[ The first thing that registers is, inevitably, the dress; it's enough to give him pause for a second or two, but he quickly connects it to the same whimsical power that gave him the ability to summon cherry blossoms-- and whatever else everyone in Town is probably going through right now.

Still, the flowery bonanza seems to have done its trick and stunned Akira out of action, so Akechi swoops in and slips an arm around his waist, the other closing the door behind them. ]

You dressed up for the occasion, I see.

[ A small jab at the choice of attire, a tease in a velvety tone, a way to offset the otherwise sugary mood. ]

[ Aw. That huff will earn him a kiss on the cheek, hopefully appeasing.

That comment, on the other hand... ]

Oh, you can't just say that and expect me to not get curious. Won't you show me?

[ Come on, Akira. Satiate his curiosity. ]

[ ... what an effect, indeed.

Honestly, he's seen people stuck in ballgowns all over town before, but seeing one that is seemingly made of pure gold is... something else. He can't help but stare at the scene, and though he tries to hold it back, a small snicker escapes. ]

You say that as though Joker wasn't usually gaudy.

[ Maybe not quite this much, and maybe Akechi doesn't have the moral high ground to tease him when his own outfit is just as flashy, but this is why they can play with each other like this. Why they make a good match.

Regardless, he wouldn't want to risk making his boyfriend (more) annoyed when he's trying to set up a good mood, so he takes Akira's hand in his and presses his lips to his knuckles. ]

But, I have to say, you can pull it off magnificently.

[ At least Akechi doesn't call him princess, though the urge is definitely there! ]

[ That piece of shit! Note to self: Joker doesn't need any merciful sweet talking, he's way too self-assured as it is!

But, now that he's talking about Akechi's masterful work: ]

It's a little more than a decoration, as a matter of fact. [ Please, these are magical cherry blossoms. He deserves much better praise than this! ] I may not have been gifted with a beautiful dress or two, but I seem to have developed a new ability instead.

[ Which is a lot better than a dress! Except maybe for the pyromaniac side effects, but there's absolutely no reason to bring that up! ]

It may be no moon, but tonight, I'm giving you a private flower viewing.

[ A reference to Joker's grand display of romance, back when they first started dating. Akechi has finally found a good way to top that. ]

[ That comparison might be a little cringe-worthy, sure, but to someone who is literally driven by praise like Akechi, it would more welcome than not. ]

Coming from you, that's quite the compliment.

[ He'll take that instead, but more importantly, he'll take that smile. There's a distinct difference between Akira and Joker, always, and being able to make that mask slip... That's probably saying something about the kind of effect Akechi has on him. That is a flattering thought. ]

Ah, but perhaps you should change back? I was hoping we would get more... comfortable.

[ Sure, Akira can't change out of his dresses right now, but can he take them off at all? That's something they'll have to figure out soon. ]

[ Akechi can't help but stare a minute longer, trying very hard to contain his laughter. As much as he does genuinely Akira looks good - in a dress or skirt or anything at all, really - the image is still something he needs to get used to. ]

Precisely. [ He manages to answer once he snaps out of his humorous trance. ] Wait here for just a minute, will you?

[ That said, he vanishes off to the back to go fetch the basket of snacks he had stored away earlier, like the ever prepared boy he is. When he returns, he places it next to their improvised bed in the living area, the coziest spot in the house, where he plans for them to spend the next few hours. ]

It's not as good as I would have liked for such an important occasion, but I did the best I could on such short notice.

[ He wants to make it memorable, not only because it's a first for them, but also because this is technically his first flower viewing ever. ]

[ The actual menu isn't anything special, but it's at least fully colored, and Akechi has managed to make it edible-- although the only thing he really cooked was the grilled fish, with an assortment of chopped up fruit and vegetables on the side. It's true he did make it out of love, though... hopefully not the same kind Akira puts into his coffee. ]

It's nothing like Leblanc's specialties, but it will do.

[ So he makes himself more comfortable on the mattress, closer to Akira, as another thought crosses his mind. If they're going to do this properly, then-- ]

You know, when couples do flower viewing, it's customary for the boyfriend to lay his head on the girl's lap.

[ It's another tease, but hopefully one that won't make him upset.

(And maybe it holds a little bit of Akechi's true desires, too.) ]

[ Well, the important thing is that it tastes great, but he's grateful for Akira's attempts at complimenting his efforts.

The following question, however, earns a raised eyebrow, and a very pointed look at Akira's attire. Yes, the dress means a lot, and it's definitely what he had in mind, if the long, deliberate silence isn't enough of a hint. But, he's also in a good mood, and he does plan to show appreciation for Akira tonight, so: ]

Well. I suppose I could go first, since your masculinity has been compromised enough for a day.

[ Another small jab, but an offer in earnest. In all honesty, Akechi wouldn't mind pampering him a little. ]

[ ... oh, well. This is mildly disappointing, actually-- Akechi was looking forward to spoiling him a little, maybe play with his frizzy hair... It even surprises him, to realize someone as touch-starved as himself wanted to be on the giving end instead.

(Maybe it's because he's been given so much by now, that giving back doesn't feel like a missed opportunity. Shared affection is just as good, as long as it's genuine.) ]

Very well. [ Still, he can't help but chuckle a little at Akira's apparently offended antics. ] Just remember we can always switch later, if you'd like.

[ That said, Akechi scoots over and makes himself comfortable on his lap, the side of his face pressed on Akira's thighs as a content sigh escapes his lips. For as long as they've been dating, and for all they have done together, this feels... intimate, in a way that perhaps even sex doesn't.

He hopes he gets the chance to do this again, some other time. ]

[ Akechi hums at the touch, and he leans into it for a second, his body stretching out and dropping all guards. Not very much unlike a relax cat-- maybe Prince has been rubbing off on him. ]

I'm glad you think so. [ Another chuckle, the praise working as an added source of pleasure. ] It needs a bit of a cut, though. If it gets much longer, I might become an entirely different fairytale princess, haha...!

[ Okay, so maybe it would still take eons until his hair would be Rapunzel-like, but all exaggeration aside, the general sentiment is real. ]

That's not quite how the prince saves that particular princess, is it? In fact, I'm pretty sure that's the evil witch's role...

[ He laughs, still playing along with the theme and the joke. Sure, he wouldn't mind letting Akira cut his hair - he would rather like it, really - but that's an offer he'll be keeping for a later time. For now... ]

There's no way you could ever be evil, though.

[ For now, that topic is quickly derailing his train of thought into something less playful, edging closer to the darkest areas of Akechi's mind. Between the two of them, and despite his princely motif both as a detective and as a Persona user, Akechi is the one who's more likely to be the villain of a story-- in fact, he already is one. Not in fairytales, either.

But not Akira. Akira is... ]

No matter what, you would always be the hero.

[ He curls up a little, hand reaching out to rub circles on Akira's knee, idle and fond. ]

I know I can always rely on you to save me.

[ Probably from much more than just town curses. ]

[ What made Akechi veer this way? Even he can't tell for sure.

It's just something that has been on the back of his mind lately, nagging at him even when he least expects it-- but especially so when he's around Akira. The warmth and happiness he feels when they're together, that real sense of safety and belonging that he can't remember experiencing since he was a child... It's enough to send him spiraling back to the days when Akira was the enemy, back when Akechi was determined to eliminate him like he was nothing more than a lifeless hurdle to overcome.

Just remembering all of that now, and thinking of everything he would have missed out on, if they hadn't been given this time... It fills him with dread and regret. ]

There's nothing wrong with showing appreciation for my princess, though, is there?

[ He huffs a weak laugh, trying to slip back into a more playful mood. It's surprisingly hard to do. ]

But, in that case-- [ He turns over in Akira's lap, eyes facing up. ] How about I make a solemn vow?