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A hand slapped down onto the counter.
"Welp, I'm sorry to dash," Futaba grinned, leaning back on the bar stool. "But the new season of Phoenix Ranger Featherman is about to air tonight, and I am not going to miss it for the world!" She got up with a flourish, narrowly avoiding hitting the counter. "Thanks for the dinner, Dad!"
Sojiro only chuckled at that as he wiped down an errant glass from earlier. "Don't hurt yourself. I should be heading home soon, too. I don't want it to get cold on me again..." Even though the somewhat warm weather teased everyone, it was still the middle of winter, and with that meant almost freezing temperatures.
He shot Akira a look. "You've already set up your heater again, right?"
Akira saluted him. "Yes, sir." He grinned.
Futaba waved at them near the door, opening it up for Sojiro. She really was excited.
"Come on!" She said, bouncing on her feet. "Featherman awaits!"
Sojiro laughed, grabbing his hat. "Alright, alright, I'm coming. Don't forget to flip the sign, kid,"
With a small wave, Akira settled down into a booth, a random book pressed to his chest.
I'm going to miss this, a small voice in the back of his mind whispered, as he watched Futaba and Sojiro walk out of the cafe with satisfied smiles. I'm going to miss them so much.
It was the day he was released from the detention center, after what felt like a long few weeks. Even though it hadn't been that bad of an experience, it still left a sour taste in his mouth at the fact he had managed to end up there, even after everything. He could already feel the tension slowly leaking away from his bones as he lounged in one of the booths, a book about a gentleman thief nestled comfortably in his hands.
The camaraderie from the party a few hours ago certainly also helped his mood, the sight of his friends giving him a sense of peace he hasn't felt since... since last year. The thought of leaving them behind too sent a pang straight through his heart, only assuaged by the fact they were only a call or a text away.
Well, everyone except for Morgana, who was currently out on the prowl for some fresh salmon. He'd promise to let him back in once his mission was complete, so he watched the door with a lazy gaze, waiting for the tell tale sign of paws scratching on a door.
He’s just about to turn back to his book before a soft knock on the door knocked him out of his reverie.
'We’re closed...!' He wanted to shout, but he knew how that sounded with someone still inside. The stained glass offered no help figuring out who this prospective customer was. With a sigh, he quickly sat up from the booth and strode over to the door, quickly opening it with an apologetic smile.
“Hey, I’m really sorry, but we’re closed…” He started softly, the orange rays of sunlight that had started to turn into dim hues of blue and violet blocking his vision. “We open at 8 am tomorrow, though—“
When his vision cleared, however, the first thing he saw was the polished leather of gloves.
“My apologies. I didn’t realize a social call was closed,” A familiar voice snarked, but there was no heat behind the words. In fact, it was almost… fond. “I hope it’s not too late for a cup of coffee?”
Akira’s eyes slowly trail up the boy who stood in front of him, hardly daring to believe it. The rare warm weather had caused the familiar outer coat to fall away, leaving a light sweater and button up in its wake. Strands of chestnut hair lay almost perfectly on the boy’s shoulders, a soft smirk poised on his lips.
Maroon eyes met noir.
“A-Akechi…?” Akira murmured, blinking slowly a few times. His grip on the doorknob tightened, and he couldn't help but feel light-headed. Was this real? Or did he fall asleep in that booth, destined to fall into flights of fantasy that could never happen? Would never happen?
“Kurusu,” Goro said, the smirk that had once adorned his face morphed into a frown. A concerned frown. “Are you…?”
Akira opened his mouth to speak, but found he couldn't say anything. His eyes searched Goro’s, trying to find any evidence of this being a dream. That he wouldn't wake up once again to find his messages empty, his phone silent, and his heart broken. Akira can’t help but step away from the door, finally finding some semblance of words.
“You’re…” He gasps, his breath hitching. “You.. promised…”
The halo of chestnut hair blurred as his eyes grew hot, his hands shaking.
“A-Akechi!” He hiccuped, and moves to cover his mouth with his hand. He wished he could take a moment to catch up, for the world to give him a second, because he knew he was quickly unraveling. That morning, he woke up in the detention center like every other morning, only for it to end…
“Akira,” Goro whispered, almost a prayer. His name had never sounded more beautiful.
He felt a pair of strong arms wrap around his waist and pull him close, the streetlights turning on in the background. “It’s okay.”
Akira doesn’t think he’d ever get to hear the Goro Akechi say those words, much less to him. His heart pounded in his ears as he wrapped his arms around Goro's shoulders, burying his head and muffling a sob.
“I never go back on my promises. You, of all people, should know that,” Goro said, in a low tone. Akira couldn’t give a damn on how Goro got here, even if he had to move mountains and kill gods to get to this moment. To make Akira the happiest man alive, to break him completely, just to build him whole again.
“I love you,” Akira brokenly whispered. “I didn’t want to say it, when.. when I knew…”
“I know,” Goro nods, pulling back to see Akira’s tearful face. “I know.”
Before Akira could even begin to formulate a response, a pair of warm lips met his. A mixture of shock and warmth run though his body as he reached up to tangle his fingers in Goro’s hair, breathing in deeply.
Those arms that wrapped around his waist earlier had pulled him closer, their bodies flush against each other. As if the last puzzle piece was finally found, and the picture was completed.
“Please, don’t go,” Akira whispered when they break up, their foreheads touching. “Stay the night. Stay forever, I don’t care.” He sniffled. God only knew how terrible he looked right now. “I’ll make you your favorite brew, and we’ll chat philosophy and cases and personae mythology,"
He looked up into those maroon eyes that he fell so long ago for, and felt his heart stutter again. “I—I even have a spare futon, if you…”
His frantic murmuring was stopped only by another kiss, the arms that circled his waist dropping to grab his hands.
“I think that can be arranged,” Goro smiled, and it’s an honest-to-god smile. Akira felt like he wanted to cry again, but out of happiness.
Akira lead Goro inside and shut the door behind him, his hands almost unconsciously reaching out for his apron.
He looked up above, to whoever he thought was listening. To whoever decided that he could have just this one thing. This one last hurrah, after the nightmare that was the last year.
Thank you, his soul sings. Thank you.