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“This is pointless. I'm not the one you want.” Ryuji huffed, the cotton sheets feeling like sandpaper grating his skin.
The dimly lit bedroom felt far too small, a place that normally felt like a warm and safe haven for Ryuji felt cold and unwelcoming.
“And I know that I am not the one you need.” Goro stated, like it was a fact.
They both knew it was.
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“So what have ya got to tell me, Ren? You've been excited all day to tell me!” Ryuji was seated in a booth of Leblanc, admiring Ren, who worked the counter effortlessly. The warm lights of Leblanc highlighted the comfort it provided from the cold Tokyo winter.
Akechi was sitting at the counter, sipping the warm coffee Ren had just made. His scarf was discarded and left to hang on his lap, his attache case seated on the counter simply ignored. This wasn’t a time Akechi had to worry about school and work, not with Ren here.
Other than them, Leblanc was empty. Not even Morgana was home, he wanted to stay the night with Futaba to see a new game she bought. The comforting quiet enveloped the three, allowing them to relax with no further distractions.
Ren was scrubbing the counter, humming to himself, his face dusted with a pink blush. He had told Ryuji he had a surprise, one that he had been talking about all day.
“Shouldn't you be a bit more patient, Sakamoto? Allow for some suspense.” Akechi stated as he placed his cup down, his face pulled into a sneer.
Ryuji groaned at his comment, Man, why's he gotta be here? He felt his jaw clench and his shoulders tense. “Man can’t you just finish your cup and go?” Ryuji clicked his tongue, “Ruining my mood.”
Ren snickered, “Jeez, you two need to calm down.” Ren's phone buzzed; signaling him to quickly grab it. He tapped at it and smiled before tucking it away in his pocket to hang up the apron Sojiro made him wear for work.
“Okay, I'll be back! Keep the place intact, you two!” Ren hastily said, emphasizing the “intact,” before quickly running out of Leblanc, his face blushing and gleaming.
Akechi scoffed, “...You make it too obvious Sakamoto.” he stated as he turned his stool to look at the blonde, causing the chair to squeak at the sudden move.
“And you don’t? Don't make me laugh, man.” Ryuji leaned back in the booth, a scowl contorting his face.
Akechi sucked his teeth. In what world would Amamiya pick that dunce over me?
“You know Sakamoto,” Akechi started as he got off his stool, “I've always admired your… persistence. ” He spoke through gritted teeth as he slid into the other side of the booth, his voice laced with venom.
So that's what he wants to do? Ryuji felt his eyebrow twitch.
“And I've always wished to have an ego as inflated as yours.” Ryuji scoffed as he kicked at the base of the opposing seat, causing a thump to echo in the empty cafe.
Does this nobody think he’s better than me? Akechi thought as his nails dug into his palms.
Akechi crossed his arms on the table and leaned into Ryuji's space. “You know, persistence is admirable… but people find it annoying.”
Ryuji felt Akechi’s gloved hand grip his shoulder. He isn’t as scary as he thinks he is.
Ryuji huffed, “You know a fake personality only gets you so far? Ren never liked two-faced bitches.” His voice is competing with Akechi’s, rising despite becoming closer in proximity.
Is this idiot serious? Akechi thought as his nails dug deeper into Ryuji’s shoulder.
Akechi gritted his teeth, he felt his head boil and he wanted to rip Sakamoto’s eyes out his skull if it meant-
“Hey guys! Thanks for not blowing the place up.” Ren laughed, the soft voice cut the tension. He motioned for the shorter red haired girl to follow, Sumire. She wore a red coat sporting a black skirt and tights underneath. Her face was flushed from the cold air, appearing red at her nose and cheeks.
Yoshizawa? What's she doing here? Ryuji thought. He saw that Akechi had settled back into the booth, his face back to a hollow smile.
“Yoshizawa-san!” He greeted, "What brings you to Leblanc?” Akechi asked as he stood up to go back to his cup of coffee, leaving a fleeting glance towards Ryuji.
“Hi Akechi-senpai! Ren just came to get me from the station.” Sumire smiled, a pink blush coating her face as she looked over to Ren.
Ren smiled, “Okay! Now I'm ready.” His face lit up as he looked at Sumire and pulled her close, the girl letting out a cute giggle that he smiled at.
“Me and Sumi are dating!” Ren exclaimed, his face flushed with happiness as he pulled her impossibly closer. Sumire’s hand came up to cover her small smile.
Ryuji blinked at him, his mouth slightly agape. “W-What?! And you didn't wanna tell me sooner?” Ryuji laughed, hollow and brittle, “I could've been your wingman!”
Is he serious? Ryuji mentally kicked himself as his foot tapped the floor. After all we’ve been through? But Ryuji pushed down his own selfish thoughts, this wasn’t his moment. It was Ren’s and Sumire’s, they both deserved this, didn't they?
Akechi watched the scene unfold, from Ren's oblivious happiness to Sakamoto's empty congratulations.
“Yoshizawa I'm so happy for you, you deserve someone like Amamiya.” Akechi flashed a smile, one that didn't touch his eyes. “Hopefully he can treat a sweet girl like you right.” He let out an empty chuckle, his shoulders felt heavy as he stood up.
Sumire smiled and giggled, “Thank you so much Akechi-senpai and Sakamoto-senpai! I was so worried you wouldn't be as happy.” She obliviously beamed as she leaned into Ren's arm wrapped around her shoulder. “I’m so glad Ren has such sweet friends like you two.” She smiled, looking over to Ryuji and then Akechi.
“I told you they'd be happy! What kind of friends would I have if they weren't?” Ren joked as he poked Sumire's red cheek, the girl giggled from the touch.
Yeah some ‘friend’ I am. Ryuji somberly thought. He clenched his fists As he watched Ren's arm pull her even closer. He glanced over to Akechi only to lock eyes with him.
Akechi caught Ryuji’s glance and saw it was time to leave.
“Well I’d like to say I’m extremely happy for you two,” he gritted his teeth, “but I must take my leave.” Akechi gripped his attache case and glanced at the door, and then Ryuji.
…I get it, Akechi. Ryuji sighed, “I should get goin’ too,” Ryuji jumped out the booth, “My ma doesn’t have a night shift tonight and she's gonna want me home.” Ryuji pat Ren’s shoulder, a smile plastered on his face.
“Only wish ya told me sooner man! You too Yoshizawa, both planned on keeping me in the dark eh?” He joked, watching Sumire’s face burn red. “Not on purpose!” She exclaimed, covering her face with her hands.
Ryuji waved as he walked out of Leblanc, “No funny business, Ren! Keep it above the waist!” He laughed as he heard Ren yell out after him, his voice cracking at Ryuji’s joke.
As Ryuji stepped out into the cold night, the air sent a shiver down his spine. The air felt heavy as he breathed it in. As he looked around the barren streets of Yongen-Saya, he saw Akechi standing out in the pathway in Yongen-Saya, his face a mask of fury that was only illuminated by the dim lights placed by the cafe.
Ryuji walked over to him, feeling the tension rise as his shoulders tensed with the space closing between them.
“Faker.” Akechi growled before he turned on his heel to begin the walk to the station. “Your mother does in fact have a night shift.” He hissed, his breath hot on Ryuji’s cheek.
“And I know you would’ve stayed longer if that wasn’t his surprise,” Ryuji spat back, “ You’re still a loser whose only friends are those two.” But as Ryuji thought of it, was he any better?
Akechi scoffed and stopped his tracks as he grabbed the collar of Ryuji’s shirt. “You think you’re that much better than me?” Akechi’s grip tightened as his other hand trailed down to Ryuji’s wrist, “Don’t make me laugh, you’re just as pathetic as I am, if not more.”
“Never said I was better,” Ryuji’s free hand gripped Akechi’s shoulder, his nails digging into the coat. “All I said was that you sucked.” Akechi leaned closer into Ryuji’s space, their noses almost touching.
“Don't speak down to me, Sakamoto.” Akechi snarled. “We are both pathetic, chasing someone who won't ever meet us halfway.” He spat, his ruby eyes reflecting in Ryuji's brown ones.
Ryuji groaned, “You think I don’t know that? I’m dumb but I ain’t stupid.” He gripped Akechi’s shoulder, feeling the peacoat’s fabric between his fingers, “Let go and I’ll let go.” He demanded, shaking the shoulder in his hands to loosen the grip on his collar.
“Fine.” Akechi grumbled as he shoved Ryuji away, causing him to stubble back a bit. “God you just cant be normal about anything, can you, Akechi?” He yelled, chasing Akechi as he began to walk towards the station.
Akechi turned back to face Ryuji, “I don’t feel like taking the train back home,” He raised his hand to grip Ryuji’s shoulder, stopping them in place on their way to the station. “Your mother isn’t home, I’d like to stay at your place for the night.”
“Are you for real?” Ryuji grabbed Akechi’s arm, and shoved it effectively, getting the hand off. “Fine. You can come.” He hissed as he walked past Akechi towards the station, the cold air chilling his face making him shiver.
Akechi laughed, speeding up his pace to walk beside Ryuji, “What are you cold, Sakamoto?” He mocked, pointing towards his own scarf keeping his face warm. “Shut it, Akechi!” He snarled back, but not taking any further action.
“What is it simply wrong for me to ask if you’re cold?” He nudged his shoulder into Ryuji's, catching his attention once again. “That ain’t your goal and you know it.” He mumbled and glared at Akechi's grin.
Akechi shrugged, “Perhaps we should be more civil, hm? I’ll be in your home after all.” Akechi giggled as the pair neared the station. Akechi heard Ryuji grumble under his breath, “What was that, Ryu-Ryu?” He purred, watching as Ryuji’s cheeks flushed from the nickname.
“You know it’s not your first time at my place, stop acting like it is.” Ryuji murmured as they walked into Yongen Station, listening as the intercom announced the next upcoming train to Shibuya.
The two stood in the station, the air between them colder than Tokyo’s frigid winter air. Ryuji glanced at Akechi and watched as he fiddled with a button on his peacoat’s pocket.
Ryuji listened to the rumbling train approach, the hiss piercing his ears and it stopped in front of them. Ryuji motioned for Akechi to step in with him.
The pair sat on a set of vacant seats in the relatively empty train. Ryuji sat against the wall, feeling Akechi scoot closer to him. Their sides pressed against each other as the train began to rumble.
“It’s just us, you can call me Goro.” Goro whispered as he leaned his shoulder against Ryuji, feeling the other slightly lean into it. “Even if what we have isn’t love, I’m fine with you using my first name, Ryuji.”
Ryuji pressed his lips into a thin line as his eyes stayed locked on the wall of the train. “You can call me Ryuji or whatever nickname you come up with.” Ryuji mumbled as he leaned his head on Goro’s shoulder, feeling Goro’s cheek pressed against the top of his head.
Goro and Ryuji sat in silence, the whirring of the train humming in their ears as the rumble of the train soothed them. The burning anger from earlier began to subdue as Goro felt Ryuji’s fingers intertwine themselves with his own. Goro weaved his fingers into Ryuji’s slightly squeezing Ryuji’s hand as the intercom announced they would be arriving at their destination.
As the train halted, the two stood up and slowly untangled their hands from each other, walking out of the train car. The two walked up and out of the station, the cold wind of Shibuya chilling their bodies.
“Shit it’s cold…” Ryuji mumbled as they began walking through the streets that led to Ryuji’s apartment. Ryuji felt Goro walk closer to him as the streets began to empty, the warmth soothing Ryuji.
Goro looked over to the blond, “Why are you letting me stay at your place?” He asked as he rubbed his nose that was red from the frigid air.
Ryuji’s tongue glided along his teeth, his lips pursed. “Well maybe I didn’t feel like being alone either.” Ryuji shrugged as he dug into his jacket for his apartment key as they walked up to the complex. “Plus you’d come anyway.”
“Well is it my fault a spare key slipped into my pocket?” Goro smirked as they walked into the complex and down the halls to the Sakamoto apartment. “Plus you should be grateful I know when to come, I don’t think your mother would appreciate a stranger walking into her house uninvited.”
Ryuji fake groaned as he unlocked the door, “I wouldn’t hear the end of it if my ‘boyfriend-not boyfriend’ and I got caught sneaking around in her home.” He chuckled as he pushed the door open, the two of them stepping in to slide their shoes off.
“Just take your coat off in my room.” Ryuji walked over to his room, Goro following closely behind. Ryuji shed his coat and kicked off his socks before flopping onto his twin size mattress. Ryuji huffed into the sheets before crawling up onto his pillow and kicking off his jeans.
Goro tossed his coat on Ryuji’s chair, “I’m gonna grab some clothes.” Goro said as he walked over to Ryuji’s closet and tossed a shirt to Ryuji, who was in a shirt and boxers, “And just put on that.
Ryuji grumbled as he moved to throw off his shirt to slip on the clean shirt, it was a graphic tee that had been retired to being a sleep shirt. Ryuji listened to Goro rummage through his closet, before shuffling through the dark room to change out of his clothes and into some of Ryuji’s.
“Scoot.” Goro mumbled as he sat down onto the bed next to Ryuji who had laid back down. Goro grabbed the covers and pulled them over the two, the air becoming cold and frigid despite their bodies pressing against each other.
Goro wrapped his arms around Ryuji’s waist, nudging his head into the crook of Ryuji’s neck, pressing small kisses along it.
“This is pointless.” Ryuji muttered as he laid his hand onto Goro’s that was on his waist, taking it and intertwining their fingers together and resting them in front of his head. “I’m not the one you want, so why do you keep doing this?”
Ryuji felt Goro’s breath along his jaw as his arm tightened around Ryuji. “Same goes to you, I’m not the one you need, so why do you keep coming back?” He asked as he rubbed his thumb along Ryuji’s hand.
The room began to feel too small, too cold, and far too unwelcoming. Ryuji stared into the wall his bed was pressed against, feeling Goro’s breaths along his neck. “Maybe it just feels harder to be alone.” He whispered as he felt Goro shift behind him, Ryuji turned his head to look at Goro, whose dark red eyes pierced through the darkness.
“Then that’s that.” Goro whispered as he pressed a kiss onto Ryuji’s lips with Ryuji leaning into the touch. “Nothing more to us.” He murmured as he nestled his head in Ryuji’s neck, the silence of the room piercing through them as they laid there in the dark.