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[ All of those things can be listed without static electricity, but he doesn't point that out. Instead, he just remembers the time where his hair got out of control as a child because a classmate rubbed balloons against his head. It does not look like cognitive child Akira enjoyed it.

Hm... Favorite season. ]

I never had a particular favorite since there's something to like about every season... But I do like the fall. Convert me, autumn priest.

[ Do bubbles matter when Akira says really weird things? ]

[They don't matter?? They're adorable, as is cognitive child Akira, and it occurs to Goro he hadn't actually seen very many family photos -- if any at all -- in Akira's house when he went over. Or... maybe he just can't remember them, it was a while ago now and he'd been insanely nervous at the time. For some reason he can't even recall at this point. Just because he didn't usually go to others' houses?]

You really are kind of weird. [But it's fond and Goro bumps their shoulders together lightly, humming thoughtfully.

Trees turning colors, Halloween, roasted sweet potatoes... School starting up, the sloe death of insectkind as the chill comes. It's like a book turning pages in his mind, reason after reason.]

The world gets quieter in the fall, [he finally says, soft himself with a tone of wistfulness.] Every sound is magnified, from a bird's song to the crinkle and crunch of leaves. The trees turn all kinds of beautiful colors that we can still see too, and honestly I'd like to see them with you sometime, Akira. They're a sight that should be shared with others.

[... Well that came out better than he thought it would, okay, he's playing with his hair a bit and Moving On--]

Um, the insects start to die or go into hiberation too, so there's no stupid mosquitoes or anything really around. And there's Halloween! Halloween is fun, I like it, I think I might be too older to go around and ask for candy at this point but I like watching the movie marathons they show to celebrate it. Need any other reasons?

[ There are very few family photos. Most of them are probably in the wallets of his parents'. Anyway, Akira puffs out his cheeks at that comment about his eccentricities, but deflates before giving Goro a flat gaze. ]

Right back at you. [ He returns the shoulder bump!! But he looks up to Goro's bubble without a second thought. It plays a good visual aid with what he tells him next. ] Maybe if we crash a costume party, I'll consider fall my favorite season. How does that sound?

[ Akira is already thinking about costumes in his mind... He gets some snazzy vampire costume? Or maybe he should be a classy mummy...? He wouldn't mind being a werewolf, either. All of them cycle through his thought bubble as he looks ahead, but then turns back to Goro.

Costumes for Goro also pass through—a pirate, also a vampire... A knight? A prince, a princess... ]

[Princess... Akira's getting a flat look for that one, though he'd been thoughtful at the others. Please, that kind of dress? No, no, this kind of dress, this is what he'd like to wear as a princess. Honestly.]

... Crashing a party does sound a little fun. [It's something Baren would do, he's grimacing slightly, but fun.] Why is it that I always consider things like this more when you're the one asking?

[Which is a rhetorical question, okay, he knows why. Because spending time with Akira is fun, he makes things fun, Goro Sort Of wants to impress him by not being a terrible stick in the mud and letting loose a bit-- a list of reasons rolling out like they're being typed on a typewriter, though it isn't like his affections are something he tries to embarrassed hide anymore.]

[ He sees that? Well, at least he knows Goro isn't against going as a princess if they need to come down to that. ]

I think the answer is obvious and you don't want me to say it.

[ He knows it was rhetorical. With his words comes little music notes to indicate SMUG ARROGANT CONFIDENCE, but he's taking this opportunity to tease him. The typewriter of reasons do make him raise his eyebrows as his own thought bubble wonders how can this be the same guy that wanted to dive into some dangerous situations for the fun of it.

Stop stealing his thunder? He's the reckless one. All of that is displayed in his own thought bubble, but it also shows he doesn't mind a partner in crime. That is what Goro is now. ]

We'll be in disguise if you're worried about the agency's reputation.

[ "Since yours is already in tatters." WHOOPS. ]

[Wow. Akira's getting elbowed for that -- all of that, but especially the last part. It's... kind of surprising that a lot of Akira's thoughts are just things he'd tease about anyway, and Goro feels himself relax more sincerely with that thought in mind.]

I suppose you make a poor princess these days... though between you and I, Akira, I've always wanted to be in pinstripes. You know, like those mobsters from the early 1900s. They always looked so stylish, and their attitudes were quite attractive if the fiction has any inch of truth to it.

[He likes being vaguely threatened, he guess??? There's no doubt that the other him... or the past him? was really into the idea of being at the mercy of the Phantom Thieves, though more in the sense of that he'd be toe to toe with them, he supposes. It really did just sound like he wanted to be ravished.]

[ It's easier to keep his mind off of darker themes and secrets when there's a lighthearted conversation going on. He also practiced on focusing as he was cooking... With the help of his cat. If the bubble showed up, Morrigan would swat at it if the bubble mimicked a thunder cloud. ]

My upbringing was questionable, sorry.

[ Really, his upbringing was fairly normal, but hey!! Akira ends up elbowing Goro back as he listens. Pensive, he thoughtfully hums—Goro Akechi, a pinstriped mobster. He doesn't look at his friend to imagine it this time, though he does wonder if this is an extreme extent of Goro's fictional type. A pinstriped suit, a gun, and... ]

I don't see what's stopping you. [ Live life on the edge during Halloween. ] Are you going to wear the hat, too?

[ Oh! They can see the planetarium from here. Flashing sparkles start shining in his thought bubble. ]

Of course I am. The hat makes the man, after all.

[It's stylish too. Goro glances at Akira and grins slightly at his friend's apparent excitement, a little flutter in his chest shown with small hearts in his own, followed by "He's so cute."]

Don't get to go often? To the planetarium.

It also gives you hat hair if you think that's what makes the model.

[ There are trade-offs to style, Goro! With only a couple steps more, they're at the front entrance ready to buy their way to a galactic experience. Akira does momentarily look at the bubble before they enter.

What a sap. ]

Back then, I didn't want to bother people.

[ It's simple as that. Akira was a bit more reserved a year ago, so... The guide will be leading them in! How fun. ]

[Fun!! Goro's actually pretty excited too, all things considered, and he's focusing very hard on stars to keep from thinking about the two unexpected peptalks (and one memory regain) he received earlier.]

As much as I bother you now, consider me available whenever you please. The only thing more beautiful than the stars in the skies are the ones in your eyes, after all.

[... That came out a lot smoother than he thought it would, he just needs to nail it by not wanting to die on the inside. Okay. Okay. Stick that landing.]

Be careful. You may regret your decision.

[ Because Akira is a fiend in his own way and he wouldn't want anyone inflicted by his fickle whims. They're seated in right in the middle, but he gives Goro a scrutinizing look with a smile as he sits down. Really? He gets comfy before he plays his card. ]

There are only stars in my eyes because you're so dazzling.

[ The show won't start until ten more minutes. Goro only needs to last that long. Choose life. ]

[That

was a really good comeback, holy shit, he's almost mad?? But grinning all the same, leaning on the arm between them, he can't help that.]

How are you single with returns like that?

[ Akira - 1
Goro - .5 ]

I should be asking you that, mister model. I'm sure there would be a long line to your kissing booth.

[ He thinks it should be obvious why he's single? He finds himself weird, not exactly desirable in terms of physical appearance (his description for himself is "plain"), and he doesn't have the ~financial stability~ people are looking for.

Otherwise, yeah. Goro has fans. ]

Maybe even one single handshake.

Well--

[... Well. Goro looks away, settling back into his seat with a hum. Handsome as he is, a model student in high school (literally too) and prince-like to boot, his list of romantic adventures has been surprisingly short.]

There would be, I'm sure, and I confess that I've had a number of girls ask me out, or made it obvious that they'd like for me to ask them out, but things never tended to last very long and I ended up simply... ignoring the signs, or saying I was simply too busy for a relationship. It was true for a time, anyway. [A small shrug.] The guys I became interested in weren't interested back.

[So he just. Didn't.]

[ Okay, stop gloating in your mind? He doesn't even need to look to tell from this aura!! But Akira doesn't mind. Confidence is very attractive, especially when it means he can crush it once in a while.

Hm. He mimics the hum. ]

Heartbreaker Akechi. [ But people like what they like. ] That's a little surprising. Were they not charmed by your confession?

[ He's giving Goro too much credit here. ]

If you hadn't called me out on the beach, I don't think I would've ever said anything to you in the first place.

[... Because he's a coward, Akira.]

My bad.

[ It really was his bad... It was pretty mean, but there's not much else he can do about it now? The lights are starting to dim, indicating the show will probably start in 3 more minutes. ]

Why not?

[Oh, good. Dimming lights.]

... I was afraid I'd get blown off. You're very kind, and you're genuinely interested in the things I talk about -- or you seem it, anyway, I know you don't mind it my prattling for the most part -- but I'm used to that interest not being returned even the least bit, and to stopping before I can begin.

[So maybe those other guys could've been interested back; even Silver admitted he'd had a crush on Goro once, two ships in the night as far as affections go, but... he crosses his ankles. It's almost time for the show. He'll make this quick, face burning in the dark.]

You've, um. You've shown plenty of interest, though I honestly don't know if that's just because it's fun to tease me or if you're serious, so I might've said something on a day like today if you didn't know already. Maybe.

Maybe.

[ At least Akira doesn't need Goro's thought bubble to see how thought out that ramble is. It's endearing, very cute, and he tries his best not to let out any snickers as the lights grow dimmer and dimmer. Maybe bringing a hand to his lips would stifle it?

But all of that aside, it also reminds him of something, so his smile falls. ]

Sometimes it's good to take risks.

[ "Because you'll never know if it's the last time you'll see them" shows up in his bubble right before the lights go out. The planetarium effects are vivid and crisp, truly astounding. ]

[That's-- a concerning thought bubble, but then it's gone and Goro's left to stare at the effects the planetarium offers. They're beautiful and astounding. Truly wonderful. Educational too, of course, these things always are, yet his thoughts keep drawing back to Akira. And not even in the very pleasant way.

He'd said something about risks before too, but it hadn't ended that way. Pensive, he reaches his hand over to take hesitantly take Akira's, to give a tentative, comforting squeeze. It's rude to talk during these presentations, but he can do this much.]

[ He wants to say he has long buried that dark thought, but he's thinking back on the memory where his friends started disappearing right in front of his eyes. Their frightened faces, their pain, and that feeling of loss. The August fiasco didn't help with that, either... Then there was a death.

It stays on his mind a little longer where he wishes he was at home to sleep, but fades over time as the planetarium show moves forward with their educational spectacle. The little facts and visual cues here and there give him something to focus on, so he's startled by the sudden touch. For a second, his eyes dart to Goro, but it's definitely rude to say anything.

... He'll just indulge in its comfort, not exactly intertwining fingers, but through playing with his hand like he would a cat's paw. He gently presses the middle of Goro's palm, then fiddles with his fingers. "Thank you." ]

[Like a cat's paw... Goro muffles his short laugh with his other hand, letting Akira do what he'd like as he shakes his head. "Anytime, Akira."

It's easier to concentrate on the presentation once he's certain his friend's fine for the moment, wiggling his fingers playfully every now and then, and... this is nice in a way too, marveling quietly at the stars above them. He doesn't have the space to worry about anything, Retrospec based or not, though he's kind of regretting not going out with Akira earlier in the day before, fun as their night adventures are. They could do more stuff like this. Strike a balance, maybe.

Goro's fine like this for the rest of the presentation, though he glances at Akira every so often to make sure he's okay too. No other thought is on his mind.]

[ Yes. Squish squish. What a soft paw you have.

The sight is really beautiful, practically mesmerizing. Once in a while, he stops playing with Goro's hand entirely since he's so immersed, but he can also feel himself drifting... A nap calls for him under the beautiful fake sky, but takes some slow blinks. He stirs back to consciousness when the lights are back on and the show is over. At least one of them had some considerate and relatively deep thoughts during the whole thing. ]

That was good. I want a star theater at my place now. [ He's not sure why, but it made him feel cozy. ] ... I also don't feel like leaving.

[ But people are being ushered to the exits. Help. ]

[... Well, that makes two of them, because leaving probably means letting go of Akira's hand. Goro watches the ushers, then sighs and reluctantly stands, adjusting his grip and taking Akira's other one. Come on, up up. He's helping.]

I'm surprised you saw any of it with your eyes closed, sleeping beauty. [He caught you practically dozing, honey.] I'm certain you could find someone to go camping with you though, if you want to sleep under the stars that badly, even if the theater isn't a bad replacement.

[ Akira throws a small fit by trying to stay lazily planted in his seat, but he does eventually stand up with Goro's aid. Rolling his shoulders back, he tries to get used to walking and standing again. It takes him a while to come up with a quip, but maybe he was just waiting for the right time as they leave the area. ]

It sounds like I saw enough of it unlike you.

[ He elbows him with a small smile!! But then the sun puts him in a disarray. No... He does not like this. ]

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