#“oh okay?....” and then sojiro left

[hauntingmiser]

*futaba's computer playing Christmas music intensifies*

*sojiro opens the door and walks in with a mug in hand*

[holostarz]

my problem is i think most of p5s ships are cute and thats why i almost always am down for some form of polythieves

usually i just lump all the guys together cause all those ships are just so good to me??? and i mean like, every combination of them, even without ren. ill ship ryuji and yusuke. and i also love goro with either of them. ryugoro and akekita are so rare but theyre so nice?? they all just. clenches fists. theyre so good ot4 pegoryugorokita

goroann besties is real in my heart. also goroharu being like the Cursed besties ever in the end like. my god they have such a wack and unhinged platonic soulmates/kindred spirits potential. goromako rivals forever my guy they are so fucking funny. and ryukoto is kinda cute...

i think shumako is nice but its just not my cuppa tea. they are dear friends and i do love the image of ren and makoto being a bit rivalcoded and butting heads over phantom thievery and how to lead the team best. and goro is weirdly the one who can actually somehow stop arguments before they happen and get them to compromise.

makoto is NOT the mom friend okay she is the bossy and protective older sister friend. and she is smart and sensible but not immune to her friends infecting her with Stupid. ren is the mom friend. and the dad friend. best of both things. :)

ren: its hard raising 8 kids when youre in high school and an 18 y/o whos like if a divorced widow was a boy 😔 sojiro: what happened to your husband??? ren: he was lost at sea goro: ren, look at this dog i saw on my way here ren: i can still hear his voice

meanwhile i love futago half siblings headcanon. so while goro and makoto are a little more sibling rivalry coded, futaba is still goros actual gremlin sibling who will bully him to death. meanwhile, futaba is actually adoptive siblings with ren. these two are WAY more sibling coded than goro and futaba ever.

and when futaba starts trying to do similar Sibling dynamic things with goro. goro is like ??? "ren, futaba just came in here. stared at me. burped. and then left. what does this mean." and ren is like. "oh is there food? theyre probably telling you theres food and to come out if you want some. or if this is your first time seeing them today they could just be greeting you." and goro is like ????? but louder this time

i love shujin trio poly... and i default to them being the OG Cule. shuann? v cute love them. ryuann? also cute and honestly v funny of how messy i imagine their hookups being. like they keep breaking up and eventually finding their way back to each other. sometimes i see them as sibling coded, too, more than anything else. overall i just love these three together they are the tomodachis of all time they are partners for life

i also love ryuharu. and harukita (yuharu?) theyre really cute.... then theres good ol makoharu and annmako (makoann?) and i love them too... honestly love hifumi and makoto too?? i think they would be huge fucking dorks together... perhaps.... rivals, even?

goro and hifumi being friends... good shit. hifumi and yusuke being close friends? plz... and ren and hifumi are just. wahh i love them theyre so good. even futaba and hifumi could be cute, honestly.... wtf

and we cannot forget ANNSHIHO,,, forever. my GORLS.... lesbiabs of my heart.

anntaba is a rare one but theyre also v cute to me... and if they arent girlfriends i love the idea of futaba having a crush on her and then realizing those feelings are actually just Admiration and Gender envy. i also love the idea of morgana finding out his crush on ann is ALSO GENDER ENVY RELATED.... we love nonbiney morgana. hope is genderless

ren: my CAT IS TRANS!? NOT CLICKBAIT?

and makoto is always being an older sister to futaba. yutaba is nice, too. i honestly see futaba and yusuke being aspec and theyre platonic soulmates and in a qpp. and ofc sumitaba my beloved... i love sumitaba a lot

i adore ryusumi too like oh myg od,,.. wahh.... the sweeties. sumikita is so rare but like. i think they could be kinda cute too?? sumigoro is V platonic soulmates to me like my god theyre so. clenches fist. honestly whole royal trio tbh is just. "they can make each other worse" and each of them thinking "thank god im the normal one here" thats it thats the whole dynamic. and its so funny.

shusumi is cute too but honestly i think i prefer both ren and goro have somethin of a platonic soulmates or older sibling dynamic with sumire. they have adopted her okay. sumiann isnt one i see a lot either but they.... THEM.....

any mishima ship is super funny imo but like, theyre cute. love yuuki having a crush on ren but like. the game makes it near impossible for you to actually be fucking nice to him so i always get the vibe that ren would rather keep him at a distance, even tho they appreciate him and care about him.

its okay tho cause i say hes good friends with the OG trio + shiho and they vibe. yuuki crushing on goro, to his own horror? hilarious. and weirdly enough shiho and ren?? idk what their acronym is. but. oh my god. theyre actually weirdly cute? but i see them having disaster twins energy. theyre absolute menaces.

[cosmichorrorsarestillnicerthanme]

Futaba Sakura and Makoto niijima (separate) with a delinquent boyfriend that they find out is actually extremely smart like a futaba level genius but they cover it up and intentionally get average or bad grades. The reason is that in the past they were made fun of and an outcast throughout their life because of how smart they are.

I would like you to consider this your Christmas Gift from me to you my friend, I've been working on this for a while to get the style just right.

NOW! YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND!

You and Futaba ran into each other through the most random of chances.

On a day she came into LeBlanc a tad later than usual, the bell rang as you stepped in, knuckles skint up, and wiping blood from your nose.

Sojiro, of course, gave you flack about how beat up you were.

You in turn teased him about his habit of adopting whatever downtrodden kids walked through his door.

Meanwhile, Futaba was wondering who in the world you were, and debating if this was the opportunity to try and put into practice what her and Joker were working on.

Then Sojiro asked her to grab the first aid kit under the bar.

And Futaba decided to at the very least try.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“H-here you go!” Futaba stuttered as she gave Sojiro the small white case from under the bar.

“Thanks Futaba.” Sojiro said with a smile as he went to open the box before clicking his tongue.

“Damn, I knew I should’ve checked this when I went to grab some things for the shop.” Sojiro muttered.

“Hey, Futaba, do you mind keeping an eye on this jackass?” Sojiro asked, giving you the side eye as he spoke.

“S-sure I can, Sojiro!” Futaba responded.

This was her chance… to talk to another person!

“Thanks, I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t have to. This guy however has a bad habit of running off to galavant, kinda like that other guy in a way.” Sojiro groaned as he turned to grab his hat from off the hanger.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be right back.”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Futaba fidgeted nervously on the stool as she looked at you.

“How the hell am I supposed to do this!” Futaba screamed in her head before her eyes locked onto your jacket’s pocket.

A featherman pin…

Futaba could work with this!

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

After that, the two of you hit it off quickly.

As it turns out, tv makes great conversation starters.

As it also turns out, you were a lot sharper than Futaba gave you credit for.

Almost as sharp as her if not just as.

It makes her wonder what you're doing as a delinquent…

Eh, who cares.

…

…

Okay, Futaba cared.

Especially when she told Sojiro how she felt after you left.

Because that's when Sojiro started teasing her about having her first crush.

And after the allotted period of denying and panicking over it, Futaba was forced to admit.

She did, in fact, have a crush.

On someone who liked the same things she did.

She applauded herself for having such good taste.

So, after a lot of prodding and poking from Joker and Sojiro, she managed to gather up the courage to ask to have dinner with you at LeBlanc.

It snowballed from there.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“Hey… if you don’t mind me asking, why are ya a delinquent?” Futaba asked as she kicked her legs in the air while reading Manga.

“I’m not a delinquent, I’m a-” You began before saying in union with Futaba.

“Alternative School Security!”

“Yeah, yeah, I know, but I don’t think most security guards would beat the heck out of anyone who tried to bully others. Probably.” Futaba stated.

“Well, it's a boring story, not something that will keep you entertained.” You said as you leaned back in your chair.

“Try me, mister delinquent~!” Futaba teased.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Within the next few minutes, Futaba Sakura was ready to absolutely murder a lot of people.

Why would they do that?

Why?

That's just cruel!

Futaba knew what the Phantom Thieves' next mission in Mementos would be!

Oh she was gonna absolutely throttle those shadows!

You made an impression on Makoto when the two of you first met.

More specifically, you made an impression on some guy's face.

Several guys in fact.

You see, when the two of you met.

Makoto Nijimia, was being mugged.

Then you, the local delinquent stepped in.

And seeing as this was your turf…

You doled out some… fitting punishment for those trespassers.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Makoto prepared to step in as the first and leader of the men charged you.

She may not be in the metaverse, but she still does know how to fight.

However, Makoto learned quickly that you did not need any help from her when you dodged the first punch and countered by hitting him with an uppercut to the chin that sent him stumbling back and then another punch to the nose which knocked him out cold.

Needless to say, the two minions of that man ran off immediately after.

Or they attempted to, as it turns out being clotheslined and having a bent metal pipe tossed at someone tends to stop the person on the receiving end of that in their tracks.

You were content to leave it at that.

Unfortunately, a pretty lady with short hair and who was also a stickler for rules decided otherwise.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“So then, get mugged around here often?” You asked the young woman next to you.

“I am SO sorry about this…” Makoto groaned as she put her face in her hands.

“Oh don’t worry, I just love spending my nights in handcuffs!” You stated sarcastically as you raised your hands from the table, or as far as you could with your hands cuffed to it.

As it turns out, a known delinquent walking into the Police Station with three unconscious guys and an innocent young woman tends to send the wrong message.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

And that's how you and Makoto Niijima met.

Needless to say, you and Makoto were attached at the hip after that.

Then one thing led to another and then the two of you just…

Started dating. 

It wasn’t really anything big, it just… happened.

Then Makoto noticed something.

All of your schoolwork was…

Exceedingly average…

Everything was actually perfectly average…

To the exact point…

This warrants a call to a friend.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“Hey, Futaba, can you check something for me?” Makoto asked Futaba over the phone.

“Sure ya can Queenie! Is this about your new beau?” Futaba teased.

“H-how did you- *Sigh* Yes, it is. I need you to check his grades, his all time grades.” Makoto told her friend with a sigh.

Futaba was silent on the other side of the line for a moment.

Then Makoto heard Futaba let out a whistle.

“Wow! This guy is good! Really, really, really, good!” Futaba exclaimed excitedly.

“Wha-” Makoto tried to speak before being cut off by Futaba.

“Aces in everything, on every assignment, every test, in every subject, and I mean everything, and a spotless record to boot! At least until… last year. Then it's all perfectly average work, and constant write ups about getting into the middle of fights and punching bullies out.” Futaba told Makoto, the clacking of a keyboard coming through the speaker of her phone.

“Looking at this guy’s record… Makoto, be sure to avoid telling him what your after school job is, yeah? I don’t doubt the shift manager would want the help, but Mona probably wouldn’t be all that happy with a new guy to drive around.” Futaba told Makoto, warning her about the way you might react to the Metaverse if exposed to it.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Shortly following this conversation, Makoto asked you about your grades.

You dodged the questions as best as you could, but Makoto, your wonderful girlfriend, continued to press the question.

It took her a little while, but you did answer.

You told her about how, once upon a time, you were the top of your class, unparalleled in basically anything you learned, constantly earning the highest possible grades with ease and even used as a shining example of what a good student should be.

But then, at the beginning of the last school year, the perception around you turned sour due to envy.

A group of bullies started harassing you and, no matter what you said or tried, the school did nothing.

So, you dropped out of the spotlight, avoided the reputation you had and managed to transfer schools.

After that, you gained a new reputation for completely average work and stopping bullies that the school would refuse to do anything about.

The rest, as they say, is history.

In response to this, Makoto asked only for the names of the bullies and the teachers.

By this point you already figured out what Makoto’s “After School Job” was.

But that doesn’t mean you didn’t give her the names without any lip.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The following day, you received a series of calls and texts.

All of them being apologies.

All of them from the people who bullied you.

[dawnthefox24]

*Asa sighs a bit as she watches Sojiro who seems to be very distracted, as she trains Hanzo and Genji for a moment, though knows that both boys are also feeling a bit distracted as well before she stops the training all together* Asa: *sighs for a moment* Okay that's enough you 3 come inside now. Teen Hanzo: Wh- Teen Genji: Asa were sorry if we- Asa: Now you two, and you as well Sojiro since you guys seemed to be very distracted. Sojiro: *sighs* Where fine Asa I- Asa:*has her arms crossed* Now! Sojiro:*sighs and went inside ushering his boys as well* Asa: What in the world has gotten them like this... *Soon she headed inside as well and made them all tea before handing it to them before sitting down in a near by chair with her legs crossed and her arms crossed too* Asa: What happened? Sojiro,Hanzo,and Genji: Nothing. Asa: No this isn't "nothing" it's something, Genji what happened. Teen Genji: WH-!? Why me!? Asa: Cause your brother and father are stubborn as a mule, so tell me what happened. Teen Genji:*looks down a mumbles a bit* Asa: What? Teen Genji:..Mother is... Asa:..Is what? sick with the flu? Teen Genji:...No she went to the hospital and- Asa: WHAT!? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME! Sojiro: *sighs* Look Rumiko told us not to tell you and- Asa: So you went here instead of being with your wife!? No that't it! Were going to the hospital! Sojiro,Hanzo and Genji:...Okay... *Soon all four of them went to the hospital to see where Rumiko is though a few of the doctors and nurses were busy making Asa lose her patience till she heard Rumiko's voice* Rumiko: thank you for everything. Omnic Doctor: Of course just be careful next time and- Asa: RUMIKO ARE YOU OKAY!? Rumiko:*pinches the bridge of her nose* Oh no... Omnic Doctor: Uh hello... Asa: What happened!? Is she okay!? She isn't dying right!? Omnic doctor: Well you see- Asa:*cuts him off * Oh no she is! Isn't she!? Rumiko: ASA! Asa:*looks at her clearly worried and concerned* Rumiko: *glares at her but looks over seeing Hanzo Genji and Sojiro*I'm not dying! And you 3 disobeyed me! Sojiro:*looks like a kicked puppy* Sorry my love... Asa:*grabs rumiko hand seeing stitches * What happened!? Assassins !? Rumiko: What god no! I cut my hand on glass! Asa:... Rumiko:... Asa: HOW!? Rumiko: *rolls her eyes and takes Asa arm with her good handand drags her out not before shooting a sharp glare at Sojiro and her boys* Teen Genji:..I hate when mother gets mad... Teen Hanzo: Agreed.. Sojiro:...I'm sleeping on the couch... *Once all of them were outside Rumiko didn't look so impressed with this whole outcome* Rumiko:*sighs softly*Okay to make a long story short, when I woke up I was still drowsy from sleep and opened one of the cabinets and one of the glass bowls fell and of course I went to catch it while still half asleep of all things and then the next thing I feel is pain and I'm bleeding. These 3 thought I was dying when I had to elevate my hand. Sojiro,Hanzo and Genji:*looking down ashamed* Asa: I-Is that why you went to the hospital!? Rumiko: Yes, they removed some of the glass shards left within my hand but luckily it wasn't that deep but these 3 made it look like I was dying and I told them not to tell you and now here we are! Asa:... Sojiro:... Teen Hanzo:... Teen Genji:... Rumiko:*looks at her hand a bit* But I'll say this I won't lie I was scared, thinking I hit something major but luckily that didn't happened. Anyways I'm going home now, you 4 have fun with the training okay. Sojiro: But- Rumiko: *walks off* No buts, bye. Asa: Wow... Sojiro:*looks sad* I'm sleeping on the couch tonight! Teen Hanzo and Genji:*sighing knowing that won't be the end of this conversation as their mother might scold them as well*

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #1203: Secret's Discovered (Persona 5)

12:34 p.m. at Shiyuba's Sacred Cemetery........

Sae: (Sighs While Standing In Front Both of her Parents' Gravestones Right Next to Makoto) Life continues to be a challenge for us since the day you two were gone. There's never been a day where we haven't wish for either one of you to be here right now,

Makoto: But as we stavd here now, alive and breathing, we continue to strive to greater heights and improve not just in our relationship as sisters, but in ourselves as well. We wish you both were here to see us grow first hand...... and I don't think words can properly describe how much Sis and I miss you these days.

Sae: But until the days both of us see you again in the afterlife, all we asl that you continue rest easy and continue having faith in us. We'll do just fine in this insanity called planet earth.

Makoto: (Bows to her Parent's Resting Place Along with Sae) Thank you for listening to our ramblings as per usual, mom and dad....and we love you so very much.

Few Minutes Later at the Cheesecake Factory Café....

'Door Bell Ring'

Sae: (Side on One Side of Her and Makoto's Table) So how are you feeling today, little sister?

Makoto: (Lets Out a Sigh of Relief While Stting on the Opposite Side of her and Sae's Table) Pretty good. In fact, I don't feel as emotional as I thought I would be this time around. Lucky me.

Sae: Really. (Slowly Raises an Eyebrow) Are you sure that ALL you've been feeling lately?~

Makoto: I...... (Raises an Eyebrow in Confusion) think so? Why?

Sae: Well, for starters, you took your sweet time coming out of your bedroom before we left the apartment earlier today. Approximately one minute and forty-seven seconds long to be exact.

Makoto: (Scoffs While Rolling her Eyes a Bit) Honestly, sis, that doesn't sound that long to me. And excuse me for wanting to make sure I got everything before we leave.

Sae: Prehaps. I would be inclined to believe you if it WEREN'T for a clear fact that you had your hand on your chest when you stepped out as if your heart was beating. A mixture between sigh of relief and feeling of love, desire and affection you for a certain "Ren-Ren". Almost like you have something to hide this entire time, am I wrong?~

Makoto: (Gives Sae a Deadpinned Look on her Face).....You really have a way of catching me red-handed, do you, sis?

Sae: (Forms a Proudly, Yet Cocky Smirk on her Face) I wouldn't be your lovable big sister and one of the best Prosecutors in all of Shiyuba if I didn't~ (Winks at Makoto) Now, explain yourself, young lady!

Makoto: (Now or never, Makoto....) (Takes a Deep Breath Before Speaking) Okay. So....(Claps her Hands Together With a Bit of an Awkward Like Smile on her Face) Marriage! A nice....lovely, romantic dream most people would want to experience someday in the near future, am I right?

Sae: For most I su- Wait.....(Eyes Widened Let's Out a Light Gasps at the Realization) Makoto Niijima! Did Ren propose to you at one point!?

Makoto: (Quickly Shakes Both if her Hands in Defense) Nononono! He didn't propose! It's...(Nervously Rubs her Arms Softly While Looking Away) A-Actually the other way around......

Sae: Other way around? Y-You don't mean......

Makoto: (Simply Nodded) Yeah. I'm planning to propose to Ren someday. Possibly later on this year-

'GAAAAAAASPS'

The Niijima Sisters quickly turns their heads to the source of the sudden, loud gasping noise, Futuba Sakura sitting next to their table along with Sojiro, both are equally surprised by what they just heard.

Makoto: Futuba? Sojiro-san?

Sae: (Raises an Eyebrow in a Bit of Confusion) What are you two doing here?

Futuba: (Eyes abd Mouth Remain Widened, Shaking Like a Leaf)

Sojiro: Oh. Uhhh....(Clears his Throat Before Giving the Newspaper He Was Reading a Single Shake, Putting on an Awkward Smile of his Own) Hello there, girls! (Let's Out a Single Chuckle) D-Don't mind us. Just....spending some quality time together......talking.....eating cheesecake.

Sae: (Looks Down at The Slice of Cake Sojiro Order) You're eating a chocolate cake.

Sojiro: It's coffee cake actually. You should give it a try next time you come here. It's pretty good-

Futuba: (Points at Makoto) YOU'RE TO PROPOSE AND MARRY REN-REN!?

Makoto: Yeah....(Simply Nodded With More Confidence This Time Around) Yes, I am. Not now obviously. But like I said before, I planned on doing so in the near future. (Starts Blushing a Bit) Assuming I have enough courage to do so by then......

Sojiro: (Gives Makoto a Warm, Reassuring Smile) Take all the time you need to build it up. You-

Futuba: (Pumps her Fists Up in the Air) WOOOOOOOOO!~ (Gives Makoto a More Brighter, Reassuring Smile on her Face) You go, girl!~ Marry that handsome dork of yours!~

Sojiro: (Puts on a More Deadpinned Look Before Sighing) Yeah. (Points at his Coffee Daughter) What she said. Minus the yelling.

Futuba: (Smiles Sheepishly While Letting Out an Awkward Giggle) Eheh....Sorry about that, Sojiro....

Sae: (Still at a Loss of Words From What is Happening Right Now) Makoto-

Makoto: (Sighs as She Turns Her Attention Back to Her Big Sister) I know, I know, it's a big, important life decision I made for myself and I know it takes a lot more work, communication, maturity, trust, and understanding to evolve your relationship into the marriage scene-

Sae: Makoto.

Makoto: (Starts Getting Determined and Heated Up) But I promise you with every bit of fiber in my heart and inner soul that Ren and I are up for the challenge. We have been through so much together, even before we started dating. A challenge road for sure, but there wasn't anything that we COULDN'T conquer together!

Sae: Makotooo.

Makoto: And I refuse to sit here and let anyone, anything, or my nerves get in the way of me doing this let alone give a single flying damn what ANYONE-

Sae: Makoto! (Quickly But Gently Grab Hold to Makoto's Hand) Calm yourself now. The last thing I want for you to end up getting a migraine like your big sis.

Makoto: (Starts Taking a Deep Breath to Help Calm Herself Down) Right.....Forgive me. This has been going on in my mind for months now.....

Sae: I can tell. (Gently Squeezes her Baby Sister's Hand) You're really dead set on doing this, aren't you?

Makoto: Sae, I have never more serious and committed than I already am now. Ren means the entire world to me. I wouldn't be where I'm at or even WHO I am right now if it weren't for all the love, care, and compassion he constantly gives me. It may be naive of me to wanting to do this, but I don't care. I love that reckless sweetheart and I wanna be with him until death do us part! I'm sorry it took me so to tell you this.

Sae: Don't be. I can tell how all of this has been earing you alive, you deserve all the time you get. (Gives Makoto a Reassuring Smile on her Face) I'm just happy I'm the one first people you reveal this to, despite the circumstances.

Makoto: (Turns Away While Rubbing The Back of her Head Again) Yeah, about that.......

Sae: ('Sigh') Oh my God. What is it?

Makoto: There's two people who knew about this before you guys. Shiho-san, whom helped me picked out the wedding rings to begin with while I helped her do the same in return.

Sojiro: Wait. (Eyes Begins to Widened Again) So Shiho's planning on proposing to Ann in the near future too?

Futuba: (Eyes Starts Sparkling in Pure Excitement) Oh this day keeps getting better and better AH-

Sojiro: (Quickly Covers Futuba's Mouth) Don't.

Sae: Congratulations will be in order for thise two for sure. Now who's the second person.

Makoto: (Takes a Deep Breath Once More Before Revealing the Answer) ........Momma Peach.

Sae: (Couldn't Believe What She Just Heard) I'm sorry- The Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom knew about this before I did? Seriously!?

Makoto: I had to! (Starts Pouting a Bit) I was so on edge thinking about the whole thing on the night we came back from the Mementos for the first time in years. So I told her everything. On a brighter note, she did say that she's more than willing to do all the wedding planning and put it all together once it's all said and done, so neither of us would have to.

Sae: ('Sighs in Relief') Thank Palutena for that.....

Makoto: But yeah. Other than them, you're the only ones that know about this. (Bows her Head Down) Which I am desperately asking you not to say ANYTHING about this to Ren-Ren until then! (Turns to Futuba Along with the Others)

Futuba: (Noticing Three Sets of Eyes on Her) Hey, why you guys looking at me? I can keep a secret!

Sojiro: ('Sigh') I sure hope so......

Makoto: Pleeeease, Futuba! Do your very best not to mention anything wedding related to him!

Futuba: (Sighs While Rolling her Eyes) Okay, okay, my lips will be super sealed! At least have more faith in me than that......Big Sis!~ (Winks at Her Soon to be Sister in Law)

Makoto: (Giggles Softly) I will~ Thank you. (Turns Back to Sae) And Sis.

Sae: Hm?

Makoto: (Gently Squeezes Sae's Hands) Would you please make me the happiest woman in the world and be our Maid of Honor? I can't think of anyone else more worthy of this title than you.

Sae: (Stares at Makoto For a Brief Second Before Her Heart Begins to Melt in Genuine Happiness) Yes. ('Sniff') It would be my honor.....

Makoto: (Notices the Tears Fall Down om Sae's Face) Oh no! Sis, are you crying?

Sae: (Scoffs Before Quickly Turning Away) N-No! That's ridiculous! I'm a highly respected Prosecutor in All of Shiyuba, Makoto, I don't cry that easily. ('Sniff') Especially when my one and only baby sister is growing up too fast in adulthood. ('Sniff') Making me proud to be her big sister everyday and whatnot. ('Sniff') That's DEFINITELY not what I'm doing!~

Makoto: Aww~ Come here~ (Gets Up From her Seat and Hugs the Crying Sae) It's okay. There's no shame in releasing these sappy feelings. You're still amazing my eyes.

Sae: ('Sniff') Thank you....,('Sniff') Just don't tell Tae about it, okay?

Makoto: (Giggles Softly) I won't say a word. I love you~

Sae: (Hugs Makoto Bsck While Crying Louder) I LOVE YOU TOOOOO!~

Sojiro: (Watches an Emotional Sisterly Bond in Front of Him With a Soft Smile on his Face) A real shame I left my phone at the café. Thus is sweet.

'Ahem'

Sojiro turns to see his coffee daught giving him a cocky, mischievous smirk on her Face.

Futuba: Hate to interrupt you watching this sweet moment between two sisters here, but- (Pulls her Hand Out) I believe there's something you *owe* me right now~

Sojiro: ('Sigh') Right. (Pulls Out Fifty Bucks From His Pants Pocket and Hand it Over to Futuba) I knew I should never agree to place my bet on that boy.

Futuba: (Smiles Brightly and Innocently) Pleasure doing business with you, my dear Coffee Dad~ I love you!~

Sojiro: (Rolls his Eyes) Uh-huh. Don't push it, young lady.

@princekirijo

@bestpony666

@albion-93

@ma-lemons

@decibelcoatl

[dumbass-duo-showdown]

Okay, 3 days left.

MOST SUGGESTED CHARACTER TIME!

Also the apple and bapelsin basically stands for said category. Apple is anime, western cartoons, and video games associated with anime. Bapelsin is live action, books/comics, and video games not associated with anime.

1. Donquixote Rosiante (one piece) 10, apple

2. Garmadon (Lego ninjago): 9, apple

3. Eddie Diaz & Dave (9-1-1): 9, bapelsin

4. John Silver (treasure planet): 9 apple

5. All Might/Yagi Toshinori (MHA): 6, apple

6. Bandit Heeler (bluey): 5, western cartoon, apple

7. Heinz Doofeshmirtz (phineas and ferb): 5, western cartoon, apple

8. Greg Universe (Steven universe): 4, western cartoon, apple

9. Professor Utonium (ppg): 4, western cartoon, apple

10. Bob Blecher (bobs burgers): 4, western cartoon, apple

11. Din Djarin (mandalorian): 3, live action, bapelsin

12. Paul Blofis (Percy Jackson), 3, bapelsin

13. Subject Delta (bioshock): 3, video game, bapelsin

14. Reigen Arakata (mod psycho 100): 3, anime, apple

15. Maes Hughes (FMA): 3, anime, apple

16. Phoenix Weight (ace attorney): 3, apple

17. God (bible): 3, apple

18. Jean Valjean (les mis) 2, bapelsin

19. Bobby Nash (911): 2, bapelsin

20. Yosuke Koiwai (Azumanga Daioh): 2, apple

21. Sojiro Sakura (persona): 2, apple (anime)

22. Doctor Venomous (OK, KO): 2, apple

23. Waymond Wang (everywhere everything all at once): 2, bapelsin

24. Hans Hubermann (the book thief): 2, bapelsin

25. Calvin’s dad (Calvin and Hobbes): 2, bapelsin

26. Augustus Aquato (psychonauts): 2, bapelsin

27. Benjamin Sisko (DS9): 2, bapelsin

28. Gomez’s Addams (Addams Family): 2, bapelsin

29. Simon Petrikov/Ice King (adventure time): 2, apple

30. Splinter/Lou Jitsu (TMNT): 2, apple

31. Pyrrha dve (the locked tomb): 2, bapelsin

32. Seteth (fire emblem): 2, apple

33. Iruka Umino (Naruto): 2, apple

34. Joel (the last of us: Pedro pascal version): 2, bapelsin

35. Kiryu Kazuma (Yakuza): 2, bapelsin

36. Uncle Iroh (avatar): 2, apple

37. Kaname Date (AI: Somnium files): 2, apple

38. Drake Millard (dark wing duck): 2, apple

39. Lee Everett (the walking dead, video game): 2, bapelsin

40. Hadoka (ATLA): 2, apelsin

41. Dustan Thorn (stardust): 2, bapelsin

Extra stuff

Basic Code Of Conduct

Current Phase and Propaganda Explained

AND HERE IS THE FORM

Reminder the ask box is always open if you need to ask anything and also. Please don’t use the Anon asks to correct me on spelling or grammar. English is my second language so if I mess up something just tell me straight ahead. You’re not rude for correcting me (unless it’s really passive aggressive)

Oh wait, what is this…?

Yeah these 5 men are getting in because why not! Those are Bruno Bucciarati & Norisuke higashikata IV (jjba), Bamse (bamse), Barret Wallace (ffvii) and Pollination Tech #9 Smith (sims 2)

[arcplaysgames]

I don't remember this at all so I don't even know if its part of The Lotus Tree or not, lmao, sorry Kasumi you are so boring up until, uuuuuuuuuuh about 40 minutes from now actually

So Reverie wakes up, happy new year, time to head downstairs to

no no no no no non on onojnkofidflasjk NO

NOOOOO

no!

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!

no

inhales

okay.

I, in real life, staring at my Odin, literally out loud said, "Oh fuck ALL the way off."

Anyway, we meet up at the shrine by luck, hahhaaha what a crazy random happenstance.

Also: HARU! MY GOD! WHAT A KNOCKOUT! I feel like her kimono might cost more than my fucking car.

But there is already a very weird tension in the air when the group gets together. They all meet up at a shrine that has no visitors because it seems like no one in the world is wishing for anything because their lives are so perfect, so the crew is like "well! this was nice. uh see ya!" and the vibes are so bad. Immediately everything feels like a world encased in glass, like a pinned insect that just got a shot of euthanasia and is starting to lock into place.

It is fucking EERIE as shit.

oh my god I'm gonna sharpen an axe and cut down your Lotus Tree, Maruki, I swear to god

"Would you join the Phantom Thieves" as an indicator that all is perfect and no one needs to do anything is sure Something.

Somehow, just watch me, I will find a way to blame this all on Mishima again. I'm already trying to calculate the trajectory.

SPITTAKE

I FUCKIGN HOLLARED OH MY GOD

I don't want to sound like the average Atlus developer right now, Morgana, but I think you may have gained some weight.

Also, sidebar: COWARDS for changing Morgana's voice actor for this. COWARDS!!!!! Cassandra Lee Morris has been doing fucking WORK with this character, I literally would rather her continue voicing him with a pitch modulation effect than swapping the VA, /HISSES ANGRILY

Anyway. Reverie and I are both in complete unity at the moment because all of this is Fucked.

Again, me, IRL, shouting "NO" at my Odin.

oh i feel ill from this, this is horrendous. Maruki, you got a fucking storm coming, and i have a fusioned Izanagi-no-Okami with your name on it.

LOOK AT REVERIE HERE. So like I've ranted about how the P4MC was such a non-character while Reverie is so so much more. I can feel how freaked out he is even while he's still a mostly silent protagonist. The fear he feels as he tries to make sense of this situation and starts to wonder how far it spreads is fucking radiating from his posture and how he's watching everyone from over his popped collar and event he way he hasn't turned the chair around to face them, he is cheated away from everyone.

God, it's amazing. I have a lot of issues with P5R but the protagonist is a triumph.

Oh, immediately before he said a single fucking thing. He knows. He knows. He walks in and takes one look around and he knows.

Which in of itself is fascinating and I wanna sink my teeth into what that means.

Everyone in this world is getting their desires. No! No that's incorrect. What they are getting is their pain taken away. I remember Maruki's absolutely batshit closing speech as he left the school in November.

Everyone is getting a life where the biggest traumatic moments did not happen. Futaba never lost her mother and thus Sojiro never lost his best friend. Morgana gets to be human because he admires humans so much. Ryuji was never kicked off the track team. Haru never had the falling out that lead to her father's death.

But Reverie? I don't know what he gets. Before the switch flipped on the Lotus Tree, Sae revealed that the woman who was involved in Reverie's false assault accusation might testify, so his record might even be overturned.

So we have Reverie, and we have Akechi. The two Wild Cards who were puppets of a bored god (who, uh, since Philemon isn't actually involved in this I don't really know anymore what Yaldabaoth's whole deal was but whatever, lean with it rock with it).

I don't know if you can undo the trauma of being Goro Akechi.

... I'm thinking about Reverie, and about the constant drumbeat of his connection to Akechi. Wanting to keep a promise.

I just had a really horrible thought but also it's so gay that I dunno if Atlus would Go There. We'll see.

I know I have never been happier to see you. Been a while, Beige Boy. Love the outfit, actually, you look great in actual colors.

/points directly at this

Did Akechi survive or did Maruki being him back because Reverie had unfinished business with him.

That is my question.

Don't answer it, anyone, but what I am thinking is either Akechi will reveal how he survived the Palace (unlikely) or it turns out he fucking didn't and this was the start of the Lotus Tree.

Anyway, Akechi reveals that he was being questioned for the Shido stuff and then they just.... let him go. No charges. He's free. Which is impossible, obviously. And now Wakaba Isshiki is walking around alive.

that lil pose is so gay. i wonder if Akechi is meant to be Actually Gay. serious question. like, we got Actually Queer characters in P4 so we know the people at Atlus know gay people exist, but this game has been scrubbed clear of any queerness.

except Akechi has such intense gay vibes and, sure I'll say it, mannerisms that I wonder if he is subtextually meant to be gay. especially since to my recollection, every male character in this game has been mentioned to be attracted to women except him. like, I did notice that, thank you.

((ALSO, SIDEBAR: YOU KNOW WHAT I MISS FROM P3 AND P4? THE GIRLS HAVING CRUSHES ON EACH OTHER. I miss the casual flirtation and interest all the girls had together. That's also been stripped out of P5 and it sucks.))

anyway what the fuck was I saying. Akechi gay, he and Reverie need to investigate.

And then Kasumi calls to be like "heeeeeeeeeeey so sorry to bother you buuuuuut that palace we ran into at the stadium is back????? is that okay?"

Okay another thing, sorry that this post is like All About Akechi but

lmao Akechi without his mask is a delight. this man is a bitch and he does not give a fuck and nothing in this world or the next impresses him. it is for real so fun how his cadence and register have subtly changed, he doesn't soften his syllables as much anymore, and he is direct as a gunshot.

Between him and Maruki, this whole segment of the game is like Freaks Only, Normies GTFO and I am thrilled. I am a freak, it's me. This is for me.

[haejjoon]

Hi I agree with the mako discussion I have always been neutral to her and this whole discussion articulated why. I feel like there's a big disconnect between the story concepts for p5 and the writers. I.e Ann's themes Vs her treatment in writing

Also I'm a local oc X canon shipper who likes to rewrite stories to insert my oc & Ur fic & blog is giving me inspiration for what I can do because I only recently started p5r after watching rtgame play it so I haven't digested & criticised details in full yet so hearing Ur thoughts really helps articulate vague impressions I've had!!!

That being said, I'm interested what u think of Sumi Because. I low-key don't like her (I DONT HATE HER but I don't love her beyond "she's cute")

Anyway that's all!!!! I love Ur au bye bye ✨

- oc anon

aw. hey anon!! thanks so much for dropping by :)) im glad the discussion helped somewhat

oh boy...... sumi. where do i begin.

i'll be clear from the start: i love fanon sumi. i think shes adorable, i love seeing her in fics, fanart, etc etc. and for the longest time i couldn't figure out why i loved her sm in fandom and hated her in canon? and then i realized:

sumi's character... has no clear purpose.

(sojiro voice) let me explain

each of the phantom thieves have a recurring theme of finding or rediscovering identity.

ryuji with track + his old teammates

ann with her stance on modeling

yusuke with his purpose for creating art (oh boy i also have a lot to say about Him)

makoto with her burnt out but not quite burnt out gifted kid syndrome

futaba with her purpose for living at all (ouch)

and haru with how she wants to define herself without her father's influence.

the only (ONLY) exceptions to this is akechi and the protagonist. akiren is the catalyst to aiding the others discover identity, and akechi already has his purpose in life so ingrained he doesn't need to (or doesn't bother) trying to grow as a person.

now... sumi.

she's first introduced as the brilliant gymnast honor student. over time, it's clear that she struggles with meeting others' (and even her own) expectations for herself.

if we follow the same formula for the other thieves, this would be when she'd start questioning why she does gymnastics at all, or who she does gymnastics for. instead, she double downs on her supposed love for the sport, and only spirals deeper and deeper when simple "hard work" doesn't pay off.

obviously we know why. she thinks she's her dead sister. but thematically, it just clashes with all the rest of the characters already presented, because the player now has no idea where her character's going with this. she suffers from the same thing makoto's character does: tons of payoff, no clear resolution.

by the end of the faith confidant she declares that she'll now be doing gymnastics as sumire, and not kasumi. that doesn't change the expectations stacked upon her to succeed. sumi never says, "it's okay if i don't succeed, because i'm doing my best." she says, "i'm going to succeed as sumire yoshizawa and not kasumi yoshizawa, and everyone will see me shine in my own way."

and don't get me wrong. it's a lovely conclusion on its own and i'm proud of her for it, but narratively it came so out of left field. there was no set up for that specific drive to succeed As Herself, because the entire set up thus far was that she just couldn't succeed at all. this is why the entire confidant felt so stilted to me.

and the reason for such a strange ending note is because of the twist itself. no one expected her to actually be her dead older sister. suddenly, sumi is a completely different person, and you're just supposed to roll with it through her confidant. there's just no time within the confidant itself for the player to digest it.

moving on from that though i just fucking hate how she's marketed. her entire palette is a copy and cut paste from joker's. her outfit is somehow worse than ann's--i get it, leotard for her gymnastic skills, but look up gymnastic leotards when you get the chance. there's no plunging necklines like her costume shows. her coat (again, carbon copy from joker's) is cut in the back in a way that no matter What You Do or How You Look at her, all you see is a flash of ass and thigh. the first thing you see of her the MOMENT YOU OPEN THE GAME is a slow pan up starting from her exposed crotch, for fuck's sake. fuck you atlus, she's fifteen.

also????? she's supposedly a gymnast, but she?? uses a ribbon??????? in her all out attack and in her final performance at the end of her confidant rank? is this just a localization issue? ribbon dancing and gymnastics are two very different sports???? someone explain??

she also pops up in thr story at the most random times, because the writing team over our beloved atlus couldn't figure out how to shoehorn her in to make her relevant to the main plot. why does she get the app in the first place, having nothing to do with the thieves as a whole? why does she awaken to a persona at all in maruki's palace, when all she does is vehemently deny who she really is?

dont argue with me on this, but the reason why she awakens to her persona SPECIFICALLY AT THAT POINT IN THE STORY at all... is so atlus could shove her into the opening cutscene where she "saves" joker. so the players could get hyped seeing her supple fifteen year old Pan Up From Crotch in the first five minutes of the game. joker didn't need saving. fuck off

and if you're gonna follow the rules already set in the p5 universe: how come she can use her persona so effectively in the first place? haru couldn't, even though she awakened. sumi definitely shouldn't be able to, given the whole... denying who she really is situation.

and lastly there's just some aspects of how she's depicted that rly irk me, but those are absolutely just my personal feelings. nothing inherently wrong with them, just annoying to me specifically:

- her over the top polite nature that only hinders her, but she doesn't abandon it to set straight boundaries with those being rude to her because she can't meet their expectation. even makoto told the principal to leave her alone that one time.

- the way she's so clearly shoved towards joker as the Canon Choice like makoto was in vanilla. p4 does this with rise, too, but it's far more bearable because of just how over the top she is with it, at least for me. i had a problem with yukari in p3 for much of the same reason as sumi.

- the fact that her outfit doesn't change after she accepts herself as sumire. i understand that it'd be a lot of work, but narratively, wouldn't it make more sense for it to change? akechi got two outfits (both ugly but i digress) for the two facets in his true self. if her thief outfit is a manifestation of her doubling down on her identity as kasumi, why doesn't it change? why is her hair, a clear indication of who she is as a person, still in a ponytail despite everything??? is she taking on kasumi's confidence in the metaverse?? it just isn't clear.

- her fucking magical girl transformation in her original awakening. sorry. it just wasn't necessary. again this is totally just a me thing but WOW it pissed me off so much first time i watched it, because what purpose was there to include that other than to make the player go "oooooooo shiny girl pretty girl near costume ooooooooo".

i think thats most of it. as a personality i adore sumi. it's why i love seeing her in art and fics. but as a Character made to drive a story's plot, there's so many holes i'm surprised the ship is still chugging along.

obligatory "this is my opinion im not forcing it onto you if you wanna dispute it with me go righr ahead, i love character analysis threads" here. jesus fuck this was long.

love you anon. muah <3

[chaos-cousins]

pelipper mail: a dream of another life.

“it’s just for a year, Akira,” your mother says. “Sojiro is a friend of the family. He’s a little gruff, but he’ll keep you safe. He even has a daughter your age; you might get along with her.”

You nod, trying not to cry. Your bags are packed, your things are mailed over, all that’s left is the train station where your parents are seeing you off. You want to see them off with a smile, so they don’t have to worry about you, but it’s so hard when all you want to do is break down and cry.

“I don’t want to go,” you finally admit.

“Oh, honey,” your mother says, bringing you in for a hug. You’ve grown taller than her; you feel like a tall child and not a teenager. “I know. It’s not what we wanted for you either. But try to make the best of it, okay? Tokyo is going to be full of new experiences and people. It’ll be good for you to get away from all the small town gossip and get a fresh start.”

“Hey. Chin up, son. I’m proud of you,” your father adds, joining the hug. “You did the right thing. You saw bullshit going down, and you stepped in and saved that woman.”

“Don’t swear in front of our son—“

“What? He’s sixteen, he can handle it. If he’s old enough to be convicted of assault, he’s old enough for me to say that it’s bullshit,” he argues. “Akira. I know the world hasn’t been kind to you. But wherever you go, you have our support, okay? Even in another life, another world, we’d always love you.”

You nod tearfully. The boarding call comes. You try to pull yourself together, saying your last farewells, and then you take your scuffed overnight bag onto the train to Tokyo. In your pocket, your phone buzzes, a reminder from your mother to call her when you arrive, and then again before bed.

It’s not easy. But you think, if they have your back, you can do it.

Ha

Haha

Even in another life? Even in another world?

What bullshit.

Fucking bullshit HE DOESNT KNOW HOW FUCKING LUCKY HE IS

WHY DIDNT I GET THOSE PARENTS?! WHY?!

[despair-to-future-arcs]

Mikako we are happy to report that due to our sneaky ways we got Hikaru who is Mayumi's girlfriend to get Hideyoshi's message and with that we have completed afterlife mission number one! Now the living can get one step closer to solving the investigation!

*Leaving the bedroom and walking down the hall*

Whoa, all that happen while I was asleep; gosh... I miss out on a lot, huh?

Yeah and let's say there's a lot of people freaking out from a lot of things being reveal near the end.

In fact the only reason I went to check on you is because Dr. Inori was helping with her mother who was having another crying fit.

Oh wow, so Kanata was going to check on me, well I suppose that explains it; but how did the others reacted?

Well they were scared of what happen to you but after everyone was told you were passed out and were sleeping, they calmed down but I think Mr. Tamon and Kiyotaka wanted to see if you were alright.

Ah I see, well that's good to hear - at least nothing too crazy happen, well let's see how those 2 have been...

*As Mikako and Sojiro left the hotel the 2 standing out were Hideyoshi and Kiyotaka*

Oh hey hey, look it's Mikako!

Mikako, your alright! *the 2 rush over*

Whoa, back up a bit geez!

So-Sorry, just that... when you passed out and everything, we panic and wanted to make sure you were okay...

Yeah, again we're sorry about that - when we heard you can pass messages and everything, we figure doing this would help in the investigation and you pass out, we're sorry about that.

No no, it's fine - I'm doing already and back again, just tell me if the message went through?

The message...?

Well, I think you'll like to hear that it did get through and Mayumi was able to get it...

Though I'm still pissed that Mayumi assume I was cheating on my wife, that joke goes too far and she knows it!

Yeah, not sure what's with her but hey at least the message got across.

Still... maybe once my father sees everything, he'll understand the situation and what happen along with my grandfather was close to discover.

Right, I did remember about what your grandfather did and planning to expose what Tetsuji Komatsu did for years?

Indeed and while I still think he was an idiot for falling for a scam like, I think father needs to realize that grandfather was planning to do as he was going to expose everything.

But the good news is the message is across and Mayumi, Hikari and my father are going to look into it, just that they need to wait until Mrs. Dogami is done with her work!

Yeah and I do regret not bringing her along, I think her help would of made things easier but better late then never I guess...

Yeah and besides, at least the information is out; anyway, let's get back to the others.

Right... let's go then...

*the group walk back to the theater*

[wellthebardsdead]

Shimada coffee and a familiar face?? ~Bambi

———

Sojiro: *quietly cleaning the counter of his cafe, finally healthier both physically and mentally after a lot of therapy, a lot of help and a lot of love from his fiancé’s and his new friends and found family* Do you think it’ll stay quiet long enough for us to have lunch little sparrow??

Genji: *in his play pen stacking blocks* ABEHBEH! (Translation: Unlikely! Look sharp!)

Sojiro: yes I think so too-

*Bell chime!)

Sojiro: *turns to face the door* Good morning come on-… Asa?… *drops the cloth and hurries around the counter taking off his apron as he goes*

Asa: *a young woman with a neat bob hair cut, holding a very fussy baby girl in her arms* Sojiro?? It’s you? It’s really you?? Your hair?! You shaved-

Sojiro: *suddenly hugs her and pulls back looking at the baby* It’s me! It’s you and??? Whose this?

Asa: Kiriko… my daughter…

Sojiro: daughter… *smiles looking at her* she’s got your smile, your grandmas eyes though. She’ll be a handful when she’s bigger-

Asa: Sojiro.

Sojiro: *looks at her, face turning from excitement to concern* …Why are you here?…

Asa: we need to talk… it’s important…

*A few hours and several cups of coffee later*

Sojiro: *holding kiri while Asa holds Genji* So the clan… destroyed the shrine…

Asa: *chokes back a sob* I managed to save the offerings, the fox is with us, with me and kiriko… my husband nearly died, we barely made it onto the plane. Your uncles tried to take kiriko from us, they only want shrines to the dragons now but since you left so did the dragons, all of the ayakashi except the Kitsune left…

Sojiro: they think getting rid of the fox will bring the dragons back… *scowls with an angry smirk* Narcissistic bastards… of course they wouldn’t realise the dragons don’t deem them worthy…

Asa: *nods looking heartbroken and lost* Sojiro I… I know I shouldn’t, I shouldn’t ask, it’s too much to ask for, but I have no money, my husband and I can barely afford a hotel and I need to feed my Kiki but… if I don’t make a new shrine for the Kitsune soon then- then-

Sojiro: *takes her hand* Asa. You know nothing is too much to ask of me. You were there for my wife and I when I couldn’t trust anybody… Whatever you need, I’ll serve you as you’ve served my family-

*Bell chime!*

Jack: *staggers in dressed in his strike commander gear* I got your text! We’re here!! Gabes parking the c-

Asa: *still thinking Sojiro is a wanted yakuza, quickly stands up handing him Genji and pulling out a knife from her boot* RUN SOJIRO!!!

Sojiro: *sitting there smiling holding both babies*

Asa: WHY ARENT YOU RUNNING?! GO!!

Jack: …She doesn’t know?

Sojiro: she doesn’t.

Jack: ah, I see. I’m his fiancé.

Asa: Oh.

Gabe: *Peeps out from behind Jack* um, I am too.

Asa: I?… okay.

[stuffkin]

futaba spends a day on the town with ryuji. everything goes terribly wrong. 

i think this is my final thing for @mcschnuggles’ potluck (AND it’s puzzleverse!) bc it’s 4am where i am and i’m starting to crash but who knows! maybe i’ll do something after sleep lolol

ao3 link!

Why did she think she could do this? She should have listened to her brain, not her heart and its stupid want for something more. But she’d thought she’d leveled up enough for this, and she isn’t alone, and, and, and–

Ryuji won’t look at her.

He won’t let go of her hand, but he won’t look at her. What does it mean, that he won’t look at her? 

Futaba wants to go home. But she’d promised Sojiro and Akira she’d be okay. Promised Ann. Promised Ryuji.

She isn’t sure the promise to Ryuji matters anymore.

It was supposed to be a small group outing. Her, Ryuji, Ann. Two of a pair, they were, determined to add one more pea to their pod. And the worst part is, Futaba wanted–wants–that. But Ann got whisked away at the very last second by her nefarious agency for an emergency fill-in. A plot twist Futaba hadn’t expected, but should have, because of course an outing to Akihabara wouldn’t go like she wants. Like she needs. Never does. 

Ann apologized to both of them, said they could reschedule. Ryuji waved her off, professing they’d be fine without her if Futaba wanted to forge ahead. A classic mistake on Futaba’s part–split-ups always lead to trouble. She’d agreed anyway. 

She pretended not to see the panic that had flashed across Ryuji’s face as Ann left. 

He hasn’t looked at her since. 

Now, they’re wandering the aisles of the most cramped game store Futaba’s ever been in, and believe it or not, she’s been in quite a few.

Small places are not her friend. Not with the way the walls seem to close in on her and the noise bounces around her and the people–oh, God, the people. The games are merely a mimic to lure her into the enemy trap. Still, they’ve been in the shop for twenty minutes already, which Futaba is pretty darn good, especially since people keep cramming into the miniscule space. And for once, she can’t blame them; the games on display are fantastic. It even makes her forget about her worries for a hot second. 

“Hey, what do you think about this one?” Futaba picks up a case and flips it over. “It has werewolves.” 

“Sure,” Ryuji says, even though the answer makes no sense with the question. He flinches when someone brushes by him. It strikes Futaba as wrong, somehow. “Let’s get it.”

He didn’t even look at the game. “Um. Okay.” Any excitement Futaba had gained fizzles away quickly, once more replaced with the suffocating fear that Ryuji doesn’t like her. Suddenly the bright colors and even brighter lights don’t seem so fun anymore. When Ryuji leads her to the cashier, she barely notices that Ryuji’s the one to pay for the game. She barely notices when they leave the shop. She almost misses Ryuji’s question. 

“Is there anywhere else you want to go?” Usually, there’s a bounce to Ryuji’s voice when he asks questions. Now, it falls flat. Tired. Bored. Oddly tight, like a spring ready to pop. She knew it; he doesn’t want to be around her anymore. Who can blame him? She can barely stand herself. 

“U-um…” Futaba tries to mask her anxiety. But everything she’d scripted for the day fries in her brain. Corrupted data, cannot be saved. Her throat aches from how hard she’s trying not to cry. “N-no.” 

“Okay.” Ryuji’s shoulders sag, just a bit, and how is Futaba supposed to interpret that as anything other than relief? “Let’s head back to Leblanc then.” 

Neither of them say anything else all the way to the train station. It’s all Futaba can do to keep her breathing under control. There’s no way she’s going to waste her breath on words! But even as terribly as she’s feeling, she does have to admit she feels a little better now that they’re at the end of their adventure with home waiting just on the other side. The knot in her chest loosens just the tiniest bit. 

If only Ryuji would look at her. Or say something, even if it’s something incredibly stupid like, Hey, wouldn’t it be neat if ducks could shoot lasers out their eyes? or I had a dream about a giant pink squid the other night. He doesn’t even notice that she keeps peeking at him. His eyes are locked on the opposite wall. It’s a far away enough look that she could probably pull free of his ridiculously sweaty hand to do a jig and he wouldn’t even notice. Before she can seriously consider testing this theory, the train arrives. Futaba jumps; Ryuji barely blinks as it whooshes by. 

Boarding is a nightmare. People are packed wall to wall like molecules in a block of ice. If only it were that cold. It leaves them little room to squeeze on and just enough space to be squished against one of the walls. Oh, she wishes they would have waited for the next one, or the one after that, but she certainly isn’t going to be the one to break their mutual silence. It’s a game now. A special form of denial to soothe the sting. 

Ryuji’s fingers twitching in her grasp has her glancing upward in spite of herself. At first, her only thought is That’s not Ryuji. But of course it is, because there’s no one else besides them with an obnoxiously bright dye-job. The whole set of his face, though, is all wrong. A jumbled up slide puzzle. Like before, his eyes are fixed on nothing, but the corners pinch into little creases, and there’s a faint blush creeping up his neck to grip his jaw. Futaba wonders how he hasn’t cracked a tooth from how tightly it’s clenched. The worst part is what she can hear. She shouldn’t be able to hear it over the sound of the clattering  train and chattering people, not to mention her headphones, but she hears a rattly breath that comes out too short. 

Oh. Oh. Futaba’s watched herself in mirrors enough times to know what’s happening. Morbid curiosity. She’s also spied on Ryuji–all of the thieves–enough times to know a tell when she sees one, even if she’s not sure what it’s telling. A different kind of curiosity. 

Ryuji’s teetering on the edge of a panic attack. That explains so much. 

Suddenly, she’s feeling so much better about the day. Well. Not about Ryuji, but the fact that it isn’t her fault. She thinks. She can figure that out later. 

“Hey, look at me.” Her voice is a little strained, but it gets the job done. Nervous eyes glance at her before flicking away again. Without letting go of his hand, she wriggles her way into his line of sight. “I said look at me.” 

Ryuji freezes, biting his lip again, but he looks at her. Oh, yeah. Her guess is right on the money; while she has the attention of the meatsuit his brain drives around, there’s not much going on behind those big brown eyes. Knock knock. Nobody’s home. 

“Okay, good,” she says, even though it isn’t. “You’re okay, we’re okay. You don’t like trains?” She doesn’t give him a chance to answer. “Me neither! They’re like a super hard dungeon teeming with enemies! But it’s okay because we’re together.” 

A quick squeeze to her fingers tells her that she hasn’t lost him yet. Good. Because if Futaba’s being honest with herself, she’s barely holding on to her own thread. Almost out of life points. If Ryuji weren’t feeling so bad, too, she’s pretty damn certain that she’d be the one having a panic attack. 

She continues monologuing all the way to Yongen-Jaya. Anything to keep them both distracted and tethered to his hellish plane–train–of existence. As they finally, finally, step out of the station into thankfully empty streets, Futaba spread out one arm and takes a deep breath. “Freedom.” Ryuji doesn’t say anything, but she hadn’t expected him to. He still looks like he’s about to come apart at the seams. Futaba takes control of player one and tugs him along to Leblanc. 

They barely get through the door before Sojiro’s onto them. He barely gets a glance in before he’s setting down his crossword. “What happened?” 

If Futaba hadn’t been so worn down, she would have laughed at how quickly Akira spins his head. It’s like he’s possessed. He must have popped it, because he grimaces and presses his hand against it. He’s quicker on the uptake than Sojiro. “I got them.” Stepping around the counter, he ushers them both towards the stairwell. 

Ryuji makes a beeline for Akira’s bed as soon as they’re up the stairs, tucking himself into the corner with no hesitation, as though he’s done this a million times. Perhaps he has. Futaba knows she’d go to Akira if she felt poorly. In fact, she has. Several times now. What piques her interest, though, is the way Morgana slinks into Ryuji’s lap without a word. The way Ryuji’s hands automatically start smoothing down the fur. The duo are so normally at each other’s throats that the flipped switch is downright bizarre. Unscripted. A glitch. 

Akira barely glances at them before turning to Futaba. “What happened? Are you okay?” 

She keeps her answer simple. “Too many people. Too high-level for me. Us, I guess.” She peeks around Akira at Ryuji, who keeps his head ducked and face hidden. Morgana’s murmuring to him, but she’s still too far away to make it out. “I didn’t think crowds got to him.” 

“They don't.” Akira grimaces. As much as his blank slate of a face can grimace, anyway. Futaba would love to program a model of him just to see how many wacky faces she could give him. Her attention surfaces as he speaks again. “Not usually, anyway. Are you sure you’re okay?” 

Futaba takes a moment to run through the diagnostic checklist. Jittery, check. Fatigued, triple check. Nothing sounds more wonderful than curling up with her stuffed unicorn underneath her weighted blanket. 

It also doesn’t seem as bad as it usually does after such a scare. The anxiety’s still there, yes, but dulled. Maybe she’s getting better. The more logical answer is that the variables are different–someone needed her more than she needed them. Ryuji needed her. Later, once she’s recharged, she’ll run a control test. 

But, right now, Akira is waiting patiently, expectantly, for an answer. “I’m okay,” she answers truthfully. “Better now I’m at home base.” 

The corner of Akira’s mouth curls upward, and he pats the top of her head. The warmth and weight of his hand smooth over the frayed edges nicely. “Good.” 

She tries peeking around Akira again. “Is he okay?” 

“He will be,” Akira says, as though it were he who had been on the train with Ryuji and not her. He glances back towards the bed. When he shares a look with Morgana, his eyes narrow, just enough for Futaba, Queen of Noticing Things, to notice. Whatever decision he’s trying to reach doesn’t take long to come. “Hang on.” Leaving her near the stairs, he pads over to the bed and crouches next to it. The soft murmures between he, Morgana, and Ryuji are still too soft for Futaba to hear. The small zing of anxiety–they’re talking about her!–is tamped only by the urge to stamp her foot–it’s not fair!

But it doesn’t take long for Akira to return to her. “Futaba, this is important, okay? Can you keep this a secret?”

“Scout’s honor,” Futaba answers, in spite of never being a scout.

Akira nods, appeased. Raising his hand, he twists one of the loose curls dangling in front of his glasses. “Have you heard of age regression?” 

Regression. Well, there’s a familiar word that she never thought she’d hear out loud, let alone from Akira, let alone about Ryuji. Barely half a beat passes before she ducks around Akira to flop onto the bed. “We have a baby!?” 

Ryuji’s head flies up in alarm. If she’d thought his eyes were wide before… Behind her, Akira shuffles closer to the bed. “Calm down, Futaba.” 

“But baby!” She pulls herself up into her usual perched position. Logically, she knows there’s no reason for her to be so excited. After all, it’s pretty clear that Ryuji regressed from stress, and that’s not a whole lot of fun. She assumes. But at the same time, she wants him to know it’s okay. That he can do what he needs to feel better. 

Still, maybe it is a bit much, given the circumstances. “Sorry, Ryuji.” 

He doesn’t say anything for a moment. When he does, his voice comes out soft, softer than Futaba’s ever heard it. “‘Sokay. ‘Cited.” 

“Of course I am!” She flings her arms out, whacking Akira in the stomach. She pays the quiet grunt no mind. “How can I not be with an itty bitty kiddo to play with?” She pauses and tilts her head. “Are you itty bitty?” 

A shrug from Ryuji. From Akira, “That would be a yes.” The floor creaks as Akira walks away from the bed. 

While Akira does whatever it is he’s doing, Futaba rests her chin on her knees and lowers her voice. “Do you want me to go?” To her surprise and glee and relief, Ryuji quickly shakes his head. She beams. Not that she’s going to tell anyone, but she doesn’t think she’d feel too good alone right now. The irony isn’t lost on her. 

Ryuji stops petting Morgana long enough to pat the spot next to him. Futaba wastes no time in scrambling to sit next to him. “How on earth are you so cute?” Even as she’s giggling at how quickly his ears turn red, she’s filing that information away for later. Her brain is buzzing at mach speed to process everything. 

“He’s cute when he wants to be,” Morgana concedes, pushing his head against Ryuji’s hand. “He knows how to use it to his advantage.” 

Even though he doesn’t say anything, Ryuji’s face twists. Then he mutters, almost too quick and too quiet for either of them to catch it. “‘M sorry.” 

“What?” Futaba blinks owlishly while her stomach sinks. She thinks she knows where this is going. “Ryuji, there’s nothing to be sorry for.” 

“Uh-huh.” Fingers drumming nervously along Morgana’s back, Ryuji is nothing but nervous energy again. “Messed today up.” 

“No, you didn’t.” Futaba loops her arm around Ryuji’s. “We’re still hanging out, aren’t we? And,” she adds as Akira returns with a bag and sits at the foot of the bed, “we get special rights to boss this nerd around!” 

“You do that anyway,” Akira points out. He opens the bag, but doesn’t take anything out. His eyes flick to Ryuji. “Do you want…?” 

Ryuji ignores him. “Wanna keep hangin’ out,” he tells Futaba earnestly. “‘M sorry if you thought I didn’t.” 

Futaba blinks again in surprise. He’d picked up on that? What else does he notice? Still it tugs the knot of worry from before completely free. “It’s okay! You were feeling pretty blegh, huh? You could have said something.” 

“You didn’ say anythin’.” 

“Because I thought I was gonna mess it up!” Futaba pokes Ryuji’s cheek. “We’re a couple of silly geese.” 

For the first time that day, Ryuji cracks a smile. “Uh-huh.” 

Akira scratches his leg. “Wasn’t Ann supposed to be with you?” 

“She had to leave.” Futaba pouts. “Evil agency swept our princess away to another castle.” 

“I see.” He fiddles with the clasp on the bag. His eyes flick to Ryuji. “Did she know?” Ryuji’s face burns. When he shakes his head, Akira sighs quietly. “Did you know?” This time, Ryuji turns his face to the wall. It’s the answer Akira was afraid of, if his frown is anything to go by. 

As much as Futaba wants to ask, she pockets the questions for later. “Akiraaaa, we’re thirsty.” 

The frown turns upside down. “Oh, are you?” Tapping the bed to get Ryuji’s attention again, he asks, gently, “Water or juice?” A complicated feeling crosses Ryuji’s face. All scrunched up with feelings that have nowhere to go. Instead of saying anything, he holds up one feeling. Akira nods. “Okay.” To Futaba, he says, “I’ll get you juice.” 

“How come I don’t get a choice?” 

“Do you want water?” 

“...no. But make it orange juice!” she demands. Akira ruffles both of their hair before leaving them be. Futaba exhales loudly through her nose.  “He’s so fussy.” 

“Bubba’s the bes’.” Ryuji rubs his eye. “Taba’s bes’, too. ‘N’ Momo.” 

Morgana flicks his tail. “Yeah, you better not forget about me.” 

“Don’t bully the baby, Momo.” Futaba reaches over and squishes his cheek.

“I’m not!” Morgana whines, bristling. It makes both Ryuji and Futaba giggle. 

When the laughter subsides and Ryuji’s placating Morgana with more pets, Futaba picks up the bag. Something rattles around inside. “What’s in here?” 

“Um.” Ryuji hesitates. He must decide the contents aren’t worth secrecy, because he follows up with, “Baby stuff.” 

“Can I see?” Once she has the go-ahead, Futaba peers inside. It’s about what she’d expect from a baby bag, but if she’s being honest, she’d expected more. A few sippy cups, a pacifier, a blanket. Tucked away at the bottom is a bottle that looks like it’s never been touched. But that’s all. No toys, no nothing. Does Ryuji not like playing when he’s regressed? Have they just not figured out what he likes to do yet? Maybe he just likes cuddles? Maybe he has more stuff at home? As much as Futaba already knows, she has next to no information about Ryuji’s specific brand of babydom. Later, she’ll poke and she’ll prod so she knows everything about it. Right now, though, she frees the blanket and wraps it around Ryuji’s shoulders. “Ooooh, this is so soft!” 

Some of the tension in Ryuji’s body drains away. He shifts a little closer to Rutaba. “Mhm. Bubba got it for me.” 

“That was super nice of him, huh?” Futaba rests her head against Ryuji’s. “We’re super lucky to have him.” 

A frizzy head pokes up over the railing. “You two talking about me?” Akira asks as he rejoins them. In his hands are two water bottles and a cup of juice. He hands the juice to Futaba.

Futaba sips her juice. The coolness soothes a dull ache in her throat that she didn’t realize was there until now. “Just about how much of a dork you are.” 

Akira scoffs as he grabs one of the sippy cups with water and hands it to Ryuji. “Takes one to know one.” 

“Hey!” Futaba nudges Ryuji. “What do you think, bub? Who’s the bigger dork?” Ryuji sips his water quietly before pointing at Akira. Futaba crows in delight while Akira gasps and presses his hand to his chest. They can see the edges of a smile from behind the spout of the cup. Mission accomplished, Futaba thinks. She nudges Akira with her foot. “We wanna watch something.” 

“Oh, do you?” Akira raises an eyebrow. “What’s the magic word?” 

She leans towards Ryuji again. “Can you help me, bud?” Nodding, he whispers something into her ear. Grinning wildly, she also points at Akira. “Abracadabra!” 

With an overexaggerated sigh, Akira slides off the bed and grabs his laptop. While he’s setting it up, Futaba gently taps her fingers against Ryuji’s cheek. “Thank you for sharing this with me, baby. And for spending time with me. I’m sorry today wasn’t a very good day.” 

“‘Sokay. Ryuji slides down until he can rest his head on her shoulder. “‘S better now. Lots of ‘sperience points.” 

“You’re right! You’re so smart, bub.” As they all settle in for an episode of Sonic–she’s not surprised in the slightest–Futaba mulls it over. All of her worries from the beginning of the day seem more like a dream than reality. Deleted. And with this li’l guy by her side, it won’t be long until they level up, together.

[writerofjourneys]

𝐀 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐳 𝐈𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

Fandom(s): Persona 5

P5 Protagonist/Joker x Fem Reader

Summary: Akira always knows the way to your heart, he proves just that by doing something to cheer you up from a bad day.

One-shot

Content: Fluff, romance, comfort, established relationship.

Warnings: None.

Main List | 𝐉𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐫 | AO3

It was a slow day for Leblanc as the sun began to set. Akira has been helping Sojiro with the customers for the most part since it was a Saturday. For once in a long while Akira’s schedule was cleared, with no plans made he pretty much had the time to himself. No homework, no phantom thievery, no social link rank ups. He decided that he wanted to spend his rare day off with you, his girlfriend.

Considering that you two still had some things to do, you both decided to meet up once the cafe was closed for the day. As the last customer headed out the door, you entered with slowness in your steps, carrying a small bag of essentials. You’ve spent many nights at Leblanc many times already, occasionally borrowing Akira’s shirts that were a little big on you for comfort wear. But you still needed your own clothes. He looked up from his task work to see you, his usual calm expression changing to one of softness and adoration. Which he only ever showed to you.

“Hello, Treasure.” he greets once you took a seat at the counter. Reaching a hand out to rub one side of your cheek.

“Hi, Aki.” you say quietly, immediately leaning into his warm touch with eyes closed, looking content.

“Hey, no PDA in the cafe while we’re still open.” Sojiro scolds playfully. He could never really find it in himself to actually say no to you two. You were pretty much his number one regular, and he grew to be quite fond of Akira. Sojiro always thought that you two worked well with each other, not that he’d say it out loud.

Akira reluctantly moves his hand away, going ahead to make you a cup of your favourite drink. You rest your elbow against the counter, leaning your head on an open palm. Eyes slowly closed with a peaceful expression on your face. The aroma of coffee in the air is comforting, especially with the calming atmosphere in the small establishment now that the customers all left.

“I’m closing up shop. Make sure to keep your mischief behind closed doors.” the man said before finishing up his duties and taking his leave.

“Oh, Lady (Y/N), are you spending the night?” asks Morgana, coming down from the stairs. Jumping onto the counter, he then slides into your lap, giving a purr of approval when you scratched behind his ear.

“Yeah,” you answer. “Is that okay with you, Morgana? I remember when that old mattress used to be cramped with all three of us together.”

It was no secret that you actually hated Akira’s makeshift bed. If it should even be called that. It was just a single sized mattress with two large crates holding it up. The frizzy haired male’s blanket wasn’t even all that thick enough for a chilly winter. When you came to his room for the first time, your attention could only be trained on how poor his sleeping conditions were. You didn’t hold back from telling your lover that it wasn’t good for him to continue slumbering on it for nights on end.

Akira understood what you meant, it wasn’t the greatest thing to sleep on but decent enough. He really doesn’t get tons of rest anyways because of all his dream trips to the Velvet Room.

If there was one pet peeve Akira could only list out about you regarding anyone, is that you hated slouchers. He did have an instinctive habit of lowering his posture as trying to avoid any attention the other students were always giving him. But after bonding with you, Akira soon learned to straighten his back better. It was just one of the things that you’ve helped him out with. Whether it was big or small, the two of you were always able to balance each other well, taking notes of any bad habits.

You especially didn’t hold back from talking to Sojiro about Akira’s bed issue. Holding a dissatisfied expression strong enough to make even the older man nervous. Futaba even chimed in, supporting your opinion on the matter. A week later, the young wildcard finally got a functional and real bed to sleep in with Sojiro’s permission, along with you and the phantom thieves’ help. Though Haru mostly stepped up to the plate as a token of gratitude for helping her.

“You don’t need Morgana’s permission for that, love.” Akira says lightly, handing you the drink he finished making. Which caused Morgana to give the teen a small look of annoyance, to which the male responded with a tease of a smile.

“Can’t you two behave?” you ask with a slight hint of amusement in your voice.

Akira had taken notice of the light bags under your eyes that seemed to dim down, your movements were more sluggish. A frown seemed to be more permanent on your lips. His brows furrowed at the thought, his mind tracing back to anything else you’ve been off about.

During school when you and the noiret were able to spend some time together, which was rare considering the meet ups with the others, you’d lay your head on his shoulder for a short nap. He had no complaints, happy to share these moments with you, no matter how ordinary it was. But you looked so drained and downtrodden for the past few days. Your eyes were a bit hollow, body tense until you’re in close range of Akira’s presence. Despite his obvious worry, he was nevertheless happy that you were more at ease and honest of your feelings with him.

The two of you never really needed to talk in order to understand what was going in your lives. Physical contact was the strongest love language in your relationship. There was never a moment where you didn’t know the troubles going on in your lives, even when apart.

It seems strange to have that knowledge when it came to experiencing romance for the first time. Everything was new and unfamiliar. That’s usually what sparked the saying that first love doesn’t usually last. But when it came to you and Akira, it all felt natural, working like a blend of colours.

Finishing his final task for the day, the frizzy haired male took off his apron and walked around the counter to stand beside you. He quickly thought of a plan set in his mind to make you feel better. Morgana jumped off your lap, letting you rise to your feet. Your cup now empty and put away.

Akira gave you a soft smile as you leaned your body onto his arm, placing a cheek to his shoulder. Ignoring Morgana’s complaint of acting like lovebirds in front of him, the noiret pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead.

“Come on, Treasure. I have something for you.” Akira said softly.

Looking slightly confused, you nevertheless agreed, going up to the attic once Akira turned off the lights, taking yoour bag with you. Morgana trailing not so far behind.

“What is it?” you ask, looking around the room before his face.

“You’ll see.” is all he responds with, a hint of mischief in his tone.

“I’ll leave you two alone for now.” said Morgana before giving his leader a stern look. “You can do whatever you want, but I’m coming back for curfew, got it?” he empathized before making his way back downstairs.

Akira lets out a sigh, “He’s always so strict.”

One side at the edge of your lips moved upwards in form of a small half smile. “Well someone has to keep an eye on you.” you replied lightly. “Morgana’s responsible is all.”

The frizzy haired male looks to your face now, gray eyes twinkling behind those false spectacles of his. “Why would I have him to do that when you’re here instead?” Akira says, tone a bit flirty. He held up your hand that he still held in his grasp up to his mouth, laying a kiss against the back of your palm.

Your cheeks dusted a bit pink, finding it hard to look at his face. Akira was a true trickster, no doubt. To many others, he was calm and rational, keeping an expression that was hard to tell what he was feeling. But he knew how to read others and communicate with a variety of people. Though Akira may not seem like it, his leadership skills always showed at an appropriate time. In Mementos however, his personality took a shift. His Joker side came out, confident and suave with a level head no matter the situation. He was also more flirty, which is always directed towards you, in or out of the Metaverse. He really was like Arsène in many ways.

It told you enough that Akira was as comfortable around you as you were to him. And that fact brought butterflies in your stomach every time.

Akira lets go of your hand once the two of you stood in the middle of the attic. He takes your bag for you, putting it beside his bed. When he was reached near his desk, he removes his glasses, placing them on top. The noiret then fishes out his phone, turning it on he starts scrolling through it, seemingly looking for something.

You tilt your head, brows furrowed at your boyfriend’s actions, but decided to let him do whatever he had planned.

It only took a moment, but once Akira found what he was looking for, his let out a small smile. A slow song began to play out loud from his phone, surprising you slightly. It was soft and mellow, creating a relaxing atmosphere over the silence of the room.

The noiret then turns and walks over to you. Standing directly in front of you, you could see Akira’s face more clearly now that those black frames were gone. There was a loving expression on him, gray eyes twinkling as the smile on his lips stayed.

With an open hand reaching out to you, his other forearm went behind his back. Akira gave a slight bow, where his forehead almost touched yours. His attention only on you, observing the small confusion you held at his gesture.

“Care for a dance, Treasure?” he asks.

Staring at your lover’s offer for a second, you accept, placing your own hand on top of his. A sudden shyness overtaking you when he pulls you closer. Akira moves your arms to wrap his shoulders while he held onto your waist.

The two of you danced slowly in sync to the gentle flow of the song. His cheek rested on top of your head as your ear was pressed to his chest, paying close attention to his heartbeat. Akira’s embrace was warm and inviting as it always was.

Your eyes closed at the tender moment shared between you. By this point the night was beginning to set, a soft light shining on you and Akira from the window. The scenery made it even more tranquil and everything sweet that left you wanting to melt. If you could only do anything forever with him, this would be it.

Akira then gives you a twirl, which transitions to a dip. Staring into each other’s eyes, love is reflected between them, faces soft and unburdened.

“I love you, Treasure.” Akira whispers.

“I love you, Wildcard.” you say back.

He brings you back up, reaching one hand to rub the back of your head as the other rested on your lower back. Akira leans his forehead to touch yours, this was the part where you felt nothing but contentment.

Morgana pops his head up to check in after a while. When he saw the small waltz you two were doing, he couldn’t help but look relaxed. He kept his distance to not ruin the moment, choosing to wait until the dance was over to come in.

“You really know how to get to my heart, huh?” you said with a small giggle.

Akira smiles pleasantly, gaze holding the playfulness of his phantom thief counterpart as he admired the sky light. “Of course, what thief would I be if I didn’t know my Treasure?” Your lips soon connect, moving slow yet passionate, attention solely on each other as everything faded into the background.

“When you need me I’ll be there. Okay?” says Akira when you two pull back to take a breath. “You don’t have to hold back when you’re with me, no matter how ugly it is.”

You look at him in wonder for a moment, understanding that he referred to the bad times you’ve been feeling lately. Akira really was something else. Your eyes soon became glassy, a deep exhale coming out as you throw your arms around his neck to pull him closer. Akira reciprocates it just as strongly. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted from your being, letting you be completely open with him.

“I won’t.” you assure before the two of you continued with your dance, basking in each other’s touch through the night.

[dawnthefox24]

Also I go the lullaby from this source so please understand that this is the original English lyrics from "Hāros Bartossi" from House of the dragons.

*Rumiko is clearly tired as she looks at the ring on her hand and looks at Sojiro for a moment who was sleeping soundly but sighs softly as she got out of bed and decided to go on a walk to herself out as she woke up from a nightmare not before seeing Hanzo also awake making her worried about him* Rumiko: Hanzo what are you doing awake in the middle of the night? Young Hanzo:*jumps a bit and looks at her before looking down* I-I just... Rumiko:*kneels down and cups his face* I'm not mad my hatchling, what happened? Young Hanzo:... Rumiko: Did you have a nightmare? Young Hanzo:*looks away from her before nodding a bit* Rumiko:*sighs and hugs him* It's okay my darling, it was only a dream... Young Hanzo: B-But it felt so real and- Rumiko: Hush now, you can tell me later on okay. Young Hanzo:*hugs her and starts crying a bit* You left us... Rumiko:*holds him close and closes her eyes* Oh sweetie... Young Hanzo: Y-You won't leave us right? Rumiko:*smiles softly* I won't ever leave you nor your brother and your father I swear nothing could ever make me leave you three alone. Young Hanzo:*laughs a bit as he pulls away wiping his tears* Promise? Rumiko:*smiles softly and dries his tears as well* I dragon promise. Young Hanzo:*smiles softly* Thank you momma... Rumiko:*smiles softly* Do you need anything to drink to help you sleep? Young Hanzo:..No just...Can you sing to me...Please...I-I know I'm a bit to old for a lullaby and- Rumiko:*smiles softly* Nonsense, your never too old. Besides I missed singing to you and your brother so it's an honour. *Soon she took Hazno back to his his room and sat near his bed and smiled soflty petting his hair for a moment* Young Hanzo:*relaxes a bit in her touch* Rumiko:*sighs softly and starts singing* "One who breathes fire one bearing wings but two heads need three and a spell that sings" Young Hanzo:*closes his eyes for a moment listening to her sing* Rumiko:*smiles softly and continues to pet his hair running her fingers through them* "follow my voice blood magic old the price has been paid as the fires foretold", in visions of flame listen to me the spell that needs three is made whole through me" *with that Hanzo was fast asleep as Rumiko smiled softly before leaving his room as she headed back towards her bed sighing a bit when she noticed that Sojiro was awake* Rumiko: Oh hello. Sojiro: What happened? Rumiko: Oh nothing, just had to sing a little lullaby to our son. Sojiro: Can I ask why? Rumiko: He had a nightmare so I helped him fall asleep by singing a little lullaby to him. Sojiro: But why where you awake? Rumiko:*looks at him and sighs before getting into bed with him* It's nothing my dear I couldn't sleep, had a glass of water. Sojiro:*hugs her and holds her* Hmm I don't believe that but for now don't ever leave without waking me up. Rumiko:*snorts a laughter and smiles* I promise my love. Sojiro:*holds her before dozing off to sleep* I love you. Rumiko:*holds him back and sighs softly* I love you too.

[retphienix]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

Okay.

So, I genuinely can't say if this is a side effect of my elongated playthrough, or if it's simply "How my brain would handle this in real time" but regardless my experience is thus:

I was suspicious as HELL of Akechi at the start because he heard Morgana. But I relatively quickly excused this as something "else", like maybe he was preconfigured for this kind of thing kind of like being psychically sensitive or what have you.

And even when I WAS suspicious of him, I was suspicious on principle, not in a specific "He's responsible for the mental breaks" way- I never once suspected him of that and again that's where my question of "Is this how I'd always think it through, or is this because I played this game over 6 months"

But here we are!

I fucking love that Morgana and Joker both noticed Akechi's initial slip- I really really fucking love that because Morgana is often portrayed as being either too immature, too confident, or just having slightly too big of a head to understand and notice such small details; but they've also proven themselves to be very competent despite that.

IE, I could totally buy them overlooking it on the basis of "Huh, must have been a mistake, anyways back to being the coolest phantom thief around :3" but them NOTICING is still somehow entirely in character and just feels cool as hell.

I don't say this lightly, I'm on the edge of my seat here, I loathe that I'm taking short breaks to type any of this simply because I Want To Know already.

It's a sort of realization that feels like an honest to god backstabbing from a friend.

Like, hear me out a second.

I KNOW Akechi's entire social link is showcasing just how intense their rivalry is and that he's, by definition of his own hatred for everything we are, not our friend. But this still has been a full palace and a lot of dialogue leading up to the conclusion that Akechi seemingly has or at one point had good morals.

We really fit so neatly into being opposite sides of the same coin- damned to hate each other and the other's methods- but striving for the same conclusions- that to now see evidence to the contrary~

Evidence that Akechi has supposedly-

because I'm forever cursed to offer the benefit of the doubt even as I literally hear Akechi say he wants to kill us because I like him so much

-become corrupted by his ideals and despite cursing us for our vigilante methods- he's supposedly following orders from the director or that dickhead politician to do just the same but with a less personable morality and more of a "Big picture" (and only big picture) morality.

It honestly feels like I got to know someone who's entirely different from myself, but is still a good person fundamentally.

Like, my opinion of him was even given a chance to be challenged, changed, and reinforced through this story: Do you remember when Sae was being maliciously corrupt in her methods towards Sojiro and I was like "That's super fucked up!" and then Akechi "seemed" to support her and I was like "That's super fucked up!" and then Akechi revealed that he had no idea exactly how shitty her methods were- and once confronted with that truth his opinion flipped and I was like "Oh! He's actually a good lad :) He was ignorant of it and now that he knows the details his morality doesn't stand in line with that!"

That small ride of my opinion on him did a lot to cement a trust in him, and now that trust is being spat on and I'm like !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have no idea what comes next. I have no idea to what degree he is the traitor IE if he's the mental break culprit as well.

I know it's being painted PRETTY CLEARLY but even as I type I'm left instilling a sense of ambiguity to his role.

I am being presented with information that pretty much confirms he sold us out, he's the traitor to the PT at the very least.

I know he's been to the metaverse before, which aligns with him being the culprit.

I know that he wants us dead, which aligns with using us as a scapegoat to hide that he's the real culprit.

But the way I see it there's a few potential next steps.

He could just be the guy, 100%, which would mean he is far more clever, charismatic, and manipulative than I've given him credit for up until this point.

This would align with the general air the game has applied to him; But I find small... not contradictions so much as road bumps in that, such as his reaction to Sae's handling of Sojiro. (link to relevant posts in reblog because tumblr honestly seems uncertain if links [even to other tumblr posts] are allowed in tags or not)

I could see a character having a twisted sense of morality that demands professionalism and a refusal to make false claims while still happily killing hundreds to thousands of people just to make sure the status quo is maintained- but I don't know if Akechi is that or not.

I could see it! But I also can easily not see it.

I could also see him simply being a traitor to us, and that's it. It would offer the road bump of him not supporting Sae's "crack a few eggs" method, but it would still work in the sense that he DOES 100% unequivocally think we are bad. The PT are bad, shitty, horrible, a blight, Just As Bad As The Mental Breaks, Risky, and the best way to truly kill this snake is to remove its head.

He could simply think, perhaps rightfully so, that we wouldn't uphold our end of the bargain- that we would change Sae's heart and then be unsatisfied with the fact that we aren't helping to find the true culprit anymore- so his means of silencing the PT and directing attention back to the true culprit would be to kill off Joker.

But then this opens its own can of worms and seems less likely because of the consequences of it. Yes he wants us gone, 100%, but he also wants the culprit gone in this hypothetical, and scapegoating us doesn't solve that issue, it solves one issue and gives the other (ARGUABLY MUCH BIGGER) issue a free pass for a while.

UNLESS~~~~~ Third option, he is a traitor to us alone, isn't the culprit, but works for the director and directly or indirectly supports the true culprit, knowingly or not.

Meaning he wants us gone, that's what he's doing, and he's okay with the can of worms of the culprit getting off scot free because he's working under the assumption the culprit is a vital and necessary tool for those above him.

Well that was fun to hypothesize.

He's probably just the culprit and has had his sense of justice corrupted far further and for far longer than Sae, perhaps groomed into this position from the very start of his "Young Brilliant Detective" days.

I felt compelled to hypothesize the ways in which he might not be the culprit mostly because of what I mentioned earlier in this post: His betrayal honest to god FEELS like a betrayal, like a character I was tricked into trusting !WITH THE FULL KNOWLEDGE THAT OUR ALLIANCE WAS LOFTY! has betrayed me after honest to god earning my trust on his sense of morality. He got me, so I rambled, let's see the truth then :)

[stargazer-balladeer]

Can I request persona leaders comforting an s/o dealing with toxic parents? My parents have kind of been destroying mental health recently.

S/o with Toxic Parents [Persona Leaders]

Characters Included: Akira Kurusu, Yu Narukami, Minato Arisato & Minako Arisato

Note: I’m so sorry to hear that 😞 If you need someone to talk to, I’m here. Hope you’ll like this!

Reader’s Gender: Neutral

Warnings: Mentions of toxic parents, verbal and physical abuse.

Akira Kurusu

— Akira would be so furious when he finds out that you have that kind of parents. He might not have the same hatred as Ryuji when it comes to adults, but he hates that kind of people who degrades other people, especially their children.

— Akira will help you, no doubt about it. He might also change their heart (whether you know it or not)! When your parents get arrested, he will beg Sojiro (I forgot this dude’s name and had to google it LMAO) to make you stay with him. Sojiro relents (with a condition of course, no nasty things 😒).

— Even though you don’t want to, Akira would force you to live with him. When you two started living together, he’ll spoil you with affection and love. He isn’t ashamed in declaring his love for you.

— Akira would have a sad and angry look on his eyes whenever you flinch. Sad that throughout your life, your parents have been abusing you. And angry that he should’ve been here earlier to save you.

— Akira might not be a therapist but he can try to be one. Just tell him everything and he won’t judge. When you start to cry, he’ll pull you in for a hug.

“Shh.. it’s okay. I’m here.” The warmth and cozy feeling of Akira’s embrace is enough to send another wave of tears. You tightly clench the back of his shirt as you sob in his chest. The moon was out as some of the light pass through the attic’s window.

Akira didn’t mind that you were staining his shirt at all. He wants you to let it all out. His brows knitted together once more when his thoughts went to your parents. Oh how he wanted to make them pay for what they’ve done to you.

“That’s it.. let it all out.” How your agony cries make his heart twist painfully in his chest. Like a knife repeatedly stabbing him. He wants to clear all of your awful thoughts. To get rid of the pain your parents brought to you. But he couldn’t. All he could do now is hold you in his embrace as he waits for you to stop.

Yu Narukami

— Yu is actually shock when he finds out about your background, then his face morph into a deadly murderous glare. Which makes the whole Investigation Team afraid of him. This is afterall their first time seeing Yu angry— no, furious.

—“P-Partner! Calm down—!” “Where are they?” “Meep—“

— Yu would immediately bring you into a warm hug when he finds you. He craddles your head behind the back as he whispers sweet nothings in your ears.

— Yu would immediately tell Dojima about what’s happening in your family. Even though you don’t want to, Yu couldn’t bear to see you suffer anymore. After they get arrested, Yu would also ask Dojima if you can move in with them. (Dojima saying yes bc he pities you too)

— Yu would immediately worry if you disappeared, his mind would be fill with endless worry because of the fact that your shadow counterpart can appear in the TV world. If it’s not, then Yu would be so grateful and pamper you with love. But if it is, Yu is already ready to take on your Shadow.

— Yu would do everything to cheer you up. When I mean by everything, everything. This boi would move heaven and earth for you. All he wants is to get rid of your painful thoughts.

“Hey, darling. Where are you?” You can hear Yu calling for you downstairs, but you couldn’t answer. You hiccup pathetically as you press your hand harder to cover your mouth, muffling your cries. You could hear your parents words still, as if they were still here. Still taunting you about how pathetic you are.

“You pathetic, good-for-nothing child! Why the hell are you crying?!” Tears were still pouring out of your eyes as the voice of your mother ring in your ears. “You’re just a bitch, why did we receive such a useless child.” Your whimper grew louder when the laughter of your father resonated through your head.

Your eyes snapped open when you felt someone near you. You bit your lower lip as you closed your eye, anticipating for the abuse. You flinch when you felt someone removing the duvet you’re under and touching you. The person quickly withdrew their hand.

You didn’t dare to open your eyes, fearing that both of your parents came back to get you. The fear crawling through your veins as you whimper a bit. You felt someone tenderly running a hand through your hair. “Shh.. it’s okay.”

You recognized the voice. You slowly opened your eyes to meet your boyfriend’s gentle and reassuring face. He was sitting on the side with his hand running through your hair. No words needed, you quickly crawl towards him, seeking his comfort. Yu immediately welcome you to his embrace.

He pets your head as you sob in his neck. His eyes glazed with tears as well as his hug tighten. “It’s okay.. their not coming back. I promise.”

Minato Arisato

— This would be the first time that the group will ever see their leader showing his emotion. Minato’s emotion is actually spiralling, he doesn’t know what to feel when he heard about your.. condition at home. His face contorts quickly from shock, angry, sad, concern and worry.

— Minato doesn’t immediately pull you into a hug, but he does open his arms for you. He’ll hug you tightly when you rush to his embrace. He doesn’t need to say anything as he nuzzle his face to your neck.

— Even though Minato doesn’t want you to be there anymore, he doesn’t have a choice. If the police takes away your parents, then where will you go? Will you also have a similar fate to him? He doesn’t want you to be an orphan just like him.

— But, even though Minato can’t bring justice to your parents just yet (lol. wrong game), he would make you move in to the Dormitory. So that he can take care of you and make sure you are far away from your toxic parents.

— Minato would glare at anyone who’ll make mean comments (Yukari 😒) or make you uncomfortable (Junpei 😒). Everyone by now knows not to mess with their leader’s s/o.

— Minato might not be affectionate but he’ll try. But, one thing is sure, he’ll always have time for you. Even though he’s tired from Tartarus, school, and Confidant rising, he’ll make time for you.

— Minato will also dote on you like the rest of the leaders. He will give you small gifts and trinkets, give you food and share his earphones with you. Even though he can’t erase all of the traumatic experience your parents gave to you, he’ll be damned that he’s trying his best.

— Minato understands if you need some alone time. And he would be so surprised whenever you flinch. He doesn’t bring it up but you can see the pain in his eyes whenever he sees you flinch.

“Can.. I come in?” Minato’s voice rang through the room. You didn’t have the energy to move from your bed, nor can you find your voice to call to him. You just feel.. nothing. Useless just like what your parents say.

You’ve already shed all of your tears, nothing is left anymore to shed as you laid motionless. Your eyes never left the ceiling, even when the door opened and closed. You could hear him walking towards you. Your eyes flickered to him before returning to the ceiling.

“Move.” Minato said, more like commanded, but he said that quietly and so gentle. You did what you were told as you roll to the side. You could feel your bed dipping slightly when Minato sat and laid down.

He made you face him as you stare at his blue-oceanic eyes. His eyes were usually cold and emotionless, but now, they were filled with admiration and sadness. He carefully place an arm around you, probably testing if you’re gonna push him away or not.

You didn’t do anything, so he took this as a sign to hug you. Your face was on the crook of his neck as you could feel his fingers running through your hair. Even though Minato isn’t talking, you could feel your eyes prickling with tears again.

Minato only held you close as you cried in his neck. He doesn’t need words afterall to express his concern to you..

Minako Arisato

— Minako might already have an idea on what’s going on with you. But that doesn’t change the fact that she’s very sad about the fact that you have that kind of parents. She might be angry, yes. But she’s more concern and worry about you than them.

— Minako would hold your hands first before hugging you. She wants to make sure you’re okay first before hugging you. Afterall, you’re wellbeing is much more important than hers.

— Like Minato, she doesn’t have any power against your parents. As much as she wants them gone (believe me, she does), she doesn’t want you to be an orphan just like her. So she makes you move in with her in the Dormitory.

— As much as Minako wants to share a room with you, she respects your privacy. But she will make sure that you’re room is next to hers so that when you need her, she’ll be immediately be there.

— Minako would dote on you like usual, except with much more love. But she wouldn’t overwhelm you! She extremely loves you and doesn’t like seeing you unhappy.

— Even though Minako can’t change what happened, she can change what happens in the future. She would make sure that nothing bad would happen to you again. Even if it means escaping the country so that you wouldn’t go back to your family.

— Whenever you flinch when she tries to hold you, she quickly retracts her hand and ask you if you’re okay.

“Thank you so much, Minako..” Minako hums as you two cuddle in bed. It was already the late of night, and you had a nightmare. Minako immediately came to your room and calmed you down. “Why’re you thank me for?”

“You know,, for.. helping me escape from my parents.” She knew that you were having a hard time coping ever since you move in with them in the Dormitory. Especially since your parents practically drill all those nasty things about you in your head. Minako just embraces you tighter and nuzzle her head on top of your head.

“What’re partners for?” She giggles as you weakly chuckle. Minako might not know what the future will hold, but if she has to choice, she’ll spend the rest of her life with you. Trying to make you happy and make up for the unhappy times.

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