undyingcrow | personavelvetroomdr IC Inbox

"It isn't my area of expertise, but simply procuring gourmet chocolates is far too simple here." He pauses. "Not that it stopped me from doing so, just in case the homemade ones aren't extravagant enough."

Still, there will be time for that later. Food first.

Thankfully, the server arrives with their tea and so me miso soup to start them off.

Ren lets out a small laugh.

"Don't worry. Even if they tasted like ash, I'd appreciate the gesture."

And he would- though he would definitely make fun of Goro, before trying to teach him the right way to make them. But first! Soup and tea.

"Enjoy your meal," he says, before digging in, and- oh, this is good. He hums happily, eating with gusto.

"Thank you for the food," he tells the cognition, before it shuffles off.

He takes a small sip of his miso, and... mm. High quality soup. It's simple, but comforting. An excellent appetizer. "Just remember, this is only the beginning. The main course still awaits us."

"No need to remind me," Ren chuckles. "I'm already salivating enough as is!"

The soup really is good, but Ren polishes it off quickly enough. It is just an appetizer, after all.

Thankfully, the server arrives with the main course before long. Rich, colorful, and fresh sushi awaits them, elegantly arranged for their enjoyment.

"Well, this looks promising."

Oh, does it ever. It smells and looks amazing, and Ren can hardly wait to take a bite.

But... no. He wants to see Goro take the first bite. He wants to see the enjoyment on his face. So, he nods at Goro, and says warmly:

"After you."

"If you insist." Taking his chopsticks elegantly in his left hand, he picks up a piece of saba and takes a bit. "Mm... Just as rich as I'd hoped. The quality is always superior in proper sushi restaurants."

Not at all like the cheap servings at conveyor restaurants.

Ren watches Goro's left hand deftly take the chopsticks, eating the sushi. There's something so elegant about him, something that makes Ren want to sigh happily. He could watch him all day long.

"I'm glad you like it." Ren smiles. He's sure Goro knows, but this place is known for its quality sushi. That's why he chose it, after all, but watching Goro eat...

Well, he can't wait any longer, picking up his own chopsticks, and quickly snagging some unagi of his own, and oh, it's delightful. He happily chews, savoring the taste, before swallowing, and going for another piece.

"This really is the best," he says, clearly enjoying the moment.

Hmm... Yes, unagi does seem rather pertinent to eat. It's warm, unlike the other offerings, so he takes a piece before long. "And you don't even have to pay."

His smile sobers before long, though. The mundanity of the situation is so... strange.

It's almost as if they're a normal couple on an ordinary date.

Well, he'll just have to distract himself with another piece of sushi.

"That's the best part," Ren chuckles, fishing out another piece and happily chowing down.

He does notice the moment Goro gets... pensive, and he looks up with a pause. He watches him for a moment.

"... Something on your mind?" he carefully probes.

"I never anticipated something like this." Sighing softly, he picks up another piece in his chopsticks, but doesn't eat it quite yet. "It's all so... ordinary."

"... Guess so," Ren hums quietly. Even if he expected the return to normalcy after going home, Goro probably didn't expect to be returning to anything at all. It's not like Ren really cares for that normalcy- when the Metaverse disappeared for good (or, at least, for now), it was upsetting to say the least, but Goro hasn't had much of a chance for anything 'normal' in a long time, has he? Even Ren, when not toting around as Joker, just did regular teenager stuff. But Goro...?

It's no wonder he's a little weirded out by this, but Ren's determined to make it a good memory. So, when he sees Goro go in for a piece of sushi...

... he snatches it right before he can manage to pick it up, grinning as he stuffs it in his mouth. There's a challenging glint in his eye.

"Oops," he says playfully, "too slow, honey."

Goro's eyes narrow when Ren seizes the sushi, but just for that, he grabs another piece before Ren gets a chance and places it in his own mouth. "I'll not be thwarted so easily..."

Ren grins back, and soon enough they've devolved into stealing sushi from beneath each other's noses. It's a playful competition- and maybe it's a waste of the fine sushi, but also-

-fuck, dude, they're teenagers who have both been forced to grow up too quickly. And now, they're doing stupid shit together for valentines, and it's perfect. Ren's having fun- a laugh bursting from his lips as Goro snatches a piece of sushi, but he, in return snatches one he's going for. Soon enough, only one piece is left...

He glances at Goro, a Joker-like look in his eyes, before he goes in-

"You're mine!"

"Not so fast!" His chopsticks go in, ready to snatch the final piece from Joker. After all, he can't just surrender, can he?

Their chopsticks both fly in at the same time, ready to snatch the sushi for their own victory, and-!

Clack! They both try to grab it at the same time, resulting in their chopsticks clashing against one another... and causing the delicate form of rice, fish, and vegetables to fall apart. Ren tries to save it, but it's too late. All that's left is small pieces to pick at.

"... Ah."

Damn it. The folly of man, hubris.

Akechi stares at the carnage they've created. Tiny scraps, so small and difficult to pick at with their chopsticks.

"I suppose we've no choice but to call this a draw."

Ren leans back with a sigh. What a waste of a perfectly good sushi...

... ah, well. He had fun.

"Guess so," he says, smiling a little, "it's fine. I'm full anyway."

"It was a satisfying meal." He leans back in his seat, taking a small sip from his teacup. "But I hope you've left room for dessert."

It'd be a shame for his handiwork to go to waste.

Ren grins, glancing at the chocolates still sitting nearby.

"Oh, don't worry," he hums, "I can always fit desert."

"Well then. Shall we indulge, or would you prefer a more... private location?" There's a playful lilt to his voice. It's up to Ren to decipher what he means.

Ren's grin turns a little sharper.

"Mhm... I've had my fun here, but perhaps..." he leans a little closer, "I wouldn't mind being fed chocolates by you in private."

Oh, but it's not just the chocolates he's talking about, is he?

"So we're in agreement..." That grin of his only sharpens. "Well. Shall we relocate?"

There may still be a chance for him to pull the rug from beneath Ren's feet. He will come out on top.

Ren's eyes sparkle, mischief in them obvious. His grin is just as sharp as Goro's, unsaid meanings clear between the two of them.

And then, he leans back, getting up and holding his hand out for Goro to take with an award-winning smile.

"We shall."

Akechi seizes Ren's hand in a vice, scooping up the flowers and chocolates in the other. "I'll make this a night neither one of us will soon forget..."

He tries not to run, tries not to rush, but there's an undeniable hunger to his words for more than just chocolate.

How thrilling.

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