[Goro made a pretty strong claim that Akira didn't know him, and why would someone like Goro Akechi want to take care of a stranger? Akira's logic is more than a little rattled, but it is a pretty linear set of decisionmaking.]
[He curls as close to Goro as he's able, shuffling as he walks and trying to not look too pathetic. He doesn't do a very good job at it, honestly.]
[Well, unfortunately there isn't much Akira can do at this point to look less pathetic. He might be out of the water but he hasn't been able to get rid of the smallness. Goro supposes his current state is something that ought to spark protective instinct in one, but for him it just raises something uncomfortable within him. He truly must be broken somehow.
It's really a good thing that their apartment isn't all that big, making the trip to their bedroom short one. Once they're in he maneuvers Akira to sit on the bed.]
[He sits when directed, hunching inward and taking a moment to shake his head to Goro's question, slowly peeling himself out of his clothes. They aren't wet anymore, but the salt from the ocean has made them a bit stiff anyway. He doesn't say anything, just focused on his task.]
[Hm. Okay, then. Akira seems to have that under control, good. Goro turns away and walks up to their closet, pulling out fresh clothes for Akira. A long sleeved shirt, boxers, socks, slacks and puffy sweatshirt (one that's actually Goro's own). After gathering the pile he brings it to set next to Akira on bed, picking up the discarded clothing.]
I'll take these to wash and get you something warm to drink. Call me if you need any further assistance. [And with that said he turns to exit the bedroom to do just exactly that.]
[He's trying to need as little of Goro's time and energy as he can, here. He's quick to claim the items present to him and pull them haphazardly onto his body, burrowing into them immediately, pausing only to call after Goro as he starts to leave.]
Um-- [He clears his throat, pulling his hands into the sleeves of the sweatshirt.] ...thanks.
[Goro turns his head to look over his shoulder at Akira, staying there for a second or two too long to be just casual acknowledgement. There is clearly something pressing on his mind, words that he needs to say.
"Don't thank me you idiot", "We're partners", "Your health is important to me", "I want you safe". And so on. But instead what leaves from his lips are the neutral and distanced:]
You should lie down and try warm yourself up. [And then he's gone.]
[Similarly, Akira wants to ask him to stay, to lie down with him-- Goro must be tired, too. Still, maybe it's best to let him have his space. Akira folds himself up and slips under the covers, piling them on himself and burrowing entirely under them. Even then, it still takes time for him to be able to consciously feel most of his body.]
[He's exhausted, but can't quite fall asleep, so he just lays there, resting and trying to get his body temperature back to normal. After some time, he pulls the covers down enough to poke his head out, flinching at the cooler air and calling out quietly.] ...hey, Goro?
[Goro is beyond exhausted, but for better or worse it's a state he's rather used to. While working for police department, doing public appearances, handling the school and dealing with Shido's dirty work it had become a status quo of sorts to him. So even now he knows how to navigate through the exhaustion, affirming his priorities -- which currently being Akira's comfort.
After tossing the clothes to a wash bin, Goro makes his way to kitchen and set the teapot on the stove. He selects mint for Akira, hoping it'd to have soothing effect. Once the water is done he pours it on the cup, tossing the bag into the liquid. Sorry, honey. The water might've been too hot, burning some of the leafs, giving tea a rather bitter taste. But it's the thought that counts right?
He's just entering back to the bedroom with tea cup on his hand when he hears Akira to call him underneath the pile of blankets.]
Oh, [He had forgotten about the tea. He carefully draws the covers up with him and bundles them around his shoulders, smiling faintly.] ...thanks. Come sit with me...?
[Pressing his lips together into a thoughtful frown Goro moves to places the cup on Akira's nightstand, and then sits down on the bed -- making sure to keep a small distance. But for the first time during the night he raises his red gaze to look Akira in the eye. Finally meeting the other properly.
Goro parts his lips and closes them again as he tries to catch the thread of the thoughts running in his mind. Then eventually:]
Sometimes I get this feeling that I can't be around others. It gets too much and I'm overwhelmed when I remember everything that I am. What I've done. Sometimes I feel just.. I'm being suffocated just by being, if that makes sense. It's not your fault and I never wanted you dead. Not really.
[The words just... burst out from him, it's like damp that's finally being over flooded and broken.]
[Akira is happy to give him that much distance, glad that he would come sit with him at all, and gasps softly when Goro meets and holds his gaze. He's afraid to say anything, or to look away, so he lets his tea steam on the nightstand and waits.]
[When Goro bursts forward with his admission, Akira just smiles faintly, shifting to hold his arm out, covers held aside.] ...come here.
[The abrupt confession leaves Goro admittedly rather dumbfounded. Lips parted and mouth hanging open, forming a small silent "o". With all his cards laid down he doesn't exactly know what to do anymore but to wait for Akira's response and...
Well, it isn't one that he didn't really see coming. Closing his mouth Goro blinks, takes a deep breath and scoots next to Akira.]
[He folds his arm around Goro's shoulders immediately, drawing him close.] ...I'm glad to hear that. I think it's... always gonna be hard, for us to face that day, and I'm sorry I was ugly about it. [He shifts, twisting his body and then leaning sideways to drag Goro down to lay with him.]
Please never forget that I love everything you are. Even what you don't want people to see.
[Akira finds no resistance from Goro when he's pulled close. He doesn't reciprocate the embrace immediately, but just stays there eyes fluttering shut. ]
There's something wrong with me, Akira. Hearing that.. doesn't make me happy. It brings me fear. [Fear and anxiety in front of the unknown, triggering his flight or fight response.]
[He shakes his head slowly, rearranging to cover them both and create a little capsule of warmth. It's already worlds better under here with another person than just by himself.]
Mmn, not something wrong. You've just been through so much, without support and love for so long. It's natural, I think, to be scared of something like that. [He blinks slowly at him, eyes half-squinted closed in the warmth.] ...I'm a little scared of it, myself. Of love, and how much I love you, if that makes sense.
[It's quite hot under the covers, as he's still wearing his day clothes. However, Akira's cold body brings him some relief. Goro finds himself nuzzling closer to Akira, finally wrapping his arms around the other's waist, fingers sneaking to feel the cool skin under his layer of clothes.]
You should be. We tend to run hot and burn out when we clash. [They truly are perfect foils to each other, contracting each other. A true rivals. One that can't exist without the other and so.]
I'm scared, Akira. [He admits quietly, whispering the words against Akira's neck.] Of you and myself.
[Akira sucks in a startled breath at Goro's hands slipping under his shirt, but settles a moment later. He's not used to Goro feeling warm while he's cold. He laughs softly, nuzzling against Goro's face.]
[Will they, though? They've been doing this for months now. And while they have learned to live together, finding their routine around the apartment and not to snap at each other at every turn, they still keep finding each other in these situations. Digging the knife deeper into their wounds, only to end up licking them later on. It's quite pathetic in Goro's mind. But then again, what else could one expect of them? Two fucks up of the society.
Goro props his head up, to search Akira's eyes.]
I'm sorry. For everything. I didn't realize just how.. terrified the thought of losing you is.
[A faint glassy sheen forms over his eyes as he looks down at Akira. He can feel his heart jump to his throat, bringing a slight pink hue to frame his face. And finally, that breath he took earlier is released, his shoulders rolling back in relaxation.]
Okay. [Then he leans back in, placing his lips between Akira's eyes.] Thank you.
Quite. [He admits with a nod.] Let me go wash my face and change out my clothes. Drink your tea in meantime, it's important to monitor your hydration while recovering from hypothermia.
[Enjoy your lukewarm tea that's still probably a little bit too bitter. But it was made with love. Or with as much love as Goro Akechi can pour into cup of tea.
Goro gets up from the bed, leaving to bathroom. He proceeds to do all his usual nighttime routines, washing his face and applying some moisturizing cream and combing his hair and tying it up in a ponytail. Being trapped in backwater fantasy-land is no reason to skip good skin care, you know! So, it takes a while before he's ready. Then he returns to their bedroom, undresses himself until all he's wearing is boxers and loose t-shirt.]
How are you feeling? Is your temperature getting back to its normal state?
[Akira drank the whole cup anyway, wanting to get through it before it went completely cold. He's still sitting up, somewhat, when Goro returns, but he's sagged over against the wall and looks about half asleep. He sits back upright at the sound of his voice, smiling on instinct.] Still kinda cold, but I can feel my toes again.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2023-12-22 06:48 pm (UTC)[He curls as close to Goro as he's able, shuffling as he walks and trying to not look too pathetic. He doesn't do a very good job at it, honestly.]
no subject
Date: 2023-12-22 08:03 pm (UTC)It's really a good thing that their apartment isn't all that big, making the trip to their bedroom short one. Once they're in he maneuvers Akira to sit on the bed.]
Do you need help with undressing?
no subject
Date: 2023-12-22 09:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-12-22 09:51 pm (UTC)I'll take these to wash and get you something warm to drink. Call me if you need any further assistance. [And with that said he turns to exit the bedroom to do just exactly that.]
no subject
Date: 2023-12-22 10:05 pm (UTC)Um-- [He clears his throat, pulling his hands into the sleeves of the sweatshirt.] ...thanks.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-22 10:17 pm (UTC)"Don't thank me you idiot", "We're partners", "Your health is important to me", "I want you safe". And so on. But instead what leaves from his lips are the neutral and distanced:]
You should lie down and try warm yourself up. [And then he's gone.]
no subject
Date: 2023-12-22 10:22 pm (UTC)[He's exhausted, but can't quite fall asleep, so he just lays there, resting and trying to get his body temperature back to normal. After some time, he pulls the covers down enough to poke his head out, flinching at the cooler air and calling out quietly.] ...hey, Goro?
no subject
Date: 2023-12-22 10:45 pm (UTC)After tossing the clothes to a wash bin, Goro makes his way to kitchen and set the teapot on the stove. He selects mint for Akira, hoping it'd to have soothing effect. Once the water is done he pours it on the cup, tossing the bag into the liquid. Sorry, honey. The water might've been too hot, burning some of the leafs, giving tea a rather bitter taste. But it's the thought that counts right?
He's just entering back to the bedroom with tea cup on his hand when he hears Akira to call him underneath the pile of blankets.]
What is it?
no subject
Date: 2023-12-22 11:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-12-22 11:38 pm (UTC)Goro parts his lips and closes them again as he tries to catch the thread of the thoughts running in his mind. Then eventually:]
Sometimes I get this feeling that I can't be around others. It gets too much and I'm overwhelmed when I remember everything that I am. What I've done. Sometimes I feel just.. I'm being suffocated just by being, if that makes sense. It's not your fault and I never wanted you dead. Not really.
[The words just... burst out from him, it's like damp that's finally being over flooded and broken.]
no subject
Date: 2023-12-22 11:49 pm (UTC)[When Goro bursts forward with his admission, Akira just smiles faintly, shifting to hold his arm out, covers held aside.] ...come here.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-23 12:00 am (UTC)Well, it isn't one that he didn't really see coming. Closing his mouth Goro blinks, takes a deep breath and scoots next to Akira.]
no subject
Date: 2023-12-23 12:05 am (UTC)Please never forget that I love everything you are. Even what you don't want people to see.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-23 12:20 am (UTC)There's something wrong with me, Akira. Hearing that.. doesn't make me happy. It brings me fear. [Fear and anxiety in front of the unknown, triggering his flight or fight response.]
no subject
Date: 2023-12-23 12:22 am (UTC)Mmn, not something wrong. You've just been through so much, without support and love for so long. It's natural, I think, to be scared of something like that. [He blinks slowly at him, eyes half-squinted closed in the warmth.] ...I'm a little scared of it, myself. Of love, and how much I love you, if that makes sense.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-23 12:35 am (UTC)You should be. We tend to run hot and burn out when we clash. [They truly are perfect foils to each other, contracting each other. A true rivals. One that can't exist without the other and so.]
I'm scared, Akira. [He admits quietly, whispering the words against Akira's neck.] Of you and myself.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-23 12:44 am (UTC)That's okay. We'll figure it out, yeah?
no subject
Date: 2023-12-23 12:58 am (UTC)Goro props his head up, to search Akira's eyes.]
I'm sorry. For everything. I didn't realize just how.. terrified the thought of losing you is.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-23 01:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-12-23 01:07 am (UTC)Okay. [Then he leans back in, placing his lips between Akira's eyes.] Thank you.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-23 01:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-12-23 01:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-12-23 01:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-12-23 01:40 am (UTC)Goro gets up from the bed, leaving to bathroom. He proceeds to do all his usual nighttime routines, washing his face and applying some moisturizing cream and combing his hair and tying it up in a ponytail. Being trapped in backwater fantasy-land is no reason to skip good skin care, you know! So, it takes a while before he's ready. Then he returns to their bedroom, undresses himself until all he's wearing is boxers and loose t-shirt.]
How are you feeling? Is your temperature getting back to its normal state?
no subject
Date: 2023-12-23 01:43 am (UTC)