Did I basically write part of a fic that was like this before? Yes.

Did I make enough changes to the later ideas for the plot that I felt I needed to restart it? Yes.

Is this fic already like 7 chapters ahead on Ao3? Yes.

iro had begun to think he was truly free of his guilt when he was able to find his way back to Mitsuko and her family. Though maybe 'find his way back' was the wrong term to be using. He had found himself wandering back towards the ruined remains of their home, expecting to find the place empty and alone as before…

But they'd been there, looking out upon what had happened with confusion clear in their every move. He hadn't even paused a moment before running towards them, tears in his eyes. He'd made it his goal to find them again, but he never thought they would walk right back into his life…! He'd thought he would have to hunt them down.

Mitsuko and Masaru were overjoyed to see him, running straight into his arms when they noticed him. Mitsuko clung to him, crying for a long time. Masaru refused to let go of his leg for the entire day, even when they went into town to try and find a hotel to stay at.

When they found one and sat down to try and explain everything that had happened, though, things went south rather quickly. Jiro didn't know how to explain other androids, some made by Doctor Komyoji, others not, and how them coming into his life had led to the destruction of their home. He didn't know how to describe all the events that transpired that led to it, or the children that were Gill's, now safely being raised by someone they could trust. And he couldn't bring himself to reveal the fate of even one of the androids he'd come across in his journey. It hurt too much to even think about.

Thankfully, no one pushed him on the subject, so he didn't have to think about it too long. But still, even just thinking about him had made a pang run through his chest. Maybe there was still some guilt weighing on him. It was hard to fully forgive yourself for killing your own brothers, after all.

He was still making steps in the right direction, he liked to think. He wasn't being eaten away at by the guilt at every moment anymore, after all. It was possible to breathe, and enjoy at least the small moments.

Enough so that he agreed to going on vacation with the Komyoji's when they revealed their plans to do as much. Apparently, after the destruction of their home, they decided they should go somewhere nice as it was rebuilt. They didn't want the doctor to become too stressed so shortly after recovery, after all.

They wasted no time packing their bags up again, moving from one hotel to another, quite a distance away from their destroyed home. It was a nice area, with a beach for them to go to if they wanted.

Sadly, Jiro's hands were a bit to mechanical and his body a bit too robotic for him to go along, but that was fine. He would stay at the hotel and try and get some rest. He could use a nap, if he was being totally honest.

He let his eyes close, consciousness drifting away…

And he was in front of his fallen brothers. Rei and Ichiro, broken as he had left them… Only they weren't in their battle forms as they had been when he killed them. They were in their human forms, skin and clothes torn, revealing wires and scraps of jagged metal…

He closed his eyes and tried to walk forward, ignore the expressions on their faces. And then his foot his against something and he felt something in one of his hands. He didn't want to look at what it was, but he felt as if he was being forced to do just that.

And so they slowly opened. Laying at his feet was yet another brother of his, Saburo. One that he had nearly forgotten about after all this time. His body lay there, also in his human form. An arm and his head missing.

A knot formed in his stomach as he raised his hand, in it, the missing head.

A scream escaped him as he threw it towards the body, backing away as he shook. He backed away, trying to get away from the scene, only to trip over yet another body, falling to the ground.

He looked to see just who it was he tripped on, expecting the body of Rei or Ichiro… But it was a mess of parts, none belonging to any of his brothers. Rieko and Mieko's remains instead were sprawled in front of him, his stomach twisting as he stared at them.

"This can't be happening… Things are getting better." He closed his eyes again, placing his hands on either side of his head. "Things are getting better..."

"Jiro…" The voices of every fallen android began filling his head. That was right, even if he covered his ears, he was sure to hear something. This was a dream, after all… "Jiro, Jiro… Jiro-"

"Jiro!" His eyes snapped open at the sound of Mitsuko's voice. "Jiro, are you alright?"

He sat up, brow furrowed. "I'm fine… I just had a bad dream."

Mitsuko frowned, clearly worried about how vague he was being. "Would you like to talk about it…?"

"No, I'll be fine." He shook his head and did his best to give her a reassuring smile. "I think I need to get out of this room, though."

"Well, how about you come with us to dinner?" Mitsuko's voice was soft as she offered. "Masaru asked me to come and invite you, and if you need to get out of this room… It'll be good for both of you. I know you can't eat, but…"

Jiro thought for a moment before standing, nodding. "Alright, let's go."

He walked alongside her, their hands brushing against each other. He felt a little better with her at his side, but his stomach was still in knots. He was sure he wouldn't be able to shake that feeling easily, either.

But he would do his best to smile for Mitsuko and Masaru. They had worried about him greatly before, and he didn't want to make that happen again. The last thing he wanted was to cause them more issues, after all.

And so the entire walk there and the entire time they ate, he did his best to keep up with the conversation. Den asked him a few times about things, and he did his best to reply… But it was a bit hard when Masaru kept trying to butt in with how boring he found it. It was honestly adorable watching him trying to keep up. He wished this would never end.

It, of course, did come to an end, though. All things did, after all. When the Komyojis stood to use the restroom and pay, he was once again left in his thoughts. The nightmare was still eating at him, and it wasn't as easy to ignore without someone there to talk to. He just hoped this wouldn't become a norm after how far he'd come.

He sighed, standing. Maybe he should wait for them outside, the fresh air could do him some good. A reminder that things were good, the skies blue as birds chirped happy tunes. It was time to leave the past in the past.

He walked outside, sucking in a deep breath, and expelling it slowly. As if trying to expel the thoughts and memories still trying to hold him down. It was time to fully move on-

"Jiro?!" A familiar voice made him snap his attention towards it. He knew that outfit, that hair style, that bike…

"I-Ichiro…?!" Jiro approached his brother without a second thought. "You… How are you here?! You were destroyed!"

"I was told you were destroyed!" Ichiro frowned as he looked his brother over. "But you look just as good as when I last saw you… Hell, even better!"

"I could say the same to you…" Jiro's brow furrowed. "Did someone rebuild you…?" Who would have the know-how to do that?

"Well, uh…" Ichiro looked around, as if worried someone was listening in. "I'll have to tell you that later! When I know that cyborg isn't stalking around somewhere…"

"Cyborg?"

"I'll tell you later! For now, let's get somewhere private!"