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[ Akira lifts his head when Goro arrives on his sweet ride. Stashing his phone away, he approaches him like her normally does—the same expression and a small wave of his hand, though his movements show signs of lethargy. There's something about that cheerful tone that cuts through the dark haze in his mind. That's right. Maybe he can just forget about everything tonight and focus on a nice stroll on the shore.

It sounds nice. ]

Sorry to disappoint you, but it's just me today. [ Staring... ] Nice bike.

[He sighs in mock-disappointment, but pats the second seat he'd hooked up with a smile.]

Care to join me on it?

[ Akira raises his eyebrows when prompted to get on the backseat. Usually he's the one driving the bike, but... New experiences are nice! Especially ones that make Goro nervous in some way—at least he hopes it does.

He slides onto the seat before wrapping his arms around someone's lonely waist. With a cheeky smile, he perches his head on Goro's shoulder to top it off. ]

Ready.

[It does, don't worry, he doesn't move for a few seconds as he gets used to it (he does not need to slam into something) and the back of his neck is hot, a bit of laughter bubbling out as he pushes off.]

You can rest your eyes on the way, if you'd like? I, ah, don't mind.

[Not a single bit.]

[ How tempting... Akira considers it for a minute. Maybe a small nap will invigorate him, but he also wonders if he'll only be haunted by ominous messages and that other memory again. Decisions, decisions. He rolls his head back and forth, humming thoughtfully. ]

But what if I fall asleep and never wake up?

[ Despire that, he's already letting his eyes rest. ]

Like one of those princesses that fall into a coma?

[... Because then they would have a hell of a time finding Akira's true love, but that aside--]

I'd take one for the team and kiss you, then. Seeing as I am a prince.

[ Of all things, he never thought himself as a princess that needs saving? Even in a coma... But that's fun. Akira snickers a bit as he keeps his eyes closed, imagining a story where he's the princess stuck under some dumb spell. ]

But the real question is whether you're my prince.

[ Doesn't mind a kiss, it seems like. ]

[Doesn't mind a kiss, Goro needs to mind the road, it's empty but for a few late night stragglers, Akira doesn't mind a kiss...]

Do you have any other princes in your life? Oh, though I suppose Silver does make a suitable one, if a little ill-tempered at times.

[That night air sure feels great on his face.]

[ Night air is great—he greatly prefer it over the warmth of the first sunrise, though that isn't that bad, too. He finally opens his eyes now that he's feeling a little better. ]

Silver would be one... But I'm sure he probably wouldn't like that sound of it.

[ Silver would probably grump his way out of it? Maybe. Hmmmm. He'd rather be a mercenary or a gentleman thief, but that seems maybe too obvious. ]

I'm in your care, Prince Akechi.

If I can't wake you, then I'll do my best to find someone who will. I treasure your opinions too much to let them waste away beneath a glass case or in a bed of briar roses.

[... That's definitely the only reason. Definitely! He's speeding up a bit to get rid of the restless energy he gets from things like this, but it won't be too bad.]

It'll be bad if I end up under a spell like that though, wouldn't it... I wonder how you wake a sleeping prince. Does it follow the same rules, or is there a different process? Maybe it's just true love then.

[ Eyes a little wide with a smile on his face, he... blinks slowly. He wasn't expecting a long-winded explanation for waking his imaginary princess self up, but he takes it?

You do you, Goro. If it helps you sleep at night, he won't stop you. ]

Whatever it is, I'll definitely save you.

[Listen... he has a lot of words. Always.]

I'm in danger of swooning at such heroic words, Akira, you'd better be careful with them.

[ There's being articulate and there's being complicated. That bit was definitely the latter, but he doesn't mind. It's a cute way to deflect, really. It gains a small chuckle from him. ]

Hey. I'm just being honest?

While you're being honest, then, would you...

[... It's gonna ruin the mood if he asks, but. But he just wants to make sure, and he waits a beat as he stops pedaling and lets the bike glide along, passing leisurely through the suburbs.]

Are you really alright, Akira? I don't mean to sound so Silver about it, but I want to know that I'm not being a bother by asking you out, as self-centered as it is. That you wouldn't have preferred staying home.

[ He knows he should talk about it. He knows that it's better to lay it out, even if it takes time... But Akira fears that the time will never come, that he'll tell himself he'll do it soon. He just needs time—like that, he can't muster enough courage to say he isn't fine. ]

You're not being a bother at all. I think I just slept too much today, so I'm a little groggy.

[ At least it isn't a lie. ]

I probably need this, anyway. Fresh air is nice.

[... Alright, he'll believe Akira; it's more reassuring to actually hear the words over just see them, and Goro relaxes a little more.]

It is. I'd suggest a nighttime swim as well, because that is nice, but all I keep thinking of is the odd experiences people keep having a little off shore. Like some large shadow brushing against them.

[...]

Maybe the deepsea creatures have come up to the surface.

[It's a joke!]

[ Akira wouldn't want to stress his pleasant boy here. A wave of relief washes over him when Goro moves on, even making some... Uhm. Is this a joke? He practically half-snorts at the attempt, but plays along! How fun! ]

If that's the case, I'll offer you as tribute.

[ There goes saving him... ]

You're so quick to give me up, Akira. Where did your courage go?

[Aren't you supposed to fight the sea monster? Speaking of, smell the whiffs of salt, mm. Love the beach smell.]

[ His nose wrinkles at the familiar smell of sea salt. It's soothing in a different sense, not as a reminder of how he sometimes feels when he gets outplayed. ]

How can I save you if you're not taken against your will? [ Logic. It's also time to be annoying. ] Are we there yet, Go! Ro!

[Oh, my god x2. What kind of logic is that??]

Almost, Akira. [you know, as he slows.] But we shouldn't rush things, don't you think? This is a leisurely date we're having.

[joke??]

[ Akira didn't see this coming, but that's no problem. He kind of glowers at how slow the ground is passing by before giving a wry smile. ]

If you don't bike faster, I'm going to bite you.

[Oh, they're doing callbacks now. Goro laughs a little, but he picks up a bit. Still leisurely! But not slow. It's opening up into the view of the shore now anyway.]

What a threat... Look, see? There it is. [Hmmmmmm.

He's gonna be a daredevil and take a shortcut down the small slope into the sand when they get closer, fuck parking this thing at the top of any stairs he'll take it with him.]

[ What the hell?! Akira is definitely not prepared for this. He doesn't scream or let out a yelp, but he clings onto Goro's waist like his life depends on it—it's just a small slope.

But it ends up being a small slope? How anticlimactic. ]

Was that necessary?

[ He's a little embarrassed. ]

You wanted to hurry to the beach, didn't you?

[Have you ever heard such a cheerful, smug tone. He is having so much fun.]

[ Ghh... Akira grumbles for a moment. He did threaten Goro to hurry to the beach AND they are at the beach. The little slop slide was kind of fun, too, but like hell he's going to let Goro feel good about himself!!

He falls silent a little longer before squeezing Goro to death. ]

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