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Akechi walked in the familiar café, the scent of coffee, curry, and something else that a certain sentimental fool would call home hitting him. It was an attempt to soothe and comfort customers, one that wouldn’t fool him so easily. He was the Detective Prince, after all, not to mention the Black Mask. He wouldn’t fall for such an amateur trick—
“Goro!” Just one word, from just one voice, from just one person was enough to loosen Akechi’s shoulders and relax his jaw. He hated it. He hated him.
But do you? Loki’s annoying voice in his head asked. You hate how his frizzy, curly hair looks so impossibly soft? You hate how he reserves such a sweet, fond smile just for you? You hate how his bright, silver eyes look so alive and—
Shut the fuck up! Akechi snapped back, wishing his Persona had a mute function. Quit spouting bullshit. Where the fuck did you even get all that shit from, fucking Persona?
Without waiting for a reply, he turned towards the boy who caused this mess in the first place with a neutral, flat expression.
Ren was grinning as usual when he saw Akechi, waving him over to where he was working the coffee machines and such. “What brings you here so early? I thought we were discussing the Mementos request in the afternoon.”
Akechi walked over stiffly, ignoring how Loki insisted that Ren looked so happy to see him. “I…have work to complete. Just because we’re in Maruki’s stupid reality doesn’t mean I don’t have shit to do.” He debated on whether he should take a seat in a booth or one of the many bar stools lining the counter. He chose the bar stool. For no specific reason, definitely not because it was closer to Ren. Of course not. He hated him and his stupid savior complex, remember?
Ren’s smile turned blinding as he dried off his hands and walked to Akechi. He wisely didn’t mention the fact that the public thought the Detective Prince Akechi Goro was missing and what other job did Akechi have?
“Would you like your usual?” he asked, leaning over the counter. That gave Akechi a wonderful annoying view of his silvery eyes, soft yet calculating. Similar to Joker’s, scanning surroundings and never missing a detail.
Akechi shrugged, looking away as he felt himself staring at Ren’s face for longer than he’d allow himself. He busied himself with getting out his laptop from his briefcase. “I’ll take whatever you have.”
“So that’s a yes?” Ren pressed, reminding Akechi how infuriating he got. He seemed determined to get a clear answer from Akechi, with an unwavering confidence that only Joker could wield.
Akechi narrowed his dark maroon eyes at the other, meeting his challenge. “I suppose.”
Ren grinned widely, shaking his head. “Yes or no, Goro.” He made it sound so fucking simple.
Yes or no, contact Shido just when he had some grasp of what he was meant for. Yes or no, join the Phantom Thieves with the façade that he was making a deal with them. Yes or no, pull the trigger and watch as Ren’s bright silver eyes widened with fear and betrayal.
Akechi gritted his teeth, telling himself to shut the fuck up not unlike how he handled Loki. “Fine.”
Ren, always so fucking observant, sensed his inner turmoil. His smile turned gentler as he hummed in response. He prepared the coffee exactly how Akechi liked it, with three cubes of sugar and the tiniest drop of milk. The ex-detective always claimed that he only tolerated black coffee, but Ren knew him better. Always.
He set the cup down in front of Akechi, gaze wandering to how the other boy was typing away in his laptop at the speed of light. “Whatcha writing?”
Akechi didn’t bat an eye, finger instinctively going to dim the brightness of his screen. “Nothing of importance. Thank you for the coffee.”
“Oh, really? Then why don’t you show me?” Ren prodded yet again, keeping up a conversation as if they were old friends and Akechi didn’t try to kill him a few months ago.
Akechi folded the laptop until it was nearly closed, just a fraction away from shutting it down. “Shouldn’t the leader of the Phantom Thieves be focusing on more important matters instead of paying attention to such trivial aspects?”
Ren frowned a bit, as if he was disappointed with the answer. It made a weird constricting pain in Akechi’s chest, as if a Shadow had stabbed him with a Bless attack. “Goro. You’re not trivial and you’ll never be less than important to me. You’re always important to me and you always have been.” He left the counter to walk around towards Akechi, hands in his pockets. When he reached the older boy, he hesitated, as if he wanted to do something but wasn’t sure if Akechi would allow it.
“You disgust me with your sentimentality,” Akechi stated flatly, his voice not containing the venom he wanted it to. He ignored the flutter in his bloody, shattered mess of a heart when he heard the ‘always important to me’ part.
Ren laughed, a beautiful sound that Akechi didn’t deserve to hear. “You love me, admit it.”
Well, he found out about us, Loki snickered.
WHAT THE FUCK—what do you mean us and I don’t love him! Akechi screamed back at his Persona as he froze up in real life. Where are you getting all this bullshit?
I am thou and thou art I, his stupid Persona answered with barely contained manic glee. My thoughts are yours.
Akechi’s eye twitched.
“What’s wrong?” Ren teased, smirking as he leaned down to match Akechi’s height. “Too scared, Crow?”
Akechi’s annoyance flared as he heard the flirty lilt in Ren’s voice. He shot up from his seat, competitiveness surging in his veins. This was a fucking challenge, wasn’t it? To see if he would crack? He tried to keep cool as he practically growled out his response. “Pardon?”
Ren looked up at his rival, smirk widening as he took a step closer. “I said, you love me. Admit. It.” His voice made it clear he was expecting Akechi to be flustered or embarrassed or angry or something.
Well Akechi wasn’t about to fucking lose. He wasn’t going to go down so easily, especially to Joker. He’d show the arrogant fool he’s better and had always been better.
He closed the space between them until he could practically count every single one of Ren’s long eyelashes if he had enough time.
Make me! Loki practically forced the thought to ring throughout Akechi’s head.
“Make me,” he snapped, ignoring the alarms screeching in his mind.
For once, he didn’t know what he got himself into when Ren’s eyes lit up and his smirk turned into some kind of fucking tender smile.
“No turning back now,” Ren said lightly, pushing up his fake glasses as he maintained Akechi’s sharp gaze.
“Throw everything you’ve got at me, Joker,” Akechi shot back, crossing his arms tightly. He didn’t have a clue on how Ren would make him admit he…he…loved the boy or some shit. He resisted the urge to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. He was destined to end the battle as victor.
<><><><><>
“So everyone’s on board?” The cat—Moran or Morna or Mona—spun around to see the group’s nods. “Let’s head to Mementos, then!”
“Let’s go,” Ren confirmed, a chorus of determined cheers following.
Akechi fought the urge to roll his eyes. What a bunch of brainless fools who only thought with their useless hearts.
“Goro,” Ren called quietly, letting the others pass by him as they exited Leblanc.
Akechi looked up, slightly surprised. He was used to walking behind all the Thieves, while Ren led them in front as they headed to the station. Now Ren was side by side with him, equal in speed.
“What?” he asked warily, crossing his arms. “Wanted to discuss another one of your worthless sentiments?”
Ren gave him that familiar, steady blinding smile and shook his head. “No. I wanted to ask you a question.” He looked uncharacteristically shy, like when he followed up with his offer for Akechi joining the Phantom Thieves.
Akechi blinked, slightly suspicious. He wanted to snarl at the other boy, push him away, shut him down before he could do one of those fucking things that would always cause his walls to break. But Ren’s eyes were wide and almost innocent, poorly concealed hope in his face. And Akechi was a pathetic, weak man.
“What is it.”
“Can I, uh, hold your hand?” Ren blurted out as he stuck out his left hand for Akechi’s right.
What.
Akechi stared at him like he grew five heads and a pair of horns. “Excuse me?”
“I—yeah. Can I hold your hand?” Ren repeated, a familiar glint of determination in his eyes. He looked like he was scrutinizing Akechi as if he were another complicated puzzle in a Palace.
“For what purpose?” Akechi forced his shaky voice to ask. He cursed himself for the crack in the last word.
“For our ‘battle’,” Ren insisted, hand still outstretched.
They were approaching their usual spot for infiltrating Mementos now, the group waiting for them both. Takamaki was staring at them both with a knowing look in her eyes, as if she knew something no one else did. It pissed Akechi off.
Akechi reminded himself that he wasn’t one to back down. He glared at Ren’s hand as if it’d personally offended him and everything he stood for, which wasn’t much in his book. “I suppose.” He snatched up the hand, noting how it fit perfectly with his own gloved ones. He had the unspeakable, dizzying urge to rip off the fabric and feel Ren’s hand, the warmth against his own—
No, shut the fuck up, he yelled inside his head.
I didn’t even speak, Loki cackled. That was all you, little crow.
Akechi’s eye twitched. He shook his head, pulling Ren forward and eliciting a small adorable yelp. “Let’s go before your fools for friends get themselves killed.”
What surprised Akechi even more was that Ren held his hand throughout the car ride in Mona as they sped past the floors in Mementos. There were two layers of gloves blocking out Ren’s warmth in the Metaverse, irritating Akechi to no bounds.
“This is it! I can feel the target's presence on this floor!” the cat alerted them as Niijima drove them around.
“Alright! Let’s kick some ass!” the blonde monkey Sakamoto yelled.
“Some deadbeat dad fanning over an idol, right?” Sakura asked, a strange expression on her face. It was a mixture of anger and sadness one that stirred something long forgotten in Akechi himself.
Ren nodded at her with an encouraging smile, fixing his gloves deftly with one hand.
Akechi noted that the other was still in his. He told himself to shut up and look for the target.
“Bless attacks won’t work!” Niijima yelled at them mid-fight as the Shadow took no damage from Yoshizawa's Kougaon.
“Got it, Queen!” Okumura shouted back as she used a One-Shot Kill in an attempt for a critical.
“Watch out for your health, Noir!” Sakura warned, her voice echoing around the area despite being in her fiery ball of whatever. “Support’s on the way!”
Akechi himself was busy dodging Bless attacks from the Shadow, nearly colliding with Ren.
“Crow! Are you alright?” Ren grabbed his arm to stop him from unleashing Loki on the Shadow. Ren’s eyes were as vivid as ever, concern filling every corner. He looked Akechi up and down, scanning for injuries as he dug a Bead from his pockets.
“Fine. And you?” Akechi answered curtly despite the close call making his heart race.
“I’m all set! Raphael nulls bless,” Ren informed, before whipping his head back to check on his team.
Ever the strong, prepared, caring leader.
It reminded Akechi of when he was actually jealous of the black-haired boy, jealous of what he had and what he didn’t. Now all Akechi felt was…a complicated mess of some shit he refused to address.
“Loki!” he screamed, ripping off his mask as he aimed an Eigaon at the Shadow. It downed the Unicorn-looking beast, knocking it right off its feet.
“Looking good, Crow!” Sakura confirmed the hit as the team closed in to finish it off—
“Wait!” Shadow Fuwa pleaded, causing Ren to hesitate. “The only person I want to protect is Lily-Nyan! You understand me, right? My love for her?”
Why would Ren understand something about love? At this point, Akechi wasn’t sure if his thoughts were actually Loki’s or just his own. Another thing he despised.
“What about your family?” Ren countered firmly, his gun unwavering.
“Lily-Nyan pays attention to what I have to say! She’s the only one that listens to me!” The Shadow cried back.
“You don’t talk to your kid?” The leader of the Phantom Thieves asked in the same hard, calm tone. It carried confidence that wasn’t egotistical, sternness slightly softened by the hint of kindness.
“My kid? I can’t do anything now,” The Shadow mourned. It started spilling about how its wife was bad, all it cared about was some stupid idol.
It made Akechi sick. “Joker,” he demanded through gritted teeth. A stitch formed at his side. “What the fuck are you doing.”
If Ren heard him, he didn’t reply. “You can still go back,” Ren told the enemy, lowering his gun just slightly as his gaze never faltered on the Shadow. Believing in it as if it were human, a man right in front of him.
“Joker. Now is not the time for your savior complex,” Akechi snapped sharply, the words coming out harsher than intended. The stitch in his side seemed to grow large with every breath he took. Did he overwork himself? No, he couldn’t have. He wouldn’t make such a mistake.
“Let him talk,” Takamaki turned towards him, nudging her head towards Ren.
“If anyone can convince the Shadow, it’s our leader,” Okumura agreed, although she looked eager to shoot its brains out.
Akechi glared at them both, but returned his focus to the Shadow. He tried to subtly wrap an arm around his middle, feigning boredom. He wouldn’t let himself look spent from the fight.
After a few sweet encouraging words from Ren, the Shadow finally agreed to do what its fucking supposed to and disappeared. Ren caught a Skill card with a One-Shot Kill between his fingers before turning around to face his team.
“Is everyone alright?” he asked, eyes lingering on Akechi’s form.
Akechi glared back, hoping that since he wasn’t a backup member, Sakura couldn’t check his status. He was fucking fine. Nothing he couldn’t handle after all those solo runs in Mementos with just a few Devil Fruits he scavenged from some unlucky Shadow that stood in the way of Loki.
“Other than Queen’s SP, which I’m still recovering, I think we’re set,” Sakura reported. “Although I don’t know much about the current party.”
Dammit! Why did you have to fucking mention that you—
“How’s your health, Noir?” Ren turned to her, Maria hovering behind him. His look was one of pure worry and care for his crew. It made something odd twist in Akechi’s chest, not helping with the constant stabbing in his side.
“I’m okay!” Okumura piped up cheerfully as she threw a grateful smile at Niijima. “Mako-chan patched me up with Anat.”
“I still got some SP to burn!” Takamaki provided, wrapping up her whip.
Ren turned to Akechi, who was silent as he tried to tamp down his unsteady breathing.
“Alive,” Akechi managed to force out, all edges. His arm was now tightly around his waist, but he was still fucking standing and fuck anyone else. Sure, maybe he hadn’t dodged the stupid Kougaon and was running on pure adrenaline, but fuck anyone else.
Ren’s eyes widened, and he closed the gap between them in two rushed steps. “Go—Crow!” He didn’t exactly yell, but his voice carried more than enough strain.
“I am fucking fine,” Akechi snarled, backing away a step. He looked away instead of meeting Ren’s gaze, not knowing what would happen to him if he saw all that concern for him and him only.
“Crow.” Ren said in that infuriating firm tone, full of gentle strength.
Akechi couldn’t bring himself to reply, Loki screaming in his ear.
Ren said nothing else as he called on Maria to heal the brunet. He took the silence as permission to settle his gloved hands on Akechi’s shoulders. “Please tell me next time, okay?” He implored quietly, only for their ears. “You can tell me. I’m your rival, after all.” His eyes were earnest again. Worried, again. Caring, again. Soft, again.
How many times was he nothing but patient and kind to Akechi?
How many times did and would Akechi hurt him, over and over and over and over again?
“Whatever,” Akechi spat out venomously, hating how the spell left him with a warm feeling in his chest. The same fucking feeling he got whenever Ren looked at him and him only, the same fucking feeling he got when Ren initiated any comforting, physical touch.
“Are you guys done? I wanna get some ramen after this—I’m freaking starving!” Sakamoto announced for Alaska to hear.
But for once, Akechi didn’t find him fucking annoying as he took a step back from Ren, shaking his hands off. He felt a crushing pain stab him when Ren’s face fell and he stared at the ground.
Good job, you fucked up, human, Loki yelled at him. Go fix your mistake, idiot. Now Ren’s all sad and pouty like a kicked puppy and he probably feels that way too after—
God, shut UP! Akechi screamed at his Persona.
“I prefer lobster,” Kitagawa objected. “Steamed until the most vibrant, fullest shade of red, fiery passion dusted with the pure elegance of—”
“We should get crêpes!” Takamaki suggested cheerfully, pulling Yoshizawa’s ponytail playfully. “Wouldn’t you like some crêpes, Violet?”
“I’ll eat anything,” the newest member answered earnestly. “I’m also famished.”
Akechi rolled his eyes at them, crossing his arms tightly as they all walked back to the cat-car. He’d leave them after they exited Mementos, as usual.
As if he somehow sensed the other’s thoughts, Ren turned to him as they were walking. “Don’t think about escaping this time. Think of it as a punishment for not telling us about your wound,” he informed with the usual smile. But it was dimmer from rejection and his eyes weren’t shining as bright.
It pained Akechi more than the stupid Bless attack. Or any attack from any Shadow, because this was the type of pain that actually fucking hurt. The only type of pain that hurt.
“If it wouldn’t complicate things,” Akechi answered stiffly. He was blatantly staring at the other boy, trying to analyze and guess what was going on inside of his head.
“Of course not. You’re always welcome,” Ren insisted, climbing in the car. He gave Akechi more space in the back, even if that meant nearly pressing up against Kitagawa, who was arguing with Sakamoto about the food again.
Annoyance flared up in the brunet. Why the fuck was Ren sitting so close to Kitagawa? He was supposed to make Akechi admit the…stupid thing for their battle, not some broke art student.
Fuck this, he thought heatedly. Maybe Loki was fucking right after all or some shit.
Ignoring his Persona’s smug comments, he reached out to grip Ren’s hand.
The leader of the Phantom Thieves looked startled, whipping his head to glance back at Akechi. A sort of pathetic, hopeful look that was half covered by the cursed mask replaced the hurt that was on his face previously.
Akechi didn’t meet his gaze, glancing outside the windows. He didn’t acknowledge how he subtly pulled Ren closer to himself.
“Welcome, valued customer! How may I help you today?” Ren teased from behind the counter as he watched Akechi come through Leblanc’s door.
“By shutting up,” Akechi deadpanned, although his voice contained a tiny bit of fondness as he observed how cheery Ren seemed to be today. He disgusted himself sometimes.
“You know you love me,” Ren continued in the same light tone, already going to prepare Akechi’s coffee. That damn phrase again.
“Why are you so cheerful?” Akechi demanded warily, settling down in his usual barstool. He took out his laptop again, barely looking at the screen as he watched Ren make the coffee. His fingers were so deft, but smaller than Akechi’s. Thin, precise, small—perfect for crafting infiltration tools or wielding a dagger or lock picking—or making coffee.
“No reason,” Ren answered, definitely hiding a reason. He set the coffee in front of the ex-detective, going to wash his hands.
“Thank you,” Akechi accepted the coffee, wrapping his hands around it. He could faintly feel the warmth through his gloves.
“So, how are you doing?” Ren asked as he approached the other. He swiftly squeezed Akechi’s shoulders before sitting down in the seat next to him.
A habit Akechi noticed, the more he learned about the other, was that Ren was very touchy when he was affectionate. He seemed content when giving Sakura head pats, nudging Sakamoto’s shoulder with his own, high-fiving Takamaki, giving Okumura gentle, reassuring hugs, letting Mona nestle in his shoulder—Ren was indeed a participant of physical affection. And his main receiver seemed to be Akechi during the past few days. Not that the brunet complained. He rarely allowed himself to enjoy anything, and those warm, light touches were something they both cherished.
“Fine, I suppose. You?” Akechi took a sip of his coffee, closing his eyes slightly. He was surprised by the heaviness of his eyelids—he wanted to stay wrapped up in Ren’s warmth and sleep forever, until he actually felt rested.
“I’m doing great. Ryuji contacted me about that Mementos request a few days ago—it worked as usual. The family seems to be just fine,” Ren grinned in satisfaction.
Akechi eyed the other boy, setting down his cup. “Nice work, Joker.”
Ren’s smile widened as he leaned over and squeezed Akechi’s hand. It sent a bolt of…something rushing down the other boy’s spine like a Zio spell. “All thanks to you, Crow.”
Akechi huffed out a laugh, shifting his body so he was facing the other boy. He didn’t miss how Ren’s eyes positively beamed. How could he, when they anchored him to this miserable world?
Akechi took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. It felt heavier than usual, weighing down and covering his face. He pulled it up into a low ponytail as he changed train stations. He wasn’t sleeping well lately, no thanks to all the weird shit that’s been happening. Everyone was so fucking positive and disgustingly optimistic about their pitiful lives.
He found himself wandering tiredly around Yongen-Jaya, past the bathhouse and right in front of Café Leblanc once again. He debated on whether to enter or go home. He probably needed some sleep, but every time his head hit the pillow and his eyes closed, he saw himself doing shit he shouldn’t have. Pushing Ren away, fumbling and revealing his status as the Black Mask, being shot by his own fucking fake—it kept Akechi awake at night, muffling screams by biting his hand.
He stared at the glass door, white knuckles around his briefcase concealed by gloves. Taking a deep breath, he turned his heel and forced himself to walk away. Not today. He couldn’t go in looking like roadkill, dark circles like bruises under his eyes. He’d actually prefer it if others thought they were wounds from fighting Shadows instead of sleep.
The door nearly slammed into him when an elderly couple exited the café. He took a step back, struggling to keep the scowl off of his face.
“Oh! Goro!” Ren waved at him, a wide smile lighting up his features. He was wearing his usual apron, probably helping out with the evening rush of customers. Or, ‘rush’, as the café never seemed to have more than three people in the booths.
God fucking dammit. How did Ren see him all the way out there? It was like he had a third eye or something that scanned through everything.
“Amamiya,” Akechi answered smoothly, striding in the café as confidently as he could. The aromatic, comforting smell of curry reminded him that he hadn’t eaten in nearly two days. He settled down in his usual spot, not bothering to take out his laptop. He was too tired to write, anyways. Even placing his briefcase down on the seat next to him felt like a huge accomplishment, his arms screaming at him to stop.
“I told you to call me Ren,” the other boy chided playfully, before cocking his head. Somehow, he sensed that something was off about Akechi, no matter how hard he tried to hide it. “You okay?”
“I’m perfectly fine, thank you,” Akechi replied tightly, his usually upright posture wilting a bit. It was hard to keep his back straight when his stomach was nearly as hollow as his heart.
Ren didn’t look convinced, leaning closer until his face was inches away from Akechi’s. He brought a gentle hand up to tilt the brunet’s chin around, observing his face and blood-red eyes. “You look tired, Goro.”
Akechi let himself melt under Ren’s gaze, too exhausted to resist. “No shit, Sherlock. You should’ve been Detective Prince instead of me,” he said sarcastically. It was less intimidating when his stomach protested against him, a pathetic sound that made his ears turn pink.
Ren pulled back, leaving lingering traces of warmth. “Are you hungry? Do you want some curry? I can whip it up real fast,” he fretted, immediately going to the fridge.
“I—I’m fine, Ren. Don’t.” Akechi shook his head, struggling to get up. It was a fucking mistake to come here. All he did was make shit more complicated, burden the one person he cared about.
What was I thinking? He screamed at himself as he rubbed his hand over his face.
For fuck’s sake, stupid human, just let him take care of you, Loki complained. It’s annoying to see you beat up yourself.
Akechi didn’t even have the strength to tell him to shut up.
“Where are you going?” Ren noticed him attempting to leave with the last of his dignity.
“Home,” Akechi said simply. “I…forgot that I had something to do. I’ll be seeing you.”
“Wait! What?” Ren exclaimed in pure worry. He rushed over to where Akechi was grabbing his briefcase with shaky hands. “You…you can’t go out like that! You’re two seconds away from collapsing. Here, let me help—”
“Don’t,” Akechi burst out, wincing as he saw Ren’s expression fade into one of hurt. “I…” he wrapped an arm around his waist to steady himself as he took a deep breath. His mind was becoming a whirlwind, dizzying and light from hunger and exhaustion.
“Goro. Please. Let me help,” Ren whispered, gently placing a hand on Akechi’s shoulder. He was warm. So warm.
Akechi didn’t respond, leaning into the touch like a moth to a flame. He simply nodded in quiet resignation.
Ren smiled softly, tenderly wrapping his arms around the older boy. He pressed the back of Akechi’s head with a soft hand, letting his forehead fall onto his shoulder, letting the brunet relax and soften in his arms. “Thank you.”
I should be thanking you. I shouldn’t be here. I’m just burdening you. You’re so warm. You’re so bright. I’m sorry. I love you.
A million things ran through Akechi’s head as he let himself stay in the moment. Vulnerable, walls down, breathing. Relaxed, limp, arms loose and weak at his sides. Eyes closed, heart wide open. Right in front of Ren. His rival, his partner, his light, his warmth.
Akechi walked in the familiar café for the fifth time in the past week. He’d been practically living in Leblanc with Ren whenever he had to work there, staying from when he worked after school to biding him good night. He didn’t have much to do outside of the Metaverse, anyways—in the new ‘reality’, it seemed as though he had a regular salary from some unknown deity.
“Goro,” Ren greeted him, tying his apron up. “Your usual?”
“I suppose.” Akechi took his seat, taking out his laptop. He opened up the usual folder and began typing away in a new file.
“You still haven’t told me what you’re writing up in there,” Ren hummed as he carefully prepared the cup.
Akechi looked up from his screen, raising an eyebrow. “Perhaps when you beat me in chess, I’ll tell you as a reward.”
“Ugh, that’ll take forever,” Ren groaned dramatically, pouring the hot water precisely over the coffee grounds.
“Speaking of forever, it’s been a while since we infiltrated the Palace,” Akechi reminded him. “You are aware of the deadline, correct?”
“Eager to kill some poor Shadows, are we?” Ren teased back, placing the cup in front of the ex-detective. “Maybe I’ll tell the Thieves to gather for an infiltration when you tell me what you’re typing.”
Akechi rolled his eyes, although his lips turned up a bit fondly. “You’re infuriating, you know that?” He closed the laptop, taking his coffee and enjoying the rich, sweet drink.
“You. Love. Me,” Ren smirked, repeating his favorite phrase in the past few weeks.
“Shut. Your. Mouth,” Akechi countered with a sickly sweet smile, leaning over a bit closer to Ren with each word.
Ren snickered, leaning over to take one of the brunet’s hands. He ungloved it and kissed the back of Akechi’s palm. “You’re always so lethal. I love it.”
What.
Akechi’s body flamed up as if he was burning from a Agidyne spell. He froze for a second, mind blanking.
“I…”
“Anyways, are you hungry? I restocked the fridge yesterday, so there are extra ingredients for curry,” Ren continued innocently as if he didn’t just do something absurd. He smiled at Akechi, eyes sparkling.
Akechi’s face burned as he fumbled to put his glove back on. “I appreciate the offer, b—”
“Alright! It’ll be done in a few,” Ren interrupted cheerfully, disappearing in the kitchen before Akechi could object.
Akechi ran a hand through his hair, reminding himself to breathe. His cheeks and ears were an inferno.
Well this just got interesting. Finally, I was getting tired of all the slow burn, Loki informed him.
“Ren,” Akechi stated in a bit of affectionate exasperation, “you need to stop giving me free curry and coffee.”
“Why?” Said boy looked unbothered, reading a book on his right. His left fingers were laced with Akechi’s right, and his thumb was rubbing over the taller boy’s soothingly.
“Well, what would Boss say?” Akechi challenged, despite taking a small bite of the curry in front of him. Ren’d made him eat something again. Curry wasn’t the only thing that filled him with content.
“He’d tell me to start chasing girls and stop chasing you,” Ren laughed carefreely, looking over at the other boy unabashedly.
Akechi nearly choked on his mouthful, swallowing quickly and holding a hand over his face. He steadied his breathing, pretending to be calm and taking a sip of coffee. “Really? And your response?”
Ren squeezed his hand, looking deep into Akechi’s eyes. “I’d tell him I don’t need to chase girls when I have you.” His smile was soft again, eyes open and honest.
Akechi felt his heart race, adrenaline filling his veins as if he’d just slaughtered a horde of Shadows.
He loves you, Loki maintained. When are you going to say it back?
Akechi couldn’t. Not yet. His mouth opened, but the wrong words came out.
“Are you saying I’m a girl?” Akechi deadpanned as he returned the stare.
Ren’s mouth dropped open in horror. “I—what—no—Goro—!” He desperately scrambled for words, throwing the book out of his hand and reaching for Akechi’s.
Akechi couldn’t contain his laugh and it sure surprised the fuck out of him. He felt it bubbling up his throat, threatening to spill over. He tried to look at Ren to distract himself, but the younger boy’s comically wide eyes and panicked expression made his own lips curl up.
Akechi laughed quietly, a series of mellow exhales that was the opposite of his high, plasticky Detective Prince titter or extreme, harsh Black Mask cackle. He squeezed Ren’s hand as he used the other one to cover his mouth.
A firm hand pried the one covering his face away from him, and despite having his mask taken away, he was still smiling as he met Ren’s gaze.
“You’re mean,” Ren said softly, his expression one of pure devotion.
Akechi smirked back, something foreign but comforting filling his chest. It covered his shattered heart, mending the cracks with something stronger, hotter, piecing the shards back together with liquid gold.
Ren’s smile widened as he leaned over his seat. “But I love it,” he whispered, pressing a kiss against Akechi’s temple.
Akechi had no idea what they were at this point. Ren was constantly showering him with extra affection—holding hands when they went to Jazz Jin, hugging his shoulders when he passed him while helping another customer at Leblanc, kissing his hands when they were alone in the café, and a shit ton more. It drove him insane to the point where he was seriously considering Loki’s suggestions of pressing the younger boy against the wall and kissing him stupid.
He’d finally realized that he was in fucking love with Ren, the piece of shit stole his heart just like another Treasure, with confidence and grace.
He began working away at his laptop again, eyes occasionally flickering up to glance at Ren. He was busy with another customer, a gothic-looking young woman in a doctor’s coat. They were chatting about some medicine, Ren’s posture absolute shit leaning against the booth.
“Akechi! Ren!” Sakura’s voice called as she burst through the café’s door.
“What.” Akechi turned to her, fingers still typing down his last words.
“Mona got stuck in a tree and can’t get out! I tried reaching him, but he’s too high up,” Sakura hollered as she waved her arms around.
“He got stuck or did you toss him up?” Akechi asked dryly.
“I—he—he climbed up himself!” Sakura defended, stomping her foot. “I need one of you taller giraffes to help me carry him back down.”
“Sorry Futaba, I’m busy working,” Ren grinned at Akechi deliberately, gesturing to the doctor.
“Fuck you,” Akechi grumbled with zero venom as he reluctantly got up from his seat.
“Love you too, sweetheart!” Ren called after him, voice was sweet as honey.
Akechi rolled his eyes, crossing his arms as he followed Sakura out of Leblanc. “Let’s make this quick.”
“Aren’t you eager to go back to seducing Ren,” Sakura shot back, leading the way through Yongen-Jaya.
Akechi reminded himself that this was a child, albeit an annoying one. He shouldn’t be picking fights with a kid. Especially one who’s part of the Phantom Thieves and whose mother he was ordered to kill. He did feel a slight pang of guilt. Despite maintaining that people were tools, useful ones discarded once their purpose was carried out, he regretted forcing another kid to go through the painful process of losing a parent.
“I’m not seducing him,” he snapped, ears burning.
“Whatever you say,” Sakura mumbled before stopping at a large tree past the clinic that the doctor at the café probably worked at.
“The cat’s up here?” Akechi changed the subject, trying to peer through the leaves in search for a furry black thing.
“I’m not a cat!” the annoying creature’s high pitched voice screeched.
Akechi sighed as the leaves rustled and its furry head popped out among the green. “If you scratch me, I’ll shoot you.” He began looking for a clear path to reach up and grab Mona.
“Hey! You can’t talk to me like that!” the cat squawked, peering down at Akechi with its beady little blue eyes.
“Are you a bird or a cat?” Akechi shot back, stretching his arms. He then stood on his toes and grabbed the creature with both of his hands swiftly, dropping it on the ground a few seconds later.
“Futaba! Are you hearing this?!” Mona yelped, running towards the short girl.
Sakura didn’t reply, too busy grabbing the cat’s cheeks and squeezing it. “Bad kitty! Don’t climb up any more trees, got it?” she scolded with a huge grin.
Unwilling to hear more of the stupid cat’s whining, Akechi brushed himself off and began to trek back to Leblanc. Sakura followed him, carrying Mona in her arms.
He was walking just damn fine before Loki began talking.
Did you close your laptop before saving the wretched cat?
Oh, shit.
I’ll take that as a no.
Shut the fuck up. Did I?
How am I supposed to know? I’m just a Persona, as you love to remind me.
Akechi gritted his teeth before speeding up his pace. He couldn’t fucking believe he left the damn thing open. He heard Sakura yelp at the change of pace before running to catch up to him.
Akechi attempted to appear calm when he entered Leblanc, eyes immediately darting towards his laptop. Closed. Safe. He breathed out a subtle sigh of relief.
“How was the rescue mission?” Ren asked with a small smile, cheeks strangely dusted in pink.
“Fucking terrific.” Akechi walked to his spot, glancing at the other boy. “Your cat was annoying as always.”
“Ren! Your boyfriend is a menace!” The cat squealed from Sakura’s arms. The shriek that followed meant that the girl had shook him.
Akechi’s ears burned as he looked away from Ren’s adorable, flustered face. He busied himself with pulling up the most recent file on his laptop.
1/30/2017
Ren is working behind the counter again at Leblanc. Thank God. I desired to see him again, even after we spent the night at Jazz Jin previously. It doesn’t matter—I will never be sick of seeing him. I used to hate it, being always ready to impress or please him. I’ve long accepted it now. Either that or let it tear me apart, and I don’t fucking plan on it.
He’s assisting an odd customer today—a goth doctor, I assume. One that works in Yongen-Jaya, from the casual way they speak. Ren is always so kind to his ‘friends’, willing to listen, give advice. His eyes are truly beautiful, with flecks of dark gray in the pools of silver. I wonder what his hair feels like—it looks incredibly soft. His posture is as horrible as always. I wish I could straighten his shoulders for him. But it’s juvenile to think I could ever do that.
Akechi find another wave of relief wash over him as he found nothing deleted.
The next day, Ren was exceedingly touchy-feely towards him. In the morning, he greeted the other with a light hug and in total had hugged him four times, held his hand for over an hour when chatting, kissed his hand three times, kissed his temple twice, squeezed his shoulders five times, and it wasn’t even evening yet.
“Ren,” Akechi took a deep breath, his ears burning off his head. “Would you…mind if I stayed after-hours tonight? I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Huh? Oh, sure,” Ren grinned at him cheerfully, playing with a strand of hair between his fingers. “I’ll tell Sojiro I’m locking up today.”
Finally growing a pair, are you, little crow? Loki’s laugh echoed through his mind. My suggestion still stands, you know.
For the sixth fucking time, I am not killing everyone in the bathhouse beforehand and taking him with me there, Akechi snarled back at his Persona.
That was a jest, Loki dismissed. I meant about staying the night and showing him exactly how your skills exceed—
SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP, Akechi screamed, holding his head in his hand. Fuck his Persona. But he surprisingly needed Loki’s advice for fucking once, to confront the doubts that have been plaguing his mind ever since the Mona in a Tree Incident.
I…don’t want this game to end. This battle to end. If I do admit defeat…will Ren stop being so nice? Will he simply celebrate his victory, and things go back to the way they were? He’s just intentionally flirting with me to trick me into confessing, right?
Loki stayed silent for a minute, long enough to make Akechi think he was actually going silent for once.
You are one fucking dumb human.
What the fuck?
Are you physically blind, little crow, or are you that fucking dense? Do you not see the way Ren’s gaze lingers after you leave the room? Do you not see how he smiles differently for you than any other person? Do you not see how much he cares for you? Do you not see how much he loves you?
Akechi leaned back against his barstool, rubbing his temples. Loki was fucking loud about it.
Get out of your head, little crow. You are far too distrustful of others, far too nihilistic. Learn to understand that your Joker loves you, idiot.
Akechi flushed darkly, groaning. Why did he decide to ask his fucking Persona of all shit?
After a few hours, some spent talking to Ren, others (when Ren had customers) typing in his laptop, it was finally closing time. Akechi closed his eyes as Ren flipped the sign over to prepare himself.
“What did you wanna talk about, Goro?” Ren inquired as he took a seat next to Akechi.
You got this, Goro. Nothing to be afraid of now. You can take on hordes of Shadows. You can fight like your life depends on it when all you’re doing is quickening your death. You’re ready to defeat Maruki and you’ll…mostly likely die anyways. You can’t go down with regrets.
“Right,” Akechi cleared his throat, taking off his gloves. He folded his hands in front of him, gazing at Ren as if trying to read his thoughts. “I wanted to ask: why exactly are you so…affectionate towards me?”
Ren blinked, a dark pink blush staining his pale skin. “What do you mean? It’s—it’s for our battle.”
“You know what I’m talking about, Ren.” Akechi leaned forward, raising an eyebrow. “You don’t have to do this.”
Ren looked slightly hurt and offended, as if he was angry about Akechi’s neglectful attitude towards himself. As if he could hear the self-loathing in the older boy’s voice, see how much he hated himself in his eyes.
“Shut up,” Ren said firmly, surging forward. He gingerly held Akechi’s head in his hands, heels of his palms brushing the tips of his hot ears. “I care about you, Goro. More than you’ll ever know. And I’m not gonna stop caring about you, so don’t even.” His gaze was that fucking one again. That fucking one that said: I care about you, I worry for you, I cry for you, I appreciate you, I like you, I love you.
Akechi’s face flamed, turning a blotchy red that matched the shade of his irises.
I love you, Ren. I love you, Ren. I love you, Ren. I love you—
“If I tell you I love you, are you going to stop?” his stupid, cursed, dumb, fucking piece of shit traitor mouth blurted out. Akechi froze up, his eyes growing wide. Shit. He fucked up.
Ren blinked again, taking a minute or two to process the words. His expression was merely surprised, head tilting to the side as he thought.
Every second that ticked by frayed Akechi’s nerves, made him want to jump out of Ren’s hands and sprint away.
“Yes,” Ren finally said quietly. “I would.”
Just like that, Akechi’s stomach dropped and his heart was right at the edge of the cliff and—
“But not if you become my boyfriend,” Ren continued calmly, “because I would keep loving you and a shit ton more.”
Emotions hit Akechi like a fucking Divine Judgement hammer slamming into his gut. Fear, love, elation, affection, worry, shock, awe, excitement and so much more he couldn’t identify.
His face was really going to burn off at this rate. He sighed, rolling his eyes as he flicked Ren’s forehead. “Shut up. You gave me a fucking heart attack, you piece of shit.”
“Is that a yes?” Ren teased, smirking as he stood up and leaned down. His face was inches away from Akechi’s, his eyes unabashedly staring at the other’s lips.
“I love you, Ren,” Akechi said simply. He then closed the gap between their lips.
Akechi woke up wanting to scream. The only sound that escaped him was a dry rasp, echoing in wherever he was.
I love you, Ren. I love you, Ren. I love you, Ren.
Akechi scanned his surroundings, memories rushing back. The fight with Maruki. Taking back reality. Accepting his death…was this hell?
No. The hollow, clean to the point of extremity apartment looked too familiar.
But why was it here? Why am I here? And…
His mind felt clear, empty. Without the voice of Loki.
What the hell happened? Did we win?
He glanced towards his nightstand, relieved when he saw his phone. He rolled over and snatched it, despite his sore muscles screaming at him to lie down and sleep.
The date was February 4th, 2017. It was exactly midnight.
I love you, Ren. I love you, Ren. I love you, Ren.
Akechi forced himself to open up his messaging app, despite the light of his phone nearly blinding him. It wasn’t half as bright as Ren’s smile.
He pulled up Ren’s contact, seeing their previous messages.
Me: And that’s why I fucking eliminated the pathetic loser.
Ren: in gun about, right?
Akechi: . . .
Ren: in gun about, right?
Akechi: Whatever pleases you.
Ren: ;) oh, really?
Akechi: . . .
Akechi: Fuck you.
Ren: Lol. Anyway, u coming over?
Me: Yes. I will arrive in three minutes; I’m in the train right now.
Ren: gr8! Come quickly, I miss u~
2/4 12:01am
Me: I love you, Ren.
Ren: typing
Ren: i love you 2, Goro. pls get some sleep. wanna see u tmr
Akechi closed his eyes, throwing his phone on the mattress next to him. So things were going to be okay, after all. He fell back asleep, dreaming of silvery eyes and soft smiles and curly hair that he’d finally gotten to run his fingers through.
I love you, Ren. I love you, Ren. I love you, Ren.