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Shuichi still dreams of the moments spent alone. Months proceeding the day he, Maki and Himiko escaped from Danganronpa. He'd heard of survivors guilt before, but never fathomed how gutwrenching it could really feel. To this day he still thought about Kaede and Kaito, he still felt the gnawing guilt and aching love he felt, and mourned for them every day. For months, he woke up alone in his bed and tearstained pillow, transfixed on a black and white nightmare stained bright red. Clenching the sheets in some pathetic attempt to ground himself. So many faces of friends long gone. He, Maki, and Himiko were the only ones to make it out of there alive…
But that was months ago, much to Shuichi's relief. By some miracle, and by having the girls' in his undeserved life, they brought back at least one of the lives that were once lost. Shuichi laid on his side, gazing at the miracle beside him. Pale synthetic skin, fluffy white hair and all. Wearing a black hoodie that once belonged to the detecive, powered down in sleep mode was Kiibo.
He would never forget the day Maki told him that they were getting Kiibo back. The rainbow of emotions that swirled within him were dizzying to say the least. She and Himiko returned to the site where Hope's Peak had been turned to rubble and excavated enough of Kiibo's computer pieces before demanding, blackmailing, and thratening Team Danganronpa until they agreed to build a new body. Now, Shuichi would never have to sleep alone again. He would never feel as though his debt to the girls' could be repaid. For while he did love Kaede romantically and Kaito like a brother, Shuichi couldn't deny that there was something truly special between him and Kiibo.
Kiibo still had the black lines running down his cheeks like before. His body was nearly identical, except for a few changes that simply helped him function more smoothly. They even threw in a "free" maintenance manual, likely because they didn't want to deal with any of them again if Kiibo were to break down. Shuichi didn't mind, because he really didn't want to see them either.
Shuichi rested his hand on Kiibo's cheek, thumb softly rubbing along smooth, pale skin. Given the chilliness of the room, Kiibo's synthetic skin was frigid, but Shuichi ignored the cold, because at one point, he believed he would never be able to touch his lover again.
A low beep rang out, signaling that Kiibo's battery was fully charged. A few more for booting up from sleep mode, and Shuichi was blessed with the sight of those sky blue eyes again.
Blue eyes that immediately turned to look incredulously toward Shuichi.
"Shuichi! Why are you awake? It is—" he took a moment to check his internal clock. "4:28 am." Kiibo unplugged the cord from the side of his neck, letting it fall to the floor.
"I woke up and couldn't fall back asleep." Shuichi admitted, knowing Kiibo would insist that he needs his full eight hours of rest.
"Oh no, was it another nightmare?"
"It wasn't that bad…but yeah." The detective buried himself into his pillow.
"Nonsense. If it wasn't bad, it woudn't keep you from resting." Shuici grinned, for Kiibo's concern was endearing. "Would you like to discuss it?"
"No, I'm okay. It really wasn't as bad as others I've had before. I just couldn't relax afterward." Despite his rebuttal, a wide yawn betrayed him.
"You clearly are still tired. If you need assistance to relax, then please let me help you."
There was no room for debate. Kiibo grabbed Shuichi by the shoulders and rolled him so his head laid on his mechanical chest. He threw the thick blanket over Shuichi's shoulders before activating his heating function. Something Shuichi once worried would cause a fire, but Kiibo insisted that it was completely safe and he hasn't been proven wrong.
The room was decently cold, given it was the middle of winter, and their apartment's heating system was passable at best. Add on Shuichi's terrible circulation, and you'd find that the poor guy was usually shivering, even under layers and blankets. Shuichi let out a satisfied sigh feeling the warmth spread across his body. He snuggled into the soft hoodie as his boyfriend's hand ran across his back.
"I am unsure of what plagued you tonight, but know that I will always be here for you Shuichi, and I love you."
"I love you too, Kiibo. Thank you…" Shuichi mumbled, trailing off into slumber almost immediately. While he did not need to charge anymore, Kiibo went into a low power mode and remained in place. As he promised, he would be there when his lover woke up, keeping him warm for as long as he would need to, because Kiibo knew that one day he wouldn't have someone to keep warm in the morning.
And moments like this were worth cherishing until forever.