Work Text:
Tachihara stood before the Port Mafia's leader, his hands clenched tightly at his sides. He knew what he had to do, what he had to say, but that didn't make it any easier.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know what I did was wrong. I betrayed the Port Mafia, and I deserve whatever punishment you see fit to give me."
The leader regarded him with a cool gaze. "And what punishment do you think you deserve?"
Tachihara swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. "Anything. Anything at all. I just want to make things right."
The leader leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "You realize, of course, that what you did was a serious breach of trust. We cannot simply forgive and forget."
Tachihara nodded, his throat tight. "I know. And I'm not asking for forgiveness. I just...I need to say something before I go."
The leader raised an eyebrow. "And what is that?"
Tachihara took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. "I love Gin. I swear I love her, even after everything I've done. I know I don't deserve her forgiveness either, but I need her to know how I feel."
The leader's expression softened slightly. "I see. And why are you telling me this?" (Mori wants him to shut up, but his life is boring so he wants in on the tea)
Tachihara looked up, meeting the leader's gaze. "Because...because I want you to understand. I want you to know that, even though I betrayed the Port Mafia, my feelings for Gin were always genuine. I never meant to hurt her."
The leader regarded him for a long moment before nodding slowly. "I understand. You may go."
Tachihara bowed deeply before turning to leave, his heart heavy with the weight of his betrayal. But at least he had said what he needed to say.
----
Later that evening, Tachihara stood outside Gin's apartment, his hands shaking with nerves. He knew she might not want to see him, might even hate him for what he had done. But he had to try.
He knocked tentatively on the door, his heart in his throat. A few moments passed, and he began to think she wasn't home, but then the door opened, and there she was.
Gin's eyes widened in surprise when she saw him, and Tachihara could see the anger and hurt in her expression. But he didn't let that stop him.
"I swear I love you, Gin," he said, his voice shaking. "Even after I betrayed the Port Mafia. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I had to tell you how I feel."
Gin regarded him for a long moment before stepping back, allowing him to enter. "I don't know what to say," she said softly. "I...I can't forgive you yet. But I appreciate you telling me."
Tachihara nodded, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. "I understand. I'll do whatever it takes to make it up to you, Gin. I'll do anything to earn your forgiveness."
Gin looked at him for a long moment before nodding slowly. "I believe you. But it's going to take time. A lot of time."
Tachihara smiled, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. "I'll wait as long as it takes. I'll wait forever if I have to."
And with those words, he knew he had taken the first step toward redemption. It wouldn't be easy, but he was willing to do whatever it took to make things right.