[ Akechi's instinctive reaction is to tell him he isn't asking for permission, but manages to hold back-- they are attempting to reconcile, after all, so it wouldn't do to be this antagonistic. ]

If you have a better idea, I'm willing to listen. [ It's a compromise, small though it might be, considering he follows it with-- ] But otherwise, this is non-negotiable. You will never be able to move past this, if you can't learn to trust me again, and I--

[ A pause, followed by a sigh. Dealing with feelings of any sort has always been a difficult task to master, but guilt? And like this-- so raw and pulsing, the kind he couldn't even reconcile with his hatred for despicable adults because this wasn't one of them? It's new, and terrifying.

His hand grips its twin on his lap, squeezes it hard. ]

I won't be able to feel like I deserve this, if I can't offer repentance.