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Goro smiled bright and beautiful as he looked over the chessboard. In his eyes, behind the concentration and consideration, Akira could see a horrible pain. Something that begged for everything to just end. Some spark of awareness that couldn't quite be smothered no matter how much effort Akira or Maruki put into it. All they could do was bury it behind what Akira actually wanted to see.
"Check," Goro announced as he moved his queen forward. Akira stared at the board. He could see checkmate in five turns. Loss was inevitable. "Your turn."
Akira stared at Goro for a moment before he turned to the board. Akira didn't like to lose. He didn't want to lose today. So he grabbed Goro's queen and placed it to the side. Goro started at the board for a moment before he turned to Akira. The disgust behind his eyes shone more clearly than ever. Akira smirked, his eyes daring Goro to speak up. To fight back.
"Brilliant move Akira," His little puppet eventually cooed. Akira never tired of hearing the praise from Goro's mouth, no matter how empty it was. And it was Goro's fault really. His days as the Detective Prince had gotten Akira hooked on those sweet words, how could he possibly be expected to lose something like that for something as worthless as the previous reality? How could Goro be so selfish and demand his own satisfaction above Akira's happiness?
The former detective looked down at the board again. He hovered his hand over his knight before deciding to move his bishop. "You know, I've been thinking," He began. He looked up at Akira, his beautiful smile on full display, his eyes full of pain and awareness. "I really like this," He gestured vaguely to LeBlanc. "Being with you it..." There was a split second of hesitation. Of rebellion that was quickly shoved down. "It makes me happy. I think... I'd like to stay like this..."
Akira chuckled. "So would I," He looked down at the board. Even with the loss of his queen, checkmate was still close. It made sense, Goro was always better at chess than him... The fact made him both angry and pleased. Even as his plaything, Goro retained his edge. He kept that wit that had made Akira fall hopelessly for him and his faux charm. "Maybe we could do this more often?"
Goro's smile turned confused. "More often? How much more often could we-"
"Quit your job," Akira leaned forward as Goro shut himself up. He smiled as he watched an intense fight rage in his eyes. It was all for nothing though. They both knew Goro was powerless to go against anything Akira said now. That was one of Akira's terms for accepting this reality after all. "Stay with me."
"Quit..?" Goro stared ahead with a blank expression before he blinked a few times. A warm smile crossed his face. "Yes, I think... I think that would be a good idea. Thank you, Akira."
Akira smirked. "Of course. I just want you to be happy Goro."
"Happy..." Goro turned to the chess board again. He looked down at his king for a second before he knocked it over. "I give up," He turned back to Akira with his wonderful smile. "I suppose you win again Akira." He let out a dreamy sigh. "You're far too good at this... I don't even have a chance."
Akira couldn't hold back his grin as he stood. He crossed the booth so that he was standing in front of Goro and then pulled him to his feet. "That was a pretty good game," He held Goro against his chest, feeling his burning face the whole time. "I think I deserve a reward, don't you agree?"
Goro looked up at him for a moment. His eyes absolutely filled with rage and disgust while his smile remained firmly in place. "I think you're right."
Akira grinned as he pulled Goro in for a rough kiss. He ran his hand through Goro's hair, grabbing a fistful when he found a good spot. Using that, he yanked Goro's head back to deepen the kiss. As it went on, Akira could feel Goro's hands begin to wander. He felt featherlight touches up his back until they reached the back of his neck. His hands lingered as they twitched, likely in a useless attempt to strangle him or pull him away.
It was cute how hard he fought a losing battle.
When Akira finally pulled away, he stopped for a second to admire the hazy look in Goro's eyes. The burning want and desire that were simply buried under his confusion from the previous world. This was what he really wanted, and if it wasn't, it would be. He just needed to accept that this was his new purpose. Akira's side was where he belonged now.