arkaniae | Call Me Out Meme;

[ He smiled. Smiled— in that same self-deprecating way he had just before their last meeting in Shido's palace, and now he's coming his way, leaning down and picking up the pieces of the broken demitasse.

Ren finds himself lowering himself, too, which is something he should have done in the first place before Akechi up and cleaned the mess himself. He reaches and gathers some of the pieces himself, accidentally touching the other boy's hand in the process— fingers brush against the cool fabric of his glove, and he looks at him, shaken all over again that he's alive and actually there, not just some weird hallucination of his. ]

Let me take care of this, [ he mutters as he goes to dump the broken pieces in the trash behind the counter, coming back with a broom and dustpan to sweep the remaining shards, and a towel to dry any little coffee that spilled during the drop. Vaguely, he knows what's going on— he's focusing on this task instead of processing exactly what's happening.

Akechi, alive and well, entering the cafe. Akechi, alive, and his mind is racing back to his final moments back in depths of Shido's distorted heart and corrupted palace. Just. Akechi, here and cracking a joke as though his very existence before him isn't akin to seeing a ghost firsthand.

For the longest time, he simply stares at him, shocked to complete silence, wondering what words he meant to exchange with him had he the chance to back then- but every thought dies before it could ever escape his lips.

How long has it been now, how long has he been made to believe he'd died back there- how is it that this is literally the first time he ever heard of this guy being alive still. How, how, how. He places the towel onto the counter and steps closer to him, staring at him intensely so that he doesn't simply disappear right before his eyes. He had better not. Now, to go back on his earlier comment— ]

I'll make sure to let Sojiro-san know. [ About the lack of business, for one. ] You didn't come here to see me, I'm assuming.

[Akechi was barely keeping it together these days as is. He told himself he'd have a better grasp of the situation by now, but he absolutely did not. The only thing he could do was revert back to what he knew, to some degree. Physical interaction rarely ever happened to him, aside from handshakes from fans or those who had invited him in for interviews. It definitely showed as he flinched at the touch, gloved hands or not, as he retracted his hand back to his side instinctively.

There was a lot to talk about and there's was definitely an elephant in the room to address. Had this been right after he'd come to, his reactions would have been met with more anger and sulking; Not that he wasn't still, but at the very least he's had time to cool down a little. But despite the myriad of emotions he was feeling, the strongest he felt was self pity and confusion about how to really function properly now.

To most people, he could still fake it as much as he needed, but he doubted that Ren would be fooled by that. Not when he knew who Akechi really was to some degree now.

This was a stupid mistake. He really should just leave. At the last comment, his expression became more stiff, like he's trying to stifle any obvious emotions from showing on his face.]

I have not. I... just sort of ended up in this neighborhood.

[Which seemed like a typical excuse, but he really had no intentions of coming here from the get go.]

Edited (Sorry html lol) 2020-05-06 05:02 (UTC)

[ Akechi needn't explain any further than that; the topic is clearly an uncomfortable sore subject, and the last thing he wants is to have to chase him as he leaves the shop out of shop and into the pouring rain. ]

You just came because it's the only place open in the torrential rain. [ He helps reason, because there's a big part of him that knows why he's here, but they both know that it's something Akechi couldn't admit to, and he's fine with it if they're both in understanding. He flashes him the a small smile that tells him just that, that Akechi doesn't need to explain because he understands and is appreciative of it. ] You can't get anywhere in this weather, so have a seat, I'll make you a pour-over. On the house.

[ Ren moves back behind the bar and prepares a new cup from the dry rack. Heats it up with boiling hot water and begins preparations for the craft. It's Indonesian this time; bold and full-bodied with hints of cacao- its fragrance fills the shop the moment he starts. He remains quiet and focused on the pour-over, ensuring its quality, and when he's finally at a stopping point— ]

What a coincidence, though, that you'd show up. [ He looks at him from under his glasses, setting the cup and saucer down before him. ] I happen to just be visiting. To think I'd still be misled to thinking you're... gone, had I remained countryside. Your timing couldn't be more perfect, Akechi.

[There was something comforting about Leblanc to him. That was something that had never -- strangely enough -- been a lie. When his entire life was built on lies, even having a few things you were honest about weren't really something he could easily admit to. The rain did have some part in this, so he wasn't completely wrong. At the very least, he had left with an umbrella just in case, so he wasn't tracking in water.

There was something about his smile that unnerved Akechi. It wasn't uncommon for Ren or anything, but to willingly smile to someone like him? Was he really that stupid? Were they really that determined to try to become friends with him?

Ah. There was that bitterness. That hint of jealousy despite his stance of friends or relying on anyone else. He couldn't fault Ren though. He may not really been interested in friendship, but Akechi wasn't stupid either. He clearly knew the life he'd lived up until now was foolish. What sense would there be to relive that, only to be met with more failure? He was already having a hard time accepting his fate as it was. So after a moment he resigned those bitter thoughts to just... go along with it.]

Is this a bribe, sir?

[It's truly remarkable how he was still able to bounce back with a sad attempt of a joke like this. Maybe it was just his habit to revert back to the image he'd built up for so long? Regardless, he wordlessly followed suit and took a seat. He gave him a tense look at his comment, thinking carefully about how to respond back.]

So you're saying I could have waited a few more days and I could have avoided seeing you. It looks like I've miscalculated again.

[Still only a joke, but not without that bite that's originating from his conflicting emotions. He examined the cup idly for a moment before finally picking it up to take a sip before continuing hesitantly.]

.... I may as well have been. [Which only reminded him about how he shouldn't even be alive right now.]

Edited 2020-05-06 06:06 (UTC)

[ Many questions hang on the tip of his tongue as he watches him- and speaking of tip of the tongue, he's currently biting it in hopes that, if this all were some messed up dream, that he would soon wake from it. The lightning strikes outside, rumbling deeply in the skies above, bringing him right back to reality and he knows for sure that it isn't a dream. He thinks, Morgana is still sleeping pretty soundly despite all of this, and more credit to him- he probably wouldn't believe it if he told him, either.

Still, the unasked questions are sensitive ones and not ones that he's ready to ask, nor does he suspect they're something that Akechi would want to answer, much less have answers for. Ren opts to take the light-hearted route, leaning into the table and resting his chin onto his palm as he observes Goro Akechi, in the flesh. Some residual bitterness remains there- not at Akechi, but the situation they found themselves in the past, on opposite sides of the court, battling to near death. Things could have been different, he thinks often, and now there's an opportunity for things to change.

He knows this, because Akechi hasn't aimed a gun at him since his arrival. The best time to have ended him was when he's unguarded, and he's utterly unguarded at the moment.

If he wanted to leave, he would have already.

And if Akechi wasn't sentimental, he wouldn't have visited the very cafe they used to meet all the time.

This makes Ren feel a certain wary smugness, knowing full well that... a friendship would take time, but time heals everything. He just wonders if Akechi would be up for it. ]

Fate has a funny way at bringing two people together. [ On one hand, a boy that's supposed to be hundreds of miles away from the city. And on the other, a boy that's supposed to be dead more than half a year ago. Now here in the same building, both not where they're supposed to be, but found eachother nonetheless. There's a bittersweetness to it that he can't place his finger on. ] So why not just go with the flow for the time being? The important thing is, you're here right now.

[ It shocks him how much he wants to reach out and reassure him, but he doesn't it. Instead, he observes the way he drinks the coffee, smiling gently. ]

How's the coffee?

[He'd be right thinking that. It may have been a few months since then, but it was still a touchy subject. Part of him expected some jabs from Ren, but there were none; If nothing, he should really expect them more so from himself than Ren.

What good would killing Ren do him? He may have had a motive before, but it's not like he had anything to really work for now. Being so goal-orientated for most of his life, it felt weird to have a loss of purpose. There was a lot on his mind and after this long? It wasn't going to be resolved any time soon.

Maybe that was really why he found his way here? The sense of familiarity in an otherwise confusing time. ...But why should he feel any sentimental value here? It's not as if they were friends. He could keep telling himself that, but Morgana's words back in the ship stuck a cord, along with everything else.

It was hard to feel lonely and wanting to feel loved for a change, but not knowing how to handle it so he instinctively turned it down. He may have had no direction when he made his way here unknowingly, but somewhere deep down in his heart he longed for the company.]

Time is all I've got now. [But man.... fate really was a bitch sometimes wasn't it?] It's... fine.

[He was a natural conversationalist when he wasn't pretending to be someone he wasn't, can't you tell? Awkwardly clearing his throat lightly, he wasn't used to making small talk like this. Not unless there was a reason for it. ]

So you said you returned home then...? What brings you back here?

[Why did he feel the need to ask. It's not like they were-- He was just reaching for some sort of topic that didn't make him feel more awkward. That had to be it.]

[ The jabs remain at bay where they should be, as he feels things are far too sensitive for the time being to make jokes. Up until ten minutes ago, he believed the guy dead, after all. But maybe that's what they need, a some banter to get the gears rolling again so they can quickly establish normalcy to their conversations.

Somehow, he has a feeling it's too early for that, still. ]

Is that so? [ He considers his next words carefully, then blurts: ] Why not stay here a while, then? At least until the rain passes.

[ More than anything, he wants to catch up, and the rain provides a perfect front for his true intentions. He's gotta thank fate for that, while Akechi curses it. ]

I'm just visiting for the summer. Guess I kinda miss it around here. [ he stands up straight then, spreading his arms wide from the other side of the bar, like a showman presenting the next act. ] Can you blame me?

Plus, [ He adds, with a smirk this time. ] I got to run into you again.

[The fact that Ren was the better person here (as always) made him question why Ren would be okay with seeing him like this after everything. As much as he wanted to be a salty bitch about everything, what good would it do him? He'd at least had time to really let his anger subside so all Ren will get is maybe hurt feelings from Akechi.

Part of him wanted to insist that he should be going, but looking at the rain... It wasn't letting up any time soon. Watching him as he spoke, he couldn't help but roll his eyes slightly. He won't admit to it, but it also got the slightest of chuckles out of him.]

I really question your priorities if that's the highlight here. [Who would want to see him?] I suppose it is more lively than the countryside.

[ That's not something he could possibly miss. Ren hears the tell-tale signs of amusement from his tone, at least, so he knows he's saying something right. ]

It is, [ he insists, but he doesn't say which of the two statements he's referring to. Yes, his priorities is all out of sorts now that Akechi up and walked back into his life. Yes, Tokyo is much more lively than his home in the countryside. At this point, Ren doesn't know which he prefers. ]

You came back. And so did I. That has to mean something, yeah?

[ He places his damp cloth down. ]

So- [ In light mocking tone: ] Mr. Detective Prince, what will you be having?

[If Akechi was somehow able to tell that, it would really just mess with his head even more. The idea that anyone would want him around and actually mean it seemed so unlikely and outrageous. Maybe someone who didn't know his dark secrets? At this point, Ren may as well be a masochist to still care in any way about him.

But in light of what was just said, he simply gave him an unamused look for a slight second. But just for a second before responding back.]

Does that make you one of my fans if you're referring to me like that? [After a moment..] Surprise me.

[Don't you dare give him something spicy if it's curry though.]

I don't imagine you'd like me very much if I were.

[ They were all a part of his act, right? His public image. Then again, he doesn't know what Akechi thinks of him in general.

Well. He has an idea. Memories of what had gone down in the depths of Shido's distorted heart still echo through his mind. All that anger and all that resentment, he remembers very clearly. It seems like a lifetime ago now, but he kept his promise back then. He wonders where Akechi lies on that scale now, if he truly dislikes him as he expressed back then. ]

I assume nothing spicy.

[ Because Ren remembers that well, too. He moves to the kitchen to prepare him a plate- there's no better way than to keep him here in the shop, after all, storm aside. He'd have to finish the plate before getting anywhere. He returns shortly after with rice and house-made curry, following Sojiro's recipe to a T. ]

Eat up. On the house.

Having a fan club has its' perks.

[No he's not going to clarify that.

But he's slightly surprised he remembered. Like... who could possibly tell he doesn't care for spicy stuff from the festival incident, right? .... Wait.... everyone? Nah... He played it cool. 11/10 acting.]

Someone's feeling generous today.

[But he won't argue. For as much as he ate easy meals while he'd been busy, he's had a lot of time on his hands lately. He could have made an actual meal, but he opted not to. Maybe actually eating something more healthly than ramen -- and of course pancakes -- would be best for a change?]

Who knew you knew how to cook? I learn something new about you every day it seems.

I'm sure it does. [ Pause. ] Do you still have them, your fanclub?

[ Ren realizes he doesn't know the fate of what happened to him. Was it as he predicted, that he became a disgraced detective after everything was said and done? He peers at him thoughtfully, as though he could derive an answer from that alone, but- nothing comes.

A hand goes to his neck and he rolls his head, appearing bashful. ]

I was taught by the best- but that's about the only thing I know how to cook. I'm not good for much else. [ He leans down though, just a little closer to the other boy, flashing a smirk. ]

I'm here all summer. There's a lot you can still learn about me.

They still exist, although it's not as plentiful. I... don't make it a habit to go out very often these days, though.

[For various reasons really. As much as he despised Shido, confession or not, he hadn't actually outed Akechi as being an accomplice of his. He'd seen Shido's confession for himself, albeit through videos re-uploaded after the fact. He'd claimed all of the actions were his doing and Akechi's name never came up. That said, that didn't mean Akechi was jumping at the chance to fill the shoes of the "Detective Prince" any time soon; not after everything that had happened.]

You should really learn diversity then. [But the curry was good so...] But I suppose if it's not broken, there's no point in fixing what works.

[He glanced up from his meal upon hearing that, shaking his head slightly with a faint huff.]

Is that an invitation I hear?

[Not that he was.... really debating accepting it....

.... He wasn't... right...? Deep down? Details. Ren didn't need to know that.]

Yeah? [ An image of Akechi alone in his apartment, removed from the world he tried so hard to build for himself, flashes through his mind. It's a little sad, he thinks, unfitting for what he's known about the boy thus far. ] Thanks for coming out this one time then.

[ Because if he hadn't, they could have just remained in eachother's vicinity for the rest of the summer and not have a single knowledge of it. It's still a mystery to Ren, why he decided to come back here, when he's certain not all the memories attached to it would be pleasant for him. Maybe it's all just fate at play, and there's no other explanation needed beyond that.

Maybe that's all he needs to believe. ]

It is, yeah. [ His phone dings. It's Sojiro. ] Huh.

[ His gaze flickers over to Akechi, smiling slowly. ]

That was Sakura-san. He said to close the shop early if there's no one here. But— [ An idea pops in his head. ] Stay. The trains are on delay anyway, thanks to the rain. I'll close shop so we can catch up- just the two of us.

[Akechi has spent most of his time just trying to figure out how he should proceed from that point forward. His life was basically gone and there was no sense trying to cling to faulty ideals that obviously weren't worth keeping around. But what did he have to fall back on? He had no idea how to really feel about a lot of things. Meanwhile his emotions sure did a number on him while going through the motions.

Hearing him thank him was surprising enough to make him glance away from the boy, focusing instead on the curry as an excuse. Ren might even notice that faint flush on his cheeks with his confused grimace. Isn't he supposed to hate Ren? Why couldn't he bring himself to stick to his guns here? Thankfully the phone call was a welcome distraction for all of a few minutes.]

C-Catch up...? [Now he was really feeling a bit flustered. Just who did Ren think he was?] You make it sound like we're old friends.

[That may have had some bite to it, but mostly because this was unknown territory right now. How do you even deal with something like this?]

Aren't we? [ He leans further against the counter now, nearing his face. ] If not, we can be.

[ At this proximity, it's hard to miss the faint flush across his cheeks, and he smiles. Akechi has changed. Or maybe this is how he's always been, and he hid it well enough in Ren's presence. Regardless, he insists that Akechi stays anyway. It might be a bit of scandal, having someone here past close, but it's something he's willing to risk.

He moves from behind the counter and walks outside, flipping the sign to close and locking the door behind him. There's finality to the way the door lock sounds the latch. With that sound, Akechi should know he's stuck here for a while. ]

You don't have anywhere else to be, do you?

[Why was he so close?! Too close! Too close! Abort mission! Despite his attempts, nothing really leaves his mouth, so he just pouted a little and gave him a look as he backed away. What gives anyways?

For the moment he's safe, but only until he hears the lock.]

I should really call the police on you for holding me captive, you know... [Actually... Technically speaking...] Or I could just arrest you myself for harrassment.

[No he couldn't, but it's better than giving him the upper hand here. He may have gotten past of lot of his initial mood swings, but that stubborn pout of his hasn't faded in the midst of him about to lose another fight so to speak.]

Arrest me, [ He scoffs a little. ] Aren't we beyond the cat and mouse chase now, or are you feeling nostalgic?

[ Because that's been their relationship from the start, isn't it? Cat and mouse. Ace Detective chasing Phantom Thieves- it sounds like right out of a movie, actually. And now the two of them are alone in a little cafe upon chance. ]

Do you really want to leave, Akechi?

[Damn it. What's with his smug attitude? It pisses him off. It wasn't the same as the past, but even still... How dare he play with him like this when he -- himself -- had no idea how to feel about anything these days? Ren had it all figured out and he...

Putting one hand on his forehead while trying to get a grip and the other gloved hand clinching into a fist without him even realizing, he tried to calm himself down. Why couldn't he have gotten his life together? Why couldn't he just... figure out what to do with himself...?

Damn it!

Oops. And that was his clinched hand slammed down on the counter. Breath. Relax.]

Don't you dare act you know a thing about me.

[There's that irregular side of him that he's been trying to suppress this entire time. It was anger, sure, but more than that it was him on the brink of acting on his own hurt wounds and confusion. It wasn't exactly directed towards Ren.

He should have left. He shouldn't be here but... part of him knew Ren was right. Deep, deep down.... He didn't want to leave. If he did, he would have already chanced the rain.]

Edited 2020-05-20 07:25 (UTC)

[ The fist slam on the counter startles him a little, but he remains neutral as he carefully approaches Akechi. He thinks, he might have fucked up there, moving things along too quickly when Akechi is clearly not ready for any of this. And Ren understands, but there's a largely selfish part of him that still wants him to remain there anyway. There's so much they have to catch up on, after all.

He sighs. ] I don't.

So help me figure you out. [ He's tempted, then, to reach out, lay a hand across his, but ultimately decides against it. He's not ready for it, probably. ] Help me understand you.

[ Akechi decided to come here. He came here first, so there must be something he's chasing after. A memory, perhaps. That's why he'd come in the first place. ]

[Why was this happening? Why was he allowing this to happen? Was it because he had nothing left? No matter how long it had been, he still had no idea how to move on. He couldn't keep living a lie when there was nothing left, and yet lies were all he had to protect himself with.

And here was Ren still trying to become friends. To still get to know him even though he knew everything he'd done. What kind of stupid idiot did that anyway? Why did he let him just get away with this so easily? He didn't understand anything and that frustrated him. There was no one here and no chance of anyone coming in, so he had no reason to fall back to his usual facade. Not when Ren knew what he was like.]

What does it matter? It's not like I have anything left. Why are you so insistent on getting closer to someone like me...? [A pause] Trash like me...?

[That deep seated adversity towards friendship was still very present, but only conflicted things more. Deep down he knew he was lonely. His cognitive self wasn't lying and that pissed him off even more. He wanted someone to want him around and yet when someone was doing just that, he found it so hard to accept it after so long. Why couldn't he just accept it? Why couldn't he just let go of the past?]

Edited 2020-05-20 07:41 (UTC)

[ There's nowhere to hide here, and he knows Akechi's at wits end. No facade to hide under, no people to blend in with. Utter silence befalls the two of them, save for the crackling of thunder outside and downpour of rain. Ren lets the words settle down and for him to catch a moment to breathe and think about what he just said.

He steps a pace closer, and closer, reaching a hand out and having it lie on Akechi's shoulder. ]

Because I caught a glimpse of what we could have been. You and I being here is the chance I've been waiting for.

[ Ren cants his head to the side, peering at him inquisitively. ]

Don't you feel the same? You decided to come here, after all.

[He jumped at the touch of Ren hand's on his shoulder, but at least he hasn't slapped it away yet. Mostly because he was not used to having any physical affection even as small as this and also because he was too pre-occupied by his words.]

I.. I don't know. I didn't intentionally come here.

[He sort of just wandered this way, so that was probably a yes deep down.]

[ Akechi doesn't slap his hand away, and Ren grows bolder.

He allows himself a gentle, reassuring squeeze. One that tells him that it's okay to be here, and whatever reason he's got has or doesn't have doesn't change the fact that he's here. That's the only thing that matters to Ren at the moment. ]

That's fine. You don't have to explain yourself.

[ He removes his hand so that he can properly remove his apron and consider himself done for the night. There's still Akechi's dish and demitasse to take care of before he can head up stairs, but he'll cross that bridge one he gets there. ]

Stay, Akechi. For once, time is on our side.

no subject

no subject

no subject

I really need to re-read tags before posting lol

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject