purrtagonist | [Day 12, afternoon: Ichigo]

[well. . . Akira has some ideas on how Dazai became this way, but none on how to like, actually break through to him and let him know that he's cared about]

[he lets out a derisive tch when Ichigo mentioned Will, too]

Ah, right. It was awfully courteous of him, wasn't it?

More like I'm pretty sure he has a grudge against Dazai.

[He's definitely not happy, at least - and he huffs.]

Then again, Will's always been hard to get along with.

[He's dropped the 'san' due to the stunt he just pulled, because wow, that shit isn't cool.]

He's--

[frowns. deeply, with some frustration]

He's. . . something. I can't get a good read on him beyond, "he's kind of sketchy."

[which isn't at all a deterrent for Akira, as Ichigo may know, but]

And, "sometimes he's unhelpfully blunt."

He definitely is blunt - I can never finish a conversation with him because he either runs away or I don't know what to say to him.

[And that's a pretty big deterrent for Ichigo, who tends to go with the flow and tries not to bother people if he doesn't feel it's for their own good.]

...And I don't think he likes me that much, anyway.

Don't take it personally. He doesn't like anyone.

[waves a hand]

. . . I don't know. I relate to him, a little bit, on some. . . stuff. But--

[WILL GRAHAM!!]

Either way. . . if I'm wrong about him having something planned, I hope he takes care of himself tonight. Or someone manages to convince him to let them watch over him.

[Will is an enigma wrapped in mystery wrapped in a lot of layers of manpain and antisocial tenancies. And honestly, he'll probably stay that way to Ichigo until he either leaves this hellhole, or is killed.

But he takes the topic change gracefully, mind sliding back to Dazai.]

Yeah. Maybe Rin can -

[...Rin.

As soon as he says it, Ichigo's mind slides back to the conversation they had earlier, and he pauses - a hand going up to cover his mouth, eye narrowing in worry.

He'd been so afraid - and if the motive they'd given him was to threaten to make him lose control over his demon side...

He's worried. Mostly because there's the possibility it could happen, and he wouldn't be able to get to him in time if anything did happen.]

...

[. . . well, that's concerning]

What is it?

[He's quiet for a moment.]

...Rin...he talked to me, earlier today. About the motive they made for him.

You know he's half-demon, right?

[slowly, Akira nods, expression darkening]

I do. I know Satan killed his dad, too.

[thus why Satan is on his list of dislikes]

[He hesitates - because this feels like a massive breach of trust, of the trust that Rin put in him...But at the same time, Akira would understand.

So, finally - ]

...His adoptive father. Satan...Satan is his biological father. He's Satan's son.

And because of that...he'd been learning to try and control his demon powers.

[There's a lot of sympathy in Ichigo's voice - because he'd gone through the same thing with his hollow, before he'd learned the truth about himself.]

...They threatened him with going out of control. And he...

[...]

He asked me to stop him, if that ever happens.

[. . . jesus]

[his expression doesn't flicker]

What did you say?

[The answer should be obvious, given who Ichigo is.]

I promised him I would.

[That same determination from before is back - but it's one that's tempered with empathy and understanding, unconsciously slipping into a stiffer pose.

The pose of a shinigami, holding the weight of the world on his shoulders.]

He - He was so afraid, Akira. And I know what that feels like.

Even if I'd end up getting executed for it, I won't let him kill anyone.

['Or even if I means I'd die instead.']

. . .

[mmmm. Akira ducks his head a bit, mouth curving into an understanding smile]

If I were you, my answer would probably be the same.

[enjoy the feeling of Akira's knuckles brushing up against your cheek, Ichigo]

People sure do ask you to be their Shinigami a lot.

[first Niles. now Rin. he isn't being judgmental, just. . . yeah. he noticed]

[Oh, he does. But he just...sighs, shrugging.]

That was actually the reason Rin asked me. He said that a shinigami's the closest thing here to an exorcist.

[He leans in a little, half-closing his eye.]

...Maybe it's just that I've got an aura of death around me, or something. The Raccoons took all our powers away, but...I'd normally be putting out a lot of spiritual pressure, and maybe people can unconsciously feel it.

[He...doesn't exactly look happy about being asked to be people's angel of death, though.]

[totally keeping his hand there, each brush of his knuckles a gentle caress]

Maybe it's because people can tell you're responsible and empathetic, kind and understanding.

[saying all of those words fondly, btw]

[- Ah...

Akira can probably feel his face heating up against his knuckles, eye widening a little as a blush spreads across his face - before he looks away, making a noise that's somewhere in between a scoff and a happy noise.]

I - I'm not that great, you know...You're the one who I'm always amazed by.

[He looks back, reaching out to place his hand on Akira's arm.]

You're smart, and funny...and you always make me feel -

[That blush of his deepens.]

...Well, you make me feel safe. Even here.

[HEY WHO SAID YOU COULD BE THIS SINCERE AT HIM WTF]

[a soft snort, and Akira's forced to pull his hand from Ichigo's cheek so he can tug sheepishly at his bangs. he's trying to hide his own blush, just a little bit]

But we weren't talking about me, were we?

We were talking about you.

[He sees that, don't think he doesn't! And he gives Akira a teasing grin.]

Hiding behind your bangs already? I can't believe the great phantom thief's weakness is compliments.

[presses a finger against his own lips and winks]

Can you keep it a secret?

I don't know - that's a lot of trust you're putting in me. How can you be so sure I won't blab?

[Look at that teasing expression. look at it.]

[hooks his fingers in the collar of Ichigo's shirt]

[yanks him forward (GEN. . . TLY. . .) and kisses the shit out of him]

[...!

he hadn't expected that - so when Akira grabs him and pulls him in, he accidentally licks his lip - making the redhead's face light up almost as brightly as his hair.]

Mmm-mmph...!

[He was going to say something, but hell - it's gone now as they kiss.]

[I'M SORRY AKIRA KURUSU IS A FORCE OF NATURE]

[he keeps the kiss (blessedly?) short though, and when he pulls away there's a curl of a. . . smirk. . . on his features]

That's how.

[Yeah, he...doesn't have anything to say to that, though he does splutter a little.]

Wh - God, you really are a smooth criminal.

[Then he laughs, putting a finger to his own lips with a smirk.]

But fine - I'll accept your bribe.

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