[Hm. What can one really say to that.. Even if he had shared the sentiment, probably about as long as Akira had. But those feelings were repressed and painted red with the murderous plot and by the whole Faustian deal with Shido.

A dry, humorless laugh escapes from him before he can stop himself.] Are you sure those feelings were aimed at me and not towards someone who never was there to begin with? [Then with a grimace, he shakes his head.] ..My apologies, that was uncalled for.

[Because this is Akira. The only person who knows the depths of him, his lies and the truths (perhaps even better than himself). And the only person Akechi can fully trust in this -- or in any world.

And as for the rest? Akechi only stays still staring at their joined hands as he keeps pushing back the darker thoughts within the back of his mind, warning him about the potential hurt in store, that Akira will eventually just grow sick of him and find someone else who's better and---

Swallowing air, he nods and squeezes Akira's hand.]

I trust you. [And he means that.] I'm.. not very familiar with how these deals work. I don't have the experience with other people like you do so I guess I get overwhelmed easily and-- [What was his point again?] I trust you with this.