Kokichi laid in the bed Kiibo provided him, staring up at the ceiling. He could vaguely hear Kiibo cooking in the kitchen, patiently waiting for Kiibo's return. Stretching, the chains attached to the cuffs around both of his wrist clinked. The chains were attached to a bedframe. They allowed some movement, so that he could feed himself or participate in any activities Kiibo would present him such as drawing or board games. Honestly speaking, though it was a bit boring, it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be. Kiibo honored his word on never hurting Kokichi, instead making sure Kokichi was comfortable and entertained. Not used to this treatment from a kidnapper, it weirded him out some. But he couldn't deny it was nice not feeling in danger. The only thing that would make this better would be if Kiibo uncuffed him. But Kiibo insisted he couldn't trust Kokichi yet, worried Kokichi would run at the first opportunity. The other thing that would make this better is the nightmares going away. Despite the safer environment, the nightmares didn't stop.
It was funny, really. The few moments Kiibo would leave the house to go to the store, Kokichi would lock pick the cuffs and wander the house. Though he could've ran away a few times this week, he had no idea where they were. He would look out the windows and see they were surrounded by trees. This wasn't the house Kiibo took him to before, Kiibo explaining this was a temporary house since everyone knew where his old one was. Though, he was working on a way to get the two out of the country. The thought scared Kokichi. Once out of the country, it would be really hard to get back in and find Maki. While he would like to get away from all of this, he didn't want to leave Maki behind to clean up this mess alone. Still, he wasn't brave enough to try traveling these woods alone until he found society. Even then, who's to say some weirdo wouldn't kidnap him before he could contact Maki. He didn't even have a way to contact her if he was given a phone. All he could do was wait. Speaking of, he was beginning to worry if anyone would find them. He was certain Maki or Shuichi would've hunted him down by now. This had felt like the longest week of him waiting for Maki to come save him.
Don't get him wrong, he wasn't just sitting here being completely useless. He did grab a knife and hid it in the back of the bed under the mattress. Kiibo was suspicious when he couldn't find it but Kokichi was still in his cuffs, so he let it go and assumed he forgot where he put it. Kokichi was honestly surprised that worked but was thankful nonetheless, since there weren't any better weapons around.
Footsteps could be heard heading his direction, making him sit up and face the door. Kiibo opened the door holding a bowl of ramen, Kokichi smiling at him. Despite the circumstances, he did trust Kiibo enough to eat the food without worry. There was no reason for Kiibo to try drugging him again since he was still in the cuffs and agreeing to go wherever Kiibo wanted. And Kiibo hadn't tried anything frightening since getting here. He'd be lying to say he wasn't somewhat adjusting, even if part of him did prefer leaving to help Maki take down Team Danganronpa.
Kiibo sat next to him, handing him the bowl. Kokichi wasted no time eating it, feeling Kiibo run his hand through his hair. He did still tense a bit at physical contact but was using this time to work on it, needing to make the most of the situation.
"You know, I'm surprised by how well you are taking all of this," Kiibo said. "I mean, I knew you'd be happier like this. But you were putting up such a fight before. I'm glad you've calmed down."
Kokichi nodded his head, replying, "I-I guess I just needed some time. I haven't exactly h-had good experiences with being k-kidnapped."
Kiibo frowned at the word. "I told you, this isn't a kidnapping. You came with me willingly."
Kokichi struggled not to roll his eyes. Willingly isn't quiet what he'd call it. Either way he'd end up here and didn't have a say, he just agreed so he wouldn't be knocked out. But he wouldn't ever voice that opinion to Kiibo, worried how he might respond. "Still. My l-life hasn't been the best..."
"I know." Kiibo leaned closer to Kokichi, trying to find a way to comfort him. He was still learning some on how to do that. "Anything you want to do today?"
Kokichi thought on it, unsure at this point. He was getting tired of the same thing every day. "Um... A-Any chance we could take a walk?"
"Huh?"
"Well, I-I haven't left the bed in a while. Which isn't good for your health! A-And I'd like to explore the place a bit. It would be something different."
Kiibo didn't answer for a bit, thinking on it. "I... I don't know. You've been really good so far and I don't want you to suddenly run away."
"I-I won't! I promise! I just need a bit of a c-change."
Kiibo sighed. "I know... I'm still worried, though. I mean, I'm still not sure how that knife went missing..."
Kokichi moved his arms, causing the chains to clang. "I told you, I couldn't have t-taken it."
"I know. And I'm not sure how you would've gotten out of those cuffs. Though, you did somehow get out of the last one at the old house. Better safe than sorry. Maybe I can let you out of those tomorrow."
Kokichi huffed, pushing Kiibo away slightly. "You keep saying this isn't a k-kidnapping and yet I'm chained up."
"Kokichi..." Kiibo looked away, part of him actually feeling bad about the situation. He didn't want Kokichi to hate him or view things this way. He was just so scared of Kokichi running away from him again and ending up in trouble. This was the only way to get Kokichi to sit still. "I'm sorry... I really am. But I just can't let you out of those yet. Just... continue to trust me and I'll start to trust you, okay?"
"... Fine." Kokichi sighed, knowing it was the best thing to say in this situation.
"Great. Now, what do you want to do?"
"Um... Hm... C-Can I ask you some questions?"
"Of course! Whatever you want to know."
Kokichi scooted closer to Kiibo, leaning against him. "Well first, I w-want you to explain why you two never mentioned Kairi."
"Ah... Well, first reason is we didn't know her very well. She went with our mom in the divorce. Second is she was insane. Even by our standards. So Kaede and I stopped keeping touch and pretended she didn't exist. There was one time she almost killed Kaede by pushing her in front of a moving car. Fortunately, the car stopped in time. But yeah, it's best to stay away from her. Unfortunately, she got a job at Team Danganronpa. That's why she's all involved in this. But you don't have to worry about her. No one is going to find us."
Kokichi blinked in surprised, for some reason completely forgetting they would've had a mom. Part of him wanted to ask about Kiibo's father but knew that was a sensitive subject. Though, he did remember something else.
"Why was there a c-corpse in your basement," he asked, shivering a little.
"Oh! Don't get the wrong idea! That wasn't me." Kiibo's voice was shaky.
Unfortunately, Kokichi could tell he was lying, filling him with fear. It was obvious Kiibo was unhappy about killing someone but feeling the need to hide it made Kokichi nervous. He debated pressing further, needing reassurance he wouldn't kill anyone else. But he also wasn't sure he could handle the truth.
"Don't worry! You won't have to worry about seeing any more corpses. Now, let's change to a different question, please."
Kokichi sighed. "Okay... W-Where do you plan on taking me exactly?"
"Well... I'm still struggling to find a place. We need a way to get there without being tracked. It was hard enough getting the money to temporarily keep this place running without getting caught. And I'm going to need a job wherever we end up going so that I can support us. I... don't know if I trust you having a job..."
"Oh please, I'm not going to run away in another country. I'm not that stupid."
"It's not just that. The world is just dangerous. I'd feel better if you just stayed home."
Kokichi snorted. "Like some stay-at-home wife? Will I be expected to clean the place too?" The tone was playful, leaning further onto Kiibo.
"T-That isn't what I meant!" Kiibo covered his red face with the metal plates around his face.
"Aww. Is Kiibo blushing at the idea of us being a couple?"
"W-Well... it would be nice..."
The thought made Kokichi's face turn a light shade of red. He hadn't truly thought about it with everything going on. Maybe if things ever reached a normal, he could consider the possibility. But he wants it to be absolutely willingly, not what he used to have with Kaito.
"K-Kiibo... Maybe someday we-"
The two fully sat up upon hearing a car speed into the driveway, Kiibo rushing off the bed and to the window. Kokichi tried to do the same, momentarily forgetting he was chained up till the chains prevented him from leaving the bed.
"He found us," Kiibo said, backing away from the window. "Shuichi found us..." His eyes had this dark look in their eyes as he stared at the ground.
"He did," Kokichi asked, eyes wide. "I-Is anyone with him?"
But Kiibo wasn't listening, too lost in thought. "I... I'm not letting him take you again... I won't let him hurt you again, I promise. I'm going to make sure he can't hurt you ever again."
His voice was as dark as the look on his face, putting Kokichi even more on edge. He had a good idea of what Kiibo was referring to. And even though he'd have wanted that at some point, he doesn't today. He didn't sneakily hide Maki's phone in Kiibo's car for nothing. Though, he had been hoping Shuichi would bring Maki with him. There was a chance Kiibo just didn't see her, but he wasn't sure if he should hold on to that thought. If he truly was alone, who knows what he'd do if he did get through Kiibo. As Kiibo started heading towards the door, Kokichi once again tried running after him.
"W-Wait," he said. "Don't leave me c-chained up here. What if he somehow g-gets in the room?"
"He won't," Kiibo said. "I'll make sure of it. Don't worry, I'm going to keep you safe." He gave a reassuring smile before leaving the room.
...
🌿Fun fact: I also have nightmares at night that have me screaming in my sleep. I've even gone as far as running off the bed! :'D You'd think my girlfriend would be sick of this by now but she never remembers in the morning. I'm sure sick of it though.🌿