[ He moves to the side with the elbow at his ribs. In his infinite mercy, and because of his good mood, he doesn't shove back. ]
I'm certain Azathoth would catch you before anything could happen. You, and it, are remarkably quick to adapt to situations. I'm sure falling off a cliff would be no different.
That's still not something I want to test! Dear lord... I'll get the gear for us. Consider it another part of your gift.
[ Honestly, Maruki should have thought to do that before he wrote the IOU. That one's on him.
He settles back into his chair, legs stretching out before him and crossing at the ankle, slumping down a bit to fold his arms over his chest as he gets more comfortable. Overhead, unfamiliar stars wink down.
Last year, he didn't think they'd still be here for another birthday. Who knows if they will be next year? It feels impossible, and yet...
Maruki's eyes slip shut. Every day they get together is one more gift. How phenomenally lucky he is already to have gotten so many, he shouldn't want for more. ]
Just tell me when. I'll make myself available to you, as always.
[ Maruki's eyes shut and Akechi unintentionally follows suit - leans back against his own chair and stretches his legs out as far as he can.
It's a nice night preluding a nicer day. Once he's sure the world won't rip itself apart and a suitable area for a beginner to climb is found, he'll pluck Maruki from this home and watch him stumble all the way up.
And he will get all the way up. There's not a single doubt in his mind that he won't succeed.
But Akechi doubts he'll do it again.
It's quiet for a second longer and when Akechi crosses his own arms over his chest-
The sight is too much like the man next to him, so he lets them rest on the arms instead. Keeps his eyes open, gaze on the bright, bright stars.
Waits a minute, then two, and- ]
I've often heard people your age start to form bucket lists. [ Quiet. A small dig. ] Have you made one for this place?
[ The dig is noted, of course it is, but Maruki knows that isn't all it is.
He doesn't open his eyes. Doesn't answer right away, either. Just lets the question percolate in his mind, turning over each word like a smooth stone in a riverbed. ]
[ Because Maruki Takuto will languish back in the true world.
Go back to sitting in an empty home and wait for the inevitable, whatever form that takes. A mother will never leave Akechi. A fiance will never leave him.
Still -
Robin Hood sits in the spot that wonders if Maruki will shake free of it all - stranger things have happened.
Not that it matters. He doesn't care what happens after he's tossed into a grave.
This will be the only place such a list is relevant. ]
[ Maruki's answer doesn't come as a shock. A variation of what he spoke predicted in Akechi's own mind - though it's interesting he says I don't know where to start instead of the I don't have anything Akechi's own heart recited for Maruki. Maybe for himself. It doesn't matter.
He doesn't look over - keeps his eyes on the perpetually dead garden. ]
I couldn't begin to fathom where you of all people should start. [ A beat, then two, and- ]
My best ideas often came from listening to others and you're surrounded by many who never stop speaking. Overhearing conversations around town or in your own home - ideas will form from that naturally.
Edited (on until thicc arms wrapped around shadow the hdghog and he said what do u plan to do u insufferable shitbiscuit) 2025-06-21 15:58 (UTC)
[ Any other day, Maruki might write that off as flippant, sarcastic...
But this does seem like genuine advice. He nods slowly, considers it. Akechi biking around Tokyo, eavesdropping on conversations – they've talked about that once before, haven't they? It's a blessing and a curse that they've had so many conversations over such a long year of knowing one another that some things have begun to blend and fade.
He doesn't want that. He wants it all to remain clear and sharp as crystalline glass in his mind. He wants–
More time.
More experiences.
More.
If he had a bucket list, that might be all it said, really. More. He really can be such a selfish man when he lets himself go. ]
You're right. People certainly talk enough here, whether they realize someone's listening or not.
[ It's idle conversation, acknowledging Akechi's words, but what he really wants to say cuts in quick. ]
I got the idea for bouldering from listening to you, after all. [ His voice is quiet, low. Just in case another resident happens to be outside tonight, this conversation shouldn't carry. It's only for them. ] Perhaps I could think of more things for us to do together. A list like that doesn't really appeal to me if it's done alone.
[ Maruki's words are punctuated with the hum of insects, wild animals crying and calling out miles away. The silence isn't due to hesitation or weighing his options - no, they both know Akechi will acquiesce to this. It's a matter of when, not if. He keeps his voice equally low. ]
If I'm interested, I'll join you. I won't guarantee it.
[ There are few in this world, less still in their true one, that he would ever do this for. In a world where he can finally pull the strings and be the puppet master over his own life-
It's inevitable. Of course he'll be at Maruki's side each and every time a request comes out of his mouth. ]
Unless it's similar to the curry contest, that is. I refuse to do another event like that. You can take Akira instead.
Edited (akechi wishes he was a piece of lost media so that someone will constantly want him) 2025-06-22 21:41 (UTC)
1. stop that, 2. should we wrap... howls miserably
[ That's as much outright acquiescence as Maruki expects, and the true depth of it hardly needs to be spoken for it to be known. Of course Akechi will join him. He didn't ask, because he already knew the answer.
It's a rare gift, to have time given so freely by someone who never wants to be seen giving at all. Rarer still when all that time is borrowed if fate can't be defied.
He doesn't give voice to any of it. Just grins up at unfamiliar stars, their joint misery searing hot through his memories like the curry that nearly killed them, and then fishes his phone out of his pocket to start looking for the most horrible pictures he can find. ]
I seem to recall you enjoying yourself. [ No, Akechi didn't. ] Let me see if I can jog your memory about how much fun you had...
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
I'm certain Azathoth would catch you before anything could happen. You, and it, are remarkably quick to adapt to situations. I'm sure falling off a cliff would be no different.
no subject
That's still not something I want to test! Dear lord... I'll get the gear for us. Consider it another part of your gift.
[ Honestly, Maruki should have thought to do that before he wrote the IOU. That one's on him.
He settles back into his chair, legs stretching out before him and crossing at the ankle, slumping down a bit to fold his arms over his chest as he gets more comfortable. Overhead, unfamiliar stars wink down.
Last year, he didn't think they'd still be here for another birthday. Who knows if they will be next year? It feels impossible, and yet...
Maruki's eyes slip shut. Every day they get together is one more gift. How phenomenally lucky he is already to have gotten so many, he shouldn't want for more. ]
Just tell me when. I'll make myself available to you, as always.
no subject
It's a nice night preluding a nicer day. Once he's sure the world won't rip itself apart and a suitable area for a beginner to climb is found, he'll pluck Maruki from this home and watch him stumble all the way up.
And he will get all the way up. There's not a single doubt in his mind that he won't succeed.
But Akechi doubts he'll do it again.
It's quiet for a second longer and when Akechi crosses his own arms over his chest-
The sight is too much like the man next to him, so he lets them rest on the arms instead. Keeps his eyes open, gaze on the bright, bright stars.
Waits a minute, then two, and- ]
I've often heard people your age start to form bucket lists. [ Quiet. A small dig. ] Have you made one for this place?
no subject
He doesn't open his eyes. Doesn't answer right away, either. Just lets the question percolate in his mind, turning over each word like a smooth stone in a riverbed. ]
Why for this place, and not for our true reality?
no subject
Go back to sitting in an empty home and wait for the inevitable, whatever form that takes. A mother will never leave Akechi. A fiance will never leave him.
Still -
Robin Hood sits in the spot that wonders if Maruki will shake free of it all - stranger things have happened.
Not that it matters. He doesn't care what happens after he's tossed into a grave.
This will be the only place such a list is relevant. ]
Does it matter? Answer it.
no subject
[ The thought has never occurred to him in either reality. Not until now, with Akechi bringing it forth as something he might consider doing.
Maruki's eyes flutter open, blinking up at the stars for a moment before he tips his head to look at Akechi next to him. ]
Do you think I should? I don't know where to start, honestly...
[ It can't be surprising to Akechi, can it? He's horrible at wanting anything for himself, even now. ]
no subject
He doesn't look over - keeps his eyes on the perpetually dead garden. ]
I couldn't begin to fathom where you of all people should start. [ A beat, then two, and- ]
My best ideas often came from listening to others and you're surrounded by many who never stop speaking. Overhearing conversations around town or in your own home - ideas will form from that naturally.
hdghog
But this does seem like genuine advice. He nods slowly, considers it. Akechi biking around Tokyo, eavesdropping on conversations – they've talked about that once before, haven't they? It's a blessing and a curse that they've had so many conversations over such a long year of knowing one another that some things have begun to blend and fade.
He doesn't want that. He wants it all to remain clear and sharp as crystalline glass in his mind. He wants–
More time.
More experiences.
More.
If he had a bucket list, that might be all it said, really. More. He really can be such a selfish man when he lets himself go. ]
You're right. People certainly talk enough here, whether they realize someone's listening or not.
[ It's idle conversation, acknowledging Akechi's words, but what he really wants to say cuts in quick. ]
I got the idea for bouldering from listening to you, after all. [ His voice is quiet, low. Just in case another resident happens to be outside tonight, this conversation shouldn't carry. It's only for them. ] Perhaps I could think of more things for us to do together. A list like that doesn't really appeal to me if it's done alone.
eren voice `on ur hdghog dad`
If I'm interested, I'll join you. I won't guarantee it.
[ There are few in this world, less still in their true one, that he would ever do this for. In a world where he can finally pull the strings and be the puppet master over his own life-
It's inevitable. Of course he'll be at Maruki's side each and every time a request comes out of his mouth. ]
Unless it's similar to the curry contest, that is. I refuse to do another event like that. You can take Akira instead.
1. stop that, 2. should we wrap... howls miserably
It's a rare gift, to have time given so freely by someone who never wants to be seen giving at all. Rarer still when all that time is borrowed if fate can't be defied.
He doesn't give voice to any of it. Just grins up at unfamiliar stars, their joint misery searing hot through his memories like the curry that nearly killed them, and then fishes his phone out of his pocket to start looking for the most horrible pictures he can find. ]
I seem to recall you enjoying yourself. [ No, Akechi didn't. ] Let me see if I can jog your memory about how much fun you had...