DanganChat & One-shots

Crossing Boundaries~ Part 2

A/N: This is a Scene AU mainly focusing on Naegami

"Come on, Togami! It'll be fun!" Junko pressed once more. Harassing Togami was indeed a challenge, but Junko could break anyone if provided with the right information.

"Why would I spend my valuable time with a bunch of...hooligans?" Byakuya eyed Junko's rainbow tie and multi-colored hair extensions.

"Cause I know you're intrigued~" her rhinestone-encrusted nails clicked together. Byakuya shifted, hoping to distract her from his discomfort. "See? You're antsy~ So, spend some time with me, Celeste," she paused, turning her back to the heir, "Makoto". Junko caught him red-handed; Byakuya's attention perked up. With a tap of her finger, Byakuya received a group invite.

Meet at the gate at 8. Round-town rendezvous tonight!

There wasn't any additional information. "See you later," she hummed with excitement, skipping away.

"We'll see," he called out of instinct. They both knew he would go, he wouldn't refuse knowing how Makoto felt. 

As eight o' clock steadily approached, Byakuya felt a twinge of regret and worry. He couldn't be seen with a group like that, at least not without being questioned by business partners and his father alike. A soft knock and laughing redirected his focus, "What?" He answered the door with usual annoyance. Byakuya took a step back, taken back by the sight of Komeada and Enoshima together.

"You're not going out dressed like that, are you?" Nagito exchanged a disappointed glance with Junko, "You raised my hopes in that he would have found something to wear". He looked back at Byakuya's khakis and polo shirt.

"What do you two want?" Byakuya's surprise expired and was easily replaced with irritation.

"Giving you a hand. Really, we're doing you a favor," Junko barged past the blond, dragging Nagito and a large tote behind her. Popping open the plastic bin, she began to toss wigs, clothing, and makeup out onto Byakuya's bed. "First, do you want to wear a wig or dye your hair?"

"Oh my god, Junko, Makoto would kill us if we dyed Togami's hair," Nagito said, glancing at Byakuya's closet and back at the pile of clothes. "Do you have anything that doesn't scream 'rich prep school'?"

"We don't have time. He'll just have to borrow clothes," Junko tossed two wigs at Byakuya.

"What exactly are you two doing?" Byakuya was more confused than angry but still loathed having to repeat himself.

"You don't want to be noticed hanging with us, right? Everyone would see that the esteemed Byakuya Togami hangs out with hooligans," her voice crept with faux royalty. "Anyway," she tossed a silver wig and a black wig at him, "Pick one".

Reluctantly, Byakuya played by their rules and chose the silver wig. Within the remaining half hour, Nagito had convinced Byakuya to wear ripped black skinny jeans with a blazer covered in chains and spikes. "Very visual kei, but it works," Nagito said, passing a pair of boots to Byakuya.

"This is a lot of unnecessary adornment," Byakuya fidgeted with the two belts that held no purpose wrapped around his waist.

"It's called fashion," Junko stuck her tongue out. "Now, move it. We're late". Leaving the mess behind, she pushed the two boys in a hurry. 

Most of the 78th class, along with a few from the 77th class, were already waiting. "Hey!" Hajime called out, waving at Nagito, "What took you so long?" he leaned in, pecking his boyfriend on the cheek.

"Had to help a friend get ready," Nagito pointed back at Enoshima, who was almost dragging Togami along.

"Is that...no fucking way!" Leon blurted out, slapping every arm in his vicinity. Eventually, the train of astonishment found its way to Makoto, who nearly collapsed into Sayaka.

"Are you gonna be okay?" she giggled, helping her friend to regain composure. "Your face is so red".

"Do you see how hot he is?" Makoto barely spoke above a whisper. The sight of Togami in torn jeans, near-knee length boots, and eyeliner was about to send Makoto into metaphorical cardiac arrest. Behind Byakuya, Junko and Nagito gave a thumbs up to the overheating boy; Makoto sheepishly reciprocated. 

Walking side by side, the two stood back from the massive group. "You look...really good," Makoto struggled with how to compliment Byakuya.

"I feel mostly ridiculous," his eyes dropped down at the small boy. It wasn't long ago that Makoto had Junko bleach and dye his hair a soft lavender. Though soft, Makoto's boots and ripped jacket gave him a slightly tough exterior. "How do you feel comfortable dressed like this?"

"Huh?" Makoto couldn't help but chuckle. "You're asking now? Even after the work you've put in for tonight?" Byakuya's face was masked by the darkness, easily hiding the growing tinge of pink. "It's fun, dressing this way. It feels...," he paused, pressing a finger against his lips in thought.

"Liberating?"

"Yeah! That's a good way to put it," Makoto smiled up at the disguised heir. "Like right now, you don't have to be Byakuya Togami. You're just...a high school student hanging out with friends". Byakuya had left his phone back at the dorms; besides his black card and student ID, no one could tell he was Byakuya Togami. Walking with Makoto, looking up ahead at the laughing and chattering group, Byakuya could actually forget about responsibilities for once. "You okay?" Makoto stopped walking, which made Togami stop.

"Hey! Hurry up!" Hajime called out.

"Go on ahead! We'll be inside in a bit!" Makoto called back, watching them shrug and enter the bowling alley. Alone in the crisp summer night, Makoto and Byakuya sat on the alley steps. Makoto watched Byakuya's face contort with various emotions, ones he had never seen cross Byakuya's features. "Hey," he said, barely touching the heir's shoulder, "are you okay? Do you want to go back?"

"No, I'm fine," Byakuya said. He couldn't process the feeling that was absorbing his mind. He could tell adrenaline was coursing through him, but he couldn't understand the overwhelming emptiness in his chest. Was it...loneliness? How could that be when Makoto was sitting right next to him? "I'm not understanding what I'm feeling".

Makoto blinked slowly, slightly confused, but smiled. "Maybe excitement? Just try to focus on what you feel, not what you think," Makoto held his hand out to Byakuya, "Trust me". With a hesitant grin, Byakuya accepted Makoto's hand and rejoined the group.