Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/ works/4696514. Rating: Explicit Archive Warning: Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Underage Category: M/M Fandom: 乱歩奇譚_Game_of_Laplace_|_Ranpo_Kitan:_Game_of_Laplace Relationship: Akechi_Kogorou/Namikoshi Character: Akechi_Kogorou, Namikoshi, Kobayashi_Yoshio, Hashiba_Souji, Black_Lizard Additional Tags: Alternate_Universe, Slight_canon_compliant, Docking, Grinding, Murderers, 20_Faces, Graphic_Description_of_Corpses, Violence, Aftermath_of Violence, Suicidal_Thoughts, Angst, Underage_Drug_Use, mentions_of bullying, Loss_of_Virginity, Kobayoshi_and_Hashiba_will_show_up_in_this, Unhealthy_Relationships, Unhealthy_Coping_Mechanisms, Underage_Sex, not safe_sex, Not_Beta_Read, Well_sorta_I_tried, The_original_cast_will_be_in this_one_way_or_another Stats: Published: 2015-09-30 Chapters: 2/? Words: 1812 ****** The Lorenz system ****** by Divine_shot ***** New beginnings ***** Akechi Kogoro could work through equations and probability but couldn't predict the future. "Dammit." He ran as quickly as he could to his friend Namikoshi's house. The boy barely mentioned his personal life but Akechi could pick up basic clues and read tones. The constant scars and injuries outside of school. His reluctance to use a higher authority to end their shitty homeroom teacher's career. The lack of parental presence during conferences. He pressed and jabbed the doorbell once he reached the house; hoping nothing life threatening happened. Akechi didn't make it to school the past few days because of another matter. He heard from the stupid bullies bragging in the hallway that they assaulted Namikoshi again. Compared to the other attacks this one seemed more serious with the smell of disinfectant and the sullen heavy air in the silent classroom. "Who the hell is it?" A gruff male's voice rang out before answering the door. "What do you want at this time of night?" Akechi didn't excuse himself as he prodded his way through the entrance way. "Where is Namikoshi?" He took off his shoes and reached the living room. Akechi wanted to glare at the mannequin of Namikoshi's mother sitting casually on the couch. "How dare you come into our home!" The other mannequin wore glasses, Namikoshi's father, barked out in annoyance and concealed rage. "I want to know what happened to Namikoshi! Something happened at school and-" "He's fine. He's laying down sleeping." The mannequin on the couch spoke without regarding him. "No that's wrong. I learned from our homeroom teacher-" "Are you accusing my wife of lying?" The mannequin with the glasses rounded him. Akechi only gave him a glare in return. Despite being in his school uniform and thirteen he thought he could take him. "It's late. You should just go home already." "Let me just talk to him!" "Akechi." A small weak voiced reached his ears. He turned towards the source. The mannequin in front of him didn't take heed until it finally noticed Akechi's pointed gaze. It turned as well then glanced backed at the boy. Akechi shouldered past him and ran as fast as he could. He opened up the door and sucked in a breath. The smell of blood radiated through the room like a lit incense. A bloody Namikoshi sat near the door hyperventilating. The boy's blond hair, covered in a mixture of sweat and blood, drooped weakly over one eye. The other eye looked clear as day to Akechi. A gleaming wound in the shape of a cross shined with gore and blood near the boy's closed eye. "Akechi." Namikoshi hissed again and Akechi snapped back into focus. He went down to his knees and hugged his friend in a loose grip. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't make it in time." He pulled back and sighed; shaking his head. "Let's get out of here." Namikoshi seemed dazed from the blood loss but nodded his head slowly after a few moments. Akechi packed a few things he recognized in a spare duffel bag he found near the dresser; grabbing Namikoshi's headphones last. He swung the back on his shoulder and offered his hand to the still crouching down Namikoshi. The blond boy hesitantly but with more force put his hand into his own. Akechi tried to ignore the fluttering feeling in his chest. He thought he heard the two mannequins talking about calling the police or the glasses wearing one trying to put a hand on him before he flipped him over but he deleted it from his conscious; more focused on getting his friend away.     ***** Chapter 2 ***** Chapter Summary I posted this around 2am. I'm going to re edit it and add more chapters. I apologize in advance if it looks mess. A blaring noise seemed to vibrate through his skull, the source coming from his right ear. Akechi growled and reached over to smash the digital clock with his fist. He rubbed one eye as he tried to kick start his brain into motion. It relayed the information from yesterday. 'That's right. I stayed up all night helping Namikoshi.' Akechi wanted to go to the hospital after leaving the blond's home but due to being a minor and no authority he couldn't do a damn thing in that field. So the two went to an all night convenience store and gathered a few supplies. Namikoshi waited near the magazine rack with a sweatshirt on; the hoodie pulled up and staring lifelessly at the books. Akechi quickly bought bandages, antiseptic, medication, gauze, tape, and a few things for meals using his father's credit card. The two walked wordlessly back to Akechi's home; the dark haired boy glancing at his friend every so often. He tried not to gawk like some damn idiot but couldn't find any adjective or cognitive wording to break the tension. That and a feeling started to grow since yesterday. No maybe even before that. Akechi couldn't place it but for some reason he wanted to grasp Namikoshi's hand again. He wanted to rub his face against the boy's palm and tell him that it will be alright. That the nightmare is over. Akechi slept on the couch while his friend took his good bed. He could let him sleep in the master bedroom but he didn't want to explain blood stains on his mother's silk imported sheets. The place didn't have much outside of a few homely furnishing and a lot of expensive gaudy trinkets. After cleaning Namikoshi's blood off of the scabbing wound, dressing it, giving him pain medication before finally laying him down on his bed did Akechi crash on the sofa fully clothed in his school uniform. "Namikoshi?" He spoke into the darkness. No reply. Akechi pressed his lips together and quickly went from the cushions. He looked around the house but couldn't find the youth. Akechi tried the bedroom first as well as the closed washroom. Nothing. He finally went to the kitchen to see Namikoshi hovering near the counter. Akechi approached him slowly. "Namikoshi?" The boy didn't move. Akechi went around to see him staring at the knives. He didn't say a word; instead he guided him towards the island and sat him down.   =============================================================================== "Akechi-kun do you live alone?" Namikoshi seemed to be sort of normal once Akechi brought out the store bought bento. He made sure to get his friend something light but loaded with iron to replenish his strength.  "Yes. Didn't I tell you? My parents constantly go to the United States and leave me to my own devices. I'm trying to work for the government as a detective so I can finally move out of here." Namikoshi cocked his head at that. His hair parted to the side over the wounded part; his good eye staring back at Akechi in amazement. "Really? I knew you wanted to do something so you wouldn't be bored but geez." Akechi spooned some rice into his mouth to help with the strange feeling from the next words. 'Why do I feel this way?' "I want you to live with me." Namikoshi froze and almost comically dropped his chopsticks at the same time his mouth hung open. "W-what?!" Akechi ignored the reaction and continued to eat. "You have no other place to go. The best solution would be to hang with me. I could find an apartment after I get started and we wouldn't have to worry about school-" "Akechi-kun are we eloping?" Namikoshi's cheery voice rang out. Akechi choked on his rice and started coughing. He hit his chest a few times to get it down the right pipe. 'Eloping?!' The thought made his face burn and his chest tighten. He opened his mouth, not knowing what would come out until he saw Namikoshi's doubled over in laughter. "S-shut up!" He growled out; a temporary scowl on his face and the words pushed back to the recessives of his mind. ===============================================================================   The two didn't go back to school after that. Namikoshi didn't eat much at first. A few chopstick fulls of rice and maybe a piece of meat. Then even less than that as time went on. Akechi tried his best with the medical knowledge he knew; making sure Namikoshi's wound scabbed properly over. The boy ended up with a fever and couldn't hold nothing down but Akechi continued to be diligent. Akechi pondered over the stove as he cooked for the first time in his life. He looked up the recipe for okayu and followed it to a t but it seemed so bland. 'This shit is nasty.' He thought as he grimaced at the small saucer taste of it. Regardless Akechi served it to his friend and he managed to hold it down. Afterwards Akechi threatened and hustled a doctor up with enough yen to look over Namikoshi. He gave him some antibiotics along with a few other medications from the diagnosis of an infection. 'I won't give up on you.' Akechi thought as he wiped the sweat from Namikoshi's brow and applied another cold compress to his forehead. 'Even if everyone else turns their backs on you I won't.' ===============================================================================   "Akechi-kun?" Five days later did Namikoshi finally start to get better. His fever broke and he seemed to be alert. The boy couldn't eat much outside of watered down tea and okayu.  "Wow this taste horrible." Namikoshi said in weak humor; propped up against the back of the bed headboard with pillows.  "Well I'm sorry that it taste like shit. I never cooked before you know." Akechi sat in a chair next to the bed, making sure that Namikoshi didn't burn himself or spill any on the bed. "Haha. You have a long way to go before you become a good wife then!" "W-wife?!" Akechi flushed; his eyes widening in surprise. Normally Namikoshi would joke about silly things like that or even worse but this time it made his heart leap and his face glow. Namikoshi seemed to notice this and Akechi made a scuffing noise. He rose from his seat and went out of his own room. "Idiot." His friend was an idiot for putting the burden of all of this on him. For not depending on him sooner instead of just keeping it all to himself. For making him feel this confusing way. Akechi decided to wash the pots and dishes in the sink. At least this time he didn't make such a big mess like the first time he tried to cook. The clean up took little if any time at all before he composed himself to go back into his room. By then Namikoshi finished at least three fourths of the meal. A lot better than several days before. Akechi reached over to get the tray but before he could Namikoshi moved his left hand over on top of his friends. "Thank you Akechi." Clarity and sincerity radiated behind those eyes along with acceptance. Akechi couldn't say a word. He only nodded his head.   ===============================================================================     ' Please drop_by_the_archive_and_comment to let the author know if you enjoyed their work!