twostringsonebow

[Goro's got clever answers for two of three, but the fourth stutters his heart and heat flashes over his cheeks, he's just teasing it's nothing but banter it's not serious running in quick succession through his mind, but

he needs to leave like right now immediately. It's hard to look at Akira, he's even drawing his hand from Morrigan, choosing to chow down on the rest of his slice... which he resembles in color at the moment, but refrain from commenting on that. When he speaks, it's surprisingly even.]

... We happened to be at your house, [first,] you decided to be so close to me, [second,] and if it can be interpreted in so many ways there's no certainty that it lies in that direction.

[Third, even if it very, very much did. Breathes in slowly, gaze flicking up to meet Akira's through his bangs. Hesitantly opens his mouth to answer the fourth, then closes is as he tries to figure out what.]

No one but you would get that impression, [he finally decides on, forgoing the verses right now.] Which leads me to believe that...

[-- No, he's not going to accuse, he won't let his bias decide his deductions. Presuming too much would be his sure downfall. A small, tight smile, dying on the inside and he cannot scream, pushing some hair behind his ear.]

That you simply watch too many romances, Kurusu. [Back to safety! Again. Wow, amazing.] Poetry fits you, though. I don't know why I'm surprised. You look like someone who'd enjoy it.

[ THOSE ARE SOME GOOD POINTS, but he's going to continue on. ]

For the ends of being and ideal grace—I love thee to the level of every day’s most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

[ He looks pretty pleased with himself, chest puffed with absolute confidence. Akira's unfortunately in his element... His occupation may as well be heart terrorist instead of purrista. There's no doubt that he would be a big contender in gay chicken.

Don't worry, he has a counter to Goro's deductions. He raises a hand to stroke his chin pensively, wondering which card to play here. It's then does he catch something. From where he sits, he can see the red peaks of those ears, so he's feeling a little guilty. Okay, 70% victorious, 30% apologetic. His expression softens, however, as he considers his guest's predicament. ]

Your deductions are sound, but... Romance is popular with the masses, Akechi. I think I watch less than most people, actually.

[ He spares him for now. ]

[It's easy to wind down once he's clearly lost, pride's soreness nothing compared to the embarrassment of being spared. Maybe he makes it too easy. He needs to pull back a little more.]

And it's still far too much if your mind jumps to such [on the nose] conclusions. I can promise they'd be more interested in why I've kept such a gem hidden, though the answer's because I don't need the competition.

[Akira's good looking and would probably look good in whatever they put him in. No matter how the other perceives himself, it's simple fact.

Goro's smile eases a little as he straightens up, confident there isn't much redness anymore, but it's still a tinge nervous despite his best efforts. This part's a little harder in some ways, but easier in others.]

At least I can grade you on your eloquently stolen words, and I'd say... whoever you decide to seriously give them to will appreciate the notion, but I'd save them until then. There's nothing to gain from wasting them on me.

[ He shrugs!! He doesn't intend to ever seriously recite this sonnet, but if it eases Goro's nerves, he'll stop. This time. They can debate all they want over the selfie's message, but no one will budge. Admitting to defeat in a blatant way is too humiliating, he can see.

It's fine. That's fine. Leaning back against the armrest on his side, his expression falls back to being neutral. Morrigan paws toward Goro's hand, pulling it back into his clutches and clinging onto it like a body pillow. Even with that comforting consolation from his cat, Akira still has one last card up his sleeve. ]

Thanks for calling me handsome.

[ Yes. He'll take it.]

[Well. That's good, because Goro's lips quirk up and pulls Morrigan in his lap, leaning against his own armrest. Sufficient space for now.]

Thanks for the confession.

[Is this masochistic.]

[ Akira squints once because he knows this is a bait. He won't be playing into it today...!!! Clicking his tongue once, he raises both hands up with a dramatized sigh. ]

I surrender.

[ He's a good guy in the end. ]

[What a charmer. He laughs lightly, careful not to disturb the cat too much as he reaches over to brush some of Akira's bangs away, smiling sincerely as he shifts back again.]

It's only the truth, Akira. You are quite good looking. [A beat.] Calling you competition might've been generous, though.

[That is teasing.]

[ Akira's eyes widen at the gesture, a little confused overall... Was that necessary? He guesses so?! Does this mean they're friends... HE GUESSES SO? Morrigan sense his owner's inner panic and stirs, releasing himself from Goro's clutches.

Kitty has stuff to do, so he jumps off and leaves them to their devices. ]

I never knew you were such a queen.

[ Not that he disagrees, BUT STILL RUDE. ]

[Yes, Akira, someone very casually moving your bangs out of your face means you're friends. Absolutely.

The loss of Morrigan is disheartening and Goro watches the cat go, turning back to Akira and settling against the armrest, crossing his arms.]

Am I really? I'm more familiar with being called princely.

[ Nothing makes his heart flutter like companionship. You're on the right road, okay? The comment makes Akira stroke his chin in deep contemplation, staring at Goro for a long time in unsettling silence. ]

I can see that.

[ COMPLIMENT. NO SHADE. NO ROAST. ]

[... Is that a real compliment???

He waits a beat, smiling politely like he's waiting for a punchline of some kind, but it falls into a small 'oh' of surprise. Goro's used to hearing it from others, but it still makes his heart skip a little.]

You're serious. [Wait, that's rude.] I mean-- Thank you. I'm not entirely sure what gives others that impression, but I can't say I mind.

You're not?

[ That's kind of weird... He personally thinks there are a lot of reasons? Perplexed, he scratches his cheek and tilts his head. For a model, Goro seems a little too humble in this regard.

Or maybe he's dumb. Akira isn't sure which. ]

You kind of give off that aura. On top of that, you're good-looking and generally polite. Isn't "detective prince" also a favorite trope?

[He's a little more humble than his counterpart! But also kind of dumb. It's not like he aims to be prince-like, he's just polite and good-willed.

Anyway, Goro's not answering for a beat longer than normal, brows drawing together in confusion.]

I... I couldn't say? Detectives come in all flavors, from the gentlemanly to the eccentric, soft-hearted and hard-boiled, but a princely type seems...

[... Okay no, he needs to address this, the first one had been Weird and he's been ignoring it in favor of Not thinking he and Akira (and Ann, and some bleach-headed boy) have met in a past life/parallel universe as sweet and awesome and fated as it is but--]

I'm not sure how to say this, but I've been called that before? Not here, obviously, more know me as a model than a rookie detective, but... elsewhere? I'm inventing its popularity, I guess.

[... Why is he an accepted detective in his visions, is that what the interview was towards.]

[ Maybe it's his cute voice. Akira isn't sure, but it all pieces together to be princely? He does think back on the second vision or dream he had. Unfortunately, he doesn't remember when it came... But the content is clear to him. The question is if he should share at all? It's not like it's something he couldn't fabricate himself... They've had their share of grand fantasies, playing detective and spinning cases. Akira can't brush off the feeling that this may be his wild imagination, his desire to fill his life with something exciting.

Yet it felt too real.

He stops leaning against the armrest, instead hunching forward as he rests his lips against his knuckles, thinking— ]

I had a vision where this TV station was interviewing you and apparently you were working with the cops to solve this big case.

[ He knows the case, knows that he's the culprit, so he's going to leave that and Ann (+ mysterious blond boy) out. ]

Congratulations.

[Bright lights and pressing questions, suffocating amounts of attention; Goro's lips turn down, wondering if he should confirm the events with Akira, talk about the vision now and the one with Elizabeth, and he rubs his temple.

It's weird. So weird. He's not sure if he likes them or not (though thinking about Phantom Thieves and their possible existence sounds fascinating, there's a fair amount in what... other him, whatever, is saying that he agrees with too) and he stares at Akira thoughtfully for a few seconds, not wondering so much anymore if he should tell than about the nature of it, of Akira speaking so positively about what (other?)Goro himself had called a "threat to society".

Then again, thinking about their "cases" together, the lengthy stories and detailed work Akira put into each intriguing one, he can kind of see where a fan might lie. After all, he's quite the fan of those fictional things as well. But the part he has trouble with... not truly understanding the methods, or even what it specifically entails other than that it has the potential to harm and help, if it truly exists--]

What do you think, Akira? About forcing changes in people's hearts.

[ ... The anxiety builds up inside him when the question comes. It strums him like a chord, shaking his very core. Did he trigger the same memory in Goro? Does that mean... All of it is actually real? A threat to society... Is that what they are? He can't pass judgment without knowing the case in question.

Yet he remembers the conviction his other self had. That kind of confidence was strong enough to put him at ease despite Goro playing devil's advocate. He's still unsure on the subject yet already lost in the "justice" his other self held onto dearly. However, it's unnerving to know something like that might be possible and it's still holding onto his shaky opinion. He easily imagines people beside him changing... That friend that was so kind to him in the past changing overnight to scorn him.

With a nervous smile, he rubs his neck as he forces an answer. Morrigan, please come back. ]

It sounds dangerous. [ No matter how they put it, it's manipulation from all angles... He won't deny it. ] What are your thoughts?

[It takes Goro a moment to realize that Akira's nervous, brushing away bias held to gain an (amateur) detective's eye on the situation, but it's most likely because of the sudden question. He smiles reassuringly, not wanting to worsen it any.]

I'm not entirely sure. From the sounds of it... it really is dangerous, especially if it's not known how they do it -- it sounds unbelievable, first off, but I...

[... Seem rather confident that it's a real possibility, for all the back and forth of opinion. He swallows, crossing his leg over the other and leaning on his hand, facing away from Akira.]

... I'd like to understand them, why they feel the need to do it -- if they're real, that is. Carrying out justice like that isn't ethically right, but... [How's he put it. Hm.] They must be doing it for a reason, because they can't trust anyone else to do it, because the system will overlook them, because... things like that.

[Even if that makes it sound kind of like a dark superhero movie sort of thing. Vigilantism and all that.]

But I ramble. To summarize, I do agree that it sounds dangerous, but if there's a viable purpose to it that isn't as cynical as I... as that other me presumes, then I confess that I find myself in support of them. Sometimes you need to do dangerous things for the right reasons, and if they're going so far as to take matters into their own hands... isn't that a failing of society?

[It's quite the different opinion than the other him had, dizzyingly so, and Goro laughs a bit.]

I really would like to know the methods, of course. It sounds fascinating. Like something out of a story.

[ Akira's eyes strain a bit as he listens a little longer. It's eloquently put, realistic, and paints a nice picture. The narrative is one he finds himself enraptured by, laced with the themes he fell in love with in fiction. Even Goro, someone that was in opposition of these Phantom Thieves in the vision, is showing such confidence in his stark answer. It reminds him in his fault, where he lacks... He can't find complete comfort or solace in this. ]

If they act out of line and you don't know their methods, you can't punish them... Let alone catch them—you don't even know who these people are and what they are like.

[ That's simply Akira's reply. It's the source of his concerns and worries. There's so little they know, so he can't form a solid opinion, but he wants to desperately believe that this "justice" his other self enacted really is just—that corruption isn't in his future. He wants these pretty words of heroic vigilantism to be real. The same smile stays on his face as he sighs and sheds off his glasses. The next obvious step is to plant his face into the nearest cushion.

Dead.

If Goro thinks he's going to move from his place, he can wait as long as he wants. Akira will stay like this for some time. ]

That's right.

[... And then there's the removal of glasses (he looks good even without them) and

that. That happens. Goro waits politely, but when it becomes obvious that Akira isn't moving he carefully gets up, stepping over to poke him.]

Akira?

[ Akira doesn't answer, doesn't even budge. Morrigan returns and hops onto the armrest closest to him, meowing loudly while kneading his shoulder. Kitty wants some snacks? Some pets... Some water in his already half-filled bowl.

Still not moving. Not even SAYING ANYTHING. The pokes don't even get a noise out of him. ]

[... Narcoleptic? Or maybe he's overstayed his welcome and this is a less than subtle hint towards it. Goro retracts his hand at that thought, glancing at Morrigan, and pets the cat instead, speaking cheerfully to him.]

It would seem he's in your care now, kitty. Don't be too quick to eat him in place of your usual meals, alright? I'm certain he's too stringy to enjoy anyway.

[Joking, joking, though he does gives a concerned glance to Akira before drawing away. He's not really sure what to do but leave, so.]

I'll... see you around, Kurusu. If you're still awake to hear me off. Thank you for having me over; it was a pleasure.

[ WOW. Wow. Wow. Akira stirs a bit when he's offered to his own cat as a sacrifice. Eventually, he turns his head so he can look up at Goro. He just felt like he needed some time to be silly, but maybe it's time for them to part. ]

Thank you for coming... It was fun even if you were going to let my cat eat me.

[ Like he's going to sit there and let Goro escort himself out. Since he's a good person, he picks himself up onto his feet without stumbling when his cat hops onto his shoulders. Cushion still in his arms, he leads his guest to the door. Erm, what do people say— ]

We should hang out again.

[Oh, he's not dead. That was also impressive. HE'LL LEARN JOKES LIKE THIS IN TIME, AKIRA, DON'T WORRY...

Goro toes off the slippers and fits his shoes back on, smiling lightly at the offer.]

I'd like that. And, um, I'm sorry for putting you so on the spot about the hearts thing, I was just... I found myself intrigued by the other you's answers in the vision and wanted to hear yours as well. Since I obviously don't agree with my, um, other self's.

[...]

This is really weird to talk about.

No, I understand. I'm pretty curious, so...

[ Though a little fearful of what this might unfold. Despite that, there's this skittish desire inside him that is constantly comparing himself to this other person. It may very well destroy the building blocks he has stacked over the years or help him grow.

... It's fine. He's fine. He offers a smile back as reassurance. ]

The more we talk about it, the more we'll get used to it. [ Actually, he doesn't want to talk about it, but he knows he should. ] I'll see you around then?

[It's fair, Goro doesn't particularly want to talk about it either; the idea of... not being himself, of all of this being some false reality as it's been theorized by a few, sets him on a special kind of edge. He'd love to just forget it all.]

As always, Akira. Take care.

[And he'll take his leave after a small wave, off to ponder the shared memories and what it could mean that Akira and Ann were present in both.]

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akira you didn't deserve to be put on the spot

this is rude

join the club

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