Credens justitiam (Believing in Justice)

Teli saevit amor, etiam in criminalibus rabies belli

The incursion into the Metaverse and lastly, Okumura's palace wore Alix out but it revitalized Akechi as he watched her sleep from the doorframe.

Still, left with her hanging words, he couldn't disagree that his head was the weightiest part of him that continued to hammer at his own conscience. Against the reason turning him irrational and insane, but why was it that way? He couldn't remark more because he had no way out of it. He was trapped but greatly desired it, too, so why was he whining about it now? Shouldn't he be grateful for the love spinning out of control and weaving itself to him and her, like the red string of fate. They were bonded and tied together forever, if it was beyond any concept of time.

The days passed and with it came suspension and then calm before the storm, and she was spending more time at Leblanc's, chatting with everyone including Akira. Had she forgiven him so easily? She had no regret as far as Akechi could discern and while he felt on edge waiting for anything, he tried to focus on the scattered conversations while stirring the contents of his coffee with his gloved fingertips.

"Oh, I didn't notice you there. You must be...?"

"Haru Okumura. It's a pleasure to meet you, Alix Breton! I know you through Yusuke as your name pops up in his conversations all the time."

"I am flattered, honestly. I didn't think Yusuke thought so highly of me. I mean all we do is talk about art and stuff. I actually find that stuff interesting. Gosh, I am so weird."

"Oh no! You're perfectly fine!"

"That's good!

It was all cheap laughs and through the charade, Alix smiled-god forbid that she wouldn't smile this honestly in her life but he knew that it all too well, but at least, she was enjoying the vestiges of the celebration...while they lasted. The true battle was already waging and The Phantom Thieves wouldn't be merry for a long time after this moment but Akechi would allow it now that the ceiling was shattering overhead and they hadn't noticed. They couldn't with their own hubris and how good the plan was coming along.

He was always brought back to Alix's face and her constant fragility but she still shocked him at the most inopportune moments and he welcomed that.

If only more time would be still for him and Alix, that would be wonderful, almost chilling.

Why hadn't he met her sooner? Why couldn't he have done so a few years back?

His soul yearned for her touch, for her simple gesture was precious and he'd lock it away in his mind and take it out when he was truly in the depths of hell. He'd need that light with him, extending to his face.

"Is everything all right, Akechi-kun?" Makoto asked folding her hands into her lap.

"I was just listening to the merriment around me and am glad that Alix has found such esteemed friends especially Akira."

A shot that would land if only Akira let it as the feelings were too raw and would seep in.

"Yes! I thought that I wouldn't make any friends-well true friends here and especially at Kosei. It's nice to have Yusuke with me and how could I ever get tired of hearing his art? I have high hopes for him and his dreams touch me, too. I wanna have the same passion as him."

"Stop flattering me, so." Yusuke made it a point to say.

"It's true! I don't feel so alone anymore and that's the important thing. That is the most important thing to have-however stupidly cliched it is. Friends are important to a lot of degrees. No man is an island."

"You're too kind, too, Alix-chan." Haru giggled.

"Nah, I don't think so, honestly. I'm just me and I can't change that."

"Give yourself credit."

"I guess so."

Alix's lips widen but it wasn't a smile she was producing and Akechi knew what it meant. She was merely playing the scene to her advantage and maybe she got it from him? Had she been watching him closely?

"This is too nice...I feel like this won't last but I think I'm being cynical somehow. I just don't want to forget these moments with you all."

It was heavy, if dissolving in her and no doubt the future that would dawn on them but it would be a rude awakening to the whole world. To The Phantom Thieves. Eventually the group dissipated and all that left was Akira, Alix and Akechi, too but it was tense and suffocating.

Whatever excitement was in Alix was silenced and all she could do was avert her eyes and get up clumsily. Akechi's head turned and the sound of breaking glass resonated as the scene came full circle and he found himself standing up defensively.

Akira had forcefully seized Alix and locked lips and for this, Akechi found himself knocking Akira off with enough bravado to shock the ace detective. Why had he found the strength? Jealously. He knew it boiling inside and no one would stand in the way of taking what was his' and that meant going against the leader of The Phantom Thieves head on. Without the law. Without justice and that was dangerous.

But it wasn't over as Akira bounced back and blows were exchanged, and all Alix tried to do was scream and put them apart, but unlike last time wasn't able to get in the middle. They wouldn't allow her too.

Soon, it all cooled down and Akechi marched outside with Alix following behind and all he could do was ask himself, WHAT IN THE HELL was he thinking? Every sense of rationale and even sense left him when he saw Akira infringing on Alix's boundaries.

How frightening and confusing love happened to be and the more he touched the curves of the feelings, it only proved to be undefining infinite. Love surpassing justice and rationale and he definitely stood for those things and yet, tightening his heart, he felt it wasn't fair that he'd have to experience this. Was this how being 'needed' or 'wanted' was? Would he continually accept these cruel turns?

Alix was quiet the way home on the train and while, she stayed close, distance permeated from her aura and yet, Akechi wanted more and more to grasp her and never let the light of day touch them. Never let the falling rain be the end.

The way to the apartment was quite subtle but there was nothing discreet about the overflowing of his heart and mostly likely his loins, but resisting all that, he pushed Alix down on the bed, hovering over her.

A crooked smile playing on his lips but with her sighing, he closed the gap and was trapped in the deepest parts of his desire and swimming against the strong current. He'd cherish these moments before it all came crumbling down with the unfolding events yet to play out; But would he be able to keep her?

He had to hide her away, his moon as his bright rays were enough to hurt them both but he'd keep holding on.