tunasub | OPEN RP POST 2020

[ though he'd be loath to admit it, Akechi feels the same, to some extent. It is freeing, not caring like this. He doesn't remember the last time he didn't have to at least pretend he cared. (He carefully mentally sidesteps around the contradiction this creates in his seeking out Akira in the first place.) The response makes him roll his eyes. ]

Oh, I'm sure. [ sardonically. The mere suggestion is vaguely offensive because Akechi knows that this boy has a dozen people tripping over themselves to bask in his presence on any given day. Bad joke. Lonely, his ass. ] Bring your cat along instead next time. You'd probably get away with it here, and I could be catching up on sleep rather than wasting my time.

[ little does he know... also, that's a lie, akechi sleeps like 4 hours a night on a good day ]

[THAT DOESN'T MEAN HE CAN'T BE LONELY!!! Akira rolls his eyes dramatically enough for Akechi to see as the jazz club waiter finally delivers their drinks. his sardonic reply is dangling on the tip of his tongue, but he holds it until their drinks are resting on the wooden table and the poor server who doesn't deserve to be dragged into this feud is gone]

I'd believe that if we were anywhere but at your favorite haunt.

[this is a callout!! one delivered smoothly as Akira reaches for his glass]

[ NO SHUT UP AKIRA WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND!!1 ]

Ugh.

[ is it a reaction to the reply that he knows he can't defend himself from, or a reaction to this entire situation? Why not both? Why not everything? "Ugh" sums up how he's generally been feeling outside of the Palace these days. He can remember the certain excitement he'd get from chatting with Akira in the past. Part of him misses it. He's never going to admit to that part, because he'd rather focus on the part of him that feels exhausted trying to continue this farcical relationship now that the jig is up. Akechi picks up his glass at the same time that Akira does (unintentional; they always seem to sync up in these little ways) but doesn't drink it yet, instead staring at the other boy with a look that stops tiredly short of searching. He's still looking for that ulterior motive... ]

I suppose I should be thankful you didn't try to drag me up to that dirty attic. Not that I would have accepted in the first place. [ a beat; he takes a sip of his drink. ] ... Not bad.

[ he does actually like this place. one of the bits of honesty that slipped out last year. ]

[he knows u better than u think Akechi!1 with a snort, Akira sips at this drink as well, gaze meandering away from the detective and towards the jazz club's evening patrons. he can see why Akechi likes this place; not only is the music catchy, but it's a great place to people watch]

You're welcome.

[that's a cheeky response. but at this point? cheek should be expected. that is, at least, one thing that hasn't changed from the days when Akechi's Detective Prince act was in full force]

I have great concern for your severe dust allergies.

[DOES AKECHI EVEN HAVE DUST ALLERGIES]

[ he is used to the cheekiness, yes, and he knows how Akira uses it to get under everyone's skin. Akechi included, apparently, considering he's sitting here with him. ]

Your concern is wasted.

[ he's used to playing this game with him, too. For his information, Akechi definitely has dust allergies, but that's not the point!! ]

But you're concerned about a lot of things regarding me, aren't you, Kurusu?

[ that's why he keeps doing this. The two of them aren't friends - they're partners, allies by circumstance. It's bizarre for them to keep spending time together. Akechi sounds exasperated by the topic already, and the discussion's hardly begun. He's already told him that he has no underlying plans or any desire to take his life, so he doesn't bother telling him again - he doesn't feel like repeating himself. Instead, he watches Akira expectantly, the corner of his lip curling in derision that seems more pointed inward. ]

Or would "anxious" be a better word?

[. . . aha]

[well. . . he supposes he can't play stupid forever. Akechi had always been sharp. so much sharper than Akira had ever noticed, even while knowing that the detective had ulterior motives from the very beginning. he doesn't immediately respond, light flashing opaque in his glasses lenses]

[. . .]

[he finishes his first sip and places the glass back on the table, fingers running across the edges, collecting the condensation from the atmosphere]

Would you believe me if I said "neither?"

["concerned" isn't right. neither is "anxious," really]

No, I wouldn't.

[ because there's no way it isn't one of those two things - and if it is, then it's something even more reprehensible, like pity, and Akechi doesn't want to hear about that. He levels his gaze at Akira, setting his drink down once more and folding his hands neatly on the table. ]

Just say whatever it is you want to say. We're done playing games.

[ he has nothing left to hide, unfortunately. Akira's seen him at his worst, and there's no coming back from that. Akechi tries not to think about it. Akechi doesn't like being at a disadvantage with him - hates it, actually, as they both know very well. ]

[despite how aggressive Akechi insists that Akira fess up, Akira remains. . . well. completely unfazed. it'd be a lie to say he has a good poker face, but he does know how to keep his cards close to his chest when it counts. and now is one of those times]

What are you expecting me to say, exactly?

[is Akechi mentally putting words in his mouth?? stop that Akechi!1]

[ annoyance is seeping into his expression again, free and easy, just like it never had when they used to come here in the past. Does he have to be difficult? Does he enjoy it? It's infuriating. Giving Akira a topic feels like losing - feels like offering himself up to be picked at again, and the worst part is that Akechi knows he'd let it happen, because he already did in the past. It's easy to say too much to him while he remains with that blank expression, offering nothing.

Maybe he's approaching this from the wrong angle. ]

Let's try different tactic, then. I'll ask you something, and you can answer me. [ he gives Akira a measured stare. ] Do your teammates approve of you having a drink with the man who killed you?

[ being blunt doesn't hurt. Another benefit of not having to pretend. ]

[. . . lol]

[well, that's one way to go about it. and just as before, Akira doesn't even flinch. if they're playing this game. . . he's not giving in that easily]

I don't need their approval to spend my time however I please.

[a beat]

Also, for a dead guy, I feel awfully lively tonight.

[well that one is going to get him hit]

[ shoots akira again ]

[ no just kidding, not tonight....... frankly, he doesn't even think that lame comment is worth a response, so he doesn't let it sidetrack him. That response is the one he was expecting, besides. ]

No, you don't, because if you did, you certainly wouldn't be sitting here. Your friends are more sensible than you are when it comes to me.

[ they must be, because if it were Akechi, he wouldn't want to spend a second longer near himself. He knows that Akira is being sentimental. If it's not because he wants questions answered, then it's because of that -- and that's more annoying than any uncomfortable queries. ]

I am glad you woke up with your head on straight, [ he admits. ] You're a powerful ally, and though I hate to admit it, I can't do this on my own. But we were never friends, Kurusu. I'm surprised a bullet didn't convince you of that.

Edited 2020-06-15 04:53 (UTC)

OPEN RP POST 2020

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