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The plan is going almost exactly as imagined. These cold grey walls that seem to endlessly stretch both down and out of the way of society is exactly what both he and Shido have awaited since these so-called Phantom Thieves had made their proper debut with Madarame.
A step towards his revenge needs to overcome a few more things, one of which being his rival’s meagre life. Sae’s sudden appearance at the base of the elevator was unexpected but not surprising considering her adamant need to finish investigating her case, but she won’t get that awaited change of heart, not with Joker in cuffs nestled in the cracks between just and justice.
The guard is stationed as they should be. “I wouldn’t want to be face to face with a ‘dangerous criminal’ alone.” He goads the officer towards the room. Of course, before shooting that man dead, no one shall bear witness to this blood splatter.
Joker looks afraid. It’s a look he should wear more often. Tears decorate his cheeks like cosmetics do for Goro. Small silver eyes do not quite reach him but there are things he can do to remedy that.
“Come now, Joker, do look your rival in the eyes one last time.” He hums, adjusting the angle of the gun to gently lift Joker’s chin up towards himself. Joker complies, he has to.
How cute he is, all compliant like this. Though, he is quite sure all the defiance has been beaten out of him by the others of the force. He won’t see such a look again, so he takes out his phone to document the occasion.
He clicks into the app. It doesn’t respond, as if he were using cheap gloves that were unresponsive to touch screens.
He tries again, and again…
And again.
His camera application refuses to open. That’s never happened before. Then he sees the officer in the corner of the room fade to ash.
“Oh- oh.” He either grits his teeth or grins, he can’t care to tell the difference. “It seems someone still wants to play games.”
He clicks into the metaverse navigator.
Akira sits there awaiting his chance saviour. Sae has long left with his device; a good sign that things are moving along smoothly. Well… as smoothly as getting beaten half to death gets. Without assistance, he doesn’t think he can move any of his limbs.
Hearing the door open, he manages one of his dwindling ounces of strength to lift his head to see who entered… except, it isn’t Sae Niijima. His blood runs cold.
“No…” he manages under his breath, shallow and panicking.
“I’m surprised, even now at death’s door you try to deceive me.”
Akechi takes a step forward, as Akira struggles to back away. His body aches with the hundreds of bruises that colour the surface of his skin, but he manages to push himself off of the chair and away from Akechi’s hand… only for now though.
“You’ve managed so much,” Akechi singsongs, “and look where that has gotten you.” He pauses, probably for dramatic effect, keeping the end of his gun trained on Akira’s forehead. “Death.”
Akira tries to stand; in the little hope that he could dodge the bullet like he were in the metaverse. But of course, like this, he won’t be able to. He can barely lift his body, nevermind dodge a bullet! His eyes begin tearing up, frustrated at his predicament, there’s nothing he can do!
“But~” he aims it away. “It’s him who wants you dead, not me… just yet.” Akechi pockets the gun, not that Akira will complain; somehow he’s gotten Akechi to not assassinate him, that’s great!
Akechi takes him by the scruff before pointing his phone at Akira. Exhausted, Akira lets him do as he wants, not having the strength to fight back anyway.
He gets poked at the cheek. “At least smile for the camera,” Akechi grumbles. Akira manages a sort of twitchy side grin, hoping that it was suitable enough for Akechi’s purposes. “good Kurusu~”
He vaguely hears the click of a camera.
“We’ve delayed long enough.” He lowers his phone, enough for Akira to watch what he was doing. The metaverse… they were to enter from here.
He feels ill when the distortion washes over him, verging on blacking out. Akechi stands first. “Can you walk?” Akira stares up at him, he would shake his head if he could.
He’s suddenly lifted from the ground. Whoever did, Akechi doesn’t seem to mind their presence. Outside the interrogation room, the hallway is lost to crimson shades of what appears to be a subsection of Mementos. Maybe… maybe he can go heal himself. He quietly cycles through all the personas that are settled in his mind at the moment.
Let’s see… Rangda? No. Norn? Not leveled enough. Ah, Daisoujou will do.
Although, Akechi will certainly notice if he does. He has just enough energy for the healing spell and not much else. Despite it, he still goes for it anyway.
Akechi clicks his tongue, and that gun returns to his head… Something he should have expected in hindsight. “Decide your next action carefully, Kurusu.”
Slowly, the summoned persona fades away, the mask returns to Akira’s face.
“I’m sorry.” He mumbles, still a bit misty-eyed.
“That’s what I thought.” Akechi puts away the gun.
Wherever they are now, there are a lot of stairs; not that it seems to phase Akechi whatsoever. It’s clear that he’s far more used to the metaverse than Akira and his team is.
As much as he should keep an eye on his surroundings, Akira struggles to keep himself observant… His injuries still ache but it’s better than being dead. Rest will still recover what little it can, and this… persona, he thinks that is carrying him, won’t mind if he does.
Goro glances back at his little catch. Robinhood shuffles Joker into a more comfortable position in their arms. Somehow, his Raven has managed to fall asleep. Ah… if only the camera application worked in the metaverse… Akira’s little expressions are just too adorable to merely commit to memory!
Well, that doesn’t matter anymore; Akira will soon become his, and only his. He can’t wait for that. It’s exciting! It is almost as fulfilling as if he were to get his vengeance for himself and his mother.
He finds his gaze often drifting to that little Raven… With a little training, he wouldn’t be so bad as a partner to his scheme. Akira certainly knows better about the metaverse, being able to trick him as often as he does.
Soon they’re coming up on the surface world, but it’s still far from his apartment. “Kurusu.” He’s not walking to his apartment entirely on foot. His Raven doesn’t even stir. Robinhood is plenty amused.
Goro sighs, letting his red and white outfit burn away and revealing the black of what this other world understands as his ‘truer’ self. Loki begrudgingly heeds his request, appearing before him in the shape of a motorcycle. He settles Akira against his chest; it’s not like there’s traffic on the surface of Mementos that should put the boy’s life at risk.
Akira wakes, hearing the extra sweetened voice of Akechi talking on the phone just above him. It feels like his head is pillowed against the detective’s lap. His wounds still radiate with a pain now slightly duller than before. He silently waits at least until Akechi ends the call before truly turning to face him.
“Ah, good evening,” he hears the phone thrown to the side. “You’ve slept for quite a while.”
He tries to sit up but the gloved hand in his hair keeps him in place. Akechi only hums a tune. Well, he doesn’t sound like he’s going to shoot him dead anytime soon.
It’s more peaceful than he thought this would be… well as far as getting kidnapped by one’s assassin can be.
Akira would never admit it, but it’s kind of nice not being nagged by the others (mostly Morgana) at every hour of the day. Also Akechi’s petting is really soothing, he thinks he could probably melt back into sleep. He closes his eyes ready to continue his rest…
There’s another snap of a digital camera close to his ear.
He peeks an eye open, giving his would-be-assassin a curious look. There’s another photo taken of him. The phone doesn’t move away, so Akira offers as much of a smile he could feasibly muster. And Akechi? Akechi is overjoyed as far as Akira could gather.
…And then the moment is ruined beyond repair by Akira’s stomach; which elicits a hearty chuckle from Akechi. “Stay there, I’ll get something.” He says, though Akira interprets it more as a command.
He listens as the kettle is brought to a boil. Akechi comes back, propping up his phone against some of the things on the table. Although, the wrong side seems to be put up. He goes back into the kitchen, retrieving a steaming cup of instant noodles.
Akira sits up upon Akechi’s request. His body aches like hell from the simple movement. He feels warm leather gently ease him against the back of the couch. “Careful now,” Akechi hums, “those wounds are still rather new.”
“A-ah, yeah…”
Akechi retakes the cup in hand, taking a seat beside him. “Allow me.” He says, slowly raising ramen-entangled chopsticks to Akira’s lips. Bit by bit until the cup is only filled by liquid.
Akira feels… sleepy…
Goro watches his little Raven drift off to sleep once again. Just how tired is he? It’s not like Goro did anything to the soup! Whatever, he’ll finish the cup and carry his dear Kurusu to bed before he checks the video that has been recording the entire time.
Akira’s beautifully pale complexion has been sullied by the unworthy! Those red and purple splotches, and now the many bandages placed on his body, are quite the reminder to further his hatred towards his father and that sorry excuse of law he flaunts about.
He’ll get that revenge soon; with or without Akira’s help.
He lifts his resting Raven up from the couch- Akira doesn’t stir, it’s adorable. He’s sure that even now it’s being caught on camera.
“Sleep well, Akira.” He hums, bringing him to the bed. He won’t be joining his little prize just yet, for there is more to do before the morning arrives.
…
Goro stares up at his collection of photos, his ever-expanding wall full of the cutest expressions of his dearest little Raven. The newest few that he took today are already up on the wall in its own special spot. Today will be the second best day he will ever experience. He wonders how Akira will react when he sees this room; how will Akira react to his obsession?
He can’t help grinning at the thought of it. Will Akira grow disgusted with him? Become afraid? Or will he get just a bit jealous? It’s a bit intoxicating the more the thought bubbles in his head. Though, his Raven’s health comes first for now, as does the plan.
Akechi has been so kind to him! It’s hard to believe that just last week he held a gun to his head. He also seems to enjoy taking pictures of him, not that Akira minds much; it’s different, sure, but it doesn’t feel that bad. His parents never took photos of him, more often he was the one holding the camera. Also, embarrassingly enough, Akechi keeps cooing these compliments into his ears, though only when he’s mostly asleep. Maybe Akechi can’t say it when he knows Akira can hear him? Maybe Akira should call him Goro just once in retaliation.
Though, and his smile falters, Akechi seemed really tense as he was leaving today. His head still heavily aches here and there but for the most part his wounds are healing, being bedridden for the past while is probably helping with the process… nevertheless Akechi has been pushing himself doing everything for him and he feels a bit guilty about it. When Akira gets a bit better than he is now, he’ll try to do something to ease his burden.
Actually… he’s hungry, he should be able to make something simple. He gets up, shuffling towards the kitchen and opening the fridge… instant meals or simple convenience store items fill most of the space… Akira sighs, one of these will have to do.
About an hour after his snack, he hears the front door unlock. He heads there to greet Akechi. “Welcome back…?” Akechi sighs, tenseness softening at the sight of Akira.
“I see you feel well enough to walk again.” He needlessly points out.
“Mm~ not enough for going out.” Akira admits.
“I see, but I’m afraid I cannot delay much longer, Kurusu.”
“Delay… what?”
“My little plot.”
“Which entails?”
“I was hoping for your skills to aid me in my vengeance, but I see that won’t be as likely as I’d prefer…”
“I…” He looks up at Akechi, giving him a determined expression. “I can help!”
“Cute, but it’s too risky for you.”
“I’ll be fine, really!”
“Akira.” Akechi says firmly. Akira stills, shrinking back. “While it greatly amuses me that you’d try to help, this isn’t your business.”
“But-”
“Shido isn’t your target.”
Shido… Shido… ah yes, that bald politician on the television. That drunken man was the reason for his false record. “You’re wrong, Akechi…” he mumbles.
“Oh? Well, do enlighten me.”
And he tells him all of his encounters with Shido. Akechi is… shocked? At the very least, he was surprised. “Let me help you.”
Akechi considers it heavily. “Fine. But don’t get in the way.”
“Wouldn’t dare.” He assures.
He sees Akechi begin to pack things up into a few bags. Disappearing into his office space for a bit and returning with a dark leather briefcase which was larger than his attaché one. It’s not like Akira had any of his own belongings here so there is nothing for him to pack along with Akechi's supplies.
“Why are you packing?” Akira eventually asks.
“Shido’s dogs will probably retaliate, so we need to find a new place before they find us.” He answers. “We should go to a temporary hotel to slow their trail. I need you to open an account under a new name—my face is too known in Tokyo.”
“Okay,” he glances at his own reflection, “though…”
“I’ll do your makeup to fool the staff.”
He takes a set of foundation from his bag, more suitable for Akira’s skin tone than Akechi’s. “You’ve planned this for a while, huh.” Akechi only hums.
He’s now settled on the rolling chair in the office, Akechi is standing over him as he’s gently pulling off the old bandages.
“Does it still look awful?” he asks, conversationally.
“I’d say so.” Akechi pushes the cold foundation-dipped sponge over a bruise on his cheek. Akira hisses from the pain. “Try not to move too much.”
“I- I’ll try.”
“We’re going to have to put the plan in action tomorrow or the day after, Kurusu, even if I was hoping to stall for just a bit longer…”
“It’ll be fine, and after it all…” it’s a bit embarrassing to say this but, “my hometown is small, and far from all the large cities, we can stay there for a bit.”
Akechi chuckles. “And here I thought that you’d rather be with your little band of friends.”
“Mm… They… they’ll be fine without me.” He’s a bit guilty just leaving them like this, but he would have to leave them eventually, and this sort of forced it. Disappearing without a trace, just as a Phantom Thief should.
“Akechi.”
“Kurusu?”
“How exactly will your plan work?”
Akechi begins detailing the process. First was to book a hotel under Akira’s name for a week at most, though he really should only need a few nights. Akechi would also put most of his own money into Akira’s new account at some other bank. Second was the real revenge plot; where through the metaverse, Akira would lie in wait in Shido’s room while Akechi walks there in the real world— this is where Akira mends the plan just a bit— they would drag Shido into the metaverse where they held far more power than that man. Sae and that police force were the perfect examples that just anyone can enter the metaverse anywhere. Then, they’d assassinate Shido there. Whether or not they pose it as a suicide was dependant on Akechi’s mood when they get to that point. Third and finally, they’d return to the hotel, grab their (mostly Akechi’s) stuff, and leave on the next train, rerouting for Akira’s hometown.
“Kurusu, are you so sure that the last part will work?” Akechi asks, a tad concerned.
“Mhm, my parents won’t care that much I can guarantee it. Else we can just get our own place, housing’s cheap there the last time I looked.”
“Well, it’s not like I have the time to look elsewhere.” Akechi backs up, having just finished applying the cosmetics to Akira’s skin. “Well, let’s go, part one is in action.”
Akira nods, it’s showtime.
First was the hotel. The bank proved no issue, as Akechi had all the necessary documents ready under a “Ren Amamiya” which was the one name Akira had agreed to out of all of the options Akechi gave him. The hotel itself was a bit far of a walk to Shido’s office, but it was close to the station. They drop off their things and grab an easy dinner.
At the next dawn, Akechi first leads him into position within the metaverse because Akira certainly wouldn’t be able to find his own way there. Climbing up fourteen sets of stairs is nothing to scoff at, especially in his condition, but he has a bit of a moment to rest as Akechi gets in his own position.
He leans against the door, slowly catching his breath. Then, and admittedly he should have expected it, the door opens as does it also throw his balance off. He stands at the edge of the room, waiting for Akechi to arrive with Shido in sight. Mm… now he’s getting nervous- he’s never done anything like this before!
He can hear his heart in his ears, feel its beating in his legs… It's been awhile since he felt like this. He can feel a few of the others nestled deep within his being agree. He glances down at his hands… they’re trembling. He reminds himself to take deep breaths, rhythmically clenching and unclenching his hands. An assassination… The thought scares him less than he thinks it should. Perhaps it’s because he’s not at the barrel-end of the gun this time.
“—Bastard!”
He snaps his eyes up, quickly drawing his dagger.
Akechi is held up against the window by his neck, his phone dropped from his hand and clattered against the ground. Shido doesn’t seem to notice Akira’s presence just yet.
Akira panics, running at Shido. He digs his dagger deep into Shido’s side, getting him to release Akechi.
“I-Idiot!” Akechi coughs, “you should aim to kill!”
“A-ah, okay!” He rips off his mask, as does Akechi.
“Loki!”
“Arsène!”—
…
—The rest of the fight… it was a blur, and then darkness.
“Back with me, Joker?”
Akira blinks at him. “Did… did I black out?”
“You did. At least it was after Shido stopped squirming.”
He glances down at his hands, his bright red gloves do little to hide the bloodstains. It’s still warm too…
Akechi chuckles. “Who would have thought that you of all people would attempt to rip his heart out.”
“D-don’t remind me… I might throw up…”
“A shame we can’t pose it as a suicide, but it’s enough.”
He forcefully pushes down the rising nausea in his throat. “Wh-where is the body anyway?”
“Oh I tossed it back into the real world.” He says that so casually. “Come now, you look awful, let's get you cleaned up before we leave Tokyo.”
“Ah-” he can feel tears streaming down his face.
“Joker?”
Akechi… Akechi seems different now.
“H-hey, don’t pass out on me again.”
All the dark shades begin blending together in his vision…
“Joker- no, Akira, come on. Stand up.”
He thinks gauntleted hands pull him to his feet. But, he doesn’t think he can stand alone just yet. Actually… he feels a tad green right about now. “C-Crow…” he struggles, “put me down.”
“Uh- okay?”
He crawls a few feet away from Akechi before puking his guts out. “S-sorry…” he mumbles.
“I’ll have Robinhood bring you home.” Akechi says, “The bed in both the cognitive world and the real one should be the same.”
“O-kay…” He still feels incredibly ill. He hears Akechi’s footsteps recede, and now there’s a large hand gently rubbing his back. It helps, but it isn’t quite enough.
Eventually, when finally there is nothing left in him to come out, the persona slowly lifts him to their shoulder. “I’m sorry…”
He feels tapping against his back… is… is this Morse? He knows personae cannot communicate aloud so easily as they can speak to their master, but he never expected this.
He tells you to rest, Arsène translates, and to not worry about anything.
Is that so? That sounds like a solid plan… but he doesn’t think he can pass out for any longer. Akira vaguely watches as the surroundings shift. Robinhood’s steps are soundless against the ground. Somehow, he does manage to drift into rest again.
…
“—Kurusu?”
“Mm?”
He’s in bed. Under plenty of heavy covers.
“Oh, you’re awake now. How do you feel?”
“Um… better, I think?”
“Good, I’m glad. Robinhood’s updates were not the most assuring to say the least.”
“Akechi…”
“What is it?”
“Where are we?”
“The hotel, why?”
“N-no, I- I mean, real or—?”
“We’re in reality.”
“Okay…” he sighs, relieved.
“Will you be able to survive a few trains tomorrow?”
“Y-yeah, I’ll be fine.”
Akechi looks exhausted. “Hey, maybe you should lie down.” Akira suggests.
“I’m afraid I shouldn’t at the moment.”
“If you say so… but you look tired.” He’s not going to ask more about that vague-as-hell answer. Instead, Akira gets up, he still feels gross (but not quite guilty) after what happened that morning. Akechi seems to just watch him meander towards the bath in this booked room.
“Here I’ll help wash the blood off.” Akechi offers. Akira accepts, only because he’d rather not spare another thought about it.
“Akechi… sorry for making you do so much for me…”
“I would have thrown you out long ago if I hated it, be glad Kurusu.”
Well he never claimed that he wasn’t. “Mm, then perhaps I should say, thank you.”
“Well save it for when we leave this damn place.”
Akira hums, agreeing.
Also, ‘long ago’ was only about ten days apparently. Akira doesn’t know how to take that, so he’ll just let it linger in the back of his mind. Plenty has happened for them both over that time anyway.
He hears another camera noise. “Um…”
“Mind it not, Kurusu.”
Akira flushes red. Or maybe it’s just the heat of the bath. It’s not that he, uh, minds it much… but he is naked in the bath tub at the moment. He waits for Akechi to pocket the phone before he steps out of the bath.
Akira will need to be able to show Akechi around his hometown tomorrow… He really hopes his parents won’t snap. Well Akechi was a detective, maybe he could spin a little lie about it; he was once a thief so it should be doable—
“Having doubts, Kurusu?”
“Of course not! It’s just… technically I’m supposed to be on probation still and it totally slipped my mind.”
“Ah, so you hope to use my false job as a detective, hm?”
Exactly correct… Akechi chuckles, having seen right through him. “Oh that reminds me, the bruises, how are they?”
“Healing quite well.” Akechi brushes a thumb over where one of the bruises was. “It shall be gone before the new year…”
Akira stares up at Akechi… He seems a tad distracted.
“You mentioned that the housing is cheap in your hometown?”
“Ah- yeah?” Akechi still hasn’t released his face.
“Then perhaps we should have our own place immediately.”
“Uh… I don’t think that’s how it works.”
Akechi sighs, “indeed, it doesn’t.” He pulls his hand away, letting Akira lie down. “When we arrive, I will try to arrange something, I’d rather not…” he trails off, but Akira could fill in the thought. It’d certainly be awkward if they had to stay with his parents for an extended time.
“Akechi- um…” Crimson eyes return to him. “Would calling you Goro be okay?”
Ake- no, Goro froze. Akira watched as red bloomed across his cheeks.
“Wh- what’s with the sudden decision, Akira?” He had no hesitation switching to a first name basis, not that Akira was going to point it out.
Well at least whatever was on Goro’s mind seems to have gone away. Although now he was almost leering at him. He was just about to ask then Goro came close- like really close.
“You’re quite the odd one, Akira.” He muses, settling in bed beside him.
“Mhm~ you know me.”
…
Expectedly, the evening was tough, his nightmares were plagued by a shade of deep reds running cold. There were several times throughout the night where he woke up in a cold sweat. He doesn’t know how the hell Goro sleeps at night after that! He was just about to try again when Goro shifted.
“Ah- s-sorry, did I wake—?”
“Hush.” He grumbles, it’s still rather late at night. “I’ve never seen you sleep so terribly over the last week and a half.”
“Mm… I guess.”
Goro pulls him over. “I’m going to need a guide who is at least somewhat awake; you better sleep now.” Despite the vaguely threatening tone, Goro had pulled Akira onto his chest— and so casually too! Well, being this close, Akira can hear the speeding staccato of Goro’s heart. It does calm Akira down.
…
…
It wasn’t difficult to navigate all the stations, but with a few hours of travel time it did get a bit boring after a while. He totally forgot that he needed to replace his phone, since he lost it during the whole interrogation room debacle. Currently they are on the bullet train, and of the two of them, Goro is exhausted. Though he was up before Akira was, doing last minute checks that everything was packed and ready, Goro had apparently discarded his phone as an additional safety measure.
Goro is trying his hardest to stay awake. “Hey, there’s still a couple hours left before we need to exit the train,” he’ll try not to directly suggest it.
“So it is.”
Ah- “yeah… so um, you seem pretty exhausted…”
“Cute, but it’s not bad enough for you to worry.” Goro pats his head.
“If you say so…” Akira lets go of it. Goro probably won’t fall asleep on a train anyway. “Hey, Goro.”
“What is it, Akira?”
“Are you… worried about something?”
Goro sighs. “There’s plenty to worry about, but I’d rather not get into it right now.”
“Okay.” Akira won’t ask him about it until they get home.
…
As they exit the final train station to Akira’s hometown, Goro decidedly makes his decision for their destination. “Let’s stay at that inn.”
“Oh? Why the sudden decision?”
“It’s simpler for both of us.” No one will ask questions, remaining unsaid.
Akira nods, “alright, let’s reroute a bit.”
The inn is well rated despite it being quite in the middle of nowhere like the nearest town was. Also, it was far closer than his household was to town. They book a single room for the next while, only for until they get a house of their own.
They both plop themselves on the bed, it was a full day of travel after all. Goro offers to find something to eat, but Akira’s just tired. “You should sleep too…” he says, tugging the corner of Goro’s sleeve, wordlessly pleading that he’d at least stay on the bed. Goro looks conflicted for a good minute or two, eventually indulging in Akira’s wish.
Goro is all around him. This is in his future too, not just the present.
“You’re trembling again,” Goro quietly mumbles into his ear. “Are those thoughts returning again?”
Ah, he must have mistaken it for the assassination plot. Well, since he mentioned it, the uncomfortable heat settles on his hands. “S-”
Goro’s hand settles in his hair, gently dragging against his scalp. “They won’t know that it was us,” he hums in an assuring manner. “You’re safe with me, Akira.”
All the sleepiness is gone now, his skin crawls as every sense alights with alertness. “You’re awful at comforting, Goro.”
“It worked yesterday.”
“Barely…”
“Hush, you’re tired, go rest.”
“…Goro?”
“Hm?”
“Could… could you distract me, until I…”
“What?” He quietly laughs to himself. “You want me to tell you a bedtime story?” He said that as if he were speaking down to a baby.
Akira can’t help but wonder what constitutes a bedtime story to him. “Maybe…”
“Well too bad.“ Average Goro response right there.
Goro falls quiet after that. Akira almost suspected that he fell asleep, that is until the hand in his hair resumed rubbing circles against his skull.
Despite everything, he’s alive. And Goro lies beside him. Just the two of them in a bed, free from the society that caged them. Somehow, he feels a tad guilty about it… like he doesn’t deserve this outcome. He’s alive through pure luck of the odds, Goro’s equally sudden mercy on that decisive day was also probably a result of luck.
“Akira.” He crooned. “I can tell you’re still awake.” Goro’s hand shifts away from him.
“Sorry…” Akira sits up, Goro is looking up at him. “Um, I’ll take a bit of a walk.”
“Is that wise at this hour?”
It’s completely black outside, sure, but he needs to sort his thoughts in the fresh air around. “Are you worried that I’ll get lost?”
“Something to consider, we are without our devices at the moment.”
“… If you’d like, you could follow me.”
A grin flickered on Goro’s lips for a second- fast enough to wonder if he just imagined it. “I thought that went without saying.” He stands up from the bed. “Well?”
They leave the hotel, even as the staff at the counter give them an odd look. Wandering a fair distance away from any nearby buildings’ light sources. The moonlight is enough to illuminate their path and each other. Goro looks so beautiful in front of him, the gentle blue glow around him enhances just how pretty he is.
“You’re staring.”
Akira blinks out of his trance, blushing.
“Tell me it, Raven.”
Akira hesitates, even as Goro entangles their hands together. “Goro, I-” he can feel his throat close around the words. “Wh- what changed your mind? About killing me.”
He feels the assassin’s hand loosen slightly, then tightened around his wrist. Goro pulls him closer, Akira can feel his every breath against his skin. “I decided to take what I want.”
Maybe it was the angle of the way he was standing, being held. Maybe it was the length of the day tiring him out. His legs crumple beneath him, like he was hit with a critical strike to his heart and mind. Goro wastes no time in catching him, lifting Akira up and holding him to his chest. “I can’t believe you’re still worried about that, Akira~” his name sounds like honey on Goro’s tongue.
“It’s just…”
“Sudden?” Goro offers the word. “Only the best things happen in the moment.”
Something in his head tugs at that statement, recalling the clicking sounds of a camera. “Mmn, yeah.” Akira winds his arms around Goro’s neck. Goro’s right here. Goro is here and Akira is alive. That day feels so distant from now, even if it was only two weeks ago. It’s just the two of them now. Everyone else is back at Tokyo, dealing with whatever chaos that he and Goro had left for them.
“The sun will rise soon, let’s go back to our room.”
Akira rests his head on Goro’s shoulder. His eyes can’t bear to stay open much longer.
Goro sighs, fond yet annoyed.
…
Akira wakes up alone on the bed. Like the previous night was only a pleasant dream. He shuffles to his feet, glancing at the puffy expression on his reflection. He looks awful, was he crying all night? He splashes water onto his face, hoping to wake himself up a bit. His bruises, they’re faded but still visible and painful when touched. He spends a while staring at himself in the bathroom mirror, long enough to flinch at Goro’s sudden appearance behind himself.
He flips himself around, looking at Goro directly rather than at his reflection. Goro crowds into his space, clearly noticing every little detail. “I have a present for you, little bird.” He whispered into Akira’s ear before exiting the room. Akira stood there like a statue, staring, even after Goro left the room. He… he should go to the main room and see what this present is.
He still doesn’t know if that night was only a dream or reality. And honestly, he’s a bit afraid to ask.
Exiting the bathroom, he sees Goro settled over the couch with a white box in hand. He passes the box to Akira. Opening it reveals a silver phone in a slightly more recent model than the one he left with Sae.
“Ah, thanks.” The device has already been set up for him and Goro’s new number is saved in his contacts. His eyes catch on another application. “Do you have metaverse access too?”
“You do?” Akira shows him the screen. “Odd. I’m missing it.”
Goro clicks into the nav, sending them to Mementos. The room itself scarcely changes, only the sky warps to a slightly redder hue outside the window.
“There, I should have it now.”
“Wanna see how much Mementos affects here?”
Goro’s helmet angles up at him. “Perhaps later. Knowing you, you’ve only just woken up.”
Part of him feels a tad disappointed about that answer, but it is true. They return to reality, and Goro first checks that he indeed did receive access before angling his camera towards Akira.
“Do you like taking pictures of me that much?” Akira felt the need to ask after the photo was taken.
Goro hums a tune as he considers how to answer that question. Instead Goro takes another one.
“How many do you have anyway?”
He laughs. “Oh you have no idea,” he grins at either Akira or his phone; Akira couldn’t really tell.
Well, that probably means there are a lot of pictures of him. A small part of him in the back of his head is relieved that it’s pictures of him and not someone else. Maybe that’s why he lived on that day. Goro would be able to take only so many pictures of a dead body…
“—Akira?”
He shakes his head out of his thoughts. “S-sorry, what?”
“Is everything alright? I’ll stop with the photos if they bother you that much.”
“N-no, the pictures are fine,” he assures.
“Then…? Akira, what is troubling you enough to ignore me?” He seems rather bothered about it.
“It’s…” Akira sighs, “this is going to sound really stupid but, last night, did we… did we go out for a walk, and chat about that day?”
“What about it?”
“It’s just… I’m not sure if it actually happened or if I just dreamed it.” That clarification seems to be amusing to Goro.
“You did fall asleep rather quickly after the fact.”
Akira puffs out his cheeks, pouting. He can see Goro visibly hold himself back from pinching his cheeks. Instead he beckons Akira closer.
Goro kissed him on the cheek. Kissed him ON THE CHEEK! Akira stumbles back a step or three, face flushed dark crimson. Well, that’s as much an answer as anything he could have possibly said.
“Cute.” Goro grins devilishly at him, knowing full well what he just did.
“Wh-” Akira is still processing the light kiss against his cheeks. This is the man who spared him, who Akira had decided to run away with. He left behind everything in Tokyo for this man.
“You need to stop worrying about that, Raven.” Ah, the nickname. Goro rarely uses the nickname aloud when he knows Akira is awake. “I have no intention of letting you leave.”
Akira eventually recovers from the shock. Goro is still staring at him warmly. It will just be the two of them from now on.
“Come now, It’s nearly dinner time.”
“Is it that late already?”
They grab dinner at a small ramen place in the nearby town. Ren stares thoughtfully at Goro as he finishes his bowl. Walking back to the hotel, they stop by the park to watch the sun set. Akira sits on the bench beside his…
Actually, what are they considered now? They never officially established it. Are they partners now? Boyfriend and… well, boyfriend. Boyfriends. Hrm… Partners sounds better.
They’re seated beside one another, he feels Goro’s hands entangle in his hair. Akira hums, not minding the sensation.
“…Cute.” He hears Goro hum, content. Akira was half expecting the snap of a camera to sound, just for another picture for Goro’s collection.
He hopes that he will see the collection one day.
…
It’s been months now since they had settled into their new home. It was a small house at the furthest edge of the town, a place nice and quiet for the two of them. Akira just stepped out of the conversation to get some documents about this or that from Goro’s office but…
“And this is why I said that I’d get it,” Goro huffs behind him.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of photos of Akira line the walls.
“G-Goro… how long have you been doing this?” He can feel heat rising in his cheeks.
Goro stands beside him, “longer than you’ve ever known.”
Akira squeaks, feeling Goro’s lips on his cheek.
Some of these photos are dated to maybe the first time Akira had invited him out, and some are… he stares at a photo in particular. “Is… Is that the interrogation room?” He vaguely remembers Goro taking the photo but…
“You’re beautiful,” Goro hums into his ear, casting his gaze over to the photo in question. “Even then, within an inch of your life.”
Akira’s eyes look hazy in the photo, a mindless smile on his lips. His cheeks are rosy with blood and bruises… “I’m not sure whether to be concerned or flattered,” Akira admits with a nervous laugh. “But also…” Akira puffs out his cheeks, pouting. “I’m right here…”
Goro certainly likes to disappear in his office for somewhat lengthy periods of time, and now that Akira knows why, Akira’s just a tad jealous.
“Hm, and what shall I do when you happen to be out of the house?”
“I rarely leave for longer than an hour, you’ll survive.”
“Akira~” Goro whines.
“There, there.”
With all the printed photos dotted about the room, he is reminded about one of his own on his device. He’s happy that Goro likes him enough for this… obsession, as it did end up saving his life back then, but Akira cannot help but feel a bit guilty that there are a certain lack of pictures with Goro in them— even without putting this room into consideration. Though Akira won’t be able to do much more than put up a few nice pictures of his, not yet official, husband, it will be enough for the both of them.
Akira temporarily unravels himself from Goro’s arms, returning the earlier kiss. “I guess I should thank you for sparing me that day.”
“Hm? Is that still on your mind?”
“Well it hasn’t been that long, and you also have a photo of it so it is rather fresh in the mind.”
Goro can’t help but laugh a bit, “of course. I wouldn’t want to lose someone as cute as you because of that man.” Goro’s hand buries itself in his hair, gently petting in the spots that Goro knows he likes.
“You’re all mine.” Goro hums in his ear.
“I love you too,” Akira replies back with a smile.