[Akechi is the type to notice that shift, that movement. His gaze falls not to Ren, but the space between them. And then it flicks back up to the boy's face, expectant. Curious. But he doesn't invite him to move any further.]
Yes, it does seem that the coffee's a lot cheaper there. We'll be able to stock up without hoping for a discount from your work. [Notably: because Ren doesn't seem to be getting one ever.]
Admittedly, I'm a bit curious about the smaller megacities in their formation, and that they have gates in the first place. Even the burgeoning ones can be reached. Or, well, as far as I can see.
if he were to be perfectly honest, his goal had been to find a spot where Akechi had been talking and not entirely paying attention for him to move closer. there were gaps in places that he could exploit.
when Akechi looks at the smaller gap between them he doesn't mention it, and instead continues on about coffee and gates. Ren halfheartedly listens, and while it's obvious, takes a big shift closer while he's looking. it's not as if he hasn't been caught, and now he challenges Akechi to say something about it.
the gap between them is there, but not as large as it once was. ]
[Meanwhile, Akechi begins to curl in on himself. One leg is drawn toward him, and he leans in, wrapping a long arm around it as he tilts forward. The other remains outstretched, but the body language in and of itself is clear.
[ he knows those boundaries, and knows when to not push. Akechi had made that clear enough, but it doesn't mean that Ren doesn't enjoy the game, and doesn't enjoy the prospect of being close to him.
You really aren't terribly civilized. Next time you can ask. [Akechi does hand over the thermos quite carefully, dangling it in the air between the two of them.
He is relieved, if not visibly so, that Ren never pushes overly far. There's always a limit. The game is a game, but it's also a point of comfort for him. If anything, their earlier contact has proven that Akechi needs to continue being careful, lest he let his thoughts get away from him.]
[ Ren might be a horny teenager, but he's also a gentleman.
he reaches up to take it, but it's deliberately slow until the weight is in his palm. the cap comes off and he takes a long drink. there's no scooting away to the side, and no obvious discomfort from him. this is something that comes as a second nature to him, as he likes feeling close to other people. ]
Did I ask for reassurance? [There is more bite to his tone than he'd care to admit, but he didn't need Ren to make any promises about respecting him. That's deeply unnecessary.]
If I were truly angry, you'd know. [There is a game, and Akechi sometimes has to let Ren play his part in it. That means he has to draw back up the walls when he's allowed things to go too far.]
[ after this long, he knows how to deal with Akechi's array of emotions. he's been the recipient of both his rage and his clemency. Akechi doesn't scare him, nor does slighting him. they knew each other too well, and Ren won't shy away from their conflicts.
the respect is already there, so he makes a point to clarify. ]
...
When I challenge you, I don't want to trick you or trip you up. I want all of you.
Sometimes a game requires that. You know that as well as I do. [Chiding and firm. No, not when it comes to Akechi's comfort or boundaries, but he's used to those being on the line. He forgot what it was like to rethink his actions under another lens after so long. He's starting to approach them in a new way.
That new way isn't always a changed way.]
I hope you won't falter and apply that morality across the board. It would be utterly boring for the leader of the Phantom Thieves.
[ it's a sort of wonder to watch—it's like Akechi is unfolding a little bit at a time in front of him, showing a little bit more as they push and pull together. when bites, and Ren takes it in some stride. there's something about his grumpy face and accompanying demands that's engaging.
it stirs something in him. ]
I'll keep it to kissing.
[ his smile turns up at the edges, and his voice gets a little lower. he leans back on one hand. ]
Being boring is the worst thing I could get dumped for.
That's why you're doing so well to keep it up. It's only someone truly interesting that would put me in such a bind. [The bind itself being a relationship. Akechi took care not to get into any, and didn't even accept a fake girlfriend to appease the masses back home. He was single and unavailable for a reason.
Of course, a fake girlfriend would've exposed him to other problems.]
Should we set up a game while we're up here? I know that the real deal is more impressive, but the digital chess board has proved adequate. If you do well, I may even let you come closer.
[ Ren never really considered himself interest as much as he knew who he was and the expectations of his own world view. with Akechi he had wanted to see the real him—and did, eventually, without any regrets.
still without regrets. ]
Those odds just make it sound like you're playing it safe. [ he twists the little empty cup in his hand, trying to balance the rim on his finger. ] Are you going to really gamble?
I'm aware of what it means to have you come closer to me. [It's not as if Ren is that far away, after all. He knows that the wager may not be enough, but he won't gamble something away he's not ready to lose.
Isn't that what Ren said? Or is he simply pointing out that this is a safety measure?
No matter. He knows how ... much he responded earlier. This is enough.
For him, too.]
But it sounds like you're not up for the wager. We can simply tidy up and leave if you aren't interested.
[ Akechi had never been a person that was easy to get close to, Ren's tenacity played a part in that journey (along with other things). getting Akechi to lower his mask was enough, and now he knows he's asking a lot for him to lower his defenses—to get close in other ways.
We'll always have a fight over who gets to be black. [Because the truth is that the both of them prefer that color. It makes sense that they would.] But I'll take your challenge, and let you have it this time. [The color. Since white means that he'd go first.
The board appears between them, with Akechi taking white. He moves the first pawn.]
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Yes, it does seem that the coffee's a lot cheaper there. We'll be able to stock up without hoping for a discount from your work. [Notably: because Ren doesn't seem to be getting one ever.]
Admittedly, I'm a bit curious about the smaller megacities in their formation, and that they have gates in the first place. Even the burgeoning ones can be reached. Or, well, as far as I can see.
no subject
if he were to be perfectly honest, his goal had been to find a spot where Akechi had been talking and not entirely paying attention for him to move closer. there were gaps in places that he could exploit.
when Akechi looks at the smaller gap between them he doesn't mention it, and instead continues on about coffee and gates. Ren halfheartedly listens, and while it's obvious, takes a big shift closer while he's looking. it's not as if he hasn't been caught, and now he challenges Akechi to say something about it.
the gap between them is there, but not as large as it once was. ]
Yeah, it's another mystery all together.
[ he was listening
just a little bit. ]
no subject
He raises his eyebrows at Ren, expectant.]
Did you truly think I'd be less on guard?
no subject
[ he knows those boundaries, and knows when to not push. Akechi had made that clear enough, but it doesn't mean that Ren doesn't enjoy the game, and doesn't enjoy the prospect of being close to him.
for the moment, he does seem satisfied. ]
You're hogging the thermos.
[ and he can be cheeky about it. ]
no subject
He is relieved, if not visibly so, that Ren never pushes overly far. There's always a limit. The game is a game, but it's also a point of comfort for him. If anything, their earlier contact has proven that Akechi needs to continue being careful, lest he let his thoughts get away from him.]
no subject
he reaches up to take it, but it's deliberately slow until the weight is in his palm. the cap comes off and he takes a long drink. there's no scooting away to the side, and no obvious discomfort from him. this is something that comes as a second nature to him, as he likes feeling close to other people. ]
I'm not trying to catch you with your guard down.
[ he says after a moment. ]
I promise.
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If I were truly angry, you'd know. [There is a game, and Akechi sometimes has to let Ren play his part in it. That means he has to draw back up the walls when he's allowed things to go too far.]
no subject
[ after this long, he knows how to deal with Akechi's array of emotions. he's been the recipient of both his rage and his clemency. Akechi doesn't scare him, nor does slighting him. they knew each other too well, and Ren won't shy away from their conflicts.
the respect is already there, so he makes a point to clarify. ]
...
When I challenge you, I don't want to trick you or trip you up. I want all of you.
no subject
That new way isn't always a changed way.]
I hope you won't falter and apply that morality across the board. It would be utterly boring for the leader of the Phantom Thieves.
no subject
it stirs something in him. ]
I'll keep it to kissing.
[ his smile turns up at the edges, and his voice gets a little lower. he leans back on one hand. ]
Being boring is the worst thing I could get dumped for.
no subject
Of course, a fake girlfriend would've exposed him to other problems.]
Should we set up a game while we're up here? I know that the real deal is more impressive, but the digital chess board has proved adequate. If you do well, I may even let you come closer.
no subject
still without regrets. ]
Those odds just make it sound like you're playing it safe. [ he twists the little empty cup in his hand, trying to balance the rim on his finger. ] Are you going to really gamble?
no subject
Isn't that what Ren said? Or is he simply pointing out that this is a safety measure?
No matter. He knows how ... much he responded earlier. This is enough.
For him, too.]
But it sounds like you're not up for the wager. We can simply tidy up and leave if you aren't interested.
no subject
something seems to click for him after a moment.
oh. ]
I never said I wasn't interested.
[ he's gotta play the field, Akechi. ]
You can even have the first move.
wrapping up tag!
The board appears between them, with Akechi taking white. He moves the first pawn.]