[ ... 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?

[ Oh wow, Akira, he's not going to propose or anything of the sort! ]

If I just tell you, it's going to lessen the impact of making it a solemn vow, in the first place.

[ So he laughs again, a little at Akira's cat-like curiosity, but mostly in anticipation of his plans. As much as he is somewhat nervous - even if he's playing it off like acting out the role of prince, as a means to ease himself into it - he can't deny the prospect is also... exciting. He always thought that having someone to protect would be a burden, a weakness holding him back, but now... ]

You'll have to trust me on this. Will you?

[ Now he understands that means having someone to protect him back. Someone to rely on. ]

[ A smile. Akira will always trust him, huh? ]

Then I shall make sure to never break that trust.

[ As comfortable as he is in that lap, the gravity of his intentions calls for them to be on equal footing (metaphorically, even more so than literally) so Akechi hoists himself up to be on eye level with his boyfriend-- and even calling him that feels like so little, compared to what Akira truly means to him. He's so much more than someone to go on dates, or even get physical with, so much more than an important companion to fight his battles with... He who was handpicked by Fate as an enemy, but chose to stand by his side, to give him the love and affection the world had always denied him...

As much as Akechi is playing the role of prince to a damsel in distress, it is Akira who has been saving him all along.

His hands reach out to cup Akira's - not by chance, the one wearing the glove that held so much meaning to them - and he takes a minute to breathe and sort through his words, if his feelings can't as easily be organized. ]

No matter what this town might do to either of us, the things it might make us say and feel, or even whatever else that might try to tear us apart... Know that I will always come back to this place. To these feelings.

[ Even though there are more ghosts in his soul than just those born from town curses, even though his latent hate and jealousy will always fuel that dark side of him that he can't quite let go of... At the end of the day-- or week, month, however long it may take-- he feels, he knows in his heart that his love for Akira will be his guiding light.

(Even if one day it might be just a small, distant glimmer beckoning at blind eyes.)

He presses Akira's hands between his, forceful in his gesture to mirror the strength of his feelings. ]

I'll always remember what's real.

[ They are real, still. ]

[ It may be a scant answer at first, but this is the way they work; Akira is stingy with words but generous with feelings, whereas Akechi was never short on overly pompous speeches that often meant very little.

Or at least, that's how it used to be. Lately, he can't help but notice Akira has been rubbing off on him in a positive way-- and Akechi hopes he, too, has been somewhat of a good influence on him.

And speaking of rubbing off on him-- ]

Bonds, huh?

[ He huffs a laugh, not at all surprised that Akira would bring this up. How many times have they had this type of conversation, anyway-- how many times has Akira tried to teach Akechi about the power of bonds, as the secret to his (their?) wildcard powers and as a life skill, away from any Personas at all... For the longest time, Akechi couldn't comprehend it, couldn't really accept that he was sorely lacking in the source of Akira's strength.

(In all honesty, he couldn't make any sense out of it, so he plain just couldn't believe it. However...) ]

Well. I'm not sure about bonds as a general notion.

[ He leans in closer and presses his forehead to Akira's, their hands still linked. ]

But, I do believe in this one.

[ (However, that, too, has begun to change.) ]

[ A blood oath.

He can hear it, too, the familiar voice whispering words he had never heard before, and the distant sound of chains. It's not menacing like the sound of incoming Death in Mementos, but rather, it's a warm balm washing over him, reaching deep into a part of his heart he never knew he had.

So this must be the strength of an unbreakable bond, huh?

Akechi meets the kiss with equal passion, one hand leaving the comfort of Akira's hold so it could touch his face instead, to feel more of him, to have him closer. He kisses him with abandon, with an urge to freeze this moment in time, knowing he doesn't want to ever let him go.

But, eventually, he does. ]

... Forever.

[ He repeats, a little short on breath, not from the kiss but from the heavy meaning layering their exchange. Once upon a time, he would think forever might be a very long time-- too long, enough to have him change his mind about a relationship that had been started on the premise of seizing the moment, nothing more. Not a fling, but unlikely to last, nonetheless.

Akechi leans back for a second, eyes on Akira's as his thumb continues to rub fond circles on his cheek. Smiling, always. ]

As long as I'm with you, even forever will feel too short.

[ Now, he feels like it will last beyond the boundaries of life itself. ]

[ Akechi complies easily enough, allowing himself to be pulled into Akira's hold, and for his hold and his touch to give him unprecedented comfort. The idea of finding happiness, and having someone truly stay by his side forever... it almost feels like another lie in his life, too perfect and pleasant to be genuine. ]

Don't be silly.

[ It sounds like he's gently chiding Akira, but it doubles as a reprimand at his own treacherous thoughts. All it takes is remembering the times they've spent together, the many hardships they have overcome, even the moments when they almost fell apart, and it all becomes clear to him. ]

The thematically appropriate answer would be, "we'll live happily ever after."

[ It's not a lie; he already is happy. ]

[ There may be a fair share of tragic fairytales, it's true, but Akechi did just referenced a happily ever after; as far as he's concerned, that's the only ending he'll seek. ]

And here I thought we had already started.

[ He chuckles, too, airy and fond, reinforcing the thought with words and actions. He's happy, right here and now, and for as long as he is by Akira's side. ]

But, since you brought it up...

[ He drapes both arms over Akira's shoulders, one hand mirroring the his gesture and brushing cherry blossoms off his frizzy hair. It's a bit of a shame, though; he looks cute like that. ]

What do you propose?

[ If Akira was going for annoyance or even exasperation as an answer, all he gets is an amused giggle instead. In all honesty, he hadn't really meant anything in particular; he was open to suggestions, to anything Akira wanted to do. Most of all, he just wants to make him happy.

... still, that doesn't mean he can't tease.

So he leans in again for another kiss, firm and a little demanding, with wet swipes of his tongue. Not overtly sexual, but maybe just enough to get Akira a little riled up. ]

If that is what you wish.

[ And because he's a piece of shit, he won't actually give Akira much of a choice, instead settling back on his knees and leaving his lap open and ready for a head of frizzy hair. ]

[ With another chuckle, Akechi settles back more comfortably, carding his fingers through Akira's hair. Being on this end of the deal is new, but he finds that his assumptions from earlier really are true-- he enjoys giving attention just as much as he likes receiving it. Even if that means taking on the feminine role.

Oh, well. While he's at it, might as well show off a little.

With a motion of his free hand and the help of his newly acquired powers, he summons another flurry of cherry blossoms, fresher and even more fragrant than before, painting the room pink. ]

How are you liking it, boyfriend?

[ Since, right now, he's the girlfriend and all. ]

Oh, you think so? I rather like your dress.

[ And so to drive his point home, he lets his free hand wander over to Akira's torso, fingers idly playing with the fabric of his dress before switching over to gentle strokes. As much as he loves to tease, right now the gesture is affectionate, not meant to arouse him. There will be time for that later. ]

As for the story-- [ He takes a small pause, as he can't be completely sure about it. ] --I believe this might be Sakuya-hime, who is technically a goddess but still fitting with the theme.

[ If Akechi was going to be a princess, it figures he would go the extra mile, even if not by choice. ]

According to the legend, she met Ninigi on the seashore, where they fell in love. However, when he asked her father to marry her, he was offered her older sister instead, but declined. Since he refused the rock-princess, human lives are said to be short and fleeting, like the sakura blossoms, instead of enduring and long lasting, like stones.