[ Sometimes Akechi's voice or smile takes on a distant quality—like there's a depth to his thoughts that doesn't quite reach the surface. Like their current meal, it reminds him of some of the quieter afternoons at Leblanc. ]
So let's do it again soon. [ They have plenty of cooking plans to get through, after all.
Once his plate is cleared, Akira sits back, linking together his fingers to stretch his arms up and over his head. It's probably the most contented he's felt since before the full moon. ]
[ Seems Akechi isn't the only one whose feelings are leaking into his body language. Akira pauses, hooking his hands behind his head. It's a relaxed, familiar position, but now, the tips of his ears brush at his forearms where they didn't before. ]
... This is the closest I've felt to home since coming here. [ And the closest to himself since the transformation began. ] It's nice.
[The honesty doesn't surprise him but rather the frankness of Akira's feelings. It usually feels difficult to read him, like he has to be especially alert, and sometimes he thinks that might be the point, as though Akira wants it that way. But since he said something like that, he wants to return the favour a little.]
Mm... I don't know anything about that. [He has never had a 'home' and the closest thing he had was peace.] But... I feel more relaxed than before. Some of the fog is gone. It's nice.
[He laughs softly, realising he said the same thing as Akira. Even the words before it amount to the same feeling, even if he doesn't know it.]
[ It's honest, just not as honest as he could be. Opening up about the good things is easier than doing so about the bad, about how terribly homesick he is underneath the determination to adapt and how he worries about the ways in which each full moon will change him, not just physically but mentally as well.
Having the gesture returned brings a small quirk to his mouth. ]
It's kind of like that. Home is where you can feel relaxed.
Oh, is that all? I've been complaining for nothing. [But he clearly isn't bothered, rather just teasing Akira's simple words.] But I understand, I think. Something like a place where you can be yourself in some way, right?
[ The teasing coaxes out a playfully deadpan look in return, and he unhooks his hands and goes for his coffee cup to drain the remainder. ]
That's right. [ He places the cup down alongside the plate. Does Akechi have anywhere that makes him feel that way? ] A place where you'll always be accepted.
[Akechi gives a hum of acknowledgement as he considers that, staying quiet for a moment after as he debates how he wants to answer. It could be a very telling answer, whatever he chooses. If he brushes it aside, it confirms he never had anything like that, which feels rather pitiable and he hates that. Telling a certain truth, though, might be too much in another direction.
But he already told him once before, a little bit at least, so he thinks it could be safe to expand on it.]
I liked visiting Leblanc. You didn't treat me as anything unusual when I was there, in a bad way or a good way. None of the customers seemed to notice anything unusual about me... And the Boss would talk to me like he did the other customers. I don't really know how to explain it... but I vastly preferred it to anything else.
[ Propping an elbow on the table, Akira leans forward to rest his chin in his palm. Most of the time, he hadn't known what to make of Akechi's presence at Leblanc. It seemed dangerous to have the detective suspicious of them under the same roof, yet he enjoyed their brief exchanges there, wary as Akira was. Even once he knew for sure that Akechi was sided with the enemy, that sentiment lingered. ]
... It's special like that. [ And for some reason, he's glad it's important to Akechi, too. ]
[Something about that doesn't sit right with him and he shakes his head.]
A place isn't special. Or at least, that is my experience with the many places I've been. The people who create the atmosphere of a place are what gives it all of its memories and shape the connections made of it, for better or for worse. They press themselves into a space and make it impossible to associate it any other way. The warmth there was...
[He gives a dismissive wave of his hand, frowning to himself for a brief moment before he smiles.] Ah, but I could be wrong. Did you want help with the dishes? That much I can do.
[ The words resonate with him—Akechi's always been more articulate when it comes to voicing his thoughts, and Akira finds that they're a perfect mirror of his own feelings. Tokyo, Shujin, even Leblanc itself, might be nice, but all of his best memories are related to the people he spent time with there. ]
No, I can't argue with that. [ And really, it's like Akechi is paying him an indirect compliment.
Akira smiles as he gets up from his chair and collects his plate and cup. ] Sure.
[He feels relieved that Akira didn't point out the implications of his words and just gathers his dishes, joining him in the kitchen. Since Akira did most of the cooking, Akechi positions himself at the sink. Part of it is just a balance of duties but also part just to show he isn't completely helpless with these matters.]
[ Well, he isn't about to argue if Akechi is insisting, but he does have a joking retort ready as he lets him take up the space in front of the sink. ] How domestic.
[ Akira doesn't quite relax, though, instead moving to dig through the cabinets, trying to find something to store some curry in for sending home with Akechi. ]
[ He figured. Akechi would have to do some amount of housekeeping if he lived alone, which Akira assumed he used to, based on his terrible food habits. He really doesn't seem like the type to be a slob, after all. ]
[ Akira looks up from where he's transferring some of the curry into a smaller pot, thoughtful. ]
You do have experience being on TV. [ His expression turns vaguely amused as he imagines Akechi on television, cooking a multi-course meal featuring peaches or something equally ridiculous. ] Maybe that can be the final test.
[Drying his hands off on a cloth, he tilts his head.]
Oh, television and all that? Not especially. I mean, it was flattering when things were going well. But even then, I knew it wasn't real. [He tries to think of the best way to describe it.] It was like... junk food praise.
[Nothing real or filling, just satisfying for a moment. Then he recalls that Akira wouldn't really understand why praise matters so much and laughs a little, somewhat embarrassed now at his honesty.]
It's a funny way to phrase it. [ He shrugs a shoulder. ] But I get what you're saying.
[ Even if he doesn't have all of the context to understand why Akechi cares so much about being praised, the sentiment itself is easy enough to parse. It also makes sense—after spending more time with Akechi both during Sae's Palace and here in Aefenglom, he's noticed a distinct difference between the smile he would wear in front of the cameras and the ones he shows when something catches him off-guard in a pleasant way. ]
[Though he isn't insulted at all. It does make him happy to hear that it came across anyway, even without context. Maybe lacking context would be for the best. He wouldn't know how to talk about that.
Akechi comes over and rests a hand on top of the curry container.]
Thank you for today—for inviting me and cooking for me.
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[Then he spoons up the last of it and savours the bite. This could end at any time, so he wants to remember this much at least.]
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So let's do it again soon. [ They have plenty of cooking plans to get through, after all.
Once his plate is cleared, Akira sits back, linking together his fingers to stretch his arms up and over his head. It's probably the most contented he's felt since before the full moon. ]
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You seem awfully peaceful. Why is that?
[Before he wouldn't have asked. Now, he feels like he should.]
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... This is the closest I've felt to home since coming here. [ And the closest to himself since the transformation began. ] It's nice.
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Mm... I don't know anything about that. [He has never had a 'home' and the closest thing he had was peace.] But... I feel more relaxed than before. Some of the fog is gone. It's nice.
[He laughs softly, realising he said the same thing as Akira. Even the words before it amount to the same feeling, even if he doesn't know it.]
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Having the gesture returned brings a small quirk to his mouth. ]
It's kind of like that. Home is where you can feel relaxed.
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Oh, is that all? I've been complaining for nothing. [But he clearly isn't bothered, rather just teasing Akira's simple words.] But I understand, I think. Something like a place where you can be yourself in some way, right?
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That's right. [ He places the cup down alongside the plate. Does Akechi have anywhere that makes him feel that way? ] A place where you'll always be accepted.
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But he already told him once before, a little bit at least, so he thinks it could be safe to expand on it.]
I liked visiting Leblanc. You didn't treat me as anything unusual when I was there, in a bad way or a good way. None of the customers seemed to notice anything unusual about me... And the Boss would talk to me like he did the other customers. I don't really know how to explain it... but I vastly preferred it to anything else.
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... It's special like that. [ And for some reason, he's glad it's important to Akechi, too. ]
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A place isn't special. Or at least, that is my experience with the many places I've been. The people who create the atmosphere of a place are what gives it all of its memories and shape the connections made of it, for better or for worse. They press themselves into a space and make it impossible to associate it any other way. The warmth there was...
[He gives a dismissive wave of his hand, frowning to himself for a brief moment before he smiles.] Ah, but I could be wrong. Did you want help with the dishes? That much I can do.
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No, I can't argue with that. [ And really, it's like Akechi is paying him an indirect compliment.
Akira smiles as he gets up from his chair and collects his plate and cup. ] Sure.
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I'll take care of this, so relax.
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[ Akira doesn't quite relax, though, instead moving to dig through the cabinets, trying to find something to store some curry in for sending home with Akechi. ]
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Just don't expect me to make you a bento, too. [That would be Akira's job anyway.] I'm strictly the housekeeping type.
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I'll make a cook out of you yet.
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You do have experience being on TV. [ His expression turns vaguely amused as he imagines Akechi on television, cooking a multi-course meal featuring peaches or something equally ridiculous. ] Maybe that can be the final test.
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[At least most of them were trivia ones but some of them were just stupid.]
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[ He's poking fun, but Akira really doesn't envy that position. ]
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Well, that won't be a concern here.
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Do you miss it?
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Oh, television and all that? Not especially. I mean, it was flattering when things were going well. But even then, I knew it wasn't real. [He tries to think of the best way to describe it.] It was like... junk food praise.
[Nothing real or filling, just satisfying for a moment. Then he recalls that Akira wouldn't really understand why praise matters so much and laughs a little, somewhat embarrassed now at his honesty.]
Sorry, that must sound strange.
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[ Even if he doesn't have all of the context to understand why Akechi cares so much about being praised, the sentiment itself is easy enough to parse. It also makes sense—after spending more time with Akechi both during Sae's Palace and here in Aefenglom, he's noticed a distinct difference between the smile he would wear in front of the cameras and the ones he shows when something catches him off-guard in a pleasant way. ]
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[Though he isn't insulted at all. It does make him happy to hear that it came across anyway, even without context. Maybe lacking context would be for the best. He wouldn't know how to talk about that.
Akechi comes over and rests a hand on top of the curry container.]
Thank you for today—for inviting me and cooking for me.
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