What Once Was (A Steins;Gate 0 Story)
Chapter 26-Setting It All Up
Disclaimer:I don't own Steins;Gate, only this story...
After eating lunch together, Okabe and Kurisu made their way over to the Lab. On the way there, he told her about the meeting with the other members, so she wouldn't be confused when they all showed up there. They got there 15 minutes earlier than the agreed upon meeting time, and they were surprised to see that they were the first ones to arrive. This worked out in their favor, since it gave Okabe time to formulate a plan of how to explain everything to them and introduce Kurisu. He wasn't going to mention the marriage obviously, since that was supposed to be a special surprise for her. That wouldn't happen until the next day, anyway. Kurisu was going to hide out in the hallway until he called her in there. The plan was for her to wait until he had finished explaining what was going on, before she came out to meet them.
Extra chairs, like the ones they had set up on the roof before were in the room so that everyone would have a place to sit. Once everyone had arrived, Okabe was ready to start the meeting. He took a moment, to look over the faces in the room. Mayuri, Daru, Faris, Ruka, and Moeka were waiting to find out why they had been called together like this. Okabe didn't usually hold a meeting unless it was for a good reason, something that was important. It had been a very long time, since they had all been gathered together like this. To Okabe, it almost seemed like it was a lifetime ago.
For a while, some part of him had honestly believed that he would never be able to have a good time with his friends again. It was hard not to worry that something bad could always be around the corner, with everything he had gone through. Thinking negatively was a part of his life for so long, that it was difficult to break the habit. Even if something bad WAS going to happen tomorrow, he was just thankful that all of his friends were safe.
A smile broke out across his face, stretching from ear to ear. "Welcome everyone! I know you are all wondering why I called you here today, for this Round Table meeting."
Moeka's fingers traveled at a speed that was only achievable by her, typing a message out and sending it to Okabe. The message popped up on his screen, and he read it out loud. "Why do you call it that? I don't see a round table anywhere." He rolled his eyes, as the others laughed. "As I've told you before 'Shining Finger', it is merely a term intended to foster comradery. It's to show how close we are, and the importance of what we talk about." He paused, taking a breath. "A lot has happened to me recently, and I believe I owe you all an explanation. SOME more than others." Okabe said, looking pointedly at Daru. He had left him without answers for why he was on the roof the other day, and it was time for him to know the truth along with everyone else.
When that exchange was over, Okabe began describing everything that had happened, from the D-mails to the time loop involving Kurisu's death, and the sacrifice of his alternate future self. The tale was so outlandish and unbelievable that the Lab members almost wouldn't have believed it. Almost, because as he told the story, they had the strangest sense of Déjà vu. When he mentioned the 'Phonewave' in particular, they all got the sense that they had actually been there for it, though the memories were vague. The more that he talked about it, the more they believed it, and by the end of it, the idea that something like this could happen, no longer seemed strange. He left out the part about the danger that was approaching the next day.
Daru still wasn't sure how much of what Okabe had told them was the truth. For all he knew, some of it could have been fabricated to make him sound better. While the time machine aspect of it was one thing, the hourglass and time loop thing with Kurisu was another. He didn't want to doubt his friend like that, but he couldn't pass up the chance to mess with Okabe a bit.
"Look, Okarin. I get that the time machine was real, but I'm not so sure about the rest of it. The mark you supposedly got, and the time loop you made without a time machine seem kind of far-fetched. I mean, the Okabe I know would never be as brave or tough enough to go through all that you went through, without going crazy. I know I would, if I had to deal with that. Isn't it possible that you went insane, and hallucinated that last part?"
Okabe looked offended, and a little hurt that his right-hand man would commit such an act of treason. He looked around the room to gauge the others' reactions to Daru's statement. Moeka's lack of reaction came as no surprise, since she hardly ever showed emotion. Mayuri was the first to speak up, in defense of her oldest friend.
"I, for one, believe in Okarin! If he says that's what happened, then I'm sure it is!" She had gotten to her feet and raised her hand in the air, but she sat back down when she saw that no one else was immediately agreeing with her.
Ruka looked unsure, like he was fighting a battle within his mind. He couldn't decide whether to side with Okabe or not. His voice of reason was telling him that this wasn't possible, but on the other hand, he was one of his biggest supporters. "I-I don't know…"
Faris was the last one that hadn't said anything. She was looking down at the floor, the revelation that Okabe was already taken having hit her hard. Even though she had missed her chance to be with him, that didn't mean that her crush would simply fade away. She still cared about him, and probably always would, to some extent. No matter what she thought about his words, her feelings were too strong to just stand by, when he was being insulted and doubted like this. She was sitting in a chair near the couch where Okabe was sitting, and she stood up to her feet, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I can't believe you guys! You guys should trust him, even if you don't fully believe what he's saying. I don't know about the rest of you, but I stand by Okabe! I always will, too! No matter what happens!" After such an intense outburst where she glared at everyone except for Mayuri, she seemed to come back to her senses. Faris blushed as pink as her hair, and sat back down, her hand dropping to her side.
"I'm sorry man, but you don't even have proof, do you?" Daru was too stubborn to accept it just yet.
Okabe looked at Mayuri and Faris with a smile. "Thank you both for believing in me. It means a lot to me." He then turned to Daru with a smirk. "If you want proof, then take a look."
Daru didn't know how he hadn't noticed it before, but there was an orange glow that could be seen through Okabe's lab coat. He pulled up his sleeve, revealing the orange hourglass mark on his arm. Now that he had told them about everything, they had the ability to see it. All of their mouths fell open, in shock and awe of what they were seeing. "Dude, that's the mark you were telling us about!"
"Do you believe me now, Daru?" Okabe was sure that this would work, but he was still not entirely convinced.
"It looks like it, but that doesn't prove that you can time travel with it." His arms were crossed, and he wasn't budging.
What else could Okabe do? He smiled evilly, thinking of the perfect plan that would serve as proof, and result in him getting back at Daru. If he didn't travel far, then it should barely use any of his power to do what he was planning. "I will time travel into the past, and do something that will clear all doubt from your mind! Will that work?"
Daru scoffed. "If you can, then sure. By the way, what's with the creepy grin?"
Okabe didn't respond, as the glow of the hourglass consumed him in a bright flash of light, blinding all that saw it. He traveled a few minutes into the past, and walked up to Daru. "What the-ahhh!" He yelled, as he kicked him in the shin as hard as he could. It would definitely, leave a bruise.
Another flash of light occurred almost as soon as the other ended, and when they regained their sight, Okabe was sitting back on the couch. Daru was wearing shorts today, and he cried out in pain all of a sudden, as the skin on his leg turned bright red. He watched in horror as it appeared, trying to figure out what was happening. A new memory surfaced in his mind, and he now knew the reason for it. "Come on, man! When I said that I wanted proof that you could time travel, you didn't have to kick me! Whatever, I believe you now."
Okabe grinned, not regretting what he had done in the slightest. Everyone immediately apologized for not believing him right away, and he had no hard feelings towards them. Since he had told them everything now, it was time to call in Kurisu, and introduce them to his girlfriend. "Hey sweetie, could you come in here?"
Kurisu had been listening to everything that was being said, and now it was time for her to come out of her hiding place. She walked into the living room, feeling a little self-conscious with everyone's eyes on her.
"Hello, everyone." She greeted, walking over to the couch and sitting next to Okabe.
Although she knew these people, they didn't really know her, because they weren't exactly the same people she had met. She couldn't help but feel nervous, so she looked to Okabe for support, clutching his hand tightly. He smiled at her, instantly calming her nerves, as he squeezed her hand in response.
"Everyone, meet Lab member #004, Makise Kurisu. She's the one I told you about."
"Yep, that's me. I'm also his girlfriend, but he already told you that." Okabe noted that she seemed to take pride in that fact, from her tone of voice and body language.
Daru couldn't believe his eyes. Hearing about it, and actually seeing her in person, were two very different things. "I still don't understand how someone like you, could draw the interest of someone like Makise Kurisu. I mean, I just can't believe you're banging someone so famous and hot!"
Both Okabe and Kurisu blushed at the implication of his words. "We haven't-that's not…" They tried to deny it, but they were too flustered to say what they wanted to.
Ruka was next to speak up, asking a question that they all wanted to know, but hadn't voiced yet. "Is it true? Was Okabe really as brave, as he said he was? Did he really do all of that stuff?"
Kurisu smiled, as she leaned over against Okabe, and he wrapped an arm around her. "All of what he said was true. He saved my life. I can honestly say that if he wasn't there for me, there's no way I would even BE here. I owe him more than I could ever say. I love him with all of my heart and soul." She looked up at him, lovingly.
"I love you with all of my heart and soul, as well, my dear." Okabe looked back at her, with just as much love in his gaze. It was clear to everyone there, that nothing could ever separate them, because their love was deep and true. They leaned in and kissed briefly, making all of the girls smile from how cute the scene was.
"Geez, guys, get a room!" With Daru's statement, it was like a record scratch broke through the silence that ruined what WAS a heart-warming moment. Everyone stared at him in silence, not appreciating the attitude that he had today. They had been tolerating him up to this point, but it was time to put a stop to it. Why couldn't he just be happy, for Okabe and Kurisu?
It had been hard for Kurisu to stay in the hallway when Daru was insulting Okabe, but she was following his orders. Now that he was doing it right to her face, she wouldn't sit still and let it happen. If someone was insulting Okabe, then it was the same thing as insulting both of them, and this time it was personal. Not too long ago, she used to have quite the temper, and lately she had been keeping it at bay, although she didn't have much of a reason to get angry when she was so happy being with Okabe.
She couldn't keep the agitation from showing on her face, as was the case with her other emotions. She wasn't very good at hiding what she was feeling at any given moment, and it was obvious by looking at her face that she didn't appreciate what Daru had said. Not only the statement just now, but also what he said earlier to Okabe.
"How insensitive, can one man be?! Daru, you are such a jerk! I'm not sure what happened to you, but the Daru I know, doesn't treat his friends like this! If you don't have anything good to say about Okabe and I, then don't say anything at all!" Kurisu yelled in anger. Okabe patted her back with the arm that was still around her, and she seemed to snap back to normal, calming down a bit.
Daru's eyes widened, and he hung his head. "Sorry, you guys. I didn't really mean it. I guess I just got jealous that Okarin found someone to be happy with, before I did."
"But Daru, I thought you loved those 2D women that you always tell us about?" Faris pointed out.
"Up until recently, I thought that WAS enough for me. I'm honestly, starting to get lonely, I guess."
"Don't worry, Daru. The right one for you is out there, I know for a fact that she is. One of these days you'll meet her, I'm sure of it." Okabe encouraged. He DID think that it was strange that he hadn't met Yuki yet, but it must just be an inconsistency between timelines. The events in the Beta worldline must have occurred at a different pace than in this worldline. Although the time of year was the same, the timeline wasn't. He should meet Yuki before the end of the year, at least.
Daru appreciated Okabe's attempt to cheer him up, and coming from a time traveler, it increased his trust in his words. "Thanks, man. I hope you're right."
Kurisu put a hand on her stomach, as she stood up from the couch, wincing a bit at the familiar feeling. She had gotten too wrapped up in the plan, and she had been holding it for a while. "I need to use the restroom. I'll be right back."
After she was gone, Okabe knew that he didn't have much time before she came back, so he had to make this quick. "I know that this may be too much to ask, but I need you all to help me with something." He lowered the tone of his voice, to make sure that his girlfriend wouldn't hear what he was about to say.
This got all of the Lab members' attention and they all leaned in closer, curious to know why he was talking so quietly.
"I'm planning to propose to Kurisu tomorrow. I will need your help with the actual wedding when it happens, but right now, I need you all to distract her while I go get the proposal set up. Could you do that for me?"
"Of course, we will." Faris answered, and everyone agreed.
"How long have you been dating?" Daru asked, thinking that this seemed a bit sudden.
"It's complicated. Let's just say that it's been long enough to know, that I want to spend the rest of my life with her." Okabe stated, honestly.
"If it's for true love, then we HAVE to help!" Mayuri chimed in, excitedly.
"Thank you, all. I'm going to sneak out before she gets back, all right?" Okabe said, as he left.
Right after that, Kurisu returned to the room and sat down on the couch. She was surprised to see that Okabe wasn't there, but before she had too long to think about it, the girls started bombarding her with questions about her relationship with Okabe. At first, they just wanted to hear her side of the story, which they found very interesting, even though they had already heard most of it from Okabe.
They even had the nerve to ask her if they had gone all the way yet, and of course, she blushed heavily, responding with a yes. Although she made sure to clarify, that it was only because they thought that they might not ever get a chance to if they didn't. Just in case something bad happened, then they would always have that moment in time. So they had done the deed on the night before the lightning storm, when they left the Alpha worldline behind.
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Meanwhile, Okabe was working on getting the rest of the event set up. Since he had already gotten the rings, all he needed to do was figure out the setting that the proposal would take place in. Once he found it, he would have to make sure that she got there in time tomorrow, hopefully before the black hole that supposedly ruined everything appeared. Okabe had spent a lot of time thinking about where he would propose to Kurisu at, but he hadn't made a decision yet, so that was why he was out looking.
The first thing he thought of was to do it at the Lab, since that was where they confessed their love for each other. In the end, he decided that too many things had happened there, and he wanted to take her somewhere that was different. He ultimately decided that he would do it in front of the Radio Building. Although that place mostly held bad memories for them, it was where he had first met her, and also when she had patched his coat up with pink thread.
What could be better than promising to start a new life with her at the place where her old one had ended? It was almost romantic, in a way. Hopefully, Kurisu would think so, too. Okabe's mind was too occupied with thoughts of his proposal, to notice how wrong that statement sounded. But, if nothing else, the place was important to their relationship for at least ONE good reason, and that was enough for him.
Now that he had an idea of what to do, Okabe knew it would be a good idea to get back to the Lab. If he was gone too long, then she would start to get suspicious or worse, be worried about him. It didn't take much for her to start worrying, but with everything that had happened to them, Okabe couldn't find it in himself to blame her. He couldn't help but worry when she went off on her own, as well.
Okabe made it back quickly, the whole trip having taken no more than 10 minutes. When Kurisu questioned where he had been, he said that he had just gone for a walk, having needed some fresh air. She seemed to buy it, but she could have still thought it was strange and chose not to say a word about it. He couldn't tell for sure, but he hoped for the best. Soon after that, it was getting later in the day, so the Lab members had to go their separate ways. Everyone said their good-byes, except for Moeka, who just texted hers.
Okabe and Kurisu walked home to their apartment, holding hands, with their fingers interlocking. Upon making it to their destination, they ate dinner before heading to bed, not long after. Okabe wanted to make sure that they got plenty of rest, since tomorrow was going to be the big day.
It was times like this where he wished that he had the ability to predict the future, so he could prepare for it, but alas, he possessed no such ability. He got the feeling that they would need all the rest they could get, so they would have enough energy to take on whatever was coming. He tried to shut his mind off, but it was easier said than done. Okabe couldn't help but worry that everything he had worked so hard for, would be lost. Eventually, Okabe was able to go to sleep, but it was a restless slumber full of nightmares. Kurisu didn't fare much better. All they could do for now, was see what tomorrow would bring. Whether that was happiness or sorrow, was anyone's guess.