doublecrowss | Inbox for awash

[That first comment earns an even bigger smirk - of course he remembers that night. How could he forget?

But then Akechi turns to teasing.]

Maybe I have.

[Still, he heaves a bit of a sigh and pulls his face away, replacing it with the map. Akechi is free to look all he wants.]

It's somewhere in Ruga, so it shouldn't take that long.

[ Well, he was acting like he was a bit... inebriated at the time, so who knows...

Still, Akechi takes his time to analyze the map, quickly committing any major details to mind-- even in the off chance that Akira has memorized it, this is his first chance to get a good look at the thing, and if it does turn out to be the answer to Akira's wish, then it might be a good idea to have a good visual memory of it, anyway. With the way this place operates, one never knows when something might disappear.

Something... or someone.

(That's a thought that suddenly urges him not to waste any more time.) ]

Very well. [ He leans back, leaving Akira in charge of the map-- he is the Leader, after all. ] Let us make haste, then. If this truly is a place meant for our use, then it would be nice to find it before dark.

[ So they can properly... warm up and all. ]

[Who's eager now? Akira smiles, leading Akechi in the direction the map seems to indicate.]

I wonder how well this place is hidden... We wanted a private place, after all...

[And not his house full of people, or Akechi's house with his soul bond lurking around. That empty house in Flavo wasn't too bad, but it might get found out if others are looking around in that district. And there's no telling when someone might move in.

A place all their own will be nice.]

[ He's not eager! It's just good sense to not be out late at night!! ]

Well, assuming we can trust this town to actually follow through with it and not pull any tricks, I imagine it must at least be a place where other people won't be able to live in.

[ He hooks a finger under his chin, thinking over what little information they have so far: it has to be a private place meant for two specific people, and the way to find it is through a map. Hmm. ]

Perhaps that map is the key? Since you asked for a place just for the two of us, I wonder if other people would be able to read it at all. Or perhaps the house switches places every now and then, and the map is the only way to find its new location...

[ So many possibilities! ]

A magic map, huh? That would be pretty cool.

[Akira watches Akechi brain work as he tries to puzzle it out, as if he were an actual detective. Which Akira considers him to be, even given what he knows.

Akechi is perfectly smart and capable of figuring things out and finding clues, with or without the Metaverse.]

I think we're getting close.

[Looks like once they round the corner into an alley, it's not far.]

[ Akechi can't help but chuckle at Akira's child-like excitement over the prospect of a magic map, like the incorrigible thief he is-- although he has to admit, the feeling is pretty contagious, too. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, to indulge his own child-like side more often, if Akira is there to join him. ]

Well, I'll have to trust your judgement on this, won't I? [ A friendly jab at the fact Akira is hogging the map all to himself, not that Akechi actually minds it. Although it does raise one more question: ]

That reminds me, if my hypothesis turns out to be true and we do need the map in the future, we'll have to figure out a way to keep it hidden. Perhaps take turns being in possession of it?

[ There's a side of him that tells him it's unlikely, but still, he can't help but consider the possibility Akira might try to take someone else there... ]

[Luckily for him, Akira's thoughts don't go down that route - he has no idea what Akechi might be envisioning. Instead, he only focuses on the issue of hiding the map. They'll have to keep it safe...]

Well, my house is full... and yours has the greatest thief in history living in it. [Oh boy.] So we'll have to be careful...

[If it was always on the move, maybe that would reduce the chance that it might be discovered?]

Trading it off might be best.

[ If Akira has noticed anything suspicious about Akechi's suggestion, he's at least kind enough to go along with it without any further comments. One less thing to worry about. ]

I'm glad you agree. [ A nod in acknowledgement. ] Although Lupin-san is usually mindful of my private space, there's no telling what could happen to it if he were ever under the town's influence...

[ And just like, he gets to wrap up his lie with a nice touch of thoughtfulness, not distrustful of his roommate, but shifting the blame onto their captors instead. Brilliant.

Speaking of the town, however, Akechi is starting to think it has played yet another trick on them. The alley winds up in a dead end, with what looks like an empty lot right before that. Not exactly what he's consider private, in any way. ]

Are you... sure we're following the right path?

That's what the map says. It should be right here.

[Akira walks ahead a few steps, looking from the map to the empty lot as he does. It seems like there's nothing here at all, and he's about to think it didn't work... when he gets right to the edge of the lot and suddenly, there's a little brownstone there.

He stops. He stares up at it.

He takes a few steps back, and the house disappears.

A few steps forward, and it's back again.

He laughs, turning to look back at Akechi.]

You gotta see this.

[ From where Akechi is standing, it looks like Akira is doing a weird little dance and then laughing at his own stupidity, but he's going to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he's not quite that much of an idiot. So he follows after his lead, takes a step closer and-- ]

... oh!

[ Good thing he didn't make any snide comments before, otherwise he'd be the one looking pretty stupid now!! ]

So it's not only a secret place, but it's also effectively hidden from sight... [ A giggle. ] I would think this is as private as it gets.

[ Although he still thinks they should keep the map, just in case. That's a point to bring up at a later point, though; for now, he's going to give Akira his most innocent smile and add: ]

But, I suppose that means we have found our treasure. That puts an end to our hunt.

[ They just wanted to find it and nothing else, right? ]

[Akira is grinning with triumph over his plan being so effective, but then Akechi has to be like that about it. His grin falter slightly, and he shakes his head.]

Oh come on. You want to see inside too, right?

[And... maybe do some other things inside, too. He walks forward, opening up the door.]

Let's go!

[Unless he wants Akira to go in by himself.]

[ Oh, of course he wasn't about to let Akira go inside all by himself, but it's fun to be just a little contrary and watch his boyfriend deflate. It's... kind of cute.

(Really cute.) ]

Well. If you insist.

[ Nonchalant, as though he wasn't every bit as intent on exploring further as Akira was.

Once he makes his way in, he takes a good look around the living area. At first sight, it doesn't look very different from the other houses in town; it's rather modest and moderately spacious, with very basic furniture that has at least been repaired back to functionality. Though not spotless, it's decently clean, too, which is... convenient, given the sort of activity they're planning to carry out in there. ]

It would seem we have been spared from having to fix it up, this time.

[ He wonders if the bedrooms are the same. ]

That's nice of them.

["Them" being whoever set this up. Mr. White, or the town itself... whoever it was, he appreciates it.]

Come on. [He holds out his hand to Akechi, offering it.] Let's go upstairs.

[It's not like he's eager to see the bedrooms, but, well... he just wants to see what shape they're in!]

Hopefully they have blankets.

[ With a huffed laugh and a shake of his head, Akechi reaches out and takes Akira's hand in his. It sounds silly, to be holding hands indoors like a pair of shy teenagers left without supervision, but... in a way, that is what they are, at least right now. ]

If they don't, I'm sure I can think of ways to keep you warm.

[ Right now, they get to be just that-- not opposing Champions meant to decide the fate of mankind, but rather, a young couple learning the ropes of a still blossoming relationship.

With a kiss on his knuckles as though to punctuate his feelings, Akechi moves up the stairs with Akira by his side, and he finds that he's already familiarized with the layout of this house-- because it really isn't much different from all others. And when they cross the threshold into the first bedroom, what they find is-- ]

... oh.

[ A disappointing single bed, in relatively good condition, but about as large as the ones they have been using in their own homes. ]

Well, we do have blankets, it seems..!

[ The bed has been made, at least!! That's... progress!! ]

[That kiss to his knuckles combined with that comment has him feeling his face heat up, and he hopes Akechi doesn't notice as they make their way up the dim staircase. But he doesn't have much time to dwell on it before they arrive at the first bedroom and...

Oh, indeed.]

...We might have to cuddle real close.

[Not that he's normally opposed to that, but a bigger bed would probably be more comfortable. He backs out of the doorway of the bedroom, tugging Akechi down the hall.]

Let's see what else we've got...

[The next bedroom has... another single bed! Oh no.]

...We could always push them together...?

[ Ah, looks like the second bedroom wasn't any luckier, either, but... Well, he can't help but chuckle at Akira's suggestion. ]

I'm afraid the beds might break if we move them too much, and we would probably have to take them apart, to begin with...

[ And he's not that great at carpentry-- really, that minimum fixing they did way back is about as much as he can do. He isresourceful, though, and surely enough, a better idea pops in his mind. ]

However, the mattresses should be easy enough to move. [ A giggle. ] It would be a little like a sleepover for two!

[ A bit more... mature, as well, although he would honestly be excited even for the regular kind. He never had any growing up, after all. ]

[That's really sad, Akechi. If Akira knew, he would definitely be offering a normal sleepover.

But for now, his thoughts are trained on a very different sort of sleepover than the innocent kind of his youth, and Akechi's mattress idea will suit that type just as well. He nods, grinning at his boyfriend.]

You're a genius.

[He means it, even if it's just a little on the humorous side this time.]

Should we put them down in the front room with the fireplace? Like we did that night...

[It was a very romantic night, if he does say so himself.]

[ Wow, don't be condescending, you piece of shit!

Still, the memory of that night is enough to put a fond smile on his face. It really was very romantic, all the more so because he hadn't expected any of it-- especially when they had just started dating. He's going to have to top that, one of these days. ]

I think that would be very nice, yes. It will be considerably more comfortable than that night, too.

[ Not that he would really mind it otherwise. A warm blanket, a fire and Akira by his side was all he needed. ]

So, shall we get started? I can handle the one in the other room.

[He wasn't!

But Akechi seems amenable to his idea, so he nods, smiling, and heads in to heft the mattress off the bed. They're two strapping young men, they can take care of this part easily.

Up we go!]

I'll meet you down there. Careful going down the stairs.

[ With a chuckle, Akechi approaches him for a quick kiss on his lips. ]

Don't worry about me. I'm not quite as clumsy as you may think.

[ Only when it comes to stealing food from others and not paying attention!! But at least he doesn't trip and fall flat on his face in the treadmill!!

That said, he makes his way back to the first room and picks up the mattress without much effort, though he does spare a second glance at the blankets; ultimately, he decides it might be too much to try to safely juggle at once, so he settles for having to make another trip to the bedroom later.

(Maybe he was hoping to get it done with quick so they could truly start enjoying their new gift, but. He'll just have to curb his enthusiasm.) ]

There we go. [ He sets it down besides Akira's mattress, right by the fireplace. ] It's already looking rather cozy, if I may say so myself.

[Bringing up the treadmill incident would be a pretty low blow!

He also makes it down without issue, looking over their makeshift bed. It does look pretty cozy, and not only because it reminds him of a different cozy night. He wishes he could go ahead and get down on it, but they still need a few more things to make it as cozy as possible.

And so...]

Looking pretty good. Just need blankets, and then we'll be all set.

[And so he is off to fetch them!]

[ He won't bring it up. But he'll always know. ]

Very well. I'll see about getting a fire started in the meantime.

[ They were lucky enough to have firewood available last time, although he wonders if Akira had to resort to one of his Persona to actually get the fire going. Would he have to do the same? He really has never tried anything like that before, but he has the feeling a Maragion from Loki would be a little too overkill-- and rather risky for other reasons, too.

Thankfully he's spared from his own Sophie's Choice when he finds just what he needs-- wood and some matches. It would seem that whoever granted Akira's wish really did think of everything this time. ]

All set on this end. [ Said as he takes a step back and admires his handiwork. Once Akira gets back with the blankets, then they'll finally be ready.

(He's so very ready.) ]

[Don't worry, Akechi - Akira is just as ready as him, and so he moves fast down the stairs, even though the pile he carries comes up high enough to nearly cover his face, leaving only the bush of his hair visible. Thankfully he does make it safely down, coming to dump the blankets in a heap next to the mattress.]

Let's get these spread out, and then I think we'll be good.

[And then the real fun can start. So saying, he grabs a thinner sheet off the pile to spread out as an undersheet over the mattresses.]

[ Wow, Akira, please don't go risking your life like that!! Haven't they waited long enough??

Still, Akechi grabs on to the other end of the sheet and carefully tucks it under their makeshift bed to the best of his abilities, making a mental note to perhaps bring some rope to tie everything together next time; depending on how rowdy they get, those sheets and mattresses won't stay in place for long. Next, he proceeds to taking more of the blankets and arranging them much like they did last time, with one rolled up as an improvised pillow as the others serve their actual purpose.

Once he's finished, he spares Akira yet another innocent look, with a smile to match. ]

There. Now it looks fairly comfortable to sleep in.

[ What a teasing piece of shit. ]

[Such a tease! But alright, if that's the way he wants to play it, Akira can match him just fine.

And so, he nods, sitting down on the bed and pulling his glasses off to set aside, before spreading out his legs and wiggling to get comfy.]

Yep. Pretty nice.

[Your move, Akechi - what do you want to do now?]

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