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“Let’s go back... to our true reality.” Such firm, decided, marked words. Nothing could ever change his mind.
Goro was obstinate, after all, wasn’t he ? So this wasn’t anything new.
The worst thing about it is that, deep down, Akira painfully knew he was right. That there were no good, valid reasons to argue over it. But no matter how hard he tried to dismiss this aching, persisting feeling, it wouldn’t vanish.
This felt wrong.
All of this was wrong.
Goro had said everything he wanted to say. So with a deep puzzled look that disappeared over his shoulder as he was about to leave, he turned to face the door. Immediately, as if he feared Goro would fade away once he walked through the door, Akira made a swift, panicked gesture.
“Akechi, wait—” He muffled.
Akira almost grabbed his coat, suddenly stopping himself when he’d realized what he was doing. He felt ashamed, somehow. He looked down, confused, actually expecting Goro to leave without another word. Yet, he could now feel his dark red irises gazing at him once again. Akira lifted up his head. Goro looked unshakeable, or at least he tried to be.
“What is it, Kurusu ? There’s nothing more to add.” He bluntly said. “I told you, it literally doesn’t matter.”
“Well, it matters to me.” Akira replied, sounding almost angry, but mostly definitely hurt. “After all, I guess it’s actually my fault… if you’re here.”
Goro’s eyes widened a bit. Of course, he had considered this possibility. In fact, it was the only hypothesis that could explain it, but he somehow refused to acknowledge it. Yet, after all, it was true.
There was indeed someone in this world whose dearest wish was for him to stay.
“I tend to forget that even though you act so cool and collected, you really are the sentimental type, aren’t you ? That’s a shame, honestly.”
“If that’s such a shame, then why are you still here ?” Akira asked, half annoyed.
For a second, Goro didn’t reply.
“Why do you even want me to stay in the first place ? No matter what you do, it won’t change the fact it happened. Me staying will only make you feel worse.”
“You leaving will not make me feel better either. Not at all. So, if I really have to choose, I’d rather... ask you to stay with me. Even just for a bit.”
Goro let out a short laughing sigh. None of them had realized, but they had both gotten closer to each other. Small steps, shy even.
“You’ve always been weird.”
“That’s because I’m the sentimental type, I guess.”
“And you take everything I say too seriously.”
“Don’t make me laugh.”
The tips of their shoes touched. That’s when they realized.
Akira’s cheeks flushed slightly. Goro’s skin remained pale, but his fingers were trembling a bit.
“Nothing really matters anymore, does it ?” He sighed. “So I suppose I can do it now.”
He took off Akira’s glasses, so he could very obviously guess what he was about to do. Akira didn’t move an inch. He was grinning, even.
He knew already. How irritating.
Akira rested his hand on Goro’s neck, running his fingers amongst his thick, brown hair. And then, there was no more space separating their faces. Goro grumbled, but when Akira’s lips went away from his, he pulled on his shirt to get him close again. That kiss was somehow messier than the last, as Akira let out of amused laugh in the middle of it.
“Maruki said it, right ? That our rivalry isn’t based on hate.” Akira whispered, when Goro finally let go of him.
“... You’re awful at kissing.”
“You say as if you’re actually good at it.”
Goro sneered.
“I hope all this nonsense won’t make you change your mind about Maruki’s deal.”
“... No. No, it won’t.”
“Perfect, then.”
“I’m glad, actually. That way I won’t have any… regret left about you.”
He had some trouble breathing properly.
“I’ll keep your glove. If you ever want to come back.”
Goro quietly laughed once more, but not in a mocking way this time. Actually, it, very discreetly, sounded disheartened. Just as Akira’s brilliant eyes were.
Goro caught the doorknob of Leblanc’s entrance, but his fingers rested in a floppy way on the rusty metal.
“... You know what, Akira, I guess I can stay a little longer.” He said.