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Although this was one of the smaller stations, it was still bustling with life. People with their friends or partners chatting and laughing as they headed to their holiday plans. Ren attempts to bury his face into his scarf for warmth. He is unsuccessful as his old scarf is no match for the brutal December temperatures. He shuffles the weight of his body from one side to the other, in both an attempt to warm himself up and busy himself. Akechi, usually a punctual man, is running late. They were supposed to meet tonight for a totally not date. Totally platonic to have these totally not dates that may or may not involve some hand-holding and an occasional kiss goodbye. According to Ryuji, this is totally normal for bros! (This does not make Ren feel any better as the aforementioned has a boyfriend who disagrees with the statement). Every time he and Akechi meetup Ren hopes that he can take it another step further, whatever that means he hasn’t quite discovered yet. Boyfriends? Maybe. That sounds good.
The latest consensus from the former Phantom Thieves on the matter: “ Ren should man up and ask Akechi to be his boyfriend!” A message sent from Futaba, liked by everyone in the group chat minus Ann who had a much more frank way of phrasing it. Later they bickered about how he should ask. Ren put down his phone for the day during this conversation.
He checks his phone, no new messages. Is this finally the day he gets stood up? Everything he’s ever wanted with this man finally down the drain? He stares up at the sky hoping he’d be struck down instead of facing this fear.
“Hello, sorry to have kept you waiting,” a familiar voice says.
Ren pulls his attention from his dramatics to the man in front of him. Akechi. Who holds two cups of some warm beverage in his hands. He offers a cup to Ren. A warm, chocolatey flavor engulfs his senses.
“Extra marshmallows, just how you like,” Akechi says with a smile, taking a sip of his drink.
“You kept me waiting, but I suppose this will do as an apology,” Ren laughs, flashing a big toothy grin.
He tries to push down the feeling of seeing Akechi’s blush-filled face after he laughed.
Over the years, Akechi has found solace in his life. Which means, much to the joy of Ren, it comes with real genuine smiles and laughter. Every time he catches the brunette’s smile Ren feels ill. In a good way, of course. He never knew how good and comforting someone could feel. In his 24 years of life, Ren has had many good and loving relationships in life. The former Phantom Thieves are the first to come to mind, followed by his college roommate and then some. But nothing like Akechi. The comfort and warmth instantly washes over him whenever he and Akechi exchange a look or hold hands. He wants to chase this feeling forever and put it in a small container to open when he needs it.
According to Ann, who had to be the unfortunate victim of his Akechi crisis one night over drinks, said this is how you feel when you’re in love. A warmth that’s there when you need it. A home almost.
The hot chocolate in his hands also fills him with a warm, comforting feeling. Corny to think, Ren notes, tucking this thought away for later.
“Shall we walk? I don’t want to stand around the station for too long,” Akechi asks.
Ren nods,” There’s a park nearby we can walk to. Everyone’s busy tonight so hopefully, it’ll just be us,”
They begin their journey, leaving the train station and turning down a colorfully lit street. Ren makes the first move and switches his hot chocolate to his other hand so he can hold Akechi’s hand. Akechi looks between their joint hands and then Ren. He doesn’t say anything, but instead squeezes his hand and strokes the back with his thumb.
Akechi begins to talk about his day. From the breakfast he ate to his coworker being stupid to the dog he saw that reminded him of Ren.
This is usually how these totally not dates go. One of them is talking while the other listens and then the other gets to talk. It’s simple and it’s nothing fancy, but Ren savors it. If you had told his 17-year-old self that he would be doing this with the Goro Akechi he wouldn’t have believed you. Though the overwhelming sense of comfort and warmth had only been noted recently, he’s always been drawn to Akechi. Their friendship had been nothing like what Ren experienced before. Maybe that’s why he was so determined to stay and slowly tear down the walls and get to know, grow with and, love the real Akechi.
His thoughts are interrupted as he takes a sip of his hot chocolate, unfortunately, he finished his drink. All that’s left is the insane amount of marshmallows. He wonders if he could sneak a sip of Akechi’s. He’s always been a slow drinker so Ren will often take advantage of this.
They reach the park. It’s small and simple, but tucked away from major foot traffic so that it’s quiet, perfect for the two of them. Ren throws away his cup and uses both of his free hands to drag Akechi to the swing set.
“Ren, aren’t we a little old for this?” he grumbles but doesn’t fight as he is led to the cold swing seat.
“Hmm, maybe! But that makes it more fun I feel like.” Ren responds. beginning to swing, “When I was little I used to compete with my friends to see who could swing the highest. I always won.”
Akechi stares at him for a moment before taking a long sip of his hot chocolate. “I’m so impressed,” he says with a playful eye roll,” But I won’t be doing that with you,”
“I figured as much, but I just had to share my most impressive childhood feat.”
The two gently swing, silence taking over the two.
“As goofy as this is, I enjoy this, swinging thing,” Akechi says, “I never have done this before with a friend,”
Ren winces and stops swinging, “Is that all we are?”
Oh boy, there it is. The next step.
Akechi stares at him, clearly trying to find his words.
“I don’t want to be just friends. Just friends don’t hold hands or kiss each other goodbye. Despite what Ryuji says,” Ren rambles trailing off.
Akechi shakes his head, “Ignore whatever Ryuji is filling your mind with. But I agree, it’s not platonic to do that.” He takes another sip from his drink.
Ren wonders how long it takes to finish a damn cup of hot chocolate. He stands up from his swing and puts himself in front of Akechi’s swing, cupping his face in his hands. He nuzzles his face into the cold hands.
“I don’t want to be just friends anymore. You’re so different to me than anyone else is. You’re comforting and warm and I love being around you. I love hearing about your day and the things you see and notice. I’ve loved getting to know you, the real you over the years,” Ren takes a deep breath, “I want you to be my boyfriend.”
Akechi stares up at him, “Okay. I accept. I’ll be your boyfriend. I’ve never wanted to let myself feel this way about someone. But here you are and your damn smile. You’re home to me now. That's embarrassing to say. Look at you getting me to say things like that,”
Ren smiles softly and whispers. “Can I kiss you? This time not platonically. As real boyfriends,”
“I would hate it if you didn’t.”
Ren leans down and breaks the distance. Akechi’s lips tasted like the peppermint from his hot chocolate. He finally got another taste of that hot chocolate, in a way. Ren gently strokes Akechi’s face. They break apart as they notice snow starting to fall.
Ren pulls Akechi up, “Let’s go somewhere warm. preferably somewhere with more hot chocolate or I’ll finish the rest of yours,” he says with a toothy grin.
Akechi shoots him a glare and finishes the drink, “Fine, fine. I get the hint,”
This time he’s the one to take the other’s hand and pulls him into a hug.
Ren relaxes instantly, he hopes this warmth, comfort, and hot chocolate lasts forever.