#the other couples still have reasons to be rooted for too obviously but they're morally not as straightforward

[leaving-fragments]

only friends is clearly an ensemble cast series, but i find it quite interesting how sandray are the only couple written to be wholeheartedly rooted for. like, for all the other couples it's questionable whether they're actually good for each other. but with sandray it's like, they make each other better... and the actions of the other main characters actually strengthen the case of them belonging together

[emiefaunwrites]

Could we have some stuff about Taka and Leon's relationship with Togami as they're older? Cause Leon's probably gonna be mad cause of comments in high school, but obviously Taka will be happy about the political aspect of their friendship n stuff? (sorry if it's not your kinda style you don't have to)

Hey anon!

Hey no worries! I'm happy to venture into whatever I can with this AU. I'm the one who brought Togami into the picture after all! Pleaae don't apologise for wanting to know something!

Thank you so much for asking! I hope you enjoy!!

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• It's safe to say that growing up, Byakuya Togami was an asshole.

• Of course he would be! He's the Ultimate Affluent Prodigy. He has no time for underlings and friendships and other nonsense.

• He tolerates a few people, Makoto and Kyoko primarily, but otherwise he spends his school life distanced.

• There's only two people he wants to actually get to know but won't due to stubborn pride.

• One is his crush (who must NEVER find out otherwise his life would be ruined).

• And the second is Taka.

• Even though Togami believes the boy holds unrealistic dreams and naive views on the world, his courage to stand up for what he believes in is outstanding.

• Even if that 'thing' is a foul mouthed, good for nothing show off called Leon Kuwata.

• He and Leon DESPISE one another, often getting into petty arguments over the stupidest thing.

• And even though he sees changes for good in both boys, he doesn't honestly believe they'll last - Leon will inevitably screw up and hurt Taka.

• They stay in touch once they leave, to Togami's dismay. Who else will host a worthy annual reunion after all?

• But outside of that, he makes no effort to keep in touch with either of them and isn't disappointed when they do the same.

• And he genuinely thinks that'll be the end of it.

• Until he sees Taka's name in the news as the front runner in changing Japan's laws on same-sex marriage.

• At first he scoffs, thinking it's yet another foolish ambition of the former Moral Compass. It'll just fizzle out like it always does.

• But it never drops - his campaign getting stronger and stronger with more abd more supporters as time goes on.

• Togami finds himself following every step of the way, silently rooting for the young man whenever he's on the news.

• And after one particularly moving speech that had the entire nation (including Togami) in tears, he bottles up his pride and reaches out.

• Taka is understandably confused when he asks them to meet for dinner one afternoon but isn't one to decline invitations.

• And it's there that Taka and Byakuya become friends.

• It turns out that all of the disdain the progedy had towards most people was due to a less than happy family life with pressures similar to his own, as well as a repressed sexuality that he felt too ashamed and frightened to admit.

• And though their personalities are vastly different, it would seem that the two hold similar views and have more in common than they thought.

• They're only real difference in opinion is on Leon.

• Byakuya still believes that Taka could do much better than Leon, not realising just how much the boy has changed since school.

• But Taka is insistent that the only reason he's sat here today is through Leon's unwavering support and love.

• And even through his doubt, Byakuya is willing to try to build bridges that may very well have been burned beyond repair.

• Is anyone surprised that Leon is super suspicious?

• Why the fuck has this asshole come swooping back into Taka's life when all he did was put him down?!

• It takes a lot of convincing (and bribery) from Taka to even get him in the same room as Byakuya.

• Let's just say it was an incredibly awkward, tense meeting.

• Both boys are still very stubborn and refuse to apologise for what happened so many years ago.

• And surprisingly it's Byakuya that bends first - after watching the couple through the window when Leon says he needs a breather.

• He watches as Leon acts as a man instead of a boy, doing his best not to lose his temper and calmly talk it out with his boyfriend.

• And he sees a look that warms his heart - a look that he would have seen many a time on Leon's face had he paid attention to them in school.

• It's a look of absolute adoration.

• Without a second thought, Byakuya gets up and heads outside, makes his way in front of Leon and speaks.

• 'We may not have gotten along in the past but I see how much you have changed. I hope we can put the past behind us and start again. Because I have changed as well, and I hope you will be able to see that, Leon.'

• Leon's in stunned silence, staring at the outstretched hand he's being offered dumbly.

• But with a glance at Taka, he buries his pride and shakes the hand in front of him.

• 'Sure. Let's start over, Byakuya.'

• The three of them are never best friends. But they do see each other more regularly.

• Especially during Taka's political campaign - Byakuya funds every single one.

• And the Kuwata's end up helping him out with his love life - finally helping the uptight, lonely man find his happiness with his longtime crush.

• Sure, the dude is still an asshole.

• But he's an asshole that has friends now. That's better, right?