purrtagonist | [Day 12, afternoon: Ichigo]

[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.

[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?

[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.

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.

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.

[. . . 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?

[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 -]

[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?

Edited 2018-01-09 03:32 (UTC)

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

[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]

[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.

[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.

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?

Edited 2018-01-09 04:04 (UTC)

[. . . 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.

[It is a good look. It's a look he doesn't get to use much at all (and doesn't realize it's the same as the one his mother used to pull when she teased his dad when they were both young).]

What an amazing coincidence that you just happened to be the victim of horrible wheelchair-jacking, then. If people didn't know you were just an innocent bystander, they might even think you're a dangerous rebel.

[it's a great look]

And we couldn't have that. I have a squeaky clean reputation to maintain.

Oh, of course - gotta make everyone think you're just a bookish nerd who's hopelessly attracted to bad boys.

[He's nearly breaking into laughter again, but he's trying really hard to keep the act up.]

[Akira, on the other hand, is great at keeping a straight face]

Well, considering that is what I am, I have to make sure everyone's perceptions are correct.

[Goddamnit how does he do this all the time

Yeah, he can't - he's laughing now, helplessly and happily.]

God - Okay, Okay, I give! I can't match your wit.

[HA HA]

[Akira breaks out into a grin in return, bright and cheery]

Hey, at least you're getting a little better.

Heh, maybe a little...

[He trails off in his laughter, looking at Akira before his gaze becomes slightly serious, but still fond.]

I'm glad, though. That I was able to meet you, even if it was in this awful place.

[...]

Hey, do you...Do you ever feel like people are connected? Even if they've never met before?

[ah. . . they're about to be sappy, aren't they. Akira's smile softens a bit too]

Something like the red string of fate? No. I don't.

[B. . . BLUNT, but Akira can't deny that he's not a big believer in fate or destiny. but he's quick to follow that up, so as to not ruin the moment--]

. . . but I do think that once two people decide to be a part of each other's lives that they can weave one of those red strings themselves. And I think that connection is far stronger than anything "fate" or "destiny" can create.

[for Akira? it's all about having the agency to choose]

[Akira he wasn't trying to talk about destiny...

Okay maybe he was a little bit but it was in service to his point! He was going somewhere with that.]

No, I don't believe in the red string of fate either - that wasn't what I was trying to say. But I do agree with you on people creating a connection - a bond between each other that'll never break.

[He looks at his hand for a second, before -]

Hey, Akira. Where do you think the 'heart' is located?

[Heart is said with an emphasis, but other than that, he doesn't give any indication about what he's speaking of.]

[oh. . . well. he called that one wrong, didn't he? there's a pause as he considers that question, expression turning pensive. when he answers, it's slowly, with every word carefully chosen]

It isn't located in any one place.

[????]

Physically, it beats in your chest. [thumps his knuckles against his own, for emphasis] Cognitively, back in my world, it would've existed in the Metaverse in a symbolic fashion, tangible but difficult to reach.

But someone's true heart. . . who they really are on the inside. . . that exists within a person, a crystallization of every single one of their thoughts, feelings and emotions. Maybe kind of like a Persona?

[a shrug]

But you can't take that away from someone. And so. . . it doesn't exist anywhere except in that person themselves.

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suppressthedark - 2018-01-10 03:00 (UTC) - Expand

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purrtagonist - 2018-01-10 03:28 (UTC) - Expand

[Day 12, afternoon: Ichigo]

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