earphoned | ( empatheias inbox )

[ Oh, what the actual hell, why did Minato hear that? Though at least it wasn't anything worse...it could have been worse. ]

Oh, you're welcome to. You'll be just in time for pancakes. I'll save you a few.

[ No he won't. You don't know where he lives, punk!! So he's safe, probably. ]

[ What an asshole. ]

Do you have maple syrup? Or fresh fruits?

[ He's safe, yes. But not entirely...Minato might not know where he is, but he's planning to make himself comfortable here, in Akechi's head. ]

Both, in fact. I'm not a neanderthal.

[ Please, give him some credit. He's already been to the grocer this morning for fresh produce.

For his pancakes.

Akechi doesn't kick Minato from his thoughts, either — he'll chalk it up to doubts that it would actually work, given how the amulets have been working recently. ]

I see that you're a man of culture. Very well.

[ He needs this man's address, damn. ]

Where did you get the fruits? I'm looking for a reliable supplier.

[ Perhaps if he's lucky, Akechi will share something that would help him figure out where he lives. On the other hand, it's hard to believe that this boy will fall for it. Either way, Minato's willing to try. ]

[ Uhuh, sure you are, Minato. Akechi is doing his damnedest not to think about his address, in case the information accidentally slips through the connection. The amulets have been so finicky lately. ]

Just one of the many, many locally owned and operated shops in the city. It's just next to Steambucks.

[ There are like 1,000 Steambucks in this city.

Just to rub it in, Akechi sends an image of the pancakes that are goldening on the stovetop through their mental link. Don't they look amazing? ]

[ This is what he gets for messing with the Detective Prince. Not that he knows who he's dealing with, but. ]

Oh, I think I know that one. I saw you doing groceries one day.

[ The art of bluffing. ]

Are you going to eat them alone?

[ Because damn boy, these are fine. ]

[ Minato, please. You can't bluff a master bluffster. That, and Akechi is reasonably sure that if Minato actually had seen him at the grocer, he would have found a reason to make his presence known. ]

That was my intention, yes. [ A pause. ] Why? Are you trying to solicit an invitation?

[ HE KNOWS YOUR GAME. ]

[ There was an attempt. ]

It looks like you're having a private moment. I wouldn't dare to stand between a man and his pancakes.

[ Spoiler: he would. ]

But you could pay off your debt.

[ ...Hmm.

That's an offer worth considering, although even if he repays his debt to Minato, he has a feeling that won't get the other boy off his case. He's proven notoriously difficult to shake. ]

I could, but then I also run the risk of you finding out where I live. What will you do with that information, if you have it?

Tell everyone I know where you live so we can have a party.

[ That much should be obvious. ]

There's a chance I'll listen if you tell me what I can't do with that information, though.

I don't like those odds.

[ On the one hand, Minato might just have a grasp on what an intensely private person Akechi is, and therefore might not give that information out if he has any hope of maintaining ties with him. On the other hand...

It's Minato. ]

I'll agree to meet you at a neutral location instead.

I thought you'd like some risk. [ Maybe he got that wrong, after all. ] You're going to bring the pancakes to a neutral location, right?

[ Meeting Akechi is just a bonus to pancakes this time. ]

Of course. You said it would repay my debt, didn't you? I'm a man of my word.

[ Hahaha. Good one. ]

There's an outdoor cafe near the merchants' square with red and yellow striped umbrellas. Do you know the one? [ A beat. ] The one with the famous chocolate cornets.

I see you're making friends with pastries. [ Is Minato the right person to judge him for that? Absolutely not. ] Good for you. I know where it is, I can see you there in...let's say, fifteen minutes?

[ It's time to use Seiryu taxi again. ]

If you're nice, I'll let you buy me a chocolate cornet too.

Fifteen minutes, and not a minute later. It's impolite to keep a gentleman waiting.

[ That is, Minato is the one who better not be later. These pancakes are arriving for a very limited engagement, and if he misses it, they're gone. ]

I'll show up as my meanest self, in that case.

[ And then he closes the mental link (successfully!) so he can pack up shop and head to the cafe in question. How did he let himself get roped into this? But if it means Minato might get off his case for a little while, it'll be worth it.

Possibly. ]

I think you have to pick one. You're either a gentleman or your meanest self.

[ Minato is about to learn that's not how things work with Goro Akechi, probably. ]

Fifteen minutes, got it.

[ Is he going to arrive on Seiryu's back? Definitely. He wouldn't make it here otherwise and he's not giving Akechi the satisfaction. Once he spots Akechi, he'll jump off the dragon's back like it's no big deal. ]

Did you bring the stuff?

[ Also known as pancakes. ]

[ For anyone overhearing, they might assume a drug deal is about to go down, particularly as one of these boys just jumped off of a dragon. As Minato arrived, Akechi checks his watch, frowning. Damn, he's so regrettably on time. How very dare he, honestly. ]

Of course. I wouldn't dream of reneging on my word.

[ The pancakes are in his briefcase.

Just kidding. They're waiting on a platter on the table, and Akechi gestures to them. They're loaded up with strawberries and blueberries and chocolate chips, and there's syrup. This is probably his true calling in life. ]

Let's see. You're going to insist I stay while I enjoy them now, aren't you?

[ Are you trying to tell me that pancakes aren't Akechi's drug.

Well, they sure are Minato's. The blue-haired boy is staring at them, quite impressed. If they taste as good as they look like, then they must be a heavenly pleasure. ]

Is this what you want? I should insist you to stay?

[ He's so bad with tsunderes, god. ]

[ Enjoy them, Minato, because this is probably the nicest thing Goro Akechi will ever give you. To share his pancakes is a privilege that none have known before... ]

You can do whatever you like, but as this counts as repayment for my debt, I see no reason to remain here.

[ But he still doesn't...get up. ]

Actually...could you wait a while here? I need to go to the toilet.

[ Whether Akechi is falling for that or not, that's not the point, as long as he stays until he gets back. Actually, he doesn't even wait for his answer, hoping that the boy won't leave his pancakes alone.

A few minutes later, Minato comes back with two chocolate cornets and an additional fork and knife. ]

I never knew how fun it is when someone's indebted to you.

[ He should have bailed while he had the chance. Actually, he never should have agreed to this in the first place. His list of regrets is very long indeed, and that's just for today.

But at least when Minato returns he is bearing what seems to be a peace offering of sorts. Perhaps Akechi should refuse this for his pride (is one even for him?? he's going to assume one is for him), but he doesn't, taking one of the chocolate cornets as soon as Minato sets the plate down.

Shameless. ]

Enjoy it while it lasts, because this will be the last time I bend to your whims.

[ This is going to be a fridge horror moment later, probably. ]

Like you would bend to anyone's whims with that stubborn ass of yours.

[ Minato is going to make sure it's a fridge horror moment just because he wants to see Akechi's face it dawns on him.

You're welcome. ]

They look amazing, by the way. Let's dig in.

[ Ah, so Minato has learned an important lesson! He can be taught. And yet Akechi agreed to come here...

Well, at least it'll be over soon. There's no way Minato will be able to resist devouring these delicious pancakes and then Akechi will be on his merry way. The perfect crime. ]

You'll enjoy them.

[ That's it. It's a statement of fact. For his part, however, Akechi is going to start with the chocolate cornet. There's a reason he used them as a point of reference for this cafe. ]

And you won't?

[ He might be a glutton, but Akechi made them by himself. Debt or no debt, he should at least take a bite. Maybe two. ]

Once I start eating, nothing or no one can stop me.

I don't share food.

[ Or maybe the better explanation it happens so infrequently that he might as well not share food. When was the last time he actually ate off the same plate as someone else?

Leave it to Akechi to make eating pancakes an issue of trust. ]

Best you get to work, then, before I take the second cornet.

( empatheias inbox )

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he looks so offended on the icon, i love it

he is SO insulted

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