(no subject)
"Sit."
Yuki does so, a little stiffly, delicately as he can manage in this situation. He knows it's not like before. At least he does at the forefront of his brain. He's not a child anymore. He isn't made to sit with Akito, is doing this of his own accord. For Tohru. Not for his parents, not for the Sohmas. For Tohru.
There's just something about today that's got him nervous, straightening his shirt, his black slacks, sitting up a little straighter than he should have been. He feels like a child again. Maybe it's that it's him alone with Akito after so long. Maybe it's that it's Friday the thirteenth, even though he's not superstitious. He could be. Just for a day.
"I... wanted to speak with you frankly. About--"
"I didn't say to speak, Yuki."
Yuki takes a breath, his confidence shot with a simple sentence, before he tries building on it again.
"Akito."
Akito turns back to him the slightest from his spot by the door, staring out and not even bothering to look back at the boy until now.
"You can't hurt her."
He turns back, smiles, leaning up against the wall. "Who, Yuki? Who am I not hurting? You were never good at vocalizing."
"Tohru, Akito. You can't hurt Tohru."
"Last I checked, I still could if I wanted--"
"Akito." Yuki's hands ball at the hem of his shirt, as he breathes evenly and tries to keep still. "Please."
Akito tilts his head, curious, plays with his robes and smiles in the slightest. "Strange you fight so hard for a girl. A girl whom, so I've heard, has chosen... a cat." There's a flush creeping up the back of Yuki's neck, that he's trying to ignore. "Funny, isn't it? Several years later, Yuki. And you're still as hated as ever."
Yuki's frozen as he peers up at Akito through fringes of hair, and he feels a need to slap that smile off the man's face. Doesn't, obviously. But the thought was nice while it lasted.
"That... is not important, I just--" Something about Akito that makes him feel like he can't speak, can't breathe. "I just--I care for her. I don't want her hurt."
Akito touches his fingers to his lip for a moment, like he's actually considering. Like he's going to do anything other than just what he wants to do. He crouches in front of Yuki, and leans in too close for comfort, his cheek rested against Yuki's own, as he whispers into his ear. "She's ruining the family, Yuki. Destroying the Sohmas." He leans back, to look Yuki in the eyes. "Even for you, I'm not sure I can change my mind."
And stands again, starts to walk when Yuki falls forward onto his hands, itching of desperation. Tohru's the first person who's wanted to be his friend simply to be his friend, regardless. Tohru's the first person who's listened to what he has to say, tried to open up his emotions. Tohru didn't choose him, and he saw that coming, but Tohru--Tohru was his best friend. And those kind of people didn't come too often for him.
"I'll do anything."
He almost regrets it, soon as it's out of his mouth, and he freezes, sits back up slowly and carefully, with his hair hanging artfully in front of his eyes, so he doesn't have to make eye contact. So he doesn't even necessarily have to breathe.
"Anything, Yuki? Such a strong suggestion."
He's not answering, he's not answering, he's not answering.
"Can't see why such a foul little girl would be for you. Why she would be so important to you." He twirls a little, to look back at the boy, knowing sort of smirk on his lips. "Yet you seem so earnest. I'm almost considering. Almost, of course. Not actually."
For Akito? It's better than nothing. And Yuki lets out the smallest breath, finally. "You'll... you'll consider."
Akito doesn't answer for a few long seconds, runs a palm across the wall and doesn't look at Yuki. His family is falling apart. And he needs those closest who he absolutely needs. "I'll... consider," he finally responds, lightly, airily, and Yuki rises, turning to leave. Everything a little more relaxed, until Akito calls after him.
"For anything."