[ Just as Loki takes a watchful backseat, so does Azathoth. Strange, considering how little direction it needs to defend him even at the best of times, but– perhaps it's purposeful. Or perhaps Maruki's mind is just that far from their connection at the moment.

Because all of his focus is tunneled down onto Akechi, barreling into him, knocking all the breath out of him as his back hits grass, stones, dirt. ]

We both know that's not true, you lunatic–

[ If Akechi didn't care about his life at all, he wouldn't have spent months warning him to keep his head down when they return to their true reality. It isn't only about staying out of Akechi's way for his own sake.

If Akechi didn't care about his life at all, he would have shot him in his sleep several times over by now.

Maruki knows he's at a disadvantage, has no real experience in a physical altercation. He brings one arm up to guard his face, drives the other elbow into Akechi's ribs as hard as he can to try to get him off.

And despite all of this – despite everything that's transpired tonight, hit after hit, threat after threat – there is no one in either reality that he feels he respects more than Akechi. Now more than ever. Maruki wheezes out a laugh, strikes him again, and needles, needles, because he knows he can, because he knows Akechi can take it as well as he doles it out. ]

Two personas from a broken mind? One that has the ability to shatter it further?

[ In the tone of a mildly fascinated Detective Prince: ]

You really are full of surprises.