[Day 12, afternoon: Ichigo]

[purrtagonist]

[well, he might as well get straight to the point]

I think Dazai has something planned for tonight.

Comments

[suppressthedark]

[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.]

[purrtagonist]

[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]

[suppressthedark]

[- 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.

1/2

[purrtagonist]

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

[purrtagonist]

[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.

[suppressthedark]

[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.

[purrtagonist]

[presses a finger against his own lips and winks]

Can you keep it a secret?

[suppressthedark]

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.]

[purrtagonist]

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

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

[suppressthedark]

[...!

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.]

[purrtagonist]

[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.

[suppressthedark]

[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.

[purrtagonist]

[a laugh, light and amused]

I guess I should add "corrupt" to your list of traits.

[god, it's so easy to joke like this. but again. . . he knows they can't just be stupid forever, not with so many serious things hanging over their heads]

With regards to Rin-- [a pause] . . . if worst comes to worst, what do you want me to do?

[suppressthedark]

[It'd be so easy to just pretend nothing bad is happening - that everything will be fine in the end, but...

He's silent, considering for a moment. Then -]

...I don't want anyone innocent to die just for my sake.

[It's an answer that's so very him - even knowing that it would be hard on both of them - that he would be executed - he still would take responsibility and face death bravely.]

I'd probably confess in front of everyone anyway, and tell them to vote for me. But...if that happens, I want you to make your own decision.

[He reaches out, his thumb lightly tracing Akira's cheek.]

Whatever you think is the right way to vote.

[purrtagonist]

If the raccoons actually allow you to confess.

[confessing would ruin the mystery, after all. the twitch of Akira's mouth is wry]

I think you already know what I think the right way to vote would be.

[suppressthedark]

Yeah...I do.

[And that's one of the reasons he loves Akira so much.

After a moment of silence, letting the meaning hang in the air, he leans back a little on the bed.]

Hey...come here for a second? I know you can't lean much, but it's important.

[purrtagonist]

[. . . right. that's all they have to say about that, isn't it? because thinking about what the right thing to do in those circumstances is very hard, and Akira is quietly hoping it never comes to that]

[he tilts his head up curiously, but obliges, tilting forward ever so slightly (he can't go any further than that) to lean closer to Ichigo]

What is it?

1/2

[suppressthedark]

[Ichigo leans in the rest of the way, a peaceful look on his face - one full of love and understanding. He opens his mouth to say something -]

[suppressthedark]

[And just shoves his hand in front of Akira's face, middle finger raised.

REMEMBER YOUR WHEELCHAIR JOYRIDE?]

Do you always flip off your boyfriend when you go by him, or am I just special?

1/2

[purrtagonist]

[JUST. KIND OF. BLINKS. LIKE. ???]

[purrtagonist]

[and then, in the most deadpan tone he can manage, which is kind of hard because a grin is threatening to break out onto his features--]

You're just extremely special.

[he can't dial back on the sass]

[suppressthedark]

[Oh my god why can't he ever be mad at you. After a moment he just laughs, pushing Akira gently back a bit with his hand.]

Screw you, you jackass.

[That's said very fondly, though - and he reaches up to ruffle Akira's already messy hair.]

Don't worry - you're not the only one getting this - Rin's going to get yelled at when I see him again.

[purrtagonist]

[laughs a well, unguarded and earnest, as he rocks back again. he moves slowly, because. back injury!!]

Hey--

[he also lifts his good hand to flatten his unruly hair]

It was all Rin's idea. I'm an innocent party who was only going with the flow.

[suppressthedark]

Sure you were. I absolutely believe that, Mr. Nasty Crimeboy.

[Sorry not sorry for bringing that up again!! He just gives a gentle tug on those bangs before letting his hand drop, a sly look on his face as he teases.]

There's no way such an upstanding citizen could've encouraged his reckless behavior, right?

[purrtagonist]

[. . . god, Akira loves that sly look. . . he can't even deny it]

Right, of course. I'm a law abiding citizen who never breaks any rules, ever, anywhere.