stealhearted | are you hurting the one you love?

I've, uh. [ Akira isn't sure how to actually approach this subject. It definitely feels like a minefield. ]

I've had sex with people, but I've never -- slept in someone's bed. [ He gives a faint shrug as he pulls his shirt back on, folding his laundry into the "to wash" pile that he needs to take care of before it gets much bigger.

He can't tell Akechi that it felt too intimate, to sleep in someone else's bed, to let someone else's sleep in his, but it's the truth. Sex itself was fine, but Akira had never trusted any of his flings the way he trusts Akechi. ]

Then I was a criminal, and no one was going to cozy up to me then, you know?

[Oddly, it makes all the sense in the world, even sleep-addled as Akechi is. Having sex and sleeping with someone were two very distinctly different levels of intimacy, and strangely he finds himself relaxing at the notion. At least, if things did (read: they will) progress that way, he wasn't dealing with a fumbling and radiantly beautiful virgin. He nods, making an affirmative hum of a sound and rearranging himself idly on the bed.]

[He frowns at his uniform slacks.]

...I don't suppose I could belatedly take you up on the offer to borrow something to wear? I'll pay for the laundry.

Yeah. [ Akira grabs out another pair of pants for Akechi to wear, offer them over. ]

Do you want a shirt? [ Or are you just going to keep nesting in the hoodie, is the unspoken continuation of that sentence. Akira doesn't mind either way -- all their laundry together is still only about a load, realistically, so it's not like it's any more or less out of his way to do it -- but he'd rather let Akechi do whatever is most comfortable. ]

[He deliberates over whether or not he wants to stand up or just shimmy to the end of the bed to claim the pants, but otps to stand because he'll have to in order to change anyway, shuffling his way over and claiming them, considering the hoodie as it's wordlessly asked after. He quirks his mouth, swapping his slacks for the softer ones Akira offered and trying not to think too hard about wearing Akira's pants, still considering the hoodie.]

...I should at least take off the shirt under it, I guess. [Akira he might just sleep shirtless in your hoodie. His nipples will be in contact with your hoodie. How are you feeling right now.]

[ Akira is going to very studiously not think about Akechi wearing entirely his clothing because there's only one bathroom in Leblanc and certain things are very obvious if you're not careful.

So he just offers Akechi a vague smile. ]

You've still got the button down, right? It can't be comfortable. I've got-- hold on. [ Akira digs out a shirt that has some holes around the hem, but the fact that he still has that despite all the holes betrays how comfortable the shirt is. There's a very faded Featherman emblem on the front. ]

This one's really comfortable, if you don't mind how it looks.

[And thus the fifteen minute bathroom breaks begin.]

[He unzips the hoodie and stands a little stiffer as he pulls it off his arms, clearly displeased by the loss of warmth. He looks over the shirt a moment and a slow smile he doesn't quite think to abort spreads across his face.] How long have you had this? [He claims it, clearly not minding "how it looks". He's just sleeping in it, it's already been made painfully obvious that Akira doesn't care what he looks like, and he can only hope Akira will be the only one to perceive him dressed this way.]

I got it when I started middle school, I think. [ It's cute to see Akechi in it now, though -- it shows that it was a shirt that was bought too large and grown into, and it's faded and frayed but well loved. It is, in fact, extremely comfortable, the fabric so well-worn that it feels like it might fall apart if you think about it too hard.

Once the pyjama situation is sorted out, Akira takes his place next to the wall and then carefully offers an arm out. ]

C'mere?

[Akechi is... not used to especially comfortable clothing. He always dresses so sharply, honestly even his sleepwear was probably all but starched. So tugging the nearly-threadbare well-loved old t-shirt on over his head is something he does very delicately, immediately reclaiming the hoodie and putting it back on, though he leaves the zipper only halfway done so the faded logo on the shirt is visible.]

[He turns to follow Akira with his eyes a moment, blinking slowly at him and shuffling back to the side of the futon, where he sits and swings his legs up sideways, laying back on his back with his arms crossed neatly over his chest, watching Akira warily.] ...I'd ask you to tell me if it was too cramped, but I know you won't.

I'm gonna make it worse. You can tell me to move. [ But Akira scoots over -- he's still on his side with his back against the wall, but he leans in, wraps an arm around Akechi and drops his head onto Akechi's shoulder. ]

See? Warm and cozy. [ Akira is a fucking furnace even before he actually pulls the blanket up, and it's easy to see how he's managed in such a drafty attic on his own to this point. ]

[He doesn't quite flinch when Akira scoots forward and reaches for him, though he goes tense for a moment until the sheer warmth of the thief bleeds into him and he just grimaces slightly.] You're so warm. [And Akechi is not, so he shimmies just slightly closer, angling himself along the line of Akira's body.]

Now you understand why I don't have spare blankets. [ With Morgana, he's simply never needed them. It's entirely too easy for him to get comfortable like this, though, burrowed into the clothing that now smells like Akechi.

Maybe he won't wash it. Would that be weird? Akechi would definitely notice. Hmm. ]

[He makes a face as he does it, at least trying to look solidly put-out, but he rolls onto his side and presses forward. It only lasts a handful of seconds before he decides he really doesn't like his back to an open room like that, so he rearranges himself yet again, close enough to Akira to be almost touching him but not quite, curled on his side.]

Mmmn, I imagine you're an absolute nightmare in the summers.

[ Akechi has left himself in the prime position for the ideal cuddling position, and so Akira drifts closer to spoon him properly. He leaves his arm around Akechi loose, in case Akechi feels the need to bolt for whatever reason, and props his other arm up under his pillow. ]

Yeah. I keep a fan on as often as I can.

[The only reason you're getting away with this is Akechi's current state of cried-out exhaustion, you cuddle mongering fool. As is, he's basically already drifting the moment Akira moves close enough to touch and drapes his arm over him like a human blanket, rumbling a faint mumble of sound that isn't quite words.]

You should look into a window unit aircon, you might save money doing sweaty laundry that way. [There's the slightest hint of taunt in his tone, and he looks over his shoulder with eyes only half-open.] Unless you just stew in your own sweat, which I don't think would overly surprise me, either.

Yeah, keep thinking about my sweaty clothing. I'm on to you. [ Akira says it, but it's a little sleepy: it's a faint, teasing murmur more than anything else. Akira's hygiene is shockingly good, for a teenage boy, even if he doesn't do much in the beauty department. ]

Go to sleep. [ Akira nuzzles in a little closer, and then also drifts off. He hasn't been through quite as much emotionally, but -- well. It's been a Day. ]

That's disgusting, [He grumbles, but there's a grin to his tone even as he drops off entirely and his breathing evens out.]

[But of course, they can't just be granted a restful night's sleep wrapped up in one another. When he startles awake, he's less conscious of the temperature surrounding him, but even then he's well aware that it isn't the comforting warmth of Akira's jerry-rigged futon. He recognizes the circular room, lined with narrow prison cells and all washed in blues and golds. It's always been strange to him to startle "awake" while standing, but this time is worse, somehow, and he staggers until he puts a hand on Igor's desk in the center of the room to steady himself.]

Oh, what now.

[ Akira wakes up -- Joker wakes up in the normal prison cell, in his full Metaverse outfit. No prisoner uniforms here, which is probably a metaphor that's accurate about how he feels, but he doesn't really give it much thought at the moment. He just reaches out to pull the door until it swings open with an in-depth creaking noise. ]

... huh. [ It's been awhile. ]

「 Welcome back, tricksters, to the Velvet Room. 」 [ Lavenza seems as small, prim, proper, and blue as ever, and Akira drops his hand down to ruffle her hair, which temporarily makes her break character to frown as she pats it back in place, slightly indignant. ]

「 I regret that I could not inform you of our plan before it was put into action, but you have been called here today to clear up any remaining questions. It was us that have meddled in your affairs once more, though we hoped that it would seem more a reward than a punishment. 」

[Akechi is going to murder one adorable tiny Velvet Room guide one of these days, really he is.]

[He jolts and turns to find the source of the sound when Akira opens the door to his cell, and being faced with Joker so suddenly after allowing himself to admit to wanting to seal their mouths closed with solder has Akechi's fingers curling on the desk.]

[Of course, given he's got fucking claws, it makes a horrible sound and gives him right away, but that is beside the point. Ruffled, he stomps his way over to stand... near, but not too near, baring his teeth at Lavenza.] You mean to tell me you're why I'm here again? Can none of you incompetent fools let dead men stay dead?? I can't imagine this is without consequence, there has to be some sort of... order. Paperwork, at least. [He's not actually mad.]

[ Igor is laughing, which Akira tunes out as unimportant. He gives Akechi a rogueish little grin that communicates that he knows exactly what that horrible sound was and why it happened, and then he nonchalantly adjusts his gloves. ]

「 As you originally died within the Metaverse, it fell on us to decide what would happen, and since you had been brought back once before... It's true that it was his will that allowed for it to happen, though I believe you have encountered some of the consequences thus far. 」

[ This gets a faint snort from Akira, and then he steps up alongside Akechi. Wild how Akechi's posture goes to shit when he's dressed like this -- it's kinda cute. ]

We've noticed some stuff.

[Akechi is positively leering, because he hates this situation and he hates being perceived by both Lavenza and Igor right now-- especially given he is now fully aware they Know. He's barely prepared to Know himself, why do creepy grandpa and his lolita assistant have to know? This is terrible.]

[He looks Akira over as he steps up to him and he leans his weight back on his far foot to put as much distance between them as he can without active stepping aside, going from leering to him to leering at Lavenza, though the expression is muted from the sheer unhinged rage he has previously exhibited in his Hot Topic reject costume.]

So he actually willed me back into existence with the sheer force of his interest in me. [He shoots Akira a tired frown.] That's so like you.

What can I say? I really wanted you alive. [ Akira seems completely unrepentant about this, which isn't exactly surprising given that Akechi being alive is exactly what he wanted. He got what he wanted; this is his prize for saving the world, twice, at great personal cost. ]

「 Yes. However, that existence isn't entirely complete... It's only possible due to your unique nature, and your connection with each other, which is why you have been forced to stay in proximity to each other. In the most simplistic of terms, should you stray too far apart before your bond is properly cemented, that which ties you to this world will -- fade. 」

[ That gets Akira's attention, and he frowns a little. ]

He'd die again?

「 I'm afraid so. 」

I suppose that's better than you "wanting me" dead. [He specifically places emphasis on the wanting part, because this scenario is wild enough already, why not taunt Akira about some necrophilia.]

[He turns his attention back to Lavenza, then, digesting her words and pursing his lips as he does. Should they stray too far apart-- specifically, should Akechi wander too far from Akira, before their bond is properly cemented...] I have my doubts I'll like the answer, but what constitutes "properly cementing" our bond?

「 You've already started discovering it. You... made quicker progress... than I anticipated. 」

[ Lavenza flushes, ever so slightly, at this, and Akira has a distinct feeling that he has to worry about more than Futaba spying on him now. God. He doesn't want to think about that. He especially doesn't want to think about Igor-- ]

Do I have to steal his heart? [ Like, that wouldn't be the weirdest thing that Akira's had to do with the Metaverse, you know? ]

「 Ah -- not exactly. The closer you two grow, and the more understanding you share between you, the stronger the bond will be. However, this will just hasten the process: you simply need be within the same space to ensure he survives, if understanding is beyond you. 」

[ Akira doesn't know if making out counts as understanding, but... sure. Sure. ]

[Akechi just closes his eyes, drawing in a breath slowly and exhaling just as slowly, possibly in an effort to make as little sound as possible. He flexes his fingers at his sides, all at once and then individually, in some sort of unconscious gesture of remaining calm. Akira asked for this, it's okay to go through with it. Even if his first instinct is the move as far from him as he can, just enough that he doesn't see him fade out of existence. Even when he agreed that their kissing meant something, even when he sobbed himself nearly unconscious and borrowed his clothes and fell asleep curled in his arms. It still feels instinctive to run.]

[He starts clicking the ends of his claws together, thumb to index, thumb to middle, thumb to ring, thumb to pinky, back and forth, until he sticks on his index finger tapping his thumb because it's not working anymore, and he opens his eyes with a sharp inhale, regarding Lavenza carefully.] So ignoring the fact that the nature of your supervision of us involves you prying into a personal life I, for one, never really planned to have, how much of this is premeditated? You have to understand my lack of trust in a situation like this, I'm very partial to my own free will.

「 Your will, trickster, is your own. Now that you have been informed of the risks, you'll find that you can separate from each other -- however, spend too long away and you'll understand the detrimental effects. That, too, is your choice. We offer you merely a second chance, as your first life within the game was unjustly set against you from the time that you were first chosen. 」

[ Akira wonders, idly, how much of this Yaldabaoth simply didn't understand by virtue of drastically underestimating how stubborn a bunch of hormonal teenagers could be. Like, Akira understands his whole plan, sees how he thought pitting Akechi and Akira against each other was a good idea, and...

Yeah, it was pretty stupid, actually. Some god. ]

In other words, "sorry the fake Igor set you both up for failure"?

[ Lavenza frowns. It is not a pout, and she resents anyone who says otherwise. ] 「 I... suppose that is a way of explaining it, however simplified. 」

are you hurting the one you love?

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