Chapter Text
Whence the man first entered his life, Hajime hadn't known what to expect.
A new boy from a different part of the country, who seemed reluctant to his presence. It surely sent an uneasy vibe, especially with the man's uncanny mannerism. But with the time spent, they slowly grew more closer to each other, with Hajime finally getting a better grasp of the boy. as time went on they both started developing feelings, which soon only grew into something more.
It all seemed to go by so fast but felt so right...
Hajime felt like Nagito was more of a blessing than anything, the person he was hoping to find all his teen years. The boy may have been a bit peculiar at first, but now Hajime couldn't care less. Nagito was now his one love, and nothing could change that.
On graduation day, the two made an oath as they were planning to start a life together. They both promised to follow each other to the end and to forever stick by each other side. It felt as if they were saying vows, but it made it all the better.
Hajime would follow this man to anywhere, no matter what.
"A trip to your home town? Nagito, can't we wait until the holiday to do something like that?" Hajime advised, gently removing a picture frame from out of their moving box. He's been unpacking the entire morning, hoping to finish the last of boxes stacked with items for their bedroom before nightfall.
" No no, no, this isn't just any trip Hinata-Kun, my town is preparing for its annual harvest ceremony. It is a must that I attend and help out with arrangements."
Hajime solely reached his hand back into the box, withdrawing another picture frame. He didn't understand as to why he was hearing about some traditional harvest celebration momentarily. Surely Nagito would have informed him about this at least a couple of months back. Notably, since the two are just now settling down from moving.
"Uhuh," Hajime states, casually glimpsing over to his boyfriend who stayed sitting comfortably on their bed, clutching onto an unfolded envelope. Hajime eyed the envelope within the boy's hands for a moment, recalling the events from before. He retrieved the exact letter from the mail yesterday and had scanned it curiously. There was nothing off about it besides the fact that it was sent from up north.
There wasn't much for them out in the countryside so it was a wonder to Hajime why they were receiving a letter from such.
Well, that was until he took the time, to read the short note written upon the front.
'To Nagito Komaeda, from mom' it presented.
Hajime didn't know much concerning Nagito's mother, Nagito himself never truly brought her up in conversation and when he did there wasn't much insight. Hajime just assumed it was he simply because he wasn't fond of the woman.
He most likely got it all wrong, he doesn't know much about Nagito's upbringing. So who was he to be the judge of this letter?
with that, Hajime gave the letter directly to his partner, at the least expecting him to tell him what it said. Though the man only, placed down the letter on the kitchen counter and told Hajime that he'll read it tomorrow. It was a bit weird, but it was becoming dark outside. The man probably wanted to get some sleep before he dealt with whatever the letter had to say. So Hajime let him, going to bed directly beside the man.
Now that tomorrow has arrived, Nagito was going on about some trip back from his hometown to spend a full week there. It was not like Hajime was opposed to the idea, he loved to go and see where his boyfriend spent his childhood. It was just there was just so much going on at the moment, and much to be done.
"Nagito I understand you want to go and everything, but we just moved into our new apartment a week ago. And now you want to go on vacation ?"
The man's smile shown to flatter at Hajime's comment, hands clenching around the envelope, "I told you this isn't just some vacation Hajime, my family has been hosting these ceremonies for years now, and it would be shameful on my part if I miss it."
Hajime belatedly decided to turn and face the white-haired man, disregarding the unpacked items, "okay, so why don't you go on your own then huh? I can stay back and finish setting up our apartment."
"Hajime-"
"No don't Hajime me" he cut in," what could this ceremony possibly need me for? I haven't been receiving letters from your mom to have I ?"
The man across from him face turns up in a slight grimace, eventually leasing a weary sigh, "you're right, you don't have to go, but that doesn't mean it would be a waste if you did."
Hajime raised an eyebrow as Nagito continued, "you could meet my mother for the first time, I'm sure she'll be glad to see you !"
"that's not a valid reason"
The white-haired man's expression changes drastically, to something of utter astonishment, " Wha- what do you mean that's not a valid reason?"
The Hajime puts a hand to his chin, giving off a fake contemplated look, " well first off, we could visit your mom literally any other time, that we planned, and after we get this apartment situated."
Nagito was now narrowing his eyes at Hajime, clearly provoked by his reluctance. Hajime only returned the gesture, if a bit more exaggerated.
"sounds to me your just being stubborn furthermore crude," Nagito mumbled, bitterly crossing his arms.
"I'm just telling the truth hun" Hajime murmured back, mocking the man's tone. He knows he was only instigating the situation, but Hajime was in his head at the moment
The white-haired man looked at Hajime, appearance reading of distress, while his eyes darted hastily around the room, finally finding their way back to Hajime. "It would mean the world to me if you did come..."
"..." Hajime stayed silent, he didn't feel to state a snarky remark.
Nagito was still staring at him, anticipating a response "we'll follow each other to the end... right?"
He tensed, of course the man had to bring up the oath they made. It always made Hajime feel guilty whenever the man used it, especially since he rarely uses it in a normal instance but instead whenever they are against each other
The white-haired man continued to gaze at him until he allowed a sigh of defeat, realizing that wasn't going to work either.
"... how about this," Nagito suggests "I'll let you think about it for the day, and you'll tell me how you feel when it comes to an end, does that sound okay ?"
The brunet looks at the man in those pale eyes, then hums. No point in not agreeing when he was attempting to be reasonable.
"Yeah, that sounds fine..." Hajime returns, subsequently breaking his silence.
The white-haired man beamed hoisting himself from the bed before wandering over to Hajime. He then placed a chaste kiss on the man's lips, connecting their foreheads. It was a way they calm down tense situations, letting the other know they respect the other's feelings.
"You know I love you right ?"
Hajime smiled, sensing the gentle warmth of the other's forehead, "yeah... I love you too."
After a few seconds of dwelling in the glow, Nagito pulls away, scratching the back of his neck. "I'm sorry if I made you feel compelled, I should know better than to ramble. "
Hajime shook his head, giving the man a compassionate look. "Nah, you were right before, I was being stubborn, we could have talked this out like normal but instead, I escalated the situation. So I'm sorry for being rash, just wanted to get the apartment settled before we go and do things."
Nagito was quick to comment, reaching to grab Hajime's hands, "Please don't worry, I promise once we come back we will spend all our free time making the place look as inviting as possible."
"you promise ?"
"only to you Hinata-Kun"
Hajime snorted, which seem to lighten the other expressions.
"I'm going to head off to the grocery store in a few, you need anything?" Nagito asks, a smile present on his face.
"No, but I am going to need the car, the brakes still are acting up so I'm taking them over to Kazuichi's."
" Of course" the white-haired man beams, walking over to the bathroom door, "I'll just take the train then."
Hajime gets up from the floor accompanying the man over there, " if you're going to use the shower, let me join you. I want to hurry up and get this car thing settled"
"Sure thing Hinata-Kun"
Hajime groans, as the continuous beeps of car horns far and near, sounded around him. Of course, he had to get himself caught up in traffic, it was the least that could happen when he requires to get somewhere quickly.
Hajime leans back in his seat, staring at the car ceiling above. Maybe leaving out on the next exit and taking a back road would be a better idea. He should have guessed the freeways would have been so crowded at noon. Though the back roads to Kazuichi mechanic were still quite long, but anything is better than constantly inching his car, making his already ill brakes worse.
Hajime removes his phone from his pocket then goes to Kazuichi in his contacts, he ought to tell the man what happening.
The phone buzzes for a moment until the other end picks up. The sound of metal could be heard brushing up against each other, and distant chatting.
"Uh, Kazuichi? you there ?"
The room seemed to grow quite soon after the man's voice sounded on the other end, "yeah dude, I'm trying to get something situated over here. You need anything bro ?"
"Nah, I just wanted to tell you I'll be running a tad late. Traffic is absolute shit on this side."
More clanks could he heard before the man spoke" Is that something huh, well try not to be too late, I gotta be somewhere by five today."
Hajime agrees, going to hang up on the phone before, a familiar voice calls. There was some rustling on the other side of the phone until, the voice pipes up again, "Hey Hajime! "
"Ibuki? what are you doing over Kazuichi's shop ?"
"Ibuki's supposed to be teaching Kazuichi a guitar lesson after he's done doing whatever he's doing with your car" The woman answered.
Hajime laughs, at the unexpected tale "oh so you want to get up on those guitar skills huh Kazuichi? took about five years."
There was some more rustling on the other end, and a bit of yelling, "give me that-" the Kazukichi murmured, " heh yeah I'm just trying to be productive with my free time."
Hajime hummed, "well that's good, glad to know your trying new things."
"Yeah man, gotta do something fun once in a while."
Hajime laughs, "gotcha on that, but I'm going to hang up now, lines starting to move."
After the two on the other end say their goodbyes, Hajime hangs up the phone.
After a tedious period of traffic, and lengthy back roads Hajime was lucky to get to the place by four fifteen, even if it was close to five.
The brunet pulls up and out of the road, going into the man's mechanic garage.
Soon after he could see two familiar faces emerge from the inside of the shop, making their way outside.
"Yo Hajime what's up ?" the man called walking up to his car window accompany by Ibuki.
Hajime rolled down the window, having Kazuichi slide his head through, "nothing much, I just really need this car fixed."
"hmm, you said your brakes have been making a squeaking noise every time you step on it... right?"
Hajime nods "yeah and it even lags sometimes when I press it too"
"Has the car ever did this today ?"
"Well sort of, it's hard to tell when traffic keeps stopping and going."
The pink-haired man tapped his jaw, then lifted himself from the window, "well my friend, sounds to me you have faulty brakes, now how long have has it been since you got those changed?"
"Uh, I actually never change the brakes for this car," Hajime says, unbuckling his seat belt.
"well, I guess this is going to be the first. Also since your car is an old model problems like these occur more often.
Hajime looks to Kzukichi with a weary glance, "Maybe when Nagito I and get the money we can buy a new one, but for now this is gonna have to do."
Kazukichi shrugs, "I guess your right, most of us are on a tight spot with money."
"yeah, Ibuki wants to save up for a new guitar, but Ibuki bills are deadly."
Hajime hums in agreement as he gets out of the car, "so, how much do I have to pay for a full brake job ?"
"Normally it's around a thousand dollars or so" Hajime grimaces, " Though I'll make a discount for eight hundred since I know you're settling down and everything."
"A deep sigh ushers from Hajime as he begins to speak, "I'm going to need pay half and half, will that work with you ?"
"yeah sure, as long as you pay up."
"Okay, I'm going to have to get my car jack and some other things from out the back so hold on a second.
with that, The man left the two to go retrieve the tools from inside of his shop.
"So" Hajime presses, "how long have you been teaching the guy ?"
Ibuki shrugs leaning up against the wall next to where Hajime was leaning, "for a month now, though our meetings have been limited recently due to time-crunches with our jobs."
Hajime nodded, lifting his head to face, the metal ceiling above him, " sounds like a lot."
"yep," Ibuki nodded, " with the responsibility of life on our shoulders, it's hard to have time to yourself."
Hajime nodded in agreement, "yeah I feel you on that, Nagito and I just moved and have been unpacking for a week. And I don't want to request a day off because I need the money."
"Oh yeah," Ibuki pipes up "you and Komaeda are still a thing! so, how's not so single life going ?"
Hajime sighed, bringing his head to view the ground, "we are fine, though Nagito wants to go up in the countryside and visit his old town."
"Ooo! a vacation it sounds like! so where is this town hm ?"
"it's up in the north, but-" before Hajime could even finish his sentence, Kazukichi came bursting through the door, car tools in hand.
"You're traveling up north ?!?" Both Ibuki and Hajime turn to face the man in shock.
"and you were eavesdropping," Hajime adds softly.
Kazikichi shook his head walking over to his car placing the tools on the ground, "well you guys were talking loud but that's beside the point, you're actually saying you are traveling up north?"
Hajime shrinks his face up in confusion, not understanding what the man was trying to say, "yeah... so ?"
"You haven't heard about what goes on up there ?"
Hajime only gawks at the man as Ibuki rolls eyes, whispering something about here he goes again."
"There are so many strange disappearances in that part of Japan it's not even funny."
Hajime raises an eyebrow, finding himself intrigued by what the man was saying, "disappearances ?"
"Yeah, dude, like people erased off the face of the earth kind of disappearances."
Hajime shakes his head, "but that doesn't make any sense, why would people be living up there then ?"
"I don't have a clue man, but I read this article on the internet that speculates the people who live up there might be headhunters-"
A slap came down onto Kazukichi's neck, knocking him out in a daze, "don't listen to him Hajime, he just trying to scare you."
"No I'm not-" another slap " the people who gone missing were probably attacked by wildlife," Ibuki speaks, facing Hajime.
But that doesn't make any sense" Kazukichi interjected, " wouldn't the police have found their remains by now ?"
Ibuki turns to look at Kazukichi and snorts, "If the people up there were headhunters wouldn't the police have found human remains now ?"
Hajime watched the two go back and forth before he interjected, "common guys- just stop, I'm pretty sure my boyfriend didn't grow up around those kinds of people.
The pair hushed down in speech, taking in Hajime's words
"But- there is lots of evidence that prove the theory right" Kazukichi whines.
"Nope- I don't want to hear it, if I'm going to choose to go or not it's not going to base off that," Hajime says firmly.
Ibuki looks to Hajime confused, "huh? what do you mean to choose to go or not, I thought you and Nagito planned a vacation together or something."
"No Ibuki," the brunet deadpans "why would we plan a vacation right after we just move into our new apartment."
Oh yeah... so why does Komaeda want to go then ?"
"Because Nagito town is hosting some harvest ceremony thing, and wants me to go with him."
It was silent for a moment
"harvest ceremony ?" Kazukichi exclaimed, "how are you guys so blind."
The man and the woman groan at Kazukichi, "okay dude, can you get on with the car, I think we all have places to be" Hajime says.
The time was now six-thirty, way beyond what Hajime was hoping the car to be finished by. Even the man Kazukichi himself told him it wasn't going to be lengthy. But he only stayed telling Hajime numerous stories and theories alike about the disappearances up in the north.
Hajime shunned them at first, but as the man went on, the more apparent he became. Random people going missing, with no leads. articles of clothing from victims being found in wastelands. It sounded feeble-minded for their disappearances to be animal attacks, especially considering how scarce evidence was. It all came down to professionally cover up murders.
Personally, Hajime doesn't think the people were taken by headhunters, but more of assassins. Maybe since the forest is vast and dense up in the countryside, it makes it easier to kill people without being caught. But what about the travelers? why were they killed?
Hajime just couldn't answer that, it didn't make sense.
Hajime shook the thought from his head, as he opens the door to his apartment, wandering into the dimly lit house. He should just let it rest, for now, it will probably come back to bite him in the ass later.
Hajime continued down the hall making his way into their kitchen. It seems like no one was home, though Nagito could just be in their room resting. The man slowly led through the half-empty area, taking in the hollow atmosphere. Oh, he couldn't wait to make this place feel lively.
Hajime continued to scan around until his eyes landed on a brown paper shopping bag, "oh looks somebody didn't unpack" Hajime spoke walking over to the counter.
He digs his hand through the bag, taking out the groceries one by one. There were some pretty usually things like sugar eggs, bread, mayo, and... duct tape ?"
Hajime lifted an eyebrow examining the newly unopened roll. What did Nagito need duck tape for, he never told Hajime about anything that needed taping up.
The man laid the tape on the countertop, giving it one last glance. He'll just have to ask Nagito later.
Soon after Hajime went back to packing out groceries, placing each of the items in their rightful places.
"well I'm done here" he grinned to himself, "I should probably see how Nagito doing."
Hajime walks out of the kitchen and over into the living room, finding his way to his bedroom. Though he stops once again as to seeing something out of place.
"rope?" Hajime muttered, a bit loud."
He walked over to the cream couch, to pick up the rugged line of rope. His mind was empty for a moment examining thick lining, Why would Nagito leave something like this here. He gripped the rope tightly in his hand and just stared at it.
Maybe it was from one of the moving boxes? Nagito may have doing some extra unpacking while he was away. Hajime grew tense as shuffling could be heard from the other side of their bedroom door.
The brunet watched the rope, then the doorway.
What was he afraid of, it was just rope, he was sure Nagito had a reasonable explanation as to why he had it out like this.
Hajime inched closer to the door, staring at the bright room light that shone underneath. He could feel his hands grow clammy, he was acting very unreasonable. Nagito probably just woke up or something, so why was he so hesitant...
Hajime finally reaches the door, listening to the sound of footsteps walk past.
Just open the door Hajime, there is nothing to be afraid of.
Hajime finally places his hand on the handle, slowly twisting it.
Just open the-
Hajime opens the door, to be met with Nagito, beautifully setting up their room. The man showed to have packed out all the boxes for their room, setting up the place with their old decorations.
"Oh Hajime," Nagito said setting to face him "I didn't hear you come through the door... well, I hope you like what I did with the place, I know my decoration sense isn't great, but I bought a few extra stuff for the room. Please do tell me if you don't like anything, I will change it."
Hajime gawked for a second, scanning the place. Those theories must be truly getting to his head. Of course Nagito wouldn't be planning his demise, he was wrong to think that.
"it's okay... I love it"
Nagito smiled, eyes traveling to the rope in his hands. Something about his expression wavered but Hajime dismissed it.
"Oh I see you found our rope for the car, I was wondering where I placed that."
Hajime's eyes landed back on the rope in his hands, "wondering? Nagito it was on the couch.."
The white-haired man strolled up to him and placed a kiss on his cheek, taking the rope out of his hand, "well you found it for me didn't you, that's all that matters."
Hajime rolled his eyes, "Yeah, sure whatever..."
Hajime ventured further into the room, eyes gazing further upon " though I'm really happy you took the time to do this."
The man sat down on the bed spreading his hands out over the comforter," thank you Nagito this is beyond what I can ask for.
The man grinned throwing the rope on the chair, walking over to his boyfriend to sit beside him.
"Well... I'm glad you like it Hinata-Kun. I just really wanted to do something for the house after I realize how little I've done."
"you mean we ?" Hajime added.
"Uh, if you want look at it that way, but if you do decide you want to go with me, I want to at least get some work done up here."
" Hajime hummed, as a cocky smirk invades his face, "ah so this is just a favor to win me out huh ?"
Nagito face drops, " What? No! I would never Hinata-Kun the choice is entirely up to you, I wouldn't try to alter it with favor -"
Hajime brings a finger to the may lips, quieting him, "calm down, I was just joking."
Nagito looked into the man's eyes before a soft sigh escaped his lips.
"S-sorry, I just don't want to give off the impression that I'm forcing you to go."
"It's okay Nagito"
It was silent for a moment, with the white-haired man beside him twirling his fingers, "so... do you or ?"
Hajime exhaled softly, placing his hands on his knees, " well I don't know yet... it's kind of hard to decide really."
Nagito eyes lowered quickly glimpsing to the other side of the room then back, "well don't worry, you still got more time to think."
A sigh left Hjaime's lips as Nagito curled up tighter in his arms. So maybe he hasn't decided yet...
It was just he felt conflicted. Was it stupid? yes, the decision shouldn't even be that hard. It was either he stays back and unpacks, or he goes with Nagito. In all honesty, he would have come to his decision already if it wasn't for...
Hajime squinted at the wall, he truly needed to get that out of his mind. Kazukichi's words were all he could think about now, plaguing him to the point of no rest.
Maybe it wasn't true, right? Why would Nagito go back there if his town was a bunch of murders?
Hajime groans rubbing the back of the sleeping man in front of him. He honestly did not like to think of his boyfriend like this. Or the place where he grew up. If Nagito was anything like what those articles said, Hajime would have known. If the man wanted to take him away to a town to kill him, he most likely would have done it way sooner.
Hajime piped at the feeling of Nagito shifting underneath him. The man seemed to be waking up, his shuffling growing more frequent.
The white-haired man in his arms eyes gradually opens, head-turning up to face him, "Hajime...? what time is it ?"
"past twelve"
The man yawed shuffling out of his arms, "I got to go pee"
And with that the man left the bed, heading over to the bathroom.
Hajime watched as the man left him on his lonesome, in his own thoughts.
Would it hurt to go on a trip weeks trip? who knows maybe he could convince Nagito to leave early? and with that he will be happy, Nagito will be happy, and they'll come back and finish the apartment.
Yeah... that seemed okay.
The sound of the bathroom door opening echoed in the room, making Hajime turn to face his boyfriend.
"did you wash your hands ?"
"Yeah," Nagito told, tiredly plopping upon the bed.
"well, it didn't sound like it."
The man beside him rolled closer, trying to wrap himself back in the sheets" then I don't know what to tell you Hinata-Kun"
Hajime laughed, pulling the man back into his arms. They stayed like that for a moment, the silence between them peaceful.
"I think... I think I might go on that trip with you..."
It was silent for a moment the light breaths of Nagito being the only sound, "that's nice Hinata-Kun."
The man's voice was low, head snuggling up in the man's chest.
"Maybe I should tell you in the morning..."
The only answer Hajime got were light snores, that filled the room.
"Yeah... definitely in the morning."