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jurisdick
[Two days after his seventeenth birthday, his parents show up in Tokyo without a word.
Akira doesn't quite understand why they're here, or the empty feeling that spreads through his chest at the sight of them talking to Sojiro like they ever called him while he was gone, like he isn't even there, but- But then. They say why they've come, he watches the protective anger blossom across Sojiro's face, and he thinks he understands.
He wishes he didn't have that well-ingrained response to respect them, because he finally understands.
"It's the best way to keep him safe and out of trouble, you know? There's a few candidates we've had our eye on but today we'll be making the final decision... Oh, but don't worry Sakura-san, there won't be any marriage moving forward until after his probation ends next year, so you'll still get your full payment for sheltering him!"
Business. Passionless. Forced politeness and just as forced smiles, everything is perfect and fine. Everything in order, as always, except for when Akira wasn't - and now they're taking care of that, too.
What if I had started dating somebody after coming here, he doesn't say. What if I don't love them, he doesn't say, either. He already knows what his answer is.
His friends flicker through his head, Morgana, Sojiro warming up to him and filling up the space he hadn't realized he was that much without - and as they say his prospective partner is on their way, Akira stands.]
If they'll be here soon... [His voice is quiet, feather soft as his heart thrashes and breaks apart in his chest-] ...I'll make some coffee for everyone.
[It's the least he can do. If it's someone like Haru... then he'll be a comfort to them instead of being a prison.
It seems that's the last rebellion he has left.]
Akira doesn't quite understand why they're here, or the empty feeling that spreads through his chest at the sight of them talking to Sojiro like they ever called him while he was gone, like he isn't even there, but- But then. They say why they've come, he watches the protective anger blossom across Sojiro's face, and he thinks he understands.
He wishes he didn't have that well-ingrained response to respect them, because he finally understands.
"It's the best way to keep him safe and out of trouble, you know? There's a few candidates we've had our eye on but today we'll be making the final decision... Oh, but don't worry Sakura-san, there won't be any marriage moving forward until after his probation ends next year, so you'll still get your full payment for sheltering him!"
Business. Passionless. Forced politeness and just as forced smiles, everything is perfect and fine. Everything in order, as always, except for when Akira wasn't - and now they're taking care of that, too.
What if I had started dating somebody after coming here, he doesn't say. What if I don't love them, he doesn't say, either. He already knows what his answer is.
His friends flicker through his head, Morgana, Sojiro warming up to him and filling up the space he hadn't realized he was that much without - and as they say his prospective partner is on their way, Akira stands.]
If they'll be here soon... [His voice is quiet, feather soft as his heart thrashes and breaks apart in his chest-] ...I'll make some coffee for everyone.
[It's the least he can do. If it's someone like Haru... then he'll be a comfort to them instead of being a prison.
It seems that's the last rebellion he has left.]
it’s time for full unhinged prose
akechi doesn’t understand how akira isn’t simmering with rage over this. it’s clear the guy isn’t happy about this situation, but he seems more perturbed for akechi than himself. that’s — so like akira, it pisses him off. so selfless and thinking of others and a textbook “good guy” when he’s dealt such a shit hand. unfathomable. how does he do it?
akechi’s expression remains mostly unaffected. he stares at the grain of the wood of the counter and then sneaks a glance out of the corner of his eye back to akira. )
I’m certain if they met my Father, they’d reconsider. ( it’s thinly veiled purposefully, but like most things with akechi when he goes to dump personal information, he pivots before it can go too deep.
a hand goes up to clasp his chin, pensive. perhaps downright mischievous. because the chaos is bubbling, certainly, like the curry. ) You don’t suppose us getting along a little too quickly would be palatable to them? ( there’s a sharpness in his gaze as he flicks a meaningful look to akira.
kurusu, would you like to play gay chicken in front of your parents? )
me rapidly inhaling every word
And that should have been enough... until now, when it wasn't.
This isn't what's at the forefront of his mind, though - this sits there always, like a low-burning ember. No, what's quickly drawn Akira's eyes away from the wall is the mention of Akechi's father. Again, he has to wonder what kind of person the man is. Not there during what had to be such a critical time for Akechi and his mother, and yet he finds it acceptable to meddle in Akechi's life all these years later?
Akira can't help but be more than a little glad he couldn't make it.]
Sounds like he leaves quite the impression... although maybe it's better we aren't there for that particular meeting.
[But the man Akira hardly knows anything about becomes the furthest thing from his mind soon enough.
Those words, that look- Akira forgets himself for the moment, his head turning to look at Akechi directly. Because that's... There's no way he can mean anything else, right?
Something gives it away that's it exactly what he thinks it is - maybe Akechi's eyes, his tone, the hand on his chin. But Akira catches it, and quickly turns back to the wall as the realest smile he's had all day lights up his face, corners of his mouth tugging like they want to pull up into something even wider.]
...I think they'll be pretty pissed off they didn't have a hand in it. We'd probably put a few of their pre-planned, overthought speeches to reassure you about their thug son to waste.
[His heart finally doesn't feel tightly bound in his chest.]
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it’s that infernal smile that twists up akechi’s stomach and guts in a way he isn’t used to. the easiest thing to do is attribute it to a nice medley of irritation and fascination, but the more he really looks at kurusu, the more they talk, the more he knows this is something much more complicated. and with things that are usually beyond his control? he hates it.
but for now, he lets slip a less practiced smile. something smug and borderline crass as he strums his fingers against the counter than pivots closer to his so-called rival turned fiancé.
a hand sweeps up to brush aside kurusu’s hair for him, over an ear, lingering just like they do in the moves. picture perfect, easy, he can do this. )
You should continue to let it grow. It flatters you, even if it hides your eyes.
( he says it in a voice loud enough for the adults to hear. because that’s the only reason he’s saying it. it’s not like kurusu’s hair is soft and his eyes gorgeous in this alluringly dangerous way. )
no subject
Oh, that's real embarrassing. Probably worse than the red spilling out across his face, because at least that can be used to their advantage.
He has to rally, though. They have a show to put on. He can already see the adults taking notice from the corner of his eye - the conversation stopping, his mother's mouth dropping open, and that gives him enough savage satisfaction that he balls it right into the courage he needs to perform.
Akira allows himself one mental apology to the only person in the room that deserves it, Sorry, Sakura-san. He's probably about to break some unspoken rule about flirting right in front of the coffee beans, but these are extenuating circumstances.]
...Thank you. [He adverts his eyes, wielding his own surprise and fluster like a costume to play the part of the blushing maiden. Keeps his voice soft and shy, but Akira knows how to project it; he has to, or he'd never be heard. The same way he knows how to use his vocal range, he knows how to use his expressions, and he looks back up at Akechi through his eyelashes. Nice and demure.] If that's the case... I wouldn't mind growing it out a little more. You really don't mind having a husband with longer hair?
[Husband.
He doesn't move in any other way, but Akira's heart is slamming against his chest.
He said it. He said it. The reality they're weaponizing in the one way they have left to them feels so tangible that it makes his hands want to shake.]