? Yeah, sure, what's going on."

"You tell me." Kokichi said sternly but softened his expression and sighed. "Beloved, why didn't you tell me that you've been hurting yourself?"

Kage's eyes went wide, and they stared down at their lap. "I'm sorry. How did you find out?" They mumbled.

"I saw the bandages when you were comforting me. It's pretty obvious what was going on." Kokichi frowned and kissed Kage's forehead. "I'm not mad, you know. I'm not disappointed either. I never told anyone. In my memories, I mean. I get it."

"Sorry..." Kage sniffled. "I was feeling really shitty one day, maybe a couple weeks ago, and I did it. You weren't here, and I don't mean that to blame you, just that I had the opportunity. I promised I'd only do it once, but you know how it is. I'm trying to stop, I swear."

Kokichi nodded and thought about it. "Alright, I'm not leaving you alone anymore."

Kage shook his head quickly. "I'll be fine! It's not fair to Kai or your friends if you're always with me."

"I don't care." Kokichi shrugged. "We can still talk at meals, so what's the big deal? I'm sure Kaito will get it, even if I just say that I'm worried about you without going into detail."

Kage frowned but nodded. "Okay, fine. I know I won't change your mind on this one. I'll tell him, though. He always helped us with this kind of thing."

"Yeah, he told me about that. He's been checking my arms, like he apparently used to. It really does work, which surprised me."

Kage smiled. "I'm glad. I'd rather it be me who relapsed than you, and I don't just mean that as not wanting you to get hurt. You never knew when to stop, and you didn't limit yourself. The whole reason we started really working to stop is because you passed out from blood loss. That's not to say what I did was any better, but I've never put my life in serious danger."

Kokichi rubbed his arms awkwardly. "No wonder he was so quick to make sure I wouldn't do anything. I had no idea I was like that."

"Well, it didn't help that you were anemic at the time. It didn't take much to seriously hurt you."

Kokichi chuckled softly. "Wow, I never knew I was so messed up."

Kage frowned and kissed his forehead. "I'm not making you uncomfortable, am I? I have trouble telling sometimes. I know you're not as open to talking about some of the things we used to now, and that's okay. Please tell me when it does happen, though."

Kokichi nodded. "It's fine, I'm glad I know this stuff now. Let's just watch a movie for now, though."

"Okay, no problem." Kage kissed him again. At first, the picture Kage had painted of him seemed perfect, like everything he could've ever wanted. But he always asked for the best memories. Now that he was learning the worst sides of his past, it no longer sounded like a fairy tale. But, he supposed, that also meant it was finally starting to sound real.

Chapter 13: Chapter 13

It was Kage who'd brought it up the next day at dinner. They told Kaito that they needed to talk to him, with only the three of them. Kokichi hadn't left their side the past two days, so obviously something was wrong, and Kaito accepted without any hesitation.

"I started hurting myself again." Kage admitted, hugging themself as they sat on Kokichi's bed, their boyfriends on either side of them. "I'm sorry."

Kaito put an arm around their shoulder. "There's nothing to be ashamed of, alright? We've been through this before, Kichi and I are here for you." He sighed and ran his free hand through his hair. "Look, I know I haven't really been there for you recently. And I know that this has been the time you've needed me most. We've all been going through shit that we should've had each other for, and I shouldn't have avoided you. Sorry." He kissed the top of their head.

Kage leaned into him. "That's not it. I get it, I probably would've done the same thing in your position. Just having you in the same building as me has been a big help. I should've spoken up to either of you when I did it the first time. That was on me, and I regret it. I haven't done it since I told Koko."

"Good. Hey, let's start working out together again. I need it. You clearly do, too." Kaito grinned, squeezing Kage's arm lightly, who in return laughed softly. "Maybe it'll help you feel better. I couldn't for a while, but I'm good now."

Kokichi cocked his head to the side. "Was it your side effects? Like, how my heart is?"

"Yep, you got it." Kaito nodded. "Couldn't breathe right at first, didn't take too long to fix itself though, luckily. I've been getting restless. You can watch us, as long as you don't get horny again." He chuckled.

Kage giggled. "You do have a habit of getting really turned on watching us exercise. It ends up being a good workout for all of us." They winked.

Kokichi gasped loudly and put a hand on his chest. "I can't believe you! Here we are, having a heartfelt moment, and you're slut shaming me!" He whined.

"You're into that, so it's fine." Kaito teased, earning another whine from his boyfriend.

Kage pulled Kokichi onto their lap. "There, now you're closer to both of us."

Kokichi flushed and bit his lip.

"What's wrong?" Both Kaito and Kage said at once.

"Jeez, I'm not supposed to be this easy to read." Kokichi chuckled. "I'm just a little overwhelmed. Getting this sort of attention from just one of you is a lot, but having it from both of you at the same time is a little too much."

"Want us to tone down the teasing?" Kage cupped his cheek gently.

Kokichi huffed. "It's not just that. It's the affection, too. I'm not used to so much romantic attention. It is mostly the teasing, though. I'm not uncomfortable. Don't take it the wrong way." He said with a pointed look at Kage. "It's like what I said about sex. It's a lot."

"Suppose you're not ready for a threesome, in that case?" Kaito chuckled while ruffling his hair lightly.

"I might die." Kokichi agreed. "But there's worse ways to go, so I wouldn't be too mad."

Kage bit their lip, obviously holding back a teasing remark. Noticing this, Kokichi pouted and bonked his head gently against theirs.

"Hey, what was that for!?" Kage laughed, rubbing their forehead lightly.

"You're thinking dirty thoughts about me again, pervert!" Kokichi crossed his arms.

"It wasn't that dirty!" Kage defended.

Kaito chuckled. "You're just proving his point. I at least know how to keep my dirty thoughts to myself."

"You too!?" Kokichi cried. "How did I ever survive living with both of you?"

"We're better at keeping it in our pants than you." Kaito grinned. "You probably started stuff more often than both of us combined."

"Back to the slut shaming!" Kokichi acted offended. "How do I know you're telling the truth, huh? Kage lied about me having both of you in one hole before, so how do I know if anything you say is true, huh?"

Kage laughed softly. "Sorry about that. Your reaction was pretty funny, though. When we get our phones back, you can always look through it to see. You sent us a lot of nudes."

"Thanks, I'd rather not do that." Kokichi grumbled. "Didn't you say I'm not exactly the same person you used to know me as? Therefore, those are his nudes, not mine. He's a slut, not me. There, I win."

"Sure. It's a shame though, I was about to compliment how sexy you are." Kaito shoved his head lightly.

"Didn't you promise to tone down the teasing?"

"We are." Kage chuckled. "Sorry though, we'll cut it out." They leaned their head against Kaito. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." He ruffled their hair. "We can just tease Kage instead, alright Kichi?"

"Sounds good to me!" He giggled. "It doesn't work when I try, though. They're too proud of being a whore."

Kage pouted. "Rude. But yeah, I am."

Kaito smirked. "That's cause the normal stuff doesn't work on them. Especially not verbal stuff." He demonstrated by tracing a finger does their spine, making them jump in surprise and blush.

"Kai! Now I'll never have a moment of peace again!" The huffed.

"It's cute." Kokichi kissed their cheek. "No wonder I always get more of a reaction out of you when I grope you."

"See babe? He's already figuring it out. I just nudged him in the right direction." Kaito said. "What was the best reaction you got?"

"When I smacked their ass and they moaned. It wasn't even very hard."

Kaito laughed, while his partner continued to pout. "Yeah, that'll do it."

"Shush." Kage poked Kokichi's cheek. "You did the same thing, don't forget."

"Yeah, but we're teasing you right now." Kaito reminded them. "I bet the worst part of him having lost his memories is not remembering how hot you look while sucking my dick." He turned to Kokichi. "They get really desperate. Same with when they eat you out."

"I'm gay, let me enjoy sucking dick!" Kage chuckled. "At least I don't do the thing B-Kokichi does where he looks all innocent with your cock halfway down his throat."

Kaito laughed. "Yeah, that was your favorite. You'd look as cute as possible cause you knew it'd get you railed. Kage just looks like a whore."

Kage shrugged. "At least I'm telling the truth."

Kokichi giggled. "What do you mean, I'm completely innocent! And you'd better not be implying that me being cute is a lie!"

"Now, that would be the biggest lie of all." Kaito ruffled his hair. "I've never met someone as naturally cute as you."

"Hey, Kage's cute too!" Kokichi squished his partner's cheeks. "See?"

"Nah, Kage's pretty. They're cute, too, but mostly pretty. Though they are really cute when they're getting their brains fucked out, but that's besides the point."

"I know, Kokichi takes a lot of pictures of me to show me how cute I am." Kage sighed, trying not to crack a smile. "And he calls me a pervert."

"Like you haven't done the same, hypocrite. Bet you learned that from him, too." Kaito shoved them lightly. "Kichi, I know what we should do for our next threesome."

"Ooh, what?" Kokichi grinned, eyes sparkling with interest, which made Kage groan and cover their face.

"We should spoil our perverted girlfriend." He spoke quietly against Kage's ear, making them blush profusely and cover their face.

"Kai!" They whined.

"Wow, they weren't kidding when they said it embarrasses them." Kokichi giggled.

Kage nodded. "Feminine words and pronouns are only used on special occasions. And no one else is allowed to use them for me. I don't know why I feel this way, but for some reason, it's just really intimate. Just as intimate as seeing me naked, I suppose." They'd recovered a bit, but their face was still bright red. "Maybe even more so."

Kaito shrugged. "Can't say I really get it, but it makes 'em happy, plus makes it easy to tease them, so I'm not complaining."

Kokichi nodded in understanding. "Do I have anything like that? Some weird thing that's super intimate to me."

Kage nodded. "Sort of. Not in the same way that I do. We all have our certain thing that just makes us really happy. For me, it's feminine words. For Kai, it's us falling asleep on him, and for you, it's being held. Either picked up or just cuddling. You really like the safety of it. You and Kai are sort of parallel in that sense. You like being in positions where you feel safe, while he loves to know we feel safe with him."

"Eh, yours is more broad than that." Kaito nudged Kage gently. "Yours is just verbal affection in general. You get really excited whenever either of us calls you pretty or anything, too."

"Yeah, I guess that's true." Kage rubbed the back of their head. "I haven't been showing it much recently. It's been toned down since, you know. Everything, I guess."

Kokichi shrugged. "I've probably been like that too. Hard to think of the romantic aspect of being safe with someone when I'm clinging to the fact that I finally am safe." Kokichi had a grossed out look on his face. "Ew, that was way too serious. I don't like that."

Kaito chuckled. "Dont worry, I won't tell anyone."

A small part of Kokichi's mind was screaming with joy. Finally, things were closer to being normal. Kaito and Kage seemed like they'd never been apart. He felt a little out of place, but that wasn't important right now. It felt like the memories of his old life, his fake one, were fading away. He didn't know whether to feel bad, it's not like those people ever existed in the first place.

Kokichi couldn't tell how much, but a lot of what he did and felt were affected by the memories stored in his subconscious. The reason he felt safe with these too, the reason he didn't lie to them much, and why he sometimes felt like he'd changed way too much. Being thrust into a loving relationship that had been thriving for years was great at first. He still loved it, but he'd started to understand that it wasn't all that great. It put strain on him, trying to live up to the years of expectation his partners had of who he was, and them as well, trying not to compare him. Maybe he was overexaggerating, but it was still tricky.

Kokichi leaned back against Kage and looked up at them, who smiled and kissed his forehead. He grinned in response. Yeah, he'd be okay.

Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Two more weeks. Then they were free. Well, not completely, but as free as they'd ever get. The interviews and press would only last a year max, then the next season would be out and they'd be forgotten. There was a hefty sum of money given to each one of them, ¥500,000,000 (~$3,700,000). Seriously, how much money did Team Danganronpa have? It had to be among the richest companies in Japan.

The money didn't make it better, but it was nice that they wouldn't have to worry about work for a long time. With pay like that, it was no wonder why so many were eager to sign up. Those numbers would catch anybody's eye.

"With the pay, I'll be able to restart my inventing business!" Miu grinned widely. "I'll triple that in no time flat, just you watch!" Her spirits were high as anyone's with their upcoming release date. She already planned to steer her interviews toward future goals, and though he'd never admit it, Kokichi thought that was pretty genius. Not only did it mean she wouldn't have to talk much about Danganronpa, but she'd also be promoting herself.

"I'm putting mine into getting a teaching degree, then I'm going to save the rest," Kiibo stated, ignoring Miu and Kokichi's booing.

Kokichi leaned back in his seat. "I'm not totally sure about that yet. We're buying an actual house, for one thing. Not too big. And I want a cat."

"Yeah, I figured you were a cat person. You act like a cat." Miu scoffed. "Needy, lazy, and you've got crazy mood swings."

"Yep!" Kokichi giggled. "That's what makes me, and cats, so lovable. Right, Kii?"

"No comment." They sighed.

"Aw, I'm more lovable than him, right Kiibo?" Miu leaned her head against them, and they looked away with a faint blush.

"You're both equally lovable. Take that however you want." They told her.

She sighed and sat up. "No fun. I get what you mean now, Ko."

"Hm?" Kokichi's attention was caught by the sound of running on the tile floors, coming towards the dining hall. Turning towards the entrance, he was shocked to see Kaede, who'd been among the 'least stable' of the patients, whatever that meant. She seemed to be looking for someone, it was obvious who when her eyes locked with Kage's and joy and tears filled her eyes.

Kage looked confused. They'd been eating with Kai, separate from Kokichi since they got tired being around him and Miu at the same time. Which he understood. They knew, of course, that they and Kaede were close friends in the few days they'd known each other, but frankly, they may as well have forgotten.

"Shuichi!" She cried, throwing herself towards them and hugging them tightly. She kissed their cheek and sobbed happily into their shoulder. "I'm so glad you're okay. The doctors wouldn't let me see you. I couldn't talk, anyway, and I had to stay hooked up to machines so I could breathe. I'm sorry I took so long. I've been thinking about you this whole time."

"Ah." Kage pat her shoulder awkwardly while Kai snickered. "Um. Yeah. Hi."

"Alright, that's good." Kai got up and gently pulled her off of them. "I get you're happy to see them, but you're obviously making them uncomfortable."

Kaede gasped. "Oh no! I'm sorry, Shuichi, I didn't mean to. I guess it's been a long time now, hasn't it? I was so excited to see you, I forgot. Sorry." She rubbed the back of her head with a sheepish grin.

"It's okay." Kage mumbled.

"Oh, your hat!" She noticed. "You're not wearing it anymore!"

Kage nodded. "Yeah, that's true. Listen, Akamatsu-San, I need to tell you-"

Kaede grabbed their hands with a brilliant smile. "We should go on a date when we get out of here! There's a lovely coffee shop near where I live, and -"

"What? No! Akamatsu, stop!" Kage tugged their hands away from her. "I-I'm not interested in you!" They stood up from their seat. "I need to go, sorry." They ran off, leaving Kaede stunned.

Kokichi groaned and motioned for Kaito to follow and make sure they were okay before approaching Kaede.

"I thought we had something." She whispered.

"Maybe you did." Kokichi shrugged. "Look, all else aside, they don't remember you. I know that's harsh, but it's true. They never got back their memories from the game."

Realization set in over Kaede's face. "Oh my gosh, I can't believe I was so forward! I totally understand. We need to build up to that again. Okay, got it."

"No, you don't." Kokichi rolled his eyes. "I bet they'd love to be your friend again. They need friends. But they're already taken, and based on what I know, that relationship isn't ending any time soon."

"Of course." Kaede sighed. "Jeez, I'm stupid."

Kokichi crossed his arms. "Did you honestly ever like them in the first place? You've probably just convinced yourself that you did as a way to cope with the solitude. Which, I don't blame you, but that's something you've gotta figure out."

"Ehehe." Kaede chuckled awkwardly. "You're as blunt as ever, Ouma. I'm not sure, honestly. You're probably right." She smiled. "If they're happy, then it's fine. It's Momota, I'm guessing? The person they're dating? Or, is it someone outside of our little group?"

"I guess you've got some brains in there after all." Kokichi grinned. "But they're dating me, too. I haven't even gotten my old memories back, so I'm pretty much just going off what they've told me. I know it's true, though. All three of us have been together a while, I guess. That's something I'm still getting used to.

Kaede seemed to contemplate that for a bit. "Yeah, I can totally see that! You guys are really different, but I can definitely believe that you and Momota would both be their type. I'm happy for you all."

"You'll find someone, too. I'm going to be really genuine for like five seconds. You're a good person."

She laughed softly. "Thanks, Ouma. You are, too. I'm glad you three found each other. I think I might need to do some more thinking about stuff. You'd think I'd have finished by now, but nope." She sighed. "I can tell you guys are close. I'll apologize properly to them later, kay?"

"They just got a bit overwhelmed, don't worry too much, kay?"

Ugh, he hated caring about people. Pretending to hate them and wanting to be hated in turn was easier than being genuine. He still hadn't cared this much in the game. Did they mess with his emotions somehow, too? That was scary.

Shit, did they actually? Thinking about it now, he didn't think he could do those things. Hell, so many of them turning to murder seemed unlikely. Miu, especially, he didn't think she'd actually try to kill anyone, even if she was desperate.

He knew that the producers had scripted a lot, but messing with their emotions too? It was awful. In that case, even in that situation, people wouldn't act that way. They didn't even have free will. They'd been nothing but puppets.

Kokichi shook his head. This was something he had to talk to Kaito and Kage about. It wouldn't do much good thinking about it himself. Danganronpa's despair reached outside the game itself. The despair may well follow him for the rest of his life.

He headed to Kage's room, assuming they'd be in there, and sure enough, they were. Making out.

Kaito had one hand tangled in Kage's hair, keeping their head in place, and the other on the small of their back. Kage's arms were around him, sitting on his lap, chest rising and falling rapidly.

Every time someone (usually Kage) pulled back for air, the other would pull them right back in.

Kokichi leaned against the door, watching for a bit. It was hot. He couldn't deny that. After a bit, he cleared his throat, getting their attention. "I see Kage is perfectly fine."

"Yep." Kaito planted one more kiss on Kage's wet, partially swollen lips before they laid their head against his chest. "Is everything cleared up?"

Kokichi nodded. "Yeah, don't worry about it. Akamatsu-San pretty much used having a crush on Kage as a way to cope with loneliness. She doesn't actually have any feelings for them. She does want to be friends again, though, if they're interested."

Kage nodded. "I'd be fine with that. I'm glad it's all good, though. I wouldn't want to break her heart, especially after everything she went through."

Kokichi smirked. "You clearly weren't that worried. You seemed more concerned with your dick when I walked in."

Kage chuckled sheepishly. "Well, he was comforting me. You know. We can make out without getting horny."

"Yeah, sure." Kokichi grinned. "A few more minutes, and that wouldn't have been true, though. You looked desperate. Should I give you two some alone time?"

Kage shook their head. "No, it's fine. Is something wrong, though? You look scared."

"Yeah, seriously, what happened. Did she say something?" Kaito gestured for Kokichi to come over, which he did, and pulled him to sit beside him.

"Nothing to do with her, don't worry. I was just thinking that we did a lot of things in the game that I still can't believe we were capable of. I think they messed with our emotions, too."

Kage nodded. "Yeah, I'd been wondering about that for a while. Just didn't want to say anything cause I was worried about how you'd react. It's not like there's anything we can do, and I didn't want to put more on you. Sorry."

Kokichi shook his head. "I get it, don't worry. I know I've taken some of this stuff pretty badly, not to say I'm taking this well, either."

Kaito put an arm around Kokichi. "Wouldn't be surprised if you are right. Is kinda hard to believe that they always bring people with murderous potential in, huh?"

Kokichi nuzzled against Kaito's side. "Why even do this to people, then? I get maybe wanting real responses, but it's not, so can't they just hire actors?"

Kage leaned down and kissed Kokichi head. "Maybe they did do it without altering emotions at the start, I don't know. After that, they couldn't really reveal that they'd been lying."

Kokichi sighed. "Almost a thousand people have gone through what we have, and a lot more probably will. For what, a little entertainment? It's sick."

Kaito frowned. "I know, it's shitty what they've done and are doing. But they're making a crap ton of money from it, so there's no way they'll stop. People like them, all they care about it money and power. Throw them in a killing game, and I bet they'll be just fine with murdering each other."

Kage slid off Kaito's lap and sat on Kokichi's other side, pulling him close and enveloping him in a comforting hug. "I knew from the start. Of watching the episodes, that is." They whispered. "Seeing you on screen like that, I knew right away that something was off. It just became more clear with every episode. Of course, you're more than clever enough to come up with those plans, but you could never pull them off."

Kaito shifted closer and rubbed Kokichi's back slowly. "Can you at least find any comfort in knowing that you could never hurt people like that? I know it's awful, but you've gotta find some silver lining to get through it."

Kokichi sobbed quietly. Really, he was a lot more sensitive in real life. Kaito was right, he was glad to know that he'd never orchestrate a murder no matter the circumstances. And he'd never be able to stomach all those insults without breaking at least a little bit. His memories altered him, but not more than Team Danganronpa did with strings around his ankles and wrists, forcing him to do things he didn't know he couldn't do.

Kokichi didn't know who kissed him. All he knew was that he was being comforted because he wasn't so strong that he never cried. He wasn't so emotionless that these things didn't affect him. He wasn't what Team Danganronpa made him into. And that, at least, was something he could live with.

Notes:

Sorry for the sudden hiatus, I'm back to posting regularly for the foreseeable future

Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Kokichi yawned, sprawling his arms over the table and laying his head down. Stupid PTSD. Stupid nightmares. Exhaustion was far from foreign for him, but annoying nonetheless. Especially when he was actually trying to get a good amount of sleep.

He glanced over at Kage, who was currently chatting with Kaede. They'd wanted to clear anything up themself and accept her offer of friendship. Thankfully, things seemed to be going smoothly. Good for them, Kage needed a friend. According to Kaito, none of them had any friends before the game.

"Ow! Fuck off, bitchlet!" He yelped, sitting up quickly and slapping Miu's hand away from his thigh, where she'd pinched him. This is what he got for wearing shorts, he supposed.

Miu scoffed. "I was trying to talk to you, but you were too busy making goo-goo eyes at your bitch."

Kokichi rolled his eyes. "Then talk."

Miu kicked his leg, to which he glared at her, and she smirked. "Well I wasn't going to say anything, but since you're an ass, you've got hickeys all over your neck. Anyway, more importantly, you need to help me figure out how to ask out Kiibo."

Kokichi scoffed. "Yes, I'm aware. You're never in any place to judge. Anyway, fucking finally. Poor Kii, first off, second I've been waiting for this for years. Jeez, I seriously thought you guys were going to dance around each other for the rest of time. It was getting painful. Anyway, on the topic of asking them out, no pervy shit. Like, genuinely, taking this seriously? Just ask them to go see a movie with you or something. But please, dude, don't scare them away. They like you, it's super obvious, but you're intimidating to them."

Miu seemed to genuinely consider what he said, for once. "Eh, I guess you're right. I know I am a lot for some people. You are too, though."

Kokichi grinned. "Yep, but I didn't have to worry about asking anyone out. I got two partners free of charge cause I'm just that lovable." He boasted. "No, but as long as he can tell you're being genuine, you'll be fine. Go get that robo-dick!" He cheered.

A moment later, Kiibo walked in, and sat down. Clueless as usual, they cocked their head when they saw the others' smirking and mischievous expressions.

"Do I even want to know?" They sighed.

Kokichi just giggled. "Of course you do!" He noticed Kage waving him over. "Well, that's my cue. See ya, losers!" He hopped up and went to hug his partner.

"Mph?" Kokichi's chin was tilted up so Kage could plant a soft kiss on his lips. "Hello to you too."

Kage laughed. "I just wanted to thank you for helping clear things up."

Kaede nodded. "I probably would've messed up any chance of friendship with him-them if I'd kept going as I was. Never thought you'd be the one to talk sense into me." She joked lightheartedly.

"Duh!" Kokichi put his hands on his hips. "I'm very sensible! It's one of my top twenty best traits!"

Kaito rolled his eyes. "Sure it is, Kichi. You must not have a lot of good traits, then."

Kokichi gasped and hugged Kage. "Kage-Chan, he's bullying me!"

"Huh?" Kage was a bit taken aback, but laughed softly and hugged him. "It's okay, sweetie, you have lots of good traits." They smiled.

Kaede giggled. "You three are really cute together! I can tell how much you love each other." She leaned back in her chair with a sigh. "I hope I find someone who loves me half as much."

"I'm sure you will." Kage told her. "I never thought anyone would love me, but I have two amazing boyfriends who I'd do anything for."

"Sap." Kokichi scoffed.

Kaede smiled. "You're right. No need to rush, you know? I'll find my soul mate eventually."

"Well, no one's ever found theirs as easily as me." Kokichi boasted. "Waking up and suddenly having two. But, I'm sure you will. You just have to work for it."

Kaito shoved him lightly. "You just don't remember it, you didn't actually wake up one day and suddenly had us. If anything, I hope Akamatsu has an easier time than we did."

Kage nodded. "That's true, we did go through a lot together before we ever started dating. Who knows, maybe you do have someone who's in love with you, and you just haven't realized."

Kaede stood up. "Wouldn't that be nice. I'll worry about dating later, though. Right now, I have to work on getting back into the music scene. I still love to play piano, and I want to start preforming again. Well, I never really did preform, but you get it. At least, being in Danganronpa will help get my name out there. What about you guys? Do you want to get back into your talents' fields?"

They really hadn't thought much about that yet. The future, outside of this place, had seemed so far away that it was pointless to even plan much. But it wasn't too far off now, so they supposed they had no choice.

"I don't really know." Kage started. "I don't remember being  a detective, and while I always loved mystery shows and stuff, I don't think it's for me. I'm not sure what I will do, I never decided."

Kokichi sighed. "Well, it's not like I can follow with my talent if I did want to. And I'm in the same boat, never figured out what career I wanted. At least, as far as I know." Both Kage and Kaito shook their heads, confirming that he didn't have some secret, unknown aspiration. He shrugged. "Eh, well, I'll figure it out eventually."

"I'm a little conflicted with my memories." Kaito rubbed the back of his head. "I mean, one the fake side, I wanted to be an astronaut my whole life. But I never actually thought of seriously going down that path. I don't think it's for me. I pretty much jotted that down as a talent cause I didn't care what I'd get."

Kaede smiled awkwardly. "Sorry if that's a tough topic, I didn't really consider that so few people had that figured out. I'm sure you'll find something, though." She laughed. "And with the money from Danganronpa, you won't have to worry for a while."

Kokichi was about to say more, but he was interrupted.

"I-Iruma-Kun!?" He turned to see Kiibo's face beet red and Miu laughing her ass off. "Don't laugh, are you being serious?"

"Course I am, if you weren't such a virgin, you'd know that!"

"Well, you're sending a lot of mixed signals right now! But, if you are, then I'd love to!" They smiled shyly, and Kokichi could tell what had happened.

Kokichi cheered, making Kiibo blush even more. "Fucking finally!" He ran over to them. "Do you have any idea how painful it's been waiting for you two to suck it up and get together?"

Kiibo covered their face. "Was it that obvious?"

"Duh, I've known the whole time. You can't keep your eyes off each other." Kokichi rolled his eyes. "Ugh, now I have to deal with you two always being all over each other. Nevermind, I take it back, that's worse."

Miu scoffed. "Like you have any right to talk. You're always all over your partners. You think that's been fun for us to deal with? I'm surprised you guys haven't just fucked in front of the whole class."

Kiibo laughed quietly. "She does have a point. I am glad that you're happy, but it's hard to be worse than you with pda."

Kokichi pouted. "Fine, point taken. I'll just have to make out with them every meal so you don't beat me."

Miu flicked his forehead. "I'll put my fingernails in your food if you do that!" She threatened.

The three of them laughed. They'd all sucked it up and watched Danganronpa together a couple of weeks back, and there'd been a scene where Miu talked about putting hair, fingernails, etc in the food of people she liked. She did not, in fact, do that, and Team Danganronpa was just really weird.

"Congrats, you two." Kage smiled, and everyone else offered their congratulations in turn. Maybe the trauma from Danganronpa still had a hold, a big one, but it didn't have to consume them. For now, they were healing together. Kokichi noticed from time to time, they were happy when they were distracted. The distractions never lasted forever, but they were nice.

Before they knew it, it was the last day in hell. There wasn't much to pack, just barely enough to fit into small suitcases. Most of which they'd brought themselves. It seemed surreal to finally be leaving, but a relief nonetheless. There were interviews scheduled not far in the future, but at least they could be in their own homes.

Kokichi zipped up his suitcase with a smile. Finally, no more white hospital walls. Maybe he'd try to convince Kage and Kaito to let him paint some of the rooms in their house bright colors. They'd planned to start the process of moving soon, seeing as there wasn't much else to do. The apartment they'd shared previously had been rather small for three people, but they couldn't easily find somewhere bigger and still afford it. Not until now, at least.

The nightmares still weren't stopping, but that was as he expected. They wouldn't after leaving that place, either. He still couldn't stop the voices in his head calling him a murderer and a monster, and he didn't know if they'd ever go away. Sometimes, he wondered if he was living a lie. If, deep down, he was still an evil liar who could only hurt people. Even so, he knew he'd be okay. Maybe he was already too dependent on his partners, but he could tell he always had been. And he did have friends, which made it a bit less concerning.

Kokichi had been hoping that as soon as he returned to the place he'd previously called home, he'd remember something. At least some nostalgia. He'd be getting his phone back today, too.

He'd spent more time in this hospital than he did in Danganronpa itself, by quite a bit. He remembered Danganronpa better, though. Every day was etched in his memory graphically, while the hospital all blended together. Both were hell. One was full of fear and death and horrors that no one should ever experience. The other was filled with depression and self hatred and reliving trauma. Both were despair.

"Kichi?" Kage asked softly, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"

He flinched. "Yeah, sorry, just thinking." He took a deep breath. "Can't wait to get out of here."

Kage wrapped their arms around him and kissed his shoulder. "Yeah, me neither. Just half an hour, okay? Once we get home, we can have some fun, take your mind off of this for a little. I bet our neighbors didn't miss us." They laughed softly.

Kokichi rolled his eyes. "I would too. Nothing sounds worse, in fact."

Kage smiled against him and squeezed around his stomach. "I love you so much. Let's go join Kai and the others, alright?"

"Whatever, if it means you'll stop being so annoyingly lovey-dovey."

Kage let go of him so he could grab his suitcase, and they picked up theirs. Kaito had gone ahead, having finished packing first.

Kokichi wouldn't miss this room, not in the slightest. Just like he didn't miss his dorm from Danganronpa. Kage took his hand and kissed him on the cheek.

"I know this is probably weird for you. Me and Kai are going home, but you never remember being there."

Kokichi shrugged. "I thought it would be too, at first. But it's the same way I felt when you first told me that we were a couple. It felt right. I think this will, too."

Kage smiled. "I'm glad. No more white hospital walls."

"Fucking finally."

Chapter 16: Chapter 16

"Kaito, how do you feel about me?"

Kokichi heard Maki's voice before he saw her, but based on what he'd seen of the show, he knew exactly what she was talking about. As awkward as Kaito looked in the situation, it was a fair question.

Kage tried to pull away from Kokichi's hand to go help him, but Kokichi shook his head. This was something it was best for Kaito to deal with alone.

Kaito sighed. "Look, Maki-Roll, I only see you as a friend. And that's all I ever will see you as. I'm sorry."

Maki crossed her arms and frowned. "So that's why you never answered before. You didn't want my last memory of you to be rejecting me."

"Yeah."

Kokichi rolled his eyes and let Kage go. It was like having a puppy on a leash. He figured it was best to stay back for now. Kage was friends with Maki, but she hated him.

Maki sighed but smiled when she saw Kage approach. "Shuichi, how have you been? I'm sorry we couldn't see each other until now. I didn't take the new very well, so they wouldn't let me see anyone."

Kage shook their head. "You don't have to apologize. No one took it well. Um, just to clear things up now, I don't remember anything from Danganronpa, and by extension, I don't really remember you. Kai told me about how close of friends we were, though, so I want to be friends again. If that's okay with you."

Maki shook her head with a small laugh. "Of course that's fine. I'd rather have new memories together than the old ones, personally. So, let's meet up sometime soon."

Kage smiled. "That sounds great. I'm not sure if you, me, and Kai should all hang out at once, though." They admitted sheepishly.

Maki cocked her head to the side. "Why not? Did the two of you have an argument?"

"No, nothing like that." Kage assured her.

"Listen to them, trust me." Kiibo told her.

Maki still looked a bit confused before a look of realization washed over her, and though there was a hint of sadness at first, she smirked. "I see. I'm surprised I didn't notice sooner. No wonder you were always so eager to impress him."

Kage blushed. "Yeah, probably. It's not recent, though."

Kaito nodded. "We've been dating for years. You seem different, by the way."

Maki smiled. "I'm not an assassin. This life is a lot different than the one Danganronpa gave me. I remember it, yes, but I also remember having a loving family and close friends. You can't say you two haven't changed, too."

Kaito laughed. "No, I guess not!"

Kage glanced over at Kokichi, who was standing a bit awkwardly at the doorway still. Miu was busy flirting with Kiibo, and he wanted no part of that.

"So, Maki," Kage started, "You know that some of us have changed a lot from when we were in Danganronpa, right?"

Maki nodded. "Yes, of course. Why?"

Kage gestured Kokichi over, and he hesitated before doing so.

Maki tensed up, glaring at him almost instinctively, but she took a deep breath. "Hello, Ouma-Kun."

"Hey. I'm sorry, so you know, about the things I did and said. That's not how I am." Kokichi avoided eye contact, he felt guilty about a lot of things, outing Maki as an assassin being one.

"It wasn't him doing it." Kage defended. "Danganronpa messed with our emotions and scripted so much that we can't blame anyone for the things they did."

Kaito nodded. "It's true. I remember the game, and that's not anything like the Kokichi I know now or knew before."

Maki nodded, but frowned. "I won't forgive him. And I assume you must've known him before this, so you wouldn't take my side in that. I'll take your word for it."

Kage smiled. "Thank you. And, yes, we did know him. We're all dating, actually, have been for a while."

Maki seemed to think about that for a while. "It is hard to understand how different of people you are now. I can't imagine that happening before. But, if you're happy, then I am too. I won't be friends with Ouma, but I'll tolerate him for your sake."

Kaito let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Maki-Roll."

Kokichi still felt awkward. He always did around Maki. He could feel how much she hated him, and probably always would. He certainly couldn't blame her.

As the days passed, Kokichi felt more and less like himself. More like he was supposed to be, less like who he remembered being. He thought of the person his memories said he was and saw a stranger, but there was no one else to see. The only true version of himself that existed was in the present, and in other people's memories. It was a strange, and sometimes scary feeling. Seeing Maki made him feel it more than ever.

Soon after, one of the members of Team Danganronpa briefly went over the main points of their contract, and the penalty of breaking it, once again. They were handed their phones, all dead of course, and their address for those like Kokichi who didn't remember a thing. Then, all fifteen of them left. Everyone but Tsumugi. Kokichi wondered where she fit in with all of this. He hadn't seen her, but he'd heard that she was in the hospital, the same as everyone, and alive. Frankly, though, he didn't care what happened to her.

Seeing as their cars all remained at their homes, Team Danganronpa had picked them up when the season was about to start, they had people to drive them.

Everyone said their final goodbyes, though they couldn't pretend to have any sadness in it. Some wrote down phone numbers to keep in contact, or emails. Then, they left.

The ride home felt surreal, as did most things in the past months. It felt like a dream, leaving the hospital.

None of them spoke much, Kokichi was practically pressed up against the window as he took in the sight of nature for the first time in real memory. Kage was holding his hand and leaning against Kaito, who was absent-mindedly staring out the other window.

As the car pulled into the apartment complex, Kage tapped him on the shoulder with soft smile on their face. "We're home."

They each grabbed their things from the trunk, thanked the driver, and walked up the couple flights of stairs.

Kokichi coughed at the dust as Kaito opened the door. Walking in, he felt a wave of nostalgia, yet he didn't recognize a thing. Once he placed his suitcase by the door, Kage lifted him up from behind and laughed at his small noise of surprise.

"I guess we'll have to do some cleaning." They laughed. "How do you feel?"

He giggled. "I feel like I've been here before. I don't remember the place itself, just know that I lived here."

Kaito ruffled his hair. "That's progress, though! I mean, you've made way more than Kage, they still haven't remembered anything at all from Danganronpa."

Kokichi pouted. "Yeah, but I just have nostalgic feelings and stuff. There's nothing for them to be nostalgic about. And anyway, I'd rather remember this life than that one."

"I know." Kage kissed his cheek. "But you will. For now, let's clean up a bit, make the place at least somewhat presentable. And breathable, seriously, where did all this dust even come from?" They set Kokichi down.

The three of them spent close to an hour cleaning, dusting everything and vacuuming.

Once finished, Kokichi flopped down on the couch and stretched out his arm. "I haven't moved around this much in forever." He groaned.

Kaito chuckled and sat next to him, letting Kokichi wiggle over so his head was on his lap. "What do you think of the place?"

Kokichi shrugged. "Well, it's okay. I mean, it's an apartment that's barely big enough for one person, so you know."

Kage laughed and sat on Kaito's other side. "Fair enough, that's why we want to move. Want to start looking at houses, then?"

Kokichi groaned. "Can we do it later? I'm tired."

Kaito smiled and pulled him fully onto his lap, holding Kokichi bridal style. "Do you want me to take you to bed, then?"

Kokichi huffed and snuggled against his chest. "Nah, not that kind of tired."

"Can we at least make a shopping list?" Kage asked. "We have a few things, but we definitely need to get food. Tomorrow at the latest."

Kokichi sighed. "Yeah, I guess."

He didn't participate much in the conversation after that, just demanding they get snacks too because there hadn't been any decent food in the hospital. He did end up drifting off eventually, finally in an environment where he felt safe. Even though he hadn't been in immediate danger while in the hospital, he was still filled with unease.

Kokichi whined when he felt himself being shaken awake, and hid his blushing face in Kaito's chest when he saw both him and Kage looking at him with the same adoration they always seemed too. "You'd think your honeymoon stage would've worn off by now." He huffed.

Kage chuckled and rubbed his shoulder. "Sorry, we figured you'd be more comfortable if you slept in bed instead of out here. And you don't like being carrying when you're asleep, so this was the only option."

Kokichi yawned. "I feel weird."

"Sick weird?" Kaito brushed a hand through his hair.

"Mph." Kokichi shut his eyes. "Nah, just weird. Same kinda weird I feel after sex. Like...like I don't really belong."

Kage frowned. "Can you elaborate, please?"

Kokichi sighed. "It's like, I'm playing a part that isn't mine. Probably just cause I don't remember all the stuff. You tell me all this, and I believe it, but at the same time it feels weird. Like I'm going to wake up in that hanger to find out this was all a dream and you're both gonna hate me again."

"Kichi..." Kaito rubbed his cheek with the pad of his thumb, to which Kokichi hid his face further. "This is all real, we promise. Once you've got your memories back, it'll all feel normal again."

"What if I don't?" Kokichi asked, a bit muffled by Kaito's shirt. "What if the weird feeling doesn't go away?"

"It will." Kage assured him. "Even if you never remember. You'll get more comfortable with us, and we're getting a house soon so we can all get used to a new home together. Things won't go back to normal, and that's okay, we can make a new normal."

Kokichi peeked up at them. "I wish it would happen sooner."

Kage smiled and leaned down to kiss him. "I'll go shopping while you sleep, Kai can stay with you so you don't wake up alone. That way, we can just have fun tomorrow."

"You sure?" Kaito asked warily. "I know you don't do so well in crowded places."

Kage shook their head. "I'll be fine. Might be the last chance I get, the first episode drops tomorrow night and I won't be able to go anywhere without being recognized then."

Kaito shrugged. "Fair enough." He kissed Kage on the cheek. "Be careful, call me if you get overwhelmed, make sure you've got your keys, wallet, phone, and the list."

"I'm not a little kid." Kage pouted. "But yeah, I've got everything, don't worry."

They kissed both of their boyfriends goodbye one more time before leaving.

Kaito picked Kokichi up. "Want me to wake you up when they get back?"

Kokichi shrugged. "Nah, just wake me up when it's dinner time. Can you ask them to pick up food?"

Kaito nodded. "Sure thing, what do you want?"

Kokichi yawned. "Dunno, surprise me, you know what I like."

He laughed. "Yeah, fine, let's get you to bed."

The light was off, but Kokichi felt a sense of familiarity in their room. It was comfortable, and he could sense that he'd spent a lot of time there.

Though a little stiff from having not been used for a while, he felt completely at home in the feeling of the bed and the blankets wrapped around him.

As he drifted off, Kokichi could faintly recall trying to guide Kaito and Kage into their apartment when they first carried in the mattress, and how they all fell on top of it laughing once they finally got it in.

Chapter 17: Chapter 17

It really didn't take them long to find a house. They had gone to look at a few, usually either earlier in the morning or later, so fewer people were around. They didn't want anything huge, sticking to looking at two-bedroom houses so Kage could have an office, being the only one who even wanted one. They just wanted somewhere quiet, comfortable, and in decent condition.

Kage was the most into house hunting, hyper-fixating on it a bit. Because they weren't picky, and it wasn't exactly the time of year that people were looking for houses, they found one within two weeks, and due to the previous owners having already moved out, Kokichi only knew the walls of their tiny apartment for a month.

There wasn't much to move. By the time they unpacked, which only took a day, a couple of the rooms were still completely empty. The living room was now bright blue, courtesy of Kokichi, but he'd gotten tired of painting so all the other walls were untouched.

Kokichi stretched out across the couch, his upper half laying over the armrest. Shit, he was sore from moving things around all day.

"Is that where you'll be the rest of the day?" Kage asked with a smile, sitting down beside him.

"Yep. Until the blood flows to my head and I pass out."

They sighed and grabbed Kokichi's ankles tugging him up to lay properly on the couch, legs resting on Kage's lap. "Or, you could not pass out."

"No fun." Kokichi huffed. His arms remained draped over the armrest.

Kage hummed softly in acknowledgement and ran their hand up Kokichi's thigh, massaging one gently. "You were complaining about your legs being sore." They explained.

"You're probably just horny." Kokichi huffed and shut his eyes. It did feel good, he couldn't deny that. Eventually he got bored and playfully kicked Kage's head with his other foot. "Feels more like your just groping me."

"Fine, forgive me for trying to be a good partner." They let go of his leg, opting instead to shift around so they could lay their head on Kokichi's chest. "Don't make any comments, I really just wanted to lay down."

Kokichi snickered quietly and stroked their hair gently. "Fine, fine. Only 'cause you're cute."

"Thank you." Kage melted into his touch, eyes falling shut. "No, I'm not going to sleep, I'm just relaxing."

"Works for me, beloved."

Kokichi took the time to admire Kage's face, they really were beautiful. They'd put on eyeliner and mascara today, in celebration of finally moving in. No more cramped apartment.

"My girlfriend is so pretty." He mumbled softly, giggling when their face erupted with heat and they whined, hiding in his chest.

"Kichi!" They pinched his chest in retaliation. "That's why I get for trying to rest around you. Jerk."

"What?" Kokichi laughed. "I was just complimenting you!"

"You know what you did!" Kage huffed. "I should punish you for that."

"Ooh~ Kage-Chan is so scary!" Kokichi flicked their ahoge playfully.

"You think I won't?" Kage raised an eyebrow.

"Nope!"

Kage sighed. "We really have been too lenient with you. That'll have to end soon." They bit Kokichi's nipple through his shirt, not hard but enough to elicit a surprised gasp. "Kai will be home from the store soon. Do you think you're ready to be intimate with both of us at once?" They rolled Kokichi's nipple gently between their fingers.

Kokichi squirmed a bit, biting inside his cheek. "Yes. I want to do it, with both of you, but I might get overwhelmed."

Kage let go, running their fingers through Kokichi's hair instead. "Of course, we'll be careful." They kissed him. "I have some ideas of what we can do, to keep it from being too much for you. And I think it'll be better if we do it without either of us being inside you."

Kokichi nodded. "I agree. Especially Kaito, he's big. I don't think I can take anything else, too." He mumbled. "This is pretty much my first threesome."

Kage smiled. "Well, the good part about that is Kai and I have a lot of experience this time, so we can do a lot better. All of our first time...well, let's just say we had no idea what we were doing, and it did feel good, but it took some trial and error." They chuckled.

Kokichi tugged lightly at their ahoge. "I can imagine." He grinned.

Kage smacked his thigh lightly. "I hadn't expected our first time all together since waking up to include punishment, but it seems like there won't be a choice. I hope you know this is the lightest punishment you'll ever get, though."

They flipped Kokichi onto his stomach and removed his shorts. "And you're positive?"

"Yes." Kokichi leaned his cheek on the arm of the couch, looking up at them. "Do your worst, dear." He smirked.

Kage laughed. "Definitely not. You've got a long way to go before you'll be ready for my worst." They traced their finger over the seam running down the center of his boxers. "Promise you'll speak up if you do get overwhelmed."

"Babe, it's fine!" Kokichi whined. "I'm feeling good today, so don't get your panties in a twist. I'll tell you, okay? So make sure you're feeling good too."

They heard the door open, and Kage smirked. They pressed down hard on Kokichi's clit, causing him to yelp.

Kaito crossed his arms, smiling as he looked at them. "Having fun?"

Kage nodded. "He was misbehaving, and agreed to let me punish him. Well, actually, he agreed to let us both punish him."

Kaito kneeled down in front of Kokichi's face and kissed him.

"I know, I know, I'm positive, seriously." He grumbled.

Kaito laughed. "Kage already asked you a few times, huh? Alright then." He gestured Kage to move and picked him up.

Kokichi giggled as he was dropped on the bed, bouncing a bit. "Huh?" He glanced over at Kage who was guiding his wrist up, and blushed when a handcuff snapped around it, then his other wrist.

Kage kissed his cheek. "That's all your punishment will be today, alright? I know you might want more, but trust me, just this can be a lot to handle."

"You'd know." Kaito nudged Kage lightly. "The only difference is that you love being overwhelmed."

"Yeah." Kage chuckled softly before leaning down to kiss Kokichi.

Kokichi moaned against Kage's lips as Kaito fingers brushed against him through his boxers and began rubbing him slowly.

Kage held the side of his head as they kissed him repeatedly.

"Huh?" They felt large hands on their hips as Kaito pulled them back onto his lap. They smiled up at him, sighing in delight upon feeling his boner press against them.

Kokichi giggled. "You two haven't had sex this whole time, huh? Or, is Kage always that desperate?"

"Shush." They pouted.

Kaito laughed. "Both are true, actually. I figured the best way to punish you right now would be if I played with Kage for a little bit, and left you untouched."

Kokichi smirked. "I can get behind that idea. They obviously can too."

Kage blushed. "Well, I had actually been hoping something like this would happen. I prepared myself earlier." They looked up at Kaito.

"Oh, so that's why you were in the bathroom so long! I did figure you were jerking off or something." Kokichi nudged Kage with his foot.

"I figured it was a good day for it. Since we've been so busy with moving." They frowned.

Kaito rubbed their thigh. "Relax, he's just teasing you." He assured them. "I was curious as to why you'd decided now to punish him. You don't usually initiate that kind of thing." He kissed the side of their neck.

"Hehe, well, it worked out, didn't it?" They smiled, grinding back on his lap.

Kaito lifted up their hips so he could pull down their pants and boxers, then unzipping his so he could pull out his dick. "You good to go?" He asked, kissing down their neck.

"Yes." They leaned back against his chest, shaking from excitement and arousal.

Kokichi watched them intently, rubbing his thighs together. This was hotter than he'd expected, seeing Kage melt into the feeling of Kaito entering them. He had no idea there'd been lube just hiding under the mattress, but he supposed he couldn't be surprised. Their eyes rolled back, moaning softly, facing directly towards him. He shivered at the feeling of slick dripping out of him, not having realized just how horny this would make him.

As time went on, Kokichi felt the heat spread through his body. He tugged occasionally at his restraints, whimpering as his arousal became close to unbearable.

Kaito smirked at him, recognizing his struggle, but not doing anything to alleviate it. In fact, all he did was fuck Kage harder.

When they both finally came, there was a small wet spot on the sheets between Kokichi's legs, and he could tell it was only getting bigger. They took their time coming down from their high before Kage crawled over to Kokichi and kissed him.

Kaito kneeled beside him, pulling his legs apart and inspecting his pussy. He gulped, tensing as another wave of heat washed over him.

"I think we've punished him enough, don't you agree?" Kaito ran his thumb over Kokichi's outer folds.

Kokichi pressed himself closer, whimpering desperately. He squeezed his eyes shut as Kage continued to make out with him.

Kaito ran his thumb from Kokichi's hole to his clit, rubbing slow circles on his most sensitive part. Tears filled his eyes from overstimulation, and it took him only seconds to orgasm more powerfully than he could ever remember.

Kage finally pulled away, looking at him with adoration. "You did really well, Koki."

Kokichi huffed, face blushed a breathing heavily. "Yeah, yeah, it's not like I actually did anything. Never knew that being touched less would make it feel so much better."

"You're really a mess though, would you mind if I cleaned you up?" Kage asked, gesturing to his nether regions.

"Yeah, probably should, it feels gross now."

Kaito scooted over so Kage had room, and leaned down to kiss Kokichi. "I don't think you realize what they meant." He chuckled quietly.

Kokichi didn't have time to question the words before Kage's tongue pressed against his vulva, slowly tracing along every inch of his folds, as well as anywhere his slick had dripped on his thighs. He blushed at the lewd expression on his partner's face as he 'cleaned him up'.

After paying extra attention to his clit, Kokichi was hit with another orgasm, though not as strong as his previous one.

Kaito guided Kage away from him, seeing the overwhelmed look on Kokichi's face. "I think he's good, Kichi probably can't take anymore."

Kage nodded and helped Kokichi out of the cuffs instead.

Kokichi twitched, whimpering quietly. He was overstimulated, body and mind. Kaito was gentle in cleaning both of them up, and Kage held him close with a loving smile. He was vulnerable, weak, but cared for and comforted.

"We'll always be here to take care of you, sweetheart, no matter the situation. We love you, and we promise to always be here for you."

Kokichi snapped out of his drowsy, half-asleep state as Kaito finished with cleanup.

"Koki, hey, what's wrong?" Kage asked, wiping some tears from his eyes. "Was it too much?"

Kokichi shook his head. "No, that's not it. Did you say something, just a second ago?"

Kaito shook his head. "No one said anything."

Kokichi nuzzled his face against Kage's chest. "I heard something, in my head I think. I was falling asleep, so maybe I was dreaming. You promised you'd always be here for me, and you'd always be here to take care of me."

Kage smiled and kissed his head. "I remember. That was what we said after we slept together the first time. You were emotional, overwhelmed, and didn't understand why we, mostly Kai, were taking care of you."

Kaito got in bed behind Kokichi and draped an arm over both of them. "See, I told you that you'd get your memories back eventually, even if it has been slow."

Kokichi smiled, relaxing between them. "Yeah, I guess so." It made him happy. His partners made him happy. For a little while, he didn't feel like he was playing the wrong part. He was their boyfriend, no doubt about it, and he was so lucky.

Notes:

Getting close to the end! I've estimated about five or six more chapters to go. Thank you all for reading my first full-length fic!

Chapter 18: Chapter 18

As things settled down, Kokichi noticed just how comfortable Kage and Kaito were with each other, and with him. He had the last of his appointments at the doctor for a while, his heart was finally close enough to 100% health to be deemed safe, and his partners hadn't had to for a while. There were some interviews, and he kept face through all of them. It was hard, but he could manage. After their relationship became public, that made up a good chunk of their question topics anyway. Kokichi found it quite funny when they were first asked about dating, about Kaede, Maki, and Himiko specifically. Apparently, those had been the predominant "ships" for the show, which had by now finished airing.

There were, of course, the people who berated and insulted him for the things he did. But he could take it, knowing that he wasn't behind the wheel at those times. They were insulting Danganronpa, not him. At least, that's what Kaito told him.

The most awkward interview by far had to be the time when the makeup he'd used to cover the bruises on his neck smudged. He'd (re)tried choking the night before, and Kage got really into it. Someone asked, obviously out of concern, and he'd replied that, well, it wasn't quite her business what actors did in their private lives. After he winked, her blushing and stuttering, as well as speechlessness from most of the people there, proved that he'd gotten his point across and wouldn't be asked any more of such questions.

All in all, it could be worse. He had two people who loved him, a nice house, enough money to keep him comfortable for a long time. He was lucky. Things could've been a lot worse. He could be dead, for starters, with his last memory being of a hydraulic press crushing his bones until he died. Whether from blood loss, his bone fragments impaling his organs, or them simply being crushed, he didn't know. Kokichi shook off the thought. No, that wasn't important anymore.

There was more to look forward too as well. He was scheduled for top surgery in a few months, the last step in his transition. He'd been back on testosterone too, since he couldn't take it while "filming." He had no desire for bottom surgery, having no problem with his lower parts, so this was it. He never thought he'd reach this point.

Currently, he was looking forward to getting a cat. Their apartment hadn't allowed pets, and in both lifetimes, he'd always wanted one. So, now, the three of them were driving to go find one. He was bouncing excitedly in the back seat, where he preferred to sit because it gave him more room. After they found one(if they did today, there was a chance they wouldn't find the right fit for them just yet), they were going to pick up any supplies it needed. They'd gotten a bed, litter box, a scratching post, and some toys already, but they couldn't get anything else before knowing their future pet's unique needs.

"What kinda cat are you wanting anyway?" Kaito asked him.

Kokichi shrugged. "I just want one who will play sometimes, and let me pet it occasionally. I'm not picky."

"You already have Kage for that." Kaito smirked.

Kage gasped and smacked his arm. "Kai!"

"What?" He laughed. "I'm right."

"Aw, come on, stop being such a bully, Kai-Chan!" Kokichi giggled. "At least you didn't mention that they practically purr, too!"

"Not you too, Ko!" Kage groaned. "Just for that, I'm going to make sure I'm the cat's favorite."

Kokichi jumped out of the car as soon as they got there and ran inside. The worker seemed to appreciate his energy rather than being annoyed, thankfully.

He was incredibly excited looking at the cats, but made sure he kept calm as to not scare them. Kaito scanned over them, not liking cats as much as his boyfriend, but still liking them. Kage, on the other hand, was knelt down in front of one of the cages staring transfixed at one.

Kokichi sat beside them and poked them, making them yelp. The cat had black fur, with one paw and the tip of her tail white. "Did you find a friend?"

Kage shrugged. "I don't know, I was just looking. You should do the same."

"Nah, you seem to really like her. We can get this one."

Kage shook their head. "This is your pet, you decide. Just...don't laugh."

"All ears, babe. And, fine, I'm not gonna laugh."

"She looks a lot like a cat I'd found when I was younger. I used to feed her when I could, never much because I didn't really have enough food for myself to begin with. At least, I did, until my dad made me stop." They sighed. "I always wondered if she was okay."

Kokichi frowned. "I wouldn't laugh at that. Maybe if you'd said she looked like a cat from your favorite TV show, then I would, but not that." He kissed their cheek. "We're getting this one."

"Are you sure?" Kage glanced at him.

"Yep!"

"And you always call Kage a sap." Kaito chuckled behind him.

"Cause they are!" Kokichi leaned against Kage before running off to find the worker so they could adopt the cat.

They decided to play with her a bit before going through with the paper work, and Kokichi was happily holding her. She was a bit apprehensive at first, but warmed up to them after a couple of treats. Kage sat beside him, petting her head gently.

"Any ideas on what to name her yet?" Kaito asked.

Kokichi shrugged. "Dunno. I wanna give her a good cat name. Like, Paroxetine or something."

Kage flicked the side of Kokichi's head. "Do no name our cat after my anti-depressants!"

"But why not?" Kokichi whined. "Having a pet is supposed to increase happiness, so it makes sense!"

Kaito laughed. "He has a point. We could call her Roxie for short."

Kage groaned. "This is sticking, isn't it?"

"Yep!" Kokichi giggled and looked at the cat. "What do you think, Roxie?" She meowed happily in response.

They were all in agreement that she was the one. On the car ride to the store to get the rest of the things she needed, Kokichi fawned over her, and Kage had moved to the back seat to do the same.

Kaito had to stop them from getting too many treats, having no need for every kind. She got a bright purple color that stood out on her black fur, and a tag with all the needed information in case she managed to run off.

When they got back, Kokichi watched curiously as she explored her new home. She was young, just under a year old, but was still mature enough to have learned to use a litter box and not to scratch at furniture. Really, that's what they'd been looking for to begin with.

It took a few hours for everyone to settle down, all cuddled together on the couch watching some TV show. Between episodes, Kage broke the silence.

"Adopting Roxie got me thinking, we'd never really talked about it before. So, I was wondering, do either of you ever want to adopt kids someday?"

Kokichi hummed in thought. "Dunno. I still feel like a kid myself, really. But I think, well, it's not an idea that I'm against, I suppose."

Kaito nodded. "We can talk about it more in a few years, or whenever we're ready, but yeah. I'm guessing this isn't the first time you've thought about this, though?"

Kage shook their head. "I always wanted kids. I just stopped thinking of it as an actual possibility for a while. Obviously, I'm not even at a point where I can fully take care of myself, let alone someone else, but I finally think I will be someday."

"Of course you will!" Kokichi kissed their cheek. "You don't have to be okay all the time, though. We'll still be here to take care of you when you need it."

"That's a ways down the line still, but we're on the same page, so when the time comes, we can talk about it in more depth." Kaito squeezed Kage's hand.

Kokichi felt his phone buzz and checked it, seeing a text from Miu. "Hey, it sounds like Amami-Chan is throwing a reunion party in a couple weeks, for everyone to catch up and check in on each other. Do you guys wanna go?"

Kage nodded. "It'll be nice to see them again, especially since we've been so busy. I'm curious how everyone has been, too."

Kai agreed. "Sounds good to me, tell her we'll be there."

Kokichi did so and set his phone down. He did miss his friends, moving really took a lot of time and energy. He knew that Miu and Kiibo were officially dating, but hadn't even had time to congratulate them in person yet. Kage hadn't seen Kaede or Maki for a while either, Kaito being in the same boat.

He hadn't seen Rantaro at all, so it had been a bit shocking to hear he was throwing the party. Not that Kokichi couldn't understand, though. From what he'd heard of his fabricated and real past, things must have been especially hard for him.

With Roxie being tired out from all the excitement, the other three calmed down as well. There was yet another thing to look forward too, and things were finally feeling normal. There were still struggles to be overcome, of course, but everything was okay. And it would stay that way. No more signing up for weird shows or anything of the sort. Kokichi couldn't wait to live out the peaceful life he knew he'd always wanted. Danganronpa had cause a lot of suffering for all of them, but if nothing else, it solidified Kokichi's faith that he'd make it. Looking forward to things had been something foreign to him, and Kage too. Now they discussed future plans, some months down the road. Some years, like adopting kids. The future was waiting for them, and they'd all be there to take it.

Notes:

Shorter chapter this week, and I can't promise one next week, but after that everything will be normal length and on schedule until the end!

Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Summary:

Here's a mini-chapter. It's stuff I wanted to include, but not enough for a full chapter. I don't really like this one very much, so I haven't wanted to keep writing it anyway. There'll be a normal length chapter on Friday.

It had been a long time since they'd woken up to the sound of screaming. Kokichi got violent flashbacks the first few months, and at the start, it was happening quite often. Once they were living together again, though, they were dying down. So it was shocking for it to happen again. It was even more shocking that it wasn't Kokichi this time.

"Kage?" Kokichi whispered gently, rubbing their shoulder slowly. Kage was facing away from him, face hidden in Kaito's chest as they sobbed.

Kaito hugged them close, stroking their hair confortingly.

"I-I remembered." They clung to Kaito like a lifeline. "Just little flashes, but I saw you. I saw your bodies. I saw what I said to Koki. I can't believe you've been living with these memories so long. It's awful."

Kokichi hugged them from behind. "It is awful. We made it together, though, remember? You helped me, both of you. It's going to be okay, Kage."

They sighed and held a little less tight onto Kaito. "I was always scared that I'd see either of you die. I still can't think of anything more awful. I've had nightmares, sure, but none so vivid. None that I really ever saw."

Kaito nodded. "I get it. I watched Kichi die with my own eyes, I still remember every second of it. Not just the death itself, but as the poison worked through him, how he drew closer to death right in front of me. That shit's hard to live with."

"It was harder for me." Kokichi joked half-heartedly. The other two chuckled, but there wasn't much humor behind it. "I watched Miu die, plus four executions. Gokuhara-Kun's was the hardest. I broke character in the end, I meant all those things I said. I wanted him to die thinking I really cared, cause I did. Even if it made you all hate me even more."

Kage rolled over to hug Kokichi. "We all saw and did things that were too horrible for anyone to experience. You may not have the memory of those you love dying like us, but you remember how we treated you."

Kokichi hugged them back. "At least you won't have that weird, guilty look on your face whenever we talk about Danganronpa anymore." He smiled a bit.

Kaito nodded. "Yeah, seriously. You always looked ashamed that you didn't remember and have that same trauma as us. It's not like it's your fault, you know?"

"I know." Kage sighed. "Can we go on a date tomorrow? I know fans will be a lot, but it's been a while."

Kokichi nodded and kissed their shoulder. "We can go see a movie or something. Wear hats so we're not so recognizable."

"Not a bad idea." Kaito agreed.

"Hopefully, Roxie won't cause much trouble while we're gone." Kage smiled. At the mention of their cat, she jumped up onto the bed and laid right on top of Kage's feet.

Kokichi giggled. "She will! She's my cat after all, right Paroxetine?" She meowed in reply.

The next morning, they decided on a movie to go see. Kokichi tied his hair up, Kage wore a hood, and Kaito just hadn't styled his hair that day. It was enough that any casual fan probably wouldn't recognize them.

They got snacks and sat near the back, just in case. They'd gotten three seats, but one was mainly just to hold the food, because Kokichi wanted to sit with Kaito.

Around half an hour in, Kage leaned over and hugged Kaito's arm, hiding their face in his shoulder. Kokichi was confused, the movie wasn't scary by any means, in fact the only thing on screen was the character traveling through a field of pink flowers. He stroked Kage's hair gently.

"What's wrong?" He kept his voice soft, frowning at the feeling of his partner shaking.

"'M sorry." Kage mumbled. "It's just, there's so much pink. It reminded me of the hanger."

Kokichi's shoulders dropped. Of course, even to the characters the blood in Danganronpa is pink. They never questioned it, though it was weird looking back. "Do you want to go?"

"No." They said quickly. "No, just tell me when it changes scene."

Kaito shook his head. "You're not going to enjoy the rest of the movie now, though. We'll leave, we can find something else to do."

Kage sighed. "It's really okay."

"But how are we supposed to have fun if you aren't?" Kokichi questioned. "That isn't fair, and besides, we should all be enjoying ourselves."

Kage hesitated, but nodded. "Okay, fine. I still want to go on a date, though. Can we?"

"Of course!" Kokichi grinned. "Why wouldn't we?"

Kage shrugged.

Once they got back to the car, they couldn't really figure out where to go. They didn't want to go anywhere super public where everyone could see them, since they were still pretty recognizable. That made most places out of the question. In the end, they just ended up going home.

Kage had shut down after a few minutes of trying to decide. A mixture of guilt at ruining their initial plan, the trauma that had returned with their memories, which were still flowing in slowly, and fear of being recognized made it impossible to focus on anything. They decided that they probably wouldn't enjoy anything they did, and didn't want to bring the mood down. So when Kaito suggested they just head home, they agreed silently.

Kage leaned against the arm of the couch and sighed. Kaito sat beside them and pulled them into a hug while Kokichi sat on the floor and rested his chin on their knees.

"It was all supposed to be over. Everyone was supposed to be fine now." They whispered. "I was hoping I just wouldn't ever remember."

Kaito kissed their head. "I know. We knew things weren't done, though. This was going to happen eventually. And when Kichi gets his memories back, we're going to have to help him through it, too."

Kage snuggled up to him. "I can't believe we ever thought signing up for Danganronpa was a good idea. How could we have been so stupid? How can so many people be so stupid?"

Kokichi sighed quietly. He couldn't answer that. No one could. It wasn't a matter of stupidity, of course, but he knew that Kage was fully aware of that. It was just Team Danganronpa being evil. Maybe they were naïve, sure, but that wasn't a crime. They tried to comfort them in mostly silence for a while longer, but there wasn't much they could do. Not when they didn't want to lie, both to Kage and themselves. It felt like they'd never be free from the horrors they'd experienced. The real question was, how can anyone be so cruel, just for money they didn't know that to do with? Kokichi didn't know if he believed in true evil, but if it was real, then Team Danganronpa was most definitely it.

Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Based on what he'd seen in the show, Kokichi had figured out that season 53 had actually been Rantaro's second. Meaning that 1) he had the trauma of dying once and seeing everyone around him dying and the pain of being the only one to make it out alive, and 2) he was seriously loaded. He didn't have a mansion by any means, but he lived in one of those nice houses that are in that particular section of every neighborhood that everybody else makes fun of. As long as he wasn't super depressed, Kokichi was definitely going to tease him for it.

At least, that was the plan.

When Rantaro opened the door to greet them, he locked eyes with Kokichi and immediately hugged him. "Kokichi! I was so glad when I heard you were coming, man, I missed you!" He laughed.

Kokichi grinned and hugged him back. "Hi, Amami-Chan! How've you been?"

"I'm alive, that's enough for me." He smiled and invited them in. Seeing who Kokichi had come with, he elbowed him playfully and smirked. "I assume there's no need for me to ask the same. I've watched some of your interviews, and I'm really happy for you."

He turned his attention to Kage and Kaito. "Hey, guys, it's been a while! Kage Ikeda, right? Thanks for looking after him. I know he's a bit of a handful."

Kage waved their hands quickly in front of them. "Oh, please just call me Kage. I-I don't like my last name very much."

Rantaro nodded. "No problem. Just call me Rantaro, then."

"Go ahead and call me Kai, or Kaito, I don't care much which."

"Gotcha. Same goes to you, then. Luckily, Rantaro is my real name, so there's no confusion. Especially having been on the show twice."

"If you don't mind me asking, why were you?" Kage asked. "It wasn't really clear."

Rantaro nodded. "You're good. Short story, though. It was a publicity thing. I was super popular in the first season I did, so they brought me back cause they knew it'd make them a lot of money."

"Why accept?" Kaito questioned.

Rantaro sighed. "I had to. Not cause they forced me, but they made a deal I couldn't refuse. They'd erase all my memories from the previous season, and I'd be the first to go. I was the only survivor, and I was plagued by the guilt and image of so many dead. It had been a couple months since hospital time was done, and it was only getting worse."

Kokichi nodded grimly. "I don't blame you. I wasn't a survivor, but I made it pretty far. If there was a way for me to delete those memories, I might take it too. But I think the so called recovery period would be enough to dissuade me. That was brutal."

The others nodded.

Rantaro put his hands on his hips. "Well, hey, this is a party! Let's not get depressed now. I've got some exciting news, if you want to hear."

"Ooh, yes, please!" Kokichi bounced on his heels. "Tell me tell me tell me!"

Rantaro laughed. "Okay, I will! I'm no longer single."

Kokichi gasped. "Who's the poor soul that got stuck with you?"

Rantaro flicked his forehead lightly. "Don't be rude."

Kokichi rubbed his forehead with a pout while Kaede peaked around the corner and walked over to the group.

"Sorry for not greeting you guys earlier, I was just finishing putting out drinks." She laced her hand with Rantaro's with a tiny smile. "But, ah, his girlfriend is me."

Kage smiled. "I'm happy for you! We told you that you'd find someone soon!"

Kaede laughed. "Yes, and you were right! He'd come to my first show and we talked for a bit after. He gave me his number, and things just went from there! Not having to find a new house was pretty nice, too. It might be moving a bit fast, but we've already moved in together. I've been really happy, though."

Rantaro nodded. "So have I."

Kokichi looked deadpan at Rantaro. "You are such a fucking lesbian."

Rantaro gasped and held his chest in fake offense. "Rude!"

Kaito chuckled. "At this rate, you'll have a kid within the next year."

Kaede laughed quietly while Rantaro dramatically gagged. "Gross, no thanks. I'm too ace for that." He said. "Maybe we'll adopt a while down the line."

Kage nodded. "Same with us." They gasped, eyes lighting up. "Maybe our kids can be friends!"

Kokichi laughed softly. "You're so cute! That would be nice, though."

Kaede smiled. "Awe, I'd love that!"

They were interrupted by knocking on the door. Rantaro excused himself to open it, happily greeting Miu and Kiibo.

"Congrats on finding a partner who can stand you!" Kokichi yelled once he heard his friends' voices.

"Shut up, you damn twink!" Miu yelled in response.

The rest of their class arrived slowly after, a few more in pairs. Himiko and Tenko were finally a couple, and luckily for all the guys there, Tenko had calmed down. She apologized for how she'd treated them, explaining that she wasn't fond of men but didn't have any intense hatred of them.

Kiyo wasn't wearing a mask or lipstick when he arrived. He was evidently disgusted by his character's backstory and explained a bit about how his fake sister had been abusive. He was still introverted and loved to learn about humanity, but he wasn't, well, a murderer. He didn't remember doing those things, either, all his character even had was the knowledge that he had.

Everyone was more normal than their character. They had their quirks, sure, but they were just people. Those who'd killed and hadn't had the chance yet apologized, but no one blamed them. The only person missing was Tsumugi, the mastermind. No one was shocked not to see her, though.

Once all of the formalities were finished, things livened up a lot. All fifteen of them shared a bond because of what they'd gone through. It was a bond fueled by trauma, but a bond nonetheless.

Some of them didn't really forgive each other. They were civil, though. Angie and Kiyo's relationship was probably the most tense. She had seen him setting up a murder, after all. He had killed her. But all they did was stay on opposite sides of the room. It seemed like no fights would break out tonight.

They played some drinking games, albeit with soda instead of alcohol because they weren't all of age. They talked about their lives, how they were doing. Everyone was okay, struggling a bit due to Danganronpa, but they'd manage. Love lives, some people had started dating.

They got out some board games, played Twister. Kokichi and Kage got into a pretty suggestive position when they decided it was time to stop. After a couple of hours, they ordered pizza. The poor delivery guy would have to carry so much.

While they waited, everyone in the group settled into a circle to play truth or dare. They knew it would probably end badly, but they didn't care. They were having fun.

The couples snuggled together, Kokichi sat on Kage's lap while they and Kaito cuddled. They set the rules, no NSFW dares, no truths dealing with Danganronpa or anything traumatic in general, and nothing gross. Additionally, people were allowed to turn down anything that they seriously weren't comfortable with.

Rantaro started, being the host of the party. He dared Tenko to do squats while holding Himiko bridal style. Himiko got very flustered, as anyone could predict, but Tenko seemed happy to do it. He obviously wanted to keep things light, and everyone agreed.

"Truth or dare, Kiibo-Kun?" Tenko asked once she'd finished.

"I think I'll just start with truth." They told her while Miu booed at him for being boring.

"What's your favorite fairy tale?" She asked.

"Pinocchio." Kiibo mumbled sheepishly. "It's grown on me." They rolled their eyes as Miu laughed. "Well, Miu, truth or dare?"

"Dare, duh!" She grinned.

"Then, I dare you to not insult anyone for the rest of the game."

Miu gasped in shock and displeasure while Kokichi laughed at her. "Where's the fun of it then!? Fine. Kage?"

"Hm?" They considered it a moment. "I'll go with truth."

"How big's your dick?" She asked, deadpan.

Rantaro sighed. "You don't have to answer it."

Kage shook his head. "Yes I do. Kokichi will laugh at me otherwise." He rubbed the back of his head and stared down at the floor. "Seven inches." They mumbled, face bright pink.

"Not bad!" Miu laughed.

"It's true, they know how to use it too." Kokichi winked up at his partner.

"Kichi!" Kage whined while his boyfriends, and most of the others laughed.

"Alright, leave 'em alone." Kaito chuckled. "They'll die of embarrassment at this rate."

"Thank you." Kage leaned toward Kaito a bit. "Akamatsu-Kun, truth or dare?"

"I'll go with a dare!" She smiled.

Kage nodded and gestured to the piano in the room. "Then could you play us the hardest piece you know?"

"Sure thing!" Kaede seemed happy to do it, and stretched out her arms before beginning. True to her title, the song was incredibly complex, yet she didn't miss a beat. When she sat back down, everybody was clapping. "Ouma-Kun?"

"Dare!" He grinned excitedly. It wasn't even worth asking, really, just a formality.

"Take a shot of hot sauce!"

Rantaro sighed. "Kaede, come on, don't be too mean. You know you can't even eat the one I like to get cause of how hot it is."

"Bring it on!" Kokichi cheered. He loved spicy things almost as much as he loved sweets.

Kaede laughed. "That's the spirit!" She ran to the kitchen to grab it and came back with a shot glass full of hot sauce. She handed it to Kokichi, which he happily accepted.

Before anyone could say another word, he downed it effortlessly and handed the empty glass back to her. "I've had worse." He shrugged.

Everyone stared at him wordlessly, in awe of his nonchalance after drinking straight hot sauce no problem. Almost everyone, at least.

Kage broke the silence with their laughter. "He really loves spicy things. He's been eating them since he was little, so his tolerance is amazing." They kissed Kokichi's cheek. "You know the rule, you can't kiss me for the next ten minutes."

Kaito chuckled. "Kage, on the other hand, has no tolerance for spice."

They played a bit longer before the doorbell rang.

"I've got it!" Rantaro told everyone before heading to go open it.

This was all something Kokichi never expected. He figured everybody hated his guts, or at the very least wanted to avoid being around him. But everyone, with few exceptions, seemed perfectly happy. He hadn't gotten any murderous glares, and the air didn't seem to go cold whenever somebody looked at him.

Kokichi never felt it so much at the time, but just the memory of hatred surrounding him was upsetting. It hurt, made him feel small. Sitting with all of him 'classmates', being held by Kage, he once again felt out of place. But, he wasn't sure there was any place that he did fit right now.

He leaned back against them, appreciating the affectionate squeeze he got in return. He knew that they loved him, and that his situation was just really messed up. Still, Kokichi could never stop wondering if they'd love him more if he was the same person they'd fallen in love with in the first place.

Kaito assured him all that time that it would happen eventually. And it was. Just very, very slowly.

He sighed. Nothing he could do about it now. He was happy. He didn't want his dumb thoughts getting in the way.

Rantaro peeked around the corner, a casual smile on his face as usual. "Hey guys, our last guest it here! I invited her, don't worry. I really think you should hear her out."

The world itself tensed when Tsumugi Shirogane herself stepped into the room. "I'm sorry for being so late, I wasn't sure if I was going to show up at all."

Chapter 21: Chapter 21

No one said a word. There weren't any words to say. Rantaro had invited her, but why? She'd killed him directly, he had every reason to hate her as much as anyone. Tension felt like a frayed rope pulled tight, close to breaking, any second now. It felt like the room was simply going to explode.

Tsumugi shifted on her feet. "I wanted to start by saying I'm sorry. Truthfully, I didn't know what I was getting into any more than you. I was the most scripted of us all." She took a deep breath, and Rantaro put a concerned hand on her shoulder. She shrugged him off. "I know what I did to you all is unforgivable. I didn't feel anything while in Danganronpa. My only purpose was to make the show a success. Very few times did I have even the smallest amount of control over my actions. So, just so you know, I never wanted to hurt anyone."

Rantaro spoke up after her. "I don't think it's fair to blame her. We all did things we aren't proud of because of their influence. Why is she the exception to being forgiven? We were all victims, all sixteen of us. And this is something we've gotta stick together through."

Still, nobody spoke. What he said was true, wasn't it hypocritical to push all their hatred on to a girl who was hurt by Danganronpa, same as them? Sure, it was easier to hate their scapegoat than the company itself, but that wasn't fair. They were all victims, sharing trauma few could ever imagine, that they couldn't tell a soul outside this room. They shouldn't be enemies. It would only be playing right into Danganronpa's despair.

It was Kokichi who finally broke the silence. "I get what you're saying. And I can't really argue. I hurt people, too. I caused the deaths of two people, and I'm not really sure they should've forgiven me for that. But then again, wouldn't that just be letting Danganronpa win? Hating the people who were victims too just because of the role they were forced to play. I don't know how I feel about this, but I do know that it's not fair to give all that hatred to one person because they happened to be given a role that caused more pain."

Everyone was quiet after that. What could they say? It wasn't like there was any way to disagree. Was it selfish not to forgive her? But how could they?

"That being said," Tsumugi continued, "I don't want to be your friend, either. I'm not going to stay. Not only because it's hard to see the faces of so many people I killed," she took a deep breath, "but because you shouldn't have to see the face of the person who killed you. I don't deserve forgiveness, I'm not asking for it. In fact, I'm not asking for you to sympathize with me at all. There are other masterminds, and will continue to be more, and I don't want you to hate all of them. None of them are to blame. The mastermind tends to get a lot of hate, and it can be hard. That's all I really wanted to say. I'll be plainly going now." She said with a fake smile, calling reference to her character's quirk before turning to leave.

"You should stay." Kaede spoke up. "You'll never have the chance to tell someone about all that happened otherwise. We're the only people we can legally talk about this stuff too. You can go, if you really want to, though. But if you do decide to stay a bit longer, you don't have to look at us. Just say what's on your mind. You'll feel better."

As everyone waited in silence for Tsumugi's decision, the doorbell rang.

Rantaro cleared his throat. "It is pizza this time. Shirogane, you're free to eat with us." He said before answering the door. Everyone was still quiet when he yelled from the kitchen, asking how many pieces people wanted.

Everybody answered, Tsumugi included.

Once everyone was settled back down, she was still facing away from them.

Rantaro wondered if it was a mistake to invite her here. They'd run into each other by chance at the store, and he felt like it had to be fate. Maybe he was kidding himself. He'd hoped everyone could get a bit of closure, or a little less hatred inside, by knowing that the person they thought of as a friend wasn't evil like they thought. He had mixed feelings too, sure, he saw her kill him. But he didn't see what she did to anyone else. Not in real time, at least. It was easier for him to forgive than anybody else. He imagined he probably wouldn't have been able to forgive the mastermind of the previous season had he been in the same boat.

Things never stopped feeling awkward, either. Tsumugi left after she ate without saying much else. She must've decided against talking any longer. The mood stayed down after.

"Sorry." Rantaro finally said. "I thought I was doing the right thing."

"You were." Kiibo assured him. "It's just a lot to think about. I think I'm going to head home now, though, if that's okay. I had fun. We should do this again sometime." Everyone agreed with them.

Rantaro smiled a bit. "Thanks, I'm glad. And yeah, totally, it was nice seeing everybody."

Kiibo, Miu, and most everyone else left after that, saying their goodbyes and that it was fun. They should stay in touch, they were happy for Rantaro and Kaede, etc. The mood was dampened, but no one was angry.

Kokichi had the most to think about. He understood where she was coming from the most, having been the 'antagonist' of the season. He'd caused a lot of problems and pain too. But he'd been forgiven, at least mostly. Was that fair.

Kage tapped him on the shoulder. "Are you ready to go?"

Kokichi nodded and stood up, giving Rantaro a quick hug. "Thanks for the free food!" It got a small chuckle from his friend. "We should really hang out sometime soon, okay?"

"Okay." Rantaro agreed. "See you, then. You guys too." He waved them off, and Kage said goodbye to Kaede too.

Kokichi sighed as he got in the car. He'd be thinking about this a lot for the next couple weeks, wouldn't he? Really, though, there probably wasn't any point to worrying about it. Whether forgiveness was deserved or not just depended on the person. It wasn't up to him to decide. It just mattered that he could forgive himself, and he could. He wouldn't let one little dilemma set back months of progress.

Kage got in the back seat with him and put an arm around him once they were strapped in. "Are you okay?"

Kokichi nodded and happily nuzzled against them. "Yep, don't worry! I'm more worried about Amami-Chan than anything."

Kage nodded and kissed his cheek. "I understand that. He'll be okay, though, I'm sure of it."

Kokichi knew better than most how it felt to be trapped with people who detested his very existence. That's how he'd been written. People like Kage had been made to be likeable, they didn't have enemies in the show. Not among those who just wanted everybody to make it out alive. They'd wanted Kokichi hated. They'd looked at all of the people who applied and said yes, he would be the one who would be detested, nearly murdered, and then crushed of his own accord while not knowing if it had even been worth it. He didn't deserve that. In no world could anyone logically think that he did.

Kokichi leaned his head against Kage and shut his eyes. He was tired, more emotionally than physically, but he still wanted to nap on the way home.

For the first time in a long time, Kokichi didn't dream vividly about Danganronpa. Instead, he was in a house that was so familiar, yet he didn't recognize a thing.

"Thanks for getting me cleaned up." He heard himself giggle nervously. He was in spectator mode, not in control of his body but seeing, hearing, feeling every single thing.

He saw Kage, hair a bit longer than it was now, only a couple inches from their shoulders, messier than it already was. They were frowning, reaching over to grab his hands. Their sleeves covered most of their palms.

"Please, be more careful." They said quietly, strained, like they were near crying. "I know it's not clumsiness, are you sure you're eating enough? You're so light..." They trailed off. He felt his stomach growl, despite having just eaten in real life.

"Kage, don't." Kaito sighed, sitting down beside them both. "You're no better, we both know that." Kage tensed up, embarrassed, ashamed.

"Sorry..." They sighed.

Kaito shook his head. "Nah, you're good." He didn't look much different.

From what Kokichi could deduce, this was back when they were in high school. Most likely, he'd fainted from hunger or something and hit his head. It was throbbing, he only noticed it now.

Kokichi hugged Kage. "Thank you for taking care of me. Both of you." He smiled at them, which seemed to immediately cheer them up.

"Yeah, no problem! I'll always take care of you." Kokichi giggled and pecked them on the cheek appreciatively, making them blush profusely.

Despite the circumstances leading up to it, Kokichi could tell this was a good memory. Being cared for, knowing he was loved, even if it wasn't by his parents. It was rare for him to be aware while dreaming, but he was glad it was happening now. Otherwise, he couldn't fully appreciate how this felt.

When Kaito kissed him and made him promise to take better care of himself, even if that meant asking for help, he was glad that he'd given this a chance. He knew that this relationship had meant the world to him, it still did. More than anything, he was thankful for the gradual return of his memory.

Kokichi was happy. He deserved happiness. It didn't matter what anyone else thought or said, because the only people who's opinions mattered loved him as he was. Not just Kage and Kaito, but his friends too. Even himself. This is what life was, and how it was supposed to be. Safe, loved, unable to believe it when people told him he didn't deserve it. Kokichi felt his old self being even happier than he was. This was perfect timing, he couldn't help thinking. He needed the reassurance after such a stressful night.

The him that Danganronpa had made would never have believed this could be true, or that he could deserve this. He was designed to think himself unlovable so that he wouldn't be surprised or unused to all the hate. His memories had been crafted solely for misery. Without Kage and Kaito, he most likely would've given into the despair.

Kage had told him once that many Danganronpa actors had taken their own lives soon after. It was thought to be because those who joined were stereotyped as people with nothing to lose, who'd join even if they could die. It was attributed to the actors, not the show itself. Team Danganronpa had surely made that lie. Or, maybe there was some truth, but they'd only sped up the process. Was a human life really so insignificant to so many?

Kokichi was jerked awake by a quick turn and Kaito's loud cursing. When his eyes opened, he barely saw the truck ram into the back corner of their car on the other side, barely heard the sound of the impact before being thrown to the side, slamming his head against the door. He felt Kage being pushed into him, he heard a sickening crack that he couldn't place the source of, felt something drip down the side of his face, and watched as the world went black after the mere second he'd been conscious.

Kokichi heard Kage screaming his name, voice laced with pain. He thought he'd heard the airbags pop out, but maybe it was his arm leaving the socket instead. He didn't know. He just knew that he wasn't awake long enough for it to hurt.

Notes:

So, how's everyone doing?

Chapter 22: Chapter 22

When Kokichi opened his eyes, ears ringing, body numb, all he saw was white. White walls, white floors, white bedsheets. He gasped and sat up so fast that an IV ripped out of his arm, but he barely felt it. All he felt was the adrenaline, all he felt was the fear of being back in that horrid hospital.

He felt an arm wrap around him. He saw blue, the same color as Kage's hair. Wait, it was Kage's hair, they were hugging him. Kokichi was slowly calming down as Kaito gently convinced Kage to give him some space and told Kokichi to lay back down. They both looked scared, scared but relieved, and he figured he looked the same.

A nurse came soon after. Kokichi still hadn't calmed enough to talk, but she was helping him with breathing. A truck had crashed into them, she told him, he remembered. The driver was fine, he'd fainted of a previously unknown condition, but he was fine, and he was sorry. Kokichi knew those things happened, he didn't blame him.

Kokichi learned he'd been out for two days, that explained Kage crying, Kaito holding his hand like he'd die if he let go. Kokichi didn't have any major injuries aside from a pretty bad concussion, but he seemed to be recovering fine from that, and his dislocated shoulder had been fixed right away with no complications. Kage had broken an arm, that must've been what'd he'd heard. Kaito had gotten away with nothing but a broken nose. All in all, they were extremely lucky. Kokichi finally started crying.

Kaito sat beside him and pulled him close, and Kokichi hugged him without any hesitation. They could've died, but they all made it. They were finally healing, and that could've been cut short. Kokichi had felt what it was like to die once, and he couldn't experience that again, not so soon. Worse, he couldn't bear to lose the two people who'd helped him learn to forgive and love himself again.

Before she left, the nurse said that he'd have to stay one more night, but afterwards they'd all be free to go. Good, he couldn't stand these walls for long.

Kokichi scooted to sit with his back against the wall so it was a bit more comfortable, Kaito and Kage on either side of him. His heart was racing, he couldn't believe he'd evaded death twice in less than a year. It had been a while now since Danganronpa, hadn't it? It still felt like it was yesterday.

Kokichi was the one who broke the silence. "My name is Bon, isn't it? I remembered a lot while I was out. Not everything, but I relived a few memories. You two always made me so happy."

"Yeah." Kage nuzzled their face into his neck, their uninjured arm around him. He felt tears on his skin, but said nothing. He just stroked Kage's hair gently. "You loved the meaning of it, to be greater than anyone ever expected of you. I like it too."

Kokichi spent the rest of the afternoon recalling memories, with Kage and Kaito's help, and finally had a true sense of who he was. His memories of Danganronpa were becoming more fiction than fact, like a bad dream, which in a sense it was. Kage explained that Rantaro and Kaede were taking care of Roxie so they and Kaito could both stay with him. Kage was going to be discharged the next morning as well, their arm being pretty badly broken, and Kaito had been staying nights with Kokichi, so neither had been home.

The next morning, Kokichi was quick to rush through anything that needed done before he could go home. He had no intentions of staying longer than needed. Kaede and Rantaro had been waiting to pick them up, their car having been damaged too badly to drive. Thankfully, they'd be able to get it replaced for little cost.

Their friends were happy to see them, happy they were okay. They'd visited once, while Kokichi had still been unconscious, and were relieved that he'd woken up quickly. They'd dropped Roxie and her things off just before heading to the hospital.

When they got home, their cat was very glad to see them, having not understood what had been going on. Naturally, all four of them were glad to be home. Rantaro and Kaede left not long after, wanting to give the three some time to relax, seeing as they knew better than most how much stress a hospital could cause somebody.

"Who do you consider yourself to be?" Kage asked him once they'd gotten settled on the couch, Roxie snuggled between them. "Are you Kokichi, or Bon?"

Kokichi/Bon shrugged. "I dunno. Both? I was Kokichi for a really long time, and it's not like they're different people. That being said, my memories of being Kokichi, before Danganronpa ended, are feeling less and less real. Like a part I played. So I guess, I'm Bon?" Bon sighed. "I don't know. It's confusing."

Kage nuzzled his face into Bon/Kokichi's neck. "It's okay. I don't really get it, but I didn't get my memories back at until recently, so I never really was Shuichi."

Kaito put an arm around his waist reassuringly. "And my name barely changed, so it wasn't a big deal to begin with for me."

"I already called you Kaito sometimes, though. Cause you loved space so much as a kid, I thought a nickname that meant to fly was fitting." He sighed. "You never told me, that you'd chosen that name because of me."

Kaito grinned. "I wanted you to remember for yourself. Didn't want to overwhelm you, either."

"Yeah, that makes sense."

"Bon, is there anything that you think would help? We could call you both names for now." Kage kissed his neck gently.

Bon shook his head. "I think you should call me Bon again. It's my name, the one I chose. I really love that name. Kokichi...he's a character that I don't think I want to play anymore. I want to leave him, and all of my memories from Danganronpa behind."

Kaito kissed his head, careful to avoid his injury. "Then you do just that. You know we'll support you whatever you decide."

Kage nodded. "We love you, no matter what. We love Kokichi, and we love Bon, because they're both you. And we love you, so much."

Bon giggled. "I know that, silly! You don't have to convince me that you love me, you already have. I love both of you, too, okay?"

Kage kissed him. "Good. Are we back to normal now?" They smiled shyly. "As much as I loved you before, I missed this side of you. I missed how things were."

Bon pinched their cheek lightly. "Yes, things are normal. I don't feel like I'm living a lie anymore, or that I don't belong with you. I do, I know that. There's nowhere else that I belong."

Kage sighed in relief. "I'm glad. You deserve to feel at home. Because you are."

Bon giggled. "I know. You guys are my home. We're family."

Kaito squeezed him lightly. "Course we are. All these years we spent together, I couldn't imagine loving anybody else like this. I don't like the character I played very much, but there's one good thing about him. No matter what my memories are, I'd trust Kage with my life."

"That did make me happy." Kage admitted. "I was in love with you, even then. I can't imagine ever not loving both of you. Even at my lowest, the two of you have always made me so happy."

Bon smiled and closed his eyes. "I'm getting a little tired, so I'm gonna take a nap. Takes a long of energy to recover, huh?" He giggled.

He slipped peacefully into sleep, thankful for the warmth around him. When he woke up in that hospital all those months ago, he was afraid, alone, and full of hate for himself and those who hurt him. The hate was still there, in both, but he could forgive those who weren't really to blame. Himself, the others. A piece of him still felt like he'd failed, but the rest knew that it couldn't be his fault, not when he was nothing more than a doll and someone else pulled the strings. He could hate them, not himself. He was happy. He was loved. He didn't need anything else.

Kage had woken up in the hospital after the crash too, fainted from pain and shock. All that they could think of at the time was that Bon must've been injured pretty bad, and if he was, or would be okay. There were no scarier thoughts to them than losing the ones they loved, not even the crushing loneliness and despair that they'd come to associate with hospitals.

Kaito had been scared as anyone, but he didn't show it. He had to make sure his partners made it, his own feelings and thoughts be damned. There was too much future that couldn't be cut short, he wouldn't let it. Life could be cut short any moment, after two scares it was easy to understand. But no matter what, he wouldn't let it. Kage and Bon deserved to grow old, and be given as much love as he could.

...

A month later, they all finally worked up the courage to go on a date in public, at a restaurant, nothing fancy, but they had no desire for it to be. Both for their five year anniversary, and as celebration for everyone's memories being fully intact once again. They were recognized once, when they first walked in. Two boys, looking to be in high school, pinkies interlocked behind them. They said they were both big fans of the show, and learning that their favorite characters were gay, like them, they'd both cried during the interview, and it gave them the courage to come out to their families. It had worked out, in both cases.

Bon smiled, and was the one to respond. He'd told them that he was flattered, and that they should be proud, but be careful who they tell. He asked if they had any plans to join Danganronpa, and they both denied quickly. They enjoyed the show, but it wasn't their thing. It was a relief for the three of them. Most of all, it made them feel as though they'd done a bit of good, just a little, because those boys looked so happy.

Aside from that, they were just three guys on a date. Which, yes, they got some looks of disgust, but no one said anything. They had a great night, together.

Kage admitted that he wanted to try going to college again. Artificial though they were, he remembered wanting to be a detective. His real self had, too. He'd always been too scared to try, but he was ready to give it a shot.

When they got back home, Bon was clinging to Kage's arm, a bit sleepy, but with a warm smile on his face. Kaito grinned as he watched them, seeing Kage almost trip, and both of them laugh. He tapped them both on the shoulders before taking a step back. They turned.

"It feels like a miracle we've been together for five years now." He started, running a hand through the hair he'd stopped gelling a long time ago now. "We've all survived way too much. You two, with yourselves, then Danganronpa, then the crash. It almost feels too good to be true." He chuckled. "But we all made it, and we're all still in love." Bon leaned his head against Kage's shoulder. "With everything that's happened, it's only solidified the fact that I love you both more than I could ever tell you with just words, or even actions. I know you understand, cause I know you're both the same. So that's why, I figure, there's no need to wait any longer. I love you both, that's why I've gotta ask..." He grinned, lowering down to one knee and pulling out a small black box from his pocket. "Will you marry me, both of you?"

Bon and Kage were both in tears, but smiles so wide their faces hurt accompanied the same answer. "Yes!"

Notes:

I went back and forth a lot on whether or not I'd post another chapter after this one, and ultimately decided that this would be the end. It feels surreal, this is the first long fic I've ever finished, and though there's parts of it I don't like much, I'm proud of it. A lot has also changed from the original plan, too. For example, Kokichi was originally supposed to be in a coma for months, but I didn't like that idea much as it drew closer. The proposal at the end was also a last minute decision. I hope you all enjoyed it! I have lots more planned for the future, both for Danganronpa and other things. I'd love for you to leave your thoughts in the comments!