Chapter Text
It was past two in the morning when Ryuji started to think that maybe the coast was clear and he could finally start the process of dipping out of his apartment and go—
Well, somewhere.
Anywhere but here, really.
It was currently frigid out, on this early December night, according to his phone that indicated it was closing in on 0°C. As such, Ryuji made sure to grab his hoodie and a coat — and then, after a second of thought, he grabbed his scarf and a pair of mismatched gloves, as well.
Ryuji knew damn well that Akechi (which was where he was planning to go once he managed to escape his apartment) would rant about if he showed up on his doorstep wearing anything less than the most clothing he needed to stay warm — and, emotionally, Ryuji couldn’t handle anymore ranting from anyone, not even if it was coming from a place of love.
So, he wore the damn clothes.
Besides, Ryuji rationalized as he got dressed, if he put on the multiple layers, Ryuji could hide the bruises, welts, and angry red marks his father had marred his body with from Akechi, which meant he wouldn’t have to answer any questions.
Which also meant, really, that he was killing two birds—
(Ha, birds. Akechi’s Metaverse code name was Crow. Birds.)
—with one stone by wearing so many layers.
…and he was staying warm from the literal freezing temperatures, too, he supposed.
Ryuji assumed staying guarded from the cold was important, as well, even though he couldn’t begin to imagine the pins and needle of going out in near freezing temperatures uncovered could possibly hurt worse than what his father had done to him tonight.
At any rate, Ryuji bundled up and let any thinking he was currently doing about his clothes go by the wayside.
He had much more important things to focus his attention on.
Ensuring that he had his phone and house keys (even though he had absolutely no intention of coming back), Ryuji took a moment to close his eyes and take deep breath to calm his nerves, telling himself that he could do this. He had done this before and he could do this.
If he was lucky, this would be the last time he ever had to do this again.
Opening his eyes and turning on his heels, Ryuji headed out of his room, telling himself over and over again that, as long as he made it past his parents’ bedroom door without being stopped, he would be golden; knew he would be home free.
Literally.
Thankfully, Ryuji did manage to make it out of the apartment without waking up his father — or even his mother, for which he was equally (if not more) grateful.
After all, if Ryuji had been caught by his father, he would assuredly have been beaten again, no question — and if he was beaten again, he was legitimately not sure he would be able to live through it. He wasn’t surprised he was even conscious now…
…
If he was caught by his mother—
Well…
While his mother wouldn’t beat him for trying to leave, she would inundate him with a line of questioning that would absolutely dissolve into nothing more than guilt-tripping him to stay home — and being in such a vulnerable state as Ryuji was, it would most likely work…
…and this ‘home’ was the last place Ryuji wanted to be right now.
Or ever again.
Fuck, Ryuji just wanted to get to Akechi.
There was never any questioning, judgement, pain, tears, or anything like that when Ryuji was in the arms of the boy he had been secretly dating for a couple of month. There was no worrying or fears or hiding when Ryuji was with his partner — and he couldn’t wait to get to Kichijoji to experience that love.
…
Focus.
Quietly closing the door behind him, Ryuji kept tiptoeing until he was to the stairwell, at which point he opened the heavy door with a big number ‘3’ painted on it and immediately started in a high speed run, racing as fast as he could down the stairs and out the front door of his apartment complex.
Not once did Ryuji look back.
The running lasted for around ten minutes before Ryuji made it to the train station — and by the grace of whatever was watching over him, god or otherwise, Ryuji managed to get there just as the very last train was about to close its doors and leave.
It was almost funny, in a way, he thought as he sprinted through the doors of the train and took a seat in the nearly empty cab. He could have sworn that the trains quit running at midnight, but apparently this one to Kichijoji of all places was still running.
As if the train was running exclusively for him.
The ride to Kichijoji from Shibuya felt like it took an eternity, though logically Ryuji knew that the ride was only ten minutes.
He took this route a lot.
Sitting was painful and uncomfortable for more reasons than Ryuji wanted to think about… and being bundled in an enclosed space made him feel too hot even if he was the only one on the train… and his thoughts were sprinting through his head at a speed faster than he could keep up with them, having him teetering on the edge of dissociating entirely.
There was just something about being able to sit down, and it being quiet at that, that was conducive of Ryuji’s mind wandering. He was sure there was a scientific term for it, but…
Ahhh.
If Ryuji dissociated, he would miss his stop.
If Ryuji dissociated… then he would definitely miss his stop…
If Ryuji… dissociated… then he would… most assuredly… miss his stop…
If…
If Ryuji dissociated, then he would—
Next stop, Kichijoji. All passengers please exit the train at Kichijoji. This is the last train running until morning.
Thankfully, the train arrived at the station Kichijoji before Ryuji fully had the opportunity to escape from his body. Blinking a couple of times, he shook his head and forced his mind to come back before he got up up from his seat and stepped off the train.
Finally, Ryuji thought. Fucking. Finally. He was so goddamn close to being in Akechi’s arms and he couldn’t wait. He was finally close to being in a place he truly felt like he was wanted. Finally, he thought. Finally he would be home.
From the station, it was a short walk to Akechi’s condo — and it actually felt like a short walk because Ryuji was *excited* to see his boyfriend. He didn’t know the state in which the Detective Prince was going to greet him (be it wide awake or half asleep or some in between variant of those), but he knew he’d be greeted with open arms and a warm smile — and that was all that mattered to him.
Even if Akechi was tired and perturbed about being woken up, if he was even asleep to begin with (which Ryuji was doubting), Ryuji knew he’d be welcomed into that condo.
….and that was all that mattered to Ryuji.
Fuck, let himself think as he found himself running to get to his final destination, Ryuji loved Akechi so goddamn much.
…
Standing outside Akechi’s condo, Ryuji bounced on his heels and cleared his throat as proceeded to knock twice, immediately standing back and waiting.
Fortunately for Ryuji, it didn’t take very long for Akechi to answer the door, fully dressed in his school uniform and looking wide awake, if not a bit wired. From previous experience, that said to Ryuji that Akechi not only hadn’t been to bed yet, but that he was also probably interrupting something Akechi had drank a fuck ton of coffee (or done a line of cocaine) to get done, be it schoolwork or detective work or…
Or something else.
Ryuji didn’t know everything Akechi did and he never bothered to ask.
It was none of his business.
Making a sound, Ryuji almost apologized for interrupting and turned around to leave, but Akechi grabbed his wrist before he could get too far and pulled him inside — and then tightly encircled him in his arms, to which Ryuji almost instantly melted and returned the hug, his arms wrapping just as tightly around Akechi’s lower back.
“I was wondering when you would come by,” Akechi said. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
Not an I’m glad to see you or an I’m happy you’re here because Akechi knew why Ryuji was here at nearly three in the morning.
Ryuji swallowed thickly and didn’t reply, feeling his heart pounding in his chest as his mouth went dry. Holding onto Akechi tighter, he made a soft, happy sound almost like a chirp as he buried his nose to his boyfriend’s neck, finding almost immediate comfort in inhaling the lingering scent of whatever fancy-pants, probably expensive, musky cologne he wore.
This was his home, Ryuji suddenly thought, not even flinching as Akechi gently rubbed his back with the very tips of his fingers while holding him close; holding him tight, as if afraid he would leave if he let him go.
Except that Ryuji wasn’t going anywhere.
Not anytime soon.
This, right here in Akechi’s arms, in his warm condo, and not in Ryuji’s cold apartment with his parents, in Kichijoji and not Shibuya, was right where Ryuji belonged.