Kiyotaka is and always will be my son. Mild angst?/insomnia/death warning.
Fic title: Dreams.
I hadn't slept since the start of the killing game. I just lay awake in my bed, my bed that smelled of stale sleep, and stared up at my brilliantly white ceiling. My thoughts consumed me, thoughts such as wondering if I'm get out alive. I can have hope, but I can remain grounded - I'd either snap or become a victim.
Accepting it was like trying to hug a cactus - doable if you have the will-power, but tremendously painful.
I also realised how afraid I was for Taka. He didn't deserve death - and I knew he was going to die. He's the most forward thinking of us all, and very good at keeping us inline. No way he'd snap.
God, I couldn't sleep like this.
I double-checked that all of my doors were locked and got in the shower. It didn't really calm my nerves as I'd expected it to. It just let the little alarms in the back of my head ring louder and louder, until I could barely hear the water drill against the ground.
I got back into my pyjamas and dried my hair with my towel. Great, I just felt more awake.
After a while of contemplating, I figured that I'd get a drink from the kitchen. Anything but that sand-like water from my bathroom sink.
I locked my door on my way out and walked through the gloomy hallways of the school. Could this institution really be considered a school? We didn't really learn anything, other than to be vigilant.
Vigilant; the word reminded me of Kiyotaka.
I felt like I blacked out for a moment before waking up in the kitchen. My mind on autopilot, I poured myself a glass of milk and downed in. I poured myself another.
"Ah, good evening L/N."
The tone was in no way hostile, but I still nearly dropped the glass I was holding. It was none other than Celeste, a faint smile on her face.
"Oh, Ludenburg, hi."
"You seem frightful. Is something the matter?"
"Just surprised to see anyone up so late. I was just getting a drink."
She hummed and turned to leave. "Well, I just figured I'd take a walk. Nothing too suspicious or incriminating, is it? Not since the whole 'staying in our rooms' pact burned down in flames." Her tone of voice seemed almost accusatory, but she looked innocent from her elegant posture.
"No, I suppose not."
I downed my milk again as I watched her stalk off, like a cat into the night. "What a character." I said to myself out loud.
I suddenly yearned for it to be morning. I felt like I was a sitting duck, leaning against the kitchen counter with an empty glass in my hand. I felt paralysed, like at any moment someone would strike.
"Y/N? What are you doing up so late?"
For a moment I thought I was hallucinating. Then I realised that Kiyotaka's defining red eyes couldn't be mistaken.
"Kiyotaka, I wasn't— I was just getting a drink."
He nodded, before giving me a smile. "You seem hesitant. Would you like me to escort you to your room?"
"Thank the big Monokuma in the sky, I'm not going to die tonight!"
"What was that?"
"Nothing, I didn't say anything!" Changing the subject from my weird comment, I quickly replied, "Yeah, I'd appreciate an escort."
We walked in almost silence.
"So," Taka said, breaking the ice, "I... I don't mean to spread gossip, since that is unwelcome behaviour in a school environment, but aren't you worried about Celeste? She seemed rather disgruntled."
"Yeah, you could say that. Plus she was walking around after dark."
"Just like in Fukawa's novel." He chimed in, slowing his pace ever-so-slightly.
"Wait, you read Touko's work?"
"Of course, I was looking forward to getting to know one of my favourite authors here at Hope's Peak, but you know..."
"Yeah... but Touko sure as Hell knows how to write. If I had any of her books on me I'd just be reading in my room."
"And not sleeping?"
Damn it.
"I mean, I've always kind of struggled with sleep. Being the Ultimate y/t is hard, y'know? But I'm fine."
"I'm glad I'm not the only light-sleeper here."
I invited him into my dorm so we could just talk. It turned out we had a lot in common, until... until...
"Y/N? Y/N, wake up. The trail's over."
"What?"
I blinked open my eyes after having what felt like the best night sleep I'd had in ages.
"Celeste framed you for killing Taka and Yafumi, remember?" Naegi's voice, clear as day. Wait, what time was it again?
"Oh... y-yeah." I hiccuped slightly.
"She got away with it."
"What?!"
"So, uh, none of us really know what's going on."
Then, I saw Kiyotaka. He had huge angel wings that spread out behind him and was smiling. He looked hurt, but he was smiling and that was enough.
"Mondo's here. Come on, we'll show you around."
I slowly but surely accepted our fates as Kiyo offered comfort. He showed me around and kept encouraging me to stay positive.
None of us knew where you were. Dead - I knew we were all dead. Kiyotaka showed me around the 'realm' (for lack of a better term) until Mondo left to find Chihiro, something about apologising.
"Y/N, now that we've left the realm of the living..." He paused and smiled at me. "I want to get to know you more. If you are willing, I was hoping that we could be more than just friends."
If I wasn't already dead, I would have died again from the cuteness.
Word count - 973.