purrtagonist | [Day 12, afternoon: Ichigo]

[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.

[He listens to it all without judgement, nodding along with Akira's conclusion.]

You're right - but a heart can exist outside of someone.

[Ichigo doesn't know it, but he's mirroring the same words as a relative of his - having reached the same conclusion as Kaien did, years ago.]

Every time two people meet and connect for the first time, they create a heart between them. Maybe bond is a better word - but either way, it's -

[He lifts his hand, making a fist in the air between the two of them, level with both of their chests.]

- it's right here.

[He drops his hand, looking up at the ceiling as he speaks.]

When you think of someone, or something related to them...that's when it's born. That's what I think, and it stays with the person you created it with - that you're connected to them, because you managed to meet each other, through whatever odds.

[...]

...I can't promise I'll stay alive. And I know you can't promise that, either - not when we're both still here. And even if we get out of here alive, you're still from years in my future - if we even come from the same world at all. But...

[He looks back, that genuine smile of his on his face.]

...Even if I die, even if I have to say goodbye to you - I'm glad that I'll be able to leave my heart with you, Akira. And I'll never, ever regret meeting you.

[there's something about the word bonds that resonates with Akira. perhaps unsurprisingly so, even though Caroline and Justine had referred to his Confidants at "contracts." perhaps it isn't exactly the same, but it's close enough. and Akira knows better than most the importance of bonds. of connections. of meeting people, and bringing them into your world so they become a part of what keeps you afloat]

[Ichigo gets it, too. everything he says is exactly on point. it's sappy, it's still moving so fast (twelve!! days!!), it's still a whirlwind of emotions and feelings and desperation and a longing for something happy to hold onto]

[but it's good. it's deep, for only being twelve days old. and that's the best part-- well. second best part]

[the best part is the fact that Akira gets to chase it as much as he wants]

[his fingers once again curl into Ichigo's collar again. another tug brings him closer, a slight movement forward sees their lips meeting. Akira keeps this kiss lighter, gentler. nothing as teasing or as playful as earlier]

[but it's still short, and when he pulls away?]

I don't think I could ever regret meeting you even if I wanted to.

And I don't.

[Day 12, afternoon: Ichigo]

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