Work Text:
October 11th, 20XX
Goro doesn’t know why he’s so nervous. It’s not a feeling he’s used to. Throughout the course of his life, he’s done many things — ranging from appearing on live television to killing people — that would probably make most people feel nervous. Yet it never bothered him. Not once. He never lost his cool.
(Except the one time he did, of course. He prefers not to think about that.)
It doesn’t make any sense. How could he do all that so effortlessly, and yet be so damn nervous about this?
“Honey, are you alright?”
The question startles him. He looks up to see Akira leaning over the counter with a concerned expression on his face.
“Of course I am.” He replies sharply, bristling at the sappy pet name. Typical of Akira, he thinks irritably.
“Are you sure?” Akira asks, not convinced.
“Stop being such a worrywart.” Goro rebukes. “Why wouldn’t I be alright?”
“Because you’ve been staring blankly at that crossword puzzle for half an hour.” Akira answers. He places a hand on Goro’s shoulder and gives it a gentle rub. “You know, if something’s on your mind, you can tell me about it. I’m here for you.”
Goro narrows his eyes, scanning Akira’s face for any sign of pretence. Finding none, he leans back in his chair and crosses his arms.
“I have been thinking about something, actually.” He starts cautiously. Testing the waters.
“Alright.” Akira says with a soft, reassuring smile. “Penny for your thoughts?”
How perfectly Akira.
“We’ve been — well —” Goro pauses as his mind makes a panicked scramble to find the right word to define their arrangement. “We’ve been courting for a few months now.”
“Courting?” Akira repeats, his smile widening in clear amusement.
“Yes. Courting.” Goro frowns, annoyed. “How else would you define our relationship?”
“Dating, maybe?” Akira suggests, hiding a snicker behind his hand. “I think that’s the word most people would use. ‘Courting’ makes it sound like we’re in some sort of medieval romance.”
“Well, I’m not like most people.” Goro proclaims primly.
“I know. That’s why I like you so much.” He tucks a stray lock of hair behind Goro’s ear. So comfortable with touching him, with being in his space.
And yet…
“Anyway.” Goro says abruptly, trying to get the conversation back on track. “In the time we’ve been together, we’ve never really been… intimate. The most we’ve done is huddle together in that despicable torture device you call a bed.”
Akira chuckles lightly.
“However, I expect the issue is going to come up sometime sooner or later.” Goro continues. “And I feel that there’s something you ought to know about me first.”
“Oh?” Akira asks curiously.
Goro feels his skin clam up and his insides twist.
“Yes.” He responds, in the calmest, evenest tone he can muster, which turns out to be neither very calm nor very even at all.
Then, he comes to a rather unfortunate realisation:
He has no idea what to say.
“You know what? Never mind. Forget I said anything.” He swiftly shifts his gaze back to his crossword, trying to appear enthralled by it. If he studies it any more intently, he’s sure that he’ll burn a hole in the paper.
Predictably, Akira doesn’t just let the subject drop. He pushes Goro’s crossword out of reach in a manner distinctly reminiscent of an attention-seeking cat, then delicately cups his jaw and turns his face to meet his gaze.
“Look, I think I know what you’re getting at.” He says, covering Goro’s hand with one of his own. “And it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Really, it isn’t. If it makes you feel better, I don’t have a lot of experience either. We can figure things out the way we’ve always done: together.”
“Wait, you think I’m a virgin?” Goro blurts out, bewildered by Akira’s line of logic.
Akira frowns slightly. “Yeah. I thought that was what you were talking about.” He sounds just as bemused as Goro feels.
In spite of himself, Goro smiles and lets slip a tiny giggle. Oh, Akira. Caring, thoughtful, foolish Akira. What is Goro supposed to do with a man like him?
“You’re mistaken, I’m afraid.” He admits, barely able to suppress the laughter bubbling up in his chest. “Although it’s sweet of you to try to make me feel better.”
This only bewilders Akira further. “What were you talking about, then?” He asks.
“Akira…” Goro takes a deep breath, bracing himself. No backing out now. “I’m transgender.”
He watches Akira, attempting to gauge his reaction, but Akira is as frustratingly unreadable as ever. Must he be so inscrutable? Why can’t he make it easy for Goro, just this once? After all, Goro always feels like an open book around him. It would only be fair for Akira to return the favour every once in a while.
After an agonisingly long pause, Akira says, “I know.”
“What? How?” Goro asks, relieved but confused.
“Goro, I’ve seen you naked.” Akira replies, a grin creeping across his face. “In the bath house, remember? And, more to the point, you’ve seen me naked. Are you telling me that the great Detective Prince didn’t notice my top surgery scars?”
Goro finds himself at a loss for words. He stares at Akira, stunned, until he manages to regain his composure and his ability to speak.
“Well, unlike you, I’m not a pervert.” He asserts, scowling at Akira with feigned outrage. “It’s awfully rude to leer at people when they’re naked. I was simply being polite.”
“Ah, is that why you were blushing bright red the entire time?” Akira smirks teasingly. “Because you’re not a pervert?”
“The water was extremely warm.” Goro answers with a dismissive shrug.
Akira scoffs and presses a quick kiss to Goro’s forehead.
“I believe you.” He murmurs, nuzzling Goro’s hair. “Just know that no one else would.”
Goro smiles contentedly as Akira showers his face in butterfly kisses. He can’t remember the last time he felt so at ease. Maybe, just maybe, everything will be alright after all.