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“There’s three enemies, let’s do our best!”
Futaba shouted as they were face to face with a trio of shadows; It was nothing too considerably difficult. This would be over quickly, Akechi thought to himself.
“Persona!” Ann called out; Carmen casted Maragion, the flames engulfing the shadows whole. As the ashes dispersed, the three remained standing. Ann sighed in frustration before looking towards Makoto.
Makoto nodded in silent acknowledgement. She grabbed her gun, shooting one of the two Kushinadas. The shadow exploded into a cloud of black as Makoto stepped back.
“Two more to go!” Futaba cheered on.
Akechi was next, “Robin Hood!” He summoned a physical skill, striking the other standing Kushinada, turning it into dust. One left.
Akira pulled out his dagger, deciding to slash the Rangda. He fell back as the physical attack reflected, clutching his shoulder as he stumbled backwards.
“Watch your health Joker!” Akechi shouted out, he turned back to see the shadow begin to move. He gritted his teeth at a seemingly inconspicuous battle becoming an actual problem.
The Rangda sent a wave of physical attacks, Akira seeming to take the brunt of it. Akechi grunted as he caught his breath, he looked to his right where he saw Akira struggling to keep his balance; He was clearly low on health, Akechi scowled at his recklessness in the situation.
“Joker needs healing!” Akechi turned to Makoto and Ann. “Carmen!” Ann casted Diarama, keeping Akira from collapsing as he regained his strength. Makoto called on a nuke spell, taking a good amount of health off of the shadow.
“Now, Robin!” Akechi focused completely, relying on his intuition, his mind called on Kougaon. Akechi watched as the shadow’s body instantly split in half, evaporating in the blinding light.
Akechi kept his stoic composure, but he felt a wave of satisfaction flow through his entire body.
“Good job everyone!” Futaba declared.
Akechi saw how Makoto and Ann rejoined the rest of the group, seemingly discussing their tactics and performance after the battle. Akechi’s attention was brought back to Akira walking towards him.
“You really saved me back there.” Akira said, his arm coming to wrap around Akechi, catching him completely off guard.
“You should thank your friends for that, I only stated the obvious.”
“Mhm. Still, you were great out there, Crow.” Akira let go of Akechi, only for his hand to trail to his lower back. Akechi froze as Akira playfully patted him. It was strange, but it was not out of character for Akira to tease his friends, including Akechi in this case.
It was until his hand went down lower, too much to be played off as just a teammate being friendly.
SMACK.
Akechi’s face turned bright red, practically the same shade as his mask that was covering the raging blush painted across his cheeks. A strangled sound came out of his throat with his mouth agape. He turned to Akira, who was pretending as if he didn't just slap his bottom out of nowhere!
He didn’t even get the chance to lay into Akira as he walked ahead, telling the group to move forward in the Casino. Akechi groaned, he could get the chance to demand answers outside the metaverse.
“Let’s split up, we can cover more ground that way” Akira turned around to tell the rest of the thieves, they reacted a little surprised and even confused. This was not usual business for the Phantom thieves.
The rest of the group dispersed through the current floor in the casino, Akechi internally face palmed as he was left with Akira. He swore he could even see him smirking like he planned to have him stuck with him.
Reluctantly Akechi followed Akira into the hallway opposite of the Area the others were exploring. As they walked, Akechi found it an appropriate time to address the elephant in the room.
“Joker, do you care to explain why you decided to touch my… bottom after the battle?” The words were crude, but there was no way to get around it. Akechi probably looked absolutely ridiculous after asking a question like that.
Akira smiled with that stupid smug expression, “I just wanted to see your reaction, you’re cute when you’re flustered.”
“Don’t play stupid with me!” Akechi snapped, he was blushing like crazy again. He hated to admit it, but Akira accomplished his goal of turning the detective prince into a blushing mess.
Akira shrugged, unbothered as he continued walking. They both sensed a Safe room nearby, and Akechi began to mentally prepare himself for even more awkwardness.
“I sense a Safe room ahead.” Akechi said, breaking the silence between the two.
Akira nodded, “I do too, let’s go.” He grabbed Akechi’s wrist, dragging him to the door while ignoring Akechi’s confused protests.
“What the hell was that for?” Akechi asked with clear irritation in his voice. When he thought he finally regained some of his composure, in an instant Akira had him pushed up against one of the walls.
Akira jerked backwards from Akechi’s mask, poking him from the sudden movement. “This is not going to work.” He removed the mask from his face, discarding it behind him without any care.
“That wouldn’t have happened in the first place if you weren’t doing whatever the hell this is!” Akechi yelled. He tried to push Akira away only for him to grab his wrists, pinning them above him with one hand.
Akechi glared at him, but without his mask the bright red blush couldn’t be any more clearer to Akira. Akira only leaned in closer; Akechi turned his face away to avoid his burning gaze.
A part of Akechi began to panic, did Akira mean to get him all alone? How could he find out his plan when he meticulously planned everything to get into the Phantom Thieves without a single stray hair that could even tip off the slightest suspicion? Akechi scanned every single thing he did in the last few days that somehow slipped his radar that could have caused this mess.
“Look at me.”
Akechi returned his gaze reluctantly back to Akira, his mask was off, but his expression was unreadable.
“You know why I brought you here alone..” Akira whispered.
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about.” Akechi wanted nothing more than to bang his head into a wall for somehow allowing himself to get into such a vulnerable situation. He couldn’t believe this is how he was going to be found out as a traitor to the entire operation by the leader for god sake!
“Isn’t it obvious why? I thought I made my interest in you quite clear, Crow.”
Akira’s other hand gently caressed Akechi’s cheek. Akechi felt his brain completely short circuit as Akira kissed him. He never had the time to date as a detective, romance was out of the question. He let Akira lead the kiss, attempting to keep up as Akira became more passionate and frenzied.
Akechi pulled away briefly to catch his breath before Akira’s lips were crashing against his own. He felt the grip around his hands lessen, allowing them to fall back to his sides. He could have pushed him away, but he wanted this.
He kissed back with as much fervor as he possibly could, it was sloppy, showing how much inexperience he had. Akechi even began to pull at Akira’s hair to deepen the kiss, surprising both of them.
It was getting more heated, Akira’s hands began to wander down Akechi’s body. His hands were on his lower back again dangerously close to his-
“We searched the whole floor, they’re probably in this safe room!” A muffled voice said.
Akechi immediately pushed away Akira, causing him to stumble backwards. He face palmed, mentally cursing at himself for letting himself get carried away like that.
“Let’s agree to never speak of this again.” Akechi said, emphasizing every single word to make a point.
Akira only shrugged with that signature smug smirk. “Whatever you say.”
Akechi sighed, maybe the plan was still salvageable at least. Ann and Makoto walked into the safe room with the others behind them, greeting them warmly.
Akechi waved his hand with fake enthusiasm, completely unaware of Akira’s hand right behind him...
SMACK.