Nowhere specific. [a tiny little shrug, a barely notable movement of his shoulders] I wanted to know how you felt about this places effect on you; that's all.
[maybe he doesn't fully understand Akechi because Akechi won't let him, but. . . he does think he knows more about the detective than he'd like to admit]
[another pause, and Akira reaches out to gently tap a flower's petals]
I wanted to talk about Saturday, too. [. . .] And everything that happened.
[well. now Akira's standing upright again, rocking back on his good heel to fully regard Akechi, expression perfectly even. he feels a small flicker of discontent at how forcefully Akechi denies that things could've gone further, which is. . .]
[probably still for the best, because he doesn't--]
[he wasn't looking for--]
[he's still so furious, still has yet to forgive--]
[and there was someone else--]
[and it's not fair, to either of them, if he--]
[but a small part of him wants to--]
[but it's not fair]
[. . .]
[it's not fair, and as volatile and desperate and a little wanting as his own emotions are, that's what matters. right?]
What if I had said something else? What if I had-- [no. not fair. not fair]
[he looks away again]
. . . no, sorry. That's not a fair question. [. . .] I'm sorry.
But if Akechi is bothered by it, he doesn't show it. His expression is unreadable once Akira turns around to face him, even as Akechi continues to stare at the ground for a moment longer.]
Akira, let's drop this.
[In that same tone of voice as Saturday. He lifts his gaze to finally look at him.]
We have greater things to worry about right now. Don't forget that.
[most of the time, when Akechi shoots him down, Akira rolls his eyes and presses anyway, because stop avoiding your feelings, asshole. but this time?]
[he's pretty sure he's the one in the wrong. he's pretty sure pressing would just make things even more complicated and tangled than they already are. and he's pretty sure he'd wind up hurting feelings, rather than just uncovering festering ones that needed to be opened to the light of day]
[. . .]
Please. As if I'd forget.
[he hasn't forgotten. work does, in fact, always come first. with another sigh, Akira takes a few steps towards Akechi, reaching out to drop a hand on his shoulder, to give that shoulder a light squeeze as he brushes past him]
[Does Akechi tense up when Akira drops a hand on his shoulder? Or is it the fact that Akira is squeezing something that's no longer flesh? It's... a little hard to tell, but that doesn't change the way he quietly exhales at those words.
...
What an absolute idiot.
Akira is free to go. Akechi isn't going to follow him.]
[PLEASE AKIRA ISN'T ACTUALLY LEAVING??? his hand drops from Akechi's shoulder, but stops after a few steps, raising a brow at the detective when he does so]
... I heard he is in possession of an item that allows him to transfer one injury to someone else, and a sheath that creates a temporary illusion. He also recovered part of his powers. [A pause, and then he sounds very smug.] But I'm not supposed to know about any of this. So keep that to yourself for now, yes?
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I'd ask you what they are, but that would ruin the surprise.
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I wouldn't tell you even if you asked.
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Then let me ask you a different question.
[oh??]
Since coming here, do you feel like you've changed at all?
[oh]
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Akira really has a way of asking questions that make the smile slide right off his face, huh.]
What kind of ridiculous question is that?
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[nevertheless, Akira shrugs, his own smile fading into something more pensive as he crouches in front of a flower bed to study said flowers]
I was just wondering. If you don't want to answer, that's fine.
[. . .]
. . . I feel like I have, though.
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He watches him from his current position, making no move to crouch down next to him.]
Where are you going with this?
[Hm.]
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Nowhere specific. [a tiny little shrug, a barely notable movement of his shoulders] I wanted to know how you felt about this places effect on you; that's all.
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[Hmm...]
This place is a prison I plan to escape, nothing else. I have no feelings about it. So why would it have any effect on me?
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[standing up and hobbling over to a different section of the garden, crouching in front of it next. he likes flowers so sue him!!]
. . . once upon a time, I think you might've gone about that differently than how you're doing it now.
[. . .]
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Do you? [A scoff, already a bit... defensive.] You know nothing about me, except for what I allowed you to learn.
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[. . .]
[maybe he doesn't fully understand Akechi because Akechi won't let him, but. . . he does think he knows more about the detective than he'd like to admit]
[another pause, and Akira reaches out to gently tap a flower's petals]
I wanted to talk about Saturday, too. [. . .] And everything that happened.
[OH. . . HE'S. GOING THERE]
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Akechi had no intention of bringing it up ever again, and he assumed Akira would do the same. It looks like he was wrong, though. Unfortunate.
Despite himself, he stills — and immediately forces himself to relax.]
Why? [Tersely.] There's nothing to talk about.
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[as [redacted] put it if they don't talk about it, then it becomes the THING they aren't talking about]
[either way, Akira winches at that tone. still very much not looking at Akechi, though. flowers are nice!!]
What were you hoping I'd say when you asked me what we were doing?
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Nothing. [Immediately, a little sharply.
Akira isn't looking at him, but Akechi sure is staring at his back like he's trying to burn a hole into it.]
... You kissed me twice. Did you expect me not to question it?
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No, that's not it.
[tilting his head over his shoulder a bit, still not looking at Akechi but more visibly acknowledging him]
You kissed me back that second time.
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That was a lapse in judgement.
[Now he's the one looking away, arms crossed as he squints at the ground.]
Why are we talking about this? I told you, we would end it there.
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[well. now Akira's standing upright again, rocking back on his good heel to fully regard Akechi, expression perfectly even. he feels a small flicker of discontent at how forcefully Akechi denies that things could've gone further, which is. . .]
[probably still for the best, because he doesn't--]
[he wasn't looking for--]
[he's still so furious, still has yet to forgive--]
[and there was someone else--]
[and it's not fair, to either of them, if he--]
[but a small part of him wants to--]
[but it's not fair]
[. . .]
[it's not fair, and as volatile and desperate and a little wanting as his own emotions are, that's what matters. right?]
What if I had said something else? What if I had-- [no. not fair. not fair]
[he looks away again]
. . . no, sorry. That's not a fair question. [. . .] I'm sorry.
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That really isn't a fair question at all.
But if Akechi is bothered by it, he doesn't show it. His expression is unreadable once Akira turns around to face him, even as Akechi continues to stare at the ground for a moment longer.]
Akira, let's drop this.
[In that same tone of voice as Saturday. He lifts his gaze to finally look at him.]
We have greater things to worry about right now. Don't forget that.
[Work always comes first.]
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[he's pretty sure he's the one in the wrong. he's pretty sure pressing would just make things even more complicated and tangled than they already are. and he's pretty sure he'd wind up hurting feelings, rather than just uncovering festering ones that needed to be opened to the light of day]
[. . .]
Please. As if I'd forget.
[he hasn't forgotten. work does, in fact, always come first. with another sigh, Akira takes a few steps towards Akechi, reaching out to drop a hand on his shoulder, to give that shoulder a light squeeze as he brushes past him]
[and in the same motion]
But just so you know, I don't regret it.
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...
What an absolute idiot.
Akira is free to go. Akechi isn't going to follow him.]
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Well?
Are you coming?
[hang out Akechi!! he wants to hang out!!]
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... Yes.
[Where to next? Before Akira can say anything else:]
I know who is in possession of flute.
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Oh yeah?
[anyway now they're heading to the duck pond. why? because I said so]
Who is it?
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Agni-san.
[So that's one mystery solved.]
... I heard he is in possession of an item that allows him to transfer one injury to someone else, and a sheath that creates a temporary illusion. He also recovered part of his powers. [A pause, and then he sounds very smug.] But I'm not supposed to know about any of this. So keep that to yourself for now, yes?
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[Akira mimes zipping his mouth shut, then locking it before tossing away the key]
I'm a master of secrets. Who'd you get this information from?
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