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[ 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. ]

[Goro wheezes at the sudden squeeze, bike jerking a little in surprise and

down we go!! Into the sand, bike uncomfortably on top of half their bodies. Akira is getting such a look.]

Was that necessary?

[ Akira only has a smug look on his face when Goro looks at him. Without a doubt, he gives him a thumbs up. ]

Definitely worth it.

[You know what else Akira is getting? He's getting some sand half-heartedly thrown back at him, and then Goro's extracting himself from this situation.]

You're lucky there wasn't anything dangerous down here. Though I suppose you could say the same to me, couldn't you...

[Worth it his butt, huff!! He'll carefully set his bike back up so Akira can stand too, take his hand.]

Are you alright?

[ He obviously flinches when the sand is thrown, though it doesn't do much to him. Still squinting, he gives his friend a Look. ]

I'm fine.

[ There's no point in making a quip when Goro has already caught himself, so he takes his hand with a firm grip and... pulls Goro back down with him. He's feeling a little childish today—anything that will make him forget about what he saw. ]

That's goo--

[Oh my god, you brat, he's just gonna tumble down onto you like that, you know that right. Enjoy that weight.]

I'm warning you right now, [propping himself up, this is not as awkward as it could be he guesses, it's kind of nice, oh no that makes this kind of awkward doesn't it,] I got a failing grade from Silver earlier this month in wrestling. So I hope you're not looking for a fight. If that's what this is.

Even if unintentional, you started it first with that sand attack of yours.

[ The weight makes him nervous at first, forcing him to wonder why Goro is so heavy despite being a model (joking), but he finds it comforting... the cold coarse sand under him is also comforting. It reminds him that this is real and not whatever he saw earlier in the night.

Akira only gives him a bright smile from below, not at all feeling threatened or cornered. If anything, he's admiring his friend's features as they're illuminated by the moonlight. This moment lasts a little longer before he finally makes a move with hands snaking over Goro's sides. ]

What about a tickle fight?

[Akira really is prettier than he thinks. Especially with that smile of his, it feels like it's lightning up the more than any moon. Goro jerks when there's hands at his sides, obviously ticklish, and he is gooooing to try and escape.]

No, absolutely not, I don't pick fights I can't win.

[he's forfeiting he's not gonna do this]

[ Come baaack. He clicks his tongue twice again... Whoops. He needs to stop that, but it's hard not to when Goro is running away from him like a cat that doesn't want to be dressed up for the day. Unfortunately, Akira follows after him and digs his fingers into Goro's side, making swift work in this unfair battle.

LET HIM HEAR YOU LAUGH LIKE AN IDIOT ]

[YOU ARE THE CRUELEST PERSON he's gonna be laughing so hard he snorts, you fiend, please tell me you're gonna let him have some air before he sounds like a goddamn hyena.

Like, there is no better place to do this than on a beach alone at night with the ocean gently washing against the moonlit shore behind them but you are a cruel person, let him liiiive.]

[ Go big or go home!! Which means no breaks for Goro Akechi as long as Akira is around. Those fingers continue to dig and prod at Goro's sides relentlessly and there's no end to the assault. He can't help but chuckle a little as he witnesses the hysterical sight—laughter is sort of infectious.

It takes another minute or two before the tickling slows to a halt. Rest up while you can. ]

Still alive?

[ What is even the best answer to this question...? ]

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