#I've done this before and it made me genuinely happy. why would that change now? what's the difference? | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

blu3-ja3 · 6 days ago

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Tim's POV

Two Months Later

I've been texting back and forth with Jillian over the weeks, she was quick to text those of us whose numbers we gave to her. We've made a little group chat: Cass, Steph, Duke, Jillian and I all in one chat. It's been nice chatting with her over the weeks but we never got to meet up again.

Jillian's parents constantly told her no when she'd ask to go out with us. That was if she wasn't grounded again. Her getting grounded meant we'd see even less of her because she'd never video call. She claims it because her room was too dark but the few times she would turn the camera on she'd try to hide.

But all the Wayne kids were trained by the world's greatest detective, we knew what we were seeing. Every time we would go to Bruce and he'd tell us that what we'd found wasn't enough to prove anything. There are signs yes but there has to be hard proof for anyone within Gotham to do anything.

So we waited, days turned to weeks. Before we knew it summer was over and fall was beginning and with it came the start of a new semester. The teenaged Wayne's start of sophomore year and Damien's start of 5th grade year, he skipped a grade but only one despite his protest to skip more.

I'm sitting in my first class of the day, AP English with Ms. Sullivan. She's a decent teacher a bit slow to explain the lesson but as of right now we're working on a project so she's not teaching us much. I'm sitting at my desk when Ms. Sullivan walks in with a familiar face from the Friday night gala. Though there's something wrong with her features but I'm too far away to see what.

"Good morning class, I'd like to introduce you to your newest class mate! This is Jillian Rosenberg, now I'll need someone to volunteer to be partners with Ms. Rosenberg. She's a bit too far behind to do the project on her own," I raise my hand fairly quickly, there's multiple factors to this decision the main one being I'd like to get to know Jillian better.

Jillian's eyes meet mine and I can see a spark of recognition in them. I can see her shoulders relaxing a bit even from my distance. Ms. Sullivan thanks me as Jillian makes her way over towards the empty desk next to me. Her hands are covered by black gloves that I didn't notice until she waved to me.

"Thank you, so what's our project about?" Jillian asks as she sits down and gets better situated.

I quickly notice why she looks off, the bags under her eyes are more intense even under the make up. She also looks slightly gaunt, like she hasn't eaten properly for a few days. When she turns her back towards me I can see a bruise peaking out from under her sweater just below the back of her neck. She turns around with a quizzical smile that drops quickly.

"It's nothing, my snow globe fell from the top of my shelf while I was unpacking," she said quickly, forcing a smile that could look genuine but it doesn't reach her eyes.

"So! The project, what's it about?" She's trying to change the topic so I let her. I tell her about the book report and what I've done, we chat for a bit about what her part in the project would be. We eventually drift off topic towards classes.

"What does your schedule for classes look like?" She pulls out a small slip of paper that she hands to me.

"I have no clue where half of these rooms are and this school is so big, maybe you could help point me in the right direction?" There's anxiety in her voice as she speaks.

"We actually have most of our schedules aligned, even some of our electives are close to each other..." I look up and hand her my old schedule that I've not needed after the first few days of school.

"Wait really? Oh thank goodness, I was so sure I'd get lost here," Jillian has a genuine look of surprise that morphs to relief and happiness. The first bell rings and together we go to our next class, AP Science.

I showed Jillian around and introduced her to the teachers. As the day has gone on I've noticed an eerily familiar almost uncomfortable feeling, it took me longer than I'd like to admit to realize why the feeling was familiar. My boyfriend has a similar feeling following him and once I've realized that I noticed it's unstable. When Kon's tactical telekinesis first appeared the aura (for lack of a better word) around him was like a large patch static with large gaps all throughout. Now it's a small bubble around him that feels more like water.

My first instinct is to contain this quickly, I remember when Kon's ability first started to develop. It was incredibly volatile, just one wrong move or thought and there could be disaster. I text Kon asking him to come to Gotham and I text Bruce at lunch to let him know what's happening. We're sitting in our last class together when I get a reply from both Bruce and Kon.

"Hey Jill, why don't you come over to the manor? We can work on our english project and I can help you with our other classes," The excitement on Jill's face makes me feel a little bad but she's a meta human freshly coming into her powers.

She's dangerous to just be out on the street and I don't want to know what would happen if she went straight home. I watch as she pulls out her phone and sends a text to one of her parents, it's almost instantly she gets a response. Jillian's face drops a bit before she schools it and smiles at me, it's a genuine smile but her eyes look a little sad.

"My mother is okay with it, she and my father aren't home at the moment... Would it be okay if I stayed for dinner?" Jillian's eyes widened a bit before she rushed to add. "But please if I'm being rude or you don't want me around just say I'll be fine to go home once we're finished with our school work!" I raise my hand to stop her, I can feel the static growing as it's now brushing against me.

"I'm sure Alfred would be more than okay with making an extra plate, I'd love for you to stay for dinner Jill." I relax a bit as the static disappears from around me.

Once the dismissal bell rang I quickly met up with the rest of my family that attended the same school; Cass, Steph, and Duke. We make our way towards the usual area where Alfred, Jason or Dick will pick us up. As we're walking Steph is making casual conversation with Jillian, continuing a conversation they were having at lunch. I heard my phone go off and quickly retrieved it to see a text from Duke.

'She's a meta???' I quickly typed back: 'Can't know for sure without testing but we can all feel that static and that's very similar to Kon' before sending it away and placing my phone back away.

We get outside and I quickly spot both Alfred and Jason. Jason is on his bike that has a side cart, he only drives that bike if he's helping with picking up. As we approach Jason tosses Cass a second helmet telling her that they're going to pick up Damien. The rest of us get in with Alfred, Duke sitting up front next to Alfred while Steph, Jillian and I sit in the back.

The ride over would be pleasant if not for the constant feeling of static surrounding everyone, but it was easy to ignore it. At least enough to hold conversations such as introducing Alfred to Jillian and learning a bit more about the girl's life before moving to Gotham. When we finally arrive at the manor I relax just a bit knowing that whatever is about to happen will be less dangerous, everyone here knows how to deal with dangerous situations such as a meta human's powers suddenly developing...

Jillian's POV

The last few months of summer has been awful, Mother has been taking me out late into the night searching for signs of Lady Gotham's burial sight. Almost every night I'm out in some random dark alleyway using my gift to find anything I can, and if I come back empty handed I'm punished.

Those punishments included not being able to go out anywhere. On top of the lack of sleep and mother's usual punishment she's keeping reducing the amount of food I'm allowed. I'm the smallest I've ever been and I know if anyone saw me they'd make a fuss. I don't want to make a big deal out of it, so I bite my tongue and steal food where I can.

Thankfully fall has begun and the salvation that is going to school with it. Last night was the first night in months that I got to bed at a reasonable time. But even then when I woke up something was off.

I ached more than I normally do after Mother's punishments and my head hurts. Though that could be due to lack of food, I'm sure I could find something to snack on before I leave for school. If I'm at school mother said to eat.

'Don't make people ask questions Jillian, I don't want to embarrass you.' Mother's words ring through my head as I walk into the front office.

I'm greeted by two women, the woman sitting at the front desk hands me a slip of paper and tells me it's my schedule. The other woman introduces herself as my AP english teacher: Ms. Sullivan, she was here to show me the way towards her class. Once there I saw the familiar face of Timothy Drake-Wayne or Tim as he prefers.

I learned quickly that we share all of our core classes and most of our electives are close to each other. But even with the comfort of an acquaintance and guide around this massive school, my headache just seemed to got worse throughout the day.

At first it was like a needle nestled firmly in my head, it was annoying and could be slightly painful if disturbed. But it was manageable, now though it's like someone has placed a line of melted metal in my brain. If I move too quickly the metal spreads, if I or someone else speaks too loudly the metal ripples.

I ignore it though, I can deal with whatever is wrong later. For now though I'm meeting Tim's boyfriend Kon and we're all discussing what we'll do after we finish our class work. Yes I can absolutely ignore this because I get to be someone normal, I get to hangout with friends! A part of me feels like crying, I've never had friends. Well maybe we're not quite friends yet, but this is the closest I've ever gotten. We moved too often and I was homeschooled for so long that making friends were very hard for me.

Mother said the reason I was homeschooled was because of my gifts, 'You're dangerous, we still don't know everything the Lady has given you.' it made sense but that never stopped me from hoping for friends.

Now though I'm sitting at a large table surrounded by people my age, doing homework and eating snacks. I'm having conversations about normal things like my hobbies and school, nothing about Lady Gotham, my powers or my training. I'm just a normal 15 year old girl going to high school.

I refocus my efforts on the notes Tim is letting me copy for Science class, there's a sudden spike of pain that makes me jump slightly. I can feel something wet roll slowly from my nose and before I can react properly it drips and splatters onto my hand... Blood, huh that's odd.

Searing hot pain spreads from that single river of melted metal, it engulfs everything. My visions whites out, looks of fear and confusion are the last things I see. My hearing is filled with an almost deafening rushing static, muffling everything so much I almost can't hear the panicked yelling. I try to speak, to say something but all that comes out is choked scream.

Another wave of pain, like my head is being split open. I can't do anything as the pain keeps ripping me open, I'm helpless as I feel myself falling over. Then there's a callused hand touching my neck and I'm even more helpless as memories flash before my eyes.

My mother and father; so kind and generous. Happiness and safety suddenly ripped away. Their bodies dead in an alleyway. I'm so scared, why isn't anyone coming to help?

Alfred helping me, teaching me everything he can and when he can't teach anymore I travel the world. I learn from others, I become what I needed that night. I make sure it never happens to another child ever again.

But I failed, another child forced to watch his parents die in front of him. But I can help him, I can guide him so he never makes my mistakes. He becomes my ward and eventually my son. He grows and we add another to our family. I give them a choice, I let them choose their paths. I'm so incredibly proud of both of them, my boys, my sons.

Grief, anger, rage. He's gone! My boy is gone, that monster took him from me, I couldn't save him! My boy my sweet baby boy he's gone! Why couldn't it have been me? He was so young why not me?

A young voice, so young but so smart, mature. Not Him but someone to help. I have to cope, to change for him. I have to leave, I have to take a break or else I'll break.

I meet her again, it's a coincidence but maybe we can make it work. Maybe she's changed, maybe I've changed. No... No neither of us have changed but I'll never regret trying again. We'll split, go our separate ways. Maybe we'll meet again but I have to keep going because they need me to come back better, not perfect. Never perfect but better.

I do come back better for them, we make a new normal. It's peaceful for a time but that monster comes back. He hurts my boy again and he hurts my friend's little girl, I can't let him keep hurting but I'm stopped. I'm told this isn't me, that my boy needs me more than anything.

So I go to my boy, I help my boy. I have to help my friend and his little girl. It takes time, all things do. I bring in a little girl, she needs a father. I won't be perfect but that's okay. Another girl; forced to be something she's not, forced to be a weapon. Another boy, he was hurt by that monster. I couldn't save his parents before it was too late but I'll make sure to do my best to make sure they're cured. And I'll help him as best I can.

She helps, so understanding with the kids, with everything. Such a wonderful partner, so quick to help me. I don't know what I'd do without her, she's so important to me now.

Then she's back, she brings two of my children. One I never knew of, he's in danger and I'm a place where he is safe. The other is my boy, the one that monster took from me. He's back, I don't know how but he needs my help and I'm here to help him. I take them both, I talk to the others things change. But change is good, change is normal. We go about our normal when we meet...

Me? That's me? But I'm... Who am I? I'm here but also there? What's going on... Why can I remember things that never happened to me?

Who Am I? Remember Please! Jillian Remember!

I shove away the person holding me and roll onto my side as I begin to empty my stomach. There isn't much only what I ate at school but I continue to heave even as nothing comes out. My body shakes as another wave of pain flashes behind my eyes, encompassing my brain all over again.

I can feel tears rolling down my cheeks as blood runs down my nose. I feel the slightest bit of pressure on my back and try to crawl away, begging them not to touch me again. It was so hard to remember who I was, I can't handle this right now.

Another wave, less intense. I can see again, another wave and I can hear again. Everything comes into focus, I can see everyone standing nearby. Fear and worry are clear in their features.

I roll to my back and take a shuddering breath, closing my eyes to focus on myself. I can feel the sting of tears as shame and embarrassment overcome me. Before I can curl into a ball I'm pulled out of my spiral.

"How do you know I'm Batman?" I'm forced into a sitting position as Mr. Wayne grabs the front of my shirt and pulls me up.

I close my eyes again, I can't handle the glare he's giving me. I desperately wish that this is all just a bad dream but when I open my eyes again I'm still where I was before, looking directly into the most seething glare I've ever experienced. It's far worse than anything either of my parents could ever do. I take another deep breath before I try to speak.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you..." I mumble, dropping my gaze as another wave of pain courses through my head. This time it spreads, no longer staying in my head. It spreads down my neck, another wave, another pulse and it spreads to my chest. With each new pulse of pain it spreads more and more across me until my whole body is pulsing with pain.

"Try me kid, now how do you know so much? I could hear you mumbling," I hate this, but I have no choice. I'm in too much pain to lie, I'm so tired of lying. I'll be punished for ruining Mother's plans but I don't want to lie anymore.

"I have psychometry... When I touch someone or something I can see things. When I touch people I see their past, their memories. It doesn't matter if I want to or not I see everything..." I hold up my hands that are wearing my gloves, "It's why I wear these. The longer I have contact the more I see... I'm sorry, I didn't want to see Mr. Wayne,"

I look up as Bruce looks towards Tim's boyfriend, a questioning look on his face. I look around to see Alfred cleaning the floor and I feel a whole new wave of shame. The pain is still there but it's a dull throbbing, similar to how I feel a few days after mother's punishment. It's painful but it's not new, I'll be okay.

"She's telling the truth," I feel the grip on my shirt loosen before I'm being helped up.

"So what just happened?" Mr. Wayne asks as he guides me towards a chair. Everyone moves to the surroundings behind him, it seems to only be his children and Alfred.

"I don't know... I woke up feeling off but I just ignored it. I figured it was because of Mother's punishment-" I snapped my mouth shut. I'm not allowed to talk about that, it makes people uncomfortable. The brain fog from the pain is making me sloppy, stupid.

"Jillian, what punishment?" Mr. Wayne has now crouched in front of me and it makes me feel like a child all over again. I look at all of the people around me and become incredibly nervous.

"Everyone out, Alfred please escort them to the fourier," Everyone leaves quickly as Tim and Kon cross the threshold Bruce calls out, "No listening in Kon-El,"

The boy stops and turns to look at Bruce before saying, "Yes sir, I promise I won't," Bruce nods before everyone leaves and it's just me and him.

"Jillian... I need you to be honest with me, I promise I'm trying to help. What punishment?" I tilt my head back and think about the memories of other people's childhood that I've experienced.

Most are nothing like mine, what my parents do to me isn't normal... I've known that for so very long but I had nowhere else to go, but... This man takes in children like me, maybe he could help? Maybe things can change. Maybe I can feel the same safety I've felt in others memories.

"My mother has rules for me if I break them I'll be punished, one she likes the most is using my fear of fire..." I start rolling up sleeves to show the numerous small burns and bruises. "She uses that to punish me when I do something she doesn't agree with," I hear Bruce's breath hitch as I hold up arms.

"It's not just this either, I'm forced to do corporal punishment as well as... No food," I whispered the last bit before continuing. "Because of that I'm used to a headache and fatigue, I thought that was all it was... But as the day went on it got so much worse, I ignored it because for once in my life I was having a normal day!"

"Do you know what could have caused the pain?" I shake my head, wincing a little at the pain that surged from the movement.

"Well, we have a few resources here that could help figure this out... Would you like my help?" I nodded again wincing at the pain but I don't really trust my voice at the moment.

Bruce stands up and gestures for me to follow him. I roll my sleeves back down so my arms are covered and follow behind Bruce. As we enter the fourier Bruce announces everyone is allowed to follow, as we move through the house it's a strange sensation to know exactly where we're going even though I've never been here.

Eventually I'm sitting on a medical cot as we wait for a Doctor Tompkins and again I'm conflicted because I know exactly who she is but I've never met her. I try to focus and sift through the intermingled memories, trying to separate my memories from Bruce Wayne's memories. Thankfully it's very easy and I don't seem to hold the same emotional feelings as the memories.

"You okay?" I look up to see Tim looking at me with concern, glancing around Kon, Duke, Cassandra and Stephanie are also looking at me. Dick, Jason, and Bruce are standing near the computer talking as Damien seems to be kinda drifting between the two groups before being waved over by Cassandra.

"Honestly? I'm not entirely sure... I'm scared, I don't know what's happening to me but I've felt this feeling before. When my psychometry first appeared I was so scared, I could never touch someone without seeing everything. Now though everything is just painful and I don't know what's happening," I meet Tim's eyes before dropping my gaze to my hands.

"But for the first time in my life I've spoken about what my parents have done to me and somehow that scares me so much more. I've known what they do to me isn't normal or okay... But if you live your whole life a certain way it's hard to-" I cut myself off as the words seem lodged in my throat.

"It's hard to imagine a life outside of what you've known," I look at Cassandra as she speaks, I nodded as she smiled kindly.

I relax a bit as I continue to speak, I explain the number of times I've seen someone else's childhood memories. I tell them about the first and only time I questioned my parents regarding how they treated me. I learn that I'm among a few kindred spirits.

"Yeah, having bad parents or no parents is kinda a prerequisite to being adopted by B... So just be aware you're in prime Wayne kid territory," I raise a brow at Stephanie's words and look around to see everyone nodding solemnly.

"I thought that was just a joke, you know 'Can't have a shit home life around Bruce Wayne or you'll be stolen away in the night'... You're all serious," I look at them as Stephanie and Duke laugh.

"You never stood a chance Jill," I laughed at Tim's words before flinching at another pulse of pain. I reach up to cradle my head in my hand, gently massaging my forehead.

I feel another pulse of pain and I get a little dizzy. The room starts spinning and I close my eyes trying to focus on my breathing. I gasp raggedly as all the pain seemed to rush up my body, leaving everything numb as the pain left my body rushing upwards. Another flash of pain causes me to crumple forwards. Multiple hands reaching out to stop me from falling, helping me lay back against the cot I was sitting on.

Another wave of pain and I can't hear or see anyone. Rapidly the waves of pain keep crescendoing until it becomes constant, my whole body is numb. The only thing I can feel is lava sloshing around where my brain should be. The pain builds even higher, I think my eyes have melted and my ears are bleeding. I'm certain I'm going to die, it's so hot and pounding. I think my brain is about to explode.

Then like a snap of a finger the pain stops and it's like I'm floating in static. I can feel the drip of liquid and the ache in my jaw from being held open. I gasp a desperate breath before I feel myself slip into unconsciousness. Before slipping away completely I hear the voice of a woman thrumming through my head.

'I'm sorry dear child, rest for now but when you wake you must find a way to break your mother's curse...'

Then the bliss of sleep took me away from the numbness and agony.

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iamunabletothinkofablogname · 8 months ago

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Isn't it SO fun to be harassed and bullied at school? /sarc

People call me a "FUCKING WEIRDO!" (Yes, that's word for word.)

They make faces at me like I'm sort of disgusting slob. (And they SHOW it and they WANT me to know they think that!)

Along with that, one kid pretended to gag and throw up at the sight of me, and used solar eclipse glasses to not look at me.

One kid called me ugly today! (YAY! /sarc)

They poke and prod at me like I'm a science experiment.

They fear the fact I smile all the time, that I tend to keep an emotionless expression in my eyes. (I'm only following Alastor's advice!)

They love to annoy me... But it's getting tiring.

Only a select few enjoy my presence, they keep me in and go along with my antics. My friend group likes having me around. And other kids I don't know much and we're neutral with each other.

I know I'm "weird" by their standards. But what's the fun in the world without differences?

I know I took on the persona of "weirdo" in my class. I want to go up to a teacher and cry. Because I didn't deserve to be treated like this?

I didn't deserve to be told "You know you should kill yourself" when I'm already suicidal. Did I?

Get told I'm retarded like 10 times already? Maybe more? (I'm not even exaggerating...)

And considering I might have mental illnesses such as possible autism, that's even meaner. At this point I'm not living, I'm surviving.

There's a reason why I've given up. My best friends are on the internet. I don't think without them I would be able to live today. Why do the people who care about me, share my interests, accept me for who I am, respect me, and TREAT me like I'm a human being, so far away?

I know I may be Xenogender, but that's no excuse for treating me no better than some sort of inferior species.

I see no one else getting treated like this, I'm the subject, no, the OBJECT of their bullying.

What the fuck am I supposed to do??? What do you fucking EXPECT me to do??? "Be yourself"??? I AM being myself, and you're fucking BULLYING me!? AM I SUPPOSED TO PUT ON SOME SORT OF MASK? I AM SMILING, MOTHERFUCKER, YET YOU STILL BULLY ME WHEN I DO HAVE A MASK!? /not you, to them

Like, please. Let me rest. Let me have a normal day where I don't have to face discrimination. Where I get treated with love.

I get treated so awfully so much, that I don't even know who I am anymore.

I lost myself.

My catchphrase has to be "I'm so done-" because I said that more than I needed to.

I feel like the next time someone does anything to me, I'm just going to burst out crying.

🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂

I hope you're doing alright right now, first things first, i need to let you know that you do matter, and you certainly don't deserve to be treated as subhuman as they treat you, I only wish the worst upon them <3 They are bitches who are a waste of oxegyn, they need to put you down to feel something or feel like they matter, and for that they are the weakest most disgusting subhuman people, genuinely hope they get more fucked up than they ever made you feel 🧡

It's pretty obvious that they're trying to make you feel shit, and i wish i was there to fight them off or comfort you when it happened, i said it before and i'll say it again, you don't deserve any of this. You deserve to be happy, and to feel like you are loved and cared for, the way they treat you is uncalled for and it's disgusting [them, not you, your cool] And agreed, your gender or your neurodivergence shouldn't be the reason you get bullied, they aren't things you can control, or things you have to change, they are litterally a part of your being/existence, I can't believe all of the shitty things they're doing, you don't deserve it. Have you tried to tell anyone? [although that doesn't work often, it's worth a try]. It seems like it's really affecting you, whether you admit it or not /nbr /npa I'd reccomend telling a teacher/principle [the meaner the teacher the better], if that doesn't work fight back, physically i wouldnt reccomend but if you have to, do it. Theres not much we can do about bullying, which is fucking shitty, but please hang in there at least and take care of yourself, i care about you and love you /p

I hope it gets better and they stop, they're pieces of shit who shouldn't be making you feel like this, they're insensitive cunts who should have their face cut up, hope they get bullied those fucking assholes

#ask #daydreamtoropova #FRIEND!!!#🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂#tw vent #i wish i was at your school #i would stand up for you at least #or comfort you #or tell someone #[all of the above]#its not fair

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megu-meow · 2 years ago

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Oooo I saw you're taking requests rn lol. I hope you don't mind me sending you one.

Can I request Gojo & and the reader having a wedding and having their 1st dance. You can pick any song you like or you think might fit the concept ^^

Idk if this isn't enough info lol let me know if I need to be more specific, I'll do my best to get back to you :D

Hiii! Of course, thank you for sending this in. 🥰

I feel like this makes a lot of sense for me to write, cause I've written about how Gojo decides to propose and also about said proposal before.

I really hope you like it, I know it's a bit all over the place, I'm having a bad ADD day.

Firstly, the only song that popped up in my head upon reading your message was la vie en rose, cause I don't really listen to love songs that are actually happy. It is a beautiful song, a classic may I say so and I feel like it would fit the old money vibe/aesthetic Gojo radiates, in my opinion.

Before his wedding, Gojo has a completely different picture on how things actually go. He has never attended a wedding in his life, it's not an everyday thing among sorcerers and even if it was, he couldn't care less about going to one. So he believes he is the one supposed to walk down the isle, that people are supposed to stand up for him as he walks in and he genuinely expects the crowd to shed tears as he enters wearing his custom made, expensive suit. However, that train of thought is quickly dismissed by Nanami, just a few minutes before the wedding.

He stand kind of disappointed at the end of the isle, muttering things like "he's not appreciated enough" and "no one actually complimented him on his suit yet" but then he spots you and he falls in love all over again. Not because of the dress you're wearing or your make-up that has been done professionally, but because of your smile, the happiness you radiate and warm glint in your eyes. He quickly understands why the bride is supposed to walk down the isle and why that's a big moment in movies portraying such situations. Suddenly, he regrets opting for a small wedding, with only the closest people to you two present, because he wants the whole world to see how perfect you are in that moment and how you will become his forever in mere minutes. He cries too and his students are dying from laughter, the strongest has been rendered soft in an instant.

You decided a long time ago that you wanted to write your own wows and you laugh with tearful eyes as he fishes out a wrinkled paper that has Tom and Jerry printed on the back from the pocket of his dress pants. He explains that he thought about his wows during one of his missions and that was the only piece of paper he could find at that moment.

After the wedding, during the reception he stuffs himself with the delicious food you picked out, when the two of you started organising the whole ordeal he made it clear that he didn't care about the food at all, he trusts your judgement, but the cake must be his duty and oh boy does he go out with the cake. It's massive, decorated nicely with the cliche marzipan figurines of the two of you on top. Nonetheless, it's delicious and you're glad you let him fulfil the dessert duty.

Gojo's mother put him through dance lessons when he was a child, claiming that the heir of the Gojo clan must know basic dances, considering how many formal events he will have to attend in the future. That makes your first dance even more magical, his posture is perfect and he guides you through the steps flawlessly. He keeps you closer to his chest than he's supposed to though, which you don't mind, because he keeps whispering into your ear about how much he loves and cherishes you.

"I love you, Mrs. Gojo!" he says as the song is over, more loudly than before "Hehe, you're Mrs. Gojo now, that's hilarious. You gotta change your sorcerer ID after this. Good luck with that, those idiot higher ups are slower than sloths."

#jujutsu kaisen #satoru gojo #gojo imagine #gojo x reader #gojo satoru #gojo fluff #jjk imagines #gojo saturo #requested

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lizzy019 · 4 months ago

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Me really genuinely thinking about how hard Soap's death hit Ghost.

~~~~🌿 In Ghost's POV! "You" is directed at Soap.

I used to think that people were brought into my life to pester me, bother me, ruin me inside to make me hate myself. I never thought people were intruding in my life to improve it. Most of the time, they would make a mess of me and force me to clean it myself.

I was never a social person, I never quite liked socialization because it forced me to give people access to my little home I gave myself. My clean home that I used to let my friends in, only for them to dirty it, leave, and force me to clean it.

My sanctuary where I reside, where I keep myself neat.

But when I met you... hell, everything became different. I liked you, you had character. Sure, that stupid Scottish accent of yours often made my guts wrench up, but now I miss it. Your laugh through the comms, even when you were in pain, it made everything seem less intense. It took away from the reality of the world we work in. I saw true happiness in you, and I felt what I thought I'd lost forever.

A real sliver of true joy.

You would always joke, always smile, always tease, you weren't ever serious unless you had to be. You radiated energy, and it made you a good soldier. A soldier should be able to have that switch from being serious to expressive.

You would talk to me endlessly about the most random things, telling me the most ungodly stuff. But I listened, and it stuck. I remember word for word, everything you told me. Your voice resonated so handsomely, and now I realize why all those conversations replay in my head like a looped song.

I miss you. I miss you.

Normally people would leave me because I scared them, I was misleading, or I was untrustworthy. But you stuck around, and I know you wouldn't leave me even if you were killed.

Oh God, when that bullet hit you... I swear, everything in me stopped. Your body laid there on the cold of the ground, and the blood that I'd come to not fear made every bone in my body shiver. Your body heavy with the required armour, the weapon now sprawled somewhere afar from your hands.

No, you couldn't be...

Your newly lifeless body was lying in my arms, and I was so nervous. I was genuinely scared, because you were all I had left. You were someone whom I cherished, I cared for you. You were the one good thing I could look upon, I could look forward to and genuinely feel excitement for.

But oh, you looked so calm. I've never seen you so relaxed before.

The cold of your body was increasing, and your eyes had began to close. Everything in me was screaming, "Do something!", but it was too late. I knew it was.

Oh, Johnny. Why you?

Now I can't even sleep because everything comes back. The blood, the sounds, the sight. Your lifeless body, followed by your voice. I swear, it's like a horror scene made just for me that I can't escape. It hit me the night that I lost you that I'd never hear you again. I'd never see that cocky smile, nor would I hear those jokes you'd tell me. Those endless hours where you talked to me about anything, your soothing voice that had come to calm me.

I miss you. I miss you.

I haven't cried since I was 8, and now I sob every night. I remember you, I remember everything. You didn't even get to go back to Scotland, see your family and friends, and what could have been done? Maybe if I was more alert, you would be alive.

Your voice, so serene yet gritty, how I wish for my dreams to recreate it as perfectly as you sounded. I want to hear you, and see you, I want my crewmate back. My friend. Am I not allowed to miss you when you changed me so much?

Your dog tag rested around my neck, and I stole your cologne to spray on my pillow. I always thought doing that was weird, especially as friends, but now I realize how much I crave it. So now I fall asleep replaying the conversations you told me all about, replaying how you talked with that stupid accent of yours. You were so passionate about everything, so full of life.

You had friends, family, your culture which you celebrated so fruitfully. You graced the Earth with your undying passion and determination, your skill and dedication. Oh, Johnny. John fucking Mactavish.

You've made a mess out of me.

Well, you're safe now. I think that's what matters most, and Price has told me enough about it. I secretly wish I took a bit of your ashes for myself, but it's too late. Being a soldier seems like a fruitless job now without someone to do it with. Your life was wasted because of it anyway.

So now I wait.

I wait for my turn to come. It won't be long, I hope at least. I'm excited to see you again, to hear you and touch you. I'm so ready. You'll be within my reach, we can talk and joke again. Smiling definitely hurts a bit, but I'm doing it just thinking of you.

I know I'll see you soon, though. Maybe I shouldn't worry.

I miss you.

#elizabethposts #call of duty ghost #simon ghost riley #cod angst #call of duty #simon riley #ghost cod #ghost call of duty #simon ghost riley cod #simon ghost riley call of duty #john soap mactavish #cod modern warfare #cod mw3 #call of duty modern warfare 3 #call of duty angst #angst #sad shit #heavy angst

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imonthemoonitsmadeofcheese · 5 months ago

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Hello moon I love your fanfictions in Destiny 2. Here's some qna...

1. What made you love the Destiny franchise?

2. Why do you love the the Drifteris ship so much?

3. Do you think their(Drifter and Eris) story would still be explored especially now that the franchise is in a bad shape.

4. Any future stories that you would write in Ao3 for the following years.

I am delighted you like my stories and happy to answer your qna any time you like although some answers take longer than others (especially if they end up being stories) and there are some that are still waiting for me finish their replies. (I have not forgotten! They just require more attention.)

This I can answer right away, though. So I shall.

Eris. Eris made me love Destiny. After her, the Drifter. After him, the stories of several other characters. But Eris has forever transformed how I write my non-fanfiction writing. I'd never found hopeful endings of recovery done in a way that was actually inspiring before. That sort of thing always seemed either false, tacky and trite or exploitative trauma-gore with a pretty bow on the end.

Eris is different. Full balls-to-the-walls horror but with a genuine ending that makes sense and isn't either cherry-lipstick on a corpose or abyssmal nihilism is extremely hard to pull off. I have been studying Eris, how she is written, how her narrative functions.

As a child, the house I grew up in was toxic and awful but it was also full of books, most of which were the golden-age SF&Fantasy that Destiny is based on. Child-me found them an escape but adult-me couldn't connect with those stories any more when I grew older. Those endings were too easy and simple, the villains too beatable, the misogyny and homophobia too pervasive, the imperialism gross and unaware. Those stories no longer provided me with escape or comfort. They just made me sad. Eric John Stark, Outlaw of Mars and the Stainless Steel Rat were traded in for Cthulhu and Molly Millions and I found solace in the gothic, the cyberpunk and the weird because at least they weren't filled with abusive lies.

Destiny has changed that. Destiny has shown me I can have my Stainless Steel Rat and my Molly Millions and they can have strong narrative arcs with good endings that ring true and, sometimes, even love each other.

I've gone into detail regarding Eris and the Drifter in other posts but, at its core, the relationship is very well summarized (by someone else) as "He gives her trust. She gives him hope." I find their helping each other to heal to be very beautiful.

But my love of their relationship goes beyond that. It reaches back to my love of the X-Files. It reaches back to badass female characters like Ripley from Alien and Trinity from the Matrix. It reaches back to badass male characters (there is absolutely more than a little bit of Conan the Barbarian in Eris). And I cannot overstate my delight when I discovered my childhood beloved intergalactic thief and conman, the Stainless Steel Rat, reincarnated without the misogyny and trite shallowness, as gritty, always-hungry, deeply-hurt-but-learning-how-to-heal Drifter.

I have, in fact, always loved badass punks who keep a core sense of self and love through the horrors, standing up for what matters when no one else can, refusing to die because they have a job to do dammit and they will not lie down. I have always loved shifty lying untrustworthy-yet-ultimately-reliable stray-cat-meretricious-charisma-rogues who, after so much betrayal and pain, finally find something worth fighting for. I love them when they appear in any gender or orientation, separate or together, but especially, especially together.

Eris and the Drifter have existed in the past and will in future, in various forms of literature and media. I love them wherever I find them. I always have. I always will.

As for what will happen to them within D2, both Eris and the Drifter have a history of existing in shadows, in the spaces inbetween. I am heartbroken at the loss of writers who clearly cared about giving them attention, but the groundwork for them to be close to each other, to find comfort and understanding together, has been laid.

Short of one or both of them being killed off in the main narrative, that relationship has room to continue its quiet gentle growth on its own, out of the spotlight.

It is far more important to me that they be written well and true to who they are than that we get any large focus on them. And if that means their relationship (whatever form it takes) ends up only existing in tiny obscure scraps on item descriptions or small sections of lore books I will not be ungrateful.

Those tiny spaces, after all, are where the writers are given the most creative freedom, where so much of the good writing is able to flourish, becase it is not a major narrative and therefore is given less meddling from external forces like marketing or game mechanics or seasonal/episode content requirements.

It is so easy to ruin something as beautiful as Eris and the Drifter. I feel as though the writing team up until now has treated the relationship between these two broken and healing people with reverence, gentleness, and care.

The writers who remain are from that same team.

As long as the writers continue to treat these characters with that same care, no matter how small the tidbits we might get about them may be, I will be happy and it will be enough.

Regarding future stories: I uh... write a lot.

Road Trip is an ongoing series I keep adding sections to which has several potential endings and many story beats which are sketched out in point form (or less) but not yet fully written. That one is being written nanowrimo-style, straight from the hip, and I only post a new section once the next one is completed (so there is one completed chapter right now, waiting to be published until I finish writing the next one).

Mottephobia has an ending, but I am at war with @redbutterflies-blueeyes and chapters of Mottephobia are being held for ransom until they update their fantastic Drifteris story, Inspiral.

I have two fic exchange stories that will be completed (I hope) soon, and a handful of nearly-ready-to-be-posted stories which will go up once I've done more edits and rewriting. One involves the bog slug. One is a post TFS celebration story inspired by this specific piece art by @haykebyr . One is a request which came in through my ask box for something on Europa that has gone completely off the rails and will likely be long and far more involved than what was requested.

I've also completed and submitted things to a soon-to-be released D2 fanzine and I am hoping they will be accepted. I look forward to sharing more about that once the zine goes live (either from within the zine or on their own if they end up not fitting with everything else) but I'm not allowed to talk about that in any detail until after the zine is published. I will say that one of them is sad but sweet, and another one is just sweet and involves rain.

Thank you again for reading my things. It means the world to me when people tell me they liked something I wrote.

#ask #writing #destiny 2 #the drifter #eris morn #drifteris #the drifter/eris morn #drifter/eris #ask me more things!#i love getting asks #fanfiction #ao3 #ao3 fanfiction

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robby-bobby-tommy · 2 years ago

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Hiii, here's a postcanon fanfic I've been working on for a few weeks. Before you read a few stuff: 1) I didn't know Ultra Magnus' hand was replaced in the movie,cuz my procrastination doesn't let me watch it; 2) implied Optiratch but it's up for interpretation;

Word count: 2398

I will always think of you.

It was quite late. The day wasn't anything special, yet Ratchet, who was now in the med bay on Cybertron, didn't feel normal. The longing, that lived in him since Cybertron's restoration, was crippling more and more. Doctor wanted the day to finally end, so he can go home and let himself miss the only spark he cared about so much. The thought of him, his smile, his voice.... It was painfully tearing his spark apart.

The knock on the door stopped medic's thoughts. Ratchet sighted placing his servo on his closed optics.

"Come in", Ratchet said loudly.

It was quite some time since Cybertron was revived. Life was slowly getting back to the planet. Ratchet loved his planet dearly. He was fighting all those years for it and was prepared to sacrifice almost everything for its restoration. But this time the price was too high. He would gladly sacrificed his own life and spark if it meant his survival. But it was impossible. Even if he could, Optimus would never let medic to put his life on the line. He would've said "My old friend, this is a generous offer, but there is an other way". Oh why couldn't he see this other way for himself?

Ratchet's thoughts flooded his head again, so he didn't recognize a bot, that was standing in doors.

"Hello, Doctor." The voice was familiar. Ratchet removed his servo from his optics only to see someone he hadn't seen in some time. They kept in touch with each other (as everyone in team Prime did), but the work didn't let them communicate as much as they all would desire.

"Ultra Magnus! I'm quite surprised to see you here. How are you? What's bothering you?"

"I'm okay, thank you. Nothing specific. Just thought a check up wouldn't hurt. Especially since Wheeljack and Bulkhead wouldn't let me work in peace till I visit med bay."

Despite the wrecker's words Ratchet could feel, it wasn't his friends' unending whining that became a reason for this unexpected visit. He couldn't explain what made him think that. Ultra Magnus, on his behalf, wanted to visit this doctor for a long time. No, there was nothing bothering him. Magnus was already used to his arm-replacement, that was made back on war. But UM didn't know how to visit his friend due to all of their works. He has grown to care about team prime, but he would never admit it out loud.

"Okay. Stay still." Ratchet got his scanner and started checking former second in command from head to toe.

"How's your life?"

"Fine. Since the war ended I've had to treat way more patients, but Knock Out is a great help, at least for now." Ratchet chuckled.

"So you're on good terms? I, honestly, wasn't sure you'd get along." Commander's voice was genuinely surprised.

"Well, he was mostly civil, if you don't count eternal flirting." Ratchet rolled his eyes, scanning UM's body, which was generally in good state. Few scratches here and there — nothing so terrible.

"Tell me about that. You know how Wheeljack's like."

"Ohoho, I'll never forget his 'Sunshine' line!"

As those words left his mouth, doctor saw his patient's damaged servo. Ratchet's face quickly became more gloomy, as he felt his internal shame building up. No matter how much doctor has told himself that he did his best, nothing could ever convice him he couldn't done better. Just like with Bumblebee, Ratchet felt how much he had let down Ultra Magnus. This new 'servo' never worked good. At first it barely even could hold energon cube. The sadness and worry in commander's optics, as he saw his comrades leave the base without him, haunted doctor.

"..You sure you don't want me to change this?"

Ultra Magnus quickly noticed his friend's emotional change. He himself wasn't happy with his new servo, but not because of the reasons, he deduced Ratchet thought of. This damage was an eternal reminder of his failure to protect Iacon's relic. It was his punishment. Yet commender has never blamed field medic for that. The only thing lieutenant felt was gratitude.

"If it'll ease your mind."

"Knock Out!" Ratchet yelled, turning his head to the door. "Bring me some spare servo!"

"Say the magic word and I'll consider it!" The response was heard from some where to the right, behind a wall. Since the war ended Knock Out was on probation. He wasn't fully trusted at first, but now he slowly became more and more reliable. His attitude didn't change, but now he was surprisingly nicer. Probably, an environment where he wasn't threatened every second made him softer.

"Please, your highness, do your job." Ratchet replied mockingly, not making his voice any quieter. This kind of bickering was so usual that both doctors didn't even bother on taking offence.

Though there were no verbal confirmation, both bots heard KO's steps towards storage room.

"Now, please, lie down here." Ratchet pointed at operating table.

Ultra Magnus chuckled at this interaction, completing doctor's order. This kind of operation didn't require stasis, so bots kept their little conversation. Magnus wasn't a fan of long operations, as they reminded him about some terrible situations during the war, where he saw someone else being torn to pieces or was this someone himself. Yet he trusted Ratchet with his life during the war, and there was nothing that could change it now. Ratchet himself was used to more drastic view and could've done this servo replacement quickly, if only his thoughts wasn't plagued by self-loath he felt. "You are a medic!" The Autobot doctor thought, as he took former second in command's servo in his own, slowly trying to detach it. "How could you let commander be left for so long with this abomination of a servo? How dare you let Bumblebee live so long, not being able to speak clearly and just giving him false hopes on one day repairing his voice box? Why couldn't you stop him from leaving all of us that day?"

"Doctor, is there something bothering you?" Ultra Magnus' voice made Ratchet snap out of this internal tirade. Only now medic noticed that he has done little to no progress on a detachment and has missed a few of his patient's questions.

"Oh, it's nothing. Just.. Thoughts."

"What are they about?" Ultra Magnus pressed a bit harder. He could feel with his spark that something was bothering Ratchet so much, it would simply not let him be if they don't discuss it.

"They're about him." The doctor finally confessed, without looking up at his friend. They both needed no clarification of who medic was talking about. And they both felt the pain of remembering someone so close to both of them. Ultra Magnus could feel Ratchet's servo squeezing prothesis tighter as his mood became worse. "I still think of him. Every nanocycle I can't get him out of my head. I still can't believe he is one with the AllSpark now." Doctor's voice cracked in the end of the sentence. He started to slightly shake as he kept pouring his spark out. "Why couldn't he find another way? Why couldn't I stop him? Was it all even worth it, if he won't be able to see Cybertron come back to life?" As he kept going, Ratchet's words became more and more desperate. Now he couldn't stop. All the pain he kept inside was now pouring out, poorly forming into words. Optics started filling up with liquid substance, and before the old bot knew it he started tearing up. This overload with undying love and overwhelming agony consumed Ratchet whole, as he fell into his own longing.

Unexpected yet very warm weight on the shoulder brought doctor back from his delusions. Autobot medic didn't notice how his patient's servo escaped his own and now was sweetly holding him. Ratchet raised his optics at Ultra Magnus. Despite commander not saying anything yet, doctor suddenly understood so much. It almost felt like words were unnecessary. Lieutenant showed everything he desired to say, before actually doing it.

"Doctor," He started, his voice slightly quivered as he did. "He was like.. He was my brother. I loved him so much I was prepared to die for him. He loved me so much he wanted to show me how to live with family. Without you this family wouldn't exist. You showed him something he kept giving the others. Unconditional love and support you provided helped him go through uncountable amount of failures. You did your best..." This moment now fully opened Ultra Magnus. The centuries of war and loneliness were something commander lived with, which made him more distant. Yet he put it all aside for the one he cared about. "You supported him and his cause. Freedom. This was his choice to give us a freedom he never had. I know Optimus good enough to understand how much he desired to see Cybertron, no.. You.. Us obtain the peaceful life. And he'd never let himself stand in the way of this dream. There was no way we could've stop him. So maybe, the best we could do was to give him the best life we could in the surrounding circumstances. You've done this and even more. I could've never ask for a better family you gave for my brother. Thank you."

They both felt something changing. They felt the (metaphorical) weight on their shoulders being shared, thus somehow being lighter. Pain became bittersweet since now it finally made sense. Doctor and his patient could never know what Optimus prime wanted, yet this new founded certainty eased his friends' pain.

"Don't forget your own part. Bet you were the best brother Primus could ever gift Optimus." Ratchet said, slightly smiling.

Suddenly the door opened, and Knock Out entered the room. He didn't try to pretend he didn't hear other bots' dialogue. Quite contrary. The former decepticon had a badly disguised sad face, as he made his way through the med bay, holding a spare servo from storage room. Knock Out's optics were as red as always yet they weren't sadistic or angry like when he was a Decepticon. They expressed this kind of sympathy you can get only from someone who suffered something very similar to you. Red bot gave the spare limb to Ratchet, and placed his own servo on ambulance's shoulder, staying for a few seconds like this. This touch said more than any words could. But this unexpected moment of relatability and closebess ended as suddenly as it happened, and Knock Out made his way out of the med bay. The other two bots' optic followed the doctor on probation, full of surprise.

"Seems like he also lost someone dear to him." Ratchet said, still looking at the closed door.

"We all did."

"Okay, now let me finally change your servo or else we're not gonna leave this place till the next megacycle."

The newfound understanding eased doctor's mind and he did his work really quick. Yet this tenderness was plagued by the akwardness of the situation. A grumpy old doctor and a stoic by the book lieutenant, that both spent a great amount of their lifes on the fields of gruesome war, weren't used to expressing their deepest feelings or reassuring someone. So now they sat there in a complete silence, that sometimes was broken with a weak attempt at a small talk.

After the work was done, Ratchet asked "Now, who does your new servo work?"

Ultra Magnus started moving his fingers. This limb worked way better than the claw one; it definitely wasn't freezing as much for sure. The lieutenant couldn't hide his satisfactory smile.

"Thank you."

"It's nothing." Ratchet replied, returning the smile.

"Before I go, can I ask you and your assistant something?"

"Of course. Know Out, get your pistons back here."

"I'm busy, sweet cheeks. My finish's not gonna buff itself." KO's nonchalant demeanor was back to him and as strong as ever.

"For one nanoclick. And then you can buff anything you want." Ratchet rolled his optics.

Once everyone was in the med bay and done with bickering, Ultra Magnus started.

"Today we all learned something new about each other: directly or indirectly." Magnus made an accent at the last word and stared at KO for a few seconds. The former decepticon looked away for a second, as if expecting some kind of scolding or a punishment (working for Megatron didn't let him learn any different relationship with an authority), but lieutenant just continued. "I have a proposal. Let everything that happened or was said here stay in this med bay. I don't feel like sharing such sentiments with anyone."

"On it. If team prime finds out about it we'll never get out of Bulkhead hugs."

Both bots looked at the last one standing in this room since he hasn't said anything. KO looked back at them, testing their patience, and, after cheely smirking, said "Moi? Je n'ai aucune idée de quoi vous parlez."

"Thank you..?" Unsure of what was said, Magnus decided to be polite. The small confusion and timidity in younger doctor's posture didn't escape old medic's optics.

"Wasn't expecting such respect?" Ratchet decided to mock KO a bit, yet his question didn't lack a genuine curiosity.

"Well, when you've worked with people who didn't appreciate scrap you did, it's quite unusual to get such sweet treatment."

"I couldn't imagine working under Megatron or Starscream." The truck bot grimaced in disgust.

"Sometimes Starscream wasn't such a prick. Rarely." Knock Out scoffed. After a few seconds of hesitation, he dared to ask. "Is Maccadam's Old Oil House still around? If yes, want to drink some wisco together? Maybe even can get the whole Team Prime to join."

"I'll see if I have any weekends off. Wreckers are helping with rebuilding Iacon. I can't let myself rest while they work."

"I wouldn't recommend putting too much pressure on your new servo." Ambulance bot mentioned as if by chance. "And I'm sure Bulkhead and Wheeljack will appreciate this generous offer."

Magnus couldn't argue with that.

"So, what about tomorrow?" Red bot asked.

The other two agreed. Finally everyone went home, sending their friends invitations.

Out of nothing, this day became special.

"Tragedies really do bring bots close, don't they?" Ratchet thought. "Optimus, thank you for this family we've made."

#tfp #transformers #transformers prime #fanfiction #fanfic #ultra magnus #ratchet #knock out #tfp ultra magnus #tfp ratchet #tfp knockout #optiratch #maccadam

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shockersalvage · 1 year ago

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Danganronpa 3: Future Arc Rewrite (Part 1: DISTRUST Life)

Now this has been something that's been about years in development. Okay, for this Rewrite in particular, it would probably be about a year and half, but since 2016 I've always wanted to try my hand at a rewrite to DR3. For me, while it is not the worst in Danganronpa's entries (that honor goes to Killer Killer) it is still not exactly my favorite for a variety of reasons. Personally, while it does have some good moments in there, overall I do not really believe that it ends the Hope's Peak story on a satisfying note to really end things on. That isn't to say anyone else can't like it, it's just some of the writing decisions it made just didn't land home for me. Throughout the rewrite, I'll be gradually going about each decision when I feel it's a good time to discuss it and why I changed things the way I did.

This is rewrite is essentially how I would go about things, with a pretty big one just off the bat. In this version, instead of alternating between a Future and Despair Arc, it's just simply a 24 'episode' outline that covers Future Arc with Despair Arc elements acting the new 'main story' of DR3.

I've done it this way because I believe that, while it was an interesting decision, the current format of DR3 lead to both sides characters, story and concepts being underdeveloped as it bounced between a killing game and trying to give the full-ish story of the Tragedy. So I thought it was best to give each their own section, with Despair Arc being its own thing for a separate date.

Regardless, I hope, at the very least, this becomes a nice read for you all! Happy New Years!

Distrust Life 1-12

(Episode 1)

Now this starts off with the first major change being Asahina being promoted to Director of the 13th Division. Now one of the issues, on the minor scale, was the 13th Director never showing up and being seemingly forgotten. Nowhere in media concerning DR3 do they ever appear. So off the bat, we’re rectifying this by just having Hina be the Director upfront, with the explanation that its a recent promotion.

As for the former Director, who I will call ‘Yoshiko Yoshino’ (who is the old PE. Teacher shown briefly in DR3 - who got blown up by Junko. Here its the other PE Teacher, yes there were 2, that gets blown up instead) she had been heavily injured in an attack prior to Hina coming onto the Division. Yoshiko is retiring after chronic pain still persisted. She compliments Hina for her efforts that have been non-stop since she arrived and how she genuinely feels she can leave the Division to her hands.

We get a flashback to Hina watching over the reunion of her friend's loved ones who were Targets in the Demon Hunting Game (except Komaru whose still in Towa). Though upon learning that her brother, Yuta, didn’t make it out of it, she smiles and wishes them all the best before eventually slinking off. Tears down her face, and blaming Junko’s forces for it. With an urge to do more surging through her veins, she tranfers over to the 13th Division to deliver supplies to areas still incredibily afflicted by Despair's wrath. Through a montage, we see Hina going about wrecked areas of Japan dutifully giving supplies, fighting off foes and being kind to those who need all. All while keeping the image of her brother in mind. In the present, by the time she leaves her office, nervous yet determined to give a speech to her new underlings, she is instead greeted by Togami and she gets the news that Naegi has been arrested.

Another flashback shows that once Makoto, Togami and Kyoko has arrived back to FF mainland, Kyosuke had arranged to have Makoto taken away in handcuffs and taken to Division 6th Detention centre. Kyosuke, Juzo and Chisa were there in person to greet the trio on the docks. Kyosuke and Juzo, naturally, were both furious concerning the whole ‘Makoto taking the Remnants’ incident and were it not for Makoto’s popularity, would have killed him on the spot. Instead, the Ultimate Hope is being confined.

Concerning Kyoko and Togami, given their positions as both Director and Vice Director of the 14th Divison, as well as being celebrities for going against Junko, they can’t just fire them outright. Instead Kyoko is temporarily suspended from her duties and kept under watch by the 5th Branch, for questioning and to keep a close eye on her well. Since only one ‘Director’ is needed present with the 14 Division, Togami is sent back but is a close eye is being kept by Kyosuke’s forces.

Thus, the only one who can realistically visit Makoto to help him is Hina (Hagakure got kicked out due to both not being a Director and because the prison staff is sick of dealing with him & his antics normally). Though at the moment, despite being a Director, she is barred from the facility given her connection with Makoto. Now Asahina has been thoroughly out of the loop for a while now, so Togami catches her up to speed with the basic summary of the Havoc Crew, barring her, Toko and Hagakure (though the latter two got to know, eventually during the operation itself), having initiated a plan meant to rehabilitate the Remnants. The results of which are shaky at best (to Togami anyways). She’s shocked and a bit hurt given such a secret was kept from her, but tries to push that down. She needs to check up on Makoto. But, the only way she is getting into the facility is with permissions from seven other Directors of the Foundation, which came from the prison staff themselves when she visited in an attempt to try to sway them.

Thus leading to the scene where storms out and runs smack dab into a drinking Koichi Kizakura to end the first episode.

(Episode 2)

Now this stretch is what I like to call the ‘Directors of the Week’ episodes! Where each episode we get to learn a deal about the Directors, ideally that being two an episode. In this case, Koichi is our handy-dandy support that shall assist Hina in her (mis)adventures. Truth be told, she’s kind of weary of him wanting to pal around with her for a time since she knows since back from her HPA days he’s kind of a weak alcoholic. He wins her over with him dangling his knowledge of the the Directors in her face and his promise to hand over his recommendation from the get-go. It’s also him that suggests meeting the others in person since the Directors would likely be on their feet or busy with personal matters more often than would be sitting back reading emails a whole lot. Koichi had been in the area getting a drink from the nearby pub, but running into Hina like this, he believes it must be fate working its hand.

In terms of dynamics, the idea behind Asahina and Koichi being together, is for Koichi to be essentially the enabling drinker and bit a of cheeky teaser, with a touch of a manipulative side, to Hina’s impulsive, hot-blooded and cheerful attitude. That said, this is a Hina that has matured since her DR1 days and will have no problem snipping back at Koichi’s intentions and being more aware of the seedier side of humanity.

First stop Great Gozu at the 12th Branch via helicopter. Now with Gozu, his focus would concern fleshing out a bit of a peculiarity that the original DR3 didn’t go into. Namely, how come a Wrestler is in charge of public restoration efforts. In addition, despite revealing he’s been with the Foundation since it was first established, why is he apart of the 12th one? Well, in this case, he notes his status as Director of 12th Branch is more because of his ‘image’ than anything. During the heyday of the Tragedy, any attempts at restoration was stopped by criminals, from petty thugs to Remnants seeking to keep chaos. It was believed that Gozu, who got into more than his fair share of fights against the Remnants and criminals, being named a Director could essentially work to scare off such threats, thus allowing his men to work in peace. Of course, both Gozu and an armed security detail are always deployed as well - just in case scaring off people doesn't work. To prove a point, the episode would show Gozu suplexing some poor troublemakers trying to cause havoc at a youth centre Restoration site.

This episode would also address something that was never brought up in the anime: His relationship with Tengan and his backstory. During his talk, he explains how he was a rising star of a professional wrestler back during his youth and Tengan happened to be watching his shows. As such, he got scouted by for Hope’s Peak. He became Tengan’s bodyguard as a means of repaying such a debt, and is a bit worried about the old guy since taking up the Director mantle since he can't do his old job as much. Concerning the Makoto debacle, while he's doing hold some reservations given that it was the Remnants being taken, he decides to trust in Makoto since he likes his attitude and sees him as being a worthy Symbol of the Future Foundation - as its Ultimate Hope. Thus, he’s willing to give support to Hina by handing her a Rec Letter. He also decides to come with her to meet with the Director of the 11th Branch.

The next part is Daisaku Bandai focused…yeah. Now, in the original, he’s sadly the most forgettable ‘just there for the body count’ participant ever, lasting one episode and a few minutes. So what can we do with him? Well, in the relationship charts, Bandai is listed as being apart of two neutrals in the Foundation, alongside Miaya. So, this version has said neutrality and mediator nature be more pronounced. If Gozu is the friendly giant that’s willing to fight you for his ideals, Bandai’s the gentle giant whose going to want both of you to sit by the fire and talk things out. In addition, as for his sayings, his intent with them is to say their meaning is for something you have to figure out yourself (better than him just saying they're meaningless).

As for why he’s in charge of the 11th Branch despite also being with the Foundation from the start, originally Bandai didn’t want to be caught up in the drama concerning politics that comes with being an official Director, and even then Junko’s forces made getting a formal Branch set up for his duties a pain. Following her death, and the mass suicide of good chunk of her followers, that chance of peace had him finally cave to the higher-ups requests and establish a formal branch. In general, he sees the Foundation’s inner turmoil as being a thorn he very much wanted nothing to do with, especially since he prefers everyone elected to bury the hatchet and be good comrades working for the goal of Restoration.

His meeting with Hina has him hug it out with Gozu and both just really enjoying each other’s company, with Gozu trying and failing a bit to figure out Bandai’s sayings and Bandai agreeing to wrestle with him during their off days (what kind of wrestling will leave that to one’s disclosure). His meeting Hina has all four in his branch's personal garden rest area that he always tends to, full of fruits, water and, in general, just having a refreshing atmosphere anyone (even the most uptight of people) could enjoy. When it came to getting his Rec Letter, he’s pretty willing to give it to Hina no strings attached. Though its with him, we get his view on the matter.

On one hand, he also wants to give trust to Makoto since he doubts someone who would stand up and stop Junko Enoshima of all people could do something nefarious. That being said, he also fully recognizes why other Directors might be angry - bringing up the Remnants status as wanted criminals that did hurt the world. It’s then that Bandai brings up a question to Hina: What does she think of her friends trying to rehabilitate the Remnants?

Hina, try as she might, struggles to even open her mouth as the question brings conflict to her mind. Flashes of her dearest friends, no, her only family…and the thought of her dead brother dying because of them. Ultimately, Bandai hands over the letter and tells her that, by the time they do meet again, she should take a step back to clear her head and form her own opinion on the matter. Not as a Director or even a friend of Makoto, but as Aoi Asahina. Taking in such advice, both Hina and Koichi wave off the burly Dads as they head to the 10th branch.

(Episode 3)

Ryota Mitarai is the Director of this branch and we see that he spends most of his time cooped up in his personal office. Blinds closed and hunched over drawing his weary eyes out only for him to yawn, look back and see a perky athletic woman and a semi-drunk wingman looking at what he was doing from behind his shoulder. Needless to say, he freaks out. Now, in this episode, while Mitarai isn’t trying to be difficult about it, if they’re needing to get that letter first things first is ensuring Mitarai takes care of himself. After some coaxing, they get him to at least lay back a bit while they get him some proper food.

He’s extremely grateful for the food and introduces himself, though a thing sticks out in Hina's mind. Namely, that Mitarai was a part of the 77th batch of Hope’s Peak students. While no one blatantly says anything, he is aware of the stigma of being a survivor of the bunch since he knows almost all students in said batch besides him were murdered during their tenure at Hope’s Peak or had defected to Junko Enoshima’s side. There have been some odd rumors from others and even within his own branch of his own loyalties. Something that clearly gets to him as he showcases his desperation of trying to do better and show he can help fix the world just as much as the others.

Hina comforts him and begins trying to uplift his spirits, showcasing more of a big sisterly attitude with him (even though she’s younger, but hey, some people have that energy to them). It’s then, after Mitarai hands over his Rec Letter and is asked about his thoughts, does he get a bit nervous. Truth be told, he doesn’t really want to get involved too deep with the whole affair with Makoto and Kyosuke. So while he gives up the letter, he even requests not to involve him in that, though upon Koichi reminding him of the upcoming trial with the other Directors, he flinches. Hina presses both for more and Koichi spills the details that Hina never gotten. (Mostly since she never read the email, but that’s neither here or there...)

At the end of the month, Makoto is to be put on a secret trial with the other Directors. Depending on the majority vote, it could mean Makoto might walk free or more than likely get convicted of treason, thus leading to him either being imprisoned, executed, or altogether exiled from Japan. Depends on how things’ll play out. This just makes Hina anxious more about getting to Makoto quickly before that happens. Anyways, Mitarai goes to head out, but upon it dawning on Mitarai that they’ll be going out and about for the other Directors, he asks if he could come too. Chances are that they’ll meet someone he has business with and it’ll probably save him time tagging along with them. Eager, Hina takes her new friend by the arm and goes about running along to their next venture.

Sonosuke Izayoi, in this version, his strong silent type attitude takes prominence. Mostly since I feel a non-verbal attitude, strangely enough does work better for him being remembered than when he speaks occasionally. It just needs to be presented in a way that he doesn’t fade in the background. For example, he can be very visibly expressive, with his features becoming colder or even cartoony depending on the situation. In Team Hina’s talk with him, he’s slow to anger, but has his limits. Limits that Hina completely breaks because she keeps bugging him for his letter as he tries to do his job. Koichi, being the dutiful scout that he is (and mostly to give Hina some insight) explains that Sonosuke Izayoi was from the 76th batch and came from a long lineage of blacksmiths that was pretty cushy with the former government and potentially underworld for their forges.

When he became Director, he reestablished the ties that remained to put them to usage for Future Foundation weapon development. Eventually, after being annoyed to the brink, he goes to kick them out, but is stopped after Hina pulls out a donut to eat. His sweet tooth wins out, and he begrudgingly joins the team for a quick snack break. In truth, following a donut, he does seem more friendly and approachable, even muttering his iconic ‘dewicious’ here.

However, he refuses to part with his letter at least, not until they win favor with his lover. At least, that’s what Mitarai guesses, which Izayoi gives a thumbs up in response. Hina tilts her head in confusion. Lover? But, it was the truth and that was someone they had to deal with next. As she’s the Director for the 8th Branch.

(Episode 4)

Ruruka Ando rules over the 8th Branch with a surprisingly large amount of popularity. Izayoi tags along and the crew greet Ruruka at the doors to her branch. She immediately and lovingly embraces him. As Team Hina follow the couple, they witness just how pleasant and friendly her subordinates are to her, even going ecstatic over just being in her presence (something that gets Mitarai somewhat jealous). Hina is astounded by her popularity, though Koichi is scratching his chin at the sight of so many people liking their boss. Or, rather, worshipping her.

Eventually, all four reach into her office and Ruruka begins trying to get Hina to eat some of her sweets. In addition, she also happily explains her past as apart of the 76th batch of HPA students, though claims that was small potatoes to her famous bakery that was even known worldwide. However, Hina is quite reluctant about accepting the food since she just had her donuts, up until Ruruka offers one of her own. Hina happily accepts it, but Koichi reminds her of her mission. Hina asks about getting a Rec Letter from her, but she flat out refuses. At once, the bubbly, friendly woman from before is now narrow eyed and looking pretty stern herself.

She speaks for both herself and Izayoi in that she sees Makoto as absolute scum for trying to help the Remnants and probably would have executed him on the spot had she been in charge of the Foundation, his status as Ultimate Hope be damned.

“Dealing with one rotten traitor is bad enough…but several leading the divisions? Rotten food needs to be tossed out.” Hina is confused over the first traitor spiel, but Ruruka had made her stance clear and orders both to get out and takes Hina’s donut from her! Concerning Izayoi, in this version, he looks conflicted on refusing the matter with Hina and Koichi, but sighs and continues to back up Ruruka.

With that failure, the duo heads towards the 7th branch office - directed by Miaya Gekkogahara. Now given her involvement in making the Neo World Program that was used by the Havoc cast, by the time the trio arrive she is understandably both stressed and frazzled. She had been interrogated pretty intensely after they found out the Havoc Crew were using her technology like that. Were it not for Miaya’s role - finding ways to negate despair among one of them - and her contributions to FF, there was a high chance she’d be arrested as well. Likewise, running into one of Makoto’s friends puts her back on edge, though she still tries to be friendly after a bit. It helps that Koichi is there, which she is grateful for and a bit exasperated with at the same time. She’s speaking through her high-tech wheelchair and using her Usami Vtuber avatar to speak. She has a hereditary disease that affects her legs, making them rather weaker than usual, so she uses her wheelchair to compensate.

Concerning her story, back during Hope’s Peak, Miaya was the school’s guidance counselor - in name. In practice, as much as she wanted to help, she was swamped with work from the late Steering Committee and didn’t have much time to really help people as much as she'd like. Especially since, well, its an old wound. She laments being unable to really help the Reserve Course from rioting and taking their lives. Any attempts at counseling or trying to pacify those students were blocked or ignored. Koichi reveals that she’s from the 65th Batch of Hope’s Peak Academy students (putting an end to the weird plot detail of no one knowing what class is supposed to be in, and her counselor explaining how she could still go about her NWP activity with Chihiro and Yasuke). He tries to raise her spirits, though that only gets her exasperated since his alcoholic breath gets on her face.

As she gives the duo a tour, a familiar face pops up during so - Alter Ego. Hina eagerly greets her friend who had helped her during the Killing School Life. He is also happy to see her again, though is apologetic to Hina after hearing how Makoto was arrested. AE informs her of his role in the rehab plot and how ashamed he was to let the Junko AI takeover. Both Miaya and Hina try to comfort him, but it gets Hina thinking on why he’s with Miaya now.

Here we learn of Chihiro’s involvement with Miaya with the Neo World Program, and how both were co-workers to help create it. With her friend and protege dead, Miaya ‘took in AE’ so to speak, being the one to salvage him from HPA after they rescued the Havoc Crew and receiving him once FF apprehended Makoto. Hina pushes on to ask the obvious: Why create the Neo World Program?

Well, for Miaya - her life’s goal is to find a way to rehabilitate anyone. She wanted to help people so badly from their own issues that drove to the pits of despair and vileness, but while she can help anyone with a large degree of success, there were the sort that just were too far gone. The NWP was made to ensure even the worst of the worst or the most badly hurt of them all could have a second chance. It being a concept thought up way back when she attended HPA. However, while she got the resources over the years and even approval from FF to initially put that dream to reality it soon became clear that the consensus was that criminals, especially the Remnants were to be put down instead of saved. That such a high-cost procedure was both too long and too ‘inefficient’. Thus, her project and JW Island was left abandoned and she was forced to back to square one….

Up until she had gotten into contact with Makoto who learned about the project from a list of scrapped projects that the Future Foundation organized. He was really interested in it and he shined with so much determination and genuine optimism for the future that Miaya disclosed its location to him and even gave him the reigns to the facilities that the Havoc cast would use. It was risky, but she could just feel she could trust him. As such, she gives Hina a Rec Letter, believing she could bet on the swimmer too. That being said, she also advises against bringing her into the conflict during the trial since, yeah. That’s way too scary for her heart to take!!!

Next up is someone all three are dreading as they arrive to his branch: Former Hope’s Peak security guard, Ultimate Boxer and real pain in the ass for most - Juzo was running Division 6.

(Episode 5)

Now, when Hina arrives, she’s combing all over the building, but Juzo is nowhere to be found. During her search, she meets several of his underlings: Ikue Dogami, Mekuru Katsuragi and the Ultimate Make-Up Artist. They explain that Juzo tends to be out and about often, but thanks to Mekuru, they direct Hina to wait towards the main lobby for him. It should be noted that, aside from those three, most of his other employees seem nervous or on edge when he’s mentioned.

When Hina finally meets Juzo, naturally, he’s aggressive and has no patience for her. Likewise, he refuses to hand over a Rec Letter to Hina since he is an avid supporter of Kyosuke’s ideals and is enraged over Makoto’s actions. Now, Hina actually does remember Juzo a bit - where we now get a flashback of him acting as HPA’s most aggressive security guard. She had witnessed him being rough concerning students relating to the Reserve Course, so she isn’t surprised he’s being a hardass now. Being reminded of the discourse concerning that time, Juzo is getting more pissed off and looks ready to throw down before an idea occurs to him. Of course, this being Juzo, he decides to give her a ‘chance’ to prove herself. In the ring.

So Hina takes on Juzo in a five-minute exhibition match. If she manages to last until the time limit, Juzo will hand over the Rec Letter. If she fails than, well, nighty night! Hina, determined and unwilling to backdown, opts for it. Koichi, naturally, is concerned by this move, but she reasons that she wants to get to Makoto as soon as possible. If she can just last five minutes, she’ll be able to do that faster (not trying to think about the setback she would make if she would fail).

Juzo is confident he’ll win and toys with her early on, allowing to go for some strikes, effortlessly dodges them and proceeds to wail on her with jabs. Enough to knock her down and he thinks she’ll quit, but she gets up. A bit annoyed he tries to do the same thing, but Hina has found her rhythm. She has had multiple experience dodging attacks from scattered Remnants and criminals as a member of the 13th Divison. Thus, she’s now found a footing where she can stay, if barely, ahead of Juzo. She even manages to get in a solid hit or two!! Things are looking up and there’s a few seconds left on the clock.

Enraged, Juzo is trying his damndest to score a hit, but nothing seems to be working. A crowd has gathered, cheering for Hina and Juzo, eager to see who will win. For a moment, Hina remembers both Sakura and Yuta, strengthening her more to see things through to the end and prove herself useful - that can she be of aid to someone she calls family!! But, it also distracts for a split second, and in that moment Juzo scores a devastating haymaker. Hina is knocked down and eventually falls unconscious. Juzo is the victor. Koichi and Mitarai goes to Hina, trying to rouse her whilst Juzo walks off, not feeling particularly good about this win.

In the meantime, scene shifts to Kyoko working in her office when she meets Chisa again. Considering what she knows about Juzo and Kyosuke, Kyoko is naturally on guard against Chisa who is trying to be friendly with her and have some tea. We also get a bit of insight concerning Kyoko’s situation: armed guards all around her and she also voices her good guess of the room itself being bugged. Naturally, the only thing she can really do is read and try to prep Makoto’s case from inside her ‘cell’. Namely, getting knowledge of the prior incidents of the Remnants, rehabilitation efforts with the Neo World Program and others that were scrapped, and in general just learning more about the other Directors. Anything to give her side the edge concerning the trial.

Speaking of which, she does ask where the trial will take place. Now, given the severity and whose life is at stake, Chisa reveals that it’ll be on an island meant originally to be the new international Hope’s Peak branch. However, with the Tragedy causing HPA to close down, it was instead refurbished into a private separate office of sorts—meant only for high profile usage. Like a trial for treason! Kyoko asks, if only for confirmation, given Chisa’s closeness to Kyosuke as being one of the first Directors of FF and his former classmate, if she herself also holds intense hatred of Despair.

Now to this, Chisa is quick to differ. She loves Kyosuke and goes along with him because she trusts his judgement and heart - that he makes decisions trying to fully bring peace to all afflicted by the Tragedy. Thus, she goes along with the decision and believes in that Hope. However, even if she goes along with it, she does hold a different stance concerning the Remnants…

How she can’t help but still hold love for her dear students.

(Episode 6)

Hina wakes up, finding herself in an infirmary. Koichi informs her of her loss and who managed to treat her - Seiko Kimura. Now Seiko is constantly fretting and checking up on Hina given the situation concerning her knockout. Thanks to her drugs, any concussions should be healed up pretty quick, and Hina is pretty grateful for the support. Seiko happened to be in the 6th Division’s office by chance, so Hina should be lucky she was on site to help ensure she didn’t get put into a worse position without her fast action.

Once Koichi reminds her that Seiko was a Director, we get a formal introduction of her, including her class. We also learn that Seiko was the daughter of the head of Kimura Pharmaceuticals prior to the Tragedy, though she notes that was water under the bridge now. Hina, remembering that the 76th class also had Ruruka and Izayoi, asks both were her classmates. Instantly, Seiko’s face darkened and she glared at Hina. She asks her not to mention their names. Ever. Hina gulps and takes the hint.

Trying to move the conversation along, Hina brings up the topic of getting a Rec Letter for her, thinking Seiko was so nice she would agree to it. However, after a bit of conflicting thought, Seiko firmly refuses. Her loyalty lies solely with Kyosuke and she knows for a fact that he wants them dead. For good reason too, and she has personal stake in seeing the Remnants dead given how long she’s spent trying to treat their victims and seeing some die. She apologizes, but her mind is made up, and she personally shouldn’t expect much from her concerning Makoto’s trial.

She leaves, though outside waiting is Juzo, who was overhearing the conversation. She informs him of Hina’s condition. How it’s going to be stable though is curious why he still stuck around. Annoyed, Juzo pokes at her forehead in like a mean big bro-esque way, much to her chagrin, telling her to mind her business before prodding off. Still, with yet another Director refusing to hand over a Rec Letter, Hina is getting desperate and runs off to the 5th Division - Chisa’s workplace.

At said workplace, Kyoko is a bit shocked after hearing about Chisa’s ties to the Remnants. Well, Chisa quickly clarifies it was really only for about just some months and she could really be described more along the lines of their Advisor. You see, the Remnants of Despair back when they were in Hope’s Peak gained a bit of a reputation for being ‘delinquents’, whether intentionally acting out or not, and so these teens from various parts of the 77th batch were assigned to attend a ‘mandatory’ Student Correction Program (was not quite a fan of the series having Class 77 all be Remnants from the exact same class. The change, in addition to other plot developments in the future, is to get the group together, while having them be scattered across the 77th Batch).

The program was meant to at least get them to mellow out and not either wreck the school or harm others. She looks back fondly over the time with the fifteen of them…hm? Fifteen? Kyoko is wondering about her current connections and if anyone else knows about it. Chisa is quick to assuage her concerns. Her connection with HPA is well known by every other Director, though following her dismissal with the Remnants, she was assigned to the Reserve Course, which clearly didn’t end well for the other students there. Something shown by how upset she looked concerning their collective suicides. Chisa tries to quickly perk herself back up.

Anyway, she explains, while she doesn’t quite understand why Makoto really decided to risk his neck this much to help pretty much the worst of the worst, but given how such a procedure could have given her students back, she was at least grateful for the attempt. While she won’t ever betray Kyosuke, she might be willing to offer a hand to at least get him to see a bit more reason. Though, Chisa is curious.

Why is Kyoko, logical woman incarnate, siding with Makoto in saving the Remnants? Surely someone like her would have wanted to see them dead, right? Well, for Kyoko, her decision was based on logic. The world, while its making steady efforts, is still struggling quite a deal both internationally and even locally. From pollution, to food management, to the obvious factor of stray Remnants and criminals wreaking havoc. While the spearheads of Ultimate Despair may be gone, it would take decades before the world could ever hope to get back to how it was pre-Tragedy. If they could reform the Remnants with the Neo World Program, even just the mooks of them, they can add to the Restoration efforts to get the world back faster. The fact that the initial Remnants they gathered happened to be Ultimate were a solid coincidental bonus. Luck…though given what nearly had happened, it couldn’t really be called good luck, right?

Chisa nods her head and seems to accept this…though has to wonder how much of it just trying to honor Makoto’s wishes. After all, she wasn’t that different from Chisa in that they were trying to support the Hope of their lives and not just in terms of being the Ultimate Hope. But Hope to their own respective groups as well - Makoto was the glue that helped keep them together after all. In that same vein, Kyosuke was the glue that kept Future Foundation and his own core group stable as well. She recollects a time before she got to know him. In order to raise money for her sick single mother, a teenage Chisa Yukizome became a housekeeper and was hired by the Munakata Family. A wealthy family that was notorious for raising leaders in almost every industry of the world, their mansion was quite the chaotic mess of people at each other’s throats and too busy to ever really care for an insignificant girl that was tidying up behind them.

Yet, Kyosuke was different. He aided her when everyone else ignored her or treated poorly because she was ‘the help’. He went out of his way to lighten her load and even work to see her smile. It was his assistance that allowed her to truly want to shine as a housekeeper and got her scouted. He was literally her Hope back in those horrible days. It’s why even now she’s that devoted to him.

Kyoko asks her to get to the point.

“Everyone is chasing that Hope - that reason to keep on going. But it’s also good to be aware of who represents that Hope as well. A lesson all of us can learn ,hm?” She glances to the door and it turns out Team Hina was there, eavesdropping. Chisa welcomes them in and doesn’t hesitate to give Hina a Rec Letter. Even if she’ll go wholeheartedly with Kyosuke’s choice, she figures its nots a bad idea to at least let one of Makoto’s friends check in on him.

From there, Hina goes to see if Kyoko was okay, but the detective waves her off. She’ll always be fine, what’s vital is bouncing info off each other. So they get each other up to speed with what’s happening, with Hina’s Quest and the upcoming trial. Kyoko is more than aware that their case seems pretty hopeless given whose in charge and the influence he holds. Hina is a bit more optimistic since she feels its an even split, except its not. Kyoko reminds her its more of 6 against a number of neutrals who could easily be pressured to go with the other side if an argument is weak enough or the enemy is convincing enough. The other half’s loyalty is not guaranteed. It’s then that Hina glances at the two allies she had befriended so far. Mitarai is looking as shy as ever but Koichi, after a swig, shrugs and merely says they’ll have to see. Though if it’s anything to what he would have wanted, well, he’ll do his best to get an outcome that Kyoko would find favorable. Complete with a friendly smile, though Kyoko tries her best to ignore him.

In any case, Kyoko says its best for Hina to get the last letters as quickly as possible but just before Hina leaves, Kyoko does stop her briefly. Her wounds from fighting Juzo is clearly visible and even Kyoko could obviously see how winded the swimmer was. In her own way, she’s concerned and does apologize to Hina for putting her through all of this. But Hina quickly brushes it off. Their friends, well, more than friends!! Family even!! The Havoc Crew looking out for each other is a no-brainer!! It doesn’t bother her! With a deal of optimism, Team Hina leaves, leaving Kyoko in her thoughts once more.

“Huh, didn’t know you could lie like that.” Koichi said and Ryota gives a concerned look to Hina. She’s leading the charge, but the camera never points to her face. Her voice, though, is shaky. “I don’t know what you mean…it’s time for the next stop.”

Episode 7

The next destination for Team Hina? Why it was Koichi’s branch! The atmosphere for his place was rather casual, with many people at least on goods terms with him enough to even tease him a little about his drinking habits. Koichi allows both Ryota and Hina into his office, which resembles more of a host lounge than anything. Bottles of alcohol was scattered everywhere, there was a large couch off to the side, and large amounts of paperwork lay on his desk.

Both Hina and Ryota criticize Koichi for his messy office, but he waves it off as him being busy with meetings with Jack Daniels and Gin!~ Hina rolled her eyes and gives glances towards all about his office as Koichi fishes to make a Rec Letter. During this time, Hina finds something. A photo of Koichi with Jin and a little Kyoko.

Koichi confirms at this point that, yes, he was best friends with Jin and wouldn’t have minded being considered an ‘uncle’ to Kyoko prior to her getting raised by Fuhito Kirigiri, her grandfather. When asked more about Kyoko’s family, Koichi just waves dismissively. It’s a long story full of drama that he himself isn’t fit to tell.

He does go into detail of him meeting Jin back when they were kids and still keeping in touch when Koichi went to HPA...eh? Koichi was an Ultimate? Turns out he was the Ex-Ultimate Talent Scout, though is dismissive of such things. He himself doesn’t feel like its anything special and requests that they just refer to him as a regular talent scout. Honestly, he himself only agreed to be a talent scout because his best friend, Jin, really requested him when he began working with HPA in earnest. Throughout it all, Hina can see Koichi give a melancholic smile and relates to his quiet pain with her own losses. She reaches over to put a hand on his shoulder, but he smiles and waves it off.

Well, no use dwelling on the past. Koichi hands over his Rec Letter and waves at them goodbye for now. He advises that if the options are just Tengan or Kyosuke left, then yeaaaaah, its best to try and win Tengan’s favor. He’s a lot more reasonable than Kyosuke…or, rather?

He’s more coolheaded? He wants to be alone for a bit. Getting the hint, Hina nods and they begin to walk out. However, not before Hina stalls at the door, asking if he’ll support Makoto at the trial. Koichi informs her that he can’t make any solid promises, but is willing to hear him out. Once Ryota and Hina leave, he leans back in his chair. Thinking about Jin, he vows he’ll protect ‘her’.

Now down to a duo, Team Asahina starts wondering about Koichi, whether he’ll truly be alright. Hina is concerned, but Ryota says its best if they just leave him be to focus on Tengan. Now, its here that Ryota reveals his connection with the Chairman - namely how Tengan personally saved and recruited him back when the Tragedy was rampaging. Right when he was about to be killed by some Remannts, Tengan appeared on scene to fight them off. Hina is very impressed since she knows Tengan is kind of old, though Ryota mutters how he can be strong and frightening when he wants to. Anyways, he’s been working closely with him and believes that there’s a solid chance. Though he does warn Hina to watch what she says.

When they arrive, they noticed the hallway of Tengan lined up and down with various people in visors. Ryota introduces them as being the best of the Ultimate Elite Taskforce. As their names suggests, they are the very best gathered from the remnants of Hope’s Peak alumni’s that serve as The Special Forces needed for only the most intense or important assignments. Each of them are more than strong enough to give anyone, even an Ultimate Remnant, a run for their money.

Granted, with the 77th Batch of Despairs seemingly gone, these days all they really seem to do is just guard Tengan in Gozu’s absence. A fact that gets them to give Ryota a bit of a dirty or hurt look before he frantically starts waving his hands, trying to say he didn’t mean it. Tengan allows the two to enter and he pretty much gets right to the point. He’s received news of Asahina going about the other Directors trying to get their Rec Letters and from both sides he’s received calls to let her have one or to not give her one.

With that in mind, he’s willing to hear from the source concerning her motivations. Taking a deep breath, Asahina explains she’s worried about her friend and is really trying her hardest to make sure he’s alright. She knows that charges against Makoto are heavy, but she expresses her faith that everything he does is only to help everyone, not hurt. He’s not a traitor! By the end, she’s looking quite desperate, pleading with Tengan to give her the time of day.

When he speaks, Tengan murmurs about personally witnessing this fire of Hina for those she holds dear resurfacing. He says for her to simmer down and that, by now, he’s already thought this situation through to the best of his abilities. Offering Hina butterscotch, he explains that, yes, what Makoto has done is shocking and, at the moment, he can’t blame anyone for being angry or thinking he might be a traitor…

But he also states his belief in the Ultimate Hope that blossomed during that sixth trial. That optimism that he showcased and used to beat back Junko Enoshima and helped spurn the world in its current Restoration efforts. Yes, Tengan does believe that Makoto isn’t trying to be malicious and knows that he ‘is going with what he believes will be the right move’. He goes on to ramble a bit about Makoto coming along ways from tangoing with a petty thief to humanity’s Symbol. Something that confuses Asahina, but Tengan brushes it off.

Yes, at this point, he’s more than just a little aware of the younger generation following their ambition and deciding that what they believe is right for all. Chairman or not, he has come to terms that he can’t match the passion of the others and is more than willing to take a backseat to give their ways a chance. After all, that’s essentially what he has been doing with Kyosuke. At this point it probably won’t be too long until he figures Kyosuke will organize an ‘intervention’ to pressure Tengan into stepping down. He already has the support of the public and agents all across the branches for his decisive attitude and on-hands efforts that Tengan had to retire from.

Oh! He apologizes for rambling and hands over the needed Rec Letter to Asahina. With that, she’ll be able to visit Makoto. Tengan wishes him the best of luck. Now, while he did order for the guards not to harm Makoto, if a Director decided to do something, well, he urges her to check in with him at her earliest convenience. Asahina nods and thanks Tengan for handing over the Rec Letter. She asks if Ryota was coming as well but he declines. With a hug of support, Hina leaves. Still in the office, Tengan chuckles and asks if Ryota was finally getting out there, much to the animator’s blushing dismissal! Hina’s just a friend!! To this, Tengan merely chuckles in amusement. Before the scene ends, he questions if Ryota has made a decision of sorts for the future. Ryota opens his mouth…and the episode ends.

(Episode 8)

The episode, and next day, opens at the prison Makoto is being held at. He has bandages and scratches on his face, looking a bit down on his luck as he recalls what happened to get him to this state.We get a flashback back to when he was initially arrested and seperated from Togami and Kyoko. He get’s thrown into his cell and has to deal with the brunt of a beatdown from a very angry Juzo. Kyosuke stops him before he could ever really go too far on Makoto but it is brutal. From there the scene switches to Makoto, patched up and at a table. Kyosuke is at the other side, looking coldly at Makoto.

Kyosuke, half-heartedly, apologizes for the actions of Juzo, though he does cut off Makoto when the lucky student tries to tell him its no big deal. Instead he asks: Why? Why help the Remnants of Despair? Why not just turn them in so the world can be done with them? Straight to the point.

From Makoto’s point of view we get flashbacks briefly to what had occurred concerning him finding Izuru, learning of the Remnants identities and him firmly choosing his resolve when Kyoko and Togami await an answer for him. Back to the present day, he states that he understands everyone being angry and that, if he were in their shoes, he’d be furious as well. But, his decision has to go back towards faith. The potential to save others from the awful influence that gripped them in the past.

A flashback shows the Havoc Crew walking throughout their new branch with Kyosuke and Tengan giving a tour of the place. Tengan gives the background that, with reports of UD members killing themselves, they wanted a Branch that can effectively reach and focus on spreading FF’s message of hope. And who better to lead that than the survivors who inspired loads to carry on and beat back Despair’s effects.

Togami is a bit miffed over essentially being the public relations branch, and that Kyoko was their leader, but she notes such power is really just a formality between the two of them. Plus, it might have to do with their ‘performance’ during the killing game. Hiro, Asahina and Togami have proven to be ‘problematic’ and Toko is only really allowed as an intern for being Genocider Syo. While some might want Makoto in charge given his role in the final class trial, he truly didn’t want the power/isn’t quite suited for leadership of an entire division. Hence Kyoko winning by default.

While Togami begrudgingly admits defeat, both Hiro, Toko, Makoto and Asahina are astounded over their new headquarters. Makoto in particular is quick to bring them back together, speaking on his confidence that, with all six of them together, they can really help make a difference. One that clearly resonates with his friends and is noticed by the FF leaders. As both Tengan and Kyosuke leave, Tengan smiles as he notes that Makoto really reminded him of Kyosuke back in the day and that the Foundation is lucky Makoto is with them. Kyosuke quietly clenches his fist, and gives a brief look back at Makoto. The lucky student notices, but is dragged away by his pals long enough for Kyosuke to leave.

A montage shows off Makoto and others helping out in the communities under Future Foundation’s protection, all clearly trying their best when, in the last shot, Makoto is suddenly pounced upon. It’s a Remnant of Despair, and by that I mean just a regular one that seems to have had better days. Makoto’s guards easily are able to pin down the Remnant and even remove his mask. As he’s being taken away, Makoto asks why he’s still trying to hurt others. Junko’s dead so what gives? It’s then that gets a good look at this Remnant - or rather his expression. Miserable, frustrated, utterly sad, and, well, hopeless. “Because there’s no point in trying to rebuild for someone with no future...”

These words haunt Makoto and he’s gets to thinking. Is there a way to rehabilitate even the Remnants? He goes through files and asks around concerning Future Foundation rehab techniques and finds the plans for the Neo World Program. Delighted, he goes to Kyoko and Togami to get their opinion on trying to rehabilitate the Remnants? Their answer?

“You’re an absolute buffoon.”

“This…is certainly a plan, I suppose?”

Yeah, he isn’t too surprised Togami is more harsh with his rebukes, but Kyoko also isn’t holding back with her criticism. The Remnants are dangerous criminals that put them through the Hell in the Mutual Killing Game. Why bother trying to save them?

To this, Makoto asks this in a quiet voice: If they had connected more with Mukuro or Junko back then, would they have stopped both from destroying the world? He says its silly, but he can’t stop thinking about it. The friends they lost, would they still be alive if he bothered to spend more time trying to get to know both to get them help? Noticed Junko’s warped mental state beforehand? Get Mukuro to reconsider going along with Junko’s plan? The soldier didn’t seem completely convinced during their free talks during their killing game. Anything at all?

This had both fall silent for a deal before Kyoko gives her thoughts. Personally, she believes that both Junko and Mukuro were too far deep by the time they met them. When she had the time, she looked into a bit of their background, finding evidence of the twins causing atrocities, like a massacre of a junior high school. That was covered up from either corrupt police or some other shady means. She believes that if there was to be some way to help the Despair Sisters, it would have to have been years before they even reached Hope’s Peak. She goes on to say he shouldn’t be harsh on himself for the horrible actions of other people, nor feel responsibility for why they turned out that way.

Yet, Makoto just can’t seem to let the thought go. His mind flashes back to his talk with Mukuro during her days as Junkuro. How she admitted she wasn’t sure that the path she was on was right. It’s a thought like those that gets Makoto in being unable to fully write off the Remnants that were still around. If one of the leading figures of the end was still having seconds thoughts, maybe the others could be as well, deep down. And, if the Neo World Program works as intended, they could be potentially rehabilitated into becoming allies to fix what their wrongs! It’s this optimistic outlook that ignites Makoto’s passion. While reluctant, both Kyoko and Togami eventually concede to at least try Makoto’s idea.

Makoto is happy and the next scene shows him heading to the site of the destroyed New Hope’s Peak Academy building. Apparently the 12th Branch was going to begin its plans for its demolition? Well, if that’s the case, he thought it would be best to leave ten flowers for those he lost and explore it one last time. What was left of it anyway.

Only to see Izuru Kamukura standing in a classroom with his own flower in some ruined classroom.

(Episode 9)

In this episode, we see Makoto, Kyoko and Togami looking after about fifteen ‘survivors’ sitting around in their offices. They were dirty, covered in either old cloaks and bandages, and looking around with intense gazes. Some of whom looked to be in quite the awful conditions, being either malnourished or very sickly. Yet they were all intent on refusing medical treatment from any staff offered.

It had only been a few days after Makoto met Izuru - or rather? Hajime Hinata - that’s what Izuru told them instead of his actual name at that point? Allegedly he was a survivor affiliated with Hope’s Peak that had just come back into town to pay respects to the dead. Following that, he explained that he was apart of a group of survivors who had been traveling the wastelands and it just so happens these survivors were upperclassmen of the 78th class. Students that came from various parts of the 77th batch that barely manage to escape the destruction of the Main Course building, but circumstances had them flee into the unknown as much as possible because of the riots. Given what they’ve experienced, they are very weary against even help from the FF and its prone to having them on edge.

Makoto is actually ecstatic to run into survivors of that incident, since he knew many of the 77th batch perished or went missing. However, Kyoko and Togami are rather suspicious of the situation. In particular, seeing these fifteen for an extended period of time has her leave to check out some files.

Concerning the Remnants themselves, the more Makoto interacts with them, either by trying to give them supplies or wanting to know them better, he’s either ignored or given cold blank stares. Just like that one Remnant from before. Maybe…

Still there is one that acts friendly to him, Nagito who usually kept one of his hands wrapped. He’s appreciative of the Ultimate Hope and grateful for his efforts, glad someone ‘insignificant as him’ could be in Makoto’s presence. Makoto, being the humble guy, denies ever being that important and that he just wants to help others. He believes everyone is indispensable and tries to get Nagito to see more of himself in a brighter light. Though, similar to the others, the despair Nagito is in is quite evident and he believes that a guy like Makoto should really not bank his hopes too much on the fallen. As Makoto goes to pull him back as he leaves, he notices some of Nagito’s bandages are slipping…and, hm? Was…was his nails painted under there?

As they separate, he runs into Kyoko who takes him to Togami’s office. Kyoko shows Makoto a database of ‘suspect Remnants’. A nurse wearing a surgical mask, a group of masked Monomafia lead by masked people with similar hair styles to Fuyuhiko and Peko. A concert with a thin singer in a gas mask taking spotlight. In Novoselic, a Monokuma controlled country, forces were being lead by a masked figure in a cloak, but a few locks of golden hair could briefly be seen. Evidence upon evidence…

They didn’t just take in survivors - they took in the Remants of Despair. It wouldn’t be long until the higher-ups, who were informed of such survivors existence, would realize this as well. Yet, would it be fast enough to arrive to intercept fifteen dangerous criminals? As it stands the Remnants doesn’t seem aware that they knew their cover was blown. If they were going to act, they needed to do this quickly. Togami suggests getting their security forces to immediately apprehend and put the remnants in holding cells of their division, but Kyoko notes the possibility of good number of forces being killed in this attack given how notorious the Remnants were when it came to fighting against even the Directors. Togami then suggests that maybe drugging their food could work best and the others seem on-board with this idea.

It’s then that Makoto suggests his own idea that, once they were all knocked out they don’t put them in cells. Rather, they put them on the boat intended to take them to Jabberwock Island. Togami really asks if Makoto is serious about having these Remnants - Ultimate Remnants - be the ones that they opt to save, but Makoto is dead serious about it. After all the NWP is supposed to be capable of saving even the worst of the worst. What better way to prove to everyone that it works and that it is viable if not by saving the literal worst of the worst. Both Kyoko and Togami are hesitant, but eventually both opt to go with Makoto’s plan. After all time is of the essence still.

The scene transitions to the boat, where the Remnants have been place in cells containing two each (or three in Mahiru, Ibuki and Hiyoko’s case). Their cloaks and bandages have been stripped away and we've got to see what a few had of Junko’s body, classic like Fuyuhiko getting Junko’s eye and whatnot. Over an intercom, Makoto announces his Foundation’s intent to take them to Jabberwock to put them in the NWP…

“Just like what the intelligence said…” Kamukura mutters to himself as the scene transitions to show of the Remants being worked into their pods and of brief flashes to the Island Killing Game, where Makoto is horrified over seeing history repeat itself, but flashes to determination from both him, Kyoko and Togami. As the screen flashes to them entering the simulation we cut back to Kyosuke.

“In short…” said Vice Chairman. “You went on an operation, risking it all for criminals that should be executed on the spot…and came back with nothing.” Makoto refutes this saying he believes it worked out from what he saw of the survivors. But Kyosuke is pretty adamant about this position. How can Makoto be sure they were not faking or they’ll revert back to who they were? How can they be trusted to not go down that dark path again?

In truth? Makoto admits he can never be 100% sure, but he has faith they won’t go back. How they resolved to keep moving forward – he was sure that was going to still be a reality. Kyosuke shook his head, looking disappointed.

“To think people ever had high hopes for you. A naive foolishness like that can never be called Hope.” Standing up, he announces, he doesn’t want to even look at Makoto again until the trial to decide his fate. And may mercy be shown upon this blind soul. All while Makoto looked at Kyosuke with his own frustration, but even sadness. Is there no way for them to reconcile or come to an understanding?

The flashback ends when we see the present Makoto shoot up from a knock at his door. It’s Asahina, who came in the very next day, who quickly goes to glomp her poor buddy whose been through a lot. Asking him how he’s been and growing angry over the fact the guards had taken to hurting him. As they both catch up on what’s been going on - Hina finally asks that’s been flowing through her mind:

“How come you all didn’t trust me?” she asked, referring to the fact that half of Crew went off to do their own thing while leaving the others in the dark to carry out the Remants rehab. Makoto, looking super remorseful, apologizes. He, Kyoko and Togami didn’t want to put the others at risk, especially if this operation failed. Concerning the operation, Hina goes to ask Makoto why he bothered to help the Remnants, when an explosion gets out.

A loud alarm blares through the building.

“People are raiding the prison!! All personnel on deck! Stop the prisoners from going free!”

(Episode 10)

This is a chaotic battle that has invaders, mooks of the Remnant forces, all rush through the building, attacking anyone with bats, pipes, even a few guns so to speak, as they pushed through. Throughout the facility, electromagnetic locks on the cells are disabled and prisoners rush to join in on the riots. The main attackers were also incredibly organized, ordering about the freed prisoners to help free more them and ordering more of their forces to go in deeper. “They’re in there!! Get them at any cost!! Don’t waste our chance!”

Hearing this, Makoto wants to help, but Hina remind him that 1. He is also a prisoner and 2. People would really be gunning for him at the moment given his status, so its best that he stay put in the cell where he would be safe. Makoto wishes her luck as Hina dashes out. Outside of Makoto’s cell there are four other occupied cells in his block: The maximum security block. Luckily, once Hina leaves it’ll be placed on lockdown that only a Director could have access to with their key card. Grabbing a baton, Hina rushes out and saves a guard from being killed by a prisoner before joining in the fray.

Bodies are flying and more people are being released. Hina is holding her own but the number of people able to handle this is dwindling: until a cry of pain is heard and a prisoner can be seen tossed into a wall. There is the Great Gozu, Juzo and Kyosuke backed by reinforcements. Tengan is at the furthest back watching the proceedings. Kyosuke leads the forces into subduing the prisoners and invaders, eventually getting it all under control. Though during this chaos, Kyosuke can’t help but wonder about the odds of a jailbreak occurring on the day when Makoto gets a visitor and four other Directors wanted to visit it. “Luck tends to be perplexing…” Tengan says.

By the end of it, most of the prisoners have been suppressed, but when they head into the max block, the prisoners from there have escaped, except for Makoto. Juzo and Gozu are ordering the staff about, sending out red alert for all units to be on the lookout for the escaped. The ones who escaped are known as the Four Sinners in Future Foundation and represent the Four Horsemen. They were previous Ultimates that graduated from Hope’s Peak but had gone rogue during the Tragedy.

Plaguebearer - Former Ultimate Exterminator: Jun Ueda/Pestilence(Gas Mask Man)

Immovable Force - Former Ultimate Sumo: Daisuke Tomioka/War (Sumo Wrestler Design)

Dead Walker - Former Ultimate Lab Assistant: Harue Yuki/Famine(Zombie Girl)

Spawn of Malice - Former Ultimate Criminal: Shiori Hikari/Death (Ultimate Criminal beta)

With everything over, Asahina checks in on Makoto who was unharmed. Kyosuke arrives and announces that, given how this prison is clearly compromised, Makoto will be moved to another location effective immediately and has Juzo escort him out. Hina wants to talk to him, but the other Directors refuse to hear her out, with Makoto only reassuring her that things will be fine.

The news of the attack is relayed to Togami, & Hiro, the heir already suspicious of the whole affair. He finds it way too unlikely that this was just a random attack on dates where both Asahina and the other Directors were supposed to arrive. This was planned, but by whom and what do they gain from freeing the Four Sinners other than general unrest?

Kyoko hears the news as well and, in private, and theorizes that, yes, this was definitely planned. But there was so many oddities. Why attack on the same day that high-ranking, strong Directors were arriving there? Wouldn’t have it been safer to do so when it was just the regular guards to deal with?

Conclusion that she and, soon even Kyosuke (at another location) reaches: The Mastermind behind it wanted it to be known that there was someone orchestrating this. Furthermore, from reports from the guards, the attackers were highly organized and mentioned something about ‘someone’ giving them a ‘chance’. “But why?” asked Juzo (He, Kyosuke, Chisa and Seiko were gathered together) What do they gain out of this risky mission? Could it be….

“Fear…” Tengan muttered alone in his office. An irrational emotion made to throw people off as the Trial for Makoto’s fate draws nearer. Regardless if the attackers succeeded or failed, the fear and paranoia they would leave behind would be irrefutable but of what kind of fear…

Simply put…a Traitor amongst the Directors. Someone had to give the attackers an access card to open the max cell block, after all. A conclusion all leaders of Future Foundation seem to reach as it flashes by to all fourteen of them.

In a dark location, the Four Sinners are standing in line looking at a large monitor that shows Monokuma’s head looking at them. A garbled voice announces the need for the Blights services.

After all, the next game is soon to begin!

(Episode 11)

A traitor…

A word like that hangs heavy as Togami meets with Asahina and Hiro, in Hiro’s room (because why would anyone bother with Hagakure). It’s one thing for a mole to be in something like a killing game, but a Director possibly going rogue? It could lead to disaster for not just the other Directors but the entire world. Asahina shudders, though wonders about the possibility of it being a Sakura situation: where her family was threatened. But Togami is quick to shut it down. No use in pondering the motivations of a possible Traitor when they still haven’t caught them yet. He stops Hiro from just barging out to ‘investigate’ and reminds Hiro that he can’t just go out and do whatever he wants. If he tries to grill the Directors, chances are he’ll just get thrown in the slammer for being a nuisance and just worsen the situation.

Instead, Togami has informed both he’s sent some of his own private personnel on the case. While any Directors or the Havoc Crew would be on clear suspicion and be monitored, would anyone bother keeping tabs on Togami’s butler or his eyepatch wearing secretary? Not likely. So he’ll leave it to them.

Asahina asks about Makoto, and what they should do for him given the incident. Togami believes at this point they should forget about seeing him until the Trial. Makoto has been taken to a private holding cell in the 2nd Division Branch. With the max cell compromised, he’s staying there under Kyosuke’s watchful eye. Until then, its best to focus on other matters. For example, if this incident comes up during the trial, it would be best to gain some sort of evidence to be on even footing during it. But, all knew if they tried, chances are Kyosuke might get his goons to chase them away. But, Asahina realized that, even if they couldn’t she could probably get someone to not only help them out, but even inform Kyoko.

The scene shifts to Kyoko’s room and there its revealed Koichi was the one to help out, handing over a good deal of evidence from the crime to her. ‘A gift from that charming swimming lady’ Koichi mentioned, though Kyoko is as stoic as ever. Koichi tries to get closer with Kyoko more, showing more of his concerned side from her (and even a brief scene of him seeing Jin die during the KG), Kyoko brushes him off. If he really wants to help her, he needs to support Makoto’s side. Koichi chuckles. Kyoko’s as blunt as ever. He walks off, claiming he’ll think about it over a drink or two!

For Team Munakata, Juzo and his branch are investigating the scene of the crime, looking pissed about what happened still. While they had managed to suppress the truth of the incident, there was no telling what could be leaked. Seiko responds that, despite using the truth serum on the surviving invaders, they couldn’t tell much about who was organizing them to do this. They can only say that they were ordered by someone in a cloak who was connected with the former Remnants. Who warned them that their actions will spurn on the Third. “The third killing game…what nonsense.” Kyosuke orders Seiko, Chisa and Juzo not to spread this info out to anyone for the time being. Doing so without all the facts would just lead to chaos brewing. When he asks for further details about where the escapees could be, Chisa informs that they have all unist on the lookout for them, but there has been no signs of where they went. One of the transport vehicles is missing so its likely they took that to make their getaway, but the footage for that period is missing due to the attackers managing to get inside the security office. How convenient. But nevertheless Kyosuke is confident that they can defeat whatever plans Despair has for them. “Security measures will be increased tenfold and for the Trial…we’ll invoke the usage of the Elite Taskforce. No matter what - judgement will reign on those who stray from the path…” His crew nod alongside him, albeit to varying degrees (Juzo is smirking and pounding his fists together, Seiko is a bit nervous but hurriedly agrees with him and Chisa looks rather solemn before she nods as well).

We get some brief cuts to what some other Directors are doing. For Ruruka and Izayoi, she feeds him a macaron, with her (and by extension his) minds made up: Makoto is clearly guilty in her eyes and sooner they axe a traitor the better. Miaya is talking with Alter Ego, the latter wanting to do something to help Makoto. He can’t let someone he saved get hurt or sentenced to die, right? Miaya tries to reassure him that things will turn out okay, and that AE did enough already for Togami recently, but hears a knock at the door before she could really finish. Bandai is at his office seeing a text from Gozu on how the wrestler would be coming back a bit late given he’s with the Chairman. As for Ryota he’s nervously going between his phone and the e-mail. Obviously conflicted on something.

We finally shift to Makoto in his cell, unable to to do anything. Can’t investigate, can’t be with his friends. All he can do is wait...huh? Entering his cell is Tengan with Gozu accompanying him. Due to Tengan’s status as the Chairman, he’s able to gain clearance and visit Makoto.

He comments on the misfortune brought about Makoto recently, and laments that the trial has to happen at all. Makoto asserts his innocence, that everything he’s done was truly meant to help people. That is something Tengan has no doubts on and even finds it a commendable dream to work towards. Even at his old age, his reason for joining FF is to bring the most aid to humanity as possible. He was just the same when he was younger and laments that Makoto is in such a position now. Being stuck trying to follow your heart and being obstructed by others is a frustrating balance to tow.

Tengan remarks on what Makoto plans to do at the trial. Given the severity of his crimes, there isn’t much hope that he’ll be freed. If Tengan is to be frank, were it not for Makoto’s Ultimate Hope status, anyone else would have been prosecuted immediately and likely executed. What’s Makoto endgoal?

For Makoto, he responds earnestly: his goal is always the same as its been. He’s nothing special, he just wants to help people that need it. He completely understands why people want to kill the Remnants, why those who are in the know thinks he's being foolish or even traitorous. But if there's a chance that even the worst of the worst can be rehabilitated and gain a second chance to make things better, then shouldn't they at least try to take it?

Tengan chuckles. Yeah, the same Makoto as he saw back during the sixth trial of Danganronpa 1. Even Gozu seems impressed with his resolve. Both leave the room, Tengan mentioning that when the trial comes: while he can't make any promises, he'll at least try to ensure Makoto has a sporting chance. Makoto sighs as he leans back in his cell. A chance is all that he’d ever want.

Back to Asahina, she’s left brooding in her room. There wasn’t much else she can do now, except wait and try to prepare her own defense for Makoto. The trial. Hina’s recalls Bandai’s words and the statements from all the Directors, friends and foes, come back to her. What does she think of this entire thing?

She was left out of the loop and is now trying to catch up to a story that’s she’s never really been apart of. Having to risk it all for the sake of the Remnants? Who ended up getting her brother killed? Can she really do it? No doubt Makoto and the others hearts are in the right place, but could she truthfully still say she has no misgiving about it?

If only Sakura were here, she’d know the answer…

After the credits, time skips to the day of the trial. The scene is in a shadow room and there is a figure typing on a computer screen, sending messages out.

‘The pieces are in place. Let the third mutual killing game…begin.”

(Ep 12)

Now this episode is somewhat sort of the same as Future Arc ep 1, with a few twists. For example, the Ultimate Task Force is littered around the headquarters, watching for potential threats. Hagakure is actually let inside (and not on the helicopter pad awkwardly) for instance. Well, at first anyway! He’s not allowed in the meeting room so is just wandering about the rest of the building.

Asahina is looking between Kyoko and Makoto, words from Bandai still echoing in her head. How does she feel about this. She wants to support her friends - her family - through thick and thin. But, these guys helped get Yuta killed and is the reason their class is now down to six in the first place. Can she really vouch while so conflicted? Both Makoto and Kyoko grow aware of her looking so down, but can’t really be afforded the time to help her as they are called into the meeting room.

Kyosuke calls the meeting to order: This is the secret trial to determine the fate of Makoto Naegi - member of the 14th Division of Future Foundation - who is accused of treason and harboring dangerous criminals: the Remnants of Despair. This is the first time we now get to see the Jabberwock Crew in their Despair forms, unobstructed, with Kyosuke explaining that such intel was scrounged up and provided during the DR2 killing game, after FF realized they were the Remnants. A fact that Kyosuke is rather bitter about, but presses on with the matter at hand:

“Makoto Naegi - how do you plead?”

With a Not Guilty verdict in hand, the trial shifts, metaphorically, to be reminiscent of a Class Trial. Together with Kyoko and Hina, Makoto is doing his best to shoot down incorrect or slanderous claims about his situation. For example, claiming he had something to do with the jailbreak, which he couldn’t go given his confined state at the time. For Team Naegi, they’re arguing the Remnants can be saved and, for those that were awake, they deserve at least a fair shot at proving that they were rehabilitated. For Team Munakata, they’re arguing that no matter what form the Remnants take, they are still a danger to others and need to be eliminated. Both sides are at an impasse, and the others begin to chime in their thoughts as well.

Gozu, Miaya, Bandai, Tengan and Koichi do at least want to give testing the Remnants a shot. In Koichi’s case, when its mentioned that he did scout out the Remnants, its in the vein that he should have a grasp on the DR2 crew in spades. While he’s confident that, if given another shot, they’d be alright, he also admits he may or may not have been a biiiit too drunk that day and maybe can’t remember approving a good chunk of them? (Hina sighs and calls him out for being so irresponsible). Yet, there was still those like Ruruka or Izayoi who were adamant that the Remnants couldn’t be saved, and Ryota was too meek to say where he stood.

Eventually, a vote would commence. Kyoko and Makoto aren’t allowed to vote given their involvement in the matter, but Hina is allowed since she was away during the debacle and, at least to Tengan, she should at least be given the benefit of the doubt. A majority of seven would decide Makoto’s fate. Each Director gives their vote until its a split between Guilty (Kyosuke, Juzo, Seiko, Ruruka, Sonosuke and Chisa) and Not Guilty (Koichi, Tengan, Ryota, Bandai, Gozu and Miaya)

The only person left to vote is Hina and she’s feeling happy. She’s the tiebreaker and can save her friend’s life! She can help him! She can get him out of this situation! They’ve won! But, Kyosuke wasn’t done just yet. He chuckles and remarks that Hina must really be a strong woman. After all: she’s sparing the left of someone who saved those who got her brother killed.

Hina freezes and the room falls silent, except for Kyosuke. He gets into Hina’s head, reminding her of all the damage that the Remnants done. Because of Ultimate Despair, millions of people are dead and the world was brought to ruin. Because of them, her little brother, Yuta Asahina, will never come back. He’s another casualty; a victim who has never received justice for the crime brought to him! To Kyosuke, he’s not trying to be the bad guy - he doesn’t want to do this, especially to the ‘Ultimate Hope’ who helped stopped the Mastermind behind that terrorist organization. But what else can he do when the last major executives of the worst organization in human history were prevented from their just punishment for their actions? And doesn’t Hina want that? Want them to pay for blowing up her brother, whose remains are still at the bottom of the ocean? Does she really want to them off the hook for someone who values the lives of 15 murderers than her own flesh and blood?!

At the end of it, Hina is in tears and her conflicted mindset comes to a boil. She can’t think straight and has broken down, overwhelmed with such an awful choice to make. Both of her friends rush to her to try to get her to calm down, but as soon as Makoto touches her arm, she shirks away from them and runs out of the room. Something that causes Kyosuke to call for a temporary recess. Makoto is stopped from leaving by Juzo, but Kyoko is permitted to go after the swimmer. The rest of the Directors shuffle off, though Tengan wonders out loud if Kyosuke truly had to bring up the deceased just to sway the vote. For Kyosuke? He remarks that it’s better for Hina to truly understand her choices. Lest she makes one that she’ll live to regret. As for Makoto, he’s carted off to a nearby room to be treated by Chisa after Juzo handled him a bit too roughly. It’s there we get her revealing her past to Makoto as well, a condensed version of it, and her beliefs right to the luckster. Of both Kyosuke and Makoto coming together to create even bigger Hope for the world. If Kyosuke was the Hope of Justice- one that promises punishment to sinners who wronged others, then Makoto was the Hope of Faith - that promises that there was respite even in the worst of times. She encourages him to see Kyosuke’s point of view and meet somewhere in the middle with him.

Kyoko would go on to find Hina, sobbing bitterly in the girl’s bathroom. Hina apologizes for her actions. After all, Makoto’s life is on the life. She should have just ignored Kyosuke and voted for her friend’s safety! But, Kyoko shakes her head and tells Hina not to be sorry. After all, what was done to Hina can be considered a genuine betrayal given what UD have done to Yuta and what half of her friends did in spite of that. None of the others ever contacted her about it, nor even discussed it with Hina. They let their friend remain hurt for so long…and for that, Kyoko, kneels down and can only offer her humblest of apologies - even offering Hina to hit her if necessary if it means getting everything out of her systems and making amends.

But Hina doesn’t want that. She gets out of the stall, and just hugs Kyoko, crying into her shoulder. A while pasts, and Hina calms down, now willing to head back to the trial. They head out, only for Kyoko to notice something. The door to the supply closet wasn’t fully closed. Hina went to shut it, but finds the security guards of the place murdered. She freaks out and that’s when chaos ensues.

By now we get to see the Elite Task Force luring away guards, and quietly murdering them. During this process, Hagakure, is strolling on by lost, getting back from the men’s restroom when he opens the wrong door and sees some operatives stuffing the dead into body bags.

Hagakure ends up running away, which leads him to escaping the building right before the shutters close on the roof of Future Foundation. During this time, the scenes cuts to Togami whose in a meeting with his secretary and Aloysius. They have a flash drive containing some secret information concerning some hidden email they managed to dredge up with help from a special program A.E. gave to Togami some time ago. Secretly, they planted a special virus in each of the 14 Branches meant to automatically track any suspicious emails or files and send it straight to Team Togami. The fruits of their labor lies in that drive. Taking it and placing it into his laptop, Togami begins rummaging through all suspicious files and his eyes hardened considerably:

“...The third mutual killing game…and…a nation wide att-!!!” he gets up and orders both to make preparations. The scenes shifts throughout the various branches which are facing attacks from various agents of destructions, from rogue Remnants, to criminals/hitmen to even the likes of various operatives in the division going rogue out of nowhere and killing their own. It was complete chaos and no one can reach the Directors.

Back at Future Foundation HQ, the main cast are in a state of panic as they find themselves trapped in and reports of the guards being dead come to surface. Like in the original show, they are knocked out by sleeping gas. When they wake up, however, they find themselves in a rather demonic, yet regal looking area with monitors all over. The monitors come to life with Monokuma alongside four other mascots. He announces that these five are the MonoKast - hosts of the third mutual killing game!

Monokowl - a white and grey owl in a cowl and a graduation hat. Vice Headmaster of the MonoKast

Monokan - a white and orange kangaroo wearing a black apron. The teacher that helps runs the ‘school’.

Monokrown - A white and purple bee with a tiny crown. The security guard that keeps things safe.

Monokrony - A black and dark brown vampire bat with a gold star. A teacher’s assistant that helps out. Or tries to help out at least.

But if the Directors refuse to believe that they’ll kill each other, Monokuma is proud to announced that this killing game has already started. Everyone is confused, but it suddenly clicks to Kyosuke. Where is Chisa? The cast look up and see her murdered on the chandelier before it crashes, leaving Kyosuke just as distraught as he was before in the original.

DISTRUST LIFE - END

---

This ends the first part of the rewrite!! I'm open to questions concerning it if needed and hope anyone that read this got some enjoyment from this rendition! Who know when the next part will be up, but will try to make it for at least this year!

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stargazing15 · 2 years ago

Text

Hello again

Bob x Fem!reader

Summary: Will you give Bob another chance?

Warnings: angst and fluff I guess

Previous: Oh how I was wrong - Next: What a timing

Enjoy!

It was now becoming a regular thing, Bob talking to your door and you listening on the other side.

He talked about the others, mostly Phoenix, Rooster's new flame, rambling about a couple of his failed cooking sessions and of course how sorry he was about his actions. You were still contemplating if you could see him or not, but for now this was okay. You were actually surprised by yourself by giving him a chance and by calming down with his voice. It was still extremely busy at work and listening to Bob made you forget about it all. And for Bob talking to you, or at least he hoped you were listening, worked therapeutic for him.

The first time you said something back, you could hear Bob's voice break, he finally got the confirmation you were always listening. And the fact that you did made his heart flutter for a moment. Could this mean that there still might be chance for him?

"Beautiful angel, hi." You heard through the door after the doorbell rang.

"Hi Bob."

"Have you had dinner?" There was a hint of something hopeful in his voice.

"Actually not yet, why?"

"I, uh, I might have brought Chinese takeout. And I was hoping we could share, if you want to. You don't have to see me if we eat, I wanted to try something different. I uh-"

"It's okay Bob, it's actually a nice idea and it helps me not breaking my head over what to eat. What a sec."

You quickly went to take a cutlery because you know how clumsy Bob could be with chopsticks, and a blanket. When you opened the door, you were met with a nervous looking Bob. Looking at you with the same big eyes as when you met him. Those beautiful eyes that had your immediate attention and made you melt within seconds.

"Oh, you look, you look beautiful, angel." A small tear started to form in his eyes, by seeing you again in person and it made him realize how much he really missed you. He wanted to hold you so badly, but had to control himself not to mess it up by overwhelming you.

"Here," you said with a small smile while giving him the blanket and fork, "for your butt and to prevent a mess."

"You didn't forget about that?" He smiled softly back.

"How could I? It was funny." Your growling stomach interrupted the small conversation.

"Oh, yeah here, this is for you."

"Thank you. Would you mind if I..." You pointed at the door, getting a little nervous. You liked the change, but you also liked it the way it was. The thought was still lingering in your head if you could ever trust him again. Bob nodded and closed the door.

"Bob?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you for understanding. Why did you do that that night?" Before he answered you heard a small sob coming from the other side of the door.

"I still don't know and I know I'm not making it any easier by saying that, but I genuinely don't know why I did what I did."

"Do you love her?"

"I hate her, she disgusts me, I hate that she had that kind of power over me to let me make such a foolish decision. I hate everything she said and did. I feel sick for what I've done and that I ruined what we had. Even Phoenix hates me and I can't even blame her." Bob was half in tears, half fuming thinking about her and you were shocked with his sudden outburst. You had never heard him so mad. "That bitch made me ruin everything good I ever had in my life, the best thing that ever happened to me." You choked on your food when you hear Bob said the b-word.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I just never heard you talk like that before. Does that mean that-"

"Hell yeah, I dumped her, for good. Done with that, blocked and everything." You were already trying to imagine how Bob looked like telling you all that. The thought of him probably blushing, making big eyes and tilting his head sideways made you smile.

"Did I hear a smile behind the door?"

"Maybe, I, uh, maybe I'm a little bit happy because she didn't fit with you. When did you break it off?"

"That's actually a compliment. Uh, the first day I stood here. I was still so filled with adrenaline and guilt, I needed to apologize. It sound a bit unbelievable, but it's thanks to Hangman, I started to think about what I was doing. He, uh, smacked my head, hard. But I deserved it. And the Phoenix told me about your past, I needed you know that it was all me at fault. It had nothing to do with you. "

You interrupted Bob with a small laugh "Do I need to thank Jake? Never expected that one."

"Yeah. Thank you for listening, it must have been painful."

"I think I needed to hear what you said that day to stop sulking and hiding at home."

"Y/N, beautiful angel?"

"Hmm"

"I am so sorry for everything. I miss us. Do you think we can ever be friends again?"

"Aren't you my door-buddy already? I think we can be friends again, but I think I need some more time. It really hurt Bob and I'm scared "

"Thank you. Thank you for giving me a possible second chance."

Your doorbell rang fanatically, there were even some bonks on your door.

"Coming! Don't smash my door!" You were greeted with a gigantic hug and as you tried to wrap your arms around the person, you felt another body, more muscular and at the other arm another back. You took a step back to process what just happened.

"Nat? Oh, hi guys, come in I guess. I just texted you half an hour ago." You texted Nat if she would like to come over but apparently her coming alone over didn't really succeed as she was joined with some ecstatic looking pilots.

"I couldn't wait to see you and Rooster here saw the message too and yeah, now we're here. Hangman and Coyote were still doing pushups and Payback had to get his kids from school. We will fill them in later. Girl, you look good. Come here, let me take a good look." Phoenix took your hand and let you twirl.

"I have to agree with Nat. You look a lot better with some color and without those sunglasses. Hangman and Coyote are to regret having to do push ups and miss your radiant smile. Do you still have those sunglasses, for me, your smile is very bright."

"Are you seriously flirting with her, Rooster? It's good seeing you." Mickey nudged your shoulder.

"She looks good and I'm feeling like giving compliments."

"Thank you Mickey, and Bradley I didn't mind it." You winked at him.

"By the way, I know you have this thingy going on with a cute nurse, so I know you're not flirting."

"Okay, hold on, how do you know this?" Phoenix questioned you.

"Is there someone we need to know off?" Mickey eyed you suspiciously.

"Don't get mad okay, Bob came by a while ago, I think it's been more then a month already and-"

"HE DID WHAT?? I'm going to kick his butt! Or even worse, if I have to eject him, just say the word." Phoenix looked like she meant it.

"Wait a minute, something over a month? I know you're still mad at him Nat, but haven't you noticed he's been happier and smiling more lately?" Mickey noticed. The three of them started to talk and mumble all at the same time.

"Stop being mad at him okay! I'm the only one allowed to be mad at him, can you listen first, please." You stopped the chatter in your living room.

"Sorry Y/N" the three of them were looking at you like kicked puppies.

"I recently learned he dumped her, for good. I haven't forgiven him or forgotten about what happened. I'm trying to get over over it and listening to Bob is really helping."

"Knowing you and Bob it actually does make sense." Mickey encouraged you, he laid one hand one your shoulder. At first it felt weird physical contact, the group hug already forgotten, it had been a while ever since you withdrew yourself inside your place. But since it was was Mickey's hand, you felt at ease, even happy.

"You're a strong one Y/N, I'm amazed by how you're doing now. We were actually all, and with all I really mean everyone, scared when you left. With you inviting Nat over, does that mean our sis is back?"

"I think so, yes." Bob had started to melt the heart he froze after hurting you and your friends here are warming it up even more. This time you were not letting go of this wonderful feeling.

It was afternoon when your friends arrived and after midnight when they left. There was a lot of catching up to do, Bob might have told you everything, but hearing them say it in person made it even more enjoyable. Eventually they called Hangman, Coyote and Payback to surprise them by letting them hear your voice.

Two weeks had flown by after you had seen your friends, after some long days at work you and Bob still had managed to find time to talk. Today was friday, normally Bob would come around, but since it was pouring outside, you weren't expecting him anymore. If you were being honest with yourself, you were really looking forward to hearing and seeing him for a second, disappointment started to sink in as you were cooking dinner. You were making your famous spaghetti and of course you were making a lot, so you could freeze some in for busy days.

And then your doorbell rang. Without thinking further you you went for the door with your apron on covered in some tomato stains, hair in the messiest bun in history and your bunny-slippers. You were dumbfounded when you saw a drenched Bob standing on your porch.

"You came?" You were able to whisper, surprising yourself by being able to say something. A couple raindrops flew on your face and that made you realize how drenched Bob was. "Oh my god, come in." You took his arm and pulled him inside.

"Angel, you don't have to-"

"Stop it, your soaked, wait here and get out of these wet clothes, I'll grab some dry-"

"No, no, you don't have anything-"

"Did you forget my lounge wardrobe already?" You smirked at him.

"Oh."

After letting Bob dry himself and change in one of your oversized joggers and shirt, you found yourself staring at him. He still locked cute in your clothes. They fit in length, but the shirt made him look smaller as it was a very large. Something in you wanted to take a picture, but that might be a little creepy right?

"Are you okay with me being here, beautiful angel? If it's too much please say so. I don't want to overstep."

"It's okay, I pulled you in. And I think I am ready for the next step, to see you."

Bob's stare landed on you, those big eyes, they were already doing all the talking. They were filled with adoration, but there was a slight hint in them of him being scared. His hand was resting on his neck. You could see a thousand thoughts racing through his mind.

"C-can we start over again? I wish I could erase all the bad. I want to start over, with a clean slate."

You reached your hand out, agreeing, "Hi, I am Y/N Y/L/N."

Bob follows your lead by shaking your hand. "Hi, my name is Robert Floyd, but my friends call me Bob."

"Hi Bob, can I say you look dashing? And right now my famous spaghetti is ready, would you like to join?" You still couldn't help yourself to giggle at Bob's cute outfit.

"I would like that very much. And thank you for liking my style." A blush crept on Bob's cheeks, he was the happiest man on earth that you were letting him in your life again.

Taglist: @mrsjaderogers @bradleybeachbabe @mavrellover91 @iamdannyday @rhirhikingston @luckyladycreator2 @cycbaby

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awrestlinggirlwholoves80sbands · 1 year ago

Note

Hey, i am the one who requested the slaxl story: yea I meant axl telling Izzy about slash, sorry if that was unclear😅 I respond you this way cause I'm sure how I can comment under your post😭 (new on Tumblr)

Okay so a year has passed since this ask (ops) and I am so sorry, but between uni and anything I've never got the chance to finish it until now. I hope you'll enjoy it :)

Izzy's POV

The clock read 3 a.m when a loud bang on the door woke Izzy up. The guitarist almost wanted to laugh, considering that he decided to go to sleep earlier for once but destiny had other plans for him. He settled on ignoring the noise however it just kept going.

“Go away!” He yelled, hoping that the fucker would give up.

“Izzy, pleaseeee open up!” Axl's voice pleaded.

“Go harass Duff, he’s probably still awake.”

He might have been Axl’s childhood best friend but it didn’t mean he had to deal with his shit, especially when he just wanted to sleep and nothing would change that not even the grip forming in his heart due the guilt.

“Please Izzy, I need your help.”

Izzy wanted to say no and go back to sleep or pretend to until Axl would have left him alone, but something inside him urged him to listen to his friend. More than once he found himself calming the redhead back to sleep or allowing him to let his emotions out, especially for Axl and the whole band’s sake.

Reluctantly he stood up, his hands curled up in fists for a second and promising himself that he would make sure to let the other man know he owned him. When he opened the door, he was relieved to see Axl's face still intact however his glossy eyes had some red in them that couldn’t only be because of the alcohol.

“What do you want, shithead?” He asked unceremoniously.

“I need your help, Izzy.”

“Yeah, you kind of said that already. So are you going to repeat that all night or are you giving a good enough reason why you’re knocking on my door at 3 a.m.?”

“Okay, so do you know Slash?” Axl sounded completely serious which made Izzy almost let out a hysterical laugh. He couldn't help but arch his eyebrows at how Axl was tiptoeing around the subject, even if he was more surprised about how he still hadn't pushed him out of his room. His stomach lurched at the thought he was becoming soft.

“You mean Slash, our guitarist, the one we have known for a year now?” His sarcasm was bitter but it didn’t seem to faze Axl.

“Yeah.. me and Slash did something…”

Izzy rolled his eyes. As much as he wanted to strangle Axl to make him spill the beans, a part of him didn’t want to know what those idiots did because it meant getting involved and he wasn't ready to bail Slash out of jail again, even if deep down he loved them. Before saying anything he sighed, letting out all the anger from his voice because he had learned long ago that it was pointless.

“Something illegal?”

“No, well maybe it’s immoral for some people. My step dad would have found it such but technically it’s not illegal.”

The guitarist forgot that if Axl normally would talk for hours, while drunk he would do that even more while making zero sense. Something so wonderful when he just wanted to sleep.

“Axl, please just tell me what the hell you two have done!”

“Me and Slash went on a date, okay?!”

Izzy’s eyes widened in surprise. The sexual tension between Axl and Slash was obvious, the two were constantly hugging and teasing each other, however he didn’t think they would actually act on those feelings. Probably his tiredness didn't only close his eyes but his brain too, because he felt genuinely happy for them, even if the redhead’s tone told him the date didn’t go as planned.

“On a date? Damn, did you bite the bullet and ask him?”

“Well it wasn’t officially a date but we both knew it was.” Axl said, sounding just like a teenager.

Izzy's head started pulsing in anticipation of the cheesy story that was about to unfold, he would rather eat sand than having to listen to that but he doubted that pretending to faint could get away with not hearing the story. However, making his eyebrows arch was the reason Axl decided to come to him, usually Duff was the love advisor. Was it because he trusted him more? Or was it karma deciding to kick his ass by not making him able to get a good night of sleep?

“What’s wrong with the date?”

“Everything was cool and then he kissed me!” The singer spat those words almost like they were poison.

“You weren’t okay with that?” Izzy 's heart started to beat faster as rage slowly crept close to the surface. He was well aware of Axl’s past and how he didn’t take lightly people forcing on him, so it was only expected for him to go into his protective mode. Hell, if he discovered Slash had done something to Axl, he would have killed himself with his hands.

“No no, I wanted to but then I freak out because it made everything real! Because I really like him but we agreed to be friends with benefits and I don’t know what to do.” The redhead sniffled, hiding his face with his hair.

The guitarist's brain just shut down, unable to process a correct answer to give, he knew he needed to be honest but not too harsh, sympathetic yet realist. He just stayed silent for what seemed the longest time, Axl's eyes fixed on him like he had the answer to every problem of the universe, while Izzy was just digging through his brain for possible outcomes.

“Well isn’t it pointless to not be together if he likes you?”

"Well, you are already having sex. What's the problem?"

“Don’t worry about it, true love always wins.”

“Fucking hell Axl, it’s 3 in the morning and I just want to sleep.”

“Why don’t you talk with him tomorrow? When you are sober and not a crying mess. Just tell him you want to take things slow and time will tell.” He decided to set on, hoping it would work.

Axl tilted his head, pondering what Izzy said like a big truth about the secrets of the universe, and eventually he nodded in agreement. The other man's shoulder relaxed, maybe the universe was really rooting his way and spared him more Axl's tears and possible screams.

“You’re right. I just gotta wait and I’ll tell him and if doesn’t accept him, well fuck him!”

“Great, now why don’t you go back to your room and just sleep on all of this?” The black haired man suggested, almost taking his arm to direct him to the door. However a knock to the door made him groan in frustration, every ounce of diplomacy leaving his body at the prospect of having to deal with another of his bandmates.

“Whoever you are, you better get lost in the next five seconds or I will murder you.”

“Izzyyyy, I need your help.” Slash’s intoxicated voice replied.

Another drunk friend, as dealing with Axl wasn’t enough for him. The redhead’s eyes widened were a big tell that he was about to freak out and the guitarist didn’t know if he could handle him. Pinching his nose, he decided to take matters into his own hands before he had to bash his head against the wall, after all his hotel room wasn't a therapist's office.

“Slash, go to Duff. It isn’t really a good moment.” He yelled sternly.

“But I need you!”

“I’m going out of here.” Axl said, moving towards the window and prompting Izzy to throw his arm to block him.

“Fuck no! You will stay here and I’ll try to keep him out.” Izzy squeezed his shoulders in a calming way.

He opened the door just enough to see his band mate: clearly intoxicated, his eyes weren't red but they were darting all around and his fingers were playing with one of the bracelets he always wore. It was another prime example of a band mate in crisis, but to make everything worse, he didn't know Slash as much as he knew Axl.

"Slash, why don't you go to Duff?" He crossed his arms, hoping to scare him enough to discourage him from staying there.

"Because he can't understand... you know him better." Slash's curls automatically covered his face, but that didn't fool Izzy and only made his heart drop in defeat.

"Know who better?" He sounded as vague as possible, as if he couldn't hear Axl crawling on the floor and hiding in the bathroom.

"Axl. Look, I'm afraid that I freaked him out. I'm scared too, I get it but I need to gain his trust back."

Izzy rubbed his temples, the headache slapping him with such a force that he wished he could make him pass out, giving him a way out of this mess. He had another choice to make: should he tell Slash that Axl was there, and let them solve their problems? Or should he protect his friend and keep his mouth shut?

He tasted his pockets for cigarettes, probably they could have cleared his mind and corrupted Slash, making him gain some time. All of a sudden a loud noise made his hand fall against his side and a small curse came out his mouth, even Slash in his drunken stupor was attracted by the unusual sound.

"What's that noise?" A look of puzzlement crossed Slash's face.

"I was busy before you interrupted me." Izzy gestured vaguely, hopefully the other man was too drunk to question his lie.

"You never bring a girl into your room."

"Now what? Do you think you know what I do in my free time?" His face contorted in an annoyed expression.

It took all his self control to not ran outside the room and leave the two idiots with themselves, all this diplomacy was making him sick to his stomach. Slash's glossy eyes stared at him for a second, but he was too out of it to argue back, however right when he thought the situation was diffused, he heard the bathroom door opening.

Axl seemed to have sober up a bit, his face was clean of any sign of tears however his eyes quickly went down as soon as he caught a glimpse of Slash. On the other hand Slash seemed awkward, his mouth opened in slight surprise as Izzy could clearly see the gears in the other man's brain trying to come up with something but only resorting to silence.

"Hi Slash." The redhead said shyly.

"Were you hiding in the bathroom?"

Axl's face scrunched up for a moment and Izzy saw a familiar fire in his eyes that made him ready to step in if needed, but apparently the redhead's rational side seemed to win so he just took a deep breath and did not break Slash's nose to the delight of Izzy.

"I guess we need to talk."

Izzy's eyes bolted to both men as the tension was filling the air: Axl's confidence was gone as he kept looking around the room while Slash just stood still as he was waiting for the Earth to swallow him alive. Izzy wanted to leave the room but a look from childhood best friend's told him to stay.

"Look Axl, if you didn't like the kiss it's fine. I know we said to keep things casual-" Slash started but he was quickly interrupted.

"No, I liked the kiss. It's just a bit more complicated than that." Axl started to play with his bracelets, trying to find the right words.

"Oh..."

Izzy's hands hitched to butt the heads of his friends together, maybe that could help them be less oblivious. A sense of discomfort took over as he realized that he was just standing here, watching two people talking about their deepest feelings in front of a bandmate. He needed to do something so he headed towards the only window in his room to lit up a cigarette.

"I... I like you Slash, okay? But this shit ain't easy! I've never had feelings for a guy, I've been taught it was a sin."

"You like me?" Slash asked, with such a surprised tone that Izzy had to turn around to watch both of them.

"Yeah. I know I said "no feelings involved" but it happened."

Izzy watched Slash stumbling towards Axl and gently kissing him. For a moment Izzy's heartbeat got faster but Axl quickly reciprocated the kiss, making shame invade the guitarist's body.

"I'll be outside... try to not use my bed for "fun times" " He said but the other two man were too busy eating their faces to acknowledge him in any way.

Axl POV

Axl barely heard the door closing, he was too focused on how Slash's lip tasted like a whole bottle of Jack and a pack of cigarettes or how his hands were buried in the other man's curls, making Slash purring in his mouth. Quickly their lips weren't gently touching anymore but smashing against each other, the air uncomfortably getting trapped in his lungs and his cheeks turning red.

"I'm taking this forward, okay? Tell me to stop whenever you don't feel up to it anymore." Slash said and Axl nodded, his face relaxing at the thought of having a choice.

Slash's hand traveled to Axl's shirt, his finger played with the hems without actually lifting it while their feet were subconsciously leading them towards the bed. The same bed Izzy forbidden them to touch. Axl tugged Slash's shirt, hating his moment of clarity because he wanted nothing more than to keep kissing, but the other man didn't budge.

"Slash?"

"Mh?" He said, interrupting the kiss.

"Izzy would kill us if we touched his bed." Slash sighed and stepped away from Axl. "But maybe we can continue in your room." The redhead added.

Slash's lips immediately turned into a smirk but he hesitated for a minute.

"So we are officially more than fuck buddies? Because I can't deal with another run like the one we had before, I thought you were going to take a plane or kill me!"

"Yes, we are. I might take some time but I promise."

Axl felt Slash's hand on his, squeezing it reassuringly and the cold metal of his ring gave him a weird sense of comfort, he couldn't explain it but it just felt like Slash. He let him guide him to the door as fear slowly left his body.

Izzy's POV

He sat against the door, his head pounding and his eyes tired which was so fucking stupid because everything was solved, there was no need for his body to be so dramatic. He pondered about resting,not sleeping, just to see if it eased the pain of his head.

"Izzy?" The voice was far away but he just ignored it. He was so close to drift away when the voice came back again and louder.

"Izzy!" It sounded familiar but his brain was too exhausted to match any face to the voice.

"I'm sleeping, leave me alone." He replied.

The sound of steps only lasted a couple of seconds before he felt someone sitting next to him, all his reflexes were apparently dull because he didn't react at all. A strong smell of cigarettes and a very specific cologne hit his nostrils and revealed the mysterious man.

"Duff, what are you doing here?" He said, giving up and opening his eyes.

Duff's shoulder dropped in relief, his red eyes holding all the remaining anxiety running through his body. Izzy had no idea if he was about to laugh or cry because having to babysit him sounded like a nightmare.

"Oh thank God you're alive. I was smoking outside the bar and then I noticed Slash running towards the hotel, I thought he was in trouble until I watched him get inside your room."

"Yeah, he is okay. He was just very drunk and he and Axl had to sort something out."

"Is Axl going to kill him? What's going on?"

Izzy's hands started to play with the pack of matches in his hands, he looked Duff right into his eyes with a blank expression while his mind was traveling as fast as light. He didn't want to harm Axl or Slash in any way, even if he always had a good amount of trust in Duff's open mind.

"No. I'm about to say something and it has to stay between us, okay? Axl and Slash are dating.

Duff started laughing and then it turned into wheezing, so much that he had to hold his stomach from it and his eyes started to water with tears. Rage shot through Izzy's body, making his face twist into the scariest impassible expression he was capable of, the one that usually meant he was about to throw hands.

" God, I thought Slash upset Axl or something. I mean, are we even surprised? Those two are behaving like a married couple all the time, fucking finally!"

Izzy didn't even realize he clutched his hands until he relaxed them, Duff's supportive nature came handy once again and he found it hard to suppress the smallest hint of a smile. As much as the bassist was a piece of work, but Izzy couldn't really say anything since he was one too, moments like this reminded him of the weird bond they had about making sure the rest of the band was okay.

Suddenly the door next to him opened, revealing a certain drummer with blonde hair staring at Duff and Izzy with the widest smile.

"Axl and Slash are together?" Steven squealed with excitement.

"Steven, what the hell? You scared me!" Duff said, holding a hand over his heart.

The drummer ignored him to instead close his door and sat across Izzy, eyes full of joy and his body vibrating with energy.

"It's almost 4am why are you awake?" Izzy hoped to distract him.

"I couldn't sleep. So, are Axl and Slash together? How did that happen?"

The guitarist sighed, he pondered if he should have ignored Steven all together but the angel on his shoulder seemed to win, his face softened as he looked at the other man. He went over the story again, his calm voice in total contrast with Steven's continuous face expression even if in a way it made him feel validated in having to deal with those two idiots.

"Wow, I've never knew they were fuck buddies. I mean, one time I saw Slash and a redhead in bed but I thought it was a chick!" Steven said, making Duff laugh again.

Before he could stop it, Izzy felt a small laughter escaping his body as the image of a very naked and dramatic Axl screaming plagued his head. His head moved closer to the door but he couldn't hear much so Izzy returned to focus on Duff and Steven and their very important argument about pizza toppings, but soon their voice became only a background noise and his eyes dropped.

Maybe he was finally able to get some sleep...

The door slammed open, making Izzy's eyes immediately snap open, he turned his body around and he saw Slash's guilty eyes shooting an apology, quickly followed by Axl's confused face. Irritated wasn't even enough to describe the pure heat radiating through his body, but he would have lied if he said that he wasn't relieved by their two friends holding hands.

" What are Duff and Steven doing here?" Axl tilted his head quizzically.

"Duff thought you would kill Slash and Steven wanted a sleepover." Izzy explained and that seemed enough for Slash, who tugged Axl towards their room before the redhead could say anything.

The doorknob almost lured Izzy like a siren as his tired body screamed for some rest, he barely realized his feet moving towards his room before he was distracted by Steven's cheerful voice.

"Wanna join me and Duff in our sleepover?"

"No." He said, closing the door right in his friends' face and falling flat on his bed.

#80srock #80s rock band #guns n roses #axl rose #slash #izzy stradlin #duff mckagan #steven adler #fanfiction #my fanfiction #guns n roses fanfic #slaxl #slash x axl

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