[He stiffens at the unexpected touch, the startling warmth of the blanket being wrapped around him. It's stupid, painfully childish just how comforting the gesture truly is. The fact that Ren's even willing to offer it is just as absurd as everything else.
He only makes it a few moments before giving in and sagging against Ren's side, one hand still covering his eyes as if that might somehow stem the flow of tears. He doesn't deserve this, but selfishly, he refuses to push Ren away right now.]
Comforting your murderer, [he manages finally, when the tears have run dry and all that's left is a bone-numbing exhaustion.] You truly are a glutton for punishment.
(Ren snorts at the comment. To the contrary, this is a blessing. Never in a million years would he have thought being able to hold Akechi like this, against him, allowing him to nest in his warmth when he needs the most. He feels lucky, honored, all things that Akechi could never understand in these circumstances.
Nobody's looking, Ren certifies himself before leaving the tiniest of kisses on his forehead, making sure none of the rouge lipstick stains white skin.)
[The term of endearment makes him laugh, a harsh, ugly noise of genuine amusement that would have fans of the erstwhile detective prince crying. The word Aelwyn leveraged against them like an insult, the word he'd never dared to use himself, said with such ease as if somehow "boyfriend" and "murderer" couldn't possibly refer to the same person.]
Honestly, you really are...
[He closes his eyes and exhales a sigh, allowing himself to rest his head against the other boy's shoulder. He's drained, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally in equal measure.]
(Ren continues. Last time Akechi left it at that, it wasn't great all around, so Ren's quick to mend it with a cheeky remark and a laugh, albeit a quiet one. Ren's thumb caresses Akechi's waist with ease, but he knows they shouldn't be up for much longer. A lot's happened, and Akechi could use some sleep, couldn't he? Ren takes a hand, removing the glove to press a kiss to the soft, fragrant skin, and gestures towards the apartment.)
[He laughs again, more quietly this time. There was a time when he'd praised a response like that as innovative, considered working it into an interview response to make him seem more relatable to his peers in the audience. How foolish that all seems now.
He's loathe to leave the warmth of their impromptu, tiny blanket fort, but Ren's right. He certainly doesn't intend to sleep on the balcony, so he'll be the first one up, freeing himself from the blanket to allow Ren to wrap himself up into it.]
Agreed. I'll see you in there.
[As much as he'd love to climb right into bed, he does have to wash his face and at least try to combat the damage stress and lack of sleep has done to his skin over the last few days. It'll give Ren time to finish up his cigarette if he still needs it, anyway. Not to mention that of course he'll need to remove his own makeup.]
(That cigarette is burnt and gone, and Ren tosses the butt of it into the ashtray and stretches his arms before he stands. He does have quite a battle ahead of him - getting the fake nails out, the wig properly stored, the dress in the laundry bin...
Unlike Akechi, the makeup on his face is the least of his concerns. What is it going to do, become permanent on his skin? He'd look fabulous for life.
When Akechi returns, he'll find the usual scene of Ren in his boxers in bed, snuggling against a pillow that he koala-wrapped against.)
[There's honestly something almost comforting about applying a few drops of serum and massaging a light moisturizer into his face before bed. A tiny gesture of normalcy, if nothing else, a relaxing routine before crawling into bed with the most important person in his life.
The frown that curves his lips when he exits the bathroom and sees Ren in bed, apparently fully prepared to smear lipstick and foundation into his sheets, threatens to undo all that hard work.]
If you needed the bathroom, you could have just asked. I'm not washing my sheets because you stained them.
It's not going to stain. The lady put a magic spray on it.
(Whatever the fuck that was. Honestly, everything about the time he spent in that chair is a blur-- all he remembers, faintly, is the lady saying that no force on Earth would make his makeup smear, and she wouldn't lie to him, would she?)
Setting spray, [he corrects, exhaling through his nose with irritation. How Ren can be so emotionally insightful, and yet absolutely oblivious, will forever be beyond him. There is a vindictive part of him that wants to let Ren sleep in his makeup, just to experience how fucking shitty it is to wake up with it caked on, but after what they'd just went through together... well.] You'll clog your pores and dry out your lips. Come on.
[It's an order, Akechi resting one hand on his hip, the other crooking a finger in a firm "come here" motion.]
(He corrects, excuse him, he knows what he said-- and everything Akechi says afterwards doesn't really make sense to Ren, unfortunately. The boy never really had a pimple to begin with, why would he care about clogged pores when his skin is just Protagonist Perfect and lip balm exists, etc?
Like a cat, he stretches in bed, as if he was summoning courage to stand up and move to Akechi, a pout on scarlet lips.)
Idiot, [he reiterates with a roll of his eyes. It feels weirdly fragile to act as if everything has just gone back to normal, like he's clutching frantically at straws to say that yes, they're fine now. But isn't that all life is, really? Pretending that everything is fine until one day, perhaps, the scars do truly fade?
He clears space for Ren to take a seat on the counter and pours some makeup remover into a cotton pad. He's all business, as if perhaps if he pretends hard enough, Ren can't see the residual redness in his eyes from the earlier tears. His fingers take Ren's chin in a firm grip, but there's an obvious gentleness, almost reverence, in the way he swipes the the cotton pad across Ren's skin.]
(And it causes him to giggle as Akechi works on removing all the layers of makeup upon his face. It's ticklish too, he might add. Ren's fine, and he's glad that Akechi at least still has it in him to call him an idiot after what they've just gone through.
Life is change, things are not everlasting in a perfect still manner, and yet, Ren wishes that the banter would remain. Witproximityoximity, Ren can see each of Akechi's flaws up close, and truly, before he can stop himself, his lips move without his willing them to:)
[It's a gentle chide without any heat behind it as Akechi slides himself between Ren's legs and uses his grip on Ren's chin to turn his head this way and that. He's not only removing makeup, but also using it as a real, tangible way to feel Ren's skin beneath his fingers, to confirm to himself that he's here, he's fine and not physically injured. The pad lingers only a moment over the center of Ren's forehead, and he leans forward as if he might kiss that spot.
Then Ren opens his stupid mouth again to say something ridiculous, and all Akechi can do is laugh, gently shoving Ren's head back with the cotton pad as if to punish him.]
You're delirious, [he dismisses, even as his cheeks flush a light pink with pleased embarrassment.] Keep your mouth shut unless you want to find out if this tastes as good as it smells.
[Spoiler: it doesn't as he swaps out the dirty cotton pad for a fresh one and switches to a different makeup remover to get to work on the lipstick.]
(The tickling aside, this feels very nice. It's like a little massage on his face, and Ren all but vibrates with how happy all this caressing is making him, the smile almost too big for his face as he receives it.
He doesn't take it as punishment, but he doesn't get the chance to say anything else as Akechi works on removing the red from his lips. He patiently waits until Akechi's done, before his smile turns into something insufferable, and he puts his hands on freshly washed cheeks and saying it AGAIN.
No fear of death in this man.)
I think you're beautiful. I'll tell you again tomorrow.
[Tomorrow. What a concept. The idea of waking up tomorrow, not from a nightmare of dying, but simply waking up from a dreamless sleep in Ren's arms... it feels distant enough to be nothing more than an unachievable fantasy, but it's one he'd like to hope for.
He leans in and gently kisses Ren's lips, in spite of the taste of the still-drying makeup remover. He sighs an exhale as he presses his forehead to Ren's and closes his eyes, cherishing the closeness for a moment in spite of their mutual exhaustion.]
I'm going to put some moisturizer on your skin to rebalance the oils the makeup remover stripped off, [he murmurs, drawing back slightly with some difficulty to fetch the bottle. There's something deeply funny to him about the way he massages the lotion between his fingers to warm it as if it were lube before starting to apply it to Ren's face in gentle sweeps.]
(Watch as Ren makes that fantasy reality, ready to tell Akechi first thing in the morning just how beautiful the man in his arms truly is. Deep down, Ren knows Akechi will never truly listen, but he finds it that the more he says it, the more the other might at least accept that he believes what he says.
Arms close around Akechi's slender figure, kisses this close from deepening the kiss and still craving for contact when they part. His hand circles around his back, stopping between Akechi's shoulder blades where he caress.
Ah, that movement he's making? Ren's very acquainted with it, and while he could not truly grasp a word of what Akechi's said, he's more than interested-- ah, it's for his face? He should have paid attention, and he snorts at the exchange.)
It's been a while since I've seen you do that motion. If I weren't dead, you'd see something.
I didn't want to hear you bitch about it being cold. Insufferable.
[It's said defensively, and he jabs his fingers into Ren's cheek in punishment before smoothing it away with a gentle touch. For once, though, he appreciates that Ren is as tired as he is, though; there's no way he'd be up for anything in bed right now other than sleep.
Moisturizer applied, Akechi allows himself one more kiss to Ren's lips before stepping away decisively to wash his hands.]
(Okay, the combination of everything does lead Ren to laugh out loud, only interrupting it to kiss Akechi's lips once he's close enough, squeezing the man a little with his arms before he sneaks a kiss on his jaw - believe it or not, innocently.)
Thank you, honey.
(And once Akechi is no longer within reach, Ren allows the monster yawn to leave him, stretching once again much like a kitty before he sneaks his way to bed. It's cold, and it's a way to thank him if he manages to get it warm enough by the time Akechi comes back. He is, after all, a human heater.)
[With Ren safely out of the bathroom, Akechi finally allows himself an exhausted sigh, resting both hands on the counter and looking himself in the mirror. Ren said beautiful, but he feels anything but with the obvious bags under his eyes, the telltale itching threatening a breakout, the few stray untamed hairs from his eyebrows... something to deal with tomorrow. For now, he just shakes his head at himself and ventures back into the bedroom, crawling into the bed beside the other boy.
It's almost scary to think about going back to sleep, after everything, even with Ren there. Even still, he allows himself to curl up beside him, wrapping an arm gently around his waist and resting his head on his shoulder.]
...Thank you, Ren, [he murmurs finally, something he should have said a long time ago.]
(In the meantime, Ren has all but drifted off to sleep. It's been tiring, and after gathering all the strength he could muster to strut his way back into ADI's, there's not much left. Ren's body heat has made the bed not unlike paradise, inviting, welcoming...
But there's something much better that comes. It's Akechi, with his arm around him and his head on Ren's shoulder, too close to his heart not to hear it beating for him. ) You're welcome.
(All the love he feels is poured into the kiss he presses on Akechi's forehead, lingering and allowing himself to get lost in the other boy for a second. The coolness of his skin, the fragrance of his skincare, his shampoo... Ren can't help but wrap an arm around him to bring him closer. He's too goddamn tired, and he's cursing the world inside that head of his, because all he wants to do is to worship Akechi how he deserves, to kiss every patch of skin, caress the soft skin, show him just how beautiful Ren finds him.)
Men prefer to be called handsome, you know, [he mumbles grumpily, pinching the other boy's skin in punishment. That's the only gripe he has, though, and honestly Ren is fully within his rights to call him far worse things. He sighs against the other boy's shoulder and closes his eyes, allowing himself to finally start to relax into him.
Things aren't even close to okay, let alone perfect. But it's a start. Assuming they can just make it to tomorrow, that's a start.]
(Okay, that makes Ren giggle-- did this motherfucker just bring gender roles to a man who had been in a dress not too long ago? Ren'd love it to be called beautiful, excuse him!! But it's fine.
With his leg wrapping around Akechi's, Ren finds comfort in their embrace, finally letting the well-deserved slumber take him far from this world.
He'll tell Akechi just how wonderful he is tomorrow, he promises himself.)
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Date: 2021-11-01 02:36 pm (UTC)He only makes it a few moments before giving in and sagging against Ren's side, one hand still covering his eyes as if that might somehow stem the flow of tears. He doesn't deserve this, but selfishly, he refuses to push Ren away right now.]
Comforting your murderer, [he manages finally, when the tears have run dry and all that's left is a bone-numbing exhaustion.] You truly are a glutton for punishment.
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Date: 2021-11-01 02:43 pm (UTC)Nobody's looking, Ren certifies himself before leaving the tiniest of kisses on his forehead, making sure none of the rouge lipstick stains white skin.)
I'm comforting my boyfriend.
(It's different, see?)
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Date: 2021-11-01 02:53 pm (UTC)Honestly, you really are...
[He closes his eyes and exhales a sigh, allowing himself to rest his head against the other boy's shoulder. He's drained, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally in equal measure.]
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Date: 2021-11-01 03:00 pm (UTC)(Ren continues. Last time Akechi left it at that, it wasn't great all around, so Ren's quick to mend it with a cheeky remark and a laugh, albeit a quiet one. Ren's thumb caresses Akechi's waist with ease, but he knows they shouldn't be up for much longer. A lot's happened, and Akechi could use some sleep, couldn't he? Ren takes a hand, removing the glove to press a kiss to the soft, fragrant skin, and gestures towards the apartment.)
Let's go to bed. I want to kiss you good night.
(And sleep for a week, most likely.)
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Date: 2021-11-01 03:07 pm (UTC)He's loathe to leave the warmth of their impromptu, tiny blanket fort, but Ren's right. He certainly doesn't intend to sleep on the balcony, so he'll be the first one up, freeing himself from the blanket to allow Ren to wrap himself up into it.]
Agreed. I'll see you in there.
[As much as he'd love to climb right into bed, he does have to wash his face and at least try to combat the damage stress and lack of sleep has done to his skin over the last few days. It'll give Ren time to finish up his cigarette if he still needs it, anyway. Not to mention that of course he'll need to remove his own makeup.]
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Date: 2021-11-01 03:13 pm (UTC)Unlike Akechi, the makeup on his face is the least of his concerns. What is it going to do, become permanent on his skin? He'd look fabulous for life.
When Akechi returns, he'll find the usual scene of Ren in his boxers in bed, snuggling against a pillow that he koala-wrapped against.)
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Date: 2021-11-01 03:18 pm (UTC)The frown that curves his lips when he exits the bathroom and sees Ren in bed, apparently fully prepared to smear lipstick and foundation into his sheets, threatens to undo all that hard work.]
If you needed the bathroom, you could have just asked. I'm not washing my sheets because you stained them.
[With makeup, anyway.]
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Date: 2021-11-01 03:19 pm (UTC)(Whatever the fuck that was. Honestly, everything about the time he spent in that chair is a blur-- all he remembers, faintly, is the lady saying that no force on Earth would make his makeup smear, and she wouldn't lie to him, would she?)
I'll take it out tomorrow.
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Date: 2021-11-01 03:24 pm (UTC)[It's an order, Akechi resting one hand on his hip, the other crooking a finger in a firm "come here" motion.]
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Date: 2021-11-01 03:27 pm (UTC)(He corrects, excuse him, he knows what he said-- and everything Akechi says afterwards doesn't really make sense to Ren, unfortunately. The boy never really had a pimple to begin with, why would he care about clogged pores when his skin is just Protagonist Perfect and lip balm exists, etc?
Like a cat, he stretches in bed, as if he was summoning courage to stand up and move to Akechi, a pout on scarlet lips.)
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Date: 2021-11-01 03:33 pm (UTC)He clears space for Ren to take a seat on the counter and pours some makeup remover into a cotton pad. He's all business, as if perhaps if he pretends hard enough, Ren can't see the residual redness in his eyes from the earlier tears. His fingers take Ren's chin in a firm grip, but there's an obvious gentleness, almost reverence, in the way he swipes the the cotton pad across Ren's skin.]
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Date: 2021-11-01 03:41 pm (UTC)(And it causes him to giggle as Akechi works on removing all the layers of makeup upon his face. It's ticklish too, he might add. Ren's fine, and he's glad that Akechi at least still has it in him to call him an idiot after what they've just gone through.
Life is change, things are not everlasting in a perfect still manner, and yet, Ren wishes that the banter would remain. Witproximityoximity, Ren can see each of Akechi's flaws up close, and truly, before he can stop himself, his lips move without his willing them to:)
You're so beautiful.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-01 03:46 pm (UTC)[It's a gentle chide without any heat behind it as Akechi slides himself between Ren's legs and uses his grip on Ren's chin to turn his head this way and that. He's not only removing makeup, but also using it as a real, tangible way to feel Ren's skin beneath his fingers, to confirm to himself that he's here, he's fine and not physically injured. The pad lingers only a moment over the center of Ren's forehead, and he leans forward as if he might kiss that spot.
Then Ren opens his stupid mouth again to say something ridiculous, and all Akechi can do is laugh, gently shoving Ren's head back with the cotton pad as if to punish him.]
You're delirious, [he dismisses, even as his cheeks flush a light pink with pleased embarrassment.] Keep your mouth shut unless you want to find out if this tastes as good as it smells.
[Spoiler: it doesn't as he swaps out the dirty cotton pad for a fresh one and switches to a different makeup remover to get to work on the lipstick.]
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Date: 2021-11-01 03:54 pm (UTC)He doesn't take it as punishment, but he doesn't get the chance to say anything else as Akechi works on removing the red from his lips. He patiently waits until Akechi's done, before his smile turns into something insufferable, and he puts his hands on freshly washed cheeks and saying it AGAIN.
No fear of death in this man.)
I think you're beautiful. I'll tell you again tomorrow.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-01 04:01 pm (UTC)He leans in and gently kisses Ren's lips, in spite of the taste of the still-drying makeup remover. He sighs an exhale as he presses his forehead to Ren's and closes his eyes, cherishing the closeness for a moment in spite of their mutual exhaustion.]
I'm going to put some moisturizer on your skin to rebalance the oils the makeup remover stripped off, [he murmurs, drawing back slightly with some difficulty to fetch the bottle. There's something deeply funny to him about the way he massages the lotion between his fingers to warm it as if it were lube before starting to apply it to Ren's face in gentle sweeps.]
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Date: 2021-11-01 04:12 pm (UTC)Arms close around Akechi's slender figure, kisses this close from deepening the kiss and still craving for contact when they part. His hand circles around his back, stopping between Akechi's shoulder blades where he caress.
Ah, that movement he's making? Ren's very acquainted with it, and while he could not truly grasp a word of what Akechi's said, he's more than interested-- ah, it's for his face? He should have paid attention, and he snorts at the exchange.)
It's been a while since I've seen you do that motion. If I weren't dead, you'd see something.
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Date: 2021-11-01 04:16 pm (UTC)[It's said defensively, and he jabs his fingers into Ren's cheek in punishment before smoothing it away with a gentle touch. For once, though, he appreciates that Ren is as tired as he is, though; there's no way he'd be up for anything in bed right now other than sleep.
Moisturizer applied, Akechi allows himself one more kiss to Ren's lips before stepping away decisively to wash his hands.]
There. I hope you appreciate that.
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Date: 2021-11-01 04:22 pm (UTC)Thank you, honey.
(And once Akechi is no longer within reach, Ren allows the monster yawn to leave him, stretching once again much like a kitty before he sneaks his way to bed. It's cold, and it's a way to thank him if he manages to get it warm enough by the time Akechi comes back. He is, after all, a human heater.)
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Date: 2021-11-01 04:28 pm (UTC)It's almost scary to think about going back to sleep, after everything, even with Ren there. Even still, he allows himself to curl up beside him, wrapping an arm gently around his waist and resting his head on his shoulder.]
...Thank you, Ren, [he murmurs finally, something he should have said a long time ago.]
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Date: 2021-11-01 04:35 pm (UTC)But there's something much better that comes. It's Akechi, with his arm around him and his head on Ren's shoulder, too close to his heart not to hear it beating for him. )
You're welcome.
(All the love he feels is poured into the kiss he presses on Akechi's forehead, lingering and allowing himself to get lost in the other boy for a second. The coolness of his skin, the fragrance of his skincare, his shampoo... Ren can't help but wrap an arm around him to bring him closer. He's too goddamn tired, and he's cursing the world inside that head of his, because all he wants to do is to worship Akechi how he deserves, to kiss every patch of skin, caress the soft skin, show him just how beautiful Ren finds him.)
Good night, beautiful.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-01 07:49 pm (UTC)Things aren't even close to okay, let alone perfect. But it's a start. Assuming they can just make it to tomorrow, that's a start.]
no subject
Date: 2021-11-01 07:53 pm (UTC)With his leg wrapping around Akechi's, Ren finds comfort in their embrace, finally letting the well-deserved slumber take him far from this world.
He'll tell Akechi just how wonderful he is tomorrow, he promises himself.)