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.
[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.
[He quirks his mouth into a slight frown and shakes his head, lifting his second hand and curling it into a loose fist, which he baps gently against the crown of Akechi's head.] Enough of that. [His hand splays flat, smoothing over his hair and trailing down to the ends of it, twisting some of them between his fingers.] ...'n besides, I definitely like you a lot more when you're mean.
[He hums, leaning forward to put their foreheads together.] Okay.
[Okay, you know what. The playful bump is allowed, even if it does make Akechi grimace sourly. He was getting lost in his heard anyway.]
That just proves how much of a masochist you are on top of being an idiot. [He groans, placing his free hand on top of Akira's that's teasing around his hair, leaning his forehead forward.]
I believe this is the part where you're supposed to kiss me.
[Another hum, curious this time, and he tips his face forward, bumping their noses and then ghosting his lips over Akechi's. He breathes there a moment, tapping gentle, barely-there kisses for a moment, keeping his eyes open partway to watch his reaction.]
[Akechi tilts his head slightly to the side, avoid smashing their noses together. Although, that probably wasn't going to happen seeing how careful Akira was being with him -- a stark contrast to their prior, heated and hurried kisses where they had clung on each other, as if fearing that the time would run out.]
Asshole. [He whispers against Akira's lips as he meets them for each kiss, chasing after the subtle aftertaste of the coffee.] I want a bookshelf. One not made of dark wood. [He murmurs and kisses him again, this time he moves hand behind back of Akira's head to pull him even more closer.] And no strongly scented items. [Kiss, kiss.] And don't even think about matching coffee cups or other gross shit.
Your asshole, [He admonishes gently, laughing into the kiss at his sudden demands.] I can build us a bookshelf..., [Kiss. He lingers a moment, on this one.] Coffee is about as strong as I go. [Pulling back, he grins cattishly, wrinkling his nose.] Too late, I already have one like the one I got you for your birthday.
In your dreams, loser. [Insults are definitely words of endearment, right? At least between rivals. Akechi keeps kissing him between words, unable to keep himself from grinning -- this situation is pretty silly. And he's just almost too greedy to let Akira pull away from the contact.] I'll smash them. [No he won't. It's an empty threat.]
[Just a rumbled chuckle in his throat, and he keeps with the pacing of the lighter kisses until Akechi makes his thread, empty or not. He pauses, drawing away just enough to have space between their lips, and then presses forward with a bit more fervor, prying Akechi's mouth open by slowly opening his own against his lips and immediately seeking to taste.]
[It's short-lived, however, when after a scant few seconds of sucking on the end of Akechi's tongue he pulls back.] You won't.
[Without even thinking of it, Akechi inhales deep as he parts his lips and welcomes Akira in -- kissing back with eagerly while allowing the other one take lead. There's a soft moan forming, trying to escape within him along with a pleased sigh.
..But then Akira pulls back. Akechi presses his lips into a dissatisfied line. Fucking tease.] Try and stop me. [And with that he leans back in, taking Akira's bottom lip between his teeth. His bite isn't strong enough to actually hurt but it should sting a bit.]
[He just chuckles again, the sound a crackling rumble in his chest as Akechi takes his lip between his teeth, and he finally closes his eyes and releases his hand in favor of reaching up to carefully set a hand at his jawline. He presses past the biting teeth, then, opening his mouth and pressing, staying this time.]
[Hey! Don't laugh at him, he's being totally serious here! Okay, he can't help but meet Akira's chuckles with a quiet, amused huff of a laughter. He, too, closes his eyes and tightens his own hold behind Akira's neck pulling him in as he let's go off the lip - welcoming yet another kiss.
This time, he makes sure to appreciate the longevity of it, forcing the rest of his world to slow down as his curious tongue pushes to meet Akira's. To think he used to find this gross not too long ago.
He's almost off his seat, crouching over the small coffee table that dares to separate them from each other. Really, if he pushes further he might as well climb on top of the damn thing.]
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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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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.
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[He hums, leaning forward to put their foreheads together.] Okay.
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That just proves how much of a masochist you are on top of being an idiot. [He groans, placing his free hand on top of Akira's that's teasing around his hair, leaning his forehead forward.]
I believe this is the part where you're supposed to kiss me.
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[Another hum, curious this time, and he tips his face forward, bumping their noses and then ghosting his lips over Akechi's. He breathes there a moment, tapping gentle, barely-there kisses for a moment, keeping his eyes open partway to watch his reaction.]
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Asshole. [He whispers against Akira's lips as he meets them for each kiss, chasing after the subtle aftertaste of the coffee.] I want a bookshelf. One not made of dark wood. [He murmurs and kisses him again, this time he moves hand behind back of Akira's head to pull him even more closer.] And no strongly scented items. [Kiss, kiss.] And don't even think about matching coffee cups or other gross shit.
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[It's short-lived, however, when after a scant few seconds of sucking on the end of Akechi's tongue he pulls back.] You won't.
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..But then Akira pulls back. Akechi presses his lips into a dissatisfied line. Fucking tease.] Try and stop me. [And with that he leans back in, taking Akira's bottom lip between his teeth. His bite isn't strong enough to actually hurt but it should sting a bit.]
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This time, he makes sure to appreciate the longevity of it, forcing the rest of his world to slow down as his curious tongue pushes to meet Akira's. To think he used to find this gross not too long ago.
He's almost off his seat, crouching over the small coffee table that dares to separate them from each other. Really, if he pushes further he might as well climb on top of the damn thing.]