[ A knot tightens against his throat, like adjusting a tie too harshly when you're dressing in a rush.
After everything Akira admitted to him about Maruki's gross betrayal of the fundamental trust built up between them, after vowing with ironclad conviction to stop him again and again, after all of the pain evident in every word spoken about Akechi– he's grateful.
Maruki stares down at the mark spanning the back of his left hand. He feels unworthy of it, suddenly.
It's so difficult to reckon with. Somehow still being a person worthy of Akira's forgiveness, his frienship, his gratitude.
His trust.
Maruki takes the cup in both hands, lets it warm his palms. Looks at Akira with a quiet curiosity. ]
Of course it's alright. You can ask me anything.
[ He brings the cup up to inhale, eyes closed and smile serene, before taking a sip and humming in appreciation. It isn't Leblanc, no, but it's as much of a comfort. Maybe more of one, knowing it's something that exists only in this reality, only for the two of them.
He opens his eyes again and that smile quirks into a wry grin. ]
I might even answer honestly, if you're lucky.
[ It's entirely facetious, the light mischief plainly evident in his tone. Just enough to dissipate some of the tension that's built up throughout a profoundly painful conversation. ]
gold medal at the hater olympics 4 years running
After everything Akira admitted to him about Maruki's gross betrayal of the fundamental trust built up between them, after vowing with ironclad conviction to stop him again and again, after all of the pain evident in every word spoken about Akechi– he's grateful.
Maruki stares down at the mark spanning the back of his left hand. He feels unworthy of it, suddenly.
It's so difficult to reckon with. Somehow still being a person worthy of Akira's forgiveness, his frienship, his gratitude.
His trust.
Maruki takes the cup in both hands, lets it warm his palms. Looks at Akira with a quiet curiosity. ]
Of course it's alright. You can ask me anything.
[ He brings the cup up to inhale, eyes closed and smile serene, before taking a sip and humming in appreciation. It isn't Leblanc, no, but it's as much of a comfort. Maybe more of one, knowing it's something that exists only in this reality, only for the two of them.
He opens his eyes again and that smile quirks into a wry grin. ]
I might even answer honestly, if you're lucky.
[ It's entirely facetious, the light mischief plainly evident in his tone. Just enough to dissipate some of the tension that's built up throughout a profoundly painful conversation. ]