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It had been two months since Dcom, and Junpei and Akane have yet to actually sit down and have a productive conversation. They were both avoiding it, both afraid of breaching the topic and possibly shattering the mirage of normalcy and contentment they had stumbled into after the horrifying Decision Game.
The two hadn't been alone in a room together, fumbling excuses having one leave upon the others entry unless someone else (usually Carlos) was there to break the tension. The space between them was cluttered with hurt feelings and raw emotions they had only just barely touched upon during their brief conversations in the shelter.
Quite frankly, the others were sick of it. Carlos perhaps most especially, as the one frequently taking the role as mediator between them. Because of this rising irritation, the subsequent fallout was inevitable.
To their friends' credit, they were not even trying to be subtle about it. With Clover grabbing Junpei and Aoi grabbing Akane, both were unceremoniously shoved into Clover's room.
The door slammed shut behind them, and Junpei felt a chill go down his spine. The memories of waking up in locked rooms with the heavy weight of a bracelet on his wrist too raw and painful. Tamping down the panic, he rushed to the door, pulling at the handle. To his surprise, the handle turned easily, but when he tried to push there was something blocking him from opening it too far. The panic eased slightly, the door clearly not locked. But, there was another big problem.
"Hey! Let us out, assholes!" Junpei yelled through the door.
"Sorry, no can do!" Clover's voice cheerfully responded.
"Why did you lock us in here?"
It was Light's voice that responded this time, muffled by the door. "Technically, you are not 'locked' in there. The door is unlocked."
Junpei groaned in frustration, "You know full well what I mean!"
"Look, as soon as you two get over yourselves and actually fucking talk like normal people do, we'll relieve Carlos here from his position as human barricade." Aoi's voice joined the conversation. For the first time since she was shoved into the room, Akane spoke up.
"Carlos!" She sputtered at the betrayal.
The blond man actually sounded sheepish, "Sorry, guys. But, you really need to actually sit down and talk. If this is the only way to get that to happen, it's got to happen."
"In the meantime, have fun you two!" Clover called out.
"Preferably not too much fun," Light's voice faded as he walked away, "It is my room after all."
They were left in silence, stewing in their anger at their friends.
Junpei huffed and sat on the bed. Akane sat down as well, leaving a good few feet between them. She looked uncertain, like she wanted to say something but didn't quite know how to.
So, they sat for nearly five minutes, neither willing to be the one to start the conversation. Eventually, Akane had enough, taking the initiative.
"I'm sorry." Junpei's head snapped to look at her. She refused to meet his gaze.
"What?"
"I'm sorry," Akane repeated.
Junpei stared, raising an eyebrow, "What exactly for?"
It was a testing question, Akane could tell. She rubbed her eyes, "I'm not sorry for saving my life or taking down Hongou, but I am sorry you had to go through so much and be hurt so much in the process." It was true, she did not regret being Zero, but the knowledge that doing so brought so much pain to Junpei's life haunted her. Seeing him at Dcom compounded that, the transformation that was so obvious from the man she'd seen only a year prior.
He wasn't just hurt, he was broken. His eyes had lost all their shine and his features had grown gaunt and haunted. Just looking at him sent waves of shame through Akane, knowing that it was saving her life that reduced him to that.
"Really?" Junpei angrily barked, "That's what you think I'm mad about?"
Akane blinked, staring at him with wide eyes, "But you-" she was cut off.
"I'm not mad about the Nonary Game! It was to save your life! God knows I would do it all over again if your life was on the line!" Her brain stumbled to a halt.
"But, if not that, then what are you-"
"I'm mad because you fucking left!"
Junpei stood up in his fury, and Akane could see the hurt and pain swimming in his eyes. Guilt stabbed her heart. She did that to him.
His voice cracked as he continued, "I'm mad because after everything, you just left me! You wouldn't answer me, I didn't know if you were safe…" He exhaled shakily, "I felt used, discarded."
The knife in her chest twisted deeper, "Junpei…"
"I didn't need you to come running back to me. I just wanted to know you were okay. I wanted to know why you left, what I did to make you leave me behind." His voice trailed off, choking on a sudden emotion.
Akane was lost for words. She sat for a moment, the only sound being Junpei's shaky breaths as he tried to collect himself.
When she finally gathered herself to speak, it was a whisper, "I'm so sorry," she breathed, "I never wanted to leave you, never wanted to hurt you…"
Junpei's response was quiet as well, the anger seemingly having bled out of him, leaving only a raw pain behind, "Then why did you?"
She could feel her throat clench, eyes burning, but she forced the tears back, "Because it all had to be for something,"
It was Junpei's turn to be confused, "What do you mean?"
"Me, the games, saving my own life, it all had to mean something," It was something she had never admitted out loud, not even to Aoi, but the words came tumbling out of her, "I needed to justify why my life was worth all the horrible histories it took to save. When I found out about Radical-6, I knew that not only was the world in danger, it was the perfect opportunity to prove that my life was worth something, that saving me was worth something."
"Akane," Junpei whispered, "you are worth it. You are so worth it, you don't need to save the world to prove it."
"But I do!" She burst out, "Because otherwise the histories where I didn't make it, where you and Aoi and Light and Clover and all of you were hurt or even died for the sake of the plan, would be for nothing. I would have hurt you, broken you for nothing."
A tear slipped out from her eye, and she angrily swiped it away. She did not deserve to be crying. It was her fault that this had happened. It was her fault her brother woke up screaming her name, that Junpei could remember the countless ways he died. Clover's sleepless nights spent at Light's side, Light's hand shaking as he held onto his sister's shoulder as a reminder that she was there. Seven's paranoia and Hazuki trembling as she hugged her daughters. It was all because of her. If she didn't stop Radical-6, all they had gone through would have been pointless.
More tears slipped out, and she just let them fall. There was a brief bout of silence, and Akane closed her eyes, waiting for Junpei to leave her. But instead, she felt the bed dip as he sat next to her. Suddenly, there were warm arms wrapping around her.
Akane turned to bury her face in Junpei's chest. Internally, she couldn't help but scoff at herself. Junpei was comforting her, when it should be the other way around. She was the one who kept messing up and hurting him.
Junpei's chest rumbled as he spoke, "It would not have been for nothing. Kanny, you are loved by so many people. I told you, I would do it all over again to save you."
It just made her cry harder, heart clenching as she was overwhelmed by his words. How could he still be so nice to her?
"But, Akane," He pulled back to look her in the eyes, and she ached when she saw the redness of his own eyes, "Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you bring me along or let me help you?"
"Because you deserved better," She sighed, "You deserved more than someone who put you through so much. After everything that happened, I didn't think you would ever want to see me again. I thought that if you came with me, I would only hurt you again."
"Kanny, no. I just wanted to be with you."
"But why?"
Junpei ran a hand through his hair, "Because… because you're my best friend, Kanny. You're… so important to me."
She held him closer, tears running down both of their cheeks as they let out all the emotions they had been holding in for years. All the pain and rage came tumbling out in wave after wave of sobs as they held each other.
God, she didn't deserve this boy. He was too good for her. He was too beautiful and wonderful for her to drag him down. But somehow, he didn't think that. Somehow, despite everything, Junpei still cared about her, still loved her.
Eventually, their tears pittered off into sniffles, grips on each other's shirts loosening as they pulled away reluctantly. There was a beat, neither knowing what to say, before Junpei spoke again.
"What now?" Akane bit her lip. Radical-6 was contained, they had prevented the pandemic from bringing the fall of humanity. When she envisioned this timeline, she had always hoped that he would be by her side for the rest of her days, but she never expected him to actually want to be there.
"I want to stay with you. I want to be with you, Junpei," Akane admitted, looking up into his eyes. There was hope reflected there. But, his hesitation was written all over his face.
"I want that too but…" He trailed off, suddenly unsure of his words. Akane steeled herself, taking his hands in hers. No matter what answer he gave, whether he told her he would be with her or told her to leave, she would accept it.
Finally, he continued, "I'm scared."
Akane squeezed his hands in comfort, "Of what?"
Junpei sighed, "I'm scared that you'll leave. That I'll wake up and you'll be gone. I don't know if I can trust that you won't leave me behind again."
She squeezed his hands again, "Then let me prove it to you." Memories flitted in her mind, a different history filling her thoughts. "Can you hand me the ring?"
Whatever Junpei was expecting her to say, it wasn't that. "The… ring?" He breathed out.
Akane nodded, determination filling her, "Yes, you know what I am talking about."
Confused, as if in a trance, Junpei reached into his pocket and pulled out the familiar ring. Though he never gave it to her in that timeline, she could still remember it well, one of the few good memories she retained from that history. She held out her hand expectedly. Still dumbfounded, Junpei dropped it into her palm.
Turning it over in her hand, Akane took a second to collect herself, before meeting Junpei's gaze.
"Let me make a promise to you," Despite the nerves that were swirling in her stomach, her voice was steady, "To stay by your side no matter what happens. Let me prove to you that I will never leave you behind, that I will support you,"
Junpei's eyes were wide as she held the ring up, "Let me prove how much I love you, Tenmyouji Junpei."
There was a brief silence, Akane's words hanging in the air between them as she awaited his answer. A tickle of fear told her that he was going to refuse and shove the ring in her face, but she held strong.
Eventually, after what felt like hours but was probably more like a few seconds, Junpei nodded.
"Okay," he said, voice quiet. Akane's heart leapt to her throat.
"Yeah?" she said, voice just as soft.
He nodded again, this time more certain, "Yes."
Akane couldn't stop the smile that spread on her face, a grin that she saw mirrored on Junpei's. She took his left hand and raised it, sliding the ring onto his finger with shaking hands.
Junpei let out a watery laugh, pulling her close again. Her mind swam, an overwhelming joy rising as her heart threatened to explode. Her own joyous laughs fell from her, and she melted into the moment.
"Wait," Junpei said, pulling back. But, there was a wide grin on his face, "Did you just propose to me with the ring I bought for you?"
With the adrenaline from the moment fading, she paused, "I mean, it's technically more of a promise ring, but I guess so?"
A startled laugh fell from his lips, and Akane delighted in the sound, "Hey! It's the gesture that counts."
Junpei nodded, but the mirth was still present on his face, "Yes, but it's the fact that I'm pretty sure I am the one who's supposed to propose."
"Why? Because you're a boy?" Akane teased. Junpei rolled his eyes.
"No, because I bought the damn thing!" Despite his words, his face wasn't angry in the slightest. Akane reveled in the playful atmosphere, and decided to poke some more fun.
"Hold on, that's true!" She mused, grabbing his hand again, "Give me the ring!"
Junpei sputtered, "Hey!" Akane neatly slid it off his finger and replace it on her own. "How rude!" he huffed, the twitching of his lips giving him away.
Akane held her hand up, admiring the ring in the light, "You bought it for me, didn't you?"
"Yeah, but…" Junpei pouted. Akane giggled, reaching her hands up to cup his cheeks.
"Don't worry, Jumpy," she patted his face, "I'll get you one too."
He grinned, and she leaned forwards to kiss his forehead. As she pulled away, she couldn't help the little tease that fell from her lips.
"Besides, at least I know what hand to put it on."
Junpei squawked in indignation, "That didn't even happen in this timeline!"
Akane just laughed.
They spent the next few minutes ribbing each other, a back and forth that was comfortable. When they finally decided to head to the door to tell Carlos to let them out, they were surprised to find the door swing wide open, no Carlos in sight.
"Umm…" Junpei raised his brows. Akane just shrugged in return. Taking his hand, she pulled him along to the living room, where Clover, Aoi, Carlos, and Light were all gathered.
At the sound of their footsteps, all four turned to look at them (well, three. Light more just vaguely turned in their direction). Their eyes caught on the two's intertwined hands.
"Seems like your talk went well," Aoi smirked. Akane simply stuck her tongue out at her brother.
Clover was fixated on Akane's hand, eyes narrowed, "Wait, isn't that a fucking ring?"
Aoi and Carlos jumped and leaned forwards to look, even Light looked slightly surprised.
"I mean, it's more of a promise ring than an engagement ring," Aoi raised his eyebrows at Junpei.
"You got my sister a ring even though you guys weren't dating?" His face was teasing, a promise of less-than-kind ribbing to come. Luckily, Akane came to his rescue.
"Technically, I proposed to him," she mused.
Carlos tilted his head in confusion, "Then why are you wearing the ring and not him?"
She smirked, "Because I wanted to." Aoi rolled his eyes as his sister.
"You're unbelievable." He shook his head.
Light was smiling, "I am just relieved that you two appear to have worked it out." Junpei grinned gratefully at him, though he couldn't see it.
It was a work in progress for sure. The two of them definitely needed some form of therapy (both separate and together), but for the first time in so long, the future looked bright.