We've only ever fought side by side, never against one another.
Often people get sentimental over supposed bonds and hold back unintentionally, even during training sessions.
[Even Aubrey-
Saved his life, after he goaded her into inflicting a near fatal wound. It was a stupid reaction that would have cost her life in any other situation.]
[I'll see you tomorrow read at XX:XX. Akechi's content to leave it there. Puts his phone face down on the kotatsu table and -
Picks it back up. ]
I suggest you spend the night at the Machiya. Since we're taking a new route to an area unfamiliar to me, we may need to leave earlier than usual to ensure our schedule is maintained. It would be prudent of you to be here.
Eren knows the route. Has a key. Akechi doesn't need to greet him, so he doesn't bother waiting. The request wasn't to spend time together - only to have him come over for tomorrow morning's outing. Their house has been Eren's second home for awhile now. The man has his own rounds to make with the people here and when he's done -
Akechi will be at the kotatsu as always, hunched over the small table with 1001 Fun Facts in his hand.]
[It takes him a while to move. Despite any insistence otherwise, it feels like Akechi is reaching. Eren knows that anyone who has lost has grieved, and will again. He doesn't want to be alone either.
[He also doesn't want to talk about her. He doesn't want to fight. He doesn't want to argue about whether or not she's worth mourning.
[He goes anyway, and there's no one on the way to greet before he reaches Akechi. He doesn't make any detours.
[He sits at the kotatsu, tucking his legs under the blanket. There's not a word in his head. He glances over to see what page Akechi is on.]
[Akechi doesn't say a word. Eren's presence is felt and noted without a glance towards him.
Instead, he shifts - moves his body to angle the open pages so both can see the words. They aren't touching, but he is closer than he was a few seconds ago.
He flips back to earlier page, a number circled in a different color than Eren had used throughout the book. Taps it with his finger. 'Brain-eating amoeba can enter the body through the nose. It's found in fresh water and can be present at water parks and pools.']
[For once, Eren moving closer isn't some thinly veiled attempt at getting to touch. He leans in to better read the page, their heads an inch away from bumping, but both turned forward.]
It's a single celled organism - alive, but not an animal.
[Akechi points at the period mark ending the horrific sentence. Eren's a peasant. He doesn't mind explaining anything to those willing to learn.]
It's invisible to the naked eye - millions of times smaller than even this mark. While most tend to be harmless, some aren't. That's what makes this situation fascinating. To have a mindless, aimless creature come into your body and eat your mind from the inside out - it's incredible. You can't stop it. You wouldn't know it was happening until it was too late.
[Akechi ALSO wonders. It has to be far more than people think. He flips through a few pages to see if anything amoeba related pops up.
Nothing. Maybe later on. There's still an entire second half he needs to read.
Akechi pushes the book in front of Eren, open to the same page, many circled marks and notes confirming or questioning the facts within.]
Though you've reminded me - we have leftovers that may mold soon. You may as well eat it since you're here. Everyone in the home has already had their fill.
[Goodbye kotatsu - his legs are freezing now, as he unburrows himself from his hovel.]
[The threat of food going bad is certainly one way to get Eren to eat it, even when he's not hungry, which he's certainly not. Akechi isn't usually the one offering. It leaves Eren sat still, watching from the kotatsu to see what he might do.
[Eventually, he gets up and follows him, still quiet.]
[Eren moves like a cat. It's unnerving. He sees the man's shadow enter the room before he hears a peep.]
If you feel like making it, I'll indulge. You know where everything is.
[There's leftover coffee, but it's not Akira's and Akechi isn't interested in an inferior lukewarm pot. Maybe tea would be better.
Leftovers acquired and out of the fridge. Akechi starts the process of heating them up. It's the first time he's turned on the stove in forever. Fish, rice and cabbage - meet your maker. And potential burner. It can't be too difficult to warm it.]
[So, they make their separate ways about the kitchen. Eren feels far too aware that Akechi is close, and that they aren't touching. If he were anyone else that Eren loved the way he does, he'd come wrap his arms around him while he cooked. Akechi isn't anyone else though. He's entirely unique, meant to be handled with delicate care.
[Eren takes two cups of tea back to the kotatsu and waits. He put a little sugar into both.]
[That's all nice. Very generous. Would be touching if Akechi were anyone else, because he does like the smallest bit of sweetness to cut the bitter flavor.
Unfortunately, stove. Unfortunately, a bitch can boil water and that's it. Unfortunately, almost a year of watching Maruki Takuto slave away has imparted only a base skillset of `add this specific shit to stock to get a soup.` He doesn't care about it. If Maruki were to vanish, he'd eat a carrot.
Anyway, the stove is TOO HOT. The pan lacked any kind of oil. Wild. He's vaguely reminded of a statistic about lead in skillets. The charred fish skin clumping up and sticking to the bottom looks how he imagines.
Alright. Okay. The rice is fine.
Just kidding, he threw it all in the same pan. It's a struggle to scrape it. Well, whatever.
There sure is a smell. Akechi doesn't look away from the slightly smoking pan as he scrapes the entire meal into a bowl of raw cabbage.
Beautiful. Top tier. Domestic bliss. Everything's turned off, pan in the sink for future Maruki and-
Akechi sets the gourmet meal in front of Eren with a pair of chopsticks. Doesn't say another goddamn word as he slinks back into his warm little hovel.]
[Eren really should have offered to help. About ten minutes in, it already felt too late. He's definitely not going to complain about the food. First of all, he'll eat anything, and has definitely eaten worse. Secondly, the fact that Akechi went through that trouble at all is...actually shocking. It leaves Eren staring blankly at him for a few seconds before he starts in on the food.
It's not like Akechi doesn't know there's a stark contrast between that and how their normal meals look.
Oh well. It doesn't particularly matter how food tastes - it's the calories that count and Eren may mope about their missing third if Akechi doesn't make an attempt to keep his spirits up. It's a necessary part of being allied with someone.
The cabbage looks fine, at least. 10/10 stars Detective Prince.
Akechi refocuses on his book. Takes a sip of the hot tea waiting for him. Flips through a few pages.]
This one says if you're staring at a mirror in a dark room and lacking any outside stimuli, you'll begin to hallucinate that your reflection is separate from you. It's fascinating how little it takes to trick the mind.
[The words that fall out of his mouth border on childish. The innate desire to solve a mystery and research this comment overwhelming. A false detective still finds satisfaction in mysteries. Still wants to see it through.]
We could find out.
[They both have strong wills. They may find it impossible to confirm. He wouldn't be upset if nothing happened.]
There's a restroom only a few feet from us. We could confirm for ourselves how long it would take, or if this is even true at all.
[The absolute last thing Eren Jaeger needs to do, especially during a time of distress, is stare into a dark mirror until he starts to hallucinate another version of himself.]
It didn't specify a method. I would assume we need to attempt individually, though the room is large enough we could both occupy the space to save time.
[It said no stimuli. Eren isn't stimulating. Akechi can stare into a void like no one's business. The bathroom has a large mirror and would fit two people find.
Whatever - to the Machiya bathroom they go. Thanks richruki.]
I have my doubts this works with the degree of simplicity implied in the book.
Me too. We'll have to be dead quiet. [No stimuli. Akechi is the most stimulating thing on the planet, but Eren will be focused on keeping his reflection in the mirror.
[He flicks the lights off and closes the door, then turns to face himself. At first, it's too dark to see anything at all.]
[Don't forget the light crack under the door. Akechi Goro hasn't.
He moves behind Eren to tuck a towel into the space with his foot. Pitch black, save for his phone flashlight for one second and an illuminated screen with a 0:00:00 the next.
They'll lose a few seconds doing this check but whatever. Screen face down. Timer on. Lights off. Eren? Sure there.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Often people get sentimental over supposed bonds and hold back unintentionally, even during training sessions.
[Even Aubrey-
Saved his life, after he goaded her into inflicting a near fatal wound. It was a stupid reaction that would have cost her life in any other situation.]
You haven't let me down yet - don't start now.
no subject
I'll see you tomorrow.
no subject
Picks it back up. ]
I suggest you spend the night at the Machiya. Since we're taking a new route to an area unfamiliar to me, we may need to leave earlier than usual to ensure our schedule is maintained. It would be prudent of you to be here.
no subject
Alright. I'll see you soon then.
no subject
Eren knows the route. Has a key. Akechi doesn't need to greet him, so he doesn't bother waiting. The request wasn't to spend time together - only to have him come over for tomorrow morning's outing. Their house has been Eren's second home for awhile now. The man has his own rounds to make with the people here and when he's done -
Akechi will be at the kotatsu as always, hunched over the small table with 1001 Fun Facts in his hand.]
no subject
[He also doesn't want to talk about her. He doesn't want to fight. He doesn't want to argue about whether or not she's worth mourning.
[He goes anyway, and there's no one on the way to greet before he reaches Akechi. He doesn't make any detours.
[He sits at the kotatsu, tucking his legs under the blanket. There's not a word in his head. He glances over to see what page Akechi is on.]
cw: brain eating amoebas
Instead, he shifts - moves his body to angle the open pages so both can see the words. They aren't touching, but he is closer than he was a few seconds ago.
He flips back to earlier page, a number circled in a different color than Eren had used throughout the book. Taps it with his finger. 'Brain-eating amoeba can enter the body through the nose. It's found in fresh water and can be present at water parks and pools.']
You missed one.
no subject
[For once, Eren moving closer isn't some thinly veiled attempt at getting to touch. He leans in to better read the page, their heads an inch away from bumping, but both turned forward.]
I didn't know...eh...
[He puts his finger under the word "amoeba".]
What that is.
cw: more brain eating amoeba talk
[Akechi points at the period mark ending the horrific sentence. Eren's a peasant. He doesn't mind explaining anything to those willing to learn.]
It's invisible to the naked eye - millions of times smaller than even this mark. While most tend to be harmless, some aren't. That's what makes this situation fascinating. To have a mindless, aimless creature come into your body and eat your mind from the inside out - it's incredible. You can't stop it. You wouldn't know it was happening until it was too late.
this is so pleasant
Everything eats, I guess. [Mindless, aimless...
I wonder how many people have died without knowing.
no subject
[Akechi ALSO wonders. It has to be far more than people think. He flips through a few pages to see if anything amoeba related pops up.
Nothing. Maybe later on. There's still an entire second half he needs to read.
Akechi pushes the book in front of Eren, open to the same page, many circled marks and notes confirming or questioning the facts within.]
Though you've reminded me - we have leftovers that may mold soon. You may as well eat it since you're here. Everyone in the home has already had their fill.
[Goodbye kotatsu - his legs are freezing now, as he unburrows himself from his hovel.]
no subject
[Eventually, he gets up and follows him, still quiet.]
You'll have tea, at least, right?
no subject
If you feel like making it, I'll indulge. You know where everything is.
[There's leftover coffee, but it's not Akira's and Akechi isn't interested in an inferior lukewarm pot. Maybe tea would be better.
Leftovers acquired and out of the fridge. Akechi starts the process of heating them up. It's the first time he's turned on the stove in forever. Fish, rice and cabbage - meet your maker. And potential burner. It can't be too difficult to warm it.]
lmk if ever u need more
[Eren takes two cups of tea back to the kotatsu and waits. He put a little sugar into both.]
no subject
Unfortunately, stove. Unfortunately, a bitch can boil water and that's it. Unfortunately, almost a year of watching Maruki Takuto slave away has imparted only a base skillset of `add this specific shit to stock to get a soup.` He doesn't care about it. If Maruki were to vanish, he'd eat a carrot.
Anyway, the stove is TOO HOT. The pan lacked any kind of oil. Wild. He's vaguely reminded of a statistic about lead in skillets. The charred fish skin clumping up and sticking to the bottom looks how he imagines.
Alright. Okay. The rice is fine.
Just kidding, he threw it all in the same pan. It's a struggle to scrape it. Well, whatever.
There sure is a smell. Akechi doesn't look away from the slightly smoking pan as he scrapes the entire meal into a bowl of raw cabbage.
Beautiful. Top tier. Domestic bliss. Everything's turned off, pan in the sink for future Maruki and-
Akechi sets the gourmet meal in front of Eren with a pair of chopsticks. Doesn't say another goddamn word as he slinks back into his warm little hovel.]
no subject
[It's really not good.]
I like it. [Also true.]
Thanks.
no subject
It's not like Akechi doesn't know there's a stark contrast between that and how their normal meals look.
Oh well. It doesn't particularly matter how food tastes - it's the calories that count and Eren may mope about their missing third if Akechi doesn't make an attempt to keep his spirits up. It's a necessary part of being allied with someone.
The cabbage looks fine, at least. 10/10 stars Detective Prince.
Akechi refocuses on his book. Takes a sip of the hot tea waiting for him. Flips through a few pages.]
This one says if you're staring at a mirror in a dark room and lacking any outside stimuli, you'll begin to hallucinate that your reflection is separate from you. It's fascinating how little it takes to trick the mind.
no subject
I wonder how long that would take...
[He's been known to look in the mirror for a little too long.]
If you go in with a strong will, even longer, I bet. How do you think you'd do?
no subject
We could find out.
[They both have strong wills. They may find it impossible to confirm. He wouldn't be upset if nothing happened.]
There's a restroom only a few feet from us. We could confirm for ourselves how long it would take, or if this is even true at all.
fsldkfjsldfj this can't be happening
Alright.
[What's the worst that can happen?]
We'll time each other.
Stop listen
My phone has a timer. It can keep it for both of us.
[He takes a final sip of tea, shuts his book on a newly dog eared page and stands up to play mirror hallucination games with god. ]
no subject
Are we going in together?
no subject
[It said no stimuli. Eren isn't stimulating. Akechi can stare into a void like no one's business. The bathroom has a large mirror and would fit two people find.
Whatever - to the Machiya bathroom they go. Thanks richruki.]
I have my doubts this works with the degree of simplicity implied in the book.
no subject
[He flicks the lights off and closes the door, then turns to face himself. At first, it's too dark to see anything at all.]
no subject
He moves behind Eren to tuck a towel into the space with his foot. Pitch black, save for his phone flashlight for one second and an illuminated screen with a 0:00:00 the next.
They'll lose a few seconds doing this check but whatever. Screen face down. Timer on. Lights off. Eren? Sure there.
Alright. ]
Let's begin.
(no subject)
(no subject)
cw: uhhhhh this is maybe dubcon (sfw) idrk
(no subject)
cw: there's a lot of dubcon/non-con adjacent language in this tag but it's not real don't believe it
(no subject)
I'm already sick please
get sicker
hopefully akechi lets him do this, but if not, I can adjust my tag - also die
cw: ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh