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Footsteps echo on the walls. It is dark in that place but it's not like he deserves the light to shine after everything he has done.
The prisoner doesn't look up, doesn't try to see who it is out of curiosity, wailing in his own pity.
The footsteps stop. In front of his cell.
"You have 15 minutes."
The officer leaves, leaving him and that stranger face to face. He tries to stay in the dark however, feeling a piercing gaze on him.
"Afternoon, father."
He slowly looks up and his eyes widen when he sees that different but still oh so familiar figure. He recognizes that confident aura, that way to stand like that land belongs to him. He was standing like that too, years ago, looking down at others like they were dirt under his shoes.
"I guess calling you "genitor" would make more sense, since you never played that parental role in my life."
For now, Shido faces the same attitude he gave to others. But his son doesn't have that arrogant smirk on his lips, instead his wine eyes are stuck on him like he's watching his prey, his lips pressed to form a thin line, completely empty of any sort of emotions.
Shido recognizes the same hair, his son's mother had, but contrary to her elegant length that was beautifying her face, his makes him look like a feral lion, ready to tear shreds to shreds and devours anyone who has the stupidity to get too close.
"Goro," he murmurs, looking at him with despair. "Goro, my son, I'm so-"
"I'm not here to listen to your lamentable apologies." He interrupts him harshly, his cold tone slashing Shido's feeble will, like a dagger that easily cuts flesh.
Shido looks down, but Goro's intense gaze never leaves him.
"Akira told me… seeing you in such a state would satisfy my teen's desire to some degree. He was completely wrong." He stands straight, his calm tone clearly hiding a danger. "It only disgusts me."
Shido closes his eyes. It doesn't seem to please Goro as he clicks his tongue in annoyance.
He had that same habit too.
"Look at me," he orders, leaving no other choice but to obey.
So Shido looks up.
"The only man I wanted at my feet, begging for my forgiveness was the same arrogant prideful man who pushed my mother in the mud."
"Goro-"
Goro puts his hand up calmly, opening his bare left hand. Shido notices something shining on a certain finger.
"I don't want to hear anything from you." He says, still as composed as ever, despite that fire in his eyes, the same his mother had. "You're pathetic. The change of heart really changed you drastically. I have no chance to realize those foolish selfish teenage dreams anymore."
Goro takes a step forward. Shido doesn't move.
"And I wasn't the one who ever did it. Talking about a revenge." Shido notices the hint of bitterness in Goro's voice, still as subtle as ever in his emotions. "The only good thing I get from this is seeing you're still alive, crawling in your miserable hole like the rat you are. Stuck. Forever."
"Goro-"
"Don't pronounce my name when you never earned the right to say it." Goro scolds him like a child, and that's how Shido feels like under him.
And he thought he could use him. And he thought he could control him like a doll. Goro changed so much too. And a little part of Shido is proud, he didn't achieve to break Goro enough for him to be ruined like him.
That ring being more than a sign of moving on from the darkness Shido tried to push him in.
"Did you tried to kill yourself, to free yourself from the weight of your sins by that sweet death?"
Shido's throat feels too dry to say anything. So he nods.
"Never again. You'll live with it as long as you breathe and only fate will decide when you die. You'll live not even fully human and you anymore, stuck in that black hole you built yourself where you have no rights but repeats in your head every atrocity you have done to me and so much more." He states, and Shido knows he can't protest.
"I refuse to let you taste that same escape my mother did. You don't deserve it. And you better be on your knees when you see her after."
His heels click loudly on the floor.
"Goro-"
"That will be it, father. Have fun wailing in that cell you can call your home."
Footsteps echo on the walls, repeating in Shido's head again and again, that he doesn't really know when Goro really left.
Or if he ever was here.
_ _ _
Eyelids blink, long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings. Eyes are focused on one dark and unwelcoming building, the worry tainting the onyx pupils. One gloved hand plays with the ring on the other, nervousness visible in the way he stands and behaves.
A door opens, catching his attention as he sees a familiar figure getting out, eyes closed, the hands busy tying long chestnut hair.
"Goro!"
Goro's eyes slowly open, as he lets his hands drop, his hair falling again on his shoulder, the hair tie failing to restrain it. Goro huffs in annoyance but takes some steps forward to join him. "Akira."
Akira smiles at him, relieved to see him alright. He notices how Goro glares at the prison behind him, before giving his attention to his husband.
“I thought you told me I had to go alone and “face my past”.” Goro sighs as he adjusts his left glove, glaring at one lock of hair that disturbs his sight.
Akira giggles. “How was the past, then?”
Goro blinks slowly, looking above his shoulder. He stays silent, pondering his words like he always does when he has to say something dramatic about the last season of Featherman. But contrary to such a ridiculous situation, Akira knows now he has to take his words seriously this time. It’s about Shido after all.
“...Dead. He died the moment you took his heart, after all.” Goro murmurs, lost in his thoughts. “The man who ruined my life, my mother’s, yours… He’s dead. He’s nothing but an empty shell now, carrying the sins of another man.” He closes his eyes, his fists tightening.
“...Honey, was it…”
Goro interrupts him. “I simply lost minutes there. Giving him once again more time than necessary.” He shakes his head, exasperated. “Foolish I was to think I could at least face that man and gain a semblance of pleasure to see him rot between those four walls.”
“I’m still glad you did it.”
Goro rolls his eyes, staring at him. “You told me to do so.”
“Yes, but it’s a whole new step don’t you think? Facing the one who tried to ruin you, and sees you’ve come over this. You have that strength to face your abuser.” Akira looks down. “Contrary…”
Goro puts his hand up calmly, stopping him. “Don’t compare my situation to your own. I never had any parental bond with Shido. Your parents are another whole fucking case.” He grunts. “I may not have that same composure if I ever see them,” he admits reluctantly in a mumble.
Akira sighs, fondly. He puts his bare hand on Goro’s cheek, smiling. “Sometimes… I feel like I don’t deserve you.”
Goro snorts. “Look who’s talking.” Goro pulls him suddenly, making Akira yelps as he’s stuck in his arms. “Darling, I’m afraid you’re mistaken by our roles here, I’m the one who has no right to have you, however…” He kisses his cheek, making Akira close one of his eyes. “...I’m too selfish to even let you leave me.”
Akira smiles, looking up, knowing very well there’s no need for such to look at Goro in the eyes, but his husband likes too much to be reminded of the slight height he has over Akira. He always has been more into subtle details, anyway. The slight smirk he sees on Goro’s face talk by itself.
“I would never leave, Goro.”
He hears Goro humming, acknowledging his words. Akira knows he still has a hard time believing those words, but Akira appreciates he’s not fully doubting him, rejecting him and staring at Akira like at the moment Goro looks away he’ll be running from him.
Those doubts would never have been there if Shido didn’t try to break the son he had under his care.
“Don’t think about him. Focus on me.”
Akira snorts, he can behave like a child sometimes. “You’re all I think about, honey.”
“You better.” Goro huffs, embracing Akira tighter, to his amusement. Akira runs his hand in Goro’s long hair, appreciating the softness.
“Why would I think about someone else when you’re here, my handsome husband?”
Goro snorts against Akira’s skin, smiling. “You’re as ridiculous as ever. “Handsome husband”? Really, Akira? Is it the best you can do?”
Akira grins, he puts his hands on Goro’s chest. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m sure I can find better, my honeyed delicious pancake.”
Goro freezes and Akira immediately push to try to get out of his grasp, but Goro reacts too quickly, pulling him back. “I dare you to repeat this.”
Akira immediately accepts the challenge. “I knew you would like it so much…my honeyed delicious pancake.”
Goro’s glare becomes more intense, his left eye twitching, making Akira giggle. He knew this one will be golden. Goro growls near his ear making Akira automatically shiver. And of course, Goro notices it.
“Does pissing me off entertains you that much, Akira.”
Akira grins. “It’s your fault to make it so funny.”
“Oh, is it now…” Akira doesn’t like that smirk of his, not hiding the mischief behind. “Well, you won’t be against me to carry you all way back home then?”
“What-” Before Akira can react, Goro easily throws him over one shoulder, beginning to walk to the station. “Goro!”
“It’s your fault to make your embarrassment so funny.” He mimicks, not even trying to hide his mockery.
Asshole.
“At least, bride carry me or something.” He grunts.
“I actually like touching your ass at the same time, so no.” He states, neutrally, as if it’s the most natural thing to say in public.
Akira blushes, feeling Goro pressing on his buttcheeks to prove his point. “Goro!!” He yelps, mortified. He absolutely regrets his stupid petname now.
“Yes, dear?”
Akira pouts. “You’re the worst and I hate you.”
Goro snorts. “I hate you too, darling.”
The fondness in the “hatred” says much more, however. Akira can feel all the love Goro conveys in his voice, in how he can be more and more honest in his affection.
Shido tried to make him a heartless killing machine, but he had no power over Goro’s will, as Akira can’t help him if Goro doesn’t want to. He always had been such a free spirit, no matter how many locks and chains he had on his limbs. Fighting against his circumstances violently, never giving up on his freedom. How he has watched with cautiousness Akira going inside his cage before letting him in voluntarily, trusting Akira to help with his restraints. How he quickly notices Akira’s own confines and cuffs and took care of it so naturally, with delicate care and love, and then decides by himself to lock himself with Akira.
They always had been prisoners of fate. But now they’re free in their jail.
“...Goro your hair tickles me.”
“How that’s supposed to be my problem?”
“Goro… Come on!”
His cackle echoes in their open cage.