2026-08-13: A Magical Day
- Log: 2026-08-13 A Magical Day
- Cast: Ren Amamiya, Goro Akechi
- Where: Back Alleys - Leblanc Cafe
- OOC Date: August 13, 2026
- IC Date: December 24, 2012
- Summary: As promised to each other, Ren and Akechi go on their first official date as a couple on Christmas Eve, and end it happily at Leblanc.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
A soft snow falls over Tokyo, signaling hope for a white Christmas. It adds just the right touch to the atmosphere of Ren and Goro's date. It's been a lot of fun so far, made all the more so by walking the streets of Kichijoji for browsing the various shops, snacking on the various street foods, listening to jazz over drinks, all while chatting the whole way. Ren challenged Goro to a game of pool over at Penguin Sniper, and came much closer to beating him this time.
After that, the two of them took the train to Shibuya, where they caught an afternoon showing--less for the movie itself, and more for the excuse to pull up the arm rests and cuddle in the dark, in the middle of a crowd, while everyone is paying attention to something else. That's honestly more of a thrill than any movie could be.
It also let the two of them catch a nap or three during the quieter beats of the film, which is something Goro in particular really needs.
Once the movie let out, the two of them moseyed to a nearby bakery where Goro had put in an order for a Christmas cake earlier in the week, to make sure they'd be able to get one in time on the day of Christmas Eve. It's delightful with its chocolate signboard and the simply but delicately frosted ring of strawberries, and Ren looks forward to eating it back at Leblanc.
Which is their ultimate destination. They arrive after Sojiro's already locked up for the night, which means the two of them can indulge in their privacy. Ren leaves Akechi to unbox the cake at one of the booths while they brew the house blend for each of them. The snow has gotten a little heavier since the sun set, leaving a dusting of its own on the streets; it might all be gone by tomorrow, but for tonight, it's a wonderful backdrop.
Soon enough, Ren brings over a tray with a pair of coffee cups, small plates, forks, and a cutting knife. They serve up quietly, meeting Goro's eyes with a fond smile, and take their seat across from him.
"Merry Christmas," they murmur as they lift their cup to their lips, breathing in the scent. "I honestly couldn't think of a better gift than this."
...Not that they didn't secretly bring an actual gift--but they'll hand that over after coffee and cake.
"What's on your mind right now? I want to hear what you're thinking," they prompt.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Snowflakes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhaNZ-4HOJ0
A white Christmas is said by Western nations to be a miracle of the holidays. That is something he said, when they set out on their date. It's not something Goro Akechi necessarily needed to say, but perhaps it is something of a miracle that this is happening to him at all.
Even if it won't last. A transient one, like snowflakes falling, before they melt away under the light of the dark sun looming within his life.
Still, it was real, it existed. Is what he'd like to say, but he has trouble justifying the words when its happening under false pretenses. He is Ruin. And he is going to kill Ren Amamiya one day.
That cannot be changed.
He's been having a blast though, enough to forget that fact at many moments, as they converse, eating street foods. Taking up a napkin to dab a crumb off the side of Ren's lips. Enjoying a drink over the music of jazz. A rousing game, in which Ren showed off all they've learned.
And then, to the movies. No one needs to see what happens in the dark, it is the one place where affection can be shared.
A shortcake picked up, a trip to the Leblanc.
It's been a full, wonderful day, even before it should end. He unboxes the cake, methodically, sliding out the cardboard tabs from each end, until the cake is no longer surrounded by its 'cardboard' fort.
"Feliz Navidad," Goro replies back, with a look of affection, Ren's way, and only the smallest note of smartassery, when he changes languages on Ren.
A sip of coffee that Ren brewed with a held up, gloved hand, with his leg crossed, his brown coat unbuttoned to show off that indeed there was a sweater vest and a white collared shirt beneath it. It seems Goro only has one mode when it comes to fashion, but that's endearing in it's own way, is it not?
He too has a gift for Ren, hidden within his coat, but of course- it's not obvious. One must keep the surprise well hidden until the moment of.
When Ren asks that question, he manages something of a smile, "Well- after all this wining and dining, I do think you're entitled to them." With an elbow on the table, his posture turned sideways in a relaxed pose, "I think it was a rather magical first date, I couldn't have asked for a better day... and I don't think I can attribute that to the snow."
His brown eyes seem to be smiling, as he looks upon Ren. "And your own?" It's only now that he slices off a bite of the cake with his fork, and tries it.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Can't it?
...well, it's certainly hard when one is unwilling and the other is ignorant. This truly is an unfair game... but there's still a glimmer of hope, as frail and beautiful as a butterfly.
Ren's also been having the time of their life. They cared about Minako and Makoto, of course--their feelings weren't insincere--but it's just... different with Goro, somehow. More intense. When he dabs the side of their mouth with that napkin, they can't stop grinning. Even Goro being a smartass is a little less annoying than usual, and even then, it's annoying in a way that continues to be weirdly endearing.
In the present moment, context clues tell Ren that 'feliz navidad' must be another language's Christmas greeting. That doesn't mean he knows which it is. He blinks and asks, "What language is that?"
Those fucking sweater vests, though. They're so like and unlike him, it's ridiculous. Could he at least wear something different in the summer?? Never mind that it's the dead of winter right now and thus sweater vests are actually appropriate for the season. (In other words, yes, it is adorable in its own way. As they breathe in their coffee, they admire his relaxed pose and unbuttoned coat.)
They grin again at his response. The snow definitely added a little je ne sais quoi, but otherwise, he's right. "In other words, checkmate," they tease, referencing how Goro originally introduced seduction to them as a chess stratagem. That mischief dims in favor of fondness, though, and they add more seriously, "I'm really glad you had a good time. I did too." They remaining smiling as they bring their cup to their lips. "...But then, I almost always have a good time when I'm with you."
With that, they sip their drink, then set it down to try their own slice of cake. It's not too sweet--fluffy and tart and creamy with a little bit of crunch from the chocolate. A quintessential Christmas cake.
After they've swallowed, they say, "There is something I've been wondering, though. When did you stop being in denial about being in love with me?" Their gaze is purely curious, not teasing or mocking at all. "You literally called me out on thinking you had a crush on me and even that wasn't enough."
They know that Minako called him out on it, but had that been enough?
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
A truly unfair game...
When it comes to finding love, he cannot even bring himself to hope for better, or different. Just to enjoy it while it lasts.
"Spanish." He says as he takes another sip of coffee, smiling, "I'm trying to pick it up whenever I find the time. I certainly wouldn't call myself fluent yet, though. I don't get to use it in conversation often- save for the rare tourist... but it is the second most spoken language in the world."
The first is Mandarin, but he hasn't picked that one up either. He's found that 'Western' languages suit his image better and impress Japanese people more than Eastern ones.
'Tis the season... for sweater vests! Even Ren Amamiya cannot argue that, as ridiculous as it is that he wears them all the time.
"Precisely." He says with a grin, to Ren's impromptu French, before they add 'Checkmate' and he raises an eyebrow, "Tsk, tsk." He says, raising a single gloved finger and wagging it. "More check, than checkmate I'd say. It has been a magical day but-"
He winks.
"-I'd note that my clothes are still on at the moment. ... Just kidding."
He at least doesn't leave Ren hanging on that one before saying the latter part, nor does he intend to leave an impression that he expects or wants such on a first date.
He's more than content as things stand now.
His expression softens as Ren says they had a good time, "I'm glad too..." 'I almost always have a good time when I'm with you.' For a moment, he feels a little overwhelmed, because...
He has a hard time believing that was true of anyone. But, it must be with Ren, right? It must be...
Rather than respond, he takes a bite of the cake, lowering his gaze to try and keep his composure, until Ren asks another question.
"Ah." There's a distinct pause, as he considers the matter, reorganizing the timeline in his head, then, "Well I'd say it's true that the seed was first planted when you called me on it in the first place."
He notes, first. "But I suppose it failed to get through when you took it back. It gave me- an 'out' of sorts, from actually examining the idea as more than being part of our game."
Then glancing upwards, "I suppose I finally stopped 'kidding myself' when Arisato-san told me that flat out, when we were in that bookstore. I found I had trouble refuting it- and well, if it was obvious to her..."
He doesn't in fact accuse Ren of potentially telling her, though he has considered the possibility, Ren's been pretty good about keeping their private conversations... private.
He discarded the possibility.
Which is what made Minako's observation all the more cutting, because it meant it was obvious to someone who barely even knew him.
"... and well, despite me coming to that realization, your... plans, of sorts, after Niijima-san and you broke up, caused me to discard any flirtation that came after as being confirmation that you might feel the same way."
Even not taking into account his own self loathing, which would cause him to discount those feelings anyway.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Hmmm..." Spanish, huh. Ren makes a thoughtful noise as they consider that. They'd never considered trying to learn that; if they tried to learn any third language, they would've been inclined towards French. (Just a little personal bias there.) Goro raises a good point in how it's one of the most-spoken languages in the world, though.
Fortunately, even without the 'just kidding,' Ren takes the clothes comment as a joke, and laughs accordingly. "Of course you're kidding. Where would the mystique be if you put out on a first date?" they tease. Their good humor sharpens into a devilish grin, though, because Goro can't just cede a gracious defeat--and so they've got to really nail in their 'victory.' "You're still in checkmate. Because now, tonight, when you're alone in bed, you'll have to imagine what I'd look like with my clothes off." With a wink, they blow him a kiss. "Sweet dreams~."
Was Ren always this much of a raging flirt?? (Now that he has someone to be this much of a raging flirt with? Yes. Yes they have.)
They're happy the way thing are now too, though, and when Goro gives them that tender look, they mirror it, their own smile softening. When he gets just a bit flustered, they leave it at that, taking a moment to savor their dessert anew.
He takes the question in stride, at least. They nod when he admits it didn't hit home thanks to them taking it back. That makes a lot of sense... "The whole reason I did that was because I thought it'd be cruel to make you confront that when I didn't return your feelings at the time... though I was attracted to you."
So it was when Minako called him out. Ren nods once. "Minako-chan told me about it a while afterwards. I could tell there was a weird vibe between you two when I got back; I had a hunch it might be something like that, and she confirmed it. It isn't fun to run into your crush's girlfriend, huh."
They pause. That gives Goro time to also explain that maybe Ren's a little too good at being plausibly deniable, too. They rub the side of their neck sheepishly. "For the record, you were completely right. I was rebounding on Makoto," they say quietly. "Minako-chan and I didn't break up because of you, either. Things had already been souring by then." Their eyelashes sink. "...You might already know she's a Persona User, and a field leader in SEES. She'd been keeping that a secret from me and feeling really guilty about it. Well, the day after we all ran into each other, that model gun she uses to summon her Persona fell out of her bag in front of me, and seeing me see that that made her decide she couldn't keep it up anymore."
A long sip of their coffee serves well to excuse the silence that follows. They and Minako are still friends, but they haven't talked about the break-up much since they initially explained to their friends what had happened. It's a little painful to think about, still.
However, they soon trade their cup for their fork. "What about you? Is there anything you've been wondering about me?"
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"... Well, it's also considered a very romantic language." He says, with a hint of a tease, "While I already speak French, why not another?"
Which may make Ren's leaning more French, in order to speak it with Akechi- or perhaps Spanish, to compete with him. The choices!
"Precisely!" He says with a grin at Ren's logic, "I've been accused of being many things- but a 'slut' isn't one of them."
Of course, he's fine with flirting, playing games of that sort. But to actually have sex? Please, he's quite thoroughly still a virgin. And he isn't even thinking about it yet, not really.
Just like with his first kiss, he would want such a moment to be just as romantic. Sex for the sake of sex just isn't him.
His brows knit though as Ren makes him consider the idea of what they might look like with their clothes off, and tells him 'Sweet Dreams~'. "And you won't be thinking the same of me?" he says, as he leans back away from the table, casually, like he's trying his best not to react.
"Sounds more like a stalemate to me." He picks up his cup, to take another sip. Mid-sip, winking at Ren, before putting it down. "Sweet dreams... indeed..."
But it is true that he can't help but think about it now, dangit all.
"I see. Certainly that makes sense." He says, dipping his head into a thoughtful nod, "I'm flattered to know that there was at least, attraction at the time." He says as he casually slices off another piece of shortcake, and seems to savor it, as he takes that bite.
He could press, tease on this point. But he decides it is best not to. That there was attraction doesn't make it infidelity. Especially when Akechi had no intention of causing Ren to commit infidelity-
Indeed, he didn't think it was possible that they would anyway.
"Haha... in retrospect, the tension between us was a bit... petty, on my part." He admits, "Though- it was mostly the result of my unexamined feelings, to not realize it was jealousy."
Still, Akechi would be the first to say he is a 'petty bitch' to anyone who knows him well enough to speak those words aloud. Would knowing it was jealousy change anything?
He's not so sure!
"Hm." As he nods thoughtfully, "If it wasn't me. ... Ah. That... would have been my second assumption. Her as one of the field leaders of SEES, you in your own... position, and the inability to reveal such to her because of who it might endanger..."
He doesn't make fun of it, he says it so matter of factly instead. "It's a rather classic fictional device- between two people who live in a world they aren't certain they can risk sharing with the other. Except- in this case, it's more true to life than that."
In which case- he could still blame himself for them breaking up, after all...
"I will admit that I did press her to reveal that secret of the world she lives in to you- on the same day that she called me out. I thought, perhaps it would allow you two to become closer, even if you still felt you couldn't share back... you would at least be in a position where you could believe her, genuinely."
Although the tension was petty- that part was true enough at least. This admission that he wanted them to become closer, if they were going to be together...
But is there anything he's been wondering about them?
The question takes him a touch off guard, then he seems to look thoughtful, as he considers the question. "Ha... you'd think a detective would be ready to ask questions, but I suppose I know you so well from our conversations that I'm drawing something of a blank."
He does consider it for a time, before saying, "Well, actually... I wouldn't mind knowing more about your time ice skating." He finally offers, "I understand it might be bittersweet given the circumstances of your departure from Inaba, but- I can't help but think of it due to the weather outside, I suppose."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"How many languages do you know?" Ren wonders, impressed. So many choices... They really are going to have to stay on their grind if they want to catch up to him.
He takes their logic in stride. "Ha. Guys don't usually get called 'sluts' anyway," Ren says dryly. Though that's generally when they sleep around with women. Men who sleep with lots of men are another story entirely.
That said, for all the kissing they've done, Ren's a virgin too. They're interested in sex, but it's not something to rush into in their opinion. It doesn't necessarily need to happen at the perfect romantic moment either, but if that's what Goro wants, well--they've already proven they're willing to work for that. Getting in bed on a whim, in light of that, would just be disappointing.
Good thing they can always count on him to keep their standards high.
Goro trying to turn the sexy checkmate back on them is met with a smirk. ...which is definitely not covering up a single bead of sweat when Ren realizes they played themself. He might keep their standards high, but that doesn't mean they won't think about it. "You're such a sore loser," they play-complain instead of betraying that. "Fine, have it your way."
If they didn't know about his self-hatred, they might be surprised that he's flattered. Ren shrugs a bit. "What can I say? You're an objectively attractive guy." They waggle their fork at him. "As your legions of fans have no doubt told you over and over."
Petty. Yup, that's the word for it, Ren seems to say when they nod slowly. Goro has admitted several times by now that he's a jealous person, but even without that, that much has been clear to them. Is it strange to realize how someone else feels about you before they do? Still... even though he had been jealous, apparently he'd tried to support their relationship. At least, that's what he claims. Ren frowns a little as they consider this. ...Ultimately, they decide he's probably telling the truth. When they broke up with Minako and started dating Makoto, he'd been supportive about that too.
"Well... Thanks for trying, anyway. I guess we're both lucky it didn't work out," they say mildly. A slight smile creeps back onto their lips. "I noticed that when I was with Makoto, too. Even though you had to have been miserable about it, you just... wanted me to be happy." They duck their head, a little color rising in her cheeks. "That kind of thing is why I call you sweet, you know. You're really not as bad a guy as you think you are."
If only they knew--right?
He doesn't offer a question back at first, though. Ren fills the silence while he thinks by eating the rest of their cake. There's just the strawberry left by the end, and they take a long drink to let the sweet cream blend with the bitter coffee on their tongue. When Goro finally makes a suggestion, though...
"..." They set their cup down. Except for Futaba, they haven't even really talked about this with their friends. They'd been picturing a question about present-day stuff. "That makes sense," they murmur. "There isn't a lot to say. There's not a lot to do out in Inaba, so a lot of kids go to a nearby city called Okina for fun. They've got an ice rink there, and I used to go there all the time with my friends in the winter. One day, three years ago, a professional ice skater was there when we showed up, and when he saw my moves, he came up to me and asked if I'd ever consider being one too." They trace the lip of their cup. "That was Himuro-san, my former coach. Long story short, I said yes, and he started training me. My parents weren't that thrilled about it at first, even though they gave their permission, but they came around... or they seemed to, I guess. Maybe they really only cared about me winning competitions. I did win a bunch, too. Even my dad showed up for the big one. I was... really happy about that."
It is bittersweet, talking about it. Ren's a little surprised to find it gets easier the more they do. Despite that, as they stare down at their reflection in the last puddle of their house blend, they sigh. A pause later, they take off their non-prescription glasses and turn them over slowly between their hands.
"Himuro-san gave me these, actually," they murmur. "After I was found guilty. He said, once I moved out here and started a new life, they'd help me look innocent. Get a fresh start." They toy with them a moment longer, then set them back down to meet Goro's eyes with their own exposed.
"And in a way, I did," they muse, reaching out under the table with one foot to nudge Goro's. They give him a slight but sincere smile. "I've never been happier than I have been here in this city."
They hold his gaze for a moment longer. Then they slip a hand into a coat pocket and pull out a long, flat box, about five inches by one inch, wrapped in festive paper and ribbon.
"Here," they say, holding it out to him. "This is for you."
When Goro unwraps it, he'll find inside that it's a sleek, glossy fountain pen--the very one he commented on liking best when the two of them were browsing in the stationery shop in Kichijoji earlier that day, in fact. He might remember how, a few minutes after the two of them had left, Ren had exclaimed about forgetting their wallet there and run back to get it.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Just the three, fluently. Japanese, English, French. Some Spanish, a smattering of German." He says with a smile, "I'm not a polyglot, exactly, I don't pick up languages so easily as that- but, it is admittedly much simpler once you've taught yourself more than one."
When Ren says they don't usually get called 'sluts' anyway, Akechi chuckles, "Not typically, but let us just say I grew up in a place where they often are labeled as such." Indeed, one might instead say 'straight guys' rather than 'guys' by Akechi's reckoning.
"Please. If I were a 'good sport' and graceful in loss, then would any victory you manage be half as satisfying?" He says, with that quality of knowing Ren very much wants to rub it in his face. In fact, he encourages that!
"Ha..." He does smirk at Ren's statement that they're an objectively attractive guy, "Well, that is perhaps one area that I can argue with myself on- and win."
After all, he doesn't think he's ugly physically in his own head, but an ugly person emotionally, in personality. He knows many people would love to sleep with him.
Part of him is simply repulsed by that, thanks to Shido.
If he were like his Father in that regard, so many things would be much easier for him.
"Ha. Well. I won't say I think of myself as unlucky because I'm dating you- but-"
But he might think Ren is, because of who he is dating, that they don't know the true nature of them yet.
"-I won't say I'm glad things didn't work out, either. Even if it is to my benefit... I'm just, glad for the here and now."
It would be so nice, if time would just- stop. If they could just live in the moment for so long, and nothing that would happen next, ever need to happen.
His cheeks do color slightly though at being called sweet, and he looks down, taking a sip of coffee in the moment. He can't say he agrees, but- "Well... even I have a softer side."
He admits, even if he wouldn't call himself sweet... the very fact he has a soft spot for Ren, is why he's here now, isn't it? It's why he sometimes does things to the benefit of others, when it's personal.
He can at least admit that much.
When Ren does finally speak about ice skating, well- perhaps the expectation had been of present day stuff, but- he decided to use his question more about something Ren loves- or loved, but has trouble sharing.
"I see..." He says, considering the thought of Ren being scouted by a pro. "... It doesn't surprise me that it would have happened like that. You are quite talented at whatever you put your mind to doing."
And he does mean that sincerely. It is part of what is special about Ren. His face does cloud over upon the mention of Ren's father, but then softens when Ren says he was happy about it.
"So that's where..." He says, as he finally understands where Ren got the idea of the glasses, "Well, it was a good idea, certainly. People have many preconceptions about individuals with glasses..."
There's something of a pause, then, a smirk, "Though I'd hardly say they look quite so innocent to me. In fact, they enabled one of your worst crimes yet." He complains, and Ren has to know immediately that he means that day at the cafe.
The nudge, elicits a smile, as he nudges back with a foot, but only a tap, then he just leaves it there. "... I'm flattered that you consider me some small part of that happiness." It's so weird, the idea of the two being bound even by the idea that Shido has wronged them.
Even if Ren Amamiya doesn't realize it.
Perhaps there is some kind of destiny, fate- even if his choices are his own.
Then Ren hands him a gift, which he proceeds to unwrap carefully, almost reverently. Its matte black, just like the color of his gloves with the metal being a stainless silver, with a small custom engraving of the Circled A on the pen itself.
"... Thank you," he says after a moment, as he takes in the details, then smiles impishly as he holds it up to display the engraving. "Branding is important, even when it's a gift from the heart. I promise- I'll always keep it close at hand."
It would seem wrong to use it to write in his notebook though. After all, he can't use Ren's gift to enable the notes he takes about his own criminal activities.
Then, laying it down, he brings out something from the inside of his coat. It's wrapped rather simply. A bag of Christmas colors, stuffed with colorful paper.
When it's unwrapped though, Ren will find a rock in a bag?
It's a rather pretty rock, certainly, a slice of silvery metal, with numerous yellow crystals that allow them to peer through it, should they choose. They may even recognize them as peridots.
The confusion may be dispersed however, once they look at the certificate of authenticity inside the bag. It reads that it's a piece of 'Esquel'. A meteorite uncovered in Argentina, decades ago. Considered one of the most beautiful meteorites in the world, by collectors.
"Merry Christmas," he finally says, and this time it is entirely earnestly.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"What made you decide to learn French?" Ren wonders--and that might be a conversational tangent for the two to continue later. Certainly the mention of where Goro grew up is sobering enough to stop that leg of the conversation as Ren dwells on this for a moment.
Then Goro points out that him being a sore loser is precisely why beating him will be so satisfying. Ren huffs and rolls their eyes and does not deny this. They want to rub it in his face so bad.
At least he lets them win the point about him being attractive--not that that's a difficult point to win. Goro knows damn well how hot he is. It's almost like he takes lots of careful effort to make sure that's so! Beauty is painstaking effort.
So, too, is being a better person for someone when one so often gives in to their darker side. Knowing only a fraction of that truth, Ren can only be glad for the here and now too.
"You do," they murmur of his softer side, watching him with fingers criss-crossed under their chin. "It's part of why I fell for you." They smile fondly. "You're such a complex, complicated person, it's alluring." They reach out to brush back a few strands of his silky hair. "...Way more than if you were just a pretty face."
Maybe one day they'll skate again. Right now, it's still hard. They can move forward, but doesn't that only take them further away from their broken dreams? Shouldn't it, rather than clinging to a future that can no longer be?
They meant it when they said they're happiest here, though. If their dream had to die, at least they've received so many priceless treasures in return. One such little treasure is Goro's praise, sincerely and directly given. They duck their head a bit as they smile--which turns into a smirk of their own when he invokes their most legendary crime. "Looking innocent is how you get away with it," they counter, winking as they deftly twirl those spectacles on one finger, then slip them back onto their face in one smooth movement. "You never expected I'd pull something like that, did you?"
No footsies under the table--at least, no more than that nudge. Ren doesn't push it either; they don't want to pressure him with contact that might be unwanted. "Much more than a small part," they reply. "But we'll work on the 'getting you to believe it' part."
Destiny... Maybe that's true. If so, where will their entwined fates lead them?
They watch as Goro unwraps his present. It'd been a trick and a half to get that pen engraved on the spot without him suspecting anything, but the look on his face is well worth it. When he holds it up, they grin back. "How you know it's for you and you alone. Now you can think about me while you work... not that you didn't already~."
After all, the intent is for Goro to use it in his notebook, whether for school or for casework or ideally both... but Ren doesn't know what exactly he writes in his notes, either. They don't know just how right they are.
They accept the gift Goro gives them in return, peeling back the paper to reveal the rock within. It is indeed a pretty rock, and while it isn't immediately apparent to them why Goro would give them this, they trust there's a good reason. Indeed, they hold the rock up to the low lights to peer through those peridots. Very striking. It'll get a place of honor on their souvenirs bookcase. This placement of crystals looks familiar somehow, though...
There's more inside the bag. Ren carefully sets the stone down to pull out and inspect the certificate. When they read it, realization and shock steal over their face.
They've seen pictures of the pallasite meteorite before. They never thought they'd see it in person, let alone own a piece. Their gaze lifts to Goro, dark eyes shining. "How did you...?"
For a moment, they don't respond to his Merry Christmas. When that moment ends, they set it gently down, scoot out from their side of the booth, and slip in next to him. Leaning into him, cheeks rosy, they murmur, "Goro... you know... it's getting pretty late, and it's a long way back to Sumaru. I wouldn't want you missing a connection partway and getting stranded, so... if you want... I've got a spare futon here you can use...?"
...They don't want to let this night end either. And if the two of them can stay up late upstairs watching the snow fall...
It really would be the best Christmas.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Well, besides the obvious practical applications..." He leans back, crossing his arms, "... I have something of an interest in French literature. And-"
Pause.
"-the French are 'romanticized' here in Japan. It's the most impressive language to know, in a sense."
He does at least just straight out admit it, but one can imagine a younger Goro learning it simply because he wanted to be validated by adults.
As for him being hot...
... Stupid Sexy Akechi...
Part of why he fell for him. It's... appalling, that he lets himself have a soft side, that it's what wards Ren off from all the red flags about him.
His soft side puts the rose colored glasses on Ren, and so those red flags become just flags.
But his softer side is so little of who he is, and he knows it. He's a violent criminal. A murderer.
Ren brushes the strands out of his face, and he forces himself to smile some, "So you'd call it my second best quality, then." He quips, with his pretty face, of course being his best.
Happiest... yes, one might say the same of him. He's happiest here. However, for all of his happiness... there are so many contradictory feelings in turn.
But looking innocent? He scowls, playfully, stating, "Well, I never fell for the innocent act for even a moment, as you may recall. However..." He says, like he's reluctant to give Ren this much ground. "... I never would have expected anyone to pull something like that." He says, unable to keep the scowl up for much longer.
As annoyed as he was, as frustrating as he was...
He still had a great time with Ren.
"You may find it to be a Sisyphean Task." He warns, in regards to getting him to believe it, but- he's never tried to make Ren think it wouldn't be.
He snorts, at the idea of thinking about them while he works, "At this rate, I'm going to be in no end of trouble with Sae-san." He shakes his head at that, "Incorrigible."
Ren starts to open the package, and he holds his breath. Unfortunately, certain more meaningful meteorites- there just doesn't exist any parts of them for sale, anywhere. Often they're only found if they're very large, and have been there for a long time.
Still, he had found one that he thought Ren might enjoy ultimately.
"The son of a collector was having an estate sale. I managed to find it online- and received a rather reasonable price for it."
It was much higher than he's going to tell Ren, because while he wants many things to be a contest- not this one. He doesn't want Ren to feel obligated to spend all of their part time and Metaverse money on him.
But his explanation... Ren comes over, scooting in next to him, and leaning against him. For a while, he's quiet, taking in the moment, and the offer- genuinely touched.
And...
"I think I might just take you up on that." He murmurs, before pressing a tiny peck, to Ren's cheek. "After all, I don't exactly wish for this night to end anytime soon." He offers, after, cuddling up to Ren, making it clear they feel the same way.
It is in the end, the best Christmas he's ever had.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren snorts a quiet laugh when Akechi says the quiet part out loud with regards to French. "True," they say. "I like it because it seems challenging in a unique way--but also because Lupin is French." They grin. "I guess we both have shallow reasons for being interested."
It's too bad they don't like any of the French-speaking people they know...
It's absolutely true about those rose-colored glasses, though. Ren has seen so many red flags for so long that they ultimately decided to straight-up ignore them, and in doing so, has made themself vulnerable to him. Outright fallen in love with him. They decided to trust him--and even though he loves them back, his determination to kill them remains firm.
How will this unreasonable game end?
For all that they don't see those red flags anymore, they do see that his smile doesn't reach his eyes. They think they understand what it's about, so they don't question it. Instead, they fold their hands and affects a contemplative look. "Hmmm... I'd have to give it a lot more thought before I made a formal ranking of all your best qualities." They smile. "But it's up there."
That smile sharpens into a grin when he faux-begrudgingly cedes that ground. "And that's why you love me," they joke, winking. (Is it even a joke?)
For all that convincing Goro that he really does deserve love and caring might be a Sisyphean task, Ren only shrugs. "I'll temper my expectations accordingly."
In other words, they won't hold it against him if they fail. They're not in this to "fix" him.
...They still laugh again when he calls them incorrigible. "Are you really going to make me repeat myself?" they tease.
In the end, they don't need to. They're left near speechless once they realize the nature of the gift Goro's given them. They once again trust him at his word when he says how he got it and how much he paid for it, even though 'rather reasonable' is a relative term. Just as Goro doesn't want them to feel obligated to spend all their money on him, they don't want him to feel obligated to do anything he doesn't want to, so they're prepared for him to say he can't and he needs to get him to take care of whatever detective business he's put on hold to have this date.
When he instead kisses their cheek and says exactly what they were just thinking, they smile warmly. No need for words now. They shut their eyes and bask in his company.
Merry Christmas.