Work Text:
The Metaverse may be gone (unreachable, at the very least) but the truth of the soul remains.
Loki is still within Akechi, just beneath the surface, and it can only be the inspiration by its insanity that has Ren pulling that damn glove from his pocket. Akechi's attention catches on it at once and the intensity of his gaze has every right to spark spontaneous combustion. Ren had chosen this semi-public space in case it might sway Akechi away from murdering him on the spot for the audacity, but he's killed Ren once, and Ren had settled that score by now. Akechi has always hated a tie as much as a loss.
There's nothing to stop the edges of Ren's mouth from twitching up, moment electric like it had been all those months ago in Mementos when he'd pulled his punches and Akechi barely contained his princely façade. It takes nothing and everything to bring the cold leather to his mouth for a lingering kiss.
Akechi's nostrils flare, jaw clenching with a visible flash of tendon along his neck. Ren tilts his head to the side and doesn't stop smiling when he offers the glove back-- a new challenge, a more dangerous one, somehow-- and Akechi snatches it up, only to fling it away the very next moment. As if the touch of it is toxic. He closes the distance between them and grabs Ren by the lapels, like his own touch isn't just as venomous, and Akechi hauls Ren in like he has every intention of mauling him with his teeth. Or mauling himself against Ren's teeth. Ren desperately hopes it's the latter.
Instead, he stops just short, sharing breath just to say, "I still hate you."
He only gives Ren the chance to reply, "I know," before they're kissing.
It's nothing like Ren expected, because it's real, and...he has no reference. Nothing could have prepared him for the moment Akechi's lips press firm and demanding against his own. Ren exhales sharply from his nose and it makes Akechi pull back irritably, only to grab Ren by his chin and force his head at a better angle before diving back in, relentless.
Akechi's other hand is still on Ren's lapel, as if to keep him close. Ren follows the gesture by holding onto Akechi's bicep with a vice-like hold while also sweetly cupping his jaw with an open palm.
When Akechi does pull away he covers his mouth as he goes, denying reciprocation.