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Again, haunted
Joker is gone.
Ren Amamiya… is dead.
The Phantom Thieves will surely collapse upon themselves with their leader gone. There’s nothing in his way now.
So, why?
Goro braced his hands on the kitchen counter, unable to hold back the sudden flood of tears.
Why am I crying?
Tiny drops fall on the wooden counter below. He clenches his fists, his knuckles turning white under his gloves.
Goro sweeps his briefcase off the counter, flinging it at a wall where it unceremoniously crashes and falls. He looks at his gloved hands, and a laugh shakes his body through the tears helplessly falling from his eyes. He’s taken countless lives before. He has long since numbed himself to the concept of death. So, what’s one more?
Except, Ren wasn’t simply another life. Ren was his match, his rival, his antithesis, a constant source of both comfort and distress. A ray of light in a twisted world of darkness.
Goro recalls the steady stream of red streaking down the side of Ren’s face, the rounded gaze of bewilderment the moment he pointed his gun at his head, how his unkept hair splayed across the silver table. How uncharacteristically weak his hand was as Goro nudged the gun into his grasp.
“Your justice ends here,” Goro had said to him.
He felt nothing when he pulled the trigger. His movements were practiced; robotic, almost, with the familiar rush of adrenaline running through his veins. Now, that hollow emptiness remains, if only for a small sense of accomplishment, considering how this has furthered his plans for Shido.
Goro never expected to feel guilty for his actions, and this case is not an exception. His death was merely something that was necessary, working in favor with both his orders and his objective.
That’s what he tries to convince himself, at least.
An unfortunate ending either way. In another life, under different circumstances, they could’ve been so much more.
Goro leans against the counter, laughter subsiding and exhaustion washing over him as his mind drifts off. He recalls the nights spent at Kichijoji playing darts, always going with 701 for a challenge.
He remembers the first time Ren had beat him in billiards, smugly grinning as he straightened up after the winning shot.
The sparkle in his eyes as Goro led him down to the jazz club to bask in the music and each other’s company, talking about everything, yet also absolutely nothing as their knees lightly brushed together under the table.
How Ren memorized his coffee order at Leblanc from his… rather self-indulgent visits.
Their duel in Momentos, just days before their final heist, and Ren’s final breath. The glove Goro threw at him, promising a rematch.
One that would never happen.
Goro schools his face into a neutral expression, reining himself in. Pushing away from the counter, he picks up his briefcase and collects the papers that spilled out of it, internally scolding himself for his moment of weakness. Relationships are but a futile, fragile thing to pursue long term. Goro should’ve known it would end like this.
Joker is gone.
Ren Amamiya is dead.
Those words repeat over and over, echoing in his mind, and Goro Akechi feels that hole in his heart grow bigger amidst a sleepless night.
He dreads the amount of work he’ll receive in the morning.
Again, taunted
Shido has been ordering for many “disappearances” lately. Too many, and too close to the election.
Goro glances at his phone, absentmindedly examining it as he mulled over his orders, tucked away in a corner of a train station.
As much as he hates him, Shido isn’t completely stupid. There must be a reason for them, especially if he’s willing to risk the elections for them.
All of them were high ranking shadows in his palace too.
Goro’s eyes widened. “His palace,” he breathed. His eyes narrow at his phone. He could’ve sworn he felt something happen when Prosecutor Nijima showed him Ren’s phone.
“Those sneaky little…”
He doesn’t even bother checking his surroundings when he opens the MetaNav.
Goro scours the palace with ease, pushing from room to room. Immediately, he noticed the incredibly low amount of shadows. At least that makes his job easier. Not only does it save him some fighting, it also seems like the thieves made decent progress. If his deductions were correct, they should be on their last letter.
Weaving through the palace, he emerges into the engine room, hiding himself in the shadows as he waits. Lucky for him, he didn’t have to wait long, because lo and behold, there stands Joker with his stupid friends and that stupid, familiar smirk. Goro wanted to wipe it off immediately, feeling his heart start to race.
They just finished talking to “the cleaner”, most likely to get his letter to meet with Shido. Goro perches on the pipes overlooking the entrance, observing the scene above through the open door.
“We have all five letters of recommendation now!!” Morgana’s voice echoed through the engine room. “It was quite a feat, but we can finally open the door! Let’s take the Treasure!”
“Not if I have anything to say about that,” Goro sneered. He can’t believe he fell for such a trick. Goro moves himself further away, ready to meet them when they arrive. Upon hearing their footsteps, he leaps down from his position, landing crouched on one knee.
“Long time no see,” Goro greets them, his voice cold as he straightens up. He ignores the shocked mutters and outbursts from his teammates, focusing only on the man in front of him. Their eyes meet, and Ren’s gaze is as unreadable as ever.
Joker is here.
Ren Amamiya lived.
“Why’s he here?” Futaba’s question was barely registered as he held his gaze.
He has examined him for a moment too long. He breaks eye contact, opting to scan the rest of the party instead.
Goro let out a huff, composing himself. “I’m impressed that you managed to deceive me. It seems I underestimated your abilities,” he ignores the question, fixing his gaze back to Joker, who was still standing there calmly, watching his every movement. “You truly are interesting…” he tells Ren, taking slow steps forward and waving his hand in theatrics.
“Under different circumstances, we could have been great rivals, or even friends,” he echoes his thoughts from a few nights ago. He stops a few steps away from Ren.
“It’s not too late,” Ren, that infuriating trickster standing calmly with his hands in his pockets, replies. Goro suppresses the twinge in his heart with a laugh.
“How wonderful!” He grins. His teammates take an unsteady step back, yet Ren stands firm. “You don’t allow yourself to be enslaved by such things as human relations or past selves, and thus, your heart is always free. The exact opposite of mine. To be honest, I’m envious,” Goro sighs wistfully, all the words simply tumbling out. “I wonder what would’ve happened if we met a few years earlier…”
Who would we be in that timeline? Where would we stand now? Goro clenches a fist at his side, reining himself in once more.
“Akechi…” Ann’s response drags him back to reality.
“But, it’s no use talking in hypotheticals. That didn’t happen in reality,” Goro rights himself, steeling his gaze.
The next few minutes go by in a blur as Goro revealed his identity to the thieves. All the built up rage overflows, letting everything spill out.
He raises a finger at Ren, feeling that same adrenaline rush through him. “So, Joker,” his voice eerily quiet. “Rest easy and die.”
Ren readies himself in a fighting position. “Think you can really do it?” He taunts him, raising his head in defiance.
Goro’s eyes lighten at the challenge. “I’ve done it once. I can do it again,” he sneers. A small, weak part of him protested at that statement.“This time, we’re going to strike and strike until one of us is dead!”
He closes his eyes, willing Loki to come forth. “And as for my true power, I’ll tell you all about it… while you die!”
Again, trapped and running in circles
So, he lost that fight. Twice.
Ren also had the audacity to mention their promised duel right before he got mauled by the shadows.
And somehow… Goro was still alive after all that, waking up in Shibuya on Christmas Eve, of all times, with no memory of what happened since the Palace.
He definitely died back there, if the gap in his memories indicated anything. As did Ren’s surprised expression when Goro went up to Sae to turn himself in instead of Ren.
Needless to say, he was surprised with how lightly he was let off, the guards suddenly letting him walk free without even finishing his interrogation. Not only was that against protocol, upon coming out, he immediately noticed the strange atmosphere. For a country that barely escaped its destruction, the civilians were exceptionally quiet about all that transpired. Goro immediately heads to Leblanc. He needed answers.
Goro walked down the familiar path to the café, bundled up in his trench coat and scarf. He eyed the billowing air rising from his breaths. When the gap in his memory started, it was still November. Now, it’s the day after the new year, people are acting like Shido is just water under the bridge and that the Phantom Thieves were nothing significant, and whether if he wanted it or not, Goro is able to stand in front of Café Leblanc one more time.
Get in, and then get out, Goro thought to himself.
He pushed through the door, hearing the familiar jingle.
“Wh-” a voice cut off upon seeing him. Ren’s eyes were wide behind his glasses, following his every step into the café. “Akechi?” he breathed, his voice barely louder than a whisper.
“We’re not open yet,” Sojiro clipped, crossing his arms. Goro briefly took in the sight in front of him, disguising his surprise. Besides the Sakuras and Ren, who he already expected, there sat Wakaba Ishikki, and-
Was that thing Mona? Goro suppressed the shudder that ran through him.
“We need to talk,” Goro approached the counter, his voice cold as he stared at Ren, who seemed to be just as confused as him.
“You’re...”
“Alive?” Goro couldn’t hold back his smirk. “An astute observation as always, Amamiya-kun.” He meets the curious gaze of the onlookers before turning back to Ren. “Let’s head out for a bit,” he said, his tone leaving no room for objection.
They led themselves to a laundromat, because that is definitely the most suitable place to talk. Goro huffs in resignment, pushing past Ren. He felt Ren’s gaze on him the entire walk there, burning into the back of his head.
“Now, let’s sort through the situation,” Goro said upon entering.
“What’s happening?” Ren’s voice was quiet, his eyes now downcast.
Goro studied him for a moment. “That’s a good a place to begin as any,” he answers, putting more distance between them. “At the end of last year, I turned myself in to the police as the perpetrator of the serial psychotic breakdown incidents,” he recounts, scanning the area around him as he does so. “Your memory of this is still intact, correct?” Goro tries to meet Ren’s gaze, only to find him avoiding his. That won’t do.
“What is it?” Goro sighed, running a hand down his face. What’s wrong with him? There’s no time for this.
“…How?” That one whisper prompted Goro to look up, which he immediately regretted because how could he have such hope in his eyes?
Did he want to see me again?
Goro firmly stamped that thought down, shaking his head. “That’s not important. In fact, I’m a bit offended you think so little of me that you expect me to be dead,” he avoids the question, pushing himself off the wall to stand upright.
“Back to what I was saying,” Goro cuts in before Ren can protest. “The most confusing part of my story comes post-detainment.” He debriefs Ren on his sudden release, noting how he didn’t even receive an explanation for being let free.
Unsurprisingly, Ren was shocked. “They let you walk free?” he echoed, his tone incredulous.
Goro scoffed. “Yes, I was aquitted of all charges. It’s absolutely preposterous,” he rolled his eyes. “And now, there is this strange phenomenon that has been occuring around us, and some incredibly unbelievable ones as well” he finishes his story, crossing his arms. “Surely you’ve noticed it by now?”
Ren nodded. “Wakaba Isshiki,” he answered, putting a hand to his chin, pensive.
“Precisely,” Goro couldn’t stop the smile spreading across his face. “I knew you’d catch on quickly. I can’t believe she’s been brought back to life…” his voice trails off.
“Well, if that wasn’t enough, waking up with a human Mona on top of me was too weird of an experience to ignore,” Ren’s expression twisting into one of disgust.
Something simmered in Goro, his gaze hardening. “Yes, I can imagine,” he chokes out, voice clipped. “Either way, for the time being, you seem to be the only one who’s still in their right frame of mind,” he continued, fixing his gaze on Ren’s. “What say we join forces on this?”
Ren stuffed his hands in his pockets, attempting to maintain a casual disposition. “What would we do?” is his only question. A fair one too, Goro supposes.
“I want to investigate what exactly is happening here,” Goro responds plainly. “I’m sure you want to get to the bottom of this too, so with our shared goals in mind, don’t you agree that it’d be safer for us to partner up?” He sends a sinister smile his way, putting a hand on his hip.
Ren flicks his gaze over Goro, searching for something. After a few moments, he sighs, taking a step closer. When he lifts his head again, there’s an aura of determination. “What do I need to do?”
Welcome back, Joker.
A brief planning period and one surprise Palace excursion with Yoshizawa later, Goro returns to his old apartment, immediately flopping unceremoniously onto his bed. There will be a lot to do in the coming days, but for now…
He lets himself bask in this cursed, second chance of a life.
Then you release me again, I am free
Ren is one persistent bastard.
For the past two weeks, without fail, Ren has invited him out to the jazz club or to play darts or billiards.
Every. Single. Night.
However, Goro supposes he’s as much at fault for indulging him every night. If it were anyone else, this would never happen. Not even if his life depended on it. One night, Goro asked Ren his intentions at the jazz club, but he just smiled and gestured back to the singer performing, effectively dodging the question. He never asked again.
Not even when Ren kept on messing up their 701 dart games for nights on end while attempting to get a triple 20 with every shot, to Goro’s annoyance. Annoyance, because after the third round failed, Goro has finally had enough and started attempting it as well. “It’s to make up for your atrocious performance,” he sneered, lining up his shot with all the precision he could muster.
First shot: 60.
Second shot: 60.
“Getting nervous?” Goro couldn’t resist the jab at Ren as he lined up his final shot.
He could almost hear Ren’s smirk. “Don’t get too hasty, now,” was his only response.
Goro throws. He misses.
Third shot: 1.
Ren came up to his side. “Not so easy, is it, detective?” he laughed, the corners of his eyes crinkling.
“S-shut up!” Goro stalked over to the board, snatching the darts out. The last dart missed by only a few millimeters. “Let’s go another round!” he slips the darts into Ren’s hand. “You’re not going to let it end like this, are you?”
They both ended up landing all three after two more rounds of darts. Goro would do anything to see how Ren’s face fell at the third shot captured on video. It wasn’t until they left that Ren burst into an even larger smile and extended a hand towards Goro. “Looks like it’s a tie this time,” he laughed, his eyes twinkling in the night.
“You say that, but I do recall you fumbling with the darts the past couple nights,” Goro retorted, pulling his scarf up to hide his reddened cheeks but shaking Ren’s hand anyway.
Ren’s head tilted in feigned innocence. “What? Somehow, I don’t recall that,” he lied, tugging at the bottom of his jacket. Their hands were still connected, but neither made a move to let go. Ren, however, needed to catch the last train.
Wordlessly, Ren stepped closer, puffs of air escaping into the winter night. Goro observes his every movement, waiting.
Is he…?
Ren looks down at their joined hands before gently unlacing them. Goro must’ve had some sort of look on his face, because Ren gave him a shy smile before slipping his other hand in his instead, allowing them to stand side by side.
Goro’s eyes widened. “You…” he breathed, his voice trailing off, but not moving away.
Ren cuts him off with a tug on his hand. “Walk me to the station? Don’t wanna miss the last train,” Ren stated, pointedly keeping his gaze away from Goro. In the soft glow of the streetlights, he can barely make out the light dusting of red on Ren’s ears. Goro nods. He supposes he can entertain this dance of theirs.
They don’t let go until they part ways.
It’s been a week, and the deadline is quickly approaching. Goro glances at his phone, frowning at the date. February 2nd. There’s been no update in the Phantom Thieves chat, but it’s no matter.
Tomorrow, everything will come to an end. Everything.
The day passes quickly and even once night falls, there’s no update. Goro paces around his apartment, glancing between the door and his bed. Logically, he should rest up for the final battle tomorrow, but what if Maruki doesn’t show up? Muttering a string of colorful curses, he grabs his trench coat and promptly heads for the station, heading towards Yongen-Jaya. They cannot lose this.
Goro walks the familiar path to Café Leblanc, and upon approaching the café, a series of voices sound from the interior. He briefly glanced inside through the door, confirming his suspicions before drawing out of sight to listen in.
“Strange circumstances have led to my gaining this power – however, I now recognize it as being wholly inevitable. This is something only I am capable of doing. I promise: every person alive will be happy in the world I create,” Maruki’s voice was barely audible from where he was standing. Goro inched slightly closer to the wall, his expression twisting into disgust as he listened.
What a delusional man, Goro thought, feeling his rage stir inside him.
“So, let me ask you the same: after really considering every option, do you have any doubts about your views?” Goro’s head snapped up at Maruki’s question.
“What are you getting at?” Ren responded. Goro waited impatiently for his answer, inching even closer to the doorway.
Maruki sighed. “I suppose it’s more accurate to ask, ‘Do you two gentlemen have any doubts?’” Goro’s eyes widened. “You’re here, aren’t you? …Akechi-kun.”
It seems his investigation has come to a close. Goro opens the door with a huff, letting the bell announce his entrance. He scans over the booth where Maruki, Mona, and Ren sat, stopping next to them. He ignores Mona’s exclamation of surprise. “You caught me,” Goro drawled, turning towards Maruki.
“Oh, it was just a hunch,” he replied, a teasing tone in his voice before continuing. “This issue doesn’t only affect you, Amamiya-kun,” he states, eyeing Goro from the side. “Akechi-kun, this involves you, too.”
Ren’s voice was quiet. “Both Akechi and me?” he asked, confused. From where Goro’s standing, he can see his hands fiddling under the table, the same action he does when he’s nervous.
Goro sighed and averted his gaze, knowing which direction this conversation was going.
“The relationship you two share is very unusual,” Maruki points out. “A detective and a phantom thief. Despite being enemies your relationship isn’t based on hatred or ill will,” he smirks for a moment before softening. “That’s why I found it so tragic when I learned what happened in Shido’s Palace…” his voice trailed off.
Goro studied Ren’s face as Maruki continued, watching him go from confusion to bewilderment. “You two came to a deep understanding of one another… yet you had no choice but to leave Akechi-kun to his fate,” he briefly gestured between the two. “That’s why I created a reality where you two could have a fresh start together,” he finished.
Goro narrowed his eyes. He sounded so pitiful.
Mona and Ren let out collective gasps. “That would mean the Akechi in the real world is-” Mona’s voice cut off at the end as they finally reached a realization.
Maruki crossed his hands over his lap. “Get what I’m saying?” he asked, looking at Ren. “I genuinely didn’t want to tell you like this. I didn’t want to make it seem like I’m holding him hostage…”
Goro’s hands clenched into fists as he blocked out his next few words. How dare he utilize me like this? He willed himself to keep his composure. “…accept this reality and move on with your happy lives,” he managed to catch the tail end of Maruki’s tirade.
He finally steps forward, gritting his teeth. “And that matters how, exactly?” he retorted, crossing his arms. “Don’t tell me you think dangling my life before us is going to have any impact on our decision.”
Ren narrowed his eyes, his expression now unreadable. “So, you knew,” he states.
Goro flicked his gaze towards him, meeting it calmly. “Well, I lacked conclusive evidence,” he admitted. “But after I fought against you all, I had a gap in my memory that ended with meeting up with Ren again. Along with the cases of Wakaba Isshiki and President Okumura… of course I’d find all of that suspicious,” Goro finishes, holding his chin up in disdain.
Maruki, to his annoyance, looked utterly unsurprised. “I had a feeling the truth of the matter still wouldn’t dissuade you, Akechi-kun…” he said, fixing his gaze onto Ren. “But what about you, Amamiya-kun? Will you accept the reality I create for you?”
Ren held his gaze defiantly. He didn’t say no, though.
“Perhaps I shouldn’t ask you for an answer on the spot like that,” Maruki smiled solemnly. “I’ll be going now-“
“You forgot something,” Ren’s deep voice cuts him off. Goro watches him take a calling card out from a pcoket, tossing it onto the table.
He barely even glances it at when he picks it up, knowing what it is. “Ah, that’s right,” he chuckled lightly. “I’ve heard your calling. If you still haven’t changed your mind by tomorrow, we’ll meet at the Palace. But if you don’t show, I’ll take it as you having accepted my reality,” he informs them, turning away to leave. Goro moves closer to Ren, not bothering to hide his distaste as he glares at him. “See you.”
Mona is the first to speak, facing Ren. “What are you going to do?” he asks him.
He’s silent. Too silent. Goro frowns. “I’d like to speak with Ren,” he says icily.
“Akechi…” Mona stops, shaking his head. “Gotcha. I’ll leave the decision up to you, Ren,” he flicks his tail, and Ren quickly opens the door to let him out of Leblanc. Now, it’s just the two of them.
Goro avoids Ren’s gaze, still simmering from the previous conversation. “I will carve my own path for myself,” he states. “I refuse to accept a reality concocted by someone else, stuck under their control for the rest of my days.”
“Are you sure?” Ren’s voice was gentle. It made him want to throw up.
“Why wouldn’t I be? Don’t ask such stupid questions after all this time,” Goro snapped. He softened his tone after seeing Ren’s small flinch. “All you have to do is stick to your guns and challenge Maruki,” he said, straightening up.
Still no answer. Goro sighs internally. This stupid…
“Or, are you really so spineless that you’d fold over some bullshit, trivial threat on my life?” he challenges, trying to coax something out of him.
Ren immediately answered, his voice a mix of emotions. “I won’t fold,” he declared, his voice clear.
Goro allowed a bittersweet smile to take over. “Then you already know what needs to be done,” Goro responded.
Ren is zoning out again, silent. “I want to hear you say it aloud,” Goro presses, standing his ground. “What do you intend to do?”
A few moments pass without an answer.
Why?
Goro wanted to take him by the shoulders and throttle him. “I won’t wait a moment longer,” he warns. “Answer me.”
Is it so complicated?
Ren refocuses once more. “We’re stopping Maruki,” he answered, that strange look still in his eyes.
Closing his eyes for a moment, Goro finally allows himself to relax. “Alright. I’m relieved to hear it.” He starts to turn away, prepared to leave. “I’m done being manipulated. Let’s go back… to our true reality.”
“Wait!” A pair of hands encloses on Goro’s, preventing him from leaving.
“Is there something else you need?” Goro asks, surprised.
Ren falters for a moment, like he hadn’t even thought that far. “I, uh-” he stammers, releasing his hold on him as he composes himself, clearing his throat. “Would you like to stay for some coffee?” he asks, gesturing towards the machine.
Goro stared at him blankly. That emotion he saw in his eyes before. It was desperation. Ren immediately tries to remedy… whatever was just created. “I just remembered that ever since you came back, you never came here for coffee, so…” his explanation trails off as he instead just opts to wait for answer.
He shouldn’t. Goro could think of a million excuses to refuse.
It’s too late for coffee (not that it has ever stopped him before).
He needs to get the last train (it is coming soon, actually).
He needs to prepare for the battle tomorrow (an excuse he can’t refute, but it’s not like he’ll sleep much anyway).
Who’s the silent one now? A tiny, torturous voice in his head sneers.
Ren rubs the back of his neck self-consciously. “It’s fine if you don’t want to-”
“Sure,” Goro finally answers, feeling a rush of heat rising up. He heads to his usual seat, brushing past Ren.
“Wh-”
“Don’t make me repeat myself,” Goro warned, though it sounded more strained than anything.
Two seconds later, and a bright sound of laughter rang through the café as Ren took his place behind the counter, tying on an apron. “As you wish, Your Highness,” he teased, dipping himself into a bow.
Ren floats around the counter with practiced motions, taking a container of beans off the shelf as he prepares the equipment. Before long, a steaming cup of coffee was placed in front of Goro.
Raising the cup to his lips, he blew off the steam from the top before taking a small sip. A soft smile tugs at the corners of his mouth.
The sound of a chair being pulled out alerts Goro of Ren sitting down with his own cup.
“How is it?” Ren asked, his eyes hopeful.
Goro raised an eyebrow as he took another sip, purposefully prolonging his silence. The coffee was very good, the bitter notes being quickly masked with a slightly floral aftertaste, yet the aroma was sweet like honey.
“You remembered,” Goro noted, swirling the coffee around in his cup. “When Sakura-san makes my coffee, he uses different beans each time, yet yours have always been the same.” Judging by how Ren’s eyes widened, he must be onto something. “And at the same time, he has never used this blend before,” he looked at him inquisitively. “Why?”
Ren mumbles something under his breath. “What was that?” Goro raised the cup to his lips to hide his smirk.
“I made it for you,” Ren sighed in defeat.
“I didn’t expect you to admit it so easily.”
“Well, it’s not like there’s much use hiding something from the Detective Prince himself,” Ren pouted, staring down into his coffee.
“You know I don’t like that title,” Goro frowned.
Ren laughed, gazing at him from the corner of his eye. “All the more reason to use it,” he winked.
Goro ignored his fluttering heart. “Please, I’ll do anything if you spare me the use of that phrase,” he groans, shaking his head.
Ren smirks. “Anything, you say?”
“Anything legal and within my power,” he corrects himself.
“In that case…” Goro waits, already regretting everything that has transpired in the past 30 seconds. “Call me Ren,” he declared, looking smugly from his cup. “No more Amamiya, Amamiya-kun, Ren-kun, or anything along those lines. Just Ren.”
Goro was stunned. “You really are a strange person,” he shakes his head. “Fine, then… Ren,” he adds as an afterthought.
They finish their coffee quickly, the air filled with occasional light banter and conversation. If it were under any other circumstances, Goro might even go as far as to say he would want to do this again.
At this point, the trains have stopped running for the night, so when Ren asks if he’d like to stay the night, it took a lot less persuading than even Goro himself imagined it would take him to accept.
“Tell me,” Goro says quietly, tentatively lying on the sofa in his questionable attic turned bedroom. “Why are you doing this?”
Ren looked up from where he was messing with the heater. “What do you mean?” he asked, getting up to kneel in front of him.
Goro took in a breath, contemplating his next words. “I tried to kill you,” he recounts.
“I’m well aware of that.”
“Twice.”
“Your point?”
“You’re…” Goro couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Charming? An incredibly good barista? The best and most rational leader a group could have?” Ren’s eyes sparkled with amusement.
“…Incomprehensible. Foolish,” Goro looked away.
“And yet, you’re still here with me in the middle of the night,” Ren pointed out.
Goro went silent for a moment. “That, I am. It seems I’ve grown too attached to you,” he sighs, running a hand over his face.
Three beats of silence. “I’m glad I’m not the only one, then,” Ren said carefully. They’ve grown closer in proximity, their faces merely inches from each other. Goro swallows in apprehension, and Ren follows its movement caught in the moonlight streaming in from the window.
“This is a bad idea,” Goro warned, but made no move to pull back.
Ren took a hand in his, propping himself up on the sofa with the other. “Good thing I love bad ideas,” he chuckled, leaning in closer. “May I?” he asked.
His answer could change the course of their entire relationship.
Goro nods anyway. Unlike the rough, frenzied kisses he’s used to, this one was gentle. Tender. Soft lips press against his before pulling back moments later.
That won’t do.
Goro pulls Ren back in for another, allowing himself to get lost in his embrace as Ren’s arms wrap around his waist and travel up his back. A breathy sigh escapes from Goro, and they eventually break apart once more, both flushed red by the end.
“We should probably sleep now,” Goro puts a hand on Ren’s chest. Ren nods, still red from earlier. Wordlessly, they guide each other to the bed, where they curl into each other, seeking each other's warmth on this winter night.
“Does this mean I can call you Goro now?” Ren suddenly asked.
Goro huffed, flicking his forehead. “If you want to,” was his only response.
“Alright, then. Goodnight, Goro,” Ren yawned, the joy in his voice immeasurable.
“…Goodnight, Ren.”
Oh again, take my hand and we’ll rise
Goro stays by Ren’s side the entire time as they comb through the Palace, retracing their steps from the infiltration. He felt his eyes on him as they continued, flashing with a mix of determination and hesitance.
Apart from Mona, the other thieves still don’t know what will happen to Goro. He’d like to keep it that way. There’s no room for doubt here. One wrong move, one second where their guards are let down, and it’s over.
Ren approaches him in a safe room, the other thieves conversing among themselves. “How are you doing?” he asked quietly, slipping a hand into his, away from the others’ views.
Goro glances at their joined hands, choosing not to question it. “I don’t feel like I’m about to fall over and disintegrate into nothing, if that’s what you mean,” he flashes him his signature princely smile.
“Goro…”
“Tsk, tsk, Joker,” Goro chides him. “No real names in the Metaverse, remember? You of all people should know that,” he drawls, running a thumb over Ren’s hand absentmindedly. “I’m fine, though,” he reassures him. “Let’s get this over with. I’m ready when you are,” he stares at his eyes behind the mask, a silent challenge.
Ren holds his gaze for a moment. “Right,” he nodded, leading them towards the exit before calling out to the thieves. “Let’s head out!”
However, where they would quickly spring into action, curious whispers followed.
“Are they finally…?” Ann whispered.
“No way, dude,” Ryuji not so helpfully supplied.
Goro glanced down, his breath hitching. Their hands were still entwined. However, Ren held their gazes calmly, pushing open the door. “After you, my liege,” he smirked, his voice sultry and smooth. Goro is suddenly incredibly glad for his mask.
Using their joined hands to his advantage, he shoves Ren out first, avoiding the new onslaught of cooing and chuckles. “Idiot,” he grumbles, facing away from the joyous ball of laughter next to him.
Half an hour later, they finally reach the elevator. “This is it,” Ren announces. His voice was steady, but his eyes betrayed his apprehension. One by one, the thieves enter, and Goro is about to go in, before he is stopped. “Actually, could I talk to you?” Ren asked, flicking a glance at the thieves. “You guys go ahead,” he ordered.
“We’ll wait for you two at the top!” Mona nodded.
Goro crossed his arms once they were out of earshot. “Getting cold feet, Joker?” he taunts him, narrowing his eyes. Next thing he knew, he was enveloped in a pair of arms holding him close.
Ren’s voice was almost a whisper as his arms tightened around him. “If this is the last time we see each other,” he begins, his voice shaking. “Then I just want you to know-“
“Don’t say it,” Goro grits out, shutting his eyes.
“But-”
“You truly don’t know when to shut up, do you?” Goro sighed, reaching up to rest his arms around Ren’s shoulders. “It’s okay,” he said, his voice uncharacteristically soft.
Ren pulled him impossibly closer. “Are you scared?” he whispered, burying his face into his neck.
“Well, I am probably going to die after this,” Goro rolls his eyes. “But it will also set everything back to normal. That’s more than enough for me.” He pulls away, looking Ren in the eyes. “I will say, though: you’ve certainly made this hellish month much more enjoyable,” Goro comments, cupping his face in his hand, watching Ren lean into it. “Now, let’s go take down that egoistical therapist who wishes to martyr himself at everyone else’s detriment,” he says, pressing their foreheads together for a moment before guiding them to the elevator.
“Together, we’re unstoppable, right?” Ren flashes him a grin as they go up.
Goro finds himself grinning back. “Exactly.”
If Goro knew he’d wake up outside Odaiba once more, he would’ve gone back in time and shot himself in the head for saying such sappy stuff. Alas, he cannot, so instead, a whole five years later, he lets himself be guided to Café Leblanc by a sparkling, blue butterfly. He pushes through the door, letting his gaze fall on the familiar sight in front of him.
“Welcome-” Ren, upon seeing him, fumbles with the cup he’s holding, barely saving it from shattering on the ground. He looks about the same as ever, albiet with a slightly longer hairstyle. “Goro?”
“Long time no see,” Goro made his way to his usual seat once more, pushing down the nerves knotting in his stomach.
“You’re...”
“Alive?” Goro smirks, recalling this exact same scenario from years ago. “I guess I am,” he smiles.