[Akechi leans into him and Ren gently places his gift down on a table nearby so he can bring his arms up around the other boy's neck, let a hand twirl gently through the back of his hair. The amount of times he wanted to do this before- at Penguin Sniper, in the Jazz Jin, whenever Akechi would sit at the counter of Leblanc and Ren would think, what would happen if he just leaned in and caught his lips, hot and slow--
Hm, there's no point in needing to fantasize anymore, not like that. Not when Akechi is here, and whole, and he can look into his eyes and lean forward to capture his lips just like he imagined so, so many times. They're soft, and he's warm, and Ren is so, so happy.
He doesn't linger terribly long, but his expression is incredibly sappy. And then, only then, does it occur to him that Akechi may have thought he was not listening even a little bit for the sake of kissing him, and he almost laughs.]
Sorry. You just-- you looked so cute.
[And speaking of that stupid smile of his: it's here.]
[But there's no real heat behind the words, just that feigned exasperation as he rolls his eyes and allows Ren to cling to him with the world's sappiest, lovesick expression on his face.]
Nevermind, don't answer that. Just - take them. Do whatever you like with them. It doesn't matter to me.
I was just thinking about how there's been times we've been talking before and I've really wanted to kiss you. But I couldn't then. So... I decided I didn't want to wait anymore.
[He'd kiss him again if he didn't think Akechi would punch him either in the stomach, head, or dick. But he also doesn't let the other boy go.]
Yes well, don't get too used to it. Our stay here won't be much longer and once we solve our little Maruki problem, I'll be graduating and leaving the country. So try not to get too attached to my presence.
[The lie is distressingly smooth, it comes as easily as breathing.]
[Damn right he wants to kiss him. Kiss him more!!!
Ren tries not to react to it; not to give away how much he knows that's a lie, about how few choices they have, about what Akechi is fighting for. How they probably both know the other knows and are just doing this delicate step around it because confronting it would only hurt worse. But despite the fact it would be ill-advised, Ren does what Ren does best in these situations- he pushes the boundaries. He tests the barriers. He makes people wonder- what if this wasn't the end?
What if you could see the world as it could be, in spite of the way that it is?]
And... nothing could convince you to stay?
[One hand stays on the back of his neck, but the other shifts down, flat on Akechi's chest to travel from his neck, over his shoulder, above his heart.]
[The gift of time. Shouldn't Akechi be grateful for every single extra day he's given in this place?
He is all too aware of what Ren wants from him. But Akechi has never once deluded himself into believing he could ever be allowed to have the normal things that normal teenage boys had. He would never have the chance to bicker over a shared dorm's messiness or to have the greatest stress in his life simply be an upcoming exam. There's no chance of ever graduating, no sneaking out to see his boyfriend after curfew, no dreams of the future.
Akechi willingly let himself be turned into a weapon long before Shido ever got ahold of him. And he'll remain only that long after he's been all but forgotten.
But of course he can't say that.]
You don't understand how much I hate our country. I want no part of the place that willingly left her to die.
[The trick is, he'll never remain that way. Not in the hearts and minds of those who care about him. Not to Ren, who will only ever remember him as the boy everyone left behind, the boy that mirrors his own soul, the first time he wanted to have something that was his so he could give it away.
Ren hums in response, moving his fingers gently over Akechi's clothes on his chest, almost tracing the scar he knows is underneath as if to betray his own words.]
What if... I came with you? I'll finish high school and I'll follow. Wherever you wanted to go.
[What was it, Akechi had said to him all those months ago? Run away with him? Forget your friends? The prospect that left him weak at the knees when Ren gave him that sly expression and promised to consider it?
[No matter how Akechi might try to play everything close to the chest, for the one boy who knows him better than anything, Ren would be able to see the fractures in the other's mask at that answer. It shakes him, this one thing he never thought he'd ever hear slip from Ren's mouth. That without the threat of Akechi's life hanging in the balance, that he would still choose him over the rest.
It can't be real.
Ren's touch dances over where Akechi's scar remains hidden under his shirt and the older boy starts as if surprised, before he's quickly finding his composure, scoffing.]
Don't say things you don't mean, Ren. We both know you wouldn't leave your precious friends behind. As if they would be able to stand it.
[For as much as Ren enjoys the push-and-pull of messing with Akechi, there's also an inherent need of him to do so; he enjoys watching the other boy squirm, but this may also be the only way to find out how much this actually means. He knows that the only way to truly understand him is to get his fingertips in those fractures, pull where he shouldn't, and find the truth underneath.
This doesn't feel like a victory, of any sorts. It doesn't often with him. But right now Ren would count it as a victory if Akechi would simply consider another option; a future of any kind.
It's a bittersweet one no matter what. But maybe if he tries hard enough, Akechi can believe in this fantasy too.]
It doesn't have to be forever. Maybe we travel. You don't have to stay where you don't want, I'm just... saying.
[He chances a look to Akechi's eyes.]
We have time to think about another option. Another future.
[Is it crueler to let Ren keep this spark of hope for what they two of them will never have? Or is it kinder to break this thing between them off now, to sever their connection completely and hope that it makes Ren hate him?
For a boy who has always known exactly what he wanted and pressed on relentlessly towards it, even when it was so far out of reach, for once, Akechi just doesn't know. What Ren wants is obvious, but what does he want? Does it even matter? Is giving himself a spark of hope even worse than giving it to Ren? Would he even allow himself to consider buckling?
Akechi's hand rests over Ren's wrist, the other boy's fingers pressed over his heart.]
[He doesn't even know that Ren knows the truth. He knows the future they'll hold, he just refuses to imagine it. If that is where his path is taking, so be it, but...
He never knows exactly where his path is going. Nothing is set in stone. And if he dreams hard enough, if he hopes hard enough, if he simply thinks it's going to happen a different way...
It might. It's not a promise, but it might.
Ren's smile softens, and he tips upwards to place a kiss on Akechi's forehead.]
Just something to think about. I bet it would be fun.
[They can, if he believes it. They can. They will.]
Gives me something to think about while I enjoy the chocolate you gave me. Do you want to try one?
There are worse people to travel with. I imagine with the two of us it would never be boring.
[Which feels like an understatement considering all of their everything, but the thought leaves Akechi a little warm, even if it he knows it's such an impossibility. Still, the fantasy of it is everything.
For once, he accepts the kiss without grumbling or pushing away, allowing Ren to press in close and shower him with affection.]
No, they're yours. But I'll stay and keep you company while you enjoy them.
If I was going to, I certainly wouldn't spoil the surprise.
[And what does it say that Ren pulls him and Akechi goes without hesitation, following him to the table, where he'll no doubt be cuddled and kissed and fawned over while the other boy enjoys his sweets. But maybe, considering it's Ren, it really isn't the worst thing. Maybe this is one of those precious moments he'll hold on to, knowing their time together is so limited.
So Akechi will stay and see every minute through.]
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chiming
no subject
Date: 2025-04-11 05:11 am (UTC)From:Hm, there's no point in needing to fantasize anymore, not like that. Not when Akechi is here, and whole, and he can look into his eyes and lean forward to capture his lips just like he imagined so, so many times. They're soft, and he's warm, and Ren is so, so happy.
He doesn't linger terribly long, but his expression is incredibly sappy. And then, only then, does it occur to him that Akechi may have thought he was not listening even a little bit for the sake of kissing him, and he almost laughs.]
Sorry. You just-- you looked so cute.
[And speaking of that stupid smile of his: it's here.]
no subject
Date: 2025-04-12 04:38 am (UTC)From:Were you even listening to a word I said?
[But there's no real heat behind the words, just that feigned exasperation as he rolls his eyes and allows Ren to cling to him with the world's sappiest, lovesick expression on his face.]
Nevermind, don't answer that. Just - take them. Do whatever you like with them. It doesn't matter to me.
no subject
Date: 2025-04-16 05:54 am (UTC)From:[He was listening! He just also is very love!]
I was just thinking about how there's been times we've been talking before and I've really wanted to kiss you. But I couldn't then. So... I decided I didn't want to wait anymore.
[He'd kiss him again if he didn't think Akechi would punch him either in the stomach, head, or dick. But he also doesn't let the other boy go.]
I'm... happy you're here. With me.
no subject
Date: 2025-04-19 04:51 am (UTC)From:(But Akechi still wants to kiss him.)]
Yes well, don't get too used to it. Our stay here won't be much longer and once we solve our little Maruki problem, I'll be graduating and leaving the country. So try not to get too attached to my presence.
[The lie is distressingly smooth, it comes as easily as breathing.]
no subject
Date: 2025-04-24 04:16 am (UTC)From:Ren tries not to react to it; not to give away how much he knows that's a lie, about how few choices they have, about what Akechi is fighting for. How they probably both know the other knows and are just doing this delicate step around it because confronting it would only hurt worse. But despite the fact it would be ill-advised, Ren does what Ren does best in these situations- he pushes the boundaries. He tests the barriers. He makes people wonder- what if this wasn't the end?
What if you could see the world as it could be, in spite of the way that it is?]
And... nothing could convince you to stay?
[One hand stays on the back of his neck, but the other shifts down, flat on Akechi's chest to travel from his neck, over his shoulder, above his heart.]
You have time, here. To change your mind.
no subject
Date: 2025-04-24 07:23 am (UTC)From:He is all too aware of what Ren wants from him. But Akechi has never once deluded himself into believing he could ever be allowed to have the normal things that normal teenage boys had. He would never have the chance to bicker over a shared dorm's messiness or to have the greatest stress in his life simply be an upcoming exam. There's no chance of ever graduating, no sneaking out to see his boyfriend after curfew, no dreams of the future.
Akechi willingly let himself be turned into a weapon long before Shido ever got ahold of him. And he'll remain only that long after he's been all but forgotten.
But of course he can't say that.]
You don't understand how much I hate our country. I want no part of the place that willingly left her to die.
no subject
Date: 2025-04-29 05:59 am (UTC)From:Ren hums in response, moving his fingers gently over Akechi's clothes on his chest, almost tracing the scar he knows is underneath as if to betray his own words.]
What if... I came with you? I'll finish high school and I'll follow. Wherever you wanted to go.
[What was it, Akechi had said to him all those months ago? Run away with him? Forget your friends? The prospect that left him weak at the knees when Ren gave him that sly expression and promised to consider it?
Maybe it's not too late on that offer.]
no subject
Date: 2025-04-30 03:39 am (UTC)From:It can't be real.
Ren's touch dances over where Akechi's scar remains hidden under his shirt and the older boy starts as if surprised, before he's quickly finding his composure, scoffing.]
Don't say things you don't mean, Ren. We both know you wouldn't leave your precious friends behind. As if they would be able to stand it.
no subject
Date: 2025-05-03 06:27 am (UTC)From:This doesn't feel like a victory, of any sorts. It doesn't often with him. But right now Ren would count it as a victory if Akechi would simply consider another option; a future of any kind.
It's a bittersweet one no matter what. But maybe if he tries hard enough, Akechi can believe in this fantasy too.]
It doesn't have to be forever. Maybe we travel. You don't have to stay where you don't want, I'm just... saying.
[He chances a look to Akechi's eyes.]
We have time to think about another option. Another future.
no subject
Date: 2025-05-05 06:30 am (UTC)From:For a boy who has always known exactly what he wanted and pressed on relentlessly towards it, even when it was so far out of reach, for once, Akechi just doesn't know. What Ren wants is obvious, but what does he want? Does it even matter? Is giving himself a spark of hope even worse than giving it to Ren? Would he even allow himself to consider buckling?
Akechi's hand rests over Ren's wrist, the other boy's fingers pressed over his heart.]
...I've always wanted to see Europe.
no subject
Date: 2025-05-11 04:12 am (UTC)From:He never knows exactly where his path is going. Nothing is set in stone. And if he dreams hard enough, if he hopes hard enough, if he simply thinks it's going to happen a different way...
It might. It's not a promise, but it might.
Ren's smile softens, and he tips upwards to place a kiss on Akechi's forehead.]
Just something to think about. I bet it would be fun.
[They can, if he believes it. They can. They will.]
Gives me something to think about while I enjoy the chocolate you gave me. Do you want to try one?
no subject
Date: 2025-05-11 07:16 am (UTC)From:There are worse people to travel with. I imagine with the two of us it would never be boring.
[Which feels like an understatement considering all of their everything, but the thought leaves Akechi a little warm, even if it he knows it's such an impossibility. Still, the fantasy of it is everything.
For once, he accepts the kiss without grumbling or pushing away, allowing Ren to press in close and shower him with affection.]
No, they're yours. But I'll stay and keep you company while you enjoy them.
no subject
Date: 2025-05-25 04:54 am (UTC)From:[He reaches and loops their fingers together as he starts to pull Akechi towards the table where he put the candy.]
Stay a while then. Okay?
no subject
Date: 2025-05-25 05:02 am (UTC)From:[And what does it say that Ren pulls him and Akechi goes without hesitation, following him to the table, where he'll no doubt be cuddled and kissed and fawned over while the other boy enjoys his sweets. But maybe, considering it's Ren, it really isn't the worst thing. Maybe this is one of those precious moments he'll hold on to, knowing their time together is so limited.
So Akechi will stay and see every minute through.]
For you? Consider it done.