[There's one thing that's for certain. Akira is here, settled comfortably and neatly, and he is watching. He is listening.
He ingests every word Akechi says.
And he watches every move that Akechi makes.
What was he thinking about, dropping his gaze like that? It's hard to say, because he doesn't know what's missing from him. He could simply be thinking of his own relationship with Maruki... or maybe it's one of Akira's bonds with someone else.
It couldn't be Akira's bond with Akechi himself... could it?]
Maruki-san offered me a place here, yes. [He starts out slow, not mentioning a bit of what he's thinking. He's back to the usual game of theirs; cards held close to the chest, not talking about things they actually mean. Like always, though, it's still a little bit of multitasking, because this is something that they need to discuss as well.] I told him I was still waiting to decide, because I wanted your input first.
[It would be beneficial for us to stick together for the time being.
Whatever Akechi remembers, it's clear to Akira that he's still operating the same way. He's either doing his best to play nice, or he actually does want Akira here for the sake of keeping an eye on him. Maybe it's even both.]
Even if we know each other, it's a lot to impose on someone to live together. If you want your privacy or otherwise, I don't mind staying somewhere else that's nearby.
[It's a lie, but Akira is good at those.
He's always been good at hiding it all. His wants, his likes, his feelings. It's easier to be what people need you to be if you don't let anything messy spill out. Expression perfectly impassive and calm as always. It's just as easy to hide that the loneliness of staying away would drown him alive, just as it's easy to not let on to the fact that living here would crack apart his heart every single day.
Focus turned away from himself. Questions asked to the other party. He knows what to do, same as always, even if the weight of the circumstances is more leaden than usual.]
It's a kind offer. I'd be happy to stay here, but I want to be sure. Is that what you want, too?
a great spot... now they can see it every time they have dinner :)
He ingests every word Akechi says.
And he watches every move that Akechi makes.
What was he thinking about, dropping his gaze like that? It's hard to say, because he doesn't know what's missing from him. He could simply be thinking of his own relationship with Maruki... or maybe it's one of Akira's bonds with someone else.
It couldn't be Akira's bond with Akechi himself... could it?]
Maruki-san offered me a place here, yes. [He starts out slow, not mentioning a bit of what he's thinking. He's back to the usual game of theirs; cards held close to the chest, not talking about things they actually mean. Like always, though, it's still a little bit of multitasking, because this is something that they need to discuss as well.] I told him I was still waiting to decide, because I wanted your input first.
[It would be beneficial for us to stick together for the time being.
Whatever Akechi remembers, it's clear to Akira that he's still operating the same way. He's either doing his best to play nice, or he actually does want Akira here for the sake of keeping an eye on him. Maybe it's even both.]
Even if we know each other, it's a lot to impose on someone to live together. If you want your privacy or otherwise, I don't mind staying somewhere else that's nearby.
[It's a lie, but Akira is good at those.
He's always been good at hiding it all. His wants, his likes, his feelings. It's easier to be what people need you to be if you don't let anything messy spill out. Expression perfectly impassive and calm as always. It's just as easy to hide that the loneliness of staying away would drown him alive, just as it's easy to not let on to the fact that living here would crack apart his heart every single day.
Focus turned away from himself. Questions asked to the other party. He knows what to do, same as always, even if the weight of the circumstances is more leaden than usual.]
It's a kind offer. I'd be happy to stay here, but I want to be sure. Is that what you want, too?