It's been a week since Naegi was expelled. I haven't been doing too well, and I can only imagine how Naegi feels. We have texted back and forth since he left, and most of it has been me apologizing. No matter how much he says 'it's fine', I know it will never be okay what my father did. 

I sit on my couch, holding my cell phone. I'm shaking slightly, but what can my father do over the phone? 

He could do a lot, actually, but I'm tired of this. I want Naegi back, and I want my father to care about my personal life for once. Not giving myself a moment to hesitate, I dial his contact. Him, being the businessman he is, answers immediately.

"Hello, son. What do you need?" His voice is sharp, and I feel his dissaproval.

I take a deep breath and hold the phone to my ear. "Hello, father. I would like to discuss the expulsion of Makoto Naegi."

He pauses. "You're still upset about that commoner? He means nothing. What you did is an embarrassment to our family, and the Ludenburgs have every right to be upset with you."

"Why? I did nothing. She broke up with me, not the other way around." I try to keep my voice steady, not wanting to give him more reason to be upset.

"She broke up with you because you're a fag. Don't pin this on her."

"I'm not pinning this on anyone but you, father," I say. "You punished me all my life because I didn't conform to how you wanted me to be. I'm almost eighteen, I know how to run a successful business, I have impeccable grades, yet you mock me for love? You need some love of your own."

"You say all those things, but have you forgotten your purpose? The tradition? Don't speak to me that way ever again." I hear the writhing in his voice.

"I apologize, father. Yet, I shall not stop. I'm tired of you treating me as a child. Grow some decency and let Naegi back to school."

There's a long silence. "You want me to treat you as an adult? Fine. We'll see how you run a multi billion dollar cooperation by yourself. As soon as you are eighteen, I'm handing it to you, then you will be no son to me. Don't think for a second that I didn't consider taking the title of heir away from you. I didn't raise a weakling who goes and falls in love, I raised a well mannered businessman. As for the boy, I will not get him back into Hope's Peak."

I hear the call end and place down the phone in shock. I can't tell if that was the worst thing that could have happened, but it certainly wasn't good.

I'm interrupted by a knock at my door. Again? I get up to answer, trying to look as if I didn't just get disowned from my father. It's Ludenburg.

"Hello, Togami," she smiles softly.

I gesture for her to follow me into the room. "Come on in."

She shakes her head. "It will only be a moment." Ludenburg pauses. "I just want to apologize. I didn't realize my actions had such far reaching consequences."

I sigh. "It's not your fault... How did you figure out that's the reason Naegi was gone?"

She giggles. "Well, I was talking to my parents, and they suspected as such." She scratches her cheek. "I was not aware of the full situation beforehand, I would have tried to be more strategic if I had a do-over." 

"Well, there's not much you can do now. What's done is done." I lean against my door frame. "Try not to feel bad."

"I know..." she gives me an apologetic look. "I just wanted to make it up to you, so I brought a gift." She turns around and motions to the hallway, then steps aside.

Before I know what's happening, a green blur appears and wraps his arms around my waist. "Byakuya! Celeste got me back in!" Naegi flushes and removes his arms. 

"I- Really?" I stand dumbfounded, staring at Naegi, then Ludenburg, then Naegi. He nods enthusiastically.

"I had to pull a few strings," Ludenburg smiles at us, "But my parents quickly agreed to help get him re-enrolled." 

"Thank you, Celestia," is all I can say before she waves me off.

"No need to thank me! I was only doing the right thing." She winks at me, unbeknownst to Naegi, before walking away and turning the corner.

"So, um..." Naegi starts. "How have you-"

I lean down and press our lips together softly. This moment... it feels so right. After a few seconds, Naegi's arms wrap around my torso and I place my hands on his face, taking in every second of the kiss. We eventually break apart, Naegi with a stupid grin on his face, and I'm sure mine looks the same. 

"I missed you," I chuckle. 

"I missed you too! Just... wow..." he puts his hands in his jacket pockets. "I've wanted to do that for a long time."

I fold my arms, leaning back against the door. "So have I."

His eyes widen. "Really?" he squeaks out, covering his face with his hands. 

I take his hands off his face and hold them in my own. "Really." I lead him into my dorm and to my couch, sitting us down. "God, Makoto... You have no idea."

He snuggles up against me and leans his head on my chest. "I have some idea."

We sit there cuddling for a few minutes before Naegi speaks. "What about your dad?" 

"He'll leave us alone. If he doesn't, too bad." I run my fingers through his hair. "I like you too much to let anyone get between us."

"I'm glad this wasn't one sided," he says. "It may have taken a long and painful journey, but we're here together after all of it. I'd say it was totally worth it!"

I lean down and kiss his nose. It feels so natural here with Makoto. 

"So... are we like boyfriends now?" he laughs.

I smile and tickle his stomach. "Obviously."

He laughs and grabs my hands. "Hey! That tickles!" He leans up and kisses me again, and I feel like I could definitely get used to living like this.

_____

A/N: Sorry if this feels rushed I wrote it at 11 pm and I'm going mad lol