[Success. Akechi leans back against the other boy's solid build, humming a quiet dissent and shaking his head.]
No, not exactly. I believe I've mentioned it to you before, yes? How adults are so fixated on eating what seems appropriate that they ignore what it is they want.
[He sighs and closes his eyes, mentally reviewing his finances before shaking his head again. Minor indulgences like buying pastries at a cafe aside, the kind of money for hopping around expensive restaurants is out of the question right now.]
There's no need for that. It's more cost-effective to make your own food, yes? And you enjoy such things.
[A beat of hesitation, then he sighs, and almost grudgingly adds,] I... enjoy the food you make, as well.
[One of the things he'd been thinking about last night, and into this morning after waking up. Expressing himself to Ren, while he has the chance.]
I'm going to try and make different things for you. I'm glad you enjoy it.
(Before he tends to his breakfast, he finds it appropriate to thank the man who provided it in the first place. The kiss is planted on the top of Akechi's head, lingering a while before he can press a quicker one and depart slowly. God, he loves this man, and each and every day he catches himself thinking just how much. It feels torturous when he has to sleep alone, cuddling a pillow that doesn't hold a candle to how comfortable Akechi is to sleep against.
Well. At least he's got a really good idea, and the bite he takes is an attempt to conceal the sneaky smile-- and oh, god.)
[It's something like a feeling of inadequacy, to admit that he relies on Ren for a home-cooked meal. But Ren already knows that about him, has known for quite a while. And really, Akechi did rip the other boy apart and that still isn't enough to drive him away. An inability to cook isn't going to do it.
The grin that rises to his lips is pure self-satisfaction when Ren exclaims that the bagel is delicious. Again, it stings a little that all he can do is buy something for the other boy, instead of cooking something himself, but it still feels good to provide even a half-measure of what Ren gives to him daily.]
It came highly recommended. I'd be rather offended if you didn't enjoy it.
You're going to get sick of curry eventually, though.
(He laughs, but really, it might as well be true with how much Ren makes it. It's how he can connect to where he came from, to honor Sojiro with a family recipe he was so kind to allow Ren to learn.
Ah, but he's absolutely overtaken by the flavor to speak, at least for a moment. The bite he takes is huge, and he covers his mouth with the back of his free hand before he wordlessly offers the bagel for Akechi to try.)
[His throat closes up for a moment as he tries to work out what he wants to say. Ren does always have a habit of derailing his thoughts and forcing him to reevaluate his plans.
He does take a piece of the offered bagel, tearing off a small chunk for himself rather than taking the whole thing, and finally continues,] To be honest... being able to share a meal with someone, let alone a home-cooked one, is still a novel concept. My mother worked very long hours, after all, and it was much easier for her to give me a few hundred yen for convenience store meals than cook. It was a special occasion if ever she was able to.
What I'm trying to say is, I don't take your efforts for granted.
(Nothing Akechi's telling him is news, and yet, it explains plenty about his behavior when Ren takes a deeper look at it. His fright regarding intimacy, a fear that he might lose what he allowed himself to have. How sometimes, Akechi bites without meaning to. The endless discussions of why Ren shouldn't be with him. His never-ending quest for revenge, until it ended.
All products of someone loving, who wanted nothing but to love and be loved in return, and to tear apart those who denied him that... And yet, doesn't want to lose something so dear.
[He sighs through his nose with some relief and allows himself to rest more fully back against Ren's chest, slouching somewhat to get comfortable. When Ren's finished eating, they'll have to resume the day as usual, but until then, he can bask in the other boy's warmth, and yes, presence, a little longer.
Ren deserves better, but who the fuck is he to sit here and bemoan that when he can try to actively be someone who deserves Ren? An unending task, to be sure, because he refuses to change for Ren's sake, but... still. He can put in the effort. Ren deserves that much.
He pops the bit of bagel in his mouth almost as an afterthought, and makes the mistake of biting directly into one of the chopped-up jalapeños. He jolts bolt-upright with a snarl and covers his mouth. It's spicy! (it's really not)]
(Ren's nearly melting from all this attention, the affection that Ren feels Akechi is increasing in both quality and quantity, and he truly couldn't be happier. Akechi is sinking against his chest, and Ren almost finds himself choosing between love and food...
Until Akechi nearly sticks to the ceiling like a surprised, panicked cat.)
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no subject
Date: 2021-11-08 09:52 pm (UTC)No, not exactly. I believe I've mentioned it to you before, yes? How adults are so fixated on eating what seems appropriate that they ignore what it is they want.
[He sighs and closes his eyes, mentally reviewing his finances before shaking his head again. Minor indulgences like buying pastries at a cafe aside, the kind of money for hopping around expensive restaurants is out of the question right now.]
There's no need for that. It's more cost-effective to make your own food, yes? And you enjoy such things.
[A beat of hesitation, then he sighs, and almost grudgingly adds,] I... enjoy the food you make, as well.
[One of the things he'd been thinking about last night, and into this morning after waking up. Expressing himself to Ren, while he has the chance.]
no subject
Date: 2021-11-08 09:58 pm (UTC)(Before he tends to his breakfast, he finds it appropriate to thank the man who provided it in the first place. The kiss is planted on the top of Akechi's head, lingering a while before he can press a quicker one and depart slowly. God, he loves this man, and each and every day he catches himself thinking just how much. It feels torturous when he has to sleep alone, cuddling a pillow that doesn't hold a candle to how comfortable Akechi is to sleep against.
Well. At least he's got a really good idea, and the bite he takes is an attempt to conceal the sneaky smile-- and oh, god.)
This is delicious?!
no subject
Date: 2021-11-08 10:09 pm (UTC)[It's something like a feeling of inadequacy, to admit that he relies on Ren for a home-cooked meal. But Ren already knows that about him, has known for quite a while. And really, Akechi did rip the other boy apart and that still isn't enough to drive him away. An inability to cook isn't going to do it.
The grin that rises to his lips is pure self-satisfaction when Ren exclaims that the bagel is delicious. Again, it stings a little that all he can do is buy something for the other boy, instead of cooking something himself, but it still feels good to provide even a half-measure of what Ren gives to him daily.]
It came highly recommended. I'd be rather offended if you didn't enjoy it.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-08 10:12 pm (UTC)(He laughs, but really, it might as well be true with how much Ren makes it. It's how he can connect to where he came from, to honor Sojiro with a family recipe he was so kind to allow Ren to learn.
Ah, but he's absolutely overtaken by the flavor to speak, at least for a moment. The bite he takes is huge, and he covers his mouth with the back of his free hand before he wordlessly offers the bagel for Akechi to try.)
no subject
Date: 2021-11-08 10:18 pm (UTC)[His throat closes up for a moment as he tries to work out what he wants to say. Ren does always have a habit of derailing his thoughts and forcing him to reevaluate his plans.
He does take a piece of the offered bagel, tearing off a small chunk for himself rather than taking the whole thing, and finally continues,] To be honest... being able to share a meal with someone, let alone a home-cooked one, is still a novel concept. My mother worked very long hours, after all, and it was much easier for her to give me a few hundred yen for convenience store meals than cook. It was a special occasion if ever she was able to.
What I'm trying to say is, I don't take your efforts for granted.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-08 10:24 pm (UTC)All products of someone loving, who wanted nothing but to love and be loved in return, and to tear apart those who denied him that... And yet, doesn't want to lose something so dear.
Ren beams, taking the boy's hand.)
I know. Never thought you did.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-08 10:43 pm (UTC)[He sighs through his nose with some relief and allows himself to rest more fully back against Ren's chest, slouching somewhat to get comfortable. When Ren's finished eating, they'll have to resume the day as usual, but until then, he can bask in the other boy's warmth, and yes, presence, a little longer.
Ren deserves better, but who the fuck is he to sit here and bemoan that when he can try to actively be someone who deserves Ren? An unending task, to be sure, because he refuses to change for Ren's sake, but... still. He can put in the effort. Ren deserves that much.
He pops the bit of bagel in his mouth almost as an afterthought, and makes the mistake of biting directly into one of the chopped-up jalapeños. He jolts bolt-upright with a snarl and covers his mouth. It's spicy! (it's really not)]
Fuck!
no subject
Date: 2021-11-08 10:55 pm (UTC)Until Akechi nearly sticks to the ceiling like a surprised, panicked cat.)
Milk?!