awashlogs | [Closed] I refuse to look back thinkin

Hello!

[ Comes his usual greeting, the easy smile on his face a lot less plastic than it used to be, once upon a time. Akira helps-- has always helped, even before they meant much to each other, and even more so now that they seem to be finally catching a break from curses and other less than pleasant events. ]

I'm sorry I'm late. [ He moves over to the counter, takes up his customary seat. ] Do you need some help cleaning up?

I'm pretty much done.

[So saying, he tosses his rag off to the side to deal with later, then leans on the counter in front of Akechi, a small smile on his face to match.]

Have you been alright today? The town's still pretty messed up...

[He knows Akechi and Lupin's house is livable, at least, but still... there's crumbling infrastructure everywhere.]

[ Akira's concern is always... endearing, if a little unnecessary. They've been here for so long now, made it through so much hardship, and yet he still feels the need to ask if he's all right. Cute...

So he can't help but lean in and steal a kiss, just a quick one, so to keep all pretense of modesty intact. ]

Don't you worry about me. I'm a big boy, remember?

[ He can take care of himself! But he does appreciate the sentiment, anyway. ]

Besides, this is hardly much different from when we first arrived in town, is it? I'm sure we'll be able to fix it in due time.

[He can't help but laugh at that, because Akechi has a point.]

Do you think the town is going to get destroyed every year and make us start over...?

[And it's crazy, to think about it like that. They've been here a whole year, longer than he was even in Tokyo. It feels like an eternity, and no time at all, all at once.

But this isn't really what he aimed to talk about. Time to get back on track!]

Maybe we just have to keep completing the quests. [What a smooth segue.]

I should hope not. There's only so much I can do with my meager carpentry skills, haha.

[ And by meager, he means barely existent-- though he does mean something else, too. For as long as they have to stay in this place, and as much as the prospect doesn't trouble him as much now as he used to, he would still like to be able to enjoy some relative peace...

Akira's very smooth segue, however, brings his attention to a different topic, and he squints at his boyfriend, curious. Does he have something in mind...? ]

Quests don't seem to prevent destruction, but they do earn us some good rewards. Is that what you're hoping for?

[ Nonchalant as ever, he reaches over to take Akira's hand with his own, meaningful glove-wearing hand. Now this is smooth. ]

[It's very smooth. Akira isn't wearing his right now, because handling coffee mugs and pitchers is much easier when all your fingers have traction, but he wishes he were. It's with him, of course, under the counter.

But he sets that aside for now.]

Nothing dangerous this time. I was just thinking about that "precious things" quest, and I thought... there's something I want to give you.

[He feels a little self-conscious, because it's kind of cheesy, and maybe it won't be received as well as he hopes. But he wants to try.]

[ It's not necessarily bad news, but the offer is met with some surprise, and a pair of arched eyebrows. On the one hand, and considering the topic of quests, there wasn't really any other available to them at the moment, so he should have expected it. But on the other hand, it's... mildly troublesome. ]

Are you sure about this? Considering the nature of this town, we can't ascertain the results of a quest like this in advance... While it might not be dangerous per se, it is possible that you gift may later disappear.

[ Of course, that's not the real issue at hand. The true problem is that Akechi fears he has nothing precious to offer back. ]

[He's thought about that, but usually the quests seem sincere enough. He feels like it's better to try than to do nothing at all.

Besides, they usually get more color at the end of the month, and he suspects it's partly due to their combined efforts.]

Maybe. But I still want to give it to you, regardless.

[Akechi's other worry, though... that hasn't crossed his mind. Gifts are not given solely so something will be given in return, after all.]

[ ... ah, of course he couldn't dissuade Akira with cold logic-- he's stubborn enough as it is, but given the nature of this quest and the relevance he gives to building genuine bonds and feelings, there's no way that would work.

On the other hand, that also means there might be something else that could do the trick. The problem is, it's hardly a trick he has mastered. ]

Even if I won't give you anything in return?

[ Not "can't" give him, or "don't have" anything to offer, just a simple "won't" without much of an explanation. Honesty is definitely not his forte. ]

[If he'd said "can't," or "don't have," maybe Akira would have taken pity on the boy. But offering something in exchange for nothing? It's not really a proposition that puts Akira off.]

I'm not asking for anything in return.

[He says it flat out, simply, a small shrug of his shoulders to emphasis it.]

If you don't want to accept it, that's okay. [But that's the only reason Akira will accept: outright rejection.]

[ Another failed attempt. Ah. ]

It's... not that I don't want to.

[ Another bit of truth, and one step closer to that ever elusive honesty. He wants Akira to feel safe and comfortable with doing any quest with him, and he does genuinely feel flattered that he'd want to give him something precious - whatever that was - but it just doesn't... feel right, somehow. ]

I just don't think it would be very fair to you, to give something meaningful without receiving anything in return.

[ Is there anything Akechi can do to make this more balanced...? ]

Hm...

[Akira really doesn't want Akechi to feel like that's an issue, but he supposes there's no stopping him. Akechi is just... like that, perhaps the low self-esteem of his true self shining through. Akira can only guess, though.]

I'm not worried about it being "fair" to me, but if it bothers you that much...

[Akira drums his fingers on the counter for a moment, before snapping them, then leaning in toward Akechi, a conspiratorial grin appearing on his face.]

Come back to my room tonight and give me something in return.

[ ... well, that is one way to get Akechi out of his head, all right. God damn it, Akira.

So he leans over the counter in a similarly conspiratorial way, grin stamped on his lips as though his concerns from before had never existed at all. ]

I don't think I need to wait until tonight for that.

[ He doesn't, and it wouldn't be much in the way of repaying Akira for his meaningful gift since this deal would hardly be anything new for them, but it does serve a purpose: it earns a chuckle from Akechi, puts him in a lighter mood. Even if he does still want to come up with a better alternative... ]

But, now that we have that out of the way-- [ He sits back on his stool, looking all too innocent for someone who all but suggested taking Akira right there in the cafe. ] What did you have in mind?

[As much as Akira would normally love to take Akechi up on that suggestion, given the nature of his gift he's not sure how much of a mood either of them would be in for that right now. Not because it will put them in a bad mood (at least, he hopes not!), but it's a little awkward, isn't it?

But at least Akechi has relaxed and gotten into the idea, so he forges ahead.]

I want to give you a memory. [Because he knows, from all those quests before, that something intangible like that is just as viable as a material object.] ...From my childhood.

[He watches Akechi's face carefully, to see how he'll react.]

A childhood memory...?

[ ... hmm. In all truth, this isn't anything like he had been expecting, though he had at least assumed Akira's gift wouldn't be a physical one. Still, a memory from his days as a child...?

It only now occurs to Akechi that, for all they have talked about their past before, it has never seemed like Akira had too many of those. Losing even a single one of them... it must truly be meaningful.

He can't help but wonder, though-- why share it with Akechi, out of all important people in his life? ]

... if that is what you really wish.

[ He may not be too sure about this, but... he's certainly curious. ]

[Hmm. It seems this has caught his attention; maybe he should have led with this.

No time for regrets now, though, of course. The memory is precious to him, one of the happiest from his childhood... but he knows, as few as he has, Akechi has far fewer. Even if it's only a borrowed memory, wouldn't it be nice for him to have something like that, to think back on?

Maybe that's a little presumptuous of him, but Akira has decided on his course, and he's not backing away now.]

I do.

[He looks down, where their hands are still locked, and tries to think about the memory, all of it that he can remember. Tries to imagine handing it over to Akechi, as easily as he might a cup of coffee. And then...

He was young, only seven or eight, so the memory is fragmented and incomplete. Objects and people appear too big, seen through the eyes of a child who could only take in so much of the scope of the world. Yet they also seem brighter, as the wonder of the viewer colors everything with happiness and excitement.

It's easy enough to see what kind of memory this is. He's at some kind of an amusement park, a small, local one, but still exciting to Akira. He's holding the hand of a woman he feels warmth for - his mother, who only frowns at him when she admonishes him to keep up. But most of the time she's smiling, and this is what Akira chooses to remember.

He goes on the more childish rides: a train, a carousel, some spinny teacups. Sometimes he's next to only a man, his father, while his mother takes pictures from the railing outside. But usually he's pressed between both of them, smiling, happy.

He remembers eating so much cotton candy he almost felt sick. He remembers not regretting it.

He remembers a stuffed bear his dad wins from a target shooting game. A flash of interjecting memory suggests it was left behind in his old home when he came to Tokyo.

He remembers watching fireworks and feeling sleepy. He remembers laying his head on his dad's shoulder as he nodded off on a grassy hill.

And once it's been given to Akechi, he remembers nothing of it at all.]

[ Akechi waits, heart pounding hard against his chest with a mix of anxiety and excitement. He's not sure what to expect, partially because he doesn't really have any good memories childhood memories to compare, but he's come to trust Akira, at least enough to know he won't let him down.

And once the memory hits, he's sure he's made the right bet.

The visions are... nice, if awfully mundane for a regular kid. A day of fun in an amusement park, going on rides until he drops, indulging in treats until his young tummy was full, watching fireworks... Yes, these are all very good, and Akechi appreciates that Akira would want to share even that much with him. But the part that really interests him is... something else.

He's always wanted to meet Akira's parents, of course, as he's often wondered what kind of people could have raised someone as special as his boyfriend. But the more he experiences the memory, the more he lives what Akira lived, he finds it that all his curiosity is swiftly replaced with... eagerness, and that sense of need he knows so well. Like this, being in Akira's shoes... it's the only way he'll ever experience a mother's gentle smile, or a father's comforting support.

A family... like he never really had.

When he comes down from the trance, he lets out a shuddering breath, as though just waking up from an overwhelming dream. In a way, that's exactly what it is. ]

... Thank you. [ He whispers at last, still unsure of what to say. ] I'll treasure this.

[Akira nods, a small smile on his face, even as he can't remember now what it is Akechi will treasure. He knows it's a memory from his childhood, and there's an edge, a thread, like if he could just grasp it he would know, but it's gone from him forever now. All that's left is a dreamy haze, like it was never really there to begin with.

He hopes it was a happy memory.]

You're welcome. [He doesn't know what to say either, so he answers in the most customary way.] I hope you liked it.

[Maybe "liked" is the wrong word for something like this, but he's not sure how else to phrase things. What's the Hallmark response for giving away a memory to someone?]

[ "Liked" is definitely not the best way to call this, but it's not like Akechi is feeling particularly more articulate about it, either. In the end, he can understand the general feeling, so he nods in acknowledgement of Akira's words, hoping that should be good enough.

Still, he is... curious, and the memory itself hasn't given him much of a clue as to the answer he was looking for. He wonders if he should take a more direct approach to it, and whether or not Akira would mind his intruding. ]

May I... ask you something?

[ It's as good an opening line as any other, and he strokes the back of Akira's hand with his thumb as he mulls over his words. ]

Of all things you could have given me, even considering memories alone... Why something from your childhood?

[ Was it... because he pitied an orphan child's past...? ]

[He reaches up, rubbing strands of hair between his fingers self-consciously. That's where he thought this gift might not received well - if Akechi took it badly, that he was offering him something like this.]

I... just thought you might like to have something nice like that.

[A small shrug. It's not so much pity as it is a genuine desire for Akechi to have nice things.]

I don't really have anything important to give you physically. But I can at least do something like this.

[Maybe it was a terrible idea. But only Akechi can really tell him that.]

[ ... ah, so that's all it was.

Really, despite Akechi's natural wariness and his natural penchant for distrust, their time together has taught him enough to at least be able to tell when Akira is hiding something-- which doesn't seem to be the case right now. Had it been an idea born from pity, it would definitely show in Akira's face, and Akechi would less than comfortable with it, but as it is, it's... not terrible. After all, though he knows it comes from someone else, he sees the memory from Akira's perspective, and feels what he felt at the time.

He feels what he can barely remember ever feeling in his whole life. ]

That makes it even more precious to me.

[ Not so much the memory itself, but the thought put behind the gesture-- knowing that Akira was willing to sacrifice it for his sake. It truly makes him feel wanted. ]

But, there really was no need for such thing, you know.

[ He leans in, and presses his lips to Akira's for a moment or two, warm and terribly fond, and even when he pulls away, Akechi's gloved hand remains on his. ]

You already give me something important every day. That's more than enough.

[Akira kisses back, relishing the feeling of those lips on his for a moment. That, combined with his words, causes his face to warm as he looks away from Akechi, self-conscious again.]

I know. But I just wanted to. That's all.

[It really is all. He wanted to, so he did. He's glad Akechi accepted it, in the end.]

A-anyway. [He needs to move the topic along before he spontaneously combusts.] I'm almost done cleaning up here... we can leave soon, if you want.

[There's still the matter of Akechi's return present, after all.]

[ That's... cute, Akira. Very cute, and it definitely doesn't escape Akechi's scrutiny, though he'll be nice this time and acknowledge it with nothing more than a light giggle. ]

All right. I'm ready when you are.

[ He is, although as Akira finishes up, his mind can't help but trail off again, back to memory he'd never lived, the people he'd never seen... ]

This is the first time you've told me about them unprompted. Your parents, I mean.

[ Even though this isn't so much telling as it is showing, which is an even bigger deal. With a sigh, he rests his elbow on the counter and props his head up on his hand. Maybe it will come off as needy, but-- ]

I wonder if they would approve of me.

[He laughs at that, though it's a little more chagrined than amused. His parents accepting Akechi... He'd like to think it would definitely happen, but he isn't. And he doesn't want to lie.]

My parents don't know that I like guys too.

[He'll start there. It's the biggest hurdle they have, in a world that can't grow more tolerant fast enough.]

But, if we get past that...

[He imagines it: taking Akechi back to his hometown, showing him around, letting him meet his folks. It feels surreal, and yet... good, somehow.]

I think they'd love you. You're friendly and personable, and actually a stand up citizen. [A small laugh, more light this time.] Basically the opposite of me.

[ ... ah, of course. That first hurdle alone might be tough to overcome, though he wonders how much Akira would really care, considering he seems to take his criminal reputation as a bit of a joke more often than not-- and he otherwise doesn't care too much about people's opinions of him, anyway. So unlike Akechi.

What he says next, though... It might be somewhat of a distant dream, and with every day they spend in this place, he grows even more uncertain that they'll ever go back, but... it makes him happy to hear. ]

I'm glad. I wouldn't want to cause you any more trouble with them.

[ He's probably had enough, what with his probation and getting expelled from school... Definitely not a very upstanding citizen.

(Not that Akechi is, either. Not really.) ]

Luckily, that shouldn't be a problem to you. [ This time, it's his turn to laugh, in a similar fashion to Akira's. ] There's no one for you to be worried about impressing.

[ Imagine trying to impress Shido. Just imagine that. ]

[It's a little different with his parents than the rest of the world. Not that he's done much to make them proud in a long time...

Well, he'll put that aside. It's nice to imagine it, anyway.

But what Akechi says in response is a bit... sad. Akira tilts his head a little, thinking.]

You work with Makoto's sister, though, right? [He smiles a little.] If she's anything like her sister, it might be hard for me to impress Niijima-san at first.

[Hah.]

[ ... what, Sae? Huh. Now that's quite the stretch in logic, Akira. ]

The leader of the Phantom Thieves, trying to impress the prosecutor who is spearheading the investigation? [ He huffs an amused laugh, one eyebrow arched. ] Even for you, that would be quite the challenge.

[ Hah, indeed.

Still, as intrigued as he is by the prospect, his laugh is quick to subside, and he takes on a more pensive expression. That work relationship really was the best he had, huh...? ]

But, it seems you have lucked out yet again. I hardly think Sae-san would care about my personal life.

[ Maybe not even his life at all. ]

She doesn't have to know that part... [Of course, she's well aware of that part by Akira's time, but he can't say that.

But what Akechi says makes him think. After Akechi... disappeared, Sae didn't really seem all that worried about him. No one really seemed that worried about him.

That's what made it all the more tragic, really. After all his struggles, Akechi left the world so quietly.]

Well... it might still be nice to meet her. Without you turning me in, of course.

[Hah.]

[ This time, it's Akechi's turn to answer with a chagrined laugh of his own, hoping it can be attributed to Akira's joke, yet fully aware of what that really means to him. ]

If I did, you would wish for a mercy kill instead.

[ Another "joke," meant to be taken as a warning about Sae's ruthless nature, but one with so much underlying truth to it. If he ever turned Akira in, the kind of interrogation he would face, the torture he would very likely be put through... Though part of his original plan, now it's something Akechi doesn't think he could fathom. Something that will not come to pass, no matter what.

Even if Akechi has to put his own life on the line. ]

Regardless, there's no need for you to worry. [ A shake of his head, though his expression is still somber, pensive. As though his thoughts had been wandering again... ] The truth is, there isn't really anyone important that I could introduce you to. Not to my work partner, and certainly not to my--

[ ... ah. And wander they did.

Realizing (too late) that there wouldn't be a point in taking that back, Akechi heaves a sigh and averts his gaze. ]

... my father.

[Akira has to physically hold back his wince.

A mercy kill, huh? Maybe there was a moment or two... No, he refuses to let himself think about that, not now, preferably not ever. It was a year ago now, after all - no reason to dwell on it.

Thankfully, as Akechi keeps talking it yanks him back out of his reverie, and he's able to relax again. At least, for a moment he relaxes, but then Akechi opens up like that, unexpectedly.

Akira knows it must be painful to talk about. He gives Akechi's hand a squeeze, quietly reminding him that he's here with him.]

Do you know much about him?

[It's a bit of a non sequitur, but he thinks, maybe, Akechi might be ready to talk, just a little.]

[ For a moment, his mind is still in faraway place, so much that the hand squeeze barely registers. But it does, and Akechi feels somewhat comforted, if not exactly confident to open up. ]

... I know enough.

[ It's such a small start, so few words, yet it weights enough to crush him. Getting to know Shido - the real one, not the charismatic politician the idiots of Japan seemed eager to put their trust on - his real, unscrupulous nature, knowing how far he was willing to go to get what he wanted... realizing that this is what he had been abandoned for... It takes a very rotten person, to discard life so easily for the sake of ambition.

It hurts and angers him in equal parts, knowing that perhaps the apple doesn't fall so far from the tree, after all. ]

I looked him up when I was younger; even without carrying his name, it wasn't too hard to find my... origins. [ A scoff, mostly devoid of feeling. ] Hah, you could even say that was my very first case as a detective, before I actually was one.

[ Before he was exactly what Shido made him become: a fake whose charming personality was nothing more than deception, and no better than himself. Sculpted as the spitting image of the person he hated the most.

He sighs. It's no wonder he hates himself. ]

Sometimes I think I would have been better off not knowing.

[ Alas, there wasn't anyone to stop him. ]

[It's a small start, but it's something, and Akira is grateful for even this much, that Akechi feels like he can open up even a little about this. And he's proud of Akechi, too, for being able to voice it.

He squeezes his hand again, searching for Akechi's eyes, hoping he can feel support from him.]

Well, the past is the past.

[They all have things they think they would have been better off not doing. All they can do now, though, is live with the consequences, and hope they get second chances.]

Whether you know or not... it's you who gets to decide your future, right?

[Akira hopes he can make that reality.]

[ His future? If only it were that simple. ]

But it's not in the past.

[ No, of course not. Not when that man is such a vital part of his life back in Tokyo, not when he knows he'll be neck deep in trouble if he refuses to eliminate a target - the one sitting right across from him, that is - when he knows there's no running or hiding from someone with his connections. Not, this isn't in the past.

He is, in fact, thinking about his future.

What would he even do when they go back? By keeping Akira alive, he would be going against orders, and then... what? Can he take all of Shido's goons on his own? Who else could he trust? Not the Phantom Thieves, that's for sure-- they would never side with him if they knew of what he did, would never help him when all he did was make two of them orphans. And Joker... is one of them. What would he do, if he knew?

Could Akechi... really trust him?

The answer, he realizes, is something he can't find right away. So what he offers instead is: ]

I have seen him before. In this place.

[ He offers a safer truth. ]

[Akira's eyes widen at that admission, and stay wide for the rest. He's had his suspicions and worries, with everything that has happened in the town, but here it is, Akechi's confirmation.

It's not as big of a step as he could have taken, perhaps, but... all in due time.]

...Really him, or just an illusion?

[That's an important place to start. The physical man, they can fight together. Cruel illusions born from Akechi's psyche... that's a bit harder to tackle.]

An illusion.

[ Which makes it all the worse, really. Had it been the real deal, Shido would have been essentially powerless in this place, and though charismatic enough to make new liaisons fairly soon, he would be forced to rely on Akechi's strength at first, to depend on him for something as vital as making it through incursions in the woods and the occasional trial. He would need him for surviving.

That would have been almost as good as the revenge Akechi had planned.

With the way it happened, though, Akechi is at a disadvantage. He has no trouble facing enemies with a physical shape, but it would seem he's not as strong against afflictions of the mind. This town knows just how to get to him, and that time... happened to be one of the worst. ]

It happened several months ago, back when we were challenged to resist temptation. You should remember it well, as at the time you were forced to wear a prisoner's uniform as punishment for failing the quest.

[ There's more that he should probably recall, as well; that Akechi was particularly on edge back then, and more importantly, that Akechi never failed that quest. ]

[He does recall, and he also remembers Akechi hadn't been particularly interested in talking about it. It's taken him this long to admit the truth - this long, with this pain bottled inside of him, and no one to talk to about it.]

What did he say to you?

[Akira has some thoughts and ideas, pieced together from what little he said at the time and what things he's said since. But he wants to hear it from Akechi himself, whatever he's willing to tell.

Maybe, if they can talk about this, he can help Akechi properly patch up the wound. And then it can start to heal.]

[ Hah, is Akira under the impression that Akechi's father had spewed insults at him? Threats? If only. That would have been much easier, since he's already used to this kind of treatment.

Instead, what he got was completely uncharted territory. ]

He praised me.

[ Of course, not the kind of ingratiating platitudes he would tell him whenever Akechi completed a job for him. No, that was palpably different. It had feeling in it. ]

Every time I talked to an adult in town, he would show up, as vivid as if he were real. [ He goes on, and with every new bit he shares, his eyes grow more and more distant, reaching out all the way back in his memories, in the feelings he had buried deep since then. ] He would act proud of me as his son, of the person I've become, even encourage me to continue being such a special child despite my circumstances. As though he hadn't been responsible for those circumstances, in the first place...

[ It's just for a split second, but his mask drops, reveals a scowl at that last comment. Pained, and so full of scorn.

But it's gone as quick as the blink of an eye, and when Akechi finally directs his look back to Akira, he's smiling; it's small, and almost as plastic as it used to be, if not for that sad, sad resignation stamped from corner to corner of his lips. ]

It takes no ace detective to figure out that wasn't real. After all, he would never tell me any of that.

[Praise, huh?

Something like that... it's cruel, to do to a person like Akechi. Someone who has spent their whole life so deprived of love and affection, to the point that it drove them to madness. He can't imagine how that must have made Akechi feel - and he went through it all alone, unable to tell anyone about his father.

After a moment, Akira lets go of Akechi's hand - but only so he can come around the counter, and wrap his arms around his waist.]

That sounds terrible. I'm sorry.

[Sorry that he went through that, and that Akira couldn't help alleviate the pain. Sorry that this place felt the need to torture him so, when he didn't do anything wrong, even played by its rules.]

What a shitty reward.

[ A reward? Yes, that must have been this place's weird idea of one, but to Akechi, it felt much more like punishment.

Still, he accepts Akira's in silence, and remains that way for a moment longer, too concerned to properly enjoy the support and warmth. Being able to talk about it was... nice, as much as it was compromising, and not the entire reason why Akechi had chosen to do it. ]

As terrible as that may have been, I don't think it was the last I've seen of it. While I do get to decide my future, it might not be so easy or certain, with that weighing over my actions.

[ His grip around Akira grows tighter, desperate and angry. Is he talking only about the looming threats of this place...? ]

If it ever turns me against you, I--

[ While to Akira it might sound that way, it isn't. The future he's thinking about... is one that he cannot escape. One that he'll have to face, whenever they return to Tokyo.

But beyond that... lies a future he does want to change. ]

I don't want to forget what's real. Who is real.

[ He reaches out to touch Akira's face, that gloved hand giving it extra meaning. Desperately anchoring him to the truth. ]

So I might need you to remind me of that.

[ Please don't let him forget. ]

[Akira feels his grip tighten, in desperation or anger he isn't sure, but he doesn't pull away. Let's Akechi hold on to him, hold on to, as he says, what's real.

He brings his hand up to cover Akechi's glove, giving his hand a squeeze as he does. His other hand stays firmly on Akechi's back, holding him close, keeping him well within in his grasp.

He doesn't want to let Akechi go from this hold, not now, not ever. And yet he knows too, that future is uncertain, especially between them. Can they really hold on to this forever, and change the fate that looms over them?

He wants to believe they can. Even when their bond was weaker... it still meant something then. And it's so much stronger now - it means everything.]

Of course.

[He closes his eyes, and leans his forehead forward, to meet Akechi's, though he isn't going in for a kiss, at least not at this moment. His only goal is connection.]

No matter what else happens... we are real. I'll always be here to remind you.

[He opens his eyes again, smiling a little now.]

Your heart is mine now, after all.

[ Their hands together feel comforting, and the forehead on his adds meaning to the gesture, but what really makes a difference-- what really gives him the safety he was looking for, is Akira's words. That he'll always be there to remind Akechi. That they are real.

Real, despite their secrets and his lies. Real even without their masks. Real, maybe, even when the truth comes out. ]

... Thank you.

[ It's how he chooses to acknowledge the given reassurance, truly appreciating, but resuming his usual, collected demeanor. Still, he finishes what Akira started, and leans in closer for a brief press of lips, humming as they part again. Reveling in warmth, and hope, and all those feelings he never thought he'd experience.

This is definitely a risk worth running. ]

Ah, I suppose that means I must concede defeat. You were right, after all.

[ He envelops his arms around Akira's waist, loosely, and though it might seem like a sudden change of topic, what he says next will hopefully shed some light over his comment: ]

Akira is just as good at stealing hearts as Joker.

[He laughs, light, his breath ghosting against Akechi's lips. He'd almost forgotten about that... But of course Akechi remembers.]

Well then. I guess it's time to claim my prize.

[He slips one of his hands up to card it through Akechi's soft hair, letting it slip through and around his fingers. He probably needs a hair cut, Akira thinks idly, and it's such a normal, domestic thought that he feels warm all over.]

How about we close up shop and go to our secret place?

[Where no one can find them for awhile. Just the two of them.]

Edited 2019-05-05 02:06 (UTC)

[ Of course he remembers-- in fact, he hasn't ever forgotten it, not even for a second, that which was once just an unlikely possibility weighing on the back of his mind... It was only over a year ago, but back then, he couldn't conceivably dream of a time when Akira would change him so much, would mean so much that he would sacrifice even his plans for revenge. But now?

Now he can't think of a time without Akira right there by his side, safe and unhurt and alive. ]

That eager for me to give you a little something in return, hmm?

[ It's just as light as Akira's suggestion, teasing and fond like the nuzzling Akechi gives him. Naturally, he doesn't have any objections. ]

I believe in seizing the moment.

[After another long moment, he breaks away, but only so he can go behind the counter and grab his things - his coat, and more importantly, his matching glove.

He returns quickly, glove on his hand, reaching it out to Akechi.]

Ready?

[ Seizing the moment, is it? If only he knew exactly how much Akechi has agreed with that line of thinking, ever since starting this relationship.

Still, he only replies with a silent smile at first, and when he does reach for Akira's hand in return, it's to bring it up to his lips for a kiss. It might seem pointless if he can't touch skin, but the glove only makes it all the more symbolic. ]

Let's go.

[Closed] I refuse to look back thinkin

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