(Remnant of despair AU)
(Gundham and Hajime grew up AU)
(T.W one mention of suicide in the beginning)

(Hajime POV)

I was hiding in a closet near my classroom, everyone in the Reverse Course but me committed suicide, I all knew is that it was Junko Enoshima's fault. I then heard my childhood best friend call out my name "Hajime~ my prince, please come out~" He said, I didn't answer, I heard the lockers being banged on.

I kept on hearing footsteps around where I was. I buried my head onto my knees, "Hajime!" Gundham yelled out but I could tell that there was desperation in his voice, 'Maybe I should come out. It's Gundham, what's he going to do to me? I'm his best friend.. he won't hurt me..' I thought, I came out of the closet.

I went down the hallway, and I found Gundham, "Gundham...?" I said, "Hajime!" He said, he went up and hugged me. He buried his head into the crook of my neck, my head was resting against his shoulder, he was sobbing on me. I patted his back to comfort him, I then felt a prick at the back of my neck, "Just sleep my prince, I'll wake you up when I have your clothes prepared." He whispered into my ear, I then went unconscious.

(Gundham POV)

Lady Enoshima told me to protect my despair prince, I need to bring him to my domain to keep him safe. I placed him down on our bed and I grabbed him new clothes for him. I went to him, I then wake him up, "My despair prince, it's time to get up." I said, shaking him lightly "Nrghhh why Gundham?" He said sleepily, "You have a world to rule with me." I said, "Okay.." He said sleepily, he got out of bed and he went into the bathroom and he changed into the clothes that I gave him.

He rested his head on my shoulder, he was still tired, we both want into our living room, I sat him down and I played the despair video, I knew that he'll break eventually. After he thought that he was cute in pretending to fall into despair.. but whatever I'll pretend my prince Hajime, I'll play apart in your little act, moreover I held him in my arms in our living room. We both went outside and we spread despair around our hometown and around Hope's Peak Academy, we were going to meet up with the pink hair fiend.

(Hajime POV)

We went to where Kazuichi was and he taught me some things about how to rule the world, and how to kill people. I still don't like harming people but if my king likes it, I'll let him do it. I had to faked falling into despair but I was convinced that Gundham is my king, I went to with my king back to our house, I laid back on our bed, I pulled him close to me and I quickly fell asleep.

(Timeskip to four years)

(Still his POV)

I found out that Junko was killed by her own hands, but my beloved king and his classmates were blaming Makoto Naegi. Me and my king were out with some of his animals, and we ran into some members of the Future Foundation, I was somehow separated from my king.

The Future Foundation members were able to bring me to an room and they locked me up with chains, "So what do you guys think?" One said, "I think he brainwashed him into believing him as his king." The other said, "What...? My king would never do that to me because he loves me." I defended him, "But were you really like this?" One said, "W- well he said that that was the only way for me to love him." I said, I can't let them find out that Gundham used an brainwashing device.

Byakuya didn't look too pleased, "I guess Makoto was right, this one really doesn't like violence like his other mates." The other said, Byakuya came into the room and then other Future Foundation members left, Byakuya sat in the chair in front of me.

I gave him a small smile, "Hey there Mr. Hinata, I'm just going to ask you some questions and then we can get on with our day." He said, I gave him a small nod "Alright how long were you like this?" He asked, "About five years I guess." I said, "Do you even like violence or killing people?" He asked, no.. but my king loves it..

I- I'll tell them the truth because what if they'll do something to my king if I lie... "No... I don't like it.. but if my king lik- likes it then I li- like it." I said, "Do you think that he actually cares about you?" He asked, "Yes because if he didn't... why would I be his despair prince?" I said, "Do you seriously believe that?" He asked, "I- I don't know anymore..." I said, "Well Makoto told me to be gentle if I asked questions about Mr.Tanaka." He said,

I don't want to believe that Gundham does love me.. "I want to believe that he does care about me because if he didn't... does that mean that he doesn't actually love me and he was just using me..?" I said, "Well everyone discussed that you didn't fall into despair, so we might need your help to get everyone here and help them reform." He said, "Oh okay..." I said, he then left the room.

(Gundham POV)

My despair prince was captured by those hope fiends. I told the others what happened "Tch, those bastards seriously have him?" The yakuza fiend said, "Well since Gundham told us that he really didn't even fall into despair, let's willing get captured and placed into the Program and let a killing game start. Then if Hajime ever "dies" in the killing game, and if the survivors picked graduate, he'll fall into despair by Junko." He said. Everyone agreed, then we all got captured and I was placed with my despair prince.

He was an little distance when I first came but after a little bit, he became affectionate again. We were both resting on the bed, he was sleeping on my chest. My arms were wrapped around his waist and his arms were wrapped against my neck, I gave him a kiss on his forehead. Everyone else was asleep, I then fell asleep.

(Timeskip to morning)

(Hajime POV)

I really don't know if my king actually cares about me or not, everyone has woken up and we were told to go to where the pods are for the Neo World Program. Everyone got in and before I went in, "You will be the only person that's alive would remember High School." Makoto said, "What about my- I mean Gundham? Wouldn't he remember that I was Ultimateless?" I asked, "Well we replaced some of his childhood memories, and he thinks that you have an Ultimate talent." He said, "May I know what it is?" I asked, "It is the Ultimate Animal Caretaker." Makoto said, ah.. that's good..

At least Gundham and I can bond over again.. "Alright thank you." I said 'At least it's something I can actually do.' I thought then I was placed into the Neo World Program. I woke up to Gundham shaking me awake, we were in an black room, Hajime, are you okay? Do you know where we are?" He asked, "No I don't." I lied, I got up and we saw a door to the fake classroom, we went inside the classroom and we saw almost everyone here. We both stood near the back next to Kazuichi, after a bit everyone was in the room.

(Makoto POV)

We found an virus in the Neo World Program, we were able to get rid of its powers. I'm sure that it was Gundham, who placed the virus in.

(Hajime POV)

After everyone was discussing about why we were all here. Usami came in and said that we all had to get along to get out of here, I had to pretend to be cautious of everyone since I was cautious of people before Hope's Peak Academy. "Maybe we should listen to the bunny." Sagishi said, "I agree with him." I said, Gundham pulled me close to him, I leaned onto his touch. Everyone else made noises of agreement, then the walls came down, we all went to explore after we introduced ourselves to everyone.

I went with Gundham, we first went to the airport then the PunchRocket market, then the Ranch, then the pool, the hotel, the restaurant, Jabberwock Park, and lastly the cottages. We were then told to go to the first island beach, Monomi said that we're going to have an party, "Is it really safe tho? We don't know their motives for us being here." I said, "Well let's worry about that later, just have some fun." Hiyoko said, I pretended to reluctantly agree.

I went and got dressed into some swim trunks, the clouds were turned grey and Monokuma told us to go to Jabberwock Park, we all went there and Usami called him out. They began to fight and Usami was able to defeat Monokuma, he landed on his back and Usami waved her wand and then Monokuma was put into an toto, "Alright since I taken your powers, I'll turn you into my little brother and spare you." Usami said, she then disappeared with Monokuma, "What.... what did we just witnessed?" Kazuichi said, "Di- did the bunny just be- beat the scary looking bear?" Teruteru asked, "Yeah I guess so." I said, we then all head to our cottages and we all fell asleep.

(Timeskip to morning)

(Gundham POV)

Me and my prince went to where all the other mortals are at. We both sat away from them, and we ate our breakfast, we both finished our breakfast and we head back to my domain, "What do you think about this Gundham?" My prince asked me "I particularly don't care about the other mortals safety, I only care about your safety here." I said, he gave an small nod, "I kinda want to try and get along with everyone here." He said, "Well you can hang out with everyone else here." I said, my prince nodded and he left my lair.

(Timeskip to the end of the game)

(Still his POV)

The imposter mortal was accusing my prince as the other traitor, as I was about to defend him, he broke out into tears, "Ye- yeah, what Sagi- Sagishi is saying is true." He said, "Wha- what, my prince don't be fooled by these mortals." I said trying to convince him that he's being played. He told everyone what happened, he told everyone his plan, the lucky mortal(Makoto) came in and told everyone to press graduate since no one died, we all pressed the button.

(Timeskip to where they come out)

(Hajime POV)

I was with Gundham and he was apologizing a lot. I hugged him, he buried his head onto the crook of my neck, I pulled him closer towards me. He let go of me when he felt better and we all head on the ship. He rested his head on my shoulder and he fell asleep, after a while we all head home. I carried him to my bed and I placed him down, I laid down next to him, he then woke up.

(Gundham POV)

I was in my prince's house, "Morning my king." My prince said, I was slightly surprised by that. I thought that he would might hate me for what I did to him, "Morning my prince." I said, we both went out to where the other mortals were and we did what they call 'hangout', we all had a good time, we went to a place called an 'arcade', we all had fun.

My attention was brought to a 'claw machine' as the gamer mortal put it.. there was many animals in it.. I played and I got a small bear, I picked it up and I went over to my prince and I gave him it, "Aww~ thank you Gundham.." My prince said hugging the bear and then hugged me tightly, "Kuku... but a simple bear to our growing army to our empire my prince.." I said, he chuckled lightly..

He gave me a soft smile, "Hehe.. yeah! I'm glad that I have you Gundham.." He said with a small smile, "Me too.. I love you my prince Hajime.." I said, I held his soft hands as I gave him kiss, he kissed back and eventually we pulled away, "Well.. it's getting late, I think we should all go home.." He said, "Alright my prince.. let's go.." I said, we met up with the other mortals and we told them that we're leaving.

They all said their goodbyes and my prince and I went back to our domain, once we entered inside a few of my creatures came up to me, they were happy that we both arrived, "Okay babies.. we have to go to bed now, alright?" My prince said to the small creatures that laid on top of him.

I chuckled softly at his adorableness, I picked him up and I carried him to our lair, I placed him down and we changed into our night clothing, we both got underneath the covers and we both cuddled until we both peacefully drifted off into our deep slumber.

2275 words