ɪɴʙᴏx [ᴇxᴘɪᴀᴛɪᴏɴ]

[chemex]

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[chemex]

[Akira's frown deepens, a crease forming between his eyebrows, but he focuses on his food instead of Akechi.] ...'kay.

[murderingjustice]

[He stays quiet during the rest of their breakfast. Eating slowly and keeping his expression neutral. The food is good, even if a little bland. But it's not like he cares about any of that. As long it's nourishing he really doesn't care what it is that he eats.

Once their meal is over he picks up their plates and takes them back to kitchen, not wanting to be pampered by Akira any further. He's the guest here, after all. ]

Don't you have something to do? You really don't need to stay here for my sake.

[His voice is just as neutral as his expression before. Not quite sure how to proceed from here.]

I need to clean up and look for one of the healers, seeing that we can't summon our personas.

[chemex]

[He tries to view the silence as friendly, or at least amicable, but it feels a little stiff regardless. When Akechi claims his plate he almost protests, but-- no, he supposes it's fair to let him collect his own dishes in his room, Akira already invaded and made himself at home to cook in his kitchen. He hums, leaning back in his chair.] Yeah, I've got a few things to do take care of.

[Looking over his shoulder at Akechi, he considers him a moment.] ...Can I ask you a favor?

[murderingjustice]

[Akechi exits the kitchen, leaning his hip against the wall and meeting Akira's eyes]

What is it?

[chemex]

[He looks the slightest bit scolded.] ...keep me in the loop? I know you're fine, and I know you can take care of yourself, I just. [His mouth quirks slightly and he sits forward in his chair instead to avoid looking at him.] I just want something to be normal, with us.

[murderingjustice]

[God. What is even normal for them? Their relationship has gone through constant changes since it started. Summer of pretended niceties and fake flirting twisted into open hostility and violence, all until ending up in mutual understanding of one other and necessary teamwork.

And now? The Gap between them has shrunk along with this new strange closeness and clumsy affection. Is that a new normal for them.]

We did agree on that last night. [When they had agreed to team up again.] I'll let you in anything that's important.

[chemex]

[A bit of tension eases from his shoulders, and he rocks forward to stand, failing to put slip his hands into pockets that aren't there. Stupid yukata...] Right-- I forgot, sorry. [A brief flash of teeth in a grin, sheepish.]

[He bites his lower lip in an unconscious gesture, then, scuffing his foot against the ground and circling around his chair, pushing it back in like he's in public or something. His hands still on the back of the chair, he looks over his shoulder again.] ...c'mere a second.

[murderingjustice]

[They really need get him more clothes. Akechi feels like he's lately seen Akira in that yukata than in his regular clothes.]

Just which one of us was feverish last night. [With a roll of shoulders he pushes himself off the wall and walks up to Akira.]

What?

[chemex]

[Well maybe if you didn't throw him into lakes, buddy--]

[He gives him a slightly annoyed frown, rolling his eyes and setting one hand on his hip.] Oh shove off, I was actually worried about you. Anything else was secondary. [He takes a second, looking him over as he approaches, but reaches out and sets a hand on his shoulder to lean forward and put their foreheads together in an affectionate gesture.] ...you're gonna have to communicate boundaries with me on this or I'm gonna be really obnoxious.

[murderingjustice]

[Akechi bites softly insides of his cheeks, mulling over Akira's words. He's not entirely sure what his boundaries even are outside of... Nothing that's too much. Or too public or obvious. Anything that would make him feel cornered. But what does that even include?

He hums quietly, quickly glances up to meet Akira's eyes before looking down, feeling that mental block pressing against his mind now that the fever wasn't holding it back.]

I don't mind you being here. [is what he settles on eventually.] Or doing this.

[chemex]

[Akira's whole posture loosens, warm. He closes his eyes on a chuckle, smiling, and bumps their noses together. He considers kissing him, for a solid ten seconds, but decides to start small, for now. Just affection, just contact. They can move forward from there.] I'm glad.

[He takes a step backward, letting his fingertips trail down Akechi's arm.] I'll see you later?

[murderingjustice]

[Akira's not the only one who's thinking of a kiss here. But Akechi just can't bring himself to take the first step here. Not now. And he does appreciate Akira not pushing it, leaving them with space to grow used to whatever this is.]

Yes. [He brings his hand to grab Akira, not letting him wander off too far just yet.] You'll keep me updated on things around here as well, correct? It's a deal.