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Goro Akechi (Raven): I don't think it's manipulation. I think Crow's just an emotional mess and his brain has yet to solidify after being reduced to mush.

Goro Akechi (Crow): I'm sorry if I upset you. It wasn't my intention. I just don't want to lose you. You're both precious to me.

Goro Akechi (Raven): Crow. Go kiss your boyfriend. We can discuss this like rational adults once you have calmed down. Besides, you've had Magpie all to yourself lately.

Goro Akechi (Magpie): I'm going to castrate myself. Goro Akechi (Magpie): All of this is insane. Please just go. If you need anything, I'll be commiserating with Raven.

[Finally, he gets up from the Nakano dessert restaurant counter he was experimenting at, and heads skittishly for the subway, texting as he goes.]

You never stated a food preference. Please tell me you're as unsettled as I am right now.

You have no idea.

Ren started calling him petnames like "my sweet songbird" and "my tuft of feathers" before they left.

Seeing Crow unravel was... Well, he's usually rather composed, wouldn't you say? Then again, you're the one who's spent a night with him, so perhaps he unravels the later it gets.

He didn't unravel that much. He always struck me as sensible, if a bit soft. This is on another level.

[...]

A tuft of feathers? He said that?

My guess is he's been suppressing his loneliness. There were times during the night where I'd hear him call Ren's name. I knew he was yearning.

I just didn't realize how bad it was until I saw him fall apart like this.

But yes. That makes the list of embarrassing petnames: honey, my tuft of feathers, and my sweet songbird.

I may need to start compiling a more formal list for the future.

[...]

But I think Crow will settle down once he's had time to process everything. This is a big shift for all of us, him included.

Edited 2023-10-11 05:55 (UTC)

At least my Ren hasn't complimented my anatomy, the way Crow described. Shit, perhaps I should be offended. On the other hand, I'm not accepting *any* bird-related epithets.

[So he called you "honey", then, Magpie?]

As you say, though, I'm sure it will be fine. They just need to get it out of their system. Tonight, hopefully, and then they can settle down.

[This is when it occurs to him that, while the two of them were previously united in virginity, Crow is almost certainly about to lose his. Which is an entirely different matter. He's not going to do more than wince about it, however.]

If they're going to have sex, they can do it in one of the houses next door.

Or at least soundproof the room so the rest of us don't have to hear it.

[There are little children in the house! He does not want to have to explain to them the weird noises coming from the grownups' bedroom.]

I wonder what we should tell the children, exactly. I know Akira-kun and Hawk are at least aware that Crow has a boyfriend.

It's not for us to tell them anything. That will be for Crow to share, hopefully tactfully, and well before the two of them walk in the door covered in bruises, confetti and angel wings. I don't have the impression Akira will take this well. As for Hawk, it will depend on the detail of what he remembers. Most likely it will be separation anxiety.

Crow is not the type to abandon people dear to him. If anything, he can hold them a bit too close at times.

He's obviously terrified of losing people, which is why he made a fool of himself in our group chat.

If anything, I can easily see Crow bending over backwards to appease and reassure the children. Overthinking, because he's an Akechi, and spiraling into more stress.

I know he made you soup the other night, so I sincerely doubt Ren being there will change how obsessively he tries to be needed by others.

[Of course. It was never about him, after all. He finally gets to the Velvet Room door, bags in hand and the phone in his mouth.]

I am *not* overthinking. Perhaps we're worrying too much. One more person into that house won't make a difference, as long as they find themselves a lovenest somewhere else. Mikage-cho, perhaps.

Of course.

I'm home, by the way.

[...]

But I still feel so confused.

It's incredibly daunting to see my future romantic partner. I don't hate him. I barely even know him.

But how do I even act around someone like that?

I knew you were struggling with it. I'm almost there myself. Among other things, I have sushi, two kinds of pasta, oden, and a chocolate millefeuille which I expect you to hide from the children, as it's wasted on them.

[And indeed, a minute or two later, in he walks, straight to the kitchen where he starts unloading his bags. Again.]

[A very visibly relieved Raven trots over to greet him.]

Do you need help with the bags?

[He'd hate to make Magpie do it all by himself. That looks like so much to carry.]

[Magpie is more than a little frazzled, but considers himself more than equal to a couple of bags.]

I have it. That millefeuille is in there, by the way. [He indicates a fancy green bag, with the strong implication that he brought that as a treat for Raven, should he want it right now.

He starts unloading takeaway boxes onto the counter.]

The children aren't home?

Hmm... They probably went outside to play. I suppose that gives us time to formulate a plan, at least.

[He tentatively takes the green bag, bowing in thanks.

He'll just need to get some utensils from one of the drawers. Stress eating may be unhealthy, but he doesn't care right now.]

[Yeah, he pulls out two of those insanely expensive red sushi boxes, pulls out some eel and shoves it unceremoniously into his own face, then fridges the rest for the evening. The next bag holds an assortment of cheaper foods, mostly frozen, though there's also a large bag of cheap and cheerful donuts.]

This will all keep till the evening. Luckily, if only the two of us are here.

[... but he turns to give Raven something more of a commiserative glance.]

Honestly? I'm surprised you didn't go mad weeks ago. You're welcome to do it now, if you like. I can handle it. [Kidding. Mostly.]

[He takes a particularly fierce bite of the dessert after skewering it with a fork. Fear him. He is powerful!]

Honestly, I try to keep it together because I know Crow is pushing himself too hard, and somebody has to ensure he doesn't overdo it.

I'm old enough that I can care for the children too, and I do try. I think he just feels obligated to carry the responsibility as the eldest and most experienced.

Ugh. Did you have to put it like that? I have experience that would make him die in his bed. [Unloading some bottles of sparkling water and an array of fresh soups, as well as a dozen eggs and some salad, he starts loading up the fridge.

With a pasta box in hand, he glances around at the Dojima kitchen.]

... how does he still not have a dishwasher? It's as if he enjoys pain. Which wouldn't surprise me, after today.

When I say experienced I mostly mean in terms of caretaking. He's certainly had more time with Nanako-chan, for instance.

[Five years... They're probably siblings by then, aren't they? Truly siblings, who love and cherish each other.]

As for a dishwasher, I suspect it's mostly the installation. He's not exactly a plumber.

Surely it can't be that difficult. I don't know that I want to trust to the Internet here, but I imagine the manual would help. Assuming I could read it.

[Pasta into the fridge; slam. He turns to flop back against the counter, food adequately concealed.]

I didn't quite realise he was coping so badly. I rather thought we thrived on stress.

I should think your recent bonding exercises may have helped. Rank 3, is it?

[Oh, look at the sparkle in his eyes. Curiosity burns bright, it seems.]

But... yes, I think a part of it may be some strange form of loneliness, guilt, or an unholy amalgamation of both. He's kept himself busy, but at the cost of his own physical and mental health.

You and your whispers. [He mutters, and reveals something they may or may not share.] It's like second grade, when nobody would talk to me... or us? Was it us?

[Does a "bond" even mean anything? There's no reason a "bond" couldn't be thrown aside, as far as he's aware.]

Meanwhile, I'm more bored than I know what to do with, and I have a conspiracy board in my head the size of Peru.

We could always collaborate on a grand conspiracy board. Put it on display for the entire Velvet Room to see.

[Oh, it would be delightful. And so impressive, too, he's sure.]

Also, as I recall, we still need to vandalize the Diet.

Yes, we got a little preempted on that, didn't we? And blew up Shinjuku instead. Which was absolutely fine, the last I saw.

[He turns away from Raven to pour two glasses of water, muttering something that sounds suspiciously like piece of shit couldn't even leave her house alone. One glass gets passed down the counter.]

I don't know that my conclusions are for the whole of our cohort. Just you. And Crow, I suppose. And a few select others.

We could make it a special conspiracy board for the Akechi Alliance, then. That could still be worthwhile...

[Ah, he'll accept the glass with a smile. Hydration is important.]

But I do still think it'd be fun to let loose on the Diet. In fact, it would be a welcome distraction from the fact that the boy I am going to date in a few years is here. I don't even know what that means for me.

Edited 2023-10-11 16:05 (UTC)

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