[He leans against the drawers now, looking annoyed. Maybe half-hoping that Ren would kick him out, or whatever. He's not sure what he wants anymore.]
Now you're putting words in my mouth. I never said you'd be happier without me. [Although thank you for that tidbit.] I know you well enough...you're the type whose heart bleeds for everyone. The type of person that makes my blood boil. Everything, everyone comes naturally to you.
[Sounds like a broken record. Nothing really new to see here, just pure undiluted jealousy. He doesn't even bat down to Ren's calm anger.
But now he has no answer. So he becomes quite in his fuming trying to find something that sounds as hurtful as possible. Yet can't bring himself to say anything.]
If it will make you happier... [It will make Akechi happier.] ...I'll think about it. [He wants to come back, but the underlying reason comes forth;] Maybe by the time I do, the both of you will have it out of your system.
[ How does he explain that he can't turn it off? Should he remind him that Shido completely derailed his life too, or does that sound too much like comparing apples to apples? Ren's voice is soft, unsure of what he can say. ]
Nothing comes easy. I just choose to take it on. I don't know why you read it solely as charity when I'm being as selfish as you are sometimes.
[ Akechi is his. Yusuke is his. The rest is just window dressing, as far as Duplicity is concerned.
So Ren won't let his guard down yet just because Akechi gives an inch. A centimeter. He doesn't want conflict to define every aspect of his relationship with Akechi but the detective does make that difficult to accomplish.
He thanks Akechi and slides out of the bed to come around to the foot, standing opposite of Akechi. Merely watching, considering the venom that Akechi spit over his and Yusuke's... nighttime activities. ]
You've spent half a year unconcerned about who I was with because you knew I'd come back to you. What's different now?
[ The fact that he has an existing connection to Yusuke? That Yusuke will live here too?
Is he afraid that Ren will love one more than the other, or is not putting Akechi first that much of a threat?
He gets the feeling that he'll be rejected, but Ren still takes half a step forward and reaches his hand out toward Akechi's crossed arms, seeking. ]
[He does have a tendency to make worst for everyone (what a quality). He almost snorts when Ren wants to come closer to him, rolling his eyes at his next words. Really? Does he not even see it?]
I can't believe you are that blind. You, who tried to make me jealous during one of our billiards game...[because don't think he ever forgot]...I'm not stupid. With Yusuke, well that's different isn't it?
[Got it in one shot Ren, even if Akechi does not realize it. His arms are still crossed, unwilling to give him an inch even if he is coming closer.]
[ The billiards game? What does that have to do with this? At this moment Ren is more owl than man, looking blankly as he casts his mind back. ]
That was...
[ For fun he wants to say. Months on and Ren recalls it in a blur of games and drinks and smiles and games, and never did he think that any of the darkness shown had real purchase inside Akechi. They were shallow wounds, kissed better by the mouth that bit him. Reassurances, because Ren never said as much and neither did Akechi but he lov- ]
I'm not trying to trick you.
[ His fingers flex, then curl against the other boy's skin, daring to take another half step forward. He does, Ren really does believe in what he's saying, and as his heart lays beside Yusuke it also beats close to Akechi's. ]
Okay, Yusuke's different. What's that change my feelings for you?
[ Has he been this forward with the truth before? Hm. If he did he doesn't think Goro believed him. Maybe it was a transient thing, a summer rain where he believed it in a moment and rejected when reality reasserted itself.
Ren could press it, he cups it to Goro's face and wills the truth into his brain so that it doesn't overwhelm his heart. All the change that a Phantom Thief could do in this place. ]
Do you really think someone as selfish as me would just let you go?
[Suddenly it all changes. Like a path he didn't realize was there all along, Akechi stays silent for a few seconds as his mind races to catch up with the information he is provided with. To everyone else - a truthful admittance of feelings. To him - an admittance of a weakness. He gets it now. This is why they say emotions can hold so much power. Maybe he likes it too, to be desired and coveted.
So he laughs, as he tends to do when he loses control of a situation. He unlocks his hands, but only so he can briefly run a gloved one under his rival's neck, savouring the moment.]
I can't believe you told me that. Sometimes I truly think you forget who you're dealing with here.
[There's a smile to his face, deranged and unhinged. Never forget that for all the pleasant boy there is to him, the heart of the ultimate trickster god still beats inside of his, and this is his mistletoe branch moment, aimed right at Ren's heart.]
Do you even realize how much power you're giving me?
surprise bitch, I'm trying to get back into the rp swing
[ There's a lot he could point out about that mentality that has long worn thin on Ren: feelings as a weakness, that truth can only hurt your interests - and for that matter, that seeing to your interests above all is inherently correct. Ren's admission hands Akechi power in theory, but from his point of view dragging the easy-to-abuse fact of his (ill-advised) affection for the boy that tried to kill him is defanging it's use against Ren. If it is openly known, the weapon loses its sharp edge.
The neglect Ren shows for his own safety should say enough besides, seemingly unbothered to have a murderer wrap a hand around his throat. Maybe he isn't as safe as he thinks he is. He probably isn't. But it's a gamble Ren is making, staring into the face of madness with the quiet certainty that Ren's instinct is right. ]
[It would be easy just to squeeze his neck, push him away and leave, now that he knew that Ren would possibly chase him to the ends of the earth. Stupid, dumb, Ren. Instead, he can't help himself to say;]
Ren Amamiya, the Sin of Greed weighs heavily on you. Unable to limit yourself to one person, you scour the earth and open your heart to whatever riffraff shows up at your doorstep, ravenousness in your hunger...
[He pauses for a slight dramatic effect.]
What was the rest again? Ahh yes, we will take your distorted desires without fail.
[ A fair conclusion to make. Akechi's tendency to run away from anything emotionally difficult is just as predictable as Ren's stubborn attachment, so he thanks Akechi for saving Ren the exercise at the moment.
Albeit he's somewhat stung by the implication that he can't have more than one person in his heart - bridling arrogance or softhearted foolishness, it hasn't been decided yet - Ren grins at the theatricality, tipping his head with a lazy cat's interest. His airways open up again and Ren breathes, he speaks softly as though to not trip the hair trigger before him. ]
Flattered, I'm sure. Greed? Not gluttony or lust instead?
[ He's just relieved that Akechi seems to have temporarily forgotten about packing up. Ren has a mind to press this advantage, chasing Akechi's retreating touch by pressing his own hand to Akechi's chest and taking a half-step closer. ]
You can't take a heart that's already yours, Goro.
That's what most people expect. I wouldn't qualify your needs as lust, and perhaps gluttony would fit as well, but you don't seem to grab just any old fool either. Therefore, greed seems to be the most fitting sin to pick.
[The distraction works, as he's too proud of himself for having come up with a fake phantom thief card on such a short amount of time. That and...the words are nice to hear, even if he doesn't say anything about that back.]
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no subject
[He leans against the drawers now, looking annoyed. Maybe half-hoping that Ren would kick him out, or whatever. He's not sure what he wants anymore.]
Now you're putting words in my mouth. I never said you'd be happier without me. [Although thank you for that tidbit.] I know you well enough...you're the type whose heart bleeds for everyone. The type of person that makes my blood boil. Everything, everyone comes naturally to you.
[Sounds like a broken record. Nothing really new to see here, just pure undiluted jealousy. He doesn't even bat down to Ren's calm anger.
But now he has no answer. So he becomes quite in his fuming trying to find something that sounds as hurtful as possible. Yet can't bring himself to say anything.]
If it will make you happier... [It will make Akechi happier.] ...I'll think about it. [He wants to come back, but the underlying reason comes forth;] Maybe by the time I do, the both of you will have it out of your system.
no subject
[ How does he explain that he can't turn it off? Should he remind him that Shido completely derailed his life too, or does that sound too much like comparing apples to apples? Ren's voice is soft, unsure of what he can say. ]
Nothing comes easy. I just choose to take it on. I don't know why you read it solely as charity when I'm being as selfish as you are sometimes.
[ Akechi is his. Yusuke is his. The rest is just window dressing, as far as Duplicity is concerned.
So Ren won't let his guard down yet just because Akechi gives an inch. A centimeter. He doesn't want conflict to define every aspect of his relationship with Akechi but the detective does make that difficult to accomplish.
He thanks Akechi and slides out of the bed to come around to the foot, standing opposite of Akechi. Merely watching, considering the venom that Akechi spit over his and Yusuke's... nighttime activities. ]
You've spent half a year unconcerned about who I was with because you knew I'd come back to you. What's different now?
[ The fact that he has an existing connection to Yusuke? That Yusuke will live here too?
Is he afraid that Ren will love one more than the other, or is not putting Akechi first that much of a threat?
He gets the feeling that he'll be rejected, but Ren still takes half a step forward and reaches his hand out toward Akechi's crossed arms, seeking. ]
no subject
I can't believe you are that blind. You, who tried to make me jealous during one of our billiards game...[because don't think he ever forgot]...I'm not stupid. With Yusuke, well that's different isn't it?
[Got it in one shot Ren, even if Akechi does not realize it. His arms are still crossed, unwilling to give him an inch even if he is coming closer.]
no subject
That was...
[ For fun he wants to say. Months on and Ren recalls it in a blur of games and drinks and smiles and games, and never did he think that any of the darkness shown had real purchase inside Akechi. They were shallow wounds, kissed better by the mouth that bit him. Reassurances, because Ren never said as much and neither did Akechi but he lov- ]
I'm not trying to trick you.
[ His fingers flex, then curl against the other boy's skin, daring to take another half step forward. He does, Ren really does believe in what he's saying, and as his heart lays beside Yusuke it also beats close to Akechi's. ]
Okay, Yusuke's different. What's that change my feelings for you?
[ Has he been this forward with the truth before? Hm. If he did he doesn't think Goro believed him. Maybe it was a transient thing, a summer rain where he believed it in a moment and rejected when reality reasserted itself.
Ren could press it, he cups it to Goro's face and wills the truth into his brain so that it doesn't overwhelm his heart. All the change that a Phantom Thief could do in this place. ]
Do you really think someone as selfish as me would just let you go?
no subject
So he laughs, as he tends to do when he loses control of a situation. He unlocks his hands, but only so he can briefly run a gloved one under his rival's neck, savouring the moment.]
I can't believe you told me that. Sometimes I truly think you forget who you're dealing with here.
[There's a smile to his face, deranged and unhinged. Never forget that for all the pleasant boy there is to him, the heart of the ultimate trickster god still beats inside of his, and this is his mistletoe branch moment, aimed right at Ren's heart.]
Do you even realize how much power you're giving me?
surprise bitch, I'm trying to get back into the rp swing
The neglect Ren shows for his own safety should say enough besides, seemingly unbothered to have a murderer wrap a hand around his throat. Maybe he isn't as safe as he thinks he is. He probably isn't. But it's a gamble Ren is making, staring into the face of madness with the quiet certainty that Ren's instinct is right. ]
No more power than you already had.
[ Going to do something with it, Goro? ]
(づ￣ 3￣)づ
Ren Amamiya, the Sin of Greed weighs heavily on you. Unable to limit yourself to one person, you scour the earth and open your heart to whatever riffraff shows up at your doorstep, ravenousness in your hunger...
[He pauses for a slight dramatic effect.]
What was the rest again? Ahh yes, we will take your distorted desires without fail.
[He laughs, releasing the grip.]
How did I do?
[It is like disarming a bomb at this point.]
(´ ε ` )♡
Albeit he's somewhat stung by the implication that he can't have more than one person in his heart - bridling arrogance or softhearted foolishness, it hasn't been decided yet - Ren grins at the theatricality, tipping his head with a lazy cat's interest. His airways open up again and Ren breathes, he speaks softly as though to not trip the hair trigger before him. ]
Flattered, I'm sure. Greed? Not gluttony or lust instead?
[ He's just relieved that Akechi seems to have temporarily forgotten about packing up. Ren has a mind to press this advantage, chasing Akechi's retreating touch by pressing his own hand to Akechi's chest and taking a half-step closer. ]
You can't take a heart that's already yours, Goro.
no subject
[The distraction works, as he's too proud of himself for having come up with a fake phantom thief card on such a short amount of time. That and...the words are nice to hear, even if he doesn't say anything about that back.]