Spider-Xan (Danganronpa: Despair Time AU)

Chapter 4

I run off to catch up with David, my hand slightly aching from the spider bite. I didn't know spider bites could be that strong. 'Hopefully, it's not a dangerous spider that bit me...' I think to myself, catching up with David.

"If you guys aren't here in the next 10 seconds we're leaving!" Ace calls out, sounding annoyed.

David notices I'm still stuck in a little trance in my head, and speaks to get my attention.
"Come on! They're about to leave without us!" David exclaims, taking my hand and beginning to run.

It takes me a moment, but when I realise David's holding my hand–I feel my cheeks begin to flush again.
We meet up with Whit, Levi and Ace once again- before beginning to leave the abandoned laboratory.

We begin walking out of the abandoned laboratory, when a symbol catches my eye for a brief moment.
"Spurling..." Then it cuts off. Being pulled away by David's hand holding mine.

Once we exit, Whit flips through photos on his phone. "That place was so cool. Well, scary- but cool." He says, showing me and David some photos of the area he, Levi and Ace explored. "What did you guys see?" Whit asks, continuing to walk beside us as Ace and Levi chat.

"A lot of empty cages..., some robot parts? And some strange empty cage at the end of the hall." David says. I don't think he's realised he's holding my hand. Or maybe he has... and he thinks nothing of it..? Whatever it is, I don't want to take my hand away... Maybe I'm thinking too hard about it.

"Yea..., It had a danger sign on it. but the rest had faded out. I also saw a lot of bullet holes. Whatever that place was- It's been abandoned for a while." I say, in an attempt to direct my attention away from David's hand holding mine.

"That's wack. But it made for some epic photos!" Whit responds, before looking at me. I can tell he notices something off as he grins. He looks down at mine and David's hands before muttering something and walking off. If anything, it was probably a joke.

I guess David saw where Whit was looking, because he looked down at our hands–suddenly realising he was holding mine. With a swift movement, he lets go of my hand.

"S-sorry..., I intended to grab your arm but I must've grabbed your hand. I- I hope that's okay–" He starts, before I quickly cut him off to respond.

"Yea, Yea! No, no, yea! You're good!" I respond, the two of us going silent afterwards. The tension between us after that moment is pretty palpable... The only thing keeping it less awkward is the voices of Levi, Whit and Ace.

We continue to walk in silence until we arrive back at the party, where it seems Ace put someone responsible in charge, as the entire house isn't in shambles.

The rest of the party goes by in a flash, and it's around 11pm. I didn't realise how much time we spent at the party, or even how much time we spent at the abandoned laboratory. I'd say... maybe 30 minutes to an hour? Time management aside (for once), and we all head back to our dormitories, all of us tired, but we had a fun night. It was pretty worth it. 

I do my nighttime routine, as does David, and eventually we head to bed at 11:50pm.

"Night, Xander..." I hear him say as I get into bed, feeling a small smile creep onto my face.
"Y-Yea... Good night, David..." I say, before turning my head and seeing him smiling at me. I feel my cheeks heat up slightly, and turn back to the wall.

David doesn't say anything after that, but I can tell he went to sleep after hearing the rustling of his blanket. So, I go to sleep as well. Today was a strange day. A fun day! Don't get me wrong, but I'm still processing a few events.

Eventually, morning arises and I get up. David's already ready, not to my surprise. He's told me the night prior he's probably going to get up earlier than me. Once he's acknowledged I'm awake, he smiles again.

"Good morning" He says in a soft voice as to not startle me in my morning state.
"Morning..." I say before yawning. I begin my morning routine, consisting of the same things; splash myself in the face with water, wash my face, get changed.

As I'm washing my face, I take my eyepatch off. David's about to leave our dorm to head to classes early- but he spots the eyepatch on the bathroom counter and grows curious.

"Hey, Xander? You okay in there–" He begins, but is cut off as I turn to him. He looks at me horrified and worried. Until I realise what he's looking at; my eye injury. I quickly cover it with my hand.

"Uhh, yea! Yea! I'm fine! This is nothing, don't worry." I quickly say, to which David dismisses. I should've realised David would be the first person to see what's under the eyepatch seeing as we're roommates.

He walks to me, and speaks in a soft way. "You don't have to hide it, Xander.." He says. I'm feeling hesitant to show it–but I know he'd see at some point. Now or some other day.

I take my hand off my right eye, revealing a large scar to David.
He seems stunned, a small gasp escaping his lips.

"What happened?" He asks before quickly adding; "If it's not a sensitive topic..." I shake my head in response.

"It's not a sensitive topic, don't worry. It's just that in my line of work, I can't guarantee I'll get out uninjured. How I got this one, well, some people will do anything to fight back. Even if it means gouging my eye out–" I say in a slight joking manner. I'm pretty used to this scar.

Fighting corrupt government officials with bodyguards ready to protect them by any means necessary does call for some uncalled for injuries. Normally, I'd be more open about sharing this scar–but not knowing how some people would react nowadays stops me.

"You're speaking so lightly of it, yet Xander... your eye was literally gouged out of its socket." David says seriously, moving closer to get a better look at me. I see his hand hesitate for a moment. I wonder what he was going to do...

"I know, I know. I'm just used to this scar now. I've had it for a while. And the person that did this to me is in the slammer!" I announce, to which David smiles at.

"I'm glad." He says. "That you got justice, and that you seem to be doing fine." He adds, his hand hesitating again before patting my shoulder awkwardly. "But if anything's bothering you, just come to me." He offers to me, and I nod my head.

"See you later!" I say, and David's nearly out of the door, before I quickly slip in one more sentence. "And.., thanks." I add more softly this time, and I see him smile again. Feeling all kinds of feelings go through my body at once.
"Any time." He says before closing the door.

It takes me a moment to realise, but the whole time I've been staring at David–I've been smiling like an idiot. My cheeks flush and I groan. Before going back to my morning routine.

As I get ready, I don't know if its just me–or I'm sweating way more than I should be. 'Maybe it was just the heater that was on last night.' I think to myself, but in truth, I also feel different. In a way I can't quite put my finger on, before finishing getting dressed and heading out the door to my second day at Hope's Peak Academy...Wondering what's in store for today.

AUTHORS NOTE:
So sorry that this is not him discovering his powers yet--But i'm making progress despite having to work on school work. EXAMS are up soon and by then I'll be busy, but after that I'm good to continue writing. Also, commentary and feedback is heavily encouraged! As this is my first fanfic and I appreciate and love getting feedback and comments. I hope ya'll are enjoying spider-xan so far, and don't worry- action is coming soon.