“Thought you liked still being able to surprise me?”
Ren grins widely, and for a moment, everything feels like maybe it will all be fine. He steps back to return to a casual lean against the van, hands resting in his pockets, as he watches Akechi fly off into the night.
The moment of feeling fine fades shortly after Ren loses sight of Akechi, and doubt begins to settle into the tiny pressure cracks of his heart. He’d said so much tonight, both in and out of the shared dream. Inside the dream had been harder to control, but the words exchanged after waking - that’s where Ren’s unsure he made the right decision to speak what was on his mind and in his heart. Dreams are irrational; he could’ve more easily waved off his confessions to the nature of the unconscious mind.
Maybe his decision tonight to say more when he typically says less will end up ruining the renewed bond between Akechi and himself. That’s the cold constriction of fear that overtakes him now. His friends know him to be composed and confident, because he doesn’t let on when he feels otherwise and they don’t question him about it. If any of them were here now, there’s no doubt they’d be shown otherwise - unwittingly, due to the strange effects projecting his emotions in invisible waves.
It’s a good thing they’re not here, Ren decides, for more reasons than his ability to keep that mask in place. He catches the smooth leather of the glove in his pocket between thumb and forefinger, and it grounds him a small amount. Akechi is right - he needs to prepare for their upcoming duel.
He needs to prepare for everything else yet to come, too.
no subject
Ren grins widely, and for a moment, everything feels like maybe it will all be fine. He steps back to return to a casual lean against the van, hands resting in his pockets, as he watches Akechi fly off into the night.
The moment of feeling fine fades shortly after Ren loses sight of Akechi, and doubt begins to settle into the tiny pressure cracks of his heart. He’d said so much tonight, both in and out of the shared dream. Inside the dream had been harder to control, but the words exchanged after waking - that’s where Ren’s unsure he made the right decision to speak what was on his mind and in his heart. Dreams are irrational; he could’ve more easily waved off his confessions to the nature of the unconscious mind.
Maybe his decision tonight to say more when he typically says less will end up ruining the renewed bond between Akechi and himself. That’s the cold constriction of fear that overtakes him now. His friends know him to be composed and confident, because he doesn’t let on when he feels otherwise and they don’t question him about it. If any of them were here now, there’s no doubt they’d be shown otherwise - unwittingly, due to the strange effects projecting his emotions in invisible waves.
It’s a good thing they’re not here, Ren decides, for more reasons than his ability to keep that mask in place. He catches the smooth leather of the glove in his pocket between thumb and forefinger, and it grounds him a small amount. Akechi is right - he needs to prepare for their upcoming duel.
He needs to prepare for everything else yet to come, too.