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LABY - IC INBOX
[ TEXT - AUDIO - VIDEO - ACTION ]
[ TEXT - AUDIO - VIDEO - ACTION ]
[The words sink deep into the pit of his stomach.
He doesn't disagree - every world, every reality, every meshing timeline molds into-
Something unique. Something that's only theirs. Even to Kurusu, Akechi couldn't begin to sort and unweave the multitudes of webs that tied together all those months ago. Doesn't know if there will ever be a time when Maruki's heartbeat doesn't ring in his ears in the dead of night. A persistent thump, thump, thump from when he was a child, and wasn't.
A world where Akechi wanted nothing more than to kill Maruki Takuto where he stood and tear that false dream of his to shreds. Dead, alive, and fighting someone warped by his own godhood and abilities.]
It was only for us.
[As quiet as the lapping water, through the hazy heat.]
Consider the matter resolved. It's of our benefit for her to be clueless about what we truly know and if she comes from a false world with a different version of you-
That's for her to sort out, not us. Our experiences will never line up with her own and frankly, I don't care if they do. For the remainder of our time here, I will only acknowledge the Maruki Takuto that arrived here from Christmas Eve, distraught and hiding from vicious goblins, and no others.
He doesn't disagree - every world, every reality, every meshing timeline molds into-
Something unique. Something that's only theirs. Even to Kurusu, Akechi couldn't begin to sort and unweave the multitudes of webs that tied together all those months ago. Doesn't know if there will ever be a time when Maruki's heartbeat doesn't ring in his ears in the dead of night. A persistent thump, thump, thump from when he was a child, and wasn't.
A world where Akechi wanted nothing more than to kill Maruki Takuto where he stood and tear that false dream of his to shreds. Dead, alive, and fighting someone warped by his own godhood and abilities.]
It was only for us.
[As quiet as the lapping water, through the hazy heat.]
Consider the matter resolved. It's of our benefit for her to be clueless about what we truly know and if she comes from a false world with a different version of you-
That's for her to sort out, not us. Our experiences will never line up with her own and frankly, I don't care if they do. For the remainder of our time here, I will only acknowledge the Maruki Takuto that arrived here from Christmas Eve, distraught and hiding from vicious goblins, and no others.
Edited (bwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh) 2025-03-22 17:09 (UTC)
[ All at once, Maruki's vindicated.
He knew this wouldn't be a difficult conversation. Even if it was hard to find the right words for all the nebulous realities and their feelings on them, he knew that once he found them, it would go smoothly. Very rarely can Maruki walk into a conversation with Akechi feeling like he knows exactly how to navigate it, and confident of the ultimate outcome not having too many deviations. On a matter like this, they're perfectly aligned.
He's so grateful.
More grateful than ever.
He shifts in the bath until they're seated side by side. Briefly, he leans to knock his shoulder against Akechi's, but then he sits upright. He doesn't let it linger. ]
I appreciate it. I'll do the same for you, of course.
[ Akira's Akechi is dead. God only knows what happened to Haru's Akechi.
It pains him every minute of every day, but–
In the end, the Akechi who matters most is the one sitting beside him.
All is quiet for a while before Maruki smiles down at the water. ]
I wonder where that goblin is now. Maybe we ought to try to find him sometime.
He knew this wouldn't be a difficult conversation. Even if it was hard to find the right words for all the nebulous realities and their feelings on them, he knew that once he found them, it would go smoothly. Very rarely can Maruki walk into a conversation with Akechi feeling like he knows exactly how to navigate it, and confident of the ultimate outcome not having too many deviations. On a matter like this, they're perfectly aligned.
He's so grateful.
More grateful than ever.
He shifts in the bath until they're seated side by side. Briefly, he leans to knock his shoulder against Akechi's, but then he sits upright. He doesn't let it linger. ]
I appreciate it. I'll do the same for you, of course.
[ Akira's Akechi is dead. God only knows what happened to Haru's Akechi.
It pains him every minute of every day, but–
In the end, the Akechi who matters most is the one sitting beside him.
All is quiet for a while before Maruki smiles down at the water. ]
I wonder where that goblin is now. Maybe we ought to try to find him sometime.
Edited 2025-03-23 02:50 (UTC)
Planning to exact revenge at long last? I never thought I would see the day. You'll give me a front row seat, won't you?
[There's no revenge in Maruki's future - the comment acts as a playful way to end this talk. A brush against the shoulder. Akechi flicking some water at Maruki's face.
These moments-
And as he submerges his body into the liquid lava around them-
Akechi makes another blithe sort of comment about the vendor that works near his apartment in a well known Tokyo suburb. An area large enough to still require a search, but narrowed down for a would be stalker. He knows Maruki won't miss the implication of that. ]
[There's no revenge in Maruki's future - the comment acts as a playful way to end this talk. A brush against the shoulder. Akechi flicking some water at Maruki's face.
These moments-
he might miss.
More than anything.And as he submerges his body into the liquid lava around them-
Akechi makes another blithe sort of comment about the vendor that works near his apartment in a well known Tokyo suburb. An area large enough to still require a search, but narrowed down for a would be stalker. He knows Maruki won't miss the implication of that. ]
( What's more annoying than a flu? Goro Akechi.
But can beggars, be choosers? No. And in Maki's case, this cockroach will have to do.
Evenifshewantstobreakhisfuckinghand— )
It's a trust exercise, right? ( She leans on one hip while explaining it to a Neanderthal. ) So, instead of wracking up a slither of points over too long a time...
( Maki points to one of the too-high spires over-looking the courtyard of the Gold Crystal; )
I'll jump off one of them.
( Seeing as it would take an insane amount of trust to think Akechi would even consider breaking her fall, that'd do the trick, right? )
But can beggars, be choosers? No. And in Maki's case, this cockroach will have to do.
Evenifshewantstobreakhisfuckinghand— )
It's a trust exercise, right? ( She leans on one hip while explaining it to a Neanderthal. ) So, instead of wracking up a slither of points over too long a time...
( Maki points to one of the too-high spires over-looking the courtyard of the Gold Crystal; )
I'll jump off one of them.
( Seeing as it would take an insane amount of trust to think Akechi would even consider breaking her fall, that'd do the trick, right? )
Yes, all is well with me. Thank you for your concern.
I meant to contact you far sooner than this to check on you, though I've heard enough conversations here and there to assume you were acclimating.
[Around town meaning Maruki. Like once.]
Did you need more volunteers for your medication trials?
I meant to contact you far sooner than this to check on you, though I've heard enough conversations here and there to assume you were acclimating.
[Around town meaning Maruki. Like once.]
Did you need more volunteers for your medication trials?
Her name is Hana. She may be young, but with plenty of patience and a firm hand I've no doubt she'll be a valuable asset to the clinic and its patients.
[ Picture sent.
Get buppy'd. ]
[ Picture sent.
Get buppy'd. ]
[They've been following the same routine for a while now - a year, at least, though Eren thinks it might be more. He runs to the castle--
[It's in ruins, the land overgrown. Eren pulls out his device, pulling up Akechi's username and hitting call. With the phone pressed up to his ear, he glares at the ground. This isn't right, which means something's not right, so--]
Hey. Where are you? [His voice sounds...
[Awake. Engaged. As casual as it is aggravated, and punctuated by the sound of someone gathering up saliva and spitting it onto the ground. How unrefined...]
There's some weird shit going on. Vash's castle is gone.
[It's in ruins, the land overgrown. Eren pulls out his device, pulling up Akechi's username and hitting call. With the phone pressed up to his ear, he glares at the ground. This isn't right, which means something's not right, so--]
Hey. Where are you? [His voice sounds...
[Awake. Engaged. As casual as it is aggravated, and punctuated by the sound of someone gathering up saliva and spitting it onto the ground. How unrefined...]
There's some weird shit going on. Vash's castle is gone.
[Where are you? should be Akechi's line, but Eren steals it the moment his finger hits 'accept call' on his phone.
The voice is -
Odd. Different. Enough to raise Akechi's hackles to a potential issue - there are plenty to go around this month. Vash's castle is gone is another indicator. There's a small chance that Eren is screwing around, as rare as that is and if he isn't-
Well, Akechi isn't putting on airs around him. He'll get the correct one back.]
If you're taking up playing pranks as a hobby, this is a poor one. I suggest you stop wasting both of our times and get over here.
The voice is -
Odd. Different. Enough to raise Akechi's hackles to a potential issue - there are plenty to go around this month. Vash's castle is gone is another indicator. There's a small chance that Eren is screwing around, as rare as that is and if he isn't-
Well, Akechi isn't putting on airs around him. He'll get the correct one back.]
If you're taking up playing pranks as a hobby, this is a poor one. I suggest you stop wasting both of our times and get over here.
[Eren might not have been wise to anything a moment ago, but he's been in Visium a long time now. When something doesn't make sense right away...
[Well. It could just be his mind. He seems to have forgotten that too. The disorientation is too familiar. He blinks, and visions of faces pass over the backs of his eyelids; Vash's castle is still gone.]
This is where we always meet. I'm not fucking around--
[The machiya. Maruki stays there too - Kurusu, Venat, that Adachi guy, that girl Eren can't stand...]
Shit. Never mind that. My head's all screwed up again.
I'm on my way.
[He abruptly ends the call. Not fifteen minutes later, and he's jogging up to the machiya's front door.]
[Well. It could just be his mind. He seems to have forgotten that too. The disorientation is too familiar. He blinks, and visions of faces pass over the backs of his eyelids; Vash's castle is still gone.]
This is where we always meet. I'm not fucking around--
[The machiya. Maruki stays there too - Kurusu, Venat, that Adachi guy, that girl Eren can't stand...]
Shit. Never mind that. My head's all screwed up again.
I'm on my way.
[He abruptly ends the call. Not fifteen minutes later, and he's jogging up to the machiya's front door.]
[Akechi's response is cut off when Eren ends the call with no warning.
My head's all screwed up again - that's a confirmation of a problem, stated in a way that's uniquely Eren. My head's all screwed up again like he's relaying the weather, requesting a meal at dinner, and not combating mental distortions.
Akechi waits outside anyway. Unsure if Eren can will make it. His wellbeing isn't a concern - Eren's strong. No matter what, he'll be fine. There are distractions, other issues, other memories that could drag him elsewhere. Akechi isn't interesting in trying to leash a runaway dog today, but he will.
Doesn't need to, it turns out. Eren arrives and looks the same as ever.]
Should we bother with doing this? If you're unwell, it's more prudent to stay inside until it wears off.
My head's all screwed up again - that's a confirmation of a problem, stated in a way that's uniquely Eren. My head's all screwed up again like he's relaying the weather, requesting a meal at dinner, and not combating mental distortions.
Akechi waits outside anyway. Unsure if Eren can will make it. His wellbeing isn't a concern - Eren's strong. No matter what, he'll be fine. There are distractions, other issues, other memories that could drag him elsewhere. Akechi isn't interesting in trying to leash a runaway dog today, but he will.
Doesn't need to, it turns out. Eren arrives and looks the same as ever.]
Should we bother with doing this? If you're unwell, it's more prudent to stay inside until it wears off.
What? You wanna back out?
[His voice is two steps too loud for the hour, snotty and sneering.]
I'm fine. You know how I get. [Those words are sharp, defensive.]
What happened to that place anyway?
[His voice is two steps too loud for the hour, snotty and sneering.]
I'm fine. You know how I get. [Those words are sharp, defensive.]
What happened to that place anyway?
[All at once-
He's reminded of a shared snack in a tavern, each stepping on the other's toes.]
It doesn't matter what happened to it. You'll remember soon enough - I doubt explaining would jog your memory.
[Akechi wants to punch him. The urge is strong enough to make his fingers twitch by his sides. It might be enough to knock what little sense remains back into him.
He'll think about it and motions forward with his hand to get Eren started alongside him.]
It doesn't shock me this ailment has taken hold of you. Your mind is-
Fascinating, these days.
He's reminded of a shared snack in a tavern, each stepping on the other's toes.]
It doesn't matter what happened to it. You'll remember soon enough - I doubt explaining would jog your memory.
[Akechi wants to punch him. The urge is strong enough to make his fingers twitch by his sides. It might be enough to knock what little sense remains back into him.
He'll think about it and motions forward with his hand to get Eren started alongside him.]
It doesn't shock me this ailment has taken hold of you. Your mind is-
Fascinating, these days.
[They start jogging - Akechi insults him, and Eren jabs him in the side with his elbow.]
If you have something to say, say it. I don't need my mind to kick your ass.
If you have something to say, say it. I don't need my mind to kick your ass.
[Deja vu - how strange to get that tone, that attack, from the Eren jogging next to him.
It's not unwelcome. A decision is made with that singular act.
Akechi elbows him back - not only that, he shoves Eren's body to throw him off balance.]
What good would that do? You may wake up tomorrow morning and forget that as well. No, I'm fine to keep my thoughts to myself.
It's not unwelcome. A decision is made with that singular act.
Akechi elbows him back - not only that, he shoves Eren's body to throw him off balance.]
What good would that do? You may wake up tomorrow morning and forget that as well. No, I'm fine to keep my thoughts to myself.
[Just as if they were transported back in time, Eren shoves back. They continue down along the path anyway, and he still has it memorized. He snarls at Akechi as they run.]
What did I do to piss you off this time, huh? Took a wrong turn?
What did I do to piss you off this time, huh? Took a wrong turn?
We haven't even turned yet. At least pick a better reason.
[Eren's giant body with his younger attitude is something else - Akechi's shoved. He doesn't hate it. Keeps going all the same.]
I'm calm. If I seem irritated, it's only your own perception and I'm sure you'll forget that in a few moments as well. [He's literally never mad. ♥] Though I have a theory on how to stop this issue. Are you interested?
[Eren's giant body with his younger attitude is something else - Akechi's shoved. He doesn't hate it. Keeps going all the same.]
I'm calm. If I seem irritated, it's only your own perception and I'm sure you'll forget that in a few moments as well. [He's literally never mad. ♥] Though I have a theory on how to stop this issue. Are you interested?
Oh, please. [He's grinning; doesn't look happy.]
I'm dying to know.
I'm dying to know.
[It's the faintest memory of a world several lifetimes away.
Standing in a laundromat, facing down a sworn enemy, and ensuring Kurusu's grasp on reality was solid enough to see their shared goal.
Akechi remembers, in that moment, how ready he was to beat Kurusu down.
Recalls when Kurusu arrived lacking those same memories how much resolve it took to keep from pummeling him on the spot and-
With Eren, somehow-
He can't resist, so he doesn't.
The second 'dying to know' leaves his lips, Akechi throws a punch right at his face.]
Standing in a laundromat, facing down a sworn enemy, and ensuring Kurusu's grasp on reality was solid enough to see their shared goal.
Akechi remembers, in that moment, how ready he was to beat Kurusu down.
Recalls when Kurusu arrived lacking those same memories how much resolve it took to keep from pummeling him on the spot and-
With Eren, somehow-
He can't resist, so he doesn't.
The second 'dying to know' leaves his lips, Akechi throws a punch right at his face.]
[It lands - hard, with a crunch that makes steam rise from Eren's bent nose. Blood pours, and he can't so much as look stunned before he's lunging for Akechi. He'll aim for a punch, and he'll deliver one if he has time, but the real goal is distracting Akechi long enough to sweep his legs out from under him. He wants to pin him to the ground.]
[The punch hits with a loud thud on the side of his face, near his chin. Teeth clench. This might be the happiest he's felt in some time.
It's a shame it's not really Eren giving in right now. Not the one he wants, but-
It's fine. It works. He's gone through the foot sweep before and manages to barely sidestep the first attempt. Fool him once and all that - he learns. Eren's an enemy with a pattern, like any other shadow in Mementos. He won't be taken off-guard.]
Hah - you think that will work again? [Mean. Mocking.] You tried that shit before.
[Akechi moves in for another punch, his other hand reaches for Eren's shirt to pull him close, if he can. Close quarters with him is dangerous. It's a necessary risk to get him back.]
It's a shame it's not really Eren giving in right now. Not the one he wants, but-
It's fine. It works. He's gone through the foot sweep before and manages to barely sidestep the first attempt. Fool him once and all that - he learns. Eren's an enemy with a pattern, like any other shadow in Mementos. He won't be taken off-guard.]
Hah - you think that will work again? [Mean. Mocking.] You tried that shit before.
[Akechi moves in for another punch, his other hand reaches for Eren's shirt to pull him close, if he can. Close quarters with him is dangerous. It's a necessary risk to get him back.]
[Eren ducks easily away from the second punch, and away from Akechi's grasp too. At fifteen, he graduated at the top of his class in hand-to-hand combat; he's done a hell of a lot of fighting in the past four years since.
[He comes in for a sharp blow to Akechi's stomach, then another around to the side of his face in a swift one-two. He'll kick him straight to the ground if he can. If he can't, he'll try to muscle him down with all the force of a pissed off bulldozer.]
You piece of shit. This is exactly what you've been waiting for, isn't it?
[He comes in for a sharp blow to Akechi's stomach, then another around to the side of his face in a swift one-two. He'll kick him straight to the ground if he can. If he can't, he'll try to muscle him down with all the force of a pissed off bulldozer.]
You piece of shit. This is exactly what you've been waiting for, isn't it?
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