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It was already dark outside as the rain started to pelt down against the windows of Leblanc. It had been a slow day all around. A few customers here and there, but it was mostly quiet. Ren certainly didn’t mind. About two thirds into Maruki’s palace, with Yoshizawa’s fragile mental state and the palace itself, he had plenty on his mind already. At least he managed to get all the Phantom Thieves on board again. He wouldn’t know what to do had they refused.
They were truly his rock throughout everything. People he can rely on. They have his back and he has theirs. He was worried at first. It doesn’t take explaining to realise that a reality where your dearest wish has come true is a tempting one. And yet after giving every Phantom Thief some time to think things true, they all joined Ren once more to fight against the tyranny of adults.
When Goro first approached Ren on Shibuya he was so taken aback that he barely knew what to say.
I mourned you. I thought you were dead.
And yet there he was. Goro Akechi. Alive and well and with that same smug grin as always. Ren was angry. He wanted to know where he had been. How it was even possible for him to appear so suddenly, so alive. He wanted to touch his hand and feel his hair between his fingers. He wanted to be sure he was real. Not just some hallucination that his mind has conjured up.
But no. Akechi was truly there. He spoke to Niijima and almost immediately turned himself in. He did it with so much nonchalance that at first Ren thought he must’ve heard wrong. Akechi spared a short look at Ren, before obediently following the older Niijima sister towards his own enclosure.
Once again, the detective prince slipped right through his fingers. It frustrated Ren to no-end. Ren isn’t deluded enough to think that Akechi is big on affection. But he had hoped for something. Anything to show that he cared.
Perhaps Ren was just being unfair, he thought to himself. While not showing it with words, it was undeniable that Akechi turned him in at least partly for his sake. Goro was plenty intelligent enough to know who would’ve had to take the fall if he didn’t interfere. Akechi did that for him, Ren kept telling himself.
And yet despite that, he couldn’t deny that it still stung. All of it did, honestly. Why did you look so gleeful when you shot me? Was that an act? Were you lying to me as you were lying to yourself?
Ren doesn’t know for sure. Akechi probably doesn’t know for sure either.
He looked so happy to shoot me…
Ren tries not to think that way. He even feels a little silly for doing so. Ren knows better than anyone, better than Akechi himself probably, how complicated and troubled the young detective truly is.
Ren can’t deny that there’s a real possibility that Akechi hated him at some point. No, that’s a certainty even. But human emotions and feelings are complicated. Hate might not have been the only thing that Goro felt for him at the time and Ren just wishes he had the guts to ask about it, though even that might be pointless. Akechi has wrapped himself up in so many lies that even he struggles with certain questions about himself.
During their time together, Ren had started to rely on the young detective in a way he can’t quite do with the others. It’s not as if he doesn’t love his friends or anything like that. But when he meets up with Ann, Ryuji, or any of the others he is first of all their leader. He is someone they come to for guidance. Someone they come to for help. They bring him their woes and he listens. It’s not as if he can’t rely on his team. The Phantom Thieves have saved his life more times than he can count.
And if they hadn’t been around when he first came to Shujin…Ren wonders what kind of person he would’ve become. Would all the rumours and social isolation have turned him into someone bitter? Someone spiteful, and cruel hearted? He truly was nothing without his bonds. Without them, perhaps Yaldabaoth would’ve chosen him as a champion as well.
But despite all that, he couldn’t deny that it was simply different when he hung out with Goro. With his friends he’s always eager to help them out and make sure they’re okay. But he never felt the need with Goro, or at least not in the same way. There was a maturity to him that the Phantom thieves lacked. Even if it’s mostly a farce, Ren can’t deny that that maturity was the thing that originally attracted him to Akechi.
With Akechi he could simply enjoy his time and unwind. Even during their duel, Ren felt nothing but excitement at the prospect of getting to duke it out with his rival. And during the duel itself, Akechi seemed to feel much the same way.
Though it all went to shit when Ren pressed his lips on Akechi’s at the end of it.
With their SP low, they had started to rely on physical attacks to take each other down. With them both out of ammo eventually, the fight had gotten even more close range with the clashing of Goro’s sword and Ren’s knives. They slashed and hit each other with glee until they tumbled to the ground together, not stopping for a second as they kept brawling until Ren had Goro pinned to the ground.
They were both out of breath, panting. Sweat was dripping on both their foreheads as they had thoroughly exhausted themselves. Goro had a black eye, while Ren had a sharp cut along his jaw. Not to speak of the possible fracture at Ren’s arm, and the few broken ribs that Akechi was definitely feeling. Nothing a few healing items can’t fix.
They were both quiet. Ren was smirking slightly, whilst Goro had an unreadable expression on his face. He was the one to break the silence. “No wonder you’re the leader of the Phantom Thieves.” Akechi closed his eyes briefly, like he was thinking of something. “You’ve caught up to me on this front already, too…”
And then Ren kissed him. It was a dumb, adrenaline filled decision and one he regretted the instant he decided to do it. Goro’s eyes immediately opened wide in a rare show of pure shock. He moved to resist at first but quickly stopped as he simply stared wide-eyed while their lips were pressed together.
Very slowly, Goro’s expression turned to that of a glare as Ren could feel Akechi’s tongue push against his lips until it found its way inside of his mouth. It was like Goro was determined to explore every part of Ren’s mouth as he surveyed it all with his tongue. Ren didn’t know what to do but moved his tongue as well and the two boys were suddenly locked into a deep kiss.
Ren had thought about his first kiss plenty of times. He had fantasised about meeting a cute girl, someone like Yoshizawa-san. He’d ask her out to go get something to eat or watch a movie. They’d have a fun time together, and it would start to get late. He would walk her home until they were standing right in front of her house. And when he goes in for a brief hug to say goodbye she’d step on her toes and give him a brief kiss on the lips before disappearing inside out of embarrassment.
Yes. That’s how his first kiss should’ve gone. Or something like that at least. Not this sloppy makeout session with the guy whose face he’d been trying to cave in not even five minutes ago. And that’s not even mentioning the fact that he’s making out with a boy.
Was Ren into guys? It’s a question he’s never really asked himself. He always just kind of assumed he was only into women. When he thinks of Sumire for example he thinks she’s as cute as an adorable kitten. When Ryuji shows one of his favourite actresses out of some sort of raunchy magazine Ren can’t deny he thinks they’re pretty. W He’s definitely never thought something like that about Akechi.
Right?
Suddenly, with the detective prince’s tongue all up inside of his mouth, Ren wasn’t too sure anymore.
Akechi seems angry somehow as he’s kissing Ren. His tongue is aggressive and demanding. He briefly pulls back only to sink his teeth into Ren’s lower lip. And during all of this he keeps on scowling deeply. It’s such a hostile expression that Ren never really has seen on Akechi before. Though for some reason there’s no doubt in Ren’s mind that this is the real Goro Akechi. After a while a soft groan gets elicited from Akechi’s lips and Ren thinks it’s the most beautiful sound he’s ever heard.
And then the kiss ends as suddenly as it started.
A string of saliva connects their lips as Akechi suddenly pulls back. A soft scarlet glean has settled on his expression as he maintains that same scowl from before. He’s panting and looks very flustered.
A deeply uncomfortable silence settles in between the two of them as Goro simply stares at him. Ren doesn’t know what to say. Should he apologize? He might’ve if Akechi had pushed him away. But he not only reciprocated the kiss, he deepened it.
Does he like me? Would now be a bad time to ask? Maybe if I-
Out of nowhere, Akechi pushes Ren off of him.“We’d better not continue. If we went any further, we’d both go beyond a point of no return, wouldn’t we?” Goro got up on his feet and stood upright. “We have an important mission coming up.” He looks away briefly. His scowl deepens more, and then he turns to Ren. “We’re done here. Let’s go.” And without another word he stepped away.
Ren couldn’t think of anything else to do but scramble on his feet and follow his companion as they both exit Mementos.
When they come back to the real world they're outside again at what seems to be Aoyama-Itchome station. It’s gotten dark by now. There’s nothing left of their injuries in Mementos. Akechi seems deeply lost in thought before looking up at Ren with that same unreadable expression like at the end of their fight.
Ren sighs. “Akechi, listen-...”
“Once again, I’ve learnt something new about you today.” Goro interrupts with that signature smile of his. Ren doesn’t know what to say to that, so he remains quiet. “As allies fighting alongside one another, your strength is truly reassuring.” Oh so that’s what he’s talking about… Ren thinks to himself. I guess he’ll just act like that didn’t happen just now. He doesn’t seem keen on talking about it, at least.
“In all honesty, it’s to the point that I’d be relying on you in a pinch.” Ren blinks, slightly surprised, before smiling softly. “The feeling’s mutual.”
“Is that so? That would please me greatly.” He readjusts his tie. “I’m sorry I asked you to indulge me, but I do feel better now.”
Ren looks him in the eyes. “Don’t worry about it.” He says.
“I won’t.” He replies.
Akechi clears his throat. “So, about the duel, did you see yourself winning if we fought to the end? Before our...Interruption…?” Even Goro can’t hide the small blush that forms on his cheeks.
Ren grins. “Probably.”
“...I see. You’re definitely quite confident.”
Goro looks away for a second, and then… “I’m going to be entirely honest with you. I hate you. Your deft handling of your unfortunate circumstances, your ability to surpass me, to catch me by surprise with no effort—all these irritate me.” He grits his teeth. “...you’re the one person I refuse to lose to.”
Ren stares at him. He closes his eyes, sighs, and opens them again with a soft fire burning in them. “You really hate losing huh? Well same here. I’ll definitely beat you.” Yes. Ren understands. He gets him. He gets Akechi. That kiss…It’s pointedly irrelevant. It doesn’t change a thing. This is about the two of them, here and now.
Goro’s eyes widened. “You…You really are…” He looks at the ground. "No…nevermind."
His eyes sharpen. “I’ll let you have this win now. But believe me, next time I shall be victorious.” In a swift motion he takes off his glove and throws it at Ren’s face. “In the West it used to be a custom to throw your glove in the face of a man to challenge him to a duel. Should the opponent accept the glove, the duel will also be accepted.”
Ren feels the soft leather against his fingers. He can tell it’s expensive just by briefly touching it. He stares down at it before looking up. “I accept.” He states simply.
“Never forget it then. I am the man who will defeat you.”
…
…
…
Ren lets out a sigh as he turns the cup he’s been drying for the last five minutes. There’s not a speck of water on it by now, he just has to keep his hands busy. Thinking back on that whole encounter always leaves him in a pensive mood. Sojirou had left a little while ago, and he told Ren to close up soon. Seems there’s quite a hefty storm brewing outside.
Ren was just about to circle around the counter to lock the door when he could hear the bell ring. He looks up. "Hello! How may I…”
Ren’s eyes widen slightly as Akechi - completely drenched - walks through the door. “Good evening.” He stated simply like there isn’t a puddle forming right underneath his feet.
“A-Akechi…” The real Goro is never quite the type for sudden visits like this. Back when he donned his prince persona he came by Leblanc once in a while. But that completely ceased after he was unmasked. It seemed it was just a way for him to maintain his role as inquisitive detective. The last time Goro came by was when he came to Ren to discuss their recent tenure inside of Maruki’s reality.
The two boys stare at each other briefly before Goro sighs. “Are you going to keep gawking at me or will you offer me a seat?” He seems mildly annoyed, as usual these days. Not waiting for an answer, Goro stepped forward and sat down at the counter. “You know my usual blend.” He states simply.
Ren keeps staring for a few seconds more before his brain is done recalibrating and he blinks and nods a few times. “R-Right.” Ren immediately got to work, anything to distract him. Ren doesn’t know why this is flustering him so much.
He used to come by all the time! What’s gotten you so nervous?
Akechi sits down and looks at the counter, occasionally glancing at Ren once in a while. He’s carrying a bag with him. It’s been a while since the two of them have met like this. And Ren can’t help but be curious about why exactly Akechi decided to show up all of the sudden. For now though he doesn’t ask anything. After a few minutes he places Goro’s coffee in front of him. Goro looks up and takes the cup before taking a sip.
He doesn’t say it but Ren can tell that he likes it.
They remain quiet before Ren moves around the counter and approaches Akechi, who in turn creases his brow. “What?” He asks pointedly.
Before he can resist Ren puts a towel on Goro’s hair and starts harshly moving it up and down. “H-Hey!” Akechi exclaims. “Are you out of your damned mind?! I’m not a toddler. I can dry myself.” His deep scowl returns as Goro takes the towel from Ren’s hands, their fingers briefly brushed as he did so, and Ren takes a step back.
As Goro dries himself Ren moves back to behind the counter, and he just watches the pretty boy in front of him. Completely drenched like this, the young detective looks like a total mess. But there’s a certain sexiness to seeing Goro like this that Ren can’t help but notice. He looks so vulnerable, all wet like this.
Ren takes that same cup he’d been drying back into his hands and he looks down at it. “So…Why the sudden visit?”
Goro looks up and places the towel on the counter. “I had a few new supplies for you. Healing items and such. I thought about giving them to you in mementos, but I was in the area. If I had known it’d rain like this though…It’s negligent on my part.” He places the bag next to the towel, before taking a sip and promptly standing up.
“Well, goodnight Amamiya. Don’t be late tomorrow. There’s still a lot to do in Maruki’s palace.” He moves towards the door.
“Goro!”
The detective prince perks up and swiftly turns his head towards Ren. It’s the first time he’s called him by his first name. He blinks a few times. “...yes?”
“A bath? How about a bath?”
Now Goro fully turns towards him. “A bath? Whatever for?”
“...What do you think? You’re drenched.”
Akechi scoffs. “In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s still raining outside. What's the point of washing myself if I’ll have to go through the rain again?”
“We have a few leftover umbrella’s here. You can borrow one.”
That seemed to get him quiet, and he just stares at Ren for a few seconds before shrugging.
“Fine. But I’m not paying.”
How long ago was it that they last went? It feels like years ago by now, but it can’t have been longer than a few months. They’re slowly undressing in the changing room, both firmly in their own corner. There’s a certain tension here that neither seems to want to address.
“Are you ready?” Goro asks as he turns around. Ren immediately let his eyes roam all over Akechi’s body. Was he always this toned?
Ren obviously remembers the last time they went, and yet the details of how Akechi looked back then eludes him. I must’ve developed my crush between then and our duel.
Goro sees how eagerly Amamiya drinks up his body, but he doesn’t comment on it. “Yes. I’m ready.” Ren stands up and the two of them enter the exceptionally warm bathing room.
For now Akechi sits down on a small stone bench as he starts to wash his hair. Ren does the same. The whole place is practically deserted. There’s no one else here, though it seems that that’s more because the place itself is unpopular, instead of the late hour.
They both go over their bodies with water and soap. And Ren is reminded by how long Akechi’s fingers are as he watches how he cleans himself. Ren can feel his erection pressing against his towel, and all he can do is hope that Goro doesn’t notice that he’s pitching a tent.
As Akechi travels down his body Ren suddenly stands up. “Let me.” he says as he kneels in front of Goro. “W-What?” Goro furrows his brow as Ren gently takes his foot in his hand, before very carefully washing it. “I-Is this supposed to be an outing of some sort of fetish of yours?” Akechi asks, but he doesn’t pull away.
It seems that no matter what, Goro always makes Ren do weird things. It’s like their kiss, but different. There he was pulled into it by some sort of mix of arousal and adrenaline. While here - even though it might not seem that way - it’s not because he’s aroused at all.
Though well…he is aroused of course, but that isn’t why Ren felt compelled to do this. It was like something grander in him ushered him forward. The only comparable feeling Ren can think of is when he summons his persona.
Ren switches feet and diligently washes it for Goro. Akechi has gotten completely quiet by now. And for a brief moment, it’s like nothing but the two of them exists.
Ren then stands upright as Akechi quietly watches him. There’s a brief period of silence before Goro stands up as well and speaks. “Let’s get into the actual bath” He has that unreadable expression again. Ren nods and they approach the larger tub as they both settle down next to each other. Their sides are touching and neither comments on it.
Ren feels an exhaustion overtake him like a cannonball has just been shot into his face, and he can barely manage to keep his eyes open. He gently drifts away as his head falls onto Goro’s shoulder.
Akechi doesn’t move an inch for a while, before briefly moving his head and placing a gentle kiss onto Ren’s temple. “You imbecile. You truly have horrible taste…” He whispers.
…
…
…
Properly dried the two boys are standing outside the bathhouse underneath the small cover. Goro opens the umbrella Ren lent him and he steps out into the rain. “I’ll see you tomorrow at Maruki’s palace then.” He says.
“Goro.” He turns around. “Goodnight.”
The rain keeps crashing down, drowning out nearly every other noise.
“Goodnight Ren.” Goro softly replies before disappearing into the darkness of the night.