[ it's those kinds of things that catch him a little off-guard. he's not immune to Akechi's praise, and his little gushes have varying levels of sincerity, but when there's more truth to it than fiction, Akechi's rewarded with a faint look of surprise. ]
Yeah, I'll take it.
[ and he will, thanks.
lead he does. Akechi doesn't have to tell him twice (or once, for that matter), Ren's already taking the next corner. there are a few food trucks lined up for their evening patrons. it's nothing special, surprisingly, and Ren just grabs some bao from one of the hover trucks and keeps walking down the next block.
they seem to be walking away from any means of public transit, not toward. it becomes apparent after a moment when Ren stops around to the next street at a car. ]
I got my license. Since we can go more places now, I figured we shouldn't restrict ourselves further.
Thus removing any likelihood of me guessing where we're going. [When they hit the food trucks, he had thought that the park would be a final destination. Simple enough for Ren, and exactly what Akechi had come to expect. Renting a car on the other hand—well, it's hardly difficult! He doesn't have a license himself, but that's because he prefers his bike.
He gets in on the passenger's side, drawing the seatbelt over his lap after nestling the food between his legs.]
I debated sitting in the back, but it wouldn't be fair to treat you as my driver.
[Things Akechi wouldn't joke about to literally anyone else.]
thus removing the likelihood of Akechi guessing where they're going. a hint of a satisfied smile crosses Ren's expression as Akechi says those words, even if he doesn't respond to them. he's not about to let Akechi guess this one, at least not right now.
Ren slips in the driver's seat, pulling on a pair of red gloves as Akechi makes himself comfortable. the smile doesn't leave his lips, but he shifts in his seat and extends an arm just behind the passengers' side seat. ]
Don't tell me there's somewhere you need to be, Mister Akechi.
I never said anything of the sort. [But that doesn't mean that he's less likely to wonder where they're going. He eyes the red gloves, curious, as well as the entire arrangement. He wonders: will Ren take off the gloves when they reach where they're going, or are they a part of what's happening here? His mind is in overdrive, but he voices none of it.
Leave it to Ren to make this a game, a thing to deduce.
At least until the ride is over.]
Otherwise, I'd demand more clarity. I've also done nothing of that sort, you'll notice.
[ well, he can't say that he doesn't like a good show. ]
You haven't a clue, do you?
[ a little sassy, but it's not as if Ren had ever been afraid to give Akechi any of that. his fingers find the wheel and the gear shift, like he's practiced so many times that he's gotten good at it. Akechi had seen him in various stages of getting good at things, and this one he didn't do in his line of sight. it starts off rather smooth, and Ren seems to have an idea of where they're going, finding the traffic lanes. ]
Do you intend to continue to brag about the completely obvious?
[Akechi knows that Ren has a plan. The car is a sign of it, as he knew that public transit wouldn't serve them, nor would Akechi's bike. (Of course, Akechi wouldn't let Ren near his bike, anyway.)]
The mystery is set, and will be solved soon. I can be patient.
[He waited two years to "take revenge" on his father. Sort of.]
[ he'll be honest here, but light in a way that makes the inflection of his voice raise. ]
Yeah, a little.
[ look, there are a couple things that he enjoys, two of them happen to be when Akechi's working to figure something out, and when Ren throws him for a little loop. for someone who's hard to surprise, he can't help but find a some pride in it. he likes keeping Akechi on his toes.
outside the windows, the city flickers by in an array of colors and lights. considering the direction that they're going, it would've taken at least two transfers on train to get there. it's a little more affluent part of town than they currently live in, but still residential. there's a particularly tall building that they circle before Ren starts looking for parking. ]
But you're stuck in a car with me until we get there.
A miserable thing to put upon me, to be sure. Why would I ever want to be stuck in such a small place with someone like you? [However, he's begun to figure out that the ride is coming to an end. While he hasn't been in many cars in this city, he knows the way they come to an end. He prefers being much lower. That isn't because of a fear of heights, but because it's less likely to net him anything interesting to see.
He leans his head back.]
Hopefully you can find parking. I've heard this part of town can be quite crowded around these hours.
[ a little bit of irony mixed with insults that have passed in passion. it serves as something a little humorous, now, ever since Akechi had agreed to their partnership. he takes it with a smile, circling the block and deliberately missing a parking spot to allow the time in the car to linger just a little longer.
finally, he finds a spot. ]
You'll have to tell me if it's worth it.
[ and he slips out the door, circling around the car. he grabs the bag from the back seat, and waits for Akechi on the curb before they circle up the block. ]
So, we're rushing it now. [Akechi drags on his gloves as he steps out of the car, a flick of his head allowing long brown strands of hair to sweep over his forehead. It's all meant to make him look pretty—and to take his time, at least a little bit, to pester Ren and his need to park somewhere with limited time on the clock.
Eventually, he falls into step alongside Ren, a sidelong glance offered to the bag in question. His thoughts? Mostly around how big the bag is.]
[ that's ok Ren can turn it into something shameless.
it's not that far of a walk, just a little down the block and around the corner. it's a residential building that should be locked up at the moment, but the doors open for the two of them. it's a swanky building, interior with shiny tile. it's one of the taller ones, with a few of the more expensive apartments up at the top. they're a little out of place, but Ren heads to the elevators to not hang around the foyer for very long.
when they head to the top floor, their destination probably becomes more obvious, but Ren still looks somewhat satisfied. ]
I worry about the outcome of trapping you in such close quarters with me, [he offers in return. Akechi has come to the point where he's comfortable teasing Ren for his more ... boyish approach to their relationship. (Read: horny.) It's a way of acknowledging it without feeling as if he has any extra gravity on having to close the distance. Plus, it keeps things lighthearted at times.
As they head inside, he follows Ren, eyes passing over the doors.]
Hmm, are we looking to move again? [Though he knows that their access wouldn't be allowed without a single reason: Ren's landscaping job. So, it seems unlikely.]
I can tell that they do well to insulate the walls. Worthy of our attention should our funding get increased at any time.
[ the gentle prods serve as an expression in their own way, but also a reminder that Akechi is wanted, and to let him enjoy it without much pressure. the light jab seems to leave him a little wickedly satisfied, even if he doesn't respond.
they're halfway up the elevator before he responds. ]
We could always test it.
[ it's a tall, tall building, but the elevator is empty as those living in the building are either hunkering down for the night or at supper. it's still a little chilly at night, and as they get closer to the top, it's apparent how unruly the greenery has gotten. there's a door between the elevator and the roof, and Ren ushers him through. ]
... I just trimmed it all. [ a quiet, passing comment, because everything's definitely overgrown again. there's a little pathway through it, though it's a little cramped due to the overgrowth. ]
Well, it's a good thing that neither of us have any allergies. We'd be in a terrible predicament. [The overgrowth is unusual. Akechi wonders about it quite often, but it's at the corner of his eye in terms of investigations. It started after Zerzura, that much is clear. But the meaning is puzzling. Will it continue like this?]
I assume that regardless of your employment, we're not likely to be found up here. Or you've made friends with the building manager.
[After saying it, Akechi decides that this is the most likely.
Oh, did Ren also joke about testing the insulation? Yes, he's not acknowledging that. How odd!]
[ make friends with the building manager—good job on nailing part of the mystery there, Akechi. ]
Everything's been hectic lately. [ and loud, he also means loud. ] Being somewhere quiet with you sounded nice.
[ Ren can overwhelm himself with things to do, helping people and diving into working himself into fourteen-hour naps, but he enjoys the pockets of quiet that they get. the park would've been nice, but crowded this time of night, and Ren would rather go out of his way to get time alone than be disturbed.
he swats at a leaf, and it hits him in the face. he swats at it again and raises it enough to duck under it. there are a few leaves stuck in his hair, and he runs his fingers back through it to try to untangle them.
they reach a clearing in the plants and Ren straightens his shoulders just a little bit. it's the view. while most buildings in the city offer view of other buildings, this one is clear. it's conveniently played: both in a high enough spot, and between other buildings to offer a rather stunning view of New Amsterdam almost to the wall. dusk settles and the lights get brighter, and Ren approaches the ledge of the building with the intent of climbing up onto it. ]
[Despite the fact that he's tailing after Ren, Akechi takes care to duck under some of the plant life smoothly. If there's any chance of Ren looking back, he wants to look as if he's handling this with ease. Their time together isn't so different from how it was back in Shibuya. There's only a different approach, a different definition, toward what's happening between them.]
Do you think that he can get us on the wait list here, then? Complete with a decrease in rent, of course. That could be evened out thanks to your on-site services. [It's not said in all seriousness, not in the least. He heads up after Ren on the ledge, following his lead but meeting him every step of the way.
That part hasn't changed from before. At least now they're both aware of their equal footing, rather than pretending otherwise.
(And here, most of the time, it does feel like it's equal. Unlike before when Ren was surrounded by all his friends.)]
[ they've been a lot of things—and they're still a lot of things. the affection and seems to be second nature to him, a confirmation of the stirs inside of him when they would clash together.
they get to the top of the ledge and Ren lets the bag drop before sits, legs dangling over the ledge. he rolls his head over his shoulder to look at him with a curled little smile. ]
It would be a constant source of zucchini.
[ he misses his friends. inside, there's a conflict of both wishing they were here and being thankful that they're not. even if he was quiet and good at keeping to himself, he was never good at being lonely.
making friends came easy, but there was always a gap of people who he felt understood him. the Phantom Thieves weren't there, Morgana wasn't there, but he had Akechi. ]
I feel like there must be a better fruit or vegetable to harvest here. How about strawberries or even oranges? They don't match this city's climate, but things are unusual here. I suspect that it wouldn't begin to matter. [While the bread turned out to be much sweeter than Akechi expected, he's unlikely to say any differently. It's a matter of pride at this point. Orange is a much better taste, a much better thing to experience first hand. Or as a flavoring.]
Unless they've decided that you can grow little else.
[He stands alongside Ren and looks out over the city. The view itself is much appreciated.
In truth, Akechi is glad that if he had to be dragged to another world, it would be one like this. Yes, it has its flaws, but he would feel suffocated by a utopia. At least he can apply his same logic and understanding to this one.]
[ a small smile tugs at his lips. it's soft and warm. ]
Orange bread next time.
[ Akechi talks, and Ren, surprisingly, listens. he teases about zucchini bread, but if trying something new makes him a little satisfied, then he'll go through the effort to do it. there were some things he was willing to compromise, especially to make other people that he cared for happy. he never lost that about himself.
there's a little usher of his hand for Akechi to come closer, and Ren takes a step or two to bridge the gap. he's careful when he moves, a red-gloved hand carefully moving to slip around his waist. the intentions are clear, and he doesn't make a move beyond them. ]
[The closeness is almost unbearable. It's one thing for it to be Ren's hand in his own, or even a knee knocking against his while they watch a movie together. It's another to have Ren pressed against him, arm around his waist. He can smell him, feel him, know that he's there.
Akechi is, in a sense, starved for the closeness.
He can feel goosebumps running up his arms.
Back in Tokyo, he was a creature of control. He staged his associations with others. He mapped out his daily routine, all to seem a certain way: sophisticated, interesting to speak to, and a deliverer of pleasant interaction. Underneath all that was a burning, uncontrollable rage—a feral way of carrying himself. He was bound, both by his deal with his father, as well as his need to appear a certain way. Too concerned.
In all that, his control had a goal. An aim. He let himself cut loose as he cut away people's sanity, ripping them away from that.
His head leans back, canting to the side.] Why don't we see how the orange bread goes first? [A way of trying to maintain control, though his body language doesn't quite match with the words.]
[ there's still tension, and he can feel it. he takes the cue and doesn't push any further, but he doesn't move away, either. the hand at his waist is loose with gloved fingers curled at the knuckle. his hand rests half on his waist, half over his hip. it's a lot to ask, but Akechi doesn't move away, either. it's as close as he's been to Akechi, aside from the time when he dug a bullet from his shoulder.
their relationship had peeled back the layers of the facade that Akechi displayed to the world, one after another, until Ren had a gun pointed at his head. in all honesty, he wouldn't have done anything differently. it meant that he accepted the feral, angry Akechi as readily as he accepted the rest of him.
the scent is probably familiar, sweat and that spicy soap that he uses. the pace of his breath is steady. ]
Consider it a request.
[ his fingers withdraw, over his hip and then into one of his pockets. the bag on his shoulder slips to the ground. ]
[Which part? The hand on his hip, the closeness, or the bread? His cheeks are flushed when Ren pulls back, and he hates it a bit. His body is responding in a way that he wants to control, wants to conceal, keep chained up and locked away. At his side, his fingers curl tightly into a fist, stabilizing himself.
He swallows once, forcing that past his throat.]
I hope you brought us a beverage of some kind. We'll be in trouble without one. [A literal request for an opportunity to cool off.
Fuck, he hates how damn obvious it is. How this game suddenly feels dangerous. All because of a lingering touch. (Barely lingering, he'll recognize later.)]
[ oh, he sees that, Akechi. it's only a moment that he focuses on it, because rosy cheeks aren't exactly what he expects from the Metaverse's most notorious former assassin. he doesn't comment on it, but instead puts the attention fully on the bag so Akechi can regain himself. (he got a little bit of his fill, regardless.)
out comes a thermos and he passes it over to Akechi. it's something akin to a Thai iced tea, but made with herbs. (he thought about bringing coffee, but it wouldn't keep and he couldn't waste it.) ]
Here. [ after that he finds the blanket so they can sit. it's still a tad chilly out most nights, and no one wants a cold butt. ] This is your first meal after work right? I won't make you wait.
[ the little bag of buns gets set down before Ren settles. ]
I usually snack on the way home, [he confirms, but there's an understanding that he decided against that today. The fact that Ren had plans meant that he knew that Ren would ensure he wouldn't go hungry. Perhaps that's to blame for the little ... frustration before. He hasn't eaten; therefore, he's more sensitive.
Akechi takes the thermos and fills himself up a cup of it, drinking it down in one swift gulp. It helps.]
[ there are two people that he learned hospitality from: Sojiro and Lala, and it's enough for Ren to know how to both ensure his guests are well fed and listened to. while he's quiet, he knows how to hold a conversation.
there's a little nod. ]
I overheard someone mention it at the cafe.
[ as in, he was eavesdropping.
there's a little motion of his hand for Akechi to sit so he can pass over the bag. ]
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Yeah, I'll take it.
[ and he will, thanks.
lead he does. Akechi doesn't have to tell him twice (or once, for that matter), Ren's already taking the next corner. there are a few food trucks lined up for their evening patrons. it's nothing special, surprisingly, and Ren just grabs some bao from one of the hover trucks and keeps walking down the next block.
they seem to be walking away from any means of public transit, not toward. it becomes apparent after a moment when Ren stops around to the next street at a car. ]
I got my license. Since we can go more places now, I figured we shouldn't restrict ourselves further.
[ he hands the bag of food over to Akechi. ]
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He gets in on the passenger's side, drawing the seatbelt over his lap after nestling the food between his legs.]
I debated sitting in the back, but it wouldn't be fair to treat you as my driver.
[Things Akechi wouldn't joke about to literally anyone else.]
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thus removing the likelihood of Akechi guessing where they're going. a hint of a satisfied smile crosses Ren's expression as Akechi says those words, even if he doesn't respond to them. he's not about to let Akechi guess this one, at least not right now.
Ren slips in the driver's seat, pulling on a pair of red gloves as Akechi makes himself comfortable. the smile doesn't leave his lips, but he shifts in his seat and extends an arm just behind the passengers' side seat. ]
Don't tell me there's somewhere you need to be, Mister Akechi.
[ there's a little sassy clip to his voice. ]
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Leave it to Ren to make this a game, a thing to deduce.
At least until the ride is over.]
Otherwise, I'd demand more clarity. I've also done nothing of that sort, you'll notice.
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You haven't a clue, do you?
[ a little sassy, but it's not as if Ren had ever been afraid to give Akechi any of that. his fingers find the wheel and the gear shift, like he's practiced so many times that he's gotten good at it. Akechi had seen him in various stages of getting good at things, and this one he didn't do in his line of sight. it starts off rather smooth, and Ren seems to have an idea of where they're going, finding the traffic lanes. ]
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[Akechi knows that Ren has a plan. The car is a sign of it, as he knew that public transit wouldn't serve them, nor would Akechi's bike. (Of course, Akechi wouldn't let Ren near his bike, anyway.)]
The mystery is set, and will be solved soon. I can be patient.
[He waited two years to "take revenge" on his father. Sort of.]
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Yeah, a little.
[ look, there are a couple things that he enjoys, two of them happen to be when Akechi's working to figure something out, and when Ren throws him for a little loop. for someone who's hard to surprise, he can't help but find a some pride in it. he likes keeping Akechi on his toes.
outside the windows, the city flickers by in an array of colors and lights. considering the direction that they're going, it would've taken at least two transfers on train to get there. it's a little more affluent part of town than they currently live in, but still residential. there's a particularly tall building that they circle before Ren starts looking for parking. ]
But you're stuck in a car with me until we get there.
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He leans his head back.]
Hopefully you can find parking. I've heard this part of town can be quite crowded around these hours.
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finally, he finds a spot. ]
You'll have to tell me if it's worth it.
[ and he slips out the door, circling around the car. he grabs the bag from the back seat, and waits for Akechi on the curb before they circle up the block. ]
There's a two hour limit—come on.
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Eventually, he falls into step alongside Ren, a sidelong glance offered to the bag in question. His thoughts? Mostly around how big the bag is.]
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We could always stay in the car.
[ that's ok Ren can turn it into something shameless.
it's not that far of a walk, just a little down the block and around the corner. it's a residential building that should be locked up at the moment, but the doors open for the two of them. it's a swanky building, interior with shiny tile. it's one of the taller ones, with a few of the more expensive apartments up at the top. they're a little out of place, but Ren heads to the elevators to not hang around the foyer for very long.
when they head to the top floor, their destination probably becomes more obvious, but Ren still looks somewhat satisfied. ]
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As they head inside, he follows Ren, eyes passing over the doors.]
Hmm, are we looking to move again? [Though he knows that their access wouldn't be allowed without a single reason: Ren's landscaping job. So, it seems unlikely.]
I can tell that they do well to insulate the walls. Worthy of our attention should our funding get increased at any time.
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they're halfway up the elevator before he responds. ]
We could always test it.
[ it's a tall, tall building, but the elevator is empty as those living in the building are either hunkering down for the night or at supper. it's still a little chilly at night, and as they get closer to the top, it's apparent how unruly the greenery has gotten. there's a door between the elevator and the roof, and Ren ushers him through. ]
... I just trimmed it all. [ a quiet, passing comment, because everything's definitely overgrown again. there's a little pathway through it, though it's a little cramped due to the overgrowth. ]
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I assume that regardless of your employment, we're not likely to be found up here. Or you've made friends with the building manager.
[After saying it, Akechi decides that this is the most likely.
Oh, did Ren also joke about testing the insulation? Yes, he's not acknowledging that. How odd!]
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[ make friends with the building manager—good job on nailing part of the mystery there, Akechi. ]
Everything's been hectic lately. [ and loud, he also means loud. ] Being somewhere quiet with you sounded nice.
[ Ren can overwhelm himself with things to do, helping people and diving into working himself into fourteen-hour naps, but he enjoys the pockets of quiet that they get. the park would've been nice, but crowded this time of night, and Ren would rather go out of his way to get time alone than be disturbed.
he swats at a leaf, and it hits him in the face. he swats at it again and raises it enough to duck under it. there are a few leaves stuck in his hair, and he runs his fingers back through it to try to untangle them.
they reach a clearing in the plants and Ren straightens his shoulders just a little bit. it's the view. while most buildings in the city offer view of other buildings, this one is clear. it's conveniently played: both in a high enough spot, and between other buildings to offer a rather stunning view of New Amsterdam almost to the wall. dusk settles and the lights get brighter, and Ren approaches the ledge of the building with the intent of climbing up onto it. ]
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Do you think that he can get us on the wait list here, then? Complete with a decrease in rent, of course. That could be evened out thanks to your on-site services. [It's not said in all seriousness, not in the least. He heads up after Ren on the ledge, following his lead but meeting him every step of the way.
That part hasn't changed from before. At least now they're both aware of their equal footing, rather than pretending otherwise.
(And here, most of the time, it does feel like it's equal. Unlike before when Ren was surrounded by all his friends.)]
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they get to the top of the ledge and Ren lets the bag drop before sits, legs dangling over the ledge. he rolls his head over his shoulder to look at him with a curled little smile. ]
It would be a constant source of zucchini.
[ he misses his friends. inside, there's a conflict of both wishing they were here and being thankful that they're not. even if he was quiet and good at keeping to himself, he was never good at being lonely.
making friends came easy, but there was always a gap of people who he felt understood him. the Phantom Thieves weren't there, Morgana wasn't there, but he had Akechi. ]
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Unless they've decided that you can grow little else.
[He stands alongside Ren and looks out over the city. The view itself is much appreciated.
In truth, Akechi is glad that if he had to be dragged to another world, it would be one like this. Yes, it has its flaws, but he would feel suffocated by a utopia. At least he can apply his same logic and understanding to this one.]
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Orange bread next time.
[ Akechi talks, and Ren, surprisingly, listens. he teases about zucchini bread, but if trying something new makes him a little satisfied, then he'll go through the effort to do it. there were some things he was willing to compromise, especially to make other people that he cared for happy. he never lost that about himself.
there's a little usher of his hand for Akechi to come closer, and Ren takes a step or two to bridge the gap. he's careful when he moves, a red-gloved hand carefully moving to slip around his waist. the intentions are clear, and he doesn't make a move beyond them. ]
I'll frost it, too.
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Akechi is, in a sense, starved for the closeness.
He can feel goosebumps running up his arms.
Back in Tokyo, he was a creature of control. He staged his associations with others. He mapped out his daily routine, all to seem a certain way: sophisticated, interesting to speak to, and a deliverer of pleasant interaction. Underneath all that was a burning, uncontrollable rage—a feral way of carrying himself. He was bound, both by his deal with his father, as well as his need to appear a certain way. Too concerned.
In all that, his control had a goal. An aim. He let himself cut loose as he cut away people's sanity, ripping them away from that.
His head leans back, canting to the side.] Why don't we see how the orange bread goes first? [A way of trying to maintain control, though his body language doesn't quite match with the words.]
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their relationship had peeled back the layers of the facade that Akechi displayed to the world, one after another, until Ren had a gun pointed at his head. in all honesty, he wouldn't have done anything differently. it meant that he accepted the feral, angry Akechi as readily as he accepted the rest of him.
the scent is probably familiar, sweat and that spicy soap that he uses. the pace of his breath is steady. ]
Consider it a request.
[ his fingers withdraw, over his hip and then into one of his pockets. the bag on his shoulder slips to the ground. ]
Did you want to eat? The bao will get colder.
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He swallows once, forcing that past his throat.]
I hope you brought us a beverage of some kind. We'll be in trouble without one. [A literal request for an opportunity to cool off.
Fuck, he hates how damn obvious it is. How this game suddenly feels dangerous. All because of a lingering touch. (Barely lingering, he'll recognize later.)]
But regardless—you're right. I am rather hungry.
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out comes a thermos and he passes it over to Akechi. it's something akin to a Thai iced tea, but made with herbs. (he thought about bringing coffee, but it wouldn't keep and he couldn't waste it.) ]
Here. [ after that he finds the blanket so they can sit. it's still a tad chilly out most nights, and no one wants a cold butt. ] This is your first meal after work right? I won't make you wait.
[ the little bag of buns gets set down before Ren settles. ]
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Akechi takes the thermos and fills himself up a cup of it, drinking it down in one swift gulp. It helps.]
Is this a new place? [He means the bao.]
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there's a little nod. ]
I overheard someone mention it at the cafe.
[ as in, he was eavesdropping.
there's a little motion of his hand for Akechi to sit so he can pass over the bag. ]
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wrapping up tag!