Chapter 1: Stars of Dawn
Chapter Text
Nobody expected it. The day that society crashed, and began to burn. The day that the undead became a true fear. Those who’d always been paranoid welcomed everyone else to join them as they cowered, as they prepared for the end of the world. As everyone died around them. As their friends and family died around them. Groups began to rise to power, and as one society fell, another rose. From a society full of happiness, light and wonder came a society full of rage, darkness and fear, and only those strong enough could endure it.
“Ukki! Ukki wake up!” a regular voice splits through his sleepily hazed head, and his eyes flutter open carefully. He eyes the orange mop in front of him with a smile, then sits up rubbing his eyes. “Morning Akehoshi-kun..! Is everything okay..?” “Yep yep! Hokke, Sari and Anzu are all good! I think Sari and Hokke are checking traps, and Anzu is.. doing something!” Subaru explains while Makoto stands up, wiping his glasses clean and setting them on his face. Despite the literal end of the world, nothing had shaken Subaru’s cheerful demeanor. It was nice to have a moral booster in times like this, that’s how Anzu and Mao had always justified it. Hokuto had said now more than ever, his cheerfulness was only an unshakable mask, and Makoto had stayed quiet about it, he didn’t want to cause an unnecessary argument.
The two of them make their way out of their room in the back of the wooden cabin, and Anzu smiles happily at the way Subaru interlaces their hands. “Good morning Makoto-kun. How did you sleep?” “Good, Anzu-chan! What about you?” “The same as always, I’m okay.” Her smile falters slightly, but Makoto chooses to ignore it. Anzu didn’t like having the attention put on her, that hadn’t changed. “Did Mikejima-senpai come by before I woke up?” He asks, letting go of Subaru’s hand (earning a silent pout), and picking up a knife, helping Anzu cut up the variety of food on her cutting board. “I swear we didn’t have any of this stuff last night..” “Yeah, he brought a bit.. Hokuto-kun put everything in storage before he left.” “MaM-senpai said he couldn’t stay this time though.. He took off right away..” Subaru whines, resting his chin on Makoto’s shoulder. “Well it makes sense, he still wants to help everyone he can. That’s just Mama.” Anzu smiles, and Makoto smiles as well at the way her face lights up saying his name.
A few hours pass, and while Anzu and Makoto don’t seem too stressed, Subaru is getting a little restless. He sits by a window that’s half boarded up, peering through the cracks and resting his cheek in his palm. “Akehoshi-kun? You okay?” Anzu looks at him from the kitchen, and he turns back to her with a cheery smile. “Uh-huh! I’m al~l good!” He giggles, getting a small laugh from Anzu, but a sigh from Makoto. The blond walks over to him, gently lacing their fingers together. Subaru looks at him with a confused, but gentle expression, and giggles once again as Makoto plants a soft kiss on his forehead. “It’s okay not to be okay, Subaru.” He whispers, petting his hair and sitting next to him. The other quickly lays his head against his shoulder, and Anzu steps back into the kitchen to give them what privacy she can.
Once they’re sure she’s gone, Subaru takes a breath and speaks up. “Hokke and Sari have been gone for a long time.. They left before the sun came up..” He holds one of Makoto’s hands tightly, and the blond returns the grip. “They know what they’re doing... They’ll be back soon, okay? Maybe some of the traps actually had stuff in them, and they’re having trouble bringing it back..” He jokes, and Subaru laughs, rolling his eyes. “Yeah I know.. Sari and Hokke are strong..!” “We can still go along the trap route and check if you want? I think Anzu-chan will be okay on her own for a little..” Subaru thinks about it for a second, quickly nodding and standing up, offering his hand to Makoto happily. Fixing his glasses, he takes Subaru’s hand and stands, freezing when Subaru presses a quick kiss to his lips. Before he can respond, the ginger is already across the room, yelling to Anzu that the two of them are leaving to look for their friends. Hesitantly, she wishes them good luck, and Subaru grabs a few guns before happily opening the door and ushering Makoto out.
Closing and securing the gate behind them, Subaru and Makoto begin their walk along the path that they have their traps set. They talk happily as they continue down the way, stopping every so often to make sure they’re still safe and reload their weapons. “You really think MaM-senpai is gonna stay with Sakuma-senpai this time?” “No, he doesn’t stay with anyone. I don’t think he has an actual base.. He just sort of.. Crashes with people..” “With us.” “Okay. mostly with us, but that’s only because of Anzu-chan..” Makoto laughs a little, flinching when Subaru throws an arm around his shoulder with his own laugh, then pecks his cheek. “I want what they have~” “Huh? You wanna not see me for weeks then jump into my arms when I finally get back? Then just.. Watch me leave again?” “Yeah! Well.. Maybe don’t actually leave. Just hide from me! And only for a few hourssss!” He laughs, holding Makoto tighter and stopping them in their tracks, pecking his lips and getting shoved away playfully. “Akehoshi-kun, we’re supposed to be looking f-” He’s interrupted by a gunshot, and a close sounding one at that. The two exchange a look before they run off in that direction, keeping their guns gripped tightly.
“Shit.. Shit! Just.. Keep shooting!” “I’m almost out of bullets, Hokuto.” “Okay, okay I’m.. Give me a second!” Hokuto breathes heavily, reloading his pistol with shaky hands. Being locked in a broken down car surrounded by a horde of the undead was not an ideal way to spend a morning, now was it? Mao keeps shooting out of the gaps in the window, and Hokuto looks towards his side of the vehicle. “I can shoot two, and we can run. The rest aren’t close, are you ready Isara?” Hokuto shoots him a quick look, and Mao nods in response, pulling his gun back and getting ready to bolt out. Hokuto takes his shots, and swings the car door open, running out of the open and back onto their trap path. Mao follows suit, keeping up the same pace as Hokuto, if not a faster one.
Despite the many times they’d taken this path, they make a wrong turn into a dead end. “Hokuto-” “It’s fine, get behind me. I’ll shoot out an opening okay?” “Hokke? Sari?” A voice cuts through the horde, and the two are visibly confused. “Akehoshi?” “Hokke!!” “Lower your voice! You’ll attract them..” “G-Good! We have bullets, let us help!” “No! Get out of here! You need to keep yourselves safe!” Mao calls back, but he’s drowned out by the sound of bullets echoing. The noise attracts the horde, most of it, and they turn to face the other half of the friend group. Subaru pulls Makoto’s arm down, lowering his gun with it. “Are you insane Ukki?!” “No! Start running! All of you!” He pushes Subaru’s arm off of him, making his way through the horde and grabbing Mao’s arm as he does. Hokuto and Subaru start running down the path back to the house, and Makoto and Mao follow as fast as they can.
Once the panic calms down the four of them stop, and Subaru pulls Hokuto into a tight hug. “You idiot! How’d you get so lost..” “We were panicking.. I’m sorry..” He sighs, returning the grip the other has on him. Mao looks at Makoto with a smile, putting a hand on his back as they both catch their breath. “Good call. Shooting into the air like that.. Pretty smart Makoto..” He pats his back, raising an eyebrow worriedly when he doesn’t get a response. “...Makoto?” Hokuto and Subaru turn to face the two, and the latters expression shifts into an unhappy one. “Ukki..?” “Akehoshi.. He’s..” Subaru covers his mouth. “Don’t finish that. Please d-” “I’m bit, Akehoshi-kun.” “No. No you’re not.” Subaru walks over to him, shakily grabbing his arm. Hokuto looks at the ground, and Mao grabs Makoto’s arm as well. Makoto shoos their hands away from the bloodstain on his sleeve, rolling up the fabric with a wince and sighing at the very visible bite mark sunk into his skin. “It’s my fault.” “Hidaka-kun..” “If I didn’t take a wrong turn, we wouldn’t have gotten cornered, and you wouldn’t have had t-” “It’s my own fault. I wasn’t careful enough, I guess.. I didn’t even feel it you know..” He laughs a little, stumbling slightly when Subaru holds him tighter and shoves himself into his chest, gripping the fabric of his clothes tight. “Y-you.. You can’t..” “I’m not gonna stay with you guys.. That’s not fair..” Makoto sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Not staying with us? Where are you-” “I don’t know.. I’m just gonna go away and let it happen.. I don’t want you guys to see that..” He sighs, holding his arms out to Mao as well. When the redhead joins the hug, Makoto calls out for Hokuto, and he too joins the group in a hug.
“I love you guys.. Okay?”
“I l-love you too..”
“We love you, Yuuki.”
“We love you. We’ll see you again, Makoto.”
And with that, they went their separate ways.
Chapter 2: Stars, Spades and Stingers.
Summary:
“He’s very brave. To deal with something like that on his own.” “H-He should’ve let u-us help..” “He didn’t need help, Subaru-san. He wanted to spare you all the trouble. It was one of the last choices he made of his own will, I’m sure he’d love if you honored it.”
Notes:
This chapter gave me writers block for a few days I apologize.. Updates may be slow-ish now because my laptop is going in for repair in the next few days, anddd I'm doing the CrazyB event trying to get HiMERU so !!! Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter :)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
It felt almost surreal, the walk back to the cabin. After such an emotional moment, the three of them couldn’t share any words. Makoto was gone, he wasn’t coming back. It was still sinking in. Mao, being the most alert of the three, has taken Subaru’s gun since it has the most bullets left, and he walks with him and Hokuto in silence. The sounds of nature and a far off horde surround them, and they only stop walking when Subaru collapses to the ground, his knees giving out under him. Mao turns back to him with a sigh, offering a hand to help him up, but the other sits on the ground, not raising his head or moving at all other than the shaking that he can’t control. “Subaru..” “Akehoshi, we have to keep going. Anzu is still alone at the cabin.” No response, verbally or physically. Hokuto looks over at Mao, and the two nod, putting their arms under Subaru’s and lifting him, continuing their walk along the path.
“Hidaka-senpai? Isara-senpai? Is Akehoshi-senpai okay..?” Hokuto turns to the voice that cuts through the brush, but all that’s left behind in that direction is a rustling bush and hushed whispers. Confused, Hokuto puts a hand on the grip of his gun before he calls out. “Who is it, and what do you want?” Mao moves Subaru off of the two and leans him against a tree, kneeling next to him to make sure he’s alright, while Hokuto properly aims his pistol.
No answer, in any form.
“Look, you know our names so you can’t be all bad. What do you want?” There’s more silence before the brush moves again, and the younger Amagi brother steps into the path with his hands slightly up. “Amagi.” He says relieved, lowering his gun. “Hi.. Is.. Is Akehoshi-senpai..?” “He’s fine just.. He needs to rest. We just.. We lost someone.” Hiiro’s blank expression turns into a soft frown, a sympathetic stare towards the three. “I’m sor-” “Otouto-han! Ya can’t just run off by yourself! My god you’re gonna get yourself killed you idiot!” A somewhat louder voice catches everyone's attention, and Hiiro flinches when his shirt is pulled into a clenched fist. “I-I’m sorry.. You didn’t want to stop s-” “Because they ain’t our responsibility!” “Nice to see you too, Oukawa.” Hokuto sighs, earning a slight glare from the pink haired kid. He lets go of Hiiro’s shirt, and the redhead fixes it quickly. “Look, ‘m sorry for the shit attitude, but he’s been runnin’ off all mornin’. If I lose him for good, I ain’t gonna live much longer myself.” He glares back at Hiiro, and Hokuto can’t help but laugh under his breath. “But.. Sorry t’hear ya lost someone-”
“If you need any help, you’re always welcome to come with us, Hidaka-senpai!” Hiiro chimes in, earning a kick to the leg from Kohaku as a response. “Would you really let us come with you?” Mao looks up, and Hiiro looks towards him with a nod. “Isara, we shouldn’t bother them-” “You aren’t bothering us! Honestly we haven’t actually had anyone back at our base in a while..” Kohaku’s glare doesn’t soften, and it’s still directed to Hiiro who smiles at him with blissful ignorance. Eventually, the younger drops his imposing look and sighs, turning away and heading back into the brush. Hiiro’s smile brightens more, and he looks back towards Mao. “Do you want me to help carry him?” “Oh.. Uh.. Sure, thanks.” He smiles, lifting Subaru back up with Hiiro’s help. “Just follow Kohaku-kun!” “Alright.” Hokuto and Mao exchange a look, somewhat concerned by Hiiro’s sudden burst of happiness, but they don’t complain. They’re happy for the help.
The empty halls of Reimei echo when nobody else is around, and Kaname likes the silence. He peers out the window at the front gate and the watchtowers around it, then lets his eyes wander to the ground closer. He notices Rinne sitting at a firepit where Niki is cooking, but no matter how far his eyes wander he doesn’t see anyone else. “Everyone’s busy, hm Kaname-san..?” Suddenly, the calm quiet atmosphere was tense and stressful. The footsteps behind him echoed louder than he’d like. He doesn’t bother to face who’s speaking, he knows who it is and would rather ignore it, but it isn’t that simple. The “saint” would never leave him alone anyways. “Not everyone is busy. You seem free.” “I guess you’ve got me there, hm..” He laughs quietly, standing next to the blue haired man. “What do you want, Kazehaya.” “Himeru-san told me I should keep you company.” Cursing his brother under his breath, Kaname sighs and keeps his gaze out into the courtyard. “I don’t need your company. I’m fine by myself.” “If you insist. I’ll be quiet.” Tatsumi smiles, averting his eyes to the courtyard as well. The silence that surrounds the two of them is uncomfortable, and despite saying he’d stay quiet, Tatsumi takes a breath and speaks up. “I know you have no reason to trust me or like me, even now, but for the sake of Himeru-san, could we please try and repair things?” “Oukawa’s back.” Is all Kaname says before he turns off towards the stairs, leaving Tatsumi alone to watch the gate swing open from the window.
Kohaku looks up at Aira in one of the towers as the gate swings open, and the blond shoots him and Hiiro both a confused smile when he sees the redhead and Mao carrying Subaru. While Himeru waves from the other tower, Mao looks over at Kohaku. “You guys have guard towers?” “We don’t call ‘em guard towers, they’re watchtowers.” “If they have guns up there, they’re guard towers.” “Ya tellin’ us how this place works? You’ve been here less than two minutes.” Kohaku stops in his tracks hearing someone else chime in. He rolls his eyes a little with a quiet laugh as he looks up at Rinne, then stands at his side. “I tried to tell your brother we didn’t need anyone else here.” “Eh. I don’t care, it’s been boring anyway.” Rinne holds his hand out to Hokuto with a smile. “Welcome to our humble abode!… Eh? He alright..?” The older man questions, raising an eyebrow at Subaru. “He’s exhausted. We’ll be out of here by morning, I promise Amagi-senpai.” With a laugh, Rinne shrugs off Hokuto’s words, moving over to Hiiro and Mao and picking Subaru up over his shoulder, surprised that he gets no resistance from the other. “Like I said, I don’t care. Stay however long ya want, as long as you’re helpful to some sorta extent. I’ll haul Akehoshi-paisen to the infirmary nd get Tattsun t’look at him. Hiiro, find them a room that ain’t occupied.” Hiiro nods happily, motioning for Mao and Hokuto to follow him into the building after Rinne.
When the brothers split off, Rinne moves Subaru off of his shoulder, throwing the ginger's arms over his shoulder and letting him walk on his own feet. “What happened, Akehoshi-paisen? Ya don’t look hurt but ya can barely stand.” He mutters, matching the slow pace set by the other. He rolls his eyes a little when he doesn’t get a response, looking behind him when he hears footsteps. “Tattsun!~ Nice, I was lookin’ for ya.” “Hm? Then I’m glad to be of service. Is Subaru-san alright..?” “Dunno what happened. Hiiro nd Kohaku-chan brought Trickstar back with ‘em. Kid can barely walk, but he doesn’t look hurt.” Tatsumi puts Subaru’s free arm over his own shoulder, smiling back at Rinne. “I can take care of him, you have a base to run.” “Gotcha. I’ll come grab you guys when Niki’s done cookin’~” “Alright, thank you.” Tatsumi watches him walk off, then turns into the medical office, gently sitting Subaru on the bed.
The medical office falls into silence, Subaru not speaking, and Tatsumi not knowing what to say. The latter sits in a chair across from the bed, but Subaru doesn’t meet his eyes. The atmosphere is tense until Tatsumi takes a breath, holding one of his hands out towards Subaru, who’s blue eyes lock onto it. “I’m not going to force you to tell me what’s wrong, but I’m here to listen to anything you’d like to say. If you’re physically hurt, I’d like you to tell me though so I can treat it, or at the very least bandage it up.” The ginger shakes his head a little, and Tatsumi smiles lightly, gripping his hand a little tighter. “So you’re just truly exhausted then.. I’m very sorry. You could lie down if you’d like, and when you feel like talking I’ll be right here.” He says quietly, letting go of Subaru’s hand and standing up, walking over to the cabinets across the room to organize supplies and the like. Subaru watches him for a while in silence, then sits up in the bed with a sigh.
“We lost Ukki.. I couldn’t save him.. I just.. I wish I could’ve done more..” Tatsumi stops what he’s doing and stares at the back wall of the cabinets before turning back to the younger man. “I’m... I’m very sorry for your loss.. How did you-” “We saved Hokke and Sari.. He.. He stuck his arm through a big group of monsters.. And one bit him.. He said he didn’t wanna let us w-watch him turn into o-one.. So he left..” He stumbles over his words trying to fight back tears, and Tatsumi sits in the chair across from him once again, holding his hand with a featherlike touch. “He’s very brave. To deal with something like that on his own.” “H-He should’ve let u-us help..” “He didn’t need help, Subaru-san. He wanted to spare you all the trouble. It was one of the last choices he made of his own will, I’m sure he’d love if you honored it.” Tatsumi brings his free hand up to wipe Subaru’s tears, and the sad blue eyes trail up to meet his own. “It isn’t your fault, Subaru-san. Nor is it the fault of anyone else in your group. I’m sure Makoto-san hasn’t placed any blame on you all. You’ve always done your best, now haven’t you?” With those words, Subaru breaks down crying, laying his head on Tatsumi’s shoulder while the latter gently rubs his back with one hand and pets his hair with the other. He cries for nearly twenty minutes, and Tatsumi only continues to hold him and reassure him the entire time.
“Tattsun, Akeoshi-paisen, dinners-” Rinne cuts himself off with a smile and a sigh when he sees the two of them collapsed and asleep, Subaru tired out from crying, and Tatsumi tired out from being his pillow. “I’ll make sure we save ya somethin’.”
Notes:
tatsumi trying to talk to kaname is the funniest shit ever kaname wants nothing to do with him sorry tattsun
cosprosun on Chapter 1 Tue 11 May 2021 04:03AM UTC
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