Weakness (Akechi and Joker)
Prompt: Akechi goes to confront Akira about his choice concerning Dr. Maruki’s reality, and sees a side of his rival he wished he hadn’t.
Goro Akechi, after all he’d been through, didn’t think it was possible at this point for him to be surprised. From his first discovery of the metaverse all the way to Akira’s clever escape from death, his own mysterious escape from death in Shido’s palace, to the god of control, and finally when all’s said and done, Maruki’s reality shifting powers come into play…
He’d managed to grasp his situation each time, and thought there was nothing in the world that could catch him off guard.
They were already prepared. The treasure route to Markuki’s palace was secure and they were simply counting down the days, waiting until the unavoidable encounter. Akechi was looking for Akira, unfortunate as that was to him, because he needed confirmation. Confirmation that Akira wouldn’t give up and accept Dr. Maruki’s reality. Goro knew the thought had crossed his mind, and it made him nervous. He didn’t want to exist in a world where he was under someone else’s thumb anymore. He wanted to atone and make his own choices. It was all he could do…
He finally found Akira, after some trouble and asking around, at the temple… alone. Morgana wasn’t even present. Perhaps that was a good thing, as the chatty cat never seemed to shut up. Akira was bundled in his winter coat and sitting lax, staring out into space while the cold nipped at him and wind lightly ruffled through his hair. He seemed very deep in thought.
“Finally.” Akechi groaned. “It took forever to find you.“
He stopped short, noticing out Akira suddenly stiffened. As if the sound of his voice was jarring and had dragged him out of whatever mental safe haven he was hiding in. He scoffed, crossing his arms. “I suppose it’s like you to get lost in your own head, but we have important matters to discuss.”
Akira didn’t answer… he probably knew what Akechi was here for, and didn’t want to discuss it either way, which was something the former detective would not stand for.
“Don’t think ignoring me is going to get you out of-“
Goro pauses at this. The command was quiet, but there was a certain… agitation behind it. No, not agitation. Anger. It was very unlike the Phantom Thieves leader. Akira was usually so lax and calm about everything. Even in Shido’s palace, he didn’t allow emotions or past situations to interfere with that easy going demeanor, so the sudden twinge of malice in his tone sent up a warning flag.
Akechi narrowed his eyes at this, noting his rival’s suddenly rigid posture. As if the presence of any other human being was a disturbance. Tactfully, he continued.
“As much as I’d love to be as far away from you as possible, there’s something we need to settle. I won’t take no for an answer and this childish attitude you’re pulling isn’t going to dissuade me from-“
It happened suddenly. In a swift blur, Akira was off his seat and lashed out. Akechi was pinned to the wall, the wind knocked out of him. He clenched his eyes shut for a moment in pain, and when he opened them he was met with a very unsettling sight. Akira… his usually calm and collected rival, looked like he was ten seconds away from bashing his head into the wall. His eyes were wide and livid. He held Akechi to the wall with a horribly harsh grip on his arms, which was sure to leave a mark later. He was trembling somewhat, but not from the cold. His pupils were dilated and his gaze narrow with lightly concealed threats.
The flood of emotion in those currently cold and angry eyes seemed like they could bore a hole through Akechi’s skull. It was the first time he’d truly ever seen Akira angry… and loathed as he was to admit it, it was frightening.
“A- Akira, what are you doing?!” Goro cursed himself for stuttering, but he truly was caught off guard.
His breath hitched as Akira’s grip on his arms, somehow, became even tighter.
“Can I not be alone for ten minutes?!” His rival seethed with barely contained hatred. “Is there no such thing as peace and quiet?! Does something have to be going wrong in my life every other moment?! What do you want?!”
It didn’t take Akechi long to realize, even in his stunned state, that whatever mental episode was happening right now was likely the result of many months of hidden frustration. Quiet endurance. Truly taking a second to consider it, Akira had been through a lot in a very short span of time… The false charges, being ostracized from his parents and sent away, facing the disdain of his peers in school and other adults who couldn’t be bothered to look beyond a few rumors, being caught, drugged, and nearly killed, fighting himself, fighting Shido, then fighting the god of control… and just when the chaos and pain seems to have finally settled, being faced with Maruki’s reality.
Goro didn’t answer him… he stayed quiet, because he was certain saying anything right now would just set Akira off. Eventually, though it took a good long while of hateful staring, his rival seemed to slowly come to the realization of what he was doing. Shakily and slowly he loosened his grip, though he didn’t let go.
Head lowered with a mix of emotions Goro had never before seen, Akira spoke with an exhausted and wavering voice.
Akechi nodded, and his rival released him, backing away and looking a bit pale as he sat back down, burying his face in his hands. It occurred to him suddenly, that no one, not even the multitude of loyal friends he’d made, had ever seen Akira in such a vulnerable state. He hadn’t let them… He always had a mask on, to hide his pain from the injustices constantly thrown at him. It was somewhat ironic, that of all the friends he made, it was his rival who got to see this side of him first. Goro should have been pleased… but he wasn’t. He didn’t enjoy seeing him like this at all. Especially when Akira’s shoulders began to shake slightly, signifying he was quietly crying. Akechi could tell he’d tried to stop it at first, but after having lashed out to begin with deemed it didn’t matter either way and gave in.
So Akechi did the best thing he could do in that situation… he left. Left Akira to gather himself without the disruption of other people. The ‘detective prince’ took the train to Kinjoji, and went to one of the few places he himself found refuge. The jazz club. He sat down, and began to think.
How tempting must Dr. Maruki’s reality be to Akira…? After all he’s been through, he’s faced with a decision. To go back to the world as he knows it, or accept this distorted perfect reality and finally feel peace. He hadn’t even really considered it. He’d been so focused on the thought that Akira might accept Dr. Maruki’s offer solely for the sake of keeping him alive, that he hadn’t even thought about the other factors that might be luring him in. Try as he might, Akechi couldn’t get Akira’s moment of weakness out of his head. For the first time, Joker, the leader of the Phantom Thieves, looked so broken. So tired. Like he just wanted to give in and rest. It was honestly rattling, because for the first time, Akira seemed human. Not just some laid back teenage prodigy that has the world handed to him on a silver platter. Honestly, Goro felt a bit uncomfortable that his image of Akira was being skewed in this way. He always saw and detested his rival for the things he had… conviction, friends, the power to change his fate. It was part of what made them such great rivals. But Goro should’ve known better… things are never so simple.
The idea that Akira might accept Dr. Maruki’s reality now seemed closer than before. Akechi knew he wouldn’t stand a chance against Maruki alone. He’d be forced to accept whatever reality his rival chose. It was disheartening, knowing this decision was out of his hands. He frowned at his drink and sighed.
