Behind the Glass (Komahina AU)

Chapter Ten: Crossing Burned Bridges

As the sun set down, Hajime and Nagito were on the back of a horse wagon, heading towards the next town. As Hajime continued enjoying his meal while snuggled in his arms, Nagito just watched in silence. Never in his life did he think that this could happen to him, but he was grateful. The more time he spent with his new love, the more confident he became. He didn't have any family, except for Mikan.

Hajime began to drift off to sleep when Nagito pulled him closer to his chest. The driver looked behind him and chuckled.

"You too make a great couple." He commented. He took off his straw hat and pushed his pink hair back. "I wish I was just as lucky in love as you are, lad."

"Luck had nothing to do with it." Nagito replied, petting Hajime's head softly. "It is more like...fate."

"I don't believe in that." The drive spoke sternly. "I almost lost an eye for someone I thought I loved." He turned around to show Nagito his scar underneath his right eye. "Guess I am just a stubborn man. The change of course was just what I needed."

"What's your name?" Nagito asked.

"Cassini. Ragnis Cassini." He replied with a quick nod. "We should be in and out of town in a hour or so. You should rest up."

"Thanks..." Nagito said politely as he shifted to make himself comfortable. In a way, Ragnis was just like him before meeting Hajime: jaded and stubborn. He had his own journey to go through, so there was no sense prying. Nagito, however, silently prayed him luck before he too drifted off to sleep.
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Meanwhile, Mikan was cleaning up her station on Junko's ship, holding back tears. While she was happy that her friends managed to get away, she couldn't help but get scared. As of expected of the captain, they had begun a sea wide search for the two of them. They had already destroyed and plundered several ports, killing hundreds. It made Mikan sick, but she couldn't abandon her post and risk her cover.

"Mikan?" Mukuro called out, following a knock on her door.

"Yes?" She replied meekly. Mukuro came in swiftly before closing the door behind her. Her shirt was covered in blood and she was grasping her arm in pain. Seeing the injury, Mikan led her over to her examination table and sat her down.

"You don't have to get all panicky." She said as the nurse took off her shirt. Revealing her arm, she noticed severe bruising and swelling along the bleeding.

"You really hurt yourself. How can I not panic?" Mikan hissed as she began wrapping the bandages around her injury. She then held her arm and placed into a handmade sling. "You won't be able to move it for a while...I am so sorry."

"Why? You are just doing your job." Mukuro mumbled. "Thanks...despite everything that has happened."

Mikan looked at her as she was placing her medicinal equipment away. "What do you mean? Nagito?"

"Well, it is more like the aftermath of Nagito." Mukuro admitted while standing up. "Junko has been really pissed after the merman escaped. If you know anything about any of this-"

"I don't." Mikan interrupted. Her face was stern while her eyes were beginning to water. Mukuro sighed, placing her good hand on his shoulder.

"We love you like family, Mikan. Please...we won't hurt you if you did knew." Mukuro walked off, leaving the nurse alone with her thoughts.
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"Hang on, Hajime! We're almost there." Nagito screamed, lifting the merman over his shoulders. Moments after they were dropped off to the middle of nowhere, Hajime began to start scratching his clothes off. He was also panting as his gills and ears began to dry up.

Rushing up the hill, Nagito set his sights to the mansion that laid dormant. The moment he reached the door, it suddenly opened revealing a menacing man. His hair was dark with a white stripe and his eyes glared daggers into his soul.

"How dare you show your face around here." His voice boomed in disapproval.

"Now isn't the time to bicker! I need your help!" Nagito hissed as Hajime began to cough violently. "Please! You have to save him! Beat me up if you have to!"

Suddenly, Hajime slumped off Nagito unconscious, his face was lost of all of its colour. The man knelt down and removed the head bandages, revealing Hajime's ears and gills.

Nagito picked him bridal style and rushed into the house without saying another word. Reaching to the back of the house, he kicked open the door to an indoor pool with a working waterfall. Stripping nothing but his shirt, Nagito then threw Hajime in. The man came in behind him and watched the spectacle.

Hajime's eyes opened and his gills began to move. His legs transformed back into his tail and he immediately sank to the bottom tired. He fell asleep on the soft sand, making Nagito give a sigh of relief.

"Komaeda? Who is this?" The man asked. However, he remained silent, which was more than enough. "Love is very powerful, indeed. Sonia can testify to that."

"I am sorry for barging in like this, but I need your help." Nagito said, standing up. "I know that you don't trust the Foundation anymore, but-"

"You are a friend...an old friend, but still..." The man nodded. "Who am I, Gundham Tanaka, to refuse to help out a friend?"

"What about...that introduction earlier?"

"After seeing this, I know that your ties are more strong to the merman than them." He said. "Besides...I have been under a lot of stress, so it was unfair of me to take it out on you."

Gundham led Nagito out of the pool and into a nearby parlour where his wife, Sonia, was drinking some tea. Looking up, she smiled and nodded.

"It is wonderful to see you again, Nagito. It has been too long." She greeted. "For what do we owe this pleasure?"

"Sadly...it is more like despair than pleasure." Nagito sighed as he sat down into a chair across from her. Gundham sat down next to her before Nagito began his story.
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To Be Continued...

Oh, I added a small cameo of my Fire Emblem Three Houses OC as the driver of the carriage. :) Forgot to mention that earlier.

A/N: Merry Christmas Eve everyone! I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday! I will be working on this still, but keep an eye out for a special announcement on my oneshots book. Basically it will be a rough outline of what I plan to do in 2020.

Until then, Merry Christmas!

LunaKirbee