[NOPE] in between rounds, ONSEN TIME

[afailedmurder]

[It's finally men's hour at the hot spring, and Akechi is ready to relax. Which is to say, he's ready to gnaw his own leg off if it means getting away from Phantom Thieves for even a little while. He addresses the leader directly, ignoring the peons.]

Say, Kurusu, do you if Shuichi and I take first crack at the onsen?

Comments

[purrtagonist]

[immediately, dryly, without shame]

You know they don't let you do those sorts of things in there, right?

[this is not what Akechi meant and he knows it]

[afailedmurder]

If that's what I wanted, I'd have offered you first shot at the onsen.

Come to think of it, why don't you go ahead?

[I'm sick of you, go away]

[truthstranger]

A-Akechi-kun, please.

[ It is not entirely clear if he's complaining about the hostility or the fact that he appears to be revealing their sex life in front of Akira's friend IMMEDIATELY. ]

We could all go together, right?

[afailedmurder]

Ah...

[looking vaguely guilty, though he's not sure how to convey "look it's fine, that guy is KY as hell"]

Well, why don't the three of you go and I'll keep Baxter company?

[artisticliberty]

[Yusuke is leaning against the wall with his arms crossed casually, having been the better option for sharing the boy's room, thereby leaving Ryuji and Morgana to the mercy of the women. It's for the best, really. But he kind of wishes he had swapped, because the air in here is stifling. These are not the circumstances he wanted to be at a nice onsen for.

He brushes some hair from his face and speaks to... no one in particular]

If neither of you can come to an agreement, then allow me or our guest.

[afailedmurder]

[Not even looking his way.]

...If that's how you feel, go ahead. I'll take the dog out for a walk.

[artisticliberty]

[watching him closely, by contrast]

Very well. Try not to wander off.

[afailedmurder]

[bitterly]

It's not as if your lot has given me much choice, is it?

[truthstranger]

[Shuichi only stops looking awkward and anxious when he starts looking embarrassed instead.]

Ah... m-mm, I'm sorry to intrude.

[artisticliberty]

[yusuke waves a hand]

There's no helping it. Please relax for now.

[what does he mean, "for now"]

[truthstranger]

I'll... do my best. Thank you.

[he fidgets, stiffly]

...Um...

[purrtagonist]

[he's so sorry for this, Yusuke. THIEF ROAD TRIP: RUINED]

I think Shuichi's got the right idea. . . let's all go.

[but as he says that, he does shoot Yusuke an understanding look. yeah. he gets it]

[artisticliberty]

[WE HAD SUCH PLANS, LEADER]

Very well. Will there be any problems with the dog?

[he understands akira's apologetic expression, at least, but he doesn't know how to make the situation any better than it is]

[purrtagonist]

[THIS IS THE MURDER SCHOOL'S FAULT]

Baxter's pretty well-trained, from what I understand. He should be fine alone.

[a moment of hesitation, and then. . .]

. . . hey.

It's all right.

NAKED TIME

[afailedmurder]

[At some point everyone successfully makes it into the water. Akechi is hiding about as much as one can while sitting naked in a shallow pool, stealing horrified looks at Akira's scars... which is to say not a lot, but he's doing his best.]

[artisticliberty]

[COOL WE'RE NAKED

however yusuke looks pretty disconcerted. no nudity can cheer him up from the information he's received by now. everyone likely saw him manhandle akira about the scars, and now he's doing a really good impression of 'the thinker'.

and glancing at akechi out of the corner of his eyes. subtle.]

[afailedmurder]

[ugghhh stop looking at me like that, I can't help it I wasn't fast enough to take the fall or stab his boyfriend 8( ]

[artisticliberty]

Akechi.

[truthstranger]

[Shuichi is sitting close to Akechi... supportively? anxiously? hard to tell exactly. He can definitely tell that the onsen does not appear to be totally easing the tension.]

Ah... this is nice, though...

[afailedmurder]

[yes, good, a much-needed distraction]

Yes. It's been a long time since I've been to a proper onsen.

[truthstranger]

I'm not sure I ever have...

[purrtagonist]

[honestly Akira is over here like, slowly sinking as deeply into the water as he can to continue hiding said scars because PEOPLE KEEP STARING]

They aren't that bad.

[afailedmurder]

[they kinda are bro]

...Sorry.

[purrtagonist]

[LET HIM PRETEND]

[there's a pause, before he continues, voice light]

Unless you were really staring at how fit I am, in which case, I'll let you in in a secret: pull ups from the rafters.

[this is the proper way to deflect, right]

[truthstranger]

[Shuichi wasn't staring, but at that he winces a little]

At least it's all healed...