Chapter Text
There were a myriad of thoughts currently running through Goro Akechi's mind as he shot daggers into his bathroom sink, specifically towards what was sitting against the rim that threatened to clatter to the floor. He wasn't sure if the migraine pricking the back of his skull was due to his current predicament or his annoyance from dealing with Shido, but it may very well be both. The churning in his stomach was definitely the former, now that he knew for sure just what was going on with him. Although, he wished it wasn't true, but the two lines staring back at him couldn't lie.
Goro Akechi, the infamous detective prince, the one credited with capturing the leader of the Phantom Thieves, was pregnant.
The thoughts continued to buzz around to the point of dizziness, but there were a few that Goro couldn't help but repeat over and over again.
Of all times. . .
These cursed instincts. . .
Fuck. . .
That damn Akira Kurusu.
The shaggy-haired leader of the Phantom Thieves was truly an enigma, one Goro believed he could never figure out entirely. Out in public, he was quiet and kept his head down, eyes hidden behind his clearly fake glasses while he occasionally fiddled with his bangs. He was soft-spoken, something not common for an alpha, and that was only if people realized he was an alpha to begin with —he smelled more like a beta anyway, so it was easy for people to mistake him as one. If one didn't look too closely, they would think he was a normal student living his day to day life. But Goro knew better. Goro always knew better.
In the Metaverse, Akira Kurusu was anything but soft-spoken. He was flamboyant, dramatic, and wasn't afraid to show it. He allowed himself to be more blunt and snarky, relishing in the playful banter with the rest of his team as they fought Shadows and cognitions alike. That was the Akira Kurusu Goro expected to see, the one he couldn't wait to bring down.
Goro was hoping the pregnancy test would burst into flames the longer he glared at it, but alas, it simply stayed where it was, as if the two little lines were mocking him. No matter how long he looked at it, it didn't go away. Of all the reasons, pregnancy was the last to come to mind. He assumed the nausea and tiredness were due to stress or it was a strange effect from the Metaverse or Shido had done something to him that he was somehow unaware of. He wasn't expecting it to be so simple. And of course, it had to do with that damn Akira Kurusu.
Goro didn't know why he let his emotions get the better of him during that week in September, when his omega was so strangely happy to see Kurusu that it sent him into an unexpected heat the next morning. And for some reason, for some stupid reason, he had the nerve to text Kurusu his address and allow himself to be. . . defiled in that manner. The way Kurusu held him down, the way Kurusu fucked him, the way he moaned Kurusu's name without a care in the world. Thinking about it made him want to hurl. How could he allow himself to be so vulnerable, especially with Kurusu of all people?
Goro tucked a lock of hair behind his ear, now glancing away from the test to trail his eyes towards his still flat stomach, pressing a gentle hand against it with furrowed brows. Becoming a mother wasn't part of his plans —not currently, anyway. If that was a decision he wanted to make in the future, he wanted to make sure they didn't have the same childhood he had to endure.
The circumstances weren't ideal. He was too young and too involved in a mess of politics and scandals to even consider a child in the first place, and that was putting aside the obvious face that said child's father was in a morgue with a hole in his head that Goro personally put there a week ago. But telling his child that he murdered its father was the least of his concerns, not when there were more pressing matters.
And then there was Shido, the man whose life he swore to ruin the same way Shido had ruined his mother's, the man who wouldn't be in his current position without Goro constantly covering his tracks and helping him rise to the top. He was able to mask his symptoms around Shido well enough, and the scent blockers he wore certainly helped, but the idea of Shido finding out about the pregnancy made his head spin. After all, Shido had no use for a pregnant omega —Shido didn't even know he was an omega.
But Shido didn't have to know. Goro knew his options, he knew how to negotiate, he knew how to keep secrets and keep people quiet. It couldn't be that hard to keep an abortion off of his record. He was even willing to induce a mental shutdown for good measure, just in case word got around. He didn't want to leave anything up to chance. He had to go to a third party. Shido's influence was too wide and too deep, and he didn't trust any associate to keep their mouths shut.
Goro traced a lazy pattern over his stomach. Apologies, little one. It's not your time, yet.
Perhaps once Shido was taken care of, he could consider settling down. Maybe somewhere away from the city and closer to the countryside, somewhere peaceful and away from the media and paparazzi. Whoever ended up fathering his children, he knew they would never be like Shido.
But that alpha would never be Kurusu.
The thought of Kurusu bleeding out in that interrogation room, the image of his blood pooling under his head and staining the steel table underneath him had Goro vomiting once again. Which was exactly what he did after he shot Kurusu on that fateful day. For some reason, any thought of the leader of the Phantom Thieves had him feel violently ill for the past week. Every night, he would cry himself to sleep, and every morning, he would wake up in tears. What exactly had his omega in disarray, he wasn't sure, but now he could chalk it up to his emotions being much more sensitive than before due to his pregnancy. But that wouldn't be an issue any longer. Once the pregnancy was terminated, he could pretend nothing had happened. No one had to know.
His thoughts drifted back to Kurusu once more. If Kurusu was still alive, then he would be the only person Goro would consider telling even if he was intending on getting an abortion. Would Kurusu be alright with that? Would Kurusu even want children in the first place?
It was a foolish thought. Kurusu was dead. There was no changing that. It didn't matter what he would have thought because he was gone.
Goro tossed the pregnancy test into a trashcan and shook his thoughts of Kurusu despite his omega's protests. He tried to push down the sudden swelling in his heart, biting back the sudden urge to cry. His instincts were the reason why he was in this mess to begin with. When it came to Kurusu, his omega loved to take the reins, and it was solely for Kurusu and Kurusu alone. It was difficult for Goro to pull back his omega around him. He didn't like not having control of his own body.
Tomorrow, he would work out his next move. Perhaps that doctor in Yongen-jaya could perform the procedure, or she could direct him to someone else who might be more qualified. Either way, he had to act before election day.
Goro thought it poetic that he would be facing off against himself. It was like looking in a funhouse mirror, or it was like that episode of Featherman where the protagonists had to face their inner selves and accept who they became. Only the funhouse mirror was broken, and the inner self he had to face was a piss poor imitation. Shido's cognition had a gun pointed to him with about half a dozen Shadows circling him. On the other side of the door were the Phantom Thieves struggling to find a way to reach him and calling out his name.
Using Loki's power on himself wasn't the smartest move, and the slight pain in his abdomen was enough to drive it further. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he spat a drop on the floor. Even so, he struggled to stand upright despite still having a hand on his stomach.
He could imagine the horror on Kurusu's face on the other side, the pleading look in his eyes when he asked Goro to join them in changing Shido's heart. If he was honest, Goro wasn't entirely sure if he wanted to. Taking Shido down was his dream, and he planned on doing that alone. Knowing that Shido was going to kill him anyway was. . . unsettling. But not surprising. Of course he wouldn't be spared. Kobayakawa, Okumura, the SIU Director were all disposed of for the same reason; of course Goro wasn't an exception.
If he was going to die, then he had no choice but to entrust his revenge to the Phantom Thieves —to Kurusu. Kurusu had yet to let him down.
Oh, Kurusu should know. It didn't matter, but something told him it would feel right to. If anything, it could be a parting gift.
Goro released a shaky breath and glanced over his shoulder towards the door that separated them. "Hey, Joker." He tried to keep his voice steady despite his omega screaming at him like a crying child clinging to its mother. But Goro wouldn't cry. He didn't want to. It would only make it harder.
He swallowed, a soft fondness in his eyes. "Hikari would be a nice name, no?"
"Hikari?" He heard Sakamoto ask on the other side.
He didn't have to see Kurusu's face to know the gears were turning in his head. If circumstances were different, it would be more happy news. If circumstances were different, Kurusu would pick him and spin him around as one would normally see on TV. If circumstances were different, he would come to Leblanc, and he and Kurusu would chat the day away and share kisses and touches behind the counter when no one was looking. If circumstances were different. . .
If circumstances were different, I would be your mother.
"No." Kurusu sounded broken on the other side, a tone Goro never thought he would hear from someone as highly skilled as him. He could hear the plea, the shakiness in his voice, and the sharp inhale to stop himself from choking out a sob. "Goro. . ."
That was the last word out of Kurusu's mouth before Goro whipped out his gun and pulled the trigger.
His alpha was screaming.
Akira hardly remembered securing the infiltration route, and he didn't remember how he returned to Leblanc that evening. His mind was spiraling, his scent spiking with such an intensity that Morgana had to snap at him about it. Not even taking a bath was enough to help process the information still buzzing in his mind —although he was glad he had the bathhouse to himself for once. He needed to be alone to gather his thoughts.
Akechi was pregnant.
The words repeated in Akira's mind. He was possibly the only person who knew of Akechi's true dynamic —everyone else assumed he was a beta, but Akira saw through the scent blockers with ease. But because it was something Akechi didn't want to be known, Akira never said a word. He planned to take it to his grave if it ever came to that —it could have if their plan didn't work. Of course, Akira never tried to pursue him despite his growing feelings. Even after knowing Akechi planned to kill him, he still enjoyed their rivalry and only hoped Akechi thought the same.
That was, until that week in September, where he'd spent every hour not at school cooped up in Akechi's apartment, knotting and fucking him until he couldn't speak or think —arguably the best week of Akira's life. Akechi was so pliant and submissive, a farcry from his usual demeanor, and Akira had to hide the clawmarks on his back when he returned to Leblanc when it was over —although Akechi's scent stuck to him like glue so Morgana easily figured out where he went.
Akira did remember Akechi mention something about feeling under the weather during the school festival, but he initially chalked that up to attempting to deflect the conversation at the panel. But with the new information, he had to put things into perspective.
During the school festival, Akechi was pregnant.
During their infiltration in Sae's Palace, Akechi was pregnant.
When they sparred in Mementos, Akechi was pregnant.
When his cognition was shot in the interrogation room, Akechi was pregnant.
When they fought not even five hours ago, Akechi was pregnant.
Akira audibly shuddered.
His phone rang with notifications from the rest of the thieves, all of them asking if he made it home and told him to rest for the evening. Ryuji even told him they didn't have to send the calling card immediately if he wasn't up for it. Akira's responses were short and brief, a simple, "I'm okay, I'll see you tomorrow."
He had just stepped out of the bathroom after changing into his pajamas when he heard a knock at the door. Morgana perked up from his spot on the counter, and behind the flipped sign did he and Akira see Futaba on the other side. He was quick to unlock the door and let her inside, and he didn't miss the way she turned up her nose with a grimace. "Yep. Still smell bad."
Akira scratched the back of his head apologetically.
"What are you doing here, anyway? It's late." Morgana meowed with a flick of his ears.
Futaba held a more serious look on her face. "We need to talk. About earlier."
Akira nodded to the stairs leading to the attic before he turned on his heel. Morgana hopped down from the counter to follow him. Whatever it was, Akira was glad they were doing so in private, but it was also something serious enough to not share with the rest of the group.
Futaba took her usual spot on the couch while Akira leaned against his workdesk with his hands in his pockets. Morgana curled up at the foot of the bed. "So, what did you want to talk about?"
"It's about Akechi."
Akira tried not to stiffen up at the mention, even if he expected it. But his scent gave him away, and Futaba narrowed her gaze at him before continuing. "I couldn't sense his signal when those two gun shots went off, but I sensed another signal going out, too."
"Huh? Another one?" Morgana blinked in confusion.
"Mhm," Futaba nodded. "I know it wasn't the cognitive Akechi, either. His would give off a much different frequency. This one gave a similar frequency to the police force in Sae's palace. But, it was pretty faint, and weirdly enough, was close to Akechi's. Actually, I'd say it was right on top of his."
"But, there wasn't anyone with him," Morgana protested. "Could it have been Loki?"
"Nope. Personas have a much different presence on the scanner."
"Then. . ."
Morgana jumped up at the sight of Akira almost stumbling over the desk, grabbing onto the edge to keep himself upright. He had a hand tangled in his hair, his eyes blown wide, and his breath came out in shaky pants. "Hey, Akira! Are you okay!? Are you still feeling side effects!?"
"N-No. . ." Akira shook his head. "N-No, I'm okay. . . It's just. . ."
Futaba leaned back in her seat with a hum. "I just happened to think about what he said to you," She continued. "The 'Hikari' thing. It wasn't until I thought about that second signal when it finally clicked."
"Fuck. . ." Akira swore, a whimper escaping his lips.
Futaba held a sorrowful look in her eyes. "Did you know?"
"Not until he said that."
"Wait, what are you talking about?" Morgana asked. "What was that second signal?"
"A baby," Futaba replied bluntly. "Akechi's baby specifically."
"WHAT!?" Morgana yowled, jumping at least a foot off of the bed. "B-But that would make Akechi—"
"An omega," Futaba finished. "I figured that out when I saw that his signal was just like Haru's. You couldn't tell by looking at him."
Morgana then turned to Akira. "Hey, that week you were with Akechi. . ."
Akira twisted his bangs and averted his gaze, but both Morgana and Futaba took it as a confirmation. "No wonder you've been out of it since we left the Palace."
"If I had to guess, he couldn't have been that far along," Futaba commented. "If anything, I think he didn't have a lot of time to go to a doctor, so. . ."
Akira bit the inside of his cheek. If only he found out sooner. If only they had the chance to talk about it. If only he could be there for whatever Akechi decided to do.
"So, do we tell the others?" Morgana asked.
"I don't see why," Futaba replied. "It doesn't change anything, and it's gonna bring up a can of worms I don't think we're ready to talk about yet. Maybe later, but certainly not now."
Akira didn't want to imagine how the rest of the thieves would react to the news. If it came down to it, he could come up with a lie, knowing Futaba would easily back him up to ease any doubt. But what about after the deed was done? Would he be able to tell the truth, then?
"Anyway, that was all I was here for," Futaba hopped off of the couch as she spoke. "I just needed that confirmation. I won't say anything about Akechi being your baby momma until you're ready."
". . . Thanks. . ."
"I'll walk her home." Morgana offered as he hopped off of the bed.
Futaba bent down to grab his cheeks again, causing him to howl in protest before she skipped towards the creaky stairs leading back downstairs. She glanced over her shoulder to look at Akira once again. "Don't make us wait too long for that calling card, you hear? We're doing this for your baby now, too."
Akira nodded before she disappeared. He collapsed onto the bed and threw an arm over his eyes. That week in September was unexpected for both of them, and he could tell from Akechi's demeanor that day that his heat simply came out of nowhere —whether that had to do with Akira himself is a different question entirely.
Of course, Akira didn't expect him to keep the baby, anyway, not in his current position. And given his own record, he didn't want to add being a teen dad to the fuel of gossip that kept the entire student body of Shujin going. And that was putting aside the lecture he would receive from Sojiro, Takemi, and even Kawakami once she managed to find out.
Despite everything, Akira knew Akechi would be a good mom. If there was something he was confident in, it was that. He wished they had more time, more time for him to convince Akechi to join them in changing Shido's heart, more time to figure out what to do about the baby, more time to simply spend time together. Akira thought it was unfair how much was taken from him in such a short time.
Regardless, all he could do was deal with Shido to put Akechi at ease. Akira only hoped that was enough to give him some piece of mind.