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Goro Akechi never had been fond of video games.
It wasn't exactly appealing to him, despite Futaba's insistence. He knew about it, of course, but it wasn't a subject he found particularly interesting, being nothing more but a vague idea in his mind.
Until his younger sister forced a weird game console in his hands and a "relaxing" game, insisting he should at least try.
So he did, reluctantly of course.
However, with time, he has to admit he got quite attached to that cute little game and its content. Just spending some time on it when he had nothing to do or busy himself, waiting for Akira to finish cooking.
It was simple, cute and mindless. Something he probably would have never indulged himself before.
Probably a proof he's getting softer over time, to his teenage self's horror.
Goro doesn't really care, he likes it, spending time browsing on internet to find other ideas, and changing his entire island to something at his image and ideals.
Akira laughs at him for his Red Hawk, Black Condor and Grey Pigeon custom outfits but Goro doesn't care.
He's sure Akira would always be wearing cat ears and cat whiskers on his character, he's not in the place to comment on Goro's nerdiness.
It's not like Goro would really know, he doesn't let Akira touch his switch, and even less his Animal Crossing. He knows better than letting Akira play on his island and ruin every little thing he worked hard on, like letting flowers invade his entire island. Or place objects in some random places. Or just doing a mess.
That's why it's with surprise Goro comes home to Akira with a switch controller in his hands, that familiar tune playing.
"Did you just… steal my game?" Goro frowns, letting his bag fall on the floor as he steps closer. "... Akira ."
His boyfriend blinks, putting down his controller as he uncrosses his legs, straightening his back. "Welcome home, honey."
"I asked you a question." Goro ignores Akira's greeting, watching the TV screen with annoyance. "And what's even…" He stops when he sees two characters on the screen Goro knows he doesn't have on his island. "What's…?"
"Oh no don't worry. Yours is still charging there." He points at Goro's switch, still giving him a bright smile. "Futaba said she was pitying me of "letting myself fold to your control and never tried to steal your game"." He snickers after his poor imitation. "So she gave me this one, insisting she got it cheap." He stops. "How did she even find a Switch that fast…?"
Goro rolls his eyes, knowing they should never underestimate Futaba's skills. He instead looks at the two villagers accompanying Akira's character, spotting one in particular he was trying desperately for months to get.
Marshal.
The little squirrel on the screen seems to almost taunt Goro, after he spent so many tickets for so many travels to some shitty mystery islands, never finding the adorable villager, sadly. And Akira has him. First, fucking, day.
"The characters are so cute!" He's enjoying himself, clearly, not even reading what Tom Nook is saying. "Say, now I have my island, I could visit yours-"
"Aren't you lucky." Goro interrupts him, pointing at the squirrel. "Fucking beginning the game with one of the most wanted villager." His left eye twitches.
"Him? Well he's cute but I found some cat more cuter." Akira shows him Raymond on his phone, grinning. "Look, isn't he adorable?"
"Raymond, uh." He mumbles. "I hope you have enough luck to get him because he's quite rare."
Akira pouts. "Really? You don't have him? We could exchange with that squirrel!" He beams, excited.
Goro gruffs, displeased. "It doesn't work like that. And I sold Raymond some weeks ago anyway."
Akira gasps, staring at him with shock and betrayal. "But… why…?"
"He worths quite a lot." Goro shrugs. "I was trying to get enough to…" He glares at Marshal. "...buy a certain villager. Since all my tickets were proven to be useless." He's still bitter for all the tickets he lost for him.
Akira pouts. "You could have kept him for me."
Goro rolls his eyes. "You already have Marshal." He gruffs in his breath, crossing his arms.
Akira blinks. "You like him that much?"
Goro looks away immediately. "Not that much, I just find his characteristics interesting and his house would suit my island's theme well." He tries to look as nonchalant as possible, not absolutely furious Akira has him on the first day.
Of course, Akira immediately spots his lie, grinning. "Right. So I guess I won't give him to you if he's in boxes right?"
Goro doesn't fold. "I can get him without your help." He hisses. "I don't even want him that much."
Akira hums, clearly amused. "Right. I see how much you don't want him." Goro hums in response. "Maybe I should ask Futaba then, I'm sure she-"
"Of course…" Goro interrupts him, smiling. "I could ease your mind and take him from you since you clearly want to get rid of him."
"But you said you didn't want him, honey?" Akira tilts his head, exaggerating the fake confusion.
"Oh but I want to be generous and help you to get rid of unwanted villagers. Anything for you, darling." Goro gets closer, squinting his eyes.
"Right." Akira imitates him, smiling mischievously.
They stare at each other in silence, the joyful tone still playing on the back.
"Admit it."
Goro flutters his eyes innocently. "Admit what, dear?"
"You're aware I can read you easily, right?" Akira raises one eyebrow, amused. "You craves for that Marshal so bad."
"I don't "crave"." He gruffs. "I simply think-"
"You think he's cute, has the same horrible fashion taste than you and so you projects."
"I don't project on a fucking squirrel!" He hisses, furious, pointing at the TV. "And you're not fucking better with your weird cat!"
"You insult my Raymond?!" Akira gasps, horrified. "How dare you."
"He's not even on your island, you fool!"
"Well at least I have the cute squirrel who, weirdly, is quite similar to my boyfriend. Maybe I'll keep him and give him that nerdy sweatervest and- Goro give me back my controller!!"
Goro is already far, using the little height he has over Akira to put it away from his reach. He smirks. "An issue, darling?"
"Yes, your obvious denial is my issue. Give me that back!" He pouts, glaring at Goro.
"No."
Akira steps back to Goro's surprise. He doesn't like that wicked grin on his boyfriend's face. "Then you don't mind if I take yours?"
He immediately runs away, Goro chases him, snarling. "Get back here you fucking brat!"
"Oh my, already insulting me." He giggles. "Seems that villager of mine will stay on my kitty island."
"He's a squirrel!!" Goro retorts, glaring at Akira who's standing on the couch, grinning, Goro's controller in his hand.
"I'm quite open-minded, I think he can live among cats. I'll even give him cat ears so he can fit."
Goro stops. "You're going to do what to Marshal." He did mishear, right? Akira wouldn't dare...
But Akira dares, he even repeats himself. "I'll give him cat ears."
Goro stares at the switch then at Akira. "I'm taking this away from you."
"What- Goro, don't be that dramatic, I'm not-"
"Putting cat ears on him, you're more insane than I thought."
Akira rolls his eyes. "It's just a game."
Goro quickly turns around, staring at Akira as if just his sight disgusts him. "It's not just a game!! Do you know how many hours people spend on it, wishing to see their favorite villager on some stupid islands and see their dreams crumble at the sight of some other disgusting creatures?! Do you know how much people work on their game to look perfect, looking for any details, for the exact color they're searching for, taking specific patterns to embellish their island for finally getting a satisfying result?! Do you know how many methods we came up with to earn the right flowers and use them wisely?! Are you aware of how long it takes to collect every little recipe with extreme care and attention being sure you have every resource to make everything?!" He snarls at Akira face. "It's not just a game, Akira. Never lower it to mere pathetic entertainment."
His boyfriend blinks, processing Goro's words before he smiles. "I never heard you that passionate for something else than Featherman."
"Fuck you." Goro hisses furiously at Akira's bright face.
"I take notes you're into sentai and relaxing cute games." Akira giggles, clearly not taking him seriously.
"Featherman is completely different from a mere sentai, it's-" Akira puts his finger on Goro's mouth, stopping him.
"I had my daily rant for today, so no thanks." He smiles gently. "Since you think I'll do atrocities to that cute squirrel, I'll give him to you when I can and you help me find the cat I want?"
Goro pouts. "I'm sure you won't need my help for such." He sighs. "But fine. We have a deal."
Not even two days later Akira went to his first mystery island.
And get Raymond.
Goro still curses him for his endless luck.