Archive of Our Own ^beta

Akira tucks out their tongue a little, careful with each gesture they do as they make up Black's mask latte art they promised. They themselves have made a cat in their own cup and some cookies — with dark chocolate like Goro prefers it — to accompany the coffee.

Leblanc is unrecognizable with all the Christmas decorations Futaba and them have put everywhere they could. Honestly, Akira is expecting to hear some scolding from their boyfriend about organization and aesthetics but they're fine with hearing him ramble.

Futaba is whistling on a booth, probably texting Sumire or her brother who's on his way. Akira feels more stressed at the idea he's soon here. They put down the milk pitcher as they breathe out.

They're actually anticipating it but also fear it, scared to see on Goro's face that scowl, to hear that tongue clicking — sign of disappointment — as he stares at the gift Akira gives him and says how he's displeased once again.

"You're too anxious over it." They blink, staring back at Futaba who had looked up from her phone. "I told you a rock will be enough and he'll be beaming."

Akira sighs, exasperated. They don't bother answering her. It's not the first time she repeats that to them, but they can't believe it. Goro and his high standards will never be reached with a mere rock, she's just trying to awkwardly comfort them.

Akira sighs, closing their eyes before they watch the result. They carefully take the mug in their hands, hiding it behind the counter.

"I bet I'll be able to mess up my latte art too." They respond, a little bitter smile on their face.

"Come on!" Futaba exclaims, frowning, opening her arms wide as if her gestures will make her words more impactful. "It's Christmas, be more positive. Don't turn up like that omen of death."

"That omen of death will shoot you, Futaba." Akira freezes, immediately recognizing Goro's voice. It seems louder than the ringing bells of the door. Slowly, Akira turns their head to stare at their lover. He has his arms crossed against his chest, a neat wrapped gift in his gloved hands, scowling at Futaba who's only tucking her tongue out in response.

If Akira was in a better mindset he would snorting at the usual siblings banter he can witness from time to time. But instead, he squeezes Goro's cup tighter, smiling nervously.

"I… Sojiro will be back with the Christmas dinner." They murmur, scolding themselves to sound so hesitant. They'll only be more suspicious like that.

Goro hums in response, walking inside. "No one else will come?" He looks around, his right eye twitching as he observes how the coffee shop is decorated.

"It's just a family evening today." Akira shakes their head. "Were you expecting more?"

Goro shrugs. "Kind of." He finally looks at them, a little smile appears on his lips, his gaze immediately softening.

Akira is always amazed at the effect they can have on Goro sometimes.

"Why so tense and distanced?" He tilts his head, amused by how Akira is stuck on their spot.

"Come here, darling." He curls his finger and Akira can only bend to his will as if there was a string linking them to his finger.

Akira notices Futaba grimacing despite her phone clearly recording them. Akira snorts, letting go of Goro's gift as they turn around the counter. "Merry Christmas, honey." They stop in front of Goro, admiring each freckle not hidden on his cheeks, noticing how his hair is a little more longer than what he's comfortable with, and…

And that lovely gaze he gives them.

"Merry capitalist overconsuming excuse over a religion holiday, darling." Akira snorts at his stupid term to name "Christmas". They lightly kiss Goro's lips, before they put their forehead against his, their hands playing with Goro's tie on his chest, a little nervous.

"You and your fancy names." Akira rolls their eyes, an amused grin plastered on their face. "You sound so happy to spend time for festivities with us."

Goro kisses the edge of their lips, a simple brush before he moves away. "No matter the excuse I'm always willing to be here with you, dear."

As sweet as ever. Akira blushes. They push a little on Goro's chest and look away from him, to his amusement. "Don't you have any shame in front of your sister?" Akira hisses, despite knowing very well that excuse is empty.

So of course Goro points it out. "Please. She commissioned me to draw porn of us, she saw much worse." He rolls his eyes, glaring at the little sibling in question who grins behind her camera, waving at them to continue as if they're on set.

Akira sighs. They put down their hands, regretting a little they didn't tease Goro more by caressing each muscle below that sweatervest. "Please don't evoke such during Christmas…" They go behind the counter, trying to distance themselves from Goro before they make a mistake.. "Did you give your gift to your secret Santa yet by the way?"

Goro freezes. His wide eyes throw a glance at the wrapped gift before he gulps nervously. Akira frowns. Why so anxious? "Not yet. But soon." He murmurs.

"It's the evening, honey."

"I still have time." Goro dismisses their worries, but refuses to look at them.

Akira blinks before they lean on the counter, squinting their eyes at Goro for his suspicious behavior. "...You did something, right?"

Goro immediately glares at them, his hesitation thrown away. "Are you implying I did nothing." He hisses between his teeth, furious.

Akira smiles. They're a little relieved as they see him getting immediately defensive. They move away and shake their head. "No, of course not."

"Right." Goro clicks his tongue, clearly annoyed by Akira's innuendos. He sits on his usual stool, crossing his legs elegantly as he puts down delicately his weird curious gift on the counter. He stares back at Akira. "Maybe I shall give nothing if you're suggesting it." He leans on his palm lazily, saying it nonchalantly as if he wouldn't make someone sad by that selfish decision.

Akira gasps. "Goro! It wouldn't be fair. And it's too late to say you're dropping out." They cross their arms, glaring at their boyfriend who sighs, exasperated.

He closes his eyes but straightens up, as he waves his hand back and forth, dismissing their idea. "I won't, Akira. I have done too much to withdraw anyway." He mumbles in his breath, reopening his eyes, staring at that particular gift. His gaze drifts back to Akira, raising one eyebrow. "As far as I know, you didn't post anything too."

"Yet." Akira remarks.

"Yet." Goro repeats, tilting his head. "Are you really in a position to scold me then?"

Akira looks at the still warm mug. They inhale calmly. "Actually…". Akira slowly takes the mug. "I wanted to make up something more real? Not just a tweet."

"Don't make up a monologue and give him the mug, Akira." Futaba, of course, needs to interrupt them. Akira glares at her when she winks at them.

"A mug?"

"Yeah uh… you know that secret santa that sounds ridiculous but actually uhm…" They tremble, holding the mug tighter as they slowly reveal it. "I was yours. So I thought I would… give you something unique and practical?" They slowly place it in front of Goro before noticing in pure horror their trembling hands had messed up the latte art. Goro stares at the mug with wide but empty eyes, not betraying any sort of good or bad reaction.

Akira stays silent, watching with dread at Goro's expression. How he'll be disgusted, how he has been disappointed once again, by them nevertheless.

"You were… my secret santa?" He says instead, his hand slowly tracing the different patterns on the mug surface. His gaze doesn't leave their gift, as if he analyzes every little detail on it.

Akira doesn't trust their voice to answer so they simply nod, their hands still. They're stiff, not sure if Goro's reaction is positive or not.

"... There's no need to pour any coffee for me." Goro murmurs, reading what's written.
Akira laughs nervously, hating themselves for such an idea. How foolish. Of course Goro wouldn't like it. "Yeah, actually I have my own." They show their own mug quickly. "So they're matching, see? I have my own quote on it."

Goro blinks, he looks up and Akira almost yelps in fear at the empty gaze. They see his eyes reading Akira's quote, watching each detail on it and then…

He snorts.

Akira blinks. Goro is laughing, his hand still caressing his own gift, eyes closed as his expression is nothing but a mixture of amusement and happiness. Slowly, Akira's anxiousness evaporates.

"You…" He breathes in, opening his eyes again, staring at them fondly. "You're ridiculous, Akira. So ridiculous. Ruining all the emotional impact of that blackred quote. You must be brave or foolish to show that to me." His gaze drifting on the cups, admiring them, tells a whole different story. "How did you even do this?"

"I asked Yusuke to make up a design then called a company to make those mugs." Akira chuckles nervously. "It was… a lot of calls. And negotiation."

"I can imagine." Goro smiles. "And I imagine that…" He points at the disastrous "latte art" in his cup. "...was supposed to be something?"

"...Black's mask actually…" Akira answers, ashamed.

Goro snorts. "That's the best art I ever saw from you. Maybe work on the proportions next time." Akira gruffs, glaring at Goro who's still laughing, more teasing them than mocking them.

At least he never said he was disappointed.

"Ah… I'm sorry. I should thank you more properly for this lovely cup but you just… have done so much for a stupid fandom event." He wipes a tear, smiling. "You're so dramatic."
"Look who's talking." Futaba mumbles, making Goro immediately reacts, turning over his tool to hiss furiously at his sister.

"Go back at being an audience or shut the fuck up and leave, Futaba."

Akira sighs. "Please don't fight during Christmas."

"Is that a challenge." Of course both of them repeat that at the same time.

Siblings. Akira rolls their eyes.

"No, I'll just prefer that Sojiro doesn't discover his coffeeshop in a mess." They cross their arms against their chest. "So please keep it to banter." They sigh, watching Goro gruffs while Futaba grins, clearly more than ready to piss off Goro more.

"Give your own so I can tweet about how stupid you both are." Goro growls back at Futaba, making Akira tilts their head in confusion.

"Your own? What does that mean?" They chuckle, staring at that wrapped gift. "I thought you didn't want to give anything?"

"You forced me, remember?" Goro mumbles in his breath, pushing it towards Akira. "...You're not the only one who had a secret santa here."

Akira blinks, staring at the gift then at Goro again. "That's… me?"

"Who else." Goro deadpans in response, leaning on the palm of his left hand.

Akira gulps, their trembling hands brush over their present, not daring to grab it yet. "I… was your secret santa while you were mine?" They chuckle. "What a coincidence."

Futaba snorts behind. Akira sighs, staring at her. Goro has already turned over.
"...You put us together didn't you."

"Proofs?" She raises one eyebrow, amused.

"Your suspicious behavior for one." Goro snarks back.

"I'm always suspicious from your point of view."

Goro rolls his eyes. "Oh I wonder why… Maybe because you're always so fucking weird."

Futaba tucks out her tongue mockingly. Goro sighs and mumbles, not discreetly: "I'll just ignore her annoying existence for the whole evening." He stares at Akira, leaning on his arm still on the counter."Just open your goddamn gift, Joker."

Akira snickers. "So impatient, honey. What if I want to take my time for all the efforts you did?"

"I mostly want to be done with that stupid stress. Open it." He orders them, taking a sip of his coffee.

Akira smiles a little as they watch him, see how Goro's thumb caresses almost lovingly the details on his cup.

Akira's gaze lowers down. They can guess by the form it's a sort of book but what…
They freeze.

"You… You didn't…"

"What."

Akira's heart flutters. They take a step back, almost hitting the coffee beans jars behind them. They're mistaken, right? But Goro said…

"You said on voc you were writing a blackred social media au." Goro looks away, he hums in response. Akira continues. "You… You didn't…" They don't dare to finish that sentence. They can't believe it. But would he do that? Projecting blackred in their situation, how they met, with everything that happened before…

"Just open that fucking gift, Akira." Goro answers instead, clearly more tense than what he wants to show.

Akira nods. They carefully take off the wrapping, not tearing it up, sliding up the book and…
"Museum."

It's simple, as Goro prefers to make his covers. Not too detailed but symbolic.
And oh it's symbolic.

Red and Black, back against each other, holding their phone in their hands, smiling. Akira notices how Red's phone case is exactly like his, with the kitty stickers and cat ears. Black's is similar to Goro's as well, simple with stickers Akira had put on his when he wasn't paying attention. They remember how he complained it felt weird to have those under his fingers but never took them off.

Akira bites their lips, they see how Black is smiling fondly, a softened gaze Goro rarely draws on Black. They see Red is holding his phone tight, an excited smile on his lips, his eyes shining.

An unofficial Featherman fanbook of a Black kinnie and Red kinnie.

Akira bursts into laughter. Or tears. They're not sure yet.

Goro immediately panics, getting up as he precipitously joins Akira behind the counter. His words are drowned in Akira's excitement, holding the book tighter until their hands hurt.
It's… them. It's personal, a little diary Goro made up for him.

Museum. Their museum.

"Look, you can burn it or tear it up, I don't care, just stop crying-"

Akira hugs him tight, stopping him in his panic.

"I love you so much, Goro." They mumble on his shoulder, trying to hold back the rest of their tears. "You're the one dramatic here, you did…" They bite their bottom lip. "It's us, you really…" Akira doesn't find the words they want, don't know if there's any that could describe everything they feel.

They want to kiss him, to laugh, to cry and just thank him again and again for everything he does for them.

So instead, they say: "How much did you scroll to write this?"

They snort when they hear Goro immediately groan. "Until the beginning, such a pain in the ass to go back from that long. Cringed a lot too so please acknowledge my pain."

Akira laughs. "Oh honey, I'm sorry to tell you but you're still cringey as fuck."

Akira laughs harder when they see Goro pouting in response.

"I'm taking this back then." Akira immediately reacts and keeps it away from Goro's grasp. They hold it tight against his chest, like their precious jewel.

"No. It's mine now. My cringey boyfriend did that for me and no one can take it away." Akira grins. "I'll treasure it."

Goro sighs, holding them more tight. "...You're ridiculous, it's just a gift." He gruffs, dismissing all the work he did for it, to Akira's annoyance.

"It's not." They frown. "It's our museum, isn't it?"

Goro doesn't answer, embarrassed. He hides his face in the crook of their neck, as if it'll hide him better. Akira snorts.

"Hey hey, look up here!" Akira blinks and obeys, staring at Futaba who's pointing her camera at them. "Time for a cliche!"

Goro gruffs but doesn't protest. He reaches out to take his mug, putting it closer to them on the counter, next to Akira's. He carefully adjusts it as if he's thinking about a certain angle for each cup for a certain detail to appear on the picture. Akira slowly turns over, leaning on Goro's chest, smiling and stopping him in his ridiculous turmoil on the cups. They probably look horrendous with the make up and the tears but Akira doesn't care.

They're willing to shed any tears for Goro's efforts, for Goro's work. All that time he took to make up that unique thing for them, that memento of everything they went through…

They hold it tighter, trying to not cry again in their emotional high. Each time Goro finds a new way to show his love, at the complete opposite of the hostile behavior he had when they met.

They can't wait to read it.

"Say smile~"