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Darkness looms over Shuichi Saihara’s head like a phantom. The room is cloaked in shadow, only broken by faint moonlight creeping past the curtains. Shuichi’s a big boy now—big boys don't need a nightlight. At least, that’s what he’s trying to believe as he clutches his trusty stuffed orca. He sure doesn’t feel like a big kid as he pulls the blanket over his head. As he continues to toss and turn on his bed, Shuichi’s breathing begins to increase. It’s not the lack of light or the fear of some unknown threat lurking in the shadows that has worked up the poor kid this evening.
Shuichi knows first-hand that reality can be scarier than any monster in the closet. Even at his tender age, he's learned that lesson well. The memory of that reminder replays like a bad TV show in Shuichi’s mind as he fails to make himself comfortable on his bed. The reality is that even after everything, Shuichi just wishes he could remove the blanket off his head and be back in his old room.
Shuichi misses him dearly right now. It’s not like his father was one for comforting in the first place. Shuichi wasn’t even mad that he was left home alone more often than not. He could live with the general disinterest he was shown by his father when he WAS home, planted on the sofa with a beer in hand. Shuichi even learned to get used to the endless cycle of short lived “girlfriends” that his father would bring home.
But to land in prison? Shuichi’s father’s whole job was to send the bad guys to prison! Shuichi didn’t even know cops could arrest other cops, but… Like Auntie Kyoko once said “you learn something new every day, it’s just a matter of if you’re paying attention to the lesson.”
Shuichi sits up on the mattress, tears welling in his eyes as he pulls the covers off of his head. He’s still in his new room, his objectively better bedroom. The normally cozy space feels cold and unwelcoming in the dark.
“Breathe in… Breathe out.” Shuichi murmurs to himself after he wipes the tears away from his eyes. Shuichi inhales for about five seconds before exhaling slowly, just like Komaeda showed him. He does this until he can breathe normally again. Sometimes it only takes a minute or two. Other times, it feels like an eternity—or about forty-five minutes. Tonight, it only takes a solid three minutes before Shuichi feels himself completely free from spiraling.
Shuichi’s eyesight adjusts to the darkness around him. The familiarity of his bedroom returns to him, even if faintly. The once lumpy bed feels softer under Shuichi now that he isn’t forcing sleep. Shuichi’s hazy eyes wander over to his bedside. His alarm clock flashes 11:16 pm, far beyond bedtime. Next to the clock is a framed photo of his guardians, a photo Shuichi insisted on keeping in his room. There was just something about it that made him feel nostalgic for an event he wasn’t even a part of. Shuichi stares intently at the photograph of the very people who took him in.
Shuichi wasn’t sure how old the photograph was. The photo was taken during some sort of party, a “candid” photograph as Nanami called it. His guardians were laying on a couch together, playing some video games together. Hinata looked as serious as ever, which Shuichi knew meant he was getting his butt kicked. Next to Hinata was Komaeda, his usually messy white mane of hair tied back into a ponytail as he looked very relaxed. Sprawled out on both men's laps was Nanami. She is quietly grinning as she was very likely schooling her boyfriends in whatever game they were playing that night.
Old photographs were always fascinating to Shuichi, moments of time suspended as art. Shuichi’s thoughts wander back to when he found a box of photographs when he was snooping around the attic last week. Shuichi was shocked to find the few pictures of his Auntie Kyoko and Uncle Makoto from high school Komaeda had. Hinata in particular has been a close friend of his Uncle going back all the way to middle school. Shuichi takes solace in knowing that if his borderline paranoid Auntie trusts Hinata and his partners, then Shuichi has nothing to worry about.
At first, the idea that three people could be dating each other so naturally was foreign to Shuichi. He wasn’t even aware that more than two people could even date each other. But Shuichi sees the gleam in Komaeda’s eyes when Hinata makes him laugh. The tenderness in Nanami’s touch when she plays with Komaeda’s hair. The care that Hinata, Nanami, and Komaeda’s home has been built on. They’ve all been so kind from the beginning. They’ve…
Shuichi gulps as he blinks away more tears.
They’ve been exactly what he needs. A presence of stability Shuichi has only dreamt of until now. He can’t be alone right now. Shuichi needs someone.
Shuichi steadies his breath, thoughts of his fathers situation still swirling like a brewing storm. He knows if he remains in bed it’ll only be a matter of time before more misery rains over him. Shuichi glances at the clock: 11:19 pm. He knew at least Nanami should still be up.
Stuffed orca in hand, Shuichi decides to take a gamble. Stumbling out of bed with the grace of an anxious rabbit, Shuichi walks out of his bedroom and into the hallway. The house was dimmed in the shroud of night, the hallway dark but not to the point of complete darkness. Shuichi peers to his right, the door to Nanami’s den wide open. Part of Shuichi hoped she was still awake, immersed in whatever game had her attention this week.
A quick glance inside the room revealed Nanami’s computer to still be running, but her monitors were off and headphones hung up neatly. The faint hum of the computer serenaded the otherwise quiet room. If Nanami was in bed, then Shuichi would bet Hinata and Komaeda were in bed with her. Shuichi just has to ask his guardians if he can stay with them for a bit. No pressure. Right ?
Stepping back out to the hallway, the bedroom door at the other end still had light escaping under the crack at the bottom. Shuichi traverses the carpeted floors as if he were navigating a minefield. The beige carpet was soft beneath Shuichi’s feet, nearly tickling him as he slid rather than walked down the hall. His mind starts to calculate the perfect excuse as to why he’s bugging his guardians this late.
“I-I heard a ghost…” Was the first thing Shuichi thought of. He stops in this track for a second, before chastising himself. “No… That’s just stupid.”
Shuichi tries to think of something else, something believable…
Ah, forget it. Shuichi quickly realizes he’s better off being honest. He’s a bad liar anyway.
“I-I had a bad dream… a-about my father..” He’d likely stammer out to Hinata or Komaeda, though he dreaded the 20 questions that might follow. Hinata’s concern was well-meaning, but exhausting. Better him than Auntie Kyoko, at least; her questions always felt like an interrogation. Such is life when you come from a family of detectives and cops.
“C-can I stay with you tonight, i-if that’s okay?” Shuichi practiced his lines to himself as he stood in the hallway, where the stairs back down to the first floor are.
“Don't you have your own bed, mister?” Shuichi retorts himself, speaking in his best Hinata impression. Shuichi tries to come up with his own counter but he quickly sighs and halts his march.
He looks past the railing, down to where he can see the open living room. It’s been not even two weeks since Shuichi called the empty, large couch his bed, where he’d often fall asleep with the TV running. The nights when Auntie Kyoko would stay with him here were fun, even if she’d accidentally leave Criminal Minds reruns all night.
Upon reaching the bedroom door, Shuichi’s arm freezes. He trembles as he slowly backs away, his confidence stumbling upon itself. The bitter fear of rejection strikes again.
“W-what if they actually say no?” Shuichi mumbles to himself, now pacing in front of the bedroom door. “I mean. I’d get it. I-it’s not like they’re my REAL parents…” Shuichi tells himself. “Besides, they already have three people sharing that big old bed of theirs, f-four has to be too many, r-right?”
As Shuichi mutters and paces, he fails to realize two things.
First, Shuichi was not nearly as quiet as he thought himself to be. He was used to talking to himself, yes. But Shuichi doesn’t realize just how loud he can be as his inner dialogue escapes his mouth.
Second, Shuichi isn’t as observant as he’d like, not even realizing the bedroom door was now open. Hinata stood leaning on the frame, silently watching Shuichi talking to himself. His lips were turned upwards, amused if slightly concerned over Shuichi’s obliviousness. He had been reading in bed when he heard murmuring from the hall.
Shuichi’s inner monologue was interrupted by a familiar voice.
“Trouble sleeping again?” Hinata lightly speaks up to get the boy’s attention. Shuichi does his best “deer in the headlights" impression, freezing at the sound of Hinata’s playful prodding. Shuichi turns to see Hinata smirking, the grown man kneeling down to Shuichi's level.
“Is everything okay?” Hinata asks, his concern evident. Seeing Hinata unbothered gave Shuichi enough courage to try to speak.
“Alright Shuichi, just like you practiced!” Shuichi thinks to himself. It’s just Hinata, how hard can it be?
“Oh, s-sorry Hinata, I um. Had to brush my teeth! Yep. And I… walked to the… other end of the h-hallway. S-silly me.”
… Wow.
Hinata raises an eyebrow at the boy.
“That both does and doesn’t answer my question.” Hinata chuckles, amused even as he tries to figure out what’s clearly distressing this kid. His expression relaxes further, conscious of appearing approachable. “Did you have a nightmare?”
Shuichi’s facade drops, his gaze lingering on the floor as he answers.
“Sort of.” Shuichi admits. “I wasn’t asleep but I was in bed. I-” *Shuichi inhales and exhales.* “I’ve been thinking about my father again.”
Hinata’s gaze turns even more sympathetic, carefully reaching over to place a comforting hand on the boy’s shoulder. Shuichi leans into Hinata’s hand, looking up at the man.
“Can I stay with you guys t-tonight? I-if I won’t be a bother that is…”
A small smile forms on Hinata’s lips, though Shuichi can tell from his eyes that his guardian was considering the offer.
“If that’s what you really want, then sure.” Hinata nods. He’d be lying if he said he expected Shuichi to ask for well… this so soon. But Hinata knew his partners wouldn’t mind. How could he say no to the kid right now anyway?
Shuichi felt as if a metric ton had been lifted off his body. The sting of rejection was nowhere to be felt!
Hinata smiles at Shuichi's visible relaxation.
“Let’s get to bed now, it's late.” Hinata stands back up, motioning for Shuichi to join him. Shuichi’s grip on his stuffed animal loosens as he carefully steps in the bedroom.
Dead center of the room was the “Alberta King” sized mattress where Komaeda and Nanami were already lying down. Komaeda was fast asleep, his eyes covered with a simple sleep mask as he rested with his back to the wall. Nanami on the other hand was still awake, her focus squarely on her Nintendo Switch as she meticulously levels up her current team in Pokemon on the other side of the bed.
The room was cozy, the bedside lamps providing just enough light to sell the inviting aura. The walls were covered in different framed photographs, art pieces, and a couple of old gaming posters. Shuichi felt less anxious the closer to the bed he got. Nanami looks up from her game and smiles warmly at Shuichi as he stands at the foot of the bed.
“And what are you doing up this late, mister?” Nanami asks in a lighthearted manner.
“O-oh um. I-I was hoping to l-lay down with you guys. Um. I was having trouble sleeping.” Shuichi explains as Hinata crawls into bed, returning to his spot beside the fast asleep Komaeda.
“I already said yes.” Hinata shrugs “I figured you guys wouldn’t object.”
Nanami’s expression turns sympathetic.
“That’s more than okay with me.” Nanami smiles at Hinata, before facing Shuichi. She pats the empty space on the bed between her and Hinata. “Come, come. We have plenty of space.”
Shuichi can’t help but smile back at Nanami as he crawls into the space from the foot of the bed. He lies down close to Nanami. Hinata’s already returned to his book, one hand shifting through Komaeda’s fluffy hair as he sleeps. The triad have their own blankets, a simple solution to the blanket hogging that plagues them. As Shuichi makes himself comfortable, Nanami pulls her plush pink blanket over him and herself.
“Is this comfortable?” Nanami gently asks as she turns her attention back to her game.
Shuichi shifts closer to Nanami, a quiet hum of contentment escaping him as he settles against her side, his cheek pressing into the soft fabric of her worn Princess Peach t-shirt.
“Yeah…” Shuichi finally answers, his gaze drifting to Nanami’s Pokémon game. Nanami notices this and lowers her screen to give Shuichi a better view of her dismantling of the Elite Four. Shuichi has dabbled into the world of video games, mostly due to Nanami’s influence. He likes the old Pokémon game he’s been borrowing, but Shuichi almost preferred to watch Nanami play. Her game knowledge and ability to strategize was awe inspiring to the child.
Shuichi snuggles up on Nanami as he watches her play. He cheers her on as the experienced Pokémon master wipes out the enemy team with practiced precision. Sure, she was just spamming 'Flamethrower’ on a trainer using Ice-type Pokémon, but a win is a win, no matter how cheap it may be.
It doesn't take long for Shuichi's eyelids to grow heavy, the warmth of Nanami beside him soothing him. Her hugs were always the best, her presence a constant source of comfort. It was as if his worries were melting away as he lay between Hinata and Nanami...
—
“Hey hey” Chiaki gently calls out, grabbing her partner's attention. The familiar vocal tic stirs Hajime from his novel, a smile quick to form on his lips as he looks over at Chiaki. Shuichi was curled up on her side, already fast asleep. Chiaki had even put her Switch down to better hold Shuichi close. It wasn't the first time she had Shuichi snuggled up on her like a puppy.
“Someone looks content.” Hajime smiles.
“Who, me or the kid?” Chiaki chuckles.
“Both of you.” Hajime reaches over and fixes Shuichi's soft hair out of his face, a content hum escaping his lips.
“It’s crazy to think he's already been with us almost two months now.” Hajime muses after a brief, comfortable pause.
“Time flies when you're having fun.” Chiaki smiles fondly, running a hand through Shuichi's hair.
“I’m not sure if Shuichi would call the last two months "fun "."
Chiaki gives her boyfriend a small pout.
“Let me rephrase that.” Chiaki huffs. “It’s been a very eventful few months. For all of us. But I wouldn’t change a thing.” Chiaki’s expression softens as she looks back at the resting child.
“I’m with you on that.” Hajime nods. “I never would have thought agreeing to babysit would turn into this.”
“Sometimes those unexpected turns lead us down better paths.” Chiaki says softly. “And I wouldn’t want to be walking this path with anyone else but you and Nagito.”
Hajime pulls the sleeping Nagito closer, who murmurs in annoyance before quickly settling on Hajime’s chest and dozing right off.
“We really are lucky, huh?” Hajime chuckles, a little glad Nagito isn’t awake to interject.
Hajime reaches over and holds Chiaki’s hand that rests on Shuichi’s back. Their mutual loving gaze rests upon each other for an extended moment in time. A moment that could be frozen in place, and no one would complain.
Chiaki reaches over and turns off her bedside lamp, powering off the last light within the home.
“Goodnight, my loves.” Chiaki says out loud, directed at all three boys.
“Goodnight Chiaki.” Hajime softly chuckles before getting truly comfortable in bed.
As Hajime and Chiaki settle into sleep, the air in the room is one of peace. The darkness is no longer one of mystery, a bleak void of uncertainty. It instead acted as a soothing shroud, a comforting black that invoked serenity. Shuichi’s dreams mirror the foreign feeling of comfort. Soon the morning light will come again, and Shuichi will have his family to wake up with.