... Haha, you never fail to surprise me. Even after facing the wishes of the masses you tried so hard to save, you continue to cling to your sense of "justice."
[You can almost hear the quotation marks...]
Let's make another deal, then. You won't say no, will you?
[apparently he'd just bounce back because SOME PEOPLE HAVE TRIED THAT]
[anyway, a flicker of surprise crosses Akira's expression, because he actually didn't expect Akechi to be the one of them to make that offer. doing so was on the tip of Akira's tongue from the very moment they entered this room together, so. . . it doesn't take much for him to agree]
. . .
Huh.
[but now without a slight curve of his lips, and a knowing quirk of his brow]
So you have changed.
[even if it's just a little bit]
[anyway, in response? he steps forward and offers Akechi his hand, so they can shake on it]
[and Akira wouldn't lie to himself by thinking otherwise. but Akechi coming to him with this proposal, even for his own convenience and selfishness, is still. . . something. a step up. a very tiny, very minuscule, step up]
[especially considering the last time they really worked together Akechi was actually plotting on murdering him]
[there's no part of Akira that changes his mind, so the handshake he gives his firm and pointed]
And I'm only agreeing because it's convenient for me.
[not. . . a lie. . . all Confidants are built upon an equal exchange]
Of course it was bound to be something like this.]
... If that's what you had to say, you're truly an idiot.
[He hates him. He hates him. He hates, hates, hates him.
He will never understand him.]
I have no intention of fighting you as long as our alliance stands. Furthermore, I have no reason to kill you. [After all, Akira's not in his way anymore. Their goals are compatible.] Is that what you needed to hear?
[a sharp exhale of breath, slightly frustrated. like a brick wall. . . but then again, there had always been a wall between them, hadn't there? there was no breaking that down just one conversation into their reunion, alliance or not]
[if there was any breaking it down at all]
No. I didn't "need" to hear it. I believe we're beyond that.
[. . .]
[but a small part of him-- the part that can't so easily trust someone who hurt so many of his people-- does wonder what would happen if Akechi were given reason again]
[he doesn't voice that aloud]
But I wanted you to know how I felt. After everything-- I though you deserved that bit of honesty.
He scoffs in disbelief, staring at him like he's an idiot.]
Shut up. [He's had enough of this. He heard enough, back when he was picking his sorry ass off the floor in Shido's palace. This is just... overkill.] ... I really don't understand you.
[Akira's hands curl into fists and he takes a step forward, eyes flashing as his calm demeanor cracks just a little bit]
What part of you thinks that after this, I'm going to let you go back to being dead?
[another step, head lifted, words pulled taught and strained like he's holding back]
What part of you thinks you deserve to die?
[that meaning is two-fold. what part of Akechi thinks he has a right to rest after everything he's done? . . . and what part of Akechi thinks that his proper penance is death, when Akira thinks he still has so much more life to live? when Akechi could do so much more good alive?]
[Akira can be as dramatic as he hecking wants, but Akechi won't budge an inch from where he stands. He stares at him. Arms crossed. Lips curling in disdain. Fingers digging into his own biceps.]
And what part of you makes you think that's your choice to make?
[He scoffs. Making a big deal over something like this... Who the fuck does he think he is? It's not even a matter of what Akechi thinks he deserves, it's...]
It seems like your victories have gone to your head after all. Are you truly so conceited to believe you can change the past? Don't make me laugh. What's done is done.
[by now, Akira has slid his way into Akechi's persona space, standing close enough to be uncomfortable but not so close that they're anywhere near touching. his fists tremble slightly at his side, and does his best to ignore the way his gut churns]
[we could have been rivals. . . or even friends]
I want to pave way for a better future. What's done is done, but what hasn't happened yet is an open book.
You're not going to pass up on that opportunity, are you?
[Cool. Cool, cool, cool. He stares at him dead in the eye, shoulders taut and back straightened in an attempt to make use of that single inch he has over him.]
You're talking as if there's a guarantee such an opportunity exists.
[He's not... He won't get his hopes up for something like that. He accepted his death before it happened. Came to terms with the fact that he dug his own grave and now had to lie in it. Talking in hypotheticals is a waste of time. So... why...? Hm.
After a second's pause... he smiles. It's not a pleasant look.]
Ah, I get it. You want to see me turn myself in so badly? I can't say I'm surprised if that's the case.
[He's not delusional. If not death, then a life in prison is all that waits for him in their world. It's his comeuppance as the one responsible for the mental shutdowns and psychotic breakdowns.]
[visibly taken aback, Akira recoils a step, eyes widening]
What? No, that's not-- that's not it!
[. . . which isn't to say he doesn't think Akechi should turn himself in. he does-- if only for the sake of Futaba and Haru, who deserve to see justice for the deaths of their parents]
[but all of that? is secondary to what Akira really wants here. and with a hiss, he reaches out to snatch the front of Akechi's shirt, eyes flashing]
I want to see you take back the future Masayoshi Shido stole from you.
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[Akira opens his mouth]
[closes it again]
[his expression grows slack]
You think we were all brought here to be killed?
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[Oh. RIP to Akira, but he's different.]
The "toy" we've been gifted would drive the point home.
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I hadn't. . . [thought about it. but he trails off, because now that he does think about it. . .]
[he curses, hands balling into fists]
Fuck that.
[sharp and defiant and determined all in one]
If this Master Blue thinks I'm just going to sit around and let them hurt people, then they've got another thing coming.
[typical Akira response, tbh]
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... Haha, you never fail to surprise me. Even after facing the wishes of the masses you tried so hard to save, you continue to cling to your sense of "justice."
[You can almost hear the quotation marks...]
Let's make another deal, then. You won't say no, will you?
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[that same justice got him arrested on false charges of assault, but hey, whatever, right???]
[. . .]
[he also affixes Akechi with a scrutinizing look, but-- despite the history between them, his answer comes without hesitation]
No. I won't.
[HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE DEAL IS??]
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What if Akechi plans to ask him to throw himself off the balcony.
What if.]
We both want to get to the bottom of this. As long as we share that same goal, it will be far more efficient if we work together to solve this.
[But, no. It's a reasonable request instead. Shocking.]
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[anyway, a flicker of surprise crosses Akira's expression, because he actually didn't expect Akechi to be the one of them to make that offer. doing so was on the tip of Akira's tongue from the very moment they entered this room together, so. . . it doesn't take much for him to agree]
. . .
Huh.
[but now without a slight curve of his lips, and a knowing quirk of his brow]
So you have changed.
[even if it's just a little bit]
[anyway, in response? he steps forward and offers Akechi his hand, so they can shake on it]
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With a look of mild disgust:]
Don't misunderstand. I'm only offering an alliance because it's convenient for me.
[People don't change so easily. In the end, he can only ever be himself. To think otherwise is to delude themselves.
But as long as Akira doesn't totally change his mind right here and now, fine. They can shake on it.]
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[and Akira wouldn't lie to himself by thinking otherwise. but Akechi coming to him with this proposal, even for his own convenience and selfishness, is still. . . something. a step up. a very tiny, very minuscule, step up]
[especially considering the last time they really worked together Akechi was actually plotting on murdering him]
[there's no part of Akira that changes his mind, so the handshake he gives his firm and pointed]
And I'm only agreeing because it's convenient for me.
[not. . . a lie. . . all Confidants are built upon an equal exchange]
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As long as we have an understanding.
[Smiling! Not very pleasantly.
But, hey. This is at least a step up from ranking up while someone is pointing a gun at your head, Akira..........]
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We do.
[. . . . . . .]
[and, while their hands are clasped, Akira's gonna sneak in]
. . . I'm glad-- relieved-- to see you're alive.
[TAKE SOME OF HIS SENTIMENTALITY AND SHOVE IT DOWN UR THROAT, AKECHI]
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He's taking his hand back, thank you.]
You shouldn't be.
[Point blank. Like the bullet he shot at Akira's cognitive double, whoopsies!]
Is there another matter you'd like to discuss? If not, I suggest we get to work.
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[draws his hand back when Akechi does, folding his arms again and looking completely unfazed]
I don't care what you think I should or shouldn't be.
[said just as point blank. YOU DON'T SCARE HIM, AKECHI]
And I think we have plenty we need to discuss. But that depends on how ready you are to address the elephants in the room.
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Annoying...]
If there's something you have to say, say it.
[Or just keep those elephants to yourself forever? There's no point in addressing things with someone who's dead?? It won't change anything???]
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[. . . if Akechi is going to be that way about it. . .]
[Akira's going to say it, chin lifted, eyes locked with the other detective to give it more ~feeling~]
I don't hate you.
[which Akira wants to think is obvious, but. . . it doesn't hurt to say]
I never have. You can hate me all you want in return, and that's fine.
But I don't want to fight you anymore.
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Of course it was bound to be something like this.]
... If that's what you had to say, you're truly an idiot.
[He hates him. He hates him. He hates, hates, hates him.
He will never understand him.]
I have no intention of fighting you as long as our alliance stands. Furthermore, I have no reason to kill you. [After all, Akira's not in his way anymore. Their goals are compatible.] Is that what you needed to hear?
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[if there was any breaking it down at all]
No. I didn't "need" to hear it. I believe we're beyond that.
[. . .]
[but a small part of him-- the part that can't so easily trust someone who hurt so many of his people-- does wonder what would happen if Akechi were given reason again]
[he doesn't voice that aloud]
But I wanted you to know how I felt. After everything-- I though you deserved that bit of honesty.
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He scoffs in disbelief, staring at him like he's an idiot.]
Shut up. [He's had enough of this. He heard enough, back when he was picking his sorry ass off the floor in Shido's palace. This is just... overkill.] ... I really don't understand you.
[Unfortunately,,,,,,,,]
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[a long pause after that, but Akira's expression doesn't flinch or falter]
Are you even trying?
[or are you writing off everything he says as bullshit before it comes out of his mouth AKECHI!!!]
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What would be the point of that?
[Look... Listen........... It's worse if he doesn't write everything Akira says off as bullshit. Please just let him burn in peace.]
Once this is resolved, things will go back to how they should be.
[It's obviously better to focus on the situation rather than whatever Akira's going for here? Akechi's going to be too dead to care?]
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You don't know that.
[Akira's hands curl into fists and he takes a step forward, eyes flashing as his calm demeanor cracks just a little bit]
What part of you thinks that after this, I'm going to let you go back to being dead?
[another step, head lifted, words pulled taught and strained like he's holding back]
What part of you thinks you deserve to die?
[that meaning is two-fold. what part of Akechi thinks he has a right to rest after everything he's done? . . . and what part of Akechi thinks that his proper penance is death, when Akira thinks he still has so much more life to live? when Akechi could do so much more good alive?]
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And what part of you makes you think that's your choice to make?
[He scoffs. Making a big deal over something like this... Who the fuck does he think he is? It's not even a matter of what Akechi thinks he deserves, it's...]
It seems like your victories have gone to your head after all. Are you truly so conceited to believe you can change the past? Don't make me laugh. What's done is done.
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[by now, Akira has slid his way into Akechi's persona space, standing close enough to be uncomfortable but not so close that they're anywhere near touching. his fists tremble slightly at his side, and does his best to ignore the way his gut churns]
[we could have been rivals. . . or even friends]
I want to pave way for a better future. What's done is done, but what hasn't happened yet is an open book.
You're not going to pass up on that opportunity, are you?
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You're talking as if there's a guarantee such an opportunity exists.
[He's not... He won't get his hopes up for something like that. He accepted his death before it happened. Came to terms with the fact that he dug his own grave and now had to lie in it. Talking in hypotheticals is a waste of time. So... why...? Hm.
After a second's pause... he smiles. It's not a pleasant look.]
Ah, I get it. You want to see me turn myself in so badly? I can't say I'm surprised if that's the case.
[He's not delusional. If not death, then a life in prison is all that waits for him in their world. It's his comeuppance as the one responsible for the mental shutdowns and psychotic breakdowns.]
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[visibly taken aback, Akira recoils a step, eyes widening]
What? No, that's not-- that's not it!
[. . . which isn't to say he doesn't think Akechi should turn himself in. he does-- if only for the sake of Futaba and Haru, who deserve to see justice for the deaths of their parents]
[but all of that? is secondary to what Akira really wants here. and with a hiss, he reaches out to snatch the front of Akechi's shirt, eyes flashing]
I want to see you take back the future Masayoshi Shido stole from you.
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