[His head tilts further, until it's about entirely sideways and he's frowning at some spot on the counter in curious confusion.] Huh.
...Maybe I'm just used to being empty-headed, I haven't really noticed a difference. [A crooked little grin-- he's trying to reassure her it's probably fine.]
[That's a startling question. Akira's eyebrows briefly come together and he shakes his head slowly, taking a small step toward her and reaching out to take her by the elbow.] No, we didn't. He suffered a mental shutdown after we left the palace. We didn't induce those, Akechi did. [Which-- he considered hesitating to say, because relations between Haru and Goro are already (understandably) tense, but... Haru needed facts, and ultimately of all the people Akechi killed, Haru's father is one of the least innocent.]
[He isn't so sure he'd go as far as to say to her face he deserved it, because even if he did, she didn't deserve to have the chance to reconcile with him taken from her. It's complicated.]
[ Then why is she remembering that all wrong? Why can’t she remember the truth right now? She doesn’t seem panicked about it, just mildly put off that she seems to be remembering incorrectly.]
Akechi-san, right. He had a rough situation too. I remember that I said I understood, but things would be tense.
We’re trying.
[ Akira helped her break free before, and she is so determined she can do it again. ]
[He nods, squeezing her elbow. This... is not nearly as damaging for him, personally, as it was to go around waking his friends up from Maruki's false reality, but it's still hard to watch.]
It's okay that you don't forgive him for it. It's... not really a forgivable offense.
[ She just smiles at him. It's all the more reason to try, she thinks. Not to forgive Akechi, but get back on some footing of understanding with him. Akira is always so good to her, to everyone. ]
[Akira's whole midsection aches a little about the whole thing, if he's honest. From his sternum to his hips feels heavy, knowing he holds so dear someone who took so much from several of his closest friends. Knowing that they don't scorn him for it-- or at least, those who have experienced the degree of closeness he's attained here in Aldrip. He feels disgusting, feels unclean for how badly he's wanted to be where he is, how glad he is to have what he does. It feels like he's trampling all over Haru and Futaba both.]
[He doesn't figure either of them would ever admit to feeling that way, if they ever did. But it doesn't change that he's constantly at a terrible, wretched crossroads with himself between the one person in the world he so desperately wanted to save he nearly traded the rest of the world for him and the people he's hurt.]
[But anyway, coffee.]
[He smiles tiredly, the expression belying nothing of the constant inner turmoil he puts himself through.] Careful, I'm a snob about coffee.
[ Akira should know that Haru wouldn't think of it any differently. She wants him to be happy, and if this is what makes him happy then who is she to stop him? finding out did sting a little bit, but from then on...well, it's become pretty normal.
But awkward feelings aside, she's already halfway through pouring over the first cup. She has a dainty touch when she does this sort of thing. Like she wants the coffee to taste just a bit softer. ]
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2024-04-18 04:25 pm (UTC)...Maybe I'm just used to being empty-headed, I haven't really noticed a difference. [A crooked little grin-- he's trying to reassure her it's probably fine.]
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Date: 2024-04-18 04:31 pm (UTC)While she waits she just, looks to him. ]
I trust you.
Can I ask something?
no subject
Date: 2024-04-18 04:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-04-18 05:03 pm (UTC)[ Why is she even questioning this again?
It’s because her brain is literally soup right now. ]
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Date: 2024-04-18 05:30 pm (UTC)[He isn't so sure he'd go as far as to say to her face he deserved it, because even if he did, she didn't deserve to have the chance to reconcile with him taken from her. It's complicated.]
no subject
Date: 2024-04-18 05:37 pm (UTC)[ Then why is she remembering that all wrong? Why can’t she remember the truth right now? She doesn’t seem panicked about it, just mildly put off that she seems to be remembering incorrectly.]
Akechi-san, right. He had a rough situation too. I remember that I said I understood, but things would be tense.
We’re trying.
[ Akira helped her break free before, and she is so determined she can do it again. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-04-18 06:56 pm (UTC)It's okay that you don't forgive him for it. It's... not really a forgivable offense.
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Date: 2024-04-18 11:30 pm (UTC)[ It is like puzzle pieces, falling into place. She will get there, she thinks. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-04-21 10:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-04-22 02:28 am (UTC)[ She just smiles at him. It's all the more reason to try, she thinks. Not to forgive Akechi, but get back on some footing of understanding with him. Akira is always so good to her, to everyone. ]
Would you like a cup too?
uses this icon because it's rude
Date: 2024-04-22 07:10 pm (UTC)[He doesn't figure either of them would ever admit to feeling that way, if they ever did. But it doesn't change that he's constantly at a terrible, wretched crossroads with himself between the one person in the world he so desperately wanted to save he nearly traded the rest of the world for him and the people he's hurt.]
[But anyway, coffee.]
[He smiles tiredly, the expression belying nothing of the constant inner turmoil he puts himself through.] Careful, I'm a snob about coffee.
no subject
Date: 2024-04-27 10:54 pm (UTC)But awkward feelings aside, she's already halfway through pouring over the first cup. She has a dainty touch when she does this sort of thing. Like she wants the coffee to taste just a bit softer. ]
Who could blame you? You learned from the best.