Archive of Our Own

   Goro melted into the mattress as Ren moaned above him, then collapsed next to him as his arms finally gave out. The two laid together, content to simply bask in their afterglow for the moment.

   Ren shifted, tossing an arm over Goro's chest with a smile. "Happy birthday, Goro."

   Goro let out a breathy wheeze that he intended to be a laugh and rolled onto his side to face him. "Thank you for today," he said, reaching up to brush his boyfriend's bangs from where they were stuck to his forehead. Ren chuckled, a soft, warm sound lodged deep in his throat.

   "I would've done more, but someone insisted he didn't want a party."

   "I didn't. Really, today was more than I could have possibly asked for," Goro rifled through the sheets until he found Ren's hand, gripping it tightly. "I know I'm not the best at expressing it, but thank you. For everything."

   Ren lifted their joined hands to his face and pressed a few kisses to Goro's knuckles. "Anything for you, my prince."

   Goro rolled his eyes, the familiar glow of affection settling back in his chest as he buried himself in Ren's side. Ren shifted them around until he was flat on his back with his arm slung around Goro's shoulders so the brunet could rest his head on the raven's chest. Goro clambered half on top of him obligingly, heedless of any mess they'd made, letting out a hum of approval as he nuzzled at Ren's collarbone. The two sighed in tandem.

   "Twenty-eight years today, huh?" Ren said after a while, eliciting a quiet snort from his boyfriend.

   "And just what are you trying to imply by that?"

   "Nothing," he said with a small huff, laughter rumbling deep in his chest, a private sound meant just for the two of them. "It's just kind of crazy to think about, y'know?"

   "I... don't follow."

   "I mean I can hardly believe it's been that long. It really doesn't feel like it, but nine years ago, I was still reeling from the fact that you weren't dead."

   "Well, that would make two of us," Goro said without much emotion. That birthday was one he remembered well. It wasn't anything extravagant, little more than a routine meet-up at Leblanc, yet Ren had baked a cake and some of the Thieves had brought trinkets decorated with ribbons wrapped in bows - peace offerings, perhaps, - and Goro had very nearly broken down bawling in the middle of the café. "The year before, I didn't think I'd even have another birthday."

   "I know...," Ren said solemnly, shaking his head minutely. "Even thinking about it just kills me. I promise, you'll never have to go through that ever again. I won't allow it."

   Goro let out a humorless snort, "I believe you."

   The somber mood was short-lived, however, as another laugh reverberated in the raven's ribcage, shaking them both softly. "Hey, that reminds me..."

   "Of what?"

   "Next week?" Goro blinked owlishly up at him. "C'mon, don't tell me you don't remember?"

   Goro rolled over, laid flush against his boyfriend's torso with arms crossed at the top of his chest, chin resting on top of them. He fixed Ren with an unimpressed glare, "I'm fresh off of having the lights fucked out of me, forgive me for not being at the top of my game."

   Ren let out a good-natured huff, reaching a hand up to tangle in the hair above Goro's ear, giving it a soft tug, "If you're lucid enough to sass me, I think you're in enough of your right mind to remember something so important."

   "I'll have you know I'm never in my right mind. And if whatever you're talking about was really so important then I highly doubt I'd forget about it, don't you think?"

   "Right," Ren rolled his eyes, "Which is why I don't believe you did. I know it's your birthday and all, but does that really mean you have to keep messing with me?"

   Whoever had coined the term 'post-orgasm clarity' was clearly a liar, because Goro's brain was starting to feel like mush. "I really have no idea what you're talking about."

   Ren stared at him for a few moments, then hummed. "Tell you what. If you can tell me what I'm thinking of by this time next week, you win."

   Goro raised an eyebrow, "I 'win'?"

   "Yeah."

   "What the hell kind of half-assed challenge is that?" he squawked, mildly offended. "I 'win' what, exactly? At least make it a bet, something with stakes."

   Ren chuckled at his outburst, and Goro's bristling smoothed out almost embarrassingly quickly at the sound. "Fine. We'll make it a bet, then. Reward slash punishment will be Dealer's Choice on the day of the bet's conclusion."

   Goro nodded. "Dealer's Choice, hm?" Ren nodded back. Goro grinned almost maliciously, head tilted to the side. "Now those are certainly some high stakes."

   Ren matched him with a wicked smile, almost Joker-like in its mischief, curbed only by the fondness tugging at its corners. "Just the way you like it. Right, honey?"

   "Exactly," Goro slapped at his shoulder lightly, refraining from scoffing at the pet name - Ren seemed attached to it for some reason and Goro would be even more of a liar than he already was if he said he didn't like it, but it was still hard to just... let it happen, unremarked upon. One of these days he would get over himself. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need a shower."

   Goro moved to peel himself off of Ren, only for him to wrap his arms around Goro's middle and abruptly sit up, forcing Goro into his lap. "I think you mean we need a shower," he said. Before Goro could more than sputter indignantly in response, Ren hooked his hands under Goro's thighs, slung their legs off the side of the bed and stood up, lifting Goro into the air and dangerously close to the ceiling with an undignified yelp.

   "What do you think you're doing?!"

   "Carrying you," Ren said, completely deadpan. Only the ghost of his previous smirk playing on his lips gave him away. "You don't seriously expect me to let you wash yourself off while I wait out here, alone. Frankly, I'm insulted."

   "You are insufferable," Goro muttered with a sigh. Ren didn't say anything, opting instead to pepper kisses all across Goro's neck and collarbone. Goro rolled his eyes with an over-dramatic groan, "Fine. But I'm holding you to that - I refuse to do something someone else said they would."

   "Let's call it one last birthday present for the road, alright?"

   "Please, there's barely a half hour left of it."

   "We'd better make the most of it, then," Ren said with a chuckle, which was contagious enough to break through Goro's huffy façade. He really was in too good of a mood to pretend for very long.

   Ren shifted his grip, jostling Goro slightly and pulling a jubilant shriek from his throat, which just made Ren laugh more as he carried him off, their bet left behind and forgotten in the quiet of mussed sheets and warm lamplight under the cover of twilight.

   -=+=-

   Nothing stays forgotten for long, but Goro was having the hardest time figuring out whatever it was Ren wanted him to remember. Not for lack of trying, though to be entirely fair, he had been busy. Life just seemed to move so fast these days.

   Work was... fine. A lot, but fine. If someone had told Goro as a teenager that not only was he destined to have a long and fufilling life, but also he'd end up as a fucking bartender of all things, he more than likely would have laughed in their face, then shot them - destiny be damned, he'd be dead before he was even old enough to drink. Now, standing behind Jazz Jin's bar on an ungodly busy Monday night, with five tabs open, ten orders written down and another six memorized, setting down what was probably the eighteenth martini of the night next to maybe the thirtieth sleeve of beer, he was beyond grateful for his current line of work.

   There was a certain zen to it all. The memorization, the repetitive motions, the way he could reasonably expect how any given interaction with a customer would go and easily pass it off to Muhen if it was beyond him, for any reason at all, no questions asked. Sure, it could get hectic, but it was always manageable. And maybe it was the fact that he'd been dating a barista for the last seven years, but he found the weekend and after-work rushes of crazy people with even crazier stories almost enjoyable.

   Goro was... happy, with where he was, against all odds. Which may as well have made him the craziest one there, or so it felt.

   "Hey, kid." Goro jumped, swiping the rag he was holding across the bar a bit too sharply and nearly knocking over a stack of glasses.

   "Ah, Muhen," he greeted as his boss joined him behind the counter.

   "Sorry to startle you."

   "You didn't startle me," Goro denied with a scoff, "and would you mind not calling me that on the clock?"

   Muhen laughed, presumably not at him, "Right. Not exactly a kid anymore, anyways, are'ya? Sometimes seems like I turned around and suddenly you've got your life together, all grown up."

   Not nearly enough, I'm afraid... "As much as I'm enjoying this particular line of conversation, it's not exactly professional to be fraternizing with the staff during operating hours."

   Muhen visibly blinked behind his sunglasses. "'Kechi, it's midnight. We're closed."

   Goro blinked right back at him, then wrenched his sleeve up to check his watch. Sure enough, he'd somehow zoned out long enough for the entire evening to slip past him, unnoticed. He let his face fall into his hand, rubbing at his eye and temple - just another way time has managed to slip through his hands like sand in a sieve.

   "You okay, kid?" Muhen asked, concerned.

   Goro exhaled slowly through his nose. "I'm fine. Just... don't worry about me."

   "...You wanna drink?"

   Five minutes later, Goro was seated on the customers' side of the bar as Muhen handed him a cosmopolitan. "So," he said, "tell me. What's going on in your life?"

   "Nothing much," Goro said evasively as he inspected an expensive bottle of tequila on the bar's top shelf. Muhen raised an eyebrow, staring over the rim of his glasses, and Goro shifted his gaze to his drink. He shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant, "A friend of mine is going to have a baby."

   Muhen smiled, "Well, that's some big news. Lemme guess, Yoshizawa-chan?" Goro nodded. "Be sure to tell her I said congratulations."

   "I will..."

   He couldn't read the look on Muhen's face as he leaned over the bar, "Something up, kid? Ya seem kinda put out."

   Goro rubbed his thumb along the base of his martini glass, the feeling of pebbled leather gliding against well-worn glass grounding him. "I am happy for her," he replied. And it was the truth. Nothing could discount the profound elation that bubbled up from his chest when Sumire had told him the news earlier that week, nor the glowing pride when she confided that he was the first one to know, before even Mishima, her husband. Her excitement alone had Goro walking on air, and he could not be more happy for her. It didn't matter if the pit deep within his ribcage felt like it had gotten impossibly deeper at the thought of two-time gold medalist Yoshizawa Sumire achieving her dreams and stepping boldly into the next stage of her life. It didn't matter if he still felt that sharp ache every time he saw those stupid, perfect bands on her stupid, perfect ring finger, taunting him. It didn't matter.

   He glanced up to see Muhen, sunglasses removed, looking at him kindly. And Goro could lie to the world, his friends, even himself. But never to him.

   Goro sighed. "It just feels like I'm... being left behind, I suppose."

   "Aw, kid..."

   "It's like, I've only just gotten settled into this whole... life, thing, then suddenly everyone else is ready to move on," he plowed forward, because if he didn't get this out now then his throat was going to close up and he wouldn't get another chance. "Now Ren's talking about whether he wants to take the reins at Leblanc or start his own place. And earlier this week, with Sumire...," Goro took a second to breathe, his next words lodged themselves in his throat. He swallowed, his voice feeling a bit hoarse, "I guess I'm just worried what will happen if I... can't keep up."

   There was silence for a moment as Goro stared at his rose-coloured reflection in his drink. After what was probably around a minute, Muhen hummed and Goro looked up at him. Muhen reached across the bar, forced Goro's hand to close around the stem of his glass, and lifted up to Goro's face-level.

   Goro took the hint, knocking back the entire drink in one go.

  The glass hit the table with a distinctive clink, and Goro let out a low exhale. "Thank you. I think I needed that..."

   Muhen nodded, "No problem. And Akechi?"

   "Hm?"

   "I know you're not gonna wanna hear it, but we all move at different paces. Comparin' yourself to others, or even how you used to be, isn't going to do anything but make you miserable."

   Goro coughed out a dismissive sound somewhere between a snort and a scoff.

   "Yeah, yeah. Listen here, kid; I can't speak for you or anyone else about whether you've got any reason to worry. But I just wanna remind you that if you ever need a place to go, for any reason at all, I'll be here."

   Goro nodded silently, lips pressed together in a thin line. "Right," he said, barstool scraping against the hardwood as he stood up. "Thank you, Muhen. Honestly. I do appreciate it."

   "Anytime."

   "I think I should be taking my leave now," he pushed the barstool back beneath the bar, then turned to walk towards the employees' room, but turned back around just as quickly. "By the way, do you know of anything happening, or has happened tomorrow?"

   "No?" Muhen answered, one eyebrow raised, "Why do you ask?"

   Goro fixed his gaze on the bar, woodgrain shining in the dim light. "It's nothing. Ren seems to be under the impression that I've forgotten something important about it, is all. We've got a bet going on it and everything."

   "Ahhh..." he drawled, understanding flooding his tone. "Well, good luck," he placed his hands down on the bar, leaning over it. "'Cause if there was something important going on tomorrow, and you forgot? You might be screwed."

   "Thank you for the vote of confidence...," Goro snarked, rolling his eyes dramatically. He hadn't considered the possibility that... No. He hadn't thought of it because it wasn't worth considering. Ren would never... just, no. He wasn't going to spiral over this, he wasn't. "I just can't fathom what he could be referring to."

   Muhen shrugged, and Goro leaned back on the bar, surveying the empty club. "His birthday isn't until September, our anniversary is in December, no holidays are coming up," February 2nd is long behind us, November 20th is far ahead, and neither of those seem particularly worth celebrating... unless... Goro shook his head, banishing the thought before it could take form. He was. Not. Going. To. Spiral. "I've been wracking my brain all week, but...," he groaned, frustrated, "nothing."

   "Whatever it is, I'm sure you'll figure it out," Muhen patted him on the shoulder, and Goro was proud to say he did not jump at the contact, nor at the gentle squeeze that came immediately after. And just like that, he was back on solid ground. "Now speaking of, you oughta get going. I'm sure Amamiya'll worry if you're back too late."

   "Right," Goro nodded, actually moving towards the back this time. "Thank you again, really. You've been a great help."

   "Don't mention it. And tell your beau I said hi, alright?"

   "Of course," he said, reaching into the employees' room to grab his jacket and briefcase. Not that he'd need the former, in this heat. Goro walked across the club, careful to avoid the equipment from the singer's performance earlier that night, over to the exit. He threw a wave over his shoulder as he opened the door, a wall of humidity oozing inside. Muhen waved back, and Goro let the door close behind him with a clear click.

   Up the stairs. Down the alley. Up the promenade. See the neon lights. Smell the booze, the food, the smog. Feel the breeze that carried the scents, the early summer heat that made his shirt stick to his skin. Hear the chatter of the crowd, the rattle of the subway train that will take him home. It was routine, at this point, the concoction of sensations that made up late-night Tokyo. It made everything feel so much less overwhelming.

   Muhen was right. Goro was a chronic over-thinker; and true to form, he had worked himself up over nothing. He could figure this out. He was Akechi Goro, Goddammit, he'd survived so much worse than a minor existential crisis. He would be fine.

   Until then, Goro mused as he collapsed into an empty seat on his first train, he could unravel the mystery Ren set out for him. Or at the very least, pray to anything that would listen that his boyfriend would be merciful.

   -=+=-

   "I'm hom-"

   "Boo!" Ren jumped out from behind the open door, cutting Goro off with a kiss. Goro snorted, shoving the raven off as he locked the door behind them.

   "How many times do I have to tell you not to wait up for me?" he asked, doing a piss-poor job of sounding exasperated. Ren had work early most mornings, he really shouldn't stay up when Goro got home between one and three o' clock most nights, but that selfish, sentimental part of him couldn't be upset at him for it. That part of him seemed to win out more often than not, these days.

   Ren smiled at him, that special combination of gooey-sweet fondness and Joker-esqe smug that was reserved exclusively for him. "As many times as it takes for it to stick," he said.

   "So, ad infinitium?" Goro said, deadpan, head cocked to the side as he raised an eyebrow. Ren's smile widened, dimples digging into his cheeks.

   "You know me too well," he cooed, snaking his arms around the brunet's waist. "I'd wait a hundred years to see you. Besides, I'd never get to see you if I didn't."

   "That's not an excuse to ruin your sleep schedule." Ren pressed another kiss to his lips, which admittedly did a fairly good job of shutting him up. After a minute or so he started trailing yet more kisses up and down Goro's jawline, successfully drawing a laugh from the brunet.

   "So... any guesses?" Ren asked, nuzzling just under Goro's ear.

   "Hm?"

   "Any guesses? Y'know, about tomorrow."

   Goro rolled his eyes, despite knowing full-well Ren couldn't see him. "Right...," he drawled, lightly shoving Ren off. His boyfriend smirked, throwing an arm over Goro's shoulders. Goro let out an elongated huff, batting at Ren's chest, at which Ren laughed silently, the low rumble shaking them both as he backed off a few inches, though his arm stayed wrapped loosely around him.

   "Well?" Ren prompted, head tilted to the side. His eyes were bright with a mischievous smile. Goro gave an over-exaggerated sigh.

   "Fine. Let's see, then," he rested his chin between his index finger and thumb, pointedly ignoring the raven's muffled snickering as he scoured their apartments' living room. Framed photos, posters and prints broke up the monotony of otherwise drab grey walls. A key rack was mounted next to the door, twin sets of keychains glinting in the low light. Their media centre sat beneath the flatscreen TV Goro had spent entirely too long attempting to mount by himself before he buckled and asked for Ren's help, lined with HD DVDs, box sets, and fandom memorabilia. The coffee table between it and the novelty pillow-studded couch was far too low to the ground, impossible to reach anything off of, took up too much space, and generally just in the way more than anything else. Goro wasn't entirely sure why they even had it in the first place.

   He sighed again, short and a touch frustrated, "I've got nothing."

   "That's alright," Ren said reassuringly, pulling Goro closer as he slouched in defeat. "It's late. I shouldn't have expected much when I knew you'd be tired."

   "Fuck off," Goro muttered eloquently, doing absolutely nothing to refute the accusation. He knew it was a tease, but his exhaustion really was starting to hit him now that he was back in the safe familiarity of home. Ren laughed at his response, and even that did wonders to soothe his overtaxed brain.

   "Yeah, yeah, I know. You've still got a day to figure it out, anyways. Plenty of time for someone as smart as you." Goro grumbled incoherently at the compliment as Ren maneuvered him over to the kitchenette where their rice cooker's faded light blinked on and off, signalling it was done, and a pot of something that smelled of soy and ginger and spices bubbled on low on the stovetop. Goro put up only the most token of resistance, just to be a hassle. "Have you eaten yet?" he asked. Goro shook his head, and Ren gave a sharp nod, "Good."

   It wasn't they were seated at what could generously be called their dining-room table that Ren spoke up again. "Long day?"

   Goro shrugged, "Kind of hard to tell. I zoned out through half of it," he mumbled noncommittally, most of his attention focused on his half-eaten dinner. Ren shot him a lopsided grin.

   "Yeah, I figured as much. Just wanted to be sure."

   One would think that, after - what, six? Maybe seven - years of dating, Goro would be better at reading his boyfriend. Which he was. He'd made significant, steady progress over time, no longer the observant but painfully oblivious teenager prone to projection that he once was. Ren could just be so... opaque, sometimes, and even after years of practice, Goro often couldn't tell not only what the raven was thinking, but whether or not he was even doing it on purpose.

   "Thank you," he responded. It was a safe answer, one that wouldn't invite conversation he didn't have the capacity for.

   "Would you mind dropping by Leblanc tomorrow?" Ren asked, out of the blue. Goro blinked, somewhat confused.

   "Sure, why?"

   "Something I wanted to talk about. It's kind of important, but I'd rather wait until you're in the right headspace for it."

   "Of course," Goro replied. An intact cube of tofu sat near the corner of his plate, seeping reddish sauce onto his rice. He poked at it with a chopstick, watched as it disintegrated, melting into the rest of the dish.

   Ren - sweet, sentimental, pathetically love-struck Ren, - couldn't possibly be considering... NO. He told himself he wasn't going to dwell on this, wasn't going to spiral about it, wasn't even going to think about it. The mere concept was utterly laughable; his boyfriend, Mister No-One-Left-Behind, who'd forgiven everything Goro had done and loved him anyway, willing to sacrifice the world for him, choosing to simply up and leave him? It was impossible. Not even worth the time Goro was wasting on it.

   So why. Won't. It. Leave?!

   "Hey," Goro glanced up, met with a look that was somewhere between fond and annoyed, "I know that look. Cut it out."

   "I have no idea what you're talking about," he said, shaking his head. Ren didn't look convinced.

   Ren sighed, "How many times do I have to say it before it gets through your thick skull?" he said. He took Goro's hand in his own, the other at his jaw, lifting his face to meet Ren's steel grey eyes. "I love you, Goro," he said gently, firmly, then kissed him. It tasted of pepper, scallions, ginger, and just the barest hint of spice, and then it was over.

   Goro huffed out the ghost of a laugh, eyes fluttered closed. "I know."

   Ren smoothed his thumb over Goro's cheek and gave his hand a soft squeeze, and then he was gone, leaned back on his side of the table. He gestured at Goro's plate, "You finished?"

   Goro nodded and Ren quickly cleared the table. He should probably help with the dishes - it was the least he could do, - but before he had the chance to do more than stand up, Ren was corralling him into their bedroom.

   "Alright. What are you up to?" he asked dryly as Ren quite literally shoved him down the hallway. Thank God they were facing the same direction, because Goro could not school his face back into disgruntled neutrality for the life of him.

   "Who, me? Up to something? Why, I'd never!" Ren said, calling upon his old rural drawl to twist into something sickeningly innocent, and Goro felt the corners of his mouth twitch upwards.

   "I refuse to believe you'd really think so little of me as to believe I'd fall for that."

   "Good. Because I think the world of you."

   Their bedroom was dimly lit by fairy lights strung up on the walls and ceiling, variegated by glow-in-the-dark star stickers. The bed was too well-made, dark sheets peaking out from the clean, tucked folds of weighted blankets and vaguely galaxy-patterned comforters. A vase of blue roses, forget-me-nots, and snowdrop flowers sat pleasantly - suspiciously - on Goro's nightstand, bathed in starlight, casting long shadows over the small room.

   "I see. This is all just some overcomplicated scheme to get me to sleep with you, isn't it?"

   Inky curls crowded Goro's peripheral vision as Ren hooked his chin over his shoulder, "Why, Akechi-san! You would accuse me of such indecency, such lewdness?" he slinked in front of the brunet, grabbing both of his hands and tugging him towards the bed. "I'll have you know I am a perfect gentleman. I have never done anything wrong in my life!"

   Goro valiantly suppressed a snort, "Of course not. And it's just as well. After all, I'm afraid you'd have to try a little harder than that to bed me. I'm not so easily wooed by pretty words or flowers."

   "Oh, I beg to differ," he smirked, handsome and perfect and Joker, - his Joker. It really was a good thing Goro was tired, or else he would have a hell of a time pulling the brakes on this line of conversation.

   Ren sat down on the side of their bed, bringing Goro with him, the force of their landing causing the mattress to bounce slightly. Goro rolled his eyes, an affectionate smirk playing on his lips, "You really are-"

   He stopped.

   That wasn't...

   It couldn't be...

   Sitting there, disguised among the blacks and indigos of their bedding, was a single leather glove.

   There was no conscious thought running through Goro's brain as he picked it up. The leather was soft beneath his fingers, discoloured at the seams, well-worn with time. He lifted it in front of his chest, letting it drape across the back of his hand. "Is this what I think it is?"

   The look on Ren's face was surely indescribable, but if Goro had to put a word to it, it would be adoration - still something he was unused to, despite how often he was showered in it. "It is."

   "You kept it..."

   "Of course I did. I promised, didn't I?" Ren said softly. He took Goro's hand, tracing a line up his thumb and down across the glove. "You should know at this point I always keep my promises."

   Goro swallowed, for once in his life, at a complete loss for words. "I do."

   "Y'know, we never did have that rematch, did we?" he said with the slightest huff of a laugh.

   "Yes, well. We never had much of a chance to, come to think of it," Goro shrugged. "I don't know if it's really worth following up on at this point."

   "Right. Which is why I figured I might as well give it back."

   Somewhere, deep in the recesses of his heart, Goro felt something crack. It was a tiny thing - insignificant, really - but it hurt.

   He shook his head, "That isn't necessary, I gave it to you. Under false pretenses, maybe, but it is yours to keep."

   Ren genuinely looked somewhat taken aback by that. "You... what? I mean, I know you never asked for it back, but...?"

   "I never... intended to have it back, no. For... numerous reasons," Goro averted his eyes, tracing lines to weave between the stars on the wall. "I suppose it was meant as memento, of sorts."

   "Something to remember you by," Ren breathed, not quite a question but not a statement he truly believed either, rubbing the wrist of the glove between two fingers.

   "I doubt I would have put it as such, but, more or less, yes."

   Ren closed the gap, a kiss as soft and delicate as the moment placed tenderly against Goro's lips. He rested his forehead against his as he pulled away with a pleased sigh, eyes flashing almost silver in the night.

   "I love you. And I love the sentiment, really. But I want you to have it back. I've had it long enough."

   Goro had nothing to say to that, no way to combat the tenderness of such a request. So, despite the crack digging itself deeper, now forming a proper fracture, he nodded. He clutched the glove, the physical embodiment of their connection, close against his chest. He wasn't even sure if he still had its match, now that he thought about it. Nevermind, that wasn't... This wasn't worth dwelling on.

   Goro put the glove in his sidetable drawer, amid the pens, notepads, treasured trinkets and less savoury items that filled it. Where his memories go. He'd thought Ren had a similar place, tucked away somewhere in the room. Perhaps he did - maybe the glove just didn't have a place there anymore.

   Out of sight, out of mind, or so he hoped. He went through the few remaining motions of the night, and soon he was back in bed, buried in cool blankets and wrapped in Ren's loving embrace. His boyfriend nuzzled at the crown of his head, already dozing off. Morgana slinked his way in at some point, muttering about how they 'took long enough,' already curled up at the foot of the bed. Goro lay in the dark, soaking up whatever affection he could. Desperate to muffle the small voice in the back of his head that wondered just how much longer it was going to last.

   -=+=-

   It was no good. No matter how hard he tried, Goro couldn't shunt the thought out of his mind. This wretched little seed of insecurity - he knew, deep down, that was all it was, - had sowed itself in some faultline in his heart, and the longer he mulled on it, the bigger it grew. Its root system spread until everything was within its clutches, while the body forced its way up, trying to tear him apart. No amount of salting could possibly inhibit the growth.

   And how quickly it had grown... Well, the faultline had already been there to begin with, Goro supposed. Give any plant water and attention, and it'll spring up like a weed. 

   ... He'd been listening to Okumura too much.

   Goro's stomach was far beyond tying itself into knots by the time he approached Leblanc. He couldn't even bring himself to brainstorm any lingering possibilities about what today might be, even with the threat of a broken heart dangling over his head. Perhaps this had all been a cruel ruse, and the only thing that made today special was Ren making it known that he had finally come to his senses.

   The door to the café opened with a cheerful chime, displaying just about the last thing Goro had considered - an empty room.

   Leblanc was dark, and more importantly, completely deserted. Goro checked the sign hanging on the still open door, which proudly announced that yes, they were indeed Open. A glance at his watch confirmed that it was about 10:30; Ren was usually on break around this time, which was specifically why he came by now. 

   Occasionally, Goro would drop by during Ren's break. He'd make them both coffee, they'd shoot the shit, maybe play a game of chess or cards. Like they did back when they were stupid kids, in over their heads, clinging to crushes neither of them should have had. They hadn't had a chance to do that in a while.

   Maybe they never would again.

   Goro stared at his seat at the bar. Ren... Ren wouldn't have just... stood him up, would he? Of course not, Goro didn't think so little of the man to actually believe he would leave without an explanation, or even so much as a goodbye. Besides, they did live together, after all - by necessity such a breakup couldn't be so abrupt.

   That thought didn't make him feel any better.

   He stepped forwards, crossing the threshold into the café proper. And as if he triggered some sort of tripwire, the lights came on all at once.

   "SUPRISE!!!"

   The Phantom Thieves quite literally tumbled out of the woodwork, a chorus of frenzied voices freezing Goro like a deer in the headlights. He distantly noticed confetti flakes sticking to his hair, followed by lighthearted laughter bouncing off the walls.

   The crowd around him parted, allowing Ren to take up the majority of his vision. "Alright, alright! You're crowding him, quiet down. Give him a minute," he ordered, laughing brightly. He smiled at him, confetti caught in his curls, light glinting against his glasses. "Suprise?"

   "You already said that," Goro replied blankly. This was... this wasn't... "What is this, exactly?"

   "You said you didn't want a birthday party, so...," the raven trailed off with a devilish grin.

   "We thought we'd throw you one just because!" Sumire finished cheerfully, latching onto Ren's shoulder.

   "A... party?"

   "Aw, no," Ryuji's voice floated over from the booth on his left. "D'ya think we broke him?"

   Something finally managed to snap Goro out of his haze, at least slightly. He shook his head a bit, just to clear it, and scanned his surroundings. All nine of the Thieves stood at attention, faces warm and welcoming.

   "I don't recall there being any call for celebration."

   "What did Sumi literally just say?" Ann said, drawing his attention to where she sat atop the bar. "We're your friends, we don't need a reason!" Okumura nodded next to her.

   "It's silly to think there needs to be a reason to celebrate in the first place, let alone something as important as our friends," she said with what could best be called an amicable smile.

   "Well, not no reason...," Ren took Goro by the shoulder, steering him towards the bar. He gestured for them all to wait a moment, slipping behind the bar and into the kitchen with catlike grace. He returned a minute later with-

   "A... cake?" Goro blinked, taken aback. Seated innocently on the bar, was what appeared to be an off-white vanilla. Piped rosettes studded with shiny blackberries decorated the rim, while lashings of caramel-coloured drizzle covered the blank space in an eclectic pattern. Right in the centre, a little blackbird - a crow - sat proudly, nestled in the frosting for all to see.

   "Not just 'a cake'," Futaba chirped, excited. Goro looked back up to see Ren holding out a cake knife, gesturing for him to take it.

   He grabbed the knife, weighing it cautiously in his hand. The Thieves bunched closer around him in anticipation. Goro wasn't entirely sure why they were all so eager to see him slice into a cake of all things - hell, watch him use a knife on anything - but it wouldn't do him any good to dwell on it. With a steadying breath, he tipped the blade over the centre of the cake, just next to the crow, and cut.

   "... Oh, my God..."

   Pancakes. Fucking. Pancakes. The 'cake' wasn't actually cake at all, but layers upon layers of American-style pancakes. Goro stared at the slice he cut in disbelief, then at Ren, who looked entirely too pleased with himself.

   "The frosting's sweetened with maple syrup, the same stuff I drizzled over top. I did the blackberries' glaze myself," he explained, too shy for the smug grin splitting his face open. "I've always wanted to make a layer cake, but this seemed too good to pass up. Though, uh...," he glanced back towards the kitchen, "it gave me more trouble than I thought it would."

   Futaba snickered next to him, "Totally worth it though, right?"

   "So. Any final guesses as to what today might be?"

   Of course that's what he forgot. "What, June 9th? The day I managed to fuck up three years of planning because of a single slip-up?" Goro spat, suddenly remembering to be offended. "You're bringing this up now, why? To gloat, or just embarrass me with my past failures?"

   "Dude. Nobody's tryin' to insult you," Ryuji chastised. He was sitting backwards on one of the barstools, arms draped over the chair's back. "Besides, if you'd never've said that, you'd probably both be dead right now."

   "Ryuji," Makoto hissed, not far behind him.

   "What? It's the truth."

   "Yes, well," Ren cleared his throat quietly, drawing attention back to him. "That's not why I remember today. The 'Pancake Incident' was memorable to be sure, but something much better happened, in my opinion. Last chance, Goro..."

   Goro scrambled, the answer was right in front of him, he could swear it. June 9th, the day he gave himself away, the first day of Ren's social studies field trip, the day that they-

   Oh.

   Oh...

   Well.

   Fuck.

   "Today's the day that we first met," he said. Ren poorly stifled a laugh and Goro let his face fall into his open palm. "I am such a fucking idiot..."

   "Hey, don't be like that!"

   Goro stared at him. And stared. And stared. And stared. He opened his mouth, and he couldn't control the words that fell out;

   "I love you. So much. I'd kill everyone in this room, then myself if it would make you happy. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me in this God-forsaken world. You saved me. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you."

   They tumbled from his mouth, stilted and harsh, more like a threat than a declaration, not helped by the fact that he was still holding a knife. There was painful, empty silence for far too long a minute. The Thieves all seemed shocked silent, unsure of what to say.

   Then, Ren laughed. Bright and boisterous, so unlike usual. It was light and unrestrained. Free. It invited others to laugh with him.

   And oh, did the Phantom Thieves laugh with him.

   The café filled with the sound, tension melting away as Goro let himself join them.

   Ren took the knife back and started to pass out slices of 'cake' to everyone. After a few minutes, everyone had paired off into their individual little groups, the warm, bubbly sound of lighthearted conversation floating up like fresh foam. Goro leaned over the bar at his spot near the end, watching his friends chatter amongst themselves. For a moment, his head was blissfully empty. He was at peace.

   A sharp sound brought him back down to reality. Morgana was attempting to slide his plate across the bar with his nose, porcelain groaning where it scraped against the wood grain. He batted at it clumsily to no effect. Goro picked the dish up and placed it in front of the seat next to him.

   "Thanks," he said with what he would definitely deny was a purr. The tux immediately dove into it, lapping at the frosting covering his tiny sliver of stacked pancakes. Goro rolled his eyes with no real malice.

   "Don't mention it."

   "Hey, Goro?" Morgana asked, licking residue off his muzzle.

   "Hm?"

   "Are you doing okay? You've seemed kinda off, lately."

   Goro thought for a moment. Had he really spent the last twenty-four hours panicking over something as ludicrous as a breakup? God, it sounded so stupid, now that he thought about it. Of course, he'd known that from the start, but it was still so difficult to stop his brain from catastrophizing. Honestly, Ren? The most perfect person in the world, who seemed physically incapable of not showering him with love and affection every waking moment?

   What on Earth was I so worried about?

   "I'm just fine, Mona," he told the tux, a soft smile gracing his lips. Morgana's ear twitched, looking somewhat confused.

   After a moment, he flicked his tail tip to the side, "Alright. Just wanted to check," he said, satisfied.

   "Thank you for your concern."

   Morgana chuffed at the sarcasm, then went back to his food. A few minutes later, Ren sat down between them.

   "Enjoying your party?"

   "You know I hate surprises," Goro retorted, fighting off a wry smile. Ren saw straight through him, nudging him with his shoulder. 

   "C'mon, you deserve it."

   "Blech," Morgana gagged, jumping down from the counter. "If you two are gonna be gross right after I finish eating, I'm going to see what Ann and Haru are up to," he said, prancing away with his tail in the air.

   Ren smirked, "Don't listen to him, I bet he's just jealous."

   Goro huffed out a laugh, "Oh? Of what?"

   "Our stunning good looks, flawless chemistry, unrivalled charm...?"

   "Alright, alright, shut up already!" he exclaimed through choked laughter. His efforts were for naught, however, as Ren broke down right there with him.

   "Oh my God!" Ann's voice broke through their fit, drawing attention to her booth by the back. She had Kitagawa in her clutches, shaking him around like a ragdoll, while Okumura sat opposite of them - looking far too amused for the situation at hand, - and Makoto stood leaned against the seats next to her. "I am just so proud of you!"

   Kitagawa looked pleased, albeit rather embarrassed, "It is just an exhibition," he insisted. "It is not as though my works haven't been displayed at galleries before..."

   "Yeah, at small-scale art exhibits, maybe. This is a full-blown European world-expo!"

   "C'mon, no need to be so humble," Ryuji chimed in, throwing his arms over the back of the booth where he was sitting behind the two. "You finally hit the big leagues, man! If that ain't somethin' to write home about, I don't know what is!"

   Kitagawa cycled through a few shades of red before settling on a soft shade of pink, an expression of acceptance smoothing over his face. "Well, that may be true. I am not the one about to sign a contract for their own magazine, however."

   "Oooh, that was smooth, Inari!" Futaba snickered from the corner of the booth.

   Ann, now the centre of attention, threw her hands up in a bashful shrug, "Oh, please. It's just a tiny, regional thing, it probably won't even be sold outside of the city. Nothing compared to you!"

   "Nonsense, Ann-chan," Okumura said, "This was your dream, wasn't it?"

   "Well, kinda. I always wanted to inspire people - the magazine thing just kinda seemed like the best way to do that."

   "And it will," Ren told her. "You are one of the most inspiring people I've ever met, Ann. It'll be amazing to have everyone finally see that." Goro nodded in agreement, not having much to add.

   Futaba leaned over the table, "You and Shiho are going to Kobe, right? To finalize everything?"

   "Yeah, you guys've been talking our ears off about your 'girls' weekend' for weeks now," Ryuji teased, nudging Ann playfully. Ann batted at him.

   "Stop it! It's a completely legitimate business trip!"

   "Sure, cause we all go on holiday-length business trips with our girlfriends..."

   "You don't even have a girlfriend!"

   The blondes bickered between each other, amusement clear in their tones. Futaba grinned maliciously at the chaos she'd initiated. "You better bring me back a souvenir," she said, the demand falling on deaf ears - she'd likely only said it out loud for future blackmail purposes anyway.

   "You're going on a business trip too, aren't you Haru?" Ren asked, completely ignoring the full-blown scuffle that had broken out in the café. She glanced over at him, then nodded, smiling kindly.

   "Well, I don't know if I'd call it a business trip, per say, but I am going to be location scouting for my café chain in Canada next spring," she turned to the rest of their friends, "My offer still stands, if anyone would like to join Mako-chan and I. All expenses paid, no strings attached."

   Sumire caught Goro's eye from the other end of the bar, sharing a secretive smile, "I think I might be busy this winter, but I'll definitely keep it in mind. Yuuki and I would love to come."

   "We'd be glad to have you!"

   The conversation carried on in this vein for around half an hour before things started to wind down - party or no, it was still a work day. The Thieves all helped Ren clean up, including washing a truly staggering amount of bowls and pans. Ren shrugged at that. "Making that many pancakes all the same diameter turned out to be a lot harder than I thought," he'd said. Eventually, everyone was ready to say their goodbyes, until Ren stopped them.

   "Actually, can you guys wait outside for a minute?" The Thieves murmured in agreement, suspiciously pleased looks plastered on every one of their faces as they filed out compliantly. Goro moved to join them, but was stopped by Ren catching his wrist. "Not you. There's still something I want to talk to you about."

   Oh, fuck no... 

   Goro glanced back towards the door. Sumire idled by it, an encouraging smile on her face as she waved, then left, the bell's chime signalling her exit.

   It may as well have been a death knell.

   He'd let his guard down. The party had been a diversion, either to soften the blow or cripple him further - it didn't matter which, the outcome was ultimately the same. He had known Ren was up to something, of course he was up to something, how could he have been so stupid?!

   "So...," the raven drawled, a Cheshire cat-grin drawing out his dimples, eyes shiny with mischief. Goro's stupid heart throbbed, so painfully in love in spite of what he knew was coming. "Goro..."

   He was trapped. There was no running, no hiding, no use in fighting. There was nothing to be done but accept his fate.

   But Akechi Goro had never been one to sit back and take anything.

   "I have a feeling I know what this is about."

   Ren blinked, confused, "You do?"

   "Yes," Goro steeled himself for his next words. "And, I have to ask that you to reconsider. The thought of us, of you...," he swallowed. His voice was shaky, desperate. He knew he was grovelling, which did nothing for his confidence, but the alternative of Ren leaving... "It's too much to bear. I know how selfish it is, but please. Please, don't do this to me."

   Ren looked absolutely heartbroken, eyes downcast as his hands migrated to his pockets. "Oh."

   Goro sniffled.

   "I thought... wasn't this what you...," he fumbled helplessly. Something akin to realization sparked in his eyes, head shooting up to face him, "Wait, back up. What exactly do you think this is about?"

   "You don't take me for a fool, do you?" Goro said, his voice cracking, words sticking to the inside of his throat. "You've spent the last week showering me with kindness just so you could break up with me."

   "Break up... with you?" Goro nodded, defeated. He refused to look at him - it would hurt far too much. "What on Earth gave you that idea?"

   "Everything!" he shouted, suddenly. "The attention, the glove, this stupid bet! The bet that I won, right?! I get anything I want? Please, please, just! Don't leave me..."

   "Whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down!" Ren soothed, hands hovering just over Goro's shoulders. The feeling of hot tears rolling down his cheeks was distant, insignificant to the fog of his brain, the overwhelming pain of his heart being torn open. He felt like he needed to scream. "I'm here, it's okay!"

   Goro shook his head fervently, backed up a step. He opened his mouth to argue, but all that came out was a pathetic sob. He was hyperaware of everything, but it still felt like being lost in space. Ren lifted his hands, holding them up in a placating gesture.

   "Okay, okay. I won't touch you if that's not what you want," he said, his voice like a tether to solid ground, wherever it was. "How about breathing, can you breathe for me?"

   Goro swallowed, the action painful for his suddenly dry, cracked throat. Breathe... Yeah, he could do that.

   Ren breathed in slowly, motioning upwards, a request for Goro to copy him.

   In, two, three, four...

   His hand motioned down, breathing out.

   Out, two, three, four...

   They continued the exercise up to ten, Ren inching closer until he was finally next to him, his warm presence like lotion on a burn. "Okay... are we alright now?" he whispered.

   Goro fell into him, arms wrapped tight around his middle. The contact was overwhelming in a far better way, something to focus on, something to cling to. Ren held him closer, and Goro nuzzled into his neck, the familiar scent of coffee, spices, and charcoal shampoo soothing his overwrought nerves. Slowly, he felt himself return to the ground.

   "This is about the glove thing, isn't it?" his boyfriend murmured. Goro nodded - he didn't trust his voice not to break if he tried to talk. Ren hummed softly, "I'm sorry. I didn't realize it meant as much to you as it did to me. I guess I was kinda caught up in my whole scheme, and I didn't stop to see how you were responding. I still need to work on that." He chuckled low in his chest, rumbling right over Goro's still-tender heart.

   "You're... not breaking up with me...?" he breathed, chapped and shuddering.

   "No, God, no, Goro. I would never," Ren hugged him even tighter. "You are the best thing that's ever happened to me, I would never leave you."

   "You promise?"

   Ren pulled away, brought his hands up to cup Goro's face. He wiped at the tear tracks under his eyes with both thumbs. Gunmetal grey eyes shone softly, kindly, little flecks of blue and silver sparkling like stars in the night sky. Goro couldn't look away if he tried.

   "I'll do you one better," he said, smoothing his hands down Goro's neck, over his arms, to take his hands.

   "Goro, you are the most extraordinary person I've ever met. You're passionate, intelligent, and so much kinder than you realize. My life is better with you in it, and I never want us to part. Last night, I rescinded one challenge, - one promise. Today, I'd like to make a new one."

   He slowly, agonizingly, lowered himself to the ground, one hand falling away, the other still holding Goro's left tightly, and the only thought that he could parse from the noise in his brain was What the fuck is happening!?!

   Ren fished something out from his pocket, small, black, possibly velvet, and it was only now that Goro realized he was on one knee.

   "Akechi Goro," he announced, opening the box. "Would you do me the absolute honour of marrying me?"

   Sitting flush against the plush, black insert, was the most beautiful ring Goro had ever seen. The band was a dark gray - tantalum, maybe? - and fairly thin for a men's ring, no more than four millimetres. Brilliant, round cut gemstones encircled the band in a small divot, eternity-style, alternating white and black. And set right in the centre, asscher cut glittering brightly in the warm light of Leblanc, was the darkest ruby he'd ever laid eyes on.

   It must be worth a fortune...

   Goro stood speechless, all the air drained from his lungs, tongue laying leaden. His right hand had somehow worked its way up to cover his mouth. It was as if Ren had reached straight into his chest and ripped the suffocating growth clean out of his heart. Time had just... stopped.

   "I..."

   "Well?" Ren whispered, beaming with what could only be hope. That managed to snap him out of it. He swallowed, nodded.

   "Yes... Yes, of course. Of course I'll marry you!"

   Ren's laugh rang sweet and clear as he dropped Goro's hand. He placed the ring on his finger, the cool metal pleasantly smooth where it pressed flush against his knuckle - it felt heavy, the weight a constant reminder of its presence. Goro held it up to the light, watching it sparkle.

   "The band's made of tantalum, - scratch-resistant, resizable, and able to be cut through, if necessary," Ren explained.

   "I thought as much," Goro said, the giddy smile that had wormed its way onto his face turned slightly smug. 

   Ren matched his smirk easily, "I've seen you eyeing the darker ones before. I found a jeweler who would do customs, so I wanted to go all out." He stepped behind the brunet, one arm snaking around his torso and the other reaching out to guide his wrist. "The black ones are spinel, and the white ones are diamond. It took me forever to find a ruby that colour. People kept telling me to settle for a garnet, but I've never settled for anything before. I'm not going to start now, especially for you..."

   "Just how much did you spend on this thing?" Goro muttered, not expecting an answer.

   "Eh. I knew you'd want it to be pretty small, so full transparency, I saved quite a bit on the stones."

   "But still," he tilted his hand to the right, and the ruby lit up, colour blazing. The last thing he wanted was to give it up, but... "I've no idea how you could afford such a thing."

   "Let's just say I bought a lot of stock in Okumura Foods about a decade ago."

   Goro turned to where Ren had hooked his chin over his shoulder, met with the most self-satisfied, shit-eating grin he'd ever seen, and laughed.

   "You absolute fucking bastard!"

   "Yeah. I'm yours, though."

   His boyfriend - no, his fiancé pulled him close and kissed him like there was tomorrow.

   Of course, there would be a tomorrow. And another one after that. Goro had thousands of them ahead of him, and Ren had promised to walk beside him through them all.

   -=+=-

   "Well?! What's the verdict?" Futaba demanded once they finally ventured outside. The Phantom Thieves loitered around the entrance, their features betraying varying degrees of anticipation.

   Ren lifted their joined hands, exposing Goro's ring to the sun.

   The cheering that erupted could surely be heard from space.

   "Ohmigosh, I'm gonna cry!"

   "Dude! I call dibs on bein' your best man!"

   "I am so happy for you, Goro!" Sumire hugged him, which caused a chain reaction leading to a full-on group hug in the middle of the alleyway. Okumura detached herself from the collective first, smiling sweetly.

   "You two tell me when you want to start looking at venues, and I'll get started right away!"

   "Ooo, you've got to let me help pick out your tux!" Ann squealed.

   "Wait, wait, wait!" Goro put a halt to the excited chattering. "What on Earth are you all talking about?"

   They all looked severely confused.

   "Uh, your wedding? Obviously," Futaba deadpanned.

   Goro turned to face Ren, staring at the ring on his finger, "I had assumed this was more of... a symbolic thing? They don't actually think we're..."

   "Why wouldn't we?"

   "We... can't? I mean, I suppose we could have a reception of sorts, but other than that...," he trailed off, referring to the frankly infuriating state of Japan's marriage laws, somehow still as backwards as they were back when he first learned of his predicament at fourteen.

   Ren smiled, a smug flash of white that made him feel eighteen again. "Since when have we let something as inconsequential as the government stop us?"

   Okumura giggled, strawberry blonde curls bouncing gently with the motion. "What do you think we're all going overseas for next spring?" she asked innocently.

   Goro stared at her, then back at Ren. "I hear British Columbia has some gorgeous cherry blossoms that time of year..."

   "You remembered that?" Goro said, voice barely above a whisper. The memory of wind and snow from two years ago still fresh in his mind, residing in a special place in his heart.

   "I remember everything when it comes to you."

   Goro kissed him in broad daylight, in full view of their friends and anyone else who cared to see. There was raucous applause, with a couple of 'aww's thrown in for good measure, which neither of them noticed, too preoccupied with the rhythm of breath, lips, and heartbeats. Eventually, they parted with an audible pop.

   Morgana gagged from where he perched on Futaba's shoulders. A few of the Thieves laughed, ignorant as Goro flushed red as the ruby on his ring finger. He was finding the weight of it was grounding. He rotated it between the thumb and index finger of his opposite hand, noting how it had already acclimated to his body temperature. Ren slung an arm over his shoulders, pressing a kiss into his hair.

   "You good?"

   Goro snorted quietly, "Never better."

   "Alright, enough standing around!" Ann declared with a clap, "This is a real cause for celebration!"

   "Don't you all have work to get back to?" Goro asked dryly.

   "Eh, I'm not busy."

   "My painting can wait a few hours."

   "I had my schedule cleared for the day."

   "I've been saving up vacation time for years now."

   "You think I actually have to work? Please!"

   Of course not... Goro groaned overdramatically, fighting a smile off his face, "Fine!" he side-eyed Ren, "How about you? Were you not on break?"

   "Me? Nah, this was just the least suspicious place to get you to meet me. I got Boss to give me the day off."

   "Of course you did."

   "I talked to Muhen, too. You're off the hook tonight, so we're free to do whatever we want."

   "Sweet!" Ann cheered, leading the group up the street. "C'mon! Who's up for a few rounds of pool?"

   The Thieves paraded down the alleyway in a swarm, refusing to stop their jubilee as they eagerly made their way to the station. Ren chuckled as he and Goro watched them go. He gestured forward, moving to join them, before Goro caught his wrist.

   "Wait."

   Ren looked at him their hands, well-tempered concern blooming as he met his fiancé's eyes. "What is it?"

   Goro wet his lips, overcome with sudden shyness. "I- I just wanted to apologise. For earlier."

   Recognition flooded his features, "What? No! Nonono, you have nothing to apologise for. I should have realized what was going on sooner. It's my fault, really."

   "No. It's not. You didn't notice because I didn't let you. I was actively avoiding you finding out until it just... boiled over. And I'm sorry. You deserve better than that."

   "Goro...," Ren sighed, leaning over to press a kiss to his freckles. "I don't care what you think I deserve. I want you. This," he grabbed his hand, brought it up to his face to kiss the ring he had placed there, "is proof of that."

   "I know. But if you're allowed to want me as I am, then I'm allowed to want to be better for you."

   Ren smiled in defeat, "Hmph, alright. Let's just say we both still have things we need to work on."

   "I can work with that," Goro agreed. He inched closer, so that his nose brushed against the frames of Ren's glasses. "Now," he said, voice low and dripping with honey, "you mentioned doing 'whatever we want' tonight. What exactly did you have in mind?"

   His fiancé slipped even closer, lips a hair's breadth away from touching. "Well, dinner out, for starters. I may or may not have reservations at that omakase restaurant you've been drooling over for the last few years."

   "You don't say...?"

   "Mh-hm... As for later tonight, I was thinking maybe a movie? Of course, I'm open to suggestions. You did win the bet, after all," he said, the implication sending a thrill down Goro's spine. "What do you want to do?"

   "What do I want?" Goro nudged the slightest bit closer, lifting himself up - to shove Ren back into the door and duck around him into the alley. "I think I'd like to kick your ass in billiards."

   Ren wheezed, overcome with laughter, "You dick!"

   "You're the one who put a ring on it."

   "I'll have your ass for that!"

   "That's the idea, yes," Goro responded smugly, holding it together for another few seconds before he succumbed to Ren's laughing fit.

   "Oh, come ON! Are you guys coming or what?!" Futaba called from down the alley. Ren and Goro looked at each other, brushing tears from their eyes.

   "Sounds like they're expecting us," Ren said, sweeping in front of the brunet and holding out a hand.

   Goro took it without a second thought. "Let's not keep them waiting, then."

   Hand in hand, the two walked off towards their next adventure of many, certain of the fact that, come what may, they'd face it together.