[He hums, smiling, and looks up at the slight change in the sobriety of the conversation, startled too by Akechi's bashfulness. He stares blankly for a long moment at the question, and his ears tinge pink in his wild mess of curls.]
[It's funny how he wants to do about just anything else than to sit here across Akira and look him into the eye. So he keeps his eyes fixated on the coffee, swirling it carefully around the cup a little. The memory of the last time still fresh on his memory -- or rather what was before it and after. Akira's tears, his own panic attack and clumsy confession. I like you. I don't want you to leave.]
I think I already said more than enough last time.
[He inhales sharply, his shoulders tensing up a little as he holds the air in. There's that burning sensation making its comeback within his stomach. Then he exhales, and presses his gaze down.]
If I say yes. [When. not if.] What will that mean to you?
...guess that depends on what you want it to mean. Are we together? Are we just physical? I'm open to suggestions. [If Akechi takes his hand, Akira threads their fingers.]
[Akira watches him, watches him not looking at him, watches their hands, and scoots forward. With his other hand, he reaches out and tips Akechi's chin up, choosing chaste violence and kissing the end of his nose.]
I don't owe you shit other than a black eye and a week of pretending to be dead.
Guess you'll just have to train yourself to become ambidextrous.
[Look if he could do it!
But then there's that. Simple word, sealing everything that he knew was going on. He still can't quite understand that just why. Why someone as messed up and wrong as him -- someone who will no doubt just hurt him in the long run further.]
You really are an absolute idiot. [His voice is so quiet as he breathes the words out.]
Already am, but that doesn't solve the issue of singularity.
[Akira smiles, closing his eyes almost entirely until they're slits, and he's looking down at Akechi's face through his lashes.] Good. [He tips his head sideways and taps their lips together, just once.]
It's almost as if he just forgot how to breathe all of the sudden. Akechi feels a little light-headed when Akira presses their lips together. It's soft and chaste, barely counting as a kiss but it's still enough to lift the heaviness off from the pits of his stomach. Akechi moves in, chasing after Akira's lips with his own.]
Yes. I want more. [He whispers his answer against Akira's mouth, before sealing them into another kiss. It might be a stupid and irresponsible of him to agree on becoming something more with all things considered. But it's fine, he doesn't mind being stupid if it's with Akira.]
[His heartbeat launches into his throat and stays there, and the anxious thrum of it is surely loud enough to be heard in space, but he just keeps tapping light little kisses against Akechi's lips.]
Okay. [He's-- he's terrified, actually, but he can't let anyone else know that, least of all Akechi himself.]
[Honestly? Akechi is just as terrified as Akira here, probably? Never in his life had he thought to find himself in a situation like this -- one where he agrees on a relationship like this. Romance had never been his priority and besides, it wasn't like he was going to ever find anyone insane enough to stick with his crazy ass..
But oh well, here he is. Softly kissing Akira with their hand intervened together, right above half-empty coffee cups. What comes next? Should they go over labels? Are they boyfriends now? Why isn't there a manual how to do these things right?!]
Our coffee has gone cold. [When in doubt, stick to what you know. Facts are helpful.] I like you.
He knits his brows into a slight frown. Don't laugh at him! But now that Akira's pulled away Akechi, too, leans back against the chair -- keeping their hands locked still.]
[Oh, good! Logistics. Just the right nerdy thing he needs at the moment.]
No, let me handle that. We should take measurements just to be sure. Luckily neither of us have that many possessions here so we don't have to worry about the clutter. -- Oh, which reminds me, you'll have to make room in bathroom for my toiletries. This backwater place might be lacking on skincare products, but I have managed to find something that is adequate. [rambling rambling.]
Also we need to agree on visitors together. Kotone and Yoshizawa-san are both given but with others I'd like you to ask me first.
[He likes when Akechi overtakes a conversation-- it means he doesn't have to talk as much. He also just so happens to really enjoy the sound of Akechi's voice. He chuckles, nodding.]
The bathroom is your domain so long as you leave the kitchen-- or what of it there is --to me. I might have you help me with some skincare, Ann was always fussing at me to take better care of it.
[He blinks, nodding.] I usually go to other people more than the reverse, but Kotone and Sumire get free reign and I don't think either of us have a say in that, anyway.
Worry not. I'm not cruel enough to actually cook for you. [At least he's not overconfident in his abilities in the kitchen. He's come to accept that food-related items are his nemesis.
Akechi reaches over the table and catches a strand of Akira's hair between his fingers, curling the digit around it.] And she was right to do so. Your good genes will take you only so far. I hope you had enough common sense to use sunscreen at the beach.
[He keeps twirling the hair around his finger for a bit before withdrawing, looking rather thoughtful for moment.]
You will tell her, though? She always seemed to be rather.. infatuated with you.
[He grins, shaking his head.] I'm happy to cook for us and leave you easy things to reheat so we don't have any accidents.
[He goes crosseyed looking at Goro's fingers, just grinning.] I did-- I burn like a lobster. [He considered briefly letting himself burn to see if it would somehow lure Yusuke here, but-- it's best that no one else wind up here accused of crimes they may or may not have committed.]
[He follows Akechi's fingers with his eyes as he withdraws them, seeming a little stunned by the question.] Oh, I... [It's not that he's surprised, really-- Akechi didn't seem the type to manage non-monogamous dealings of any sort, given how he rarely gave the other Thieves the time of day, but the notion of telling Sumire... It feels Big, somehow, and Akira knows it's because Goro wants to lay claim, to make it exclusive, and the phrasing that Sumire is infatuated... It's going to hurt her, especially since for her, it comes before she's told him how she feels.]
[He stares at his hands a beat.] ...infatuated makes it sound creepy. She confessed, at the end of January, and I turned her down, but... Our timelines are weird, she hasn't gotten there yet. [He looks back up, making pointed eye contact with Goro.] You want me to tell her we're together? Exclusively?
I'm not completely incompetent in kitchen. [ He's managed to to keep himself alive after all! Mostly thanks to premade meals and microwave, though. But he knows how to cut things. Anyway!!]
Enamored, then. [See, this is why it should be Akira telling her and not him. Not only are they close but Akechi would just end up using the wrong words. While he doesn't have the same bond with Sumire as Akira does he still cares enough for her not to want to hurt her feelings.. which is already something from him.]
I wasn't aware of the details that went down between you two. But it is quite obvious she harbors feelings for you, so letting her know is only proper. [Besides, they were supposed to be a team. Even he knows that keeping this kind of secret would be unfair.
Though the last part of the question does make a subtle uncertainty to reflect from Akechi's eyes. Akira had always been popular, everyone liked him back in Tokyo - so why why would that change here. However, at home that had been a race that Akechi didn't even think of entering to. Akira's death had weighted more on his scale than any romantic potential had. And then in Maruki's world? It would have been wrong. But here in this strange world where they are kept as a prisoners, where there's no shadows or disgusting powers guiding them to reflect their own ideals, it's different. Here he wants to devour Akira, have his stupid heart only for himself -- and give him the parts of himself that one else has seen. So, to add other people in that, even if it's someone like Sumire is... conflicting.]
Is that not what you want? [Without even realizing it Akechi is slowly withdrawing, pulling his hand away from Akira's.] Why did you turn her down?
No, but I'm pretty proficient in it, so I don't see any reason to not let you benefit from a strength I like to boast about. [He is a human sparkle emoji right now.]
[And then he frowns slightly, pouching his lips forward a moment.] Ah, yeah, that... Don't tell her I told you, I haven't brought it up. She's important to me, and I don't want to hurt her by airing something she might find embarrassing.
[Akira holds eye contact, shaking his head and reaching out to take Goro's fingers again. His tone is careful, but firm.] I think I'm probably a lot for you to handle as the sole object of my affection, [He threads their fingers together, squeezing gently.] But I turned her down because I wasn't over you and it wouldn't have been fair to her.
Fair enough. I do like your curry when you're not trying to kill me with the spice. [He knows just how adventurous you can be, buddy.
Oh but that-- yeah. Not over you, the sentiment settles down in his body, making something flutter anxiously in his stomach.] I didn't realize there was anything to be over about.
[Like, sure.. there had been moments of flirting and sparks of genuine interest between them during their outings. The way Akira never seemed to miss a call or a chance to hang out with him had indicated towards possibility of a crush or something... But he had also assumed that to be stripped away along with the facades.
And Akira is probably right about the affection, too. He's more social and used to share himself with several other people, meanwhile Akechi feels like he only needs one person. The pace has been good so far, even if it has felt fast and scary at times...]
I don't want to limit you, Akira. And don't worry, I'd rather not see her upset either. Yoshizawa-san is a valuable person to both of us.
[He looks down at their hands, biting down inside of his cheek as he tries to form the next bit into a words] Should I be aware of.. these potential other people?
[He winks, squeezing his fingers.] I'll make sure I limit my fire-breathing curries to special occasions for others, only.
[A startled, high laugh, and he shakes his head.] I've been down really bad for you for a long time, and in January... [There's a brief stutter in his chest.] I still thought there was a chance, then. [That Akechi wasn't dead. That he could fix things, that he could maybe have the one thing he had wanted more than anything in the world.]
[He shakes his head like he's distracted, frowning, and then shakes it again, more firmly.] You're not limiting me. I don't want to suffocate you, I... I've never had anything like what I want for us, but I'm used to having a lot more than one person to spend time around, and I don't want the concentrated attention to smother you. [He smiles.] You should call her Sumire. She'd be tickled.
[He tilts his head, frowning and looking at their hands, then back to Goro's frown.] Let me make something really clear, okay? There's never been anyone else that I feel the same way about as I feel about you. I love my friends, I'm a social person, even if being in groups of three is my favorite because I can space the fuck out and they can entertain themselves. You make me talk more than anybody else I've ever met and I hate talking, actually? But I love talking to you. [He brings his other hand forward, covering their linked fingers.] We're gonna have to work out a balance, so I don't suffocate you but you still understand how much I want you. If that involves other people, I'll clear it with you first.
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...do you?
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I think I already said more than enough last time.
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I want to if you do. But I need you to get used to telling me, so we can continue to be honest with each other.
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If I say yes. [When. not if.] What will that mean to you?
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...guess that depends on what you want it to mean. Are we together? Are we just physical? I'm open to suggestions. [If Akechi takes his hand, Akira threads their fingers.]
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And you'd really want to be more? [He's still not looking up. ] And not just because you think.. you owe me something.
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I don't owe you shit other than a black eye and a week of pretending to be dead.
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Akechi makes a soft, surprised sound when his chin is tipped up. He opens his mouth to say something but then Akira speaks and he huffs out air.]
Try that and I'll fucking break your hand, idiot. [He groans but still tightens his grip on Akira's hand.]
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[He leans forward and bumps their noses.] ...I don't do this because I feel obligated. I just happen to like you.
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[Look if he could do it!
But then there's that. Simple word, sealing everything that he knew was going on. He still can't quite understand that just why. Why someone as messed up and wrong as him -- someone who will no doubt just hurt him in the long run further.]
You really are an absolute idiot. [His voice is so quiet as he breathes the words out.]
...I like you too.
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[Akira smiles, closing his eyes almost entirely until they're slits, and he's looking down at Akechi's face through his lashes.] Good. [He tips his head sideways and taps their lips together, just once.]
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It's almost as if he just forgot how to breathe all of the sudden. Akechi feels a little light-headed when Akira presses their lips together. It's soft and chaste, barely counting as a kiss but it's still enough to lift the heaviness off from the pits of his stomach. Akechi moves in, chasing after Akira's lips with his own.]
Yes. I want more. [He whispers his answer against Akira's mouth, before sealing them into another kiss. It might be a stupid and irresponsible of him to agree on becoming something more with all things considered. But it's fine, he doesn't mind being stupid if it's with Akira.]
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Okay. [He's-- he's terrified, actually, but he can't let anyone else know that, least of all Akechi himself.]
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But oh well, here he is. Softly kissing Akira with their hand intervened together, right above half-empty coffee cups. What comes next? Should they go over labels? Are they boyfriends now? Why isn't there a manual how to do these things right?!]
Our coffee has gone cold. [When in doubt, stick to what you know. Facts are helpful.] I like you.
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[Akira laughs suddenly, breaking away from Akechi's lips with a rush of anxious breath and giggles, for a moment.] I like you, too.
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He knits his brows into a slight frown. Don't laugh at him! But now that Akira's pulled away Akechi, too, leans back against the chair -- keeping their hands locked still.]
..What happens next?
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[He doesn't know, because there isn't a bookstore here for him to find an opportunistic novel about how to date your rival in.]
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No, let me handle that. We should take measurements just to be sure. Luckily neither of us have that many possessions here so we don't have to worry about the clutter. -- Oh, which reminds me, you'll have to make room in bathroom for my toiletries. This backwater place might be lacking on skincare products, but I have managed to find something that is adequate. [rambling rambling.]
Also we need to agree on visitors together. Kotone and Yoshizawa-san are both given but with others I'd like you to ask me first.
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The bathroom is your domain so long as you leave the kitchen-- or what of it there is --to me. I might have you help me with some skincare, Ann was always fussing at me to take better care of it.
[He blinks, nodding.] I usually go to other people more than the reverse, but Kotone and Sumire get free reign and I don't think either of us have a say in that, anyway.
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Akechi reaches over the table and catches a strand of Akira's hair between his fingers, curling the digit around it.] And she was right to do so. Your good genes will take you only so far. I hope you had enough common sense to use sunscreen at the beach.
[He keeps twirling the hair around his finger for a bit before withdrawing, looking rather thoughtful for moment.]
You will tell her, though? She always seemed to be rather.. infatuated with you.
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[He goes crosseyed looking at Goro's fingers, just grinning.] I did-- I burn like a lobster. [He considered briefly letting himself burn to see if it would somehow lure Yusuke here, but-- it's best that no one else wind up here accused of crimes they may or may not have committed.]
[He follows Akechi's fingers with his eyes as he withdraws them, seeming a little stunned by the question.] Oh, I... [It's not that he's surprised, really-- Akechi didn't seem the type to manage non-monogamous dealings of any sort, given how he rarely gave the other Thieves the time of day, but the notion of telling Sumire... It feels Big, somehow, and Akira knows it's because Goro wants to lay claim, to make it exclusive, and the phrasing that Sumire is infatuated... It's going to hurt her, especially since for her, it comes before she's told him how she feels.]
[He stares at his hands a beat.] ...infatuated makes it sound creepy. She confessed, at the end of January, and I turned her down, but... Our timelines are weird, she hasn't gotten there yet. [He looks back up, making pointed eye contact with Goro.] You want me to tell her we're together? Exclusively?
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He's managed to to keep himself alive after all! Mostly thanks to premade meals and microwave, though. But he knows how to cut things. Anyway!!]
Enamored, then. [See, this is why it should be Akira telling her and not him. Not only are they close but Akechi would just end up using the wrong words. While he doesn't have the same bond with Sumire as Akira does he still cares enough for her not to want to hurt her feelings.. which is already something from him.]
I wasn't aware of the details that went down between you two. But it is quite obvious she harbors feelings for you, so letting her know is only proper. [Besides, they were supposed to be a team. Even he knows that keeping this kind of secret would be unfair.
Though the last part of the question does make a subtle uncertainty to reflect from Akechi's eyes. Akira had always been popular, everyone liked him back in Tokyo - so why why would that change here. However, at home that had been a race that Akechi didn't even think of entering to. Akira's death had weighted more on his scale than any romantic potential had. And then in Maruki's world? It would have been wrong. But here in this strange world where they are kept as a prisoners, where there's no shadows or disgusting powers guiding them to reflect their own ideals, it's different. Here he wants to devour Akira, have his stupid heart only for himself -- and give him the parts of himself that one else has seen. So, to add other people in that, even if it's someone like Sumire is... conflicting.]
Is that not what you want? [Without even realizing it Akechi is slowly withdrawing, pulling his hand away from Akira's.] Why did you turn her down?
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[And then he frowns slightly, pouching his lips forward a moment.] Ah, yeah, that... Don't tell her I told you, I haven't brought it up. She's important to me, and I don't want to hurt her by airing something she might find embarrassing.
[Akira holds eye contact, shaking his head and reaching out to take Goro's fingers again. His tone is careful, but firm.] I think I'm probably a lot for you to handle as the sole object of my affection, [He threads their fingers together, squeezing gently.] But I turned her down because I wasn't over you and it wouldn't have been fair to her.
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Oh but that-- yeah. Not over you, the sentiment settles down in his body, making something flutter anxiously in his stomach.] I didn't realize there was anything to be over about.
[Like, sure.. there had been moments of flirting and sparks of genuine interest between them during their outings. The way Akira never seemed to miss a call or a chance to hang out with him had indicated towards possibility of a crush or something... But he had also assumed that to be stripped away along with the facades.
And Akira is probably right about the affection, too. He's more social and used to share himself with several other people, meanwhile Akechi feels like he only needs one person. The pace has been good so far, even if it has felt fast and scary at times...]
I don't want to limit you, Akira. And don't worry, I'd rather not see her upset either. Yoshizawa-san is a valuable person to both of us.
[He looks down at their hands, biting down inside of his cheek as he tries to form the next bit into a words] Should I be aware of.. these potential other people?
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[A startled, high laugh, and he shakes his head.] I've been down really bad for you for a long time, and in January... [There's a brief stutter in his chest.] I still thought there was a chance, then. [That Akechi wasn't dead. That he could fix things, that he could maybe have the one thing he had wanted more than anything in the world.]
[He shakes his head like he's distracted, frowning, and then shakes it again, more firmly.] You're not limiting me. I don't want to suffocate you, I... I've never had anything like what I want for us, but I'm used to having a lot more than one person to spend time around, and I don't want the concentrated attention to smother you. [He smiles.] You should call her Sumire. She'd be tickled.
[He tilts his head, frowning and looking at their hands, then back to Goro's frown.] Let me make something really clear, okay? There's never been anyone else that I feel the same way about as I feel about you. I love my friends, I'm a social person, even if being in groups of three is my favorite because I can space the fuck out and they can entertain themselves. You make me talk more than anybody else I've ever met and I hate talking, actually? But I love talking to you. [He brings his other hand forward, covering their linked fingers.] We're gonna have to work out a balance, so I don't suffocate you but you still understand how much I want you. If that involves other people, I'll clear it with you first.
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