[The mall they're in isn't particularly busy at this time of day. Akira has a to-go coffee in one hand, his other held tight to his boyfriend's - his fiance's. He'd told Akechi he wanted to do some shopping, but he actually has a destination in mind.
He has a feeling Akechi sees right through him, especially as he starts to steer them toward a jewelry store.]
[ To Akira's merit, he hadn't always been so easy to read; a whole lifetime ago, their game of cat and mouse was a lot more evenly matched, and even when he did manage to trick him -- over a rookie mistake, no less -- Akechi likes to think he didn't take long to catch up to it. Equals, as rivals should be.
But that is in the past, and though their rivalry will always be the spice in their life, today they stand on the same ground as partners.
So no, Akira can no longer hide intent from him, and Akechi definitely has an inkling of where this is leading up to, but he can be merciful as an sporadic treat and play along. ]
So you need my help with gifting someone? I've always known you liked my sense of taste.
[Honestly, Akira much prefers it this way. As fun as their game of cat and mouse once was, it's nice to know that Akechi can see so easily behind the walls he puts up for everyone else. That he can see behind Akechi's own.
It's how they've made it this far, with Akira's heart still fluttering in his chest like this is their first date, as he walks up to the door.]
I just think your taste matches up well with the person I'm buying for.
[He grins, opening the door and leading Akechi inside. The amount of jewelry is overwhelming, just a little, but at least he's not trying to do this himself.]
[ Because Akechi never misses a beat, never wastes a chance to throw a charmingly cocky smile Akira's way, teasing and banter so much lighter than it once was. Their relationship may have gone through peaks and valleys over the years, but this rivalry has always been the one constant, the safest place to come home to.
At some point, Akira became his home. Years ago, that would have been unthinkable, but now... well. It is still a strange notion, but if Akira will take him despite his shortcomings, then he wouldn't mind spending the rest of his days trying to figure this out.
(Apparently, he does.) ]
So, what are we looking for, exactly? [ A casual first glance at the multitude of options on display, just to add to his nonchalant act. ] Another silver bangle like last time?
[ At least he knows for sure it's not gonna be a roomba! ]
[He just shakes his head back at that cocky smile, though he can't help the small grin on his own lips. He loves Akechi every way, but he really loves seeing him with that kind of attitude - even if it means he will give Akira lip.
He leads Akechi through the store, though, still holding tight to his hand.]
[It's hard to tell what does it, the squeeze his hand returns in kind or the reminder of their upcoming nuptials, but a pleasant tingle races down his spine-- and Akechi may never miss a beat, but his heart surely can skip one or two.
(Sometimes, he fears that it might skip one too many. That it never dodged a bullet, that he will disappear and leave Akira to wake up alone.) ]
Oh, yeah? [ The lilt in his voice is teasing, light as the occasion commands. Not the time for any intrusive thoughts; this is real. ] And what kind are we talking about? This is a nice shop, so I'll presume you don't mean a more private sort of affair?
[ Aka cock rings. Come on, let him play coy for a bit! ]
[Of course Goro has to be like this. Although the idea is intriguing...
No, no, focus!]
Well, it's private in a sense. Unless you want a huge wedding.
[And he knows he doesn't. He grins, tugging him toward the bands; something masculine for both of them, he thinks.
(If he knew what kinds of intrusive thoughts Goro was having, he wouldn't be able to continue, so perhaps it's for the best that he can't actually read his mind.)]
[ Oho. Akechi recognizes that fleeting moment of distraction for what it is, and the smirk that comes with it is victorious, albeit subtle for all public appearance purposes.
The same can't be said for the scoff that follows Akira's comment; that is more free, and amused despite all implications. ]
I'll be surprised if we can fill up all booths in Leblanc with guests.
[ Between society's distaste for their relationship, Akechi's status as a (functional) orphan, his past and general struggle with forming bonds, there are very few people who are willing to attend their wedding. But he has made his peace with it, and that tug in his hand tells him he has everything he needs right here.
He nears the display after another second, eyes scanning their options-- and pointedly avoiding price tags. This is the one nice thing they will splurge on, after all. ]
I suppose we're steering clear from gemstones, hmm?
[Akira has more than enough dads at this point to cover both of them, even if Akechi won't have family there. And as for his friends... well, things may still be rocky, but they've all come to accept Akechi as a part of their orbit, if not a friend in most cases.
It's all he needs. In fact, it's more than enough.
He looks at the display with Akechi, eyes roving over the different designs. Unlike Akechi, he does look at the price tags - but he won't let them stop him. He'll figure it out.]
Maybe we shouldn't rule it out yet; we might see something we like.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
for Akechi
He has a feeling Akechi sees right through him, especially as he starts to steer them toward a jewelry store.]
Hey, there's something I want to look at.
no subject
But that is in the past, and though their rivalry will always be the spice in their life, today they stand on the same ground as partners.
So no, Akira can no longer hide intent from him, and Akechi definitely has an inkling of where this is leading up to, but he can be merciful as an sporadic treat and play along. ]
So you need my help with gifting someone? I've always known you liked my sense of taste.
[ Hmm. Wonder why. ]
no subject
It's how they've made it this far, with Akira's heart still fluttering in his chest like this is their first date, as he walks up to the door.]
I just think your taste matches up well with the person I'm buying for.
[He grins, opening the door and leading Akechi inside. The amount of jewelry is overwhelming, just a little, but at least he's not trying to do this himself.]
no subject
[ Because Akechi never misses a beat, never wastes a chance to throw a charmingly cocky smile Akira's way, teasing and banter so much lighter than it once was. Their relationship may have gone through peaks and valleys over the years, but this rivalry has always been the one constant, the safest place to come home to.
At some point, Akira became his home. Years ago, that would have been unthinkable, but now... well. It is still a strange notion, but if Akira will take him despite his shortcomings, then he wouldn't mind spending the rest of his days trying to figure this out.
(Apparently, he does.) ]
So, what are we looking for, exactly? [ A casual first glance at the multitude of options on display, just to add to his nonchalant act. ] Another silver bangle like last time?
[ At least he knows for sure it's not gonna be a roomba! ]
no subject
He leads Akechi through the store, though, still holding tight to his hand.]
No... I was thinking we could look at rings.
[He gives his hand a squeeze.]
Matching rings. For a special occasion.
[Like their wedding. Obviously.]
no subject
(Sometimes, he fears that it might skip one too many. That it never dodged a bullet, that he will disappear and leave Akira to wake up alone.) ]
Oh, yeah? [ The lilt in his voice is teasing, light as the occasion commands. Not the time for any intrusive thoughts; this is real. ] And what kind are we talking about? This is a nice shop, so I'll presume you don't mean a more private sort of affair?
[ Aka cock rings. Come on, let him play coy for a bit! ]
no subject
No, no, focus!]
Well, it's private in a sense. Unless you want a huge wedding.
[And he knows he doesn't. He grins, tugging him toward the bands; something masculine for both of them, he thinks.
(If he knew what kinds of intrusive thoughts Goro was having, he wouldn't be able to continue, so perhaps it's for the best that he can't actually read his mind.)]
no subject
The same can't be said for the scoff that follows Akira's comment; that is more free, and amused despite all implications. ]
I'll be surprised if we can fill up all booths in Leblanc with guests.
[ Between society's distaste for their relationship, Akechi's status as a (functional) orphan, his past and general struggle with forming bonds, there are very few people who are willing to attend their wedding. But he has made his peace with it, and that tug in his hand tells him he has everything he needs right here.
He nears the display after another second, eyes scanning their options-- and pointedly avoiding price tags. This is the one nice thing they will splurge on, after all. ]
I suppose we're steering clear from gemstones, hmm?
no subject
[Akira has more than enough dads at this point to cover both of them, even if Akechi won't have family there. And as for his friends... well, things may still be rocky, but they've all come to accept Akechi as a part of their orbit, if not a friend in most cases.
It's all he needs. In fact, it's more than enough.
He looks at the display with Akechi, eyes roving over the different designs. Unlike Akechi, he does look at the price tags - but he won't let them stop him. He'll figure it out.]
Maybe we shouldn't rule it out yet; we might see something we like.