amurderofcrow | open rp.

[Continued from here!

Gene goes through a whole slew of emotions in under a few seconds. But Akechi's scowl doesn't change in the slightest. He just glares, piercing eyes pinning the other teen in place in front of him.]

No. It's nothing like that.

[But really, yes, or he wouldn't be here threatening the man, now would he?]

Don't bother with fake pleasantries. I have no interest in befriending you. I'm simply stating the facts.

Hmm...

[Gene hummed in acknowledgement, not believing his lie for a bit. This guy obviously cared for Mai, why else was he threatening Gene? Still, despite understanding where this guy was coming from, he felt a pulse of irritation and amusement at the threat.]

I'm curious. What do you know about me?

[He wondered if Akechi knew about his past. Death threats didn't exactly have the same effect after being murdered once. Even with his fear of returning to that darkness.]

[Akechi answers plainly, without hesitation.]

I know you're dead back home, a spirit who Mai communicated with. And I know you have a twin brother who still lives, who Mai originally mistook you for.

[Gene lifted his eyebrows in faint surprise at the knowledge Akechi had. Did Mai tell him all that? Being such a subject of Mai's conversations was making him feel warm inside.]

She told you all that? Damn, you must be close then!

[A feeling he refused to acknowledge started to lap at his mind. He had no reason to be jealous. Mai cared for him too. Still, the unease and irritation was there, haunting him.]

If you know all that, then you must also know that threats don't work the same after dying once. I have plenty of experience with pain and discomfort, mine and others. Unless you think you can make me die again?

[For someone who was so fearful of returning to the void, he was very cavalier with his new life.]

Tch, she tells me everything.

[Definitely not besties or anything.

But Akechi hardly bothers defending his relationship with Mai, because Gene shifts the tone of the conversation to something far more interesting. Especially since he has yet to defend himself regarding Mai, which to Akechi, means that is exactly what he's planning.]

Speaking as someone who has died twice, I can make certain the experience is a dozen times more unpleasant than your first death. Hurt her and you'll find out how.

[Gene eyes widened at the threat and the words spoken. This guy had died too? His amused smile fell as he stared at Akechi thoughtfully. After a moment of silence, he asked in a small voice.]

When you died, were you stuck in limbo? I think I could handle anything but returning back to that darkness.

[After a moment of solemn sadness, he let out a sigh and raised his hands again.]

As much as this has been fun, I don't plan on hurting Mai, at least purposely. I'm just a friend of hers that's helping her here. There's no need for these threats. But for integrity sake...

[Gene tilted his head and stared directly in Akechi's eyes and with a cheerful tone said.]

Same to you. If you hurt her, I'll destroy you.

[Is this guy a fucking idiot? Or does he have no idea about Mai's true feelings about him? Why the fuck would Akechi hurt her, they aren't involved in the slightest romantically, but he knows all about Mai's feelings for Gene.]

Hm.

[Noncommittal as ever. Akechi has no desire to talk so casually about his death with this guy, at least not in mid-threat.]

You have nothing to worry about. As she has already crassly called out, I have no interest in that way in someone like her. We are simply working on this investigation together, nothing else.

[But while he has Gene cornered up against the door, Akechi plants a hand next to his head on the wall and tips in close, scowling.]

But let it be known that I'm not scared of you in the slightest. I have more blood on my hands than you can imagine.

[Gene hummed in acknowledgement at his words. That was one thing less to worry about. Even if he wasn't sure if he should be feeling this way towards Mai, he felt some part of him relax at Akechi's words. Still, at the continuation of the threat, he almost rolled his eyes. One of those types huh? Still, he couldn't just let go of that too soon, could he?]

Then my murder would work perfectly since you wouldn't see it coming. After all, most victims of murder don't expect their death. And you'd be surprised at my imagination.

[He has had countless ghosts inhabit him and talk to him to know many, many bloody fates.]

[All of the warning Gene gets is the flash of utter mania in Akechi's burning red eyes before he's snapping a hand around the other boy's throat and shoving him hard enough against the door the knob rattles at his side.]

Threaten me again and I'll return you to Mai in pieces.

[To prove his point, Akechi's mouth twists into a snarl as he pulls at the thing inside of him that summons his persona, Hereward, a being who burns into existence right behind Akechi, so large, he has to hunch down over the older teen, a bow taller than either boy in his hand. But it is just a brief appearance, not an outright attack - not yet - so Akechi lets Hereward be seen, all muscular and broad and ready to attack, before letting his persona burn right back out of existence again.

And the he releases Gene with a huff, turning his back on him.]

Get out. I'm done with you.

[Okay, maybe he pushed too hard. Still, this guy was a bit of a arsehole, wasn't he? Putting up his hands up in defense, he decided to let Akechi drop it even if he didn't exactly want to. It would only upset Mai if they continued their threats to each other.]

Alright, alright. I'm going.

[Plastering a fake smile, he left the apartment and walked back to his room. Sheesh, that didn't go well. What did Mai see in that guy? Noll was one thing but that guy?

He entertained himself with imagining Oliver talking with that guy. Threats had never scared Oliver and would have probably scolded Gene for continuing that line of talking. Which, he would have deserved. He like to play with others after all. Even when it doesn't go well.

Sighing once he entered his apartment, he resigned himself to cold glares and hostility whenever he saw Akechi. He just hoped Akechi controlled his distaste if they are both around Mai. Mai doesn't need to know that two of her friends don't like each other.]

Ironically, that areshole makes me miss you more, Noll. I hope you're taking care of yourself back at home. Don't work too hard okay?

[Sighing to himself, he walked to his room and decided to take a nap after all of that. As he lay down in the covers of his bed, he wondered about his family at home and how they were doing. But soon he fell asleep to the memories of his past.]

[Sorry, Gene, but Akechi's mind is made up.]

[Somehow, even with all of the odds pitted against them along the way, Ren and Akechi manage to find an apartment willing to rent to them even with both of their unique histories. And it's a place that allows pets without the extra monthly fee. And isn't too far off from campus.

The rare win in their lives, but after all of the struggling they've both endured over the last few years, pretty much everyone in their circle would agree they'd earned this.

And moving in? With all of Ren's friends? That part had been the simplest part by far, just a parade of Phantom Thieves hauling box after box up the stairs to their cramped, little third floor apartment, no doubt annoying the couple's brand new neighbors with their too-loud laughter and constant ribbing of each other. But once all of the boxes had been stacked into the living room to be sorted through, then the real work had to begin.

And it's been hell ever since.

For the moment, Akechi is kneeling down besides one of Ren's open boxes, hair pulled back out of his face and sans gloves to combat the summertime heat, scowling down at the contents inside.]

Come here, Amamiya, and explain to me why you felt the need to bring this into our home.

[Naturally, the box is full of all of Ren's dumb fucking mementos from Leblanc, complete with chocolate fountain.]

[Considering a year (or more) of their lives thus far was directly under the influence of weird gods trying to make their lives more difficult, Ren is almost happy that something worked out by random chance. Or really, as much random chance as the average person gets. It helps that Akechi knows how to be personable when necessary, and Ren... well, he's been told he's charming. Or rather, he knows how to put on the face. Something about old masks, after all.

Regardless, despite the chaos in moving into a new spot and actually having things to move this time, he's been enjoying himself. Sure, it's hot and a little more cramped than either of them would like, but that... isn't really important. Not when they're here and the quiet moments get to be so paramount, so loud. It's always been about the little things. About making a person feel like home.

Ren is across the room at the moment, dusting off corners of a shelf so they can prepare to put things on it, when he turns and cranes his neck to see exactly what Akechi is looking at.]

Hm? That's my stuff.

[He cocks his head just slightly to the side, making sure his expression is entirely neutral, as if to suggest there is absolutely nothing abnormal with any of the contents of that box.]

[Ren is probably well prepared for the incredibly flat, impassive stare Akechi aims at his boyfriend.]

I will smother you in your sleep.

[But then he's reaching into the box and pulling out a replica of the swan boats from Inokashira Park, pinching it between two fingers like it's garbage that needs to be disposed of.]

And why do we need to display this exactly?

[He smothers the temptation to laugh, but the corner of his mouth does tick upwards into the shared knowledge that he's doing this entirely on purpose.]

That's a little impersonal for you to kill me when I'm sleeping.

[You won't make the time to shoot him in the face while he's watching, even? Wow. Where has their romance gone. But he'll put down the duster and move closer, make at least a moment of like he's examining the piece in Akechi's hand.]

It's cute. And it reminds me of the park. Like when Yusuke almost got us arrested for trying to draw strangers.

[Try as Akechi might to keep that his deadpan expression set into place, there's just no hiding the way the corner of his mouth quirks upward briefly, the ghost of amusement shining in his eyes, before he's rolling them up and scoffing in Ren's direction.

His stupid, idiot, beautiful man.]

You would complain about how I planned out your murder. [Akechi drops the swan back into the box, rising up to meet Ren at his level.] You know, that's quite rude of you, after all of the work I've put into this plan - pretending to be tricked so you could get out of that staged assassination attempt, my untimely demise and subsequent return. [The older boy steps around the box to close some of the distance between him and his boyfriend.] How I let you woo me and lure me into this relationship, all of the way up until we signed for this very apartment... Clearly, I played you for a fool, Joker.

[Without warning, Akechi is pressing a quick kiss to Ren's mouth, letting it linger for only half of a moment, before he's flicking the dark, unruly curls up out of his eyes.]

That hideous fountain is not staying.

[It's always fun to see the facade crack, even after all this time. There's no point to Akechi keeping his appearances up, but every time he does, Ren will find some joy in cracking them. Besides, he gets things when he does, like Akechi getting up and coming in close, so he can take his hands from his pockets and slide them over the other man's hips. It's a catch. A trap. A particularly nefarious one where he gets to touch Akechi, and therefore it's a winner.]

Mmm, all that work for you not to get to gloat about it before I die? Doesn't sound like you.

[He lets the kiss take him by surprise, not expecting but enjoying, a little smile curling at his lips as he enjoys the moment.

And then, of course, Akechi Must Ruin It. Ren counters by holding on to his hips so he can't do something so simple as get out of his face until he gets in a rebuttal.]

It's for chocolate, you know. It's fun.

[Akechi talks a big game of long cons and elaborate ruses, but they both know the ace detective has stepped into each and every one of the traps the gentleman thief has laid out for him since the day they met. Case in point - the fact Ren gets exactly what he wants when Akechi slips in close, wrapping his hands around the other boy's slender hips, holding him in place.

Before, it would driven Akechi into utter hysteria to watch himself lose to this criminal trash over and over and over again. It had, in fact, drop kicking Akechi right into his own psychotic breakdown that had ended in his near death. But these days, he isn't quite as insane about losing, though none of it has dampened that competitive spirit of his in the slightest.

Nowadays, that ever desperate hunger to win manifests in wanting to force his chores on his boyfriend, instead of putting in a bullet in his head. Most days, at least.

Akechi allows the touch, but he's going to pretend to look real offended by it, even as a palm rests at Ren's chest, long, slender fingers splayed over his heart.]

Counterpoint: I hate fun.

[It works because Akechi is always looking at the long game, having a grand goal and a pedestal to reach. Ren has less... grand ambitions, when left to his own devices. It's about finding the fun. It's about the small pleasures of getting to hold his boyfriend, or a little kiss when they weren't previously close enough for it. Sure, the big heists are exhilarating, but for this... well, this is just for fun.

Which, of course, Akechi claims to hate. But he claims to hate a lot of things.

Instead of focusing on that, he's going to draw little circles with his right thumb right at Akechi's hip, pressing just enough for them both to feel it.]

I don't think you hate chocolate though.

[Or else why go to all of those cafes and have all of those cakes? Certainly not for Ren's sake. But he'll pretend to sigh like he's also being extremely put-upon.]

I guess we could put something else in it.

[That little soothing touch, Ren's thumb teasing a soft hum out of the older boy, seems to be doing just what he was intending, Akechi tipping a touch closer on instinct, seeking out the familiar heat of his boyfriend's body to lean against.

Until the hand in Ren's shirt turns into a accusatory finger jabbing him in the chest instead.]

Stop trying to distract me, Amamiya. We still have to unpack the kitchen after this.

[He says like he wasn't the one who started this whole thing anyway.]

[See, this is the secret. Now that Ren has broken the first barrier of Akechi knowing he can be loved, everything becomes much easier. But unfortunately, he protests, and Ren does know there's other things he should be doing.

But also, what if he doesn't want to do them. Hmm.

He can't help the laugh that bubbles from his throat, rising from where Akechi jabbed him, but he still doesn't let go.]

I thought we were having a discussion about the fountain. And how it's going to make the apartment look like a fancy buffet.

[Finish it then, buddy. Good luck.]

Edited (i can spell) 2024-09-21 17:04 (UTC)

[And Ren still doesn't let go.

Let it be very clear, the chocolate fountain is an absolute eyesore. For how much use it's seen since ren's second year of high school, the thing has become loud, a constant, grating hum in the background, sometimes stuttering along, trying to catch up. And it's tall, coming up to mid-chest on both of them. So the very thought of walking into their new apartment every single day and seeing that ugly thing so proudly displayed makes Akechi want to claw out his own eyes and then throw himself off of the roof.

But if there's anything the last year or so have taught him, it's that relationships are built on compromise. So if Ren gets his dumbass chocolate fountain in the living room, then Akechi gets-]

I'll only allow it if I never have to wash a dish again. As long as that thing is taking up space in our home, you have permanent dish washing duty. Deal?

[Part of the fun here is knowing how much Akechi hates it, and thereby Ren's insistence to keep it. The sound is... unpleasant, but it's easy enough to drown it out in his head. Besides, it's chocolate. You can just stick your hands in there if you want. What's not to love?

But of course, he is not getting everything he wants, and he does frown just slightly.]

You really hate it that much?

[With the cadence of do you really hate me that much, and knowing he's not going to get away with this one with just a few soft touches.]

It doesn't need to be set up all the time. Maybe just for parties. And birthdays.

[Ren, the moment that Akechi sees you sticking your whole ass hand into the chocolate fountain, he's divorcing your ass.]

Don't look at me like that.

[aka never stop looking at him like that, Akechi hates how fucking cute Ren looks pouting.]

As long as you agree to party clean up each time, I'll allow it. The rest of the time, it stays in the closet. [a small beat, Akechi's fingers curling into Ren's shirt.] I'll allow you space for the dumb swan in exchange.

[Even if he let Akechi lick it off him? Is he suuuuure?

In the meantime, he knows he's won as Akechi relents, the joy reaching the corners of his eyes as Akechi holds onto more of him back. It's cute when he holds on. It's like if Ren keeps him close long enough he starts gripping for things, like a koala with a propensity for stabbing people. It's charming.]

Oh, allowing me space for my own things. In our home. You're so gracious.

[Akechi will get a little forehead kiss for Ren's actual appreciation, though. They both get their little treats.]

You know... we could go out on one of those boats sometime. The lake really is nice over at Inokashira.

[And then he'll have something else to associate it with.]

open rp.

for gene!

I'm back! Sorry for the delay! (small ghost hunt Spoilers)

no problem!! : >

You. Are. Awesome!

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sorry abt akechi

LOL I'm loving it! (do we stop here?)

PROBABLY LMAO until ur back in game :>

babies first apartment @renhanded

gay gay homosexual gay

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