— POV Akeno —
His words echoed in my mind long after he spoke them. "What if we just... were here, now?"
It was a question that surprised me. Not because of what he said, but because of how sincerely it was said. As if, for a moment, he had shed all the layers he usually wore so carefully.
He sat there in front of me — Mephisto. The same one who teased me, whom I suspected, who attracted me and at the same time remained incomprehensible. And now? Now he sat calmly, eyes fixed on me, as if he truly wanted to know what I thought. What I felt.
I lifted my cup and took a sip. The coffee was already lukewarm, but it didn't matter. In that moment, everything was slowed down, hushed. Just the two of us.
"Did you really think," I began quietly, "that I would come here with you if I didn't care about you?"
Mephisto didn't say anything. He just smiled slightly. That calm of his, quiet and unassuming, always made me lose focus. But today I was determined not to hide behind playing games.
"Sometimes," I continued, "you seem like someone who always wears a mask. But now ... now you've taken it off. And I'm not sure whether I like it or whether it scares me."
His smile widened. "That's fair. I'm not sure either what exactly you stir in me. But I know one thing for certain — this thing between us isn't a joke. Not anymore."
A silence fell between us, but this time it wasn't uncomfortable or tense. It was a silence filled with understanding. I knew that something was changing. Maybe neither of us knew exactly what, but it was there.
Outside, a light rain began to fall. Tiny droplets tapped against the window next to us and the café was bathed in warmer, softer light. It was as if the world had stopped rushing for a moment. And we with it.
"Mephisto," I addressed him again, this time more gently, "you know… maybe I should've told you earlier that I feel different with you. Not like with the others. Not like someone I can easily read or control. And that's exactly why I'm drawn to you."
He looked at me with an expression more serious than ever before. There was no smirk anymore, no game. Just a quiet acceptance of what I had just said.
"I'm glad we're together today. Whatever comes of this, I'm glad we took the risk," he said softly.
And in that moment, when our hands touched across the table, I felt that whatever happens next… today we were honest. Not Mephisto and Akeno as two characters in some game of power. But simply two people who allowed themselves to just be.
— POV Mephisto —
On the way back, we didn't say much. But the silence between us wasn't uncomfortable. On the contrary. It was one of those silences where you don't need to speak to feel that everything is okay. Akeno walked beside me, hands clasped behind her back, occasionally glancing at me, but saying nothing. And neither did I. I didn't need to.
When we reached the door of her house, she stopped. We stood for a moment. The soft light from the porch lit up her face, and I noticed she was looking at me a little differently than usual. Softer. More openly.
"Thanks for today," she finally said quietly.
"Thank you for coming," I replied, struggling to stay calm. She was close. And her presence suddenly felt almost too natural.
Her hand rested on the doorknob for a moment, but she didn't turn it. Instead, she smiled slightly. "You know, I didn't expect so many things to become clear to me today."
"Me neither," I admitted. "But I'm glad we allowed ourselves to feel it."
At that moment, the side door opened — with a soft click — and Rias stepped into the scene, dressed in comfortable home clothes, a cup of tea in her hand and a mischievous smirk on her face.
"Well well," she said playfully, "should I just give you the key to one room and save you the trouble?"
Akeno rolled her eyes, but the smile remained on her lips. "Rias…"
"What? I'm just saying you look better than usual today. You look… content. Almost glowing," Rias continued, deliberately looking at me. "Is that your doing?"
"Maybe," I replied calmly. "But if it is, it's pure coincidence."
Rias laughed. "Sure. And I'm a nun."
Akeno just shook her head and, with a hint of blush on her face, opened the door to her room. "Good night, Mephisto."
"Good night, Akeno," I replied, giving her one last look — and in her eyes was something that hadn't been there before. A quiet understanding.
As the door closed behind her, Rias watched me for a moment longer with a raised eyebrow, then turned back into the house.
"If you hurt her," she said casually over her shoulder, "I'll throw you into the underworld myself — no return ticket."
"Understood," I smiled.
And when the door closed behind her, I stood alone in the hallway for a while. But I didn't feel empty.
It was a strange feeling. Peace. And at the same time… the beginning of something much more complicated. Something that already knew it wouldn't be easy. But that's exactly why it was worth it.