awashlogs | [Closed] It's the colors you have, no need to be sad

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[Closed] It's the colors you have, no need to be sad

WHO: Akira and Akechi
WHERE: Akechi's place
WHEN: Mid-November (before the event)
WHAT: Akira takes Akechi's color for the quest.
WARNINGS: None...?

[Akira has taken some time to think on it, and still, his opinion on this hasn't changed: he's not sure it's a good idea.

But he does trust Akechi, and he understands that if he doesn't do this, that'll probably mean a disappointment. Akechi might think he doesn't trust him, or worse, care about his needs.

So that's what leads him to Akechi's house on the agreed upon day, bundled up against the snow and carrying along some coffee from the cafe - if they're going to do this, he wants to have something warm and comforting to drink.

He's still worried about hurting him, about taking too much of Akechi's color and causing him to lose emotions. He doesn't even want to think about what will happen if Akechi doesn't like him anymore after this. But he's set aside stronger worries before, and he'll just have to do the same for this.

He gives the door a knock, just to announce his presence, before going ahead and opening it up to step inside. It's cold, and he has a feeling neither Akechi nor Lupin would mind.]

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[ In all honesty, Akechi had been surprised when Akira agreed to it; he remembers how hesitant he had been when he first brought it up, and he's fairly sure he still has quite a few reservations about it-- and he hopes he can erase whatever thoughts Akira might be nurturing about a lack of trust in him. This isn't about that. And as much as Akechi wants to give this a try, he knows it's asking a lot.

That's also why he can't help but feel... flattered, that Akira is willing to push aside his own discomfort for the sake of playing along with his unreasonable requests. Aside from whatever Mr. White might give them upon quest completion, Akechi might have to prepare a special reward of his own...

So he's sporting a smile when he comes upon Akira in his living room, polite as usual, but also grateful. ]

Thank you for coming. I know this must have been a difficult decision to make.

You wanted to do it.

[And that’s all the explanation he gives. He doesn’t want to burden Akechi with the agony of his decision when this is so important to him.

So he nods back, not quite smiling himself, but not upset, either. Neutral, mostly.]

How do you want to do this?

Let's go to my room. I have a feeling Lupin-san wouldn't approve of this, if he were to run into us mid-quest.

[ More like mid color stealing, but he doesn't need to offer yet another reminder of how much Akira clearly isn't too happy about this. So he leads the way without another word.

Once they make it to his room, there's a familiar bundle of blankets on the mattress, and a round, furry face in black and white peeking out from under the fabric. It may be kitty nap time, but he's still wary enough of strangers that he'll be keeping an eye out on this other cat intruder. ]

Aren't you going to say hello to our guest? For a Prince, your manners are sorely lacking.

[ Does the cat even understand him? Probably not. But that doesn't stop him, anyway. ]

Hey Prince.

[Akira smiles, reaching out to try and pet the kitten’s head. Even though he will probably just duck him, Akira is determined to become friends with him.

And it’s a nice distraction from the task at hand. He doesn’t doubt that Lupin would disapprove, but he’s made his decision, and he’s determined to go through with it.]

Remember me?

[ Just as expected, the cat does duck, though he doesn't withdraw immediately, at least; instead, he approaches the intruder with caution, sniffs out his hand and...

Hisses. Right before sneaking back under his blanket of choice. ]

... ah, still no luck, huh?

[ With a defeated sigh, Akechi takes a seat on the mattress and places a hand on the wiggling lump over the fabric, where it's hopefully safe. ]

If it makes you feel any better, I don't think he likes me much, either. Scentia-san did warn me this might happen, though.

It’s alright. It just takes time.

[He leaves his hand out for him to continue sniffing a little longer, but it becomes clear he isn’t interested anymore. Akira backs off, looking up at Akechi.]

Just keep giving him love, and he’ll give it back to you in time. That’s how it works.

[He has firsthand experience.]

I will keep that in mind.

[ Alas, he doesn't think he's very good at the love deal-- either giving or receiving it, since he never really had any. But, he does have patience on his side, and perhaps in time, he might learn.

And when he looks back at Akira, and goes over everything he's doing simply to fulfill a whim, Akechi wonders if perhaps he might be already learning. ]

Cats may be very resistant to change, but since they are mostly colorblind, at least we won't have to worry about Prince being uncomfortable with what we're trying to do.

[ The other cat in the room, however, is probably still terribly uncomfortable, but they have to move on. ]

That's good. [For Prince, anyway. It's true that Akira is not colorblind, and thus, very aware of what's about to happen, but he swallows his fear and turns his whole body to Akechi.]

Alright. I guess I just... try to take your color?

[He's not sure how it's supposed to work, but he'll try. He's agreed to it, and he's made his decision, so all that's left now is to do it.]

[ Well, "trying to take color" may sound a little too simplistic, but it's surprisingly not far from the truth, as Akechi has heard. ]

Rumor has it around town that it's about intent; if a person really wishes to take someone else's color and touches them, it has a chance of happening. I suppose it's a twist on the power of wishes, as fairytales will have them.

[ This is also where the whole quest can go wrong and the color thief may end up taking more than they originally intended, but he's going to withhold this particular bit of information from Akira. So he just stands up, and extends his hand out to Akira in invitation. ]

But, since this quest has another purpose, perhaps you should try doing it the same way the demon did to me.

[ He never did tell Akira about that particular detail, did he? ]

[Akira stands up as well, and reaches out to take Akechi's hand, though he isn't intending anything to happen yet. His eyes flick down to their clasped hands, before rising back to meet Akechi's.]

How did the demon do it?

[Because no, he hasn't gotten the full details of that, and now he's as curious as he is apprehensive. He's not sure how much he wants to do things like a demon, but he's doing this for Akechi's sake, so recreating the experience as closely as possible seems like a must.]

[ ... ah, this is the embarrassing part. There's a reason why Akechi didn't tell him about it before, and while their current relationship makes it somewhat more tolerable to share, he still can't help but feel bashful and hesitate for a second.

In hindsight, perhaps the events that transpired that day spoke volumes about his true, albeit oblivious feelings. Demon or not, to him, that was only Akira, offering a deal and sealing it with a-- ]

With a kiss.

[ No use beating around the bush, right? ]

Actually, it was more like close enough to one; our lips never touched, but the color was sucked out of me like strings of smoke.

[ And because he sounds so casual - bordering on cold really - about it, he's going to counter any potential discomfort Akira is likely feeling by squeezing his hand again, and offering a placating smile. ]

Since it's the real you this time, I figured going for the real deal would be fine.

[With a kiss.

Akira knew, at least practically, that Akechi's feelings for him hadn't manifested when he'd confessed - they'd already been there, even if Akechi was oblivious to them, or in full denial. But this is the first time it's occurred to him that they might have been there long before that - they weren't exactly close, at the time they first went into that forest.

And yet, even then... he was already interested in Akira.

Under any other circumstances, it would make Akira happy. Right now, he just feels a little sick: over what he has to do, and because something would use those feelings for something so heinous.]

...In fairytales, kisses usually break curses.

[They don't give curses, and they certainly don't take feelings away. But he's determined to do this Akechi's way, so he nods.]

But... alright. A kiss is only fitting.

[Then, whenever Akechi is ready... he'll start.]

Then I suppose we're fortunate this isn't a curse.

[ Or at least Akechi doesn't see it as one. Even if he loses all emotion like last night, he knows it won't last; knows these feelings are strong enough to claw all the way back to his heart.

With a nod and another squeeze, Akechi lets go of Akira's hand, but only so he can drape his arms over his shoulders, pulling himself closer. This isn't like any other time they have kissed, but he hopes he can offer some small comfort like this, with his presence and warmth and affections he doesn't show in public. ]

Go on. I trust you.

[ With words, too. ]

[Akira lets himself be pulled close, closes his eyes and focuses for a moment on the warmth from Akechi's body and the feeling of his heart beating against his chest.

It's just a little. And Akechi trusts him.

He opens his eyes again, and they're full of resolve.]

Alright. Then lets make a deal, Akechi. To be together.

[And then he leans in and presses his lips to Akechi's, soft at first and then with more pressure. He puts all his thoughts, all his intent, into taking some Akechi's color, of stealing the soft neutral pink of his lips for his own, and of only taking that much.

There's a strange sensation, almost a tingling, and he hopes it worked, and that he won't open his eyes to a colorless Akechi.]

[ The tingling is one that they share, though this, too, is different from every other time they have kissed; the spark is cold, and it doesn't make Akechi want to pursue the exchange any further, to have more of Akira's attention to himself.

He pulls away, and realizes this isn't quite like the time in the forest, either; he can still feel, and his alarm is what first clues him in-- he surely wasn't this tired last time. He takes a moment just to breathe, to try and collect himself, hoping that Akira won't notice that he's drained more than his color, but his energy, too. Won't notice that maybe he messed up.

But there's one thing he can't hide, one thing that Akira is sure to pick up on when Akechi opens his eyes, and the usual shade of red in his irises is... completely gone. ]

Did it work?

[ An empty question; he's pretty sure he knows the answer already. ]

[The first is a feeling of energy, surging through Akira and chasing all his worries away. He feels like he could climb a mountain. He feels like this was never a bad idea at all - what could go wrong?

The second is a feeling of shock, but it's... dulled. Not strong as it should be, washed away along with the guilt.

His eyes are tinged red, but not from dryness or exhaustion. They've changed to match what Akechi's once were.]

...It worked.

[He took color from his face, from his eyes - more than he meant to, but not too much. Surely, not too much; he knew what he was doing, after all!]

Wow... I feel... incredible.

[A few blinks as Akira looks down at himself, then he seems to come back to his senses. He gives his head a shake, then looks back at Akechi, placing his hands on his shoulders.]

How are you? Okay?

[ Akechi notices the new color of Akira's eyes before he even gets a proper answer, but that only reinforces what he already knew. It's curious, though; he's pretty sure the demon didn't take on any of his features, even though his color at the time had been completely gone... One more difference to add to the pile, he supposes. ]

Just a little tired, but I'm fine otherwise. There's no need to worry.

[ It's a bit of a lie, but he's always been good at that. Yet, he almost wonders if there's really any need for that, considering how... thrilled Akira looks. Triumphant, as though Akechi's energy had revitalized his spirit. Well, he doesn't mind that either way. ]

Your eyes are the same color as mine now. [ He notes with a small smile, lifting a hand to trace Akira's right eyebrow. ] That must mean this is the color you've taken, correct?

Edited 2018-11-28 03:25 (UTC)

Have they? Huh...

[He reaches up, swipes a finger under his own eye curiously, before looking back into Akechi's.]

Yeah. Your eyes are gray now.

[They match! It's not a very good thing though, although Akira finds himself not as worried about it as he might have been before. Everything seems like it's going to be fine. He never should have doubted.]

Are you glad we did it?

[Somehow... Akira is, now.]

[ They do match! And while it might not be the best way to go about this, Akechi rather likes the idea of swapping eye colors with Akira; it's as though they'll carry a part of each other, even if only for a short period.

... ah, he's definitely not saying that out loud, though. Who knew, sometimes he does know how to stop himself before oversharing. ]

Yes. I feel like it has brought us closer together, somehow.

[ This is only slightly less embarrassing than what he actually had in mind, but that's about as much as anyone can ask from a gross oversharer. ]

Thank you for trusting me on this. I'll make sure you won't regret it.

[Closer together, huh? He thinks he can feel that, too - after all, sharing eye color is almost as close as you can get.

He smiles at that, leaning in a little closer. All somber attitudes from before are gone, and he's playful now, and almost a little... predatory.]

Does that mean I get a reward?

[He leans in closer, aiming for another kiss, only this time it isn't to steal color.]

[ That is... indeed quite the drastic change in attitude, considering Akira had been so hesitant before. Is this a result of having strengthened their mutual trust, or a consequence of sharing color...?

Regardless, as much as he appreciates Akira's renewed attitude-- and that undeniably Joker-like flair to his movements-- Akechi can't say he's feeling all that energetic right now. He needs to keep pretending, though, in case Akira does pick up on it... ]

Oh, I'm afraid you'll have to wait a little longer for that. [ And he leans back, away from Akira, a playful grin that tries to match his boyfriend's as best as he can. ] We never know when Mr. White will deliver...

[Oh, right. This was for a quest. In all the deliberation and during the act itself, he'd almost forgotten.]

Fine. I'm more interested in your reward, though...

[Whatever little trinket or favor he'll get in return for this won't be nearly as worth it as whatever Akechi is willing to give him, he's sure. Though it's more than a little disappointing that he moved away like that.

Under normal circumstances, Akira might have caught on that it's because he's tired, but right now it's hard to think that perceptively.]

My reward, huh...?

[ It's true, he did have something in mind for this, but... Hmm. Somehow he doesn't feel too excited about it right now. Maybe he's numbed out by exhaustion? Yes, surely he'll feel better after a good night's sleep...

Still, he doesn't want Akira to catch on to this much, either, and being the resourceful boy he is, Akechi wraps his arms around Akira in a loose embrace, leaning in so the side of their faces are touching as he whispers: ]

You'll have to give me some time, too. So I can come up with something truly worthy of your efforts.

[Akira frowns, taking a step back. He doesn't want to wait - he wants it right now! He's full of energy and impatience, in a way he never has been before.]

Fine.

[He sounds... a little more than disappointed. He sounds annoyed. There's a little voice in the back of his head telling him he's behaving like a whiny child, but right now, a more brash Akira has taken over.]

I'll wait.

[He doesn't sound happy about it.]

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[Closed] It's the colors you have, no need to be sad

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