[ 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.
[ Akira only laughs, just barely, watching as Akechi approaches. ]
No problem. [ He falls quiet, but only for a beat. ] Consider it thanks for being there for me.
[ The words don't feel quite enough to express the depth of gratitude he feels towards Akechi for having his back on the full moon, for seeing him in such a vulnerable state and offering the support he needed. But maybe the curry got it across. ]
[His gaze lifts from the container to Akira and he smiles, something softer. Even if Akira doesn't spell it out, he understands. They are similar in some ways, ways that make it easier to catch his meaning at times. If it had happened to him, he would have tried to thank Akira somehow like this, too.]
If it happens again this month, please call me. I'll tell you another story.
[ If it happens again? Akira almost has to laugh. Everything he's researched about the change implies that this is going to be a regular thing for him every month, and that it's only going to get worse as the transformation progresses.
But having the offer on the table makes that knowledge a little less overwhelming. ]
You do owe me an original. I haven't forgotten about that.
[Truthfully, the 'if' exists only as a quiet out: Akira can pretend it didn't happen. He can pretend there was no reason to call Akechi. He can stop needing him that way. It has a high chance of happening, as far as he is concerned, so he'd rather pretend now in advance. 'If' it happens again, though, he really will be there.]
I remember. I've been researching for it, I promise. It will be ready by full moon.
[ As much as he doesn't want to have to rely on Akechi, or anyone really, Akira isn't sure exactly what the next moon will hold for him and how much worse it will be. So he's not going to discount the possibility, offering a light reply as he pushes himself away from the counter. ]
[ It's pure habit that has him following to the door to see Akechi out. Maybe it's a bit silly, seeing as he's going all of one house over, but it's the least Akira can do when he's so used to waking his company home or to the station. ]
See you later. [ He calls from the doorway as Akechi heads off, waiting until he disappears from sight to shut the door. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
... It's special like that. [ And for some reason, he's glad it's important to Akechi, too. ]
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
I'll take care of this, so relax.
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
Just don't expect me to make you a bento, too. [That would be Akira's job anyway.] I'm strictly the housekeeping type.
no subject
I'll make a cook out of you yet.
no subject
no subject
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.
no subject
[At least most of them were trivia ones but some of them were just stupid.]
no subject
[ He's poking fun, but Akira really doesn't envy that position. ]
no subject
Well, that won't be a concern here.
no subject
Do you miss it?
no subject
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.
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
[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.
no subject
No problem. [ He falls quiet, but only for a beat. ] Consider it thanks for being there for me.
[ The words don't feel quite enough to express the depth of gratitude he feels towards Akechi for having his back on the full moon, for seeing him in such a vulnerable state and offering the support he needed. But maybe the curry got it across. ]
no subject
If it happens again this month, please call me. I'll tell you another story.
no subject
But having the offer on the table makes that knowledge a little less overwhelming. ]
You do owe me an original. I haven't forgotten about that.
no subject
I remember. I've been researching for it, I promise. It will be ready by full moon.
no subject
[ As much as he doesn't want to have to rely on Akechi, or anyone really, Akira isn't sure exactly what the next moon will hold for him and how much worse it will be. So he's not going to discount the possibility, offering a light reply as he pushes himself away from the counter. ]
no subject
See you later, Akira. Thank you again.
[Then he turns and goes to make his way out.]
no subject
See you later. [ He calls from the doorway as Akechi heads off, waiting until he disappears from sight to shut the door. ]