DanganChat & One-shots

I'm Here~Part 8

The dewy morning air wafted through the tent screens, gently rousing Makoto from slumber. Byakuya was still fast asleep, his face partly covered by the comforter. Wanting to avoid waking the heir, Makoto pulled a hoodie on and slipped his shoes on outside the tent. Several others were still asleep, but Makoto found the early birds sitting on a large flannel blanket, sipping coffee from thermos'. "Good morning, Naegi," Ishimaru greeted, in usual high spirits.

"How do you feel?" Mukuro asked, offering a cup of coffee.

"Thanks," Makoto lowered onto the blanket next to Kyoko, sipping the sweetened warmth. "I'm fine, just a few aches here and there". Kyoko and Celeste glanced at each other. "What is it?"

"Well," Mahiru set her cup aside and traded it for her camera. Within seconds, Mahiru flipped through several pictures. "You had quite the night," she handed the camera to Makoto. There were several of Makoto holding onto Byakuya protectively as if he could actually fight anyone here. A few involved Hajime and Nagito dragging Makoto along for stupid stunts. Makoto's eyes froze on a photo of him and Byakuya, holding hands and smiling, faces red from yelling and alcohol, but eyes full of adoration. He didn't remember a single moment of last night.

"How much would you want to print this one?" he handed the camera back.

Mahiru's eyes slightly widened, then softened. "I'll make an exception," she smiled. "Let's call it a favor".

"Deal," Makoto beamed, glancing back where Byakuya still slept. "Don't show Byakuya, by the way". The photographer nodded and stored the camera back in its' bag. Pouring a cup of black coffee, Makoto excused himself and returned to their tent. Byakuya was just sitting up, looking for his glasses. "Good morning," he said, picking up his boyfriend's white frames from the top of his bag. Makoto held the glasses out and waited for Byakuya to slip them on before passing the coffee to him. "How do you feel?"

"I can't recall a damn thing," Byakuya shook his head.

"I told you, Junko doesn't go easy on drinks," Makoto chuckled. "Mahiru took a lot of pictures and I'm sure the others have videos". The boys froze and stared in horror. Makoto yanked his phone from his bag and scrolled through Instagram. Despite the few borderline explicit photos of Nagito and Hajime, anything of Makoto and Byakuya was tame. Noticing the name tags in the photos and videos, Makoto slowly looked up. "Do you use Instagram for work?"

"I didn't give anyone my account information," Byakuya pulled out his phone, "but thankfully, it's nothing serious. Despite the photos of Komaeda and Hinata". Byakuya stared at the photos in brief fascination and shoved the device away. "There are sides of people you never wish to see," he grimaced.

"Ready to get breakfast? And face the embarrassment of last night?" Makoto smiled, laughing in self-pity.

"What exactly are you so afraid of me witnessing?" Byakuya lazily slipped into his Calvin Klein robe, following Makoto out of the tent. 

Several others had awoken and joined everyone around the portable stove. "Hey, it's Macho Makoto!" Leon puffed his chest out jokingly. A few of the others laughed, more so from Makoto's disgruntled embarrassment. Mukuro threw a chuck of her muffin at him and Mondo, crumbs flying everywhere. "Aw, come on! We make the same joke every time!"

"What should we call Byakuya then?" Celeste smiled. The group silenced, not even eating while contemplating.

"How about you let us leave before you make that decision?" Makoto grimaced, claiming a spot next to Chihiro.

"No, please, Makoto! We'll stop, right?" Sayaka pleaded, glaring at Leon.

"Bitch boy Byakuya," Junko said, just before taking a long sip of her chai latte. The group silenced once more, despite the few snorts and inhaled gasps.

"You're overcomplicating it," Nagito joined the group with Hajime in tow. "Just call him Makoto's bitch". Some gasped while others choked on their food or drink.

Hajime pushed the back of Nagito's head, "Okay, Nag-ito".

"I do not nag!" Nagito scoffed at his boyfriend, receiving several glances calling 'bullshit'. "Fine, take Habitual Hajime's side".

"Did something happen last night?" Chihiro hesitantly asked.

"I wish," Nagito grinned, "but someone thought it was 'too weird' with everyone's tents so close together".

"What you're doing right now," Hajime pointed at his boyfriend, "nagging". If this had been the first quarrel, the situation would have been more awkward, but most of the group got a chuckle out of it. "So, who actually remembers anything?" Hajime unlocked his phone, scrolling through his photos.

"Oh my god! I fucking Facetimed Yasuke," Junko squeezed her sisters' arm.

"Boo, you whore, you do that every time," Hiyoko blurted, sinking her head onto Mahiru's lap. Junko gaped, narrowing her eyes at the short girl.

"Don't drag if you can't be dragged," Byakuya grinned. Most of the girls, along with Makoto and Nagito, burst into laughter. 

After a morning of reminiscence and playful insults, the car ride home was spent in embarrassed silence. Nagito and Hajime did their best not to lost their composure, a snicker and laughing cough sneaking in every so often. "It's not funny," Makoto pouted.

"I didn't realize how often you swore while intoxicated," Byakuya ran the descriptions of last night through his mind once more. "Or how direct you could be".

"or how submissive you could be," Celeste quickly added.

"Yes, okay, the roles switch. Can we not discuss this now?" Byakuya's grip tightened around the steering wheel, trying to mentally shake the scorching blush creeping up his face. The remainder of the car ride was peaceful with Secondhand Serenade playing softly in the background. 

By the time the boys returned to their dorm, both crashed on the couch in Makoto's room. "I don't think I'm cut out for partying," Byakuya ran a hand through Makoto's hair, feel the smaller boy's weight atop of him. "How do you manage this kind of lifestyle?"

"More Redbull than anyone should be allowed to drink," Makoto laughed. "But I think it's all part of making the best of it, you know? One day, we'll be able to look back on all the stupid stuff we did". Makoto sat up, resituating on his end of the couch. Byakuya's legs draped over his lap, fully displaying his black polo and grey khakis. "Goth country club suits you," he giggled, more so after Byakuya gingerly slapped his arm.

"Hey, Makoto?" Byakuya's eyes drifted out of focus. "Why did you hide how you act while drunk?"

He shrugged, "Because that's not the real me. I look back on moments like that and think I'm a total jackass".

"That's still a part of you. You mentioned the time you defended for your sister, that's the same as last night," Byakuya paused. "For example, how I acted last night". He added before reaching for the TV remote. The pair mindlessly clicked through the channels until decided nothing was worth watching.

"Sorry for the others earlier, by the way. They shouldn't have targeted you like that".

"You shouldn't apologize for them, Makoto. I'm fine. I've heard much worse". His older brothers' voices echoed with derogatory terms and past hurtful conversations. "That...was the only reason I ended up drunk with that girl. A stupid set-up made by my brothers in an attempt to deem me unworthy".

Makoto's eyes widened, mouth twisted in a grimace, "That's awful. Are you sure you're fine? I can tell others to watch what they say".

Byakuya shook his head, "No, that's not necessary. You witnessed earlier that I can play along".

"But you don't have to, not if it hurts you," Makoto squeezed Byakuya's hand.

"The past doesn't concern me. I'm focusing on the future," he smiled, taking Makoto's other hand and squeezing tightly.