#I’m going to be so annoying about Goro

[overlordoftherats]

Goro Akechi does not listen to Mitski and cry, he blasts the front bottoms and vomits into his bathroom sink

[discotenny]

If he wanted to, he would

Goro Akechi, formerly famous teen detective and current convicted felon, is standing at your door with a bag of take out and two bottles of drinks. A familiar sight.

“Here,” he says, handing you the bag and strolling into your apartment so casually it’s like he owns the place.

It’s a common routine so much that you don’t even have it in you to argue your surprise anymore. Every now and then, your boyfriend would show up at your door without notice with a gift in tow. While you’d have planned meetups throughout the week, the sight of Akechi standing awkwardly through your peephole is always a welcomed shock.

You follow him to your kitchen counter and set down the mystery food he brought over today. The savory smell released from the closed bag is warm, and you wonder how good the food must be if the smell is already so enticing. A familiar logo on the receipt catches your eye. You choose to ignore how sizable the bill is.

“Oh, isn’t this from that new restaurant I was telling you about yesterday, Goro?” You look at him with a teasing smile and catch him turn away to your cabinets.

“Do you seriously only have one clean glass?” He pulls it out with feigned annoyance as he ignores your tease.

“Well, I wasn’t really expecting company on a Tuesday night~” You walk over to him and wrap your arms around his shoulders from behind. Faintly you can feel him grasp the glass tighter in an attempt not to drop it in surprise.

“W-well! I-I passed by it on my commute and just happened to be hungry so-“

You laugh into his back, which causes him to stop his flustered ramble. “Well, thank you. Even if this was just a ‘so happened to be there’ type thing.” You move his hair out of his neck and press a small kiss to the crane of it.

For the sake of the glass, Akechi places the cup down with a sigh. He lifts up your hands gently, guided by a soft “up,” and turns around. His own hands find their place on the bone of your hips, bringing you ever closer to him.

For just a few moments, he stares at you. Maroon eyes cross over your face and you let him examine you without any comment. His gaze shifts from your lips, a small quiver in his own at the sight- to the apples of your cheeks, and you can just barely make out the softening of his features. Finally, his eyes settle on your own and you’re able to fully indulge yourself in the moment with your lover.

His eyes- his beautiful, wonderful eyes. They look at you with a restrained softness, as if he’s scared to push further with his affections more than this. The quiver of his lip emphasizes his nervousness but the softness of his features show just how much he cares.

Slowly, one of his hands moves towards your face, brushing away a stray piece of hair. Softly, Akechi presses a kiss to your forehead before pulling away. You want to chase after him and fully press your lips into his, but you know any further might cause him to explode in a fluster filled frenzy.

“Do you want ice in the glass? I’m fine drinking from the bottle,” he says, going back to the cup in the counter. There’s a light blush on his cheeks as he lifts it up for you to see.

“Oh- you can use that one! I’ll wash one from the sink,” you say with a smile, “I should also go ahead and wash some plates for us to eat on.”

“You don’t have any clean plates either?” Akechi says with an incredulous expression. With a half annoyed sigh he continues- “I’ll do the dishes, you can just go ahead and set out the food.”

As you unpack the bag- several containers of hot food fill up your small granite island. A variety of dishes, probably one from each category of the wide menu. If it were anyone but Akechi, you probably would’ve been surprised someone cared so much to bring this much food.

The sink begins to run and you catch sight of Akechi slipping on your bright pink dish washing gloves. As he gets to work, you can’t help but want to tease him once more.

“Hey, didn’t you work from home today? What commute did you even make?”

“W-well-“

⋆｡°✩ ⋆｡°✩ ⋆｡°✩

BIG BIG GORO BOY MOOD

[melonminnie]

HI HI <3

I'M SORRY FOR REQUESTING ALOT BUT PLS TAKE UR TIME IN DOING ANY OF MY REQUESTS <3

SO CAN U PLS DO YANDERE AQUAMARINE X READER WHERE READER WAS HIS WIFE IN HIS PAST LIFE AND GOT KILLED BY AI STALKER BCS SHE WAS CLOSE TO AI WHEN SHE WAS A PATIENT OF AQUAMARINE , BUT WHEN SHE WOKE UP SHE FOUND HERSELF AS AN ACTORS DAUGHTER , SO SHE MET AQUA WHEN AI WAS ACTING IN A FILM BCS HER MOTHER WAS ACTING IN THE SAME FILM SO THEY KNEW EACH OTHER IMMEDIATELY , BUT BCS HE WENT THROUGH HER DEATH IN HIS PAST LIFE HE BECAME SO PROTECTIVE OF HER AND IT BECAME WORSE AFTER AI DEATH

THAT'S ALL, LOVE YA<3

Well go ahead - Yan! Aqua x fem reader

- I read the entire manga for this enjoy!! (Ps you don’t annoy me you make me rlly happy when I see my inbox <3)

“Sarina your legs are giving out you don’t need to practice this much” the woman sighed in disbelief staring at the 12 year old girl.

In return Sarina glared at y/n, “I can try though! I’m getting better promise!” She replied pumping one of her fists into the air.

Y/n gazed towards her trembling legs in worry, “You really should overwork yourself” she sighed once again in disbelief walking forward to hold the girl up right.

“B-but I didn’t even fall this time! I could go on for longer” she interjected, “Sarina your body clearly can’t handle this your legs are giving out!” She pointed walking her to her room.

“Sense I would’ve understood” she pouted, “How about I get you pudding would that make you feel better?” The woman tried lightening up the mood after placing the girl in her bed.

“Really! You’d do that for me?” She questioned beaming this time, “Of course just don’t move out of your room I’ll call goro to stay with you” The woman replied standing up before grabbing her phone to dial her husbands number.

“He should arrive soon okay? I’ll be back before you know it!” She winked with a smile before leaving the room.

“Y/n!” Goro came rushing in, “What’s this about me needing to look after the patient I was on my lunch-”

“I promised her I’d buy her pudding plus you’d do it for your wife right?” She smiled leaving.

After a few weeks the girl ended passing away due to her illness, it was expected.

but what wasn’t expected?, your husband Turing into a complete idol fan after her passing.

“Ahh ai is so cute right y/n~” he gushed staring at the small tv screen, “Mhm I guess so you have a patient coming in soon so act professional please” the woman begged her husband, he’d already screwed up a million times by watching said idol in their room.

Or he’d completely go overboard and talk about ai instead of what was wrong with the patient.

“Promise” he complied Turing off the tv, “Want anything from the convenience store?” She asked quickly, “Soda” he replied walking out of the room with her.

When y/n returned, The shock was written all across her face at the person infront of her, it was no other than hoshino Ai.

the 16 year old idol that her husband has taken a liking too ever sense sarina has died. As quickly as she was shocked she smiled at the idol.

“Hello!ma'am” she greeted closing the door behind her as she smiled, “Oh hello” she smiled waving her hand her star like eyes shining brightly.

After they were finished, your husband practically leaped out of his chair and went into a frantic panic, “Y/n you saw her right! That’s Ai right right?” He questioned as if he was out of his mind.

“Mhm that is now here’s your drink I’m going to go have my lunch break” she muttered leaving the room. “Hello!” The purple head greeted from the side, “Oh Ai is something wrong” y/n questioned the girl.

“No I was just wondering..” she fidgeted with her arms for a while, “I figured out your married to goro sense I correct?” She hesitated, “yes I am!” She answered.

“And sense the two of you are married and probably have a kid or two was your pregnancy difficult?” She questioned smiling.

For a minute or two there was silence, y/n for the first time in a while was speechless, “Ai.. I’m really sorry but I don’t have any kids” she replied awkwardly.

The idols face quickly turned red, “I’m sorry for assuming!!” She apologized, “It’s okay..” Y/n stared into space, “How long have you and sensei been married?” She questioned.

“2 years” she muttered, “Oooohhh” the 16 year old said.

After a day or two, Ai seemed to adapt to the atmosphere quickly often hanging around you or your husband.

“Goro! I’m going to store need anything?” Y/n hummed, “Soda” he mumbled loud enough for her to hear, “typical.” She thought walking off.

After 5 minutes or so she exited the store with a bag of food.

“Excuse me miss” Someone called out to her she turned her head towards the voice, meeting a young man who’s features weren’t seen.

“Yes?” She questioned in confusion, “do you know where the hospital is?” He questioned, “Ah yes it just around the corner” she pointed.

“I’m bad with directions..can you lead me there?” He questioned once more, for a minute the woman hesitated, it was night time there wasn’t anyone around only the two of them.

“S-sure” she replied a drop of sweat falling down her face, Y/n lead the mysterious man to the hospital.

“Here there it i-” The boy covered the woman’s mouth with cloth a dagger aligned with her chest, as he dragged her body to the forest.

“This is what you get for helping my Ai with giving birth” He aligned the dagger before piercing it into the girls heart, he repeatedly stabbed her over and over and over and over again.

he didn’t stop even when she was confirmed not to be breathing.

Then before she knew it she was staring at a set of the most attractive people she’d seen in her life.

“My daughter looks so cute~!” The woman cooed staring at the baby in her arms. “I don’t disagree” the man agreed looking at the baby with fondness in his eyes.

It didn’t take long for you to find out you were reincarnated, it took you a few weeks as your mind couldn’t concentrate and you’d fall asleep whenever you’d open your eyes. But you managed.

It didn’t take long for people to find out that your mother had given birth, For a short while people were out raged.but it soon stopped, your parents still being successful actors.

The woman smiled, her heels making a slightly loud noise as she walked to her child’s room.

“Y/n!” She smiled staring at you playing on the floor, “What are you doing?” She asked kneeling on the floor. “Coloring..” the girl muttered slightly nervous. Even though a few years had passed sense you’d been born.

there was still this slight fear that someone would find out your a 20 year old in a toddlers body.

“Y/n..I have to go somewhere for the rest of the day and the maids aren’t coming today..so will you be willing to come with me?” She asked, it wasn’t a surprise or her of how shy you were around everyone.

The woman’s eyes light up as she saw you nod at her request.

Soon you had arrived at the location. To say it was suffocating would be an understatement. There were people running back and forth from all directions.

focused on camera, lighting, acting etc. from the corner of your eye you spotted a familiar girl with purple hair and eyes that shined like stars.

she had two kids with her, twins..a boy and a girl. The boy had blonde hair his eyes blue shining brightly. The girl resembled her brother blonde hair but pink eyes.

from her expression she was clearly very excited for some reason. The actress caught her daughter staring at the two children. She smiled before opening her mouth.

“Wanna go talk to them?” She questioned, her eyes focused on her child’s expression. She hesitated before nodding her head.

(Couldn’t think of a name for the mom so)

—- held onto y/ns hand before walking over to the girl and her children, AI’s eyes light up as she saw the two of you walking over she walked over herself beckoning her children to follow her.

—- stared at her daughter before whispering something into her ear and leaving with the purple head to have a conversation.

The two siblings stared at y/n as if she was an alien. Ruby quickly spoke up stepping forward with a smile.

“hellooo, what’s your name? Your hairs really pretty” she pointed out shaking the girls hand aggressively.

Y/n answered quickly, Rubys aggressive hand shake turns into somewhat of a hug, “I’m ruby” she announced her eyes drifting to her brother before pointing at him.

“That’s my brother..his name is aquamarine..but you can call him aqua” she said her tone somehow lowering her excitement.

There was an awkward silence as you and ruby stared at the boy waiting for him to speak, “Anyway!, y/n isn’t my mama so cool!!” Ruby gushed.

The conversation soon faded as the girl ran towards her mom once she was able to.

"Your sister really likes your mom, huh?" Y/n tried to strike up a conversation with the blonde-haired boy.

"I guess so," he responded, staring at the girl. "Do you always look like this?" he questioned in a condescending way.

"What do you mean?" she asked, nervousness seeping in. "Do you always look like you're hiding something you don't want anyone to know about?" he questioned once more, making his question clear.

She didn't answer, only staring straight ahead. "Even if I'm hiding anything, it doesn't matter, does it?" she replied. "You remind me of someone I used to talk to," he confessed. "You do too," she responded.

"Ruby, Aqua," the teenager called out to her two children, her hand reaching for the glass.

"I love you," she cried. "Those words were definitely not lies," she said weakly, tears flooding her eyes.

And with that, Idol Hoshino Ai was declared dead, leaving her two children, whom the world didn't know about, behind.

"Aqua, Ruby!" The girl waved her hands in the air as she saw the twins entering through the school gate.

At the sound of her voice, Ruby could swear that her brother was walking faster now. "Don't attract attention," he said, dragging the girl with him.

Ruby moved her feet to catch up to her brother. "Hey Y/N! I recently got scouted to be an idol!" she spoke proudly.

"So that means you can become an actress like our promise, remember?" Ruby added. A few years ago, Ruby and Y/N had promised each other that if Ruby ever became an idol, she'd either become one too or become an actress.

"Yeah, I remember. Don't worry, I won't ever forget it...I have good memorization skills," she winked, waving goodbye as she entered her classroom with Aqua.

The boy didn't say much, aside from his face as he heard his sister speak about becoming an idol.

As Aqua had promised himself, that Ruby would never become an idol till he died, he'd made the promise that you'd never become one either.

This is so bad I’m sorry but it’s been sitting im my drafts for a huge while

[ecargmura]

Oshi No Ko Episode 24 Review + Final Thoughts - Season 3 Has Been Announced

When one revenge door closes, another opens. Aqua’s revenge comes to a close, but Ruby’s door has opened. Uh-oh. What’s going to happen now? Fortunately, Season 3 has been announced, meaning the story is definitely not over, especially with the post-credit scene…

The finale of Season 2 is like both a conclusion and build up for the events of the upcoming next season. Ruby has been out of it after finding Goro’s corpse, but learns from the creepy crow girl that a famous idol gave birth in Miyazaki 16 years ago and that the doctor in charge of her disappeared during the birthing. She also mentions that before the birth, there were two people sneaking around the hospital, one being the stalker and the other…well… Ruby figures out that this could be the twins’ father and that’s how her desire for revenge starts. It was like how Aqua decided to get his revenge after realizing who was behind Ai’s murder when he was a toddler. The buildup is the same, but Ruby wants to get revenge for two people…is that why she has two black stars on her eyes compared to Aqua who only had one as he only wants to get revenge for AI? Also, Ruby, why are you trusting the words of this creepy little girl so easily? She could be lying to you…but at this point, there are no lies here.

For Aqua, it did feel as if he wanted to break up with Akane, but decided not to and officially date her last minute. Given that he’s a people pleaser, I guess he got cold feet and decided to date her because he felt bad seeing her cry. Poor Kana. However, I am getting a little tired of the dragging love triangle subplot Aqua, Akane and Kana have going on. The writer keeps backpedaling a lot and it’s getting really annoying. This is why I advocate for Akane and Kana to get together and for Aqua and Melt to get together, but alas, this is a manga written by a man…

It’s interesting how both seasons of Oshi no Ko ends with a B-Komachi song. However, the one for this season is a little more bittersweet as Ruby got her dark stars and isn’t as happy and chipper as before. I think the best thing about Oshi no Ko is that time passes. Now, some time passes that a year officially passes, making Ruby and Aqua 17 years old and second years, while Kana and Akane are going to be 18 and in their third year of high school. Time does play an important factor in this story, so I’m glad that it’s not a stagnant concept.

But yeah, the post-credit scene is pretty crazy in that Aqua and Ruby’s father officially reveals himself by murdering a girl. What’s interesting is that Hikaru, the name of the father, has purple eyes. Guess who also has purple eyes? Yep, Taiki Himekawa does. That makes me wonder where Aqua’s blue eyes came from. I guess it was split since blue and red makes purple as both parents have purple eyes in a sense. Hikaru looks like a celebrity, so why haven’t people noticed the similarities between him and Aqua looks-wise? I guess Aqua’s face is more like a male version of Ai in the sense that Kaburagi pointed out that he has similarities towards Ai in terms of facial structure so I’m assuming Aqua’s face leans towards looking more like Ai than Hikaru’s?

I think the Hoshino family is pretty interesting in the sense that both Ruby and Hikaru have their dark stars protruding out of their eyes and its on both eyes while Aqua only had it on his right eye and it doesn’t protrude as much—only time it did was when he was four and during the stage play. I just look at the dark stars and wonder how they gonna blink.

Speaking of which, the voice actors for Hikaru and creepy crow girl have been officially revealed. Hikaru is voiced by Mamoru Miyano and Tsukuyomi, the crow girl, is voiced by Hina Kino. I honestly can’t wait to see what these two have in store for next season. It’s been a while since I heard Miyano voice someone who’s quietly psychotic. He normally voices loud, pompous and flamboyant crazy guys, so I honestly can’t wait to hear him voice someone so soft-spoken to the point it’ll be creepy. Hina Kino normally plays cute little girls, so she’ll be playing against type too.

I can’t wait to see what next season has to offer.

Final Thoughts

Unpopular opinion: I liked the Stage Play arc. People might complain how it detracts from the revenge story, but I liked what it presented. However, the ending of the arc did show that it was still a part of the revenge story regardless of how it was written. It’s nice seeing new sides to our favorite characters and how the new ones are integrated into the plot.

For the characters, I did like seeing new sides to them. I’m still a big Aqua fan, so I’m glad that I got to see different sides to him. It was also nice seeing more sides to Kana and Akane, and even Ruby too! I just wished that some side characters were utilized a bit more. It sucks that out of the characters involved with the revenge plot, only Himekawa has a direct connection to it. I’d like to see Aqua involving one more person into his revenge scheme even if it isn’t Himekawa. Speaking of which, I do think that him concluding his father is dead and his revenge is done still does feel out of character for him.

I do think it was a step up from the previous season where the animation quality has improved tremendously. I especially loved Melt’s parts. The voice acting has improved tremendously as well. All of the voice actors did a spectacular job with going into their character and the character that they play for the stage play. It was really nice seeing new sides to the voice actors. As someone who likes hearing voices, it was a real treat for me!

It was nice learning about how stage plays worked. It was also nice to learn how manga adaptations worked as well. I feel like learning about various types of media feels super educational for me. It’s always interesting to learn new things. Though, I do admit that Oshi No Ko’s interpretation of how these things work might not be super accurate, but I still do appreciate getting an insight.

Overall, I do think Season 2 is a huge improvement from the first season. Like I said, that’s an unpopular opinion. I honestly can’t wait to see what Season 3 has in store. Will it still be in Aqua’s perspective or will it be in Ruby’s? I might start the manga out of curiosity of what will happen next… What are your thoughts on the second season and will you be in tune for Season 3?

[blissfullyapillow]

Hello ! I'm the anon who ask about p5!! So I was reading your pin post and it seems it doesn't tell about character limits :')

But May I request HC for Goro Akechi and ren/Joker with a Anglican appearance!S/O (she/her) but there is a twist she is blind!

She doesn't have any her families with her (she his a older sister but she is very neglected towards her) so he finds her alone in a park where there is a playground where usually kids plays in there, some kids brings her some small flowers to her to make them a cute small a bracelet for them, her favorite thing to do is to sit in the park close to the playground where she can hear the children laughter getting absolute joy form hearing kids laugh, when she confession her love for him (goro/joker) she gives him a bracelet she made for him, a kind man (under her request) gived her small rose for her to make it for him

I'm sorry if this was to long or to Pacific :') (or my grammar sucks-) I hope you enjoy my request 😭

Goro Akechi and Ren/Joker with a blind, Anglican appearance! S/O

Notes: This is beyond late. I am so sorry, but I do hope you enjoy reading this! <3

Main Masterlist

Goro Akechi

🖋ꉂ`𖦹.⌕

Being at a park is the last place he imagined himself to spend his free time. Yet he finds himself here every week, all so he can be in your presence. 

He surprises himself, honestly. It takes a tremendous amount of effort to slip here unnoticed, let alone have the free time to spend here with you. Despite the initial challenges, he’s come to develop a sort of routine here with you.

He often will destress as you go about your own activities, or simply talk his ear off about what’s on your mind.

Today, however, he notices you’re weirdly on edge. He sits down beside you regardless, and you two spend the first hour or so silently in each other’s company. The children run and play, happily enjoying their allotted play time. 

Eventually Akechi glances over at you, only to notice you’re fiddling with something behind your back. “Do I have to take it from you, or will you show me of your own accord?” His brash words are not malicious in nature, and something you’ve come to be quite used to. 

“I.. um, in a moment.” He bristles, but waits patiently for you to reveal your hand to him. It takes more than a moment, but you slowly bring the object in your hand to his attention. He stares at it, completely and utterly baffled.

“Is this some sort of sick joke?” He notices your wince, and he realizes he could’ve phrased his words better. His warm cheeks annoy him, and he rolls his eyes at himself. Why is he acting like this?

“I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant.” You silently nod in understanding, and it’s quiet between the two of you once again. Akechi was able to be himself around you, since you didn’t know who he was. At first, at least. Now that you do, he convinces himself the only reason he continues to visit you is to keep you and his secret in check.

The world must not find out he isn’t the ‘Ace detective’ he proclaims himself to be. “Is this bracelet for me?” He breaks the awkward silence, and you nod once more. “Tell me.” He demands. Your face twists into the cutest of expressions, something he’ll never admit to you, before you open your mouth to speak.

“I made this bracelet for you. A kind man gave me the rose to make it, and I’d really appreciate it if you accepted my… show of affection towards you.” His hand was already reaching out to accept the bracelet as you spoke, but it stops in abrupt realization. “Your.. affection?” He coughs in embarrassment, attempting to mask the voice crack he just had. 

Your small smile only serves to irritate him. It irritates him to no end, because his heart races in response to it. “What makes you think I’d harbor similar feelings for you?” Despite his words, he graciously takes the bracelet from you to slip it onto his wrist. He closes the distance between the two of you on the park bench, drawing you closer by draping an arm around your shoulder.

“You’re quite troublesome, you know..” His face must be beet red, and he can only hope none of the children come over to pester the two of you at this moment. 

You two spend time in comfortable silence together, until it’s time to part ways. Before he leaves, Akechi turns his head to place a chaste kiss on your cheek. It just so happened that, at that same moment, you turned your head.

You both jump when your lips meet.

Your hearts race in unison as Akechi uses the opportunity to draw you even closer to him, closing the gap and holding your chin in his hand. 

Both of your faces reflect one of a shy new love, flushed and bewildered as you face each other. 

Yet the smiles on your faces remained unmatched in content and pure bliss. 

Ren/Joker

ᯓ★

Scrolling through his contacts, he comes to the unfortunate realization that everyone is occupied with their own plans. The lustrous rays from the sun reflect off his phone screen, temporarily blinding him. He takes it as a sign to silently pocket said phone. Since the weather’s so nice, he figures today’s a good day to wander around the city. 

Wandering around the city turns day to dusk, and he finds himself finding respite on a park bench. Morgana finally gives him a break from his passionate ramblings to roam the park as he sighs in relief, relaxing his stiff joints. His ears pick up the subtle sound of delighted laughter, a sound that’s awfully familiar to him.

There is a playground nearby, so he figures it’s just the children playing there. That is, until that alluring laugh drifts into his ears once more. He soon finds himself following the source of that sound, the laughter akin to a siren’s alluring melody.

Ren’s dark eyes take in your unexpected appearance, surrounded by delighted children watching with rapt attention as you skillfully complete what appears to be some sort of.. Flower crown, maybe? 

Upon closer inspection it appears his guess was off, but before he can really scrutinize the object in your hands it vanishes from his sight. 

His baffled expression must be amusing, since the children around you giggle and holler before dispersing once more to the playground behind him.

He takes the opportunity to slowly approach you and take a seat beside you, calmly announcing his presence as he often does for you. His hand rests on your shoulder briefly in greeting. Your small verbal greeting in return, warms both his heart and his cheeks. 

“So, you’re here again?” His voice sounds a bit flustered, and he internally curses himself for it. “Of course. I feel most at peace here, to hear the children running around and their charming silly stories about school. I always enjoy your company too… Ren.” Your voice is so soft and captivating, Ren finds himself unintentionally leaning in closer.

That’s when he realizes his hand is still placed firmly on your shoulder, to which he overreacts by snatching it away. “Oh, sorry…” He watches you for any signs of annoyance or disgust, but all he receives is your lovely smile in reply.

“No worries. I’m glad you’re here Ren, because I have something to give you.” Before he can ask, the object he previously thought was a flower crown presents itself in the palm of your hand. Now he can clearly see it’s a bracelet, intricately crafted with a rose. He gingerly takes the bracelet from your hand, examining it. 

“This is… beautiful. When did you make this? How long did it take?” He admires your craftsmanship with unabashed admiration. He slips the bracelet on his wrist as you muster up the courage to confess to him.

“A kind man gave it to me. I… I really want to give you something, to thank you for all you’ve done for me. My family situation isn’t the best, and you’ve shown me how it feels to be seen, to be heard, to be understood… and possibly, if you feel the same… to be loved.” As soon as the words slip from your lips, your lips pout and your eyes dash every which way.

Ren takes the opportunity to admire your gorgeous features. He believes you look most beautiful in this moment, and it takes every ounce of willpower from him not to pull you to him and shower you with his reciprocated affection. 

“I.. I do. Feel the same, I mean. Spending time with you has always felt more intimate for me. Your presence is the best reprieve from my… extracurricular activities.” He coughs a bit, stumbling over his words, but they’re all the more sincere for it.

You giggle, finally turning to face him. You reach out to hold his hands in yours, and he quickly closes the unwanted distance between the two of you. “You mean…” You strain your ears to make sure the children are far away. Once you’ve confirmed no one is nearby, you whisper, “You mean, being a phantom thief?” 

You can hear how surprised Ren is from your words, but you don’t mind. Instead, you flash him a blindingly bright smile before shutting up his poor excuses with your lips. 

It feels as if everything slows down around the two of you, as you embrace everything this sweet moment has to offer. When you both inevitably break away from the kiss, you’re sure your goofy smile reflects the one on his face.

[andtheyreonfire]

at the end of every tether

Ao3

WC: 3070

AN: hbd @sizediscount !!!! i got you a serial killer <3 for G/t July, Day 19: Out of reach.

~

Ren’s never actually seen what cognitive rulers do when he’s not fighting them.

He’d assume they’d despawn, like a boss they haven’t hit the cutscene trigger for yet. But Futaba points out their constant presence during every infiltration. They seem more like puppets, than anything. A mouthpiece regurgitating their owner’s fucked-up ideals. A chipped piece of grey matter that wandered around, aimlessly, until it decided to kick the Thieves’ ass.

It was a consideration, that they would just sit on their fancy little throne like the ruler they were, seemingly alone in their corrupted little corner of heart. Ren didn’t think he’d be right.

Ren also didn’t think he’d confirm this by being locked in a massive, golden birdcage, eye-level with the absolutely oversized ruler of Akechi Goro’s palace.

Akechi’s palace seemed a maze of sharp corners and dead ends. Ren’s third eye was only good for uncovering the non-lethal, annoying traps, and Futaba’s Persona was only good for leading them around in a circle. It was a long, tense few hours until they found their way into something that seemed like a next room—

Before it was revealed that their hours of struggle took place in a literal rat maze, located near in the middle of an absolutely titanic castle. And, while the majority of Shadows were normal-sized and scurrying around like rats, there was one, massive problem they could hear stomping in the background.

Ren didn’t realize Akechi’s cognition was stalking them until it was too late. Until his current party was downed, him included. Until genuine fear was singing through his veins, watching the cognition shrug off his remaining teammates like mosquitoes. Until his mouth was already forming the words, wait, please, don’t hurt them, take me instead—

“I’m not one for consolation prizes,” Akechi’s cognition had boomed, Ren craning his neck up, up, up, just to see past his crouched knees. Before he could even flinch, a massive, gloved hand filled his vision, Akechi’s warped face regarding him with a possession he’s never seen on him in his life. “Though, who am I to deny ownership of a new toy?”

Really, Ren should’ve known something was up the second they confirmed Akechi’s third keyword as beanstalk.

And now, Ren sits, cross-legged and cross-armed in a birdcage larger than his room. He is, by all accounts, the human thief from Jack’s fairy tale, and Akechi’s brain is going to grind his bones to make his bread. Perfect. Just perfect.

At least his teammates are safe, with plans and plans to rescue Ren and reunite. And, considering the way Ren screamed after the cognition had tossed him up into the air like a pebble, probably planning a cognitive shutdown upon their return.

It’s not like they hadn’t discussed it, between questions of why, why, why. Why here? Why now? Why Akechi? Why was Ren so quiet as they discussed the very valid option of letting his mind decay—

A massive, cold shadow blocks out the light. Without seeing its owner, Ren scrambles back, his spine hitting the gold bars of the cage. A part of him doesn’t want to look, doesn’t want to see the face of the boy he played billiards with looming above him like a skyscraper. So, Ren doesn’t. It’s a perfect, fool-proof strategy—

Up until the cognition’s voice crackles through the air like distant thunder, “Hm. Bored, now.”

Ren’s eyes snap up, just in time to see a massive, stupidly fast hand reach in the cage. Ren doesn’t even have time to get his feet under him before it wraps around his body, and yanks him out like a child’s doll.

Ren isn’t thinking about the fact that there’s nothing between him in the floor except the cognition’s hand, it squeezing his arms to his side and curling a pinkie under his legs. Ren isn’t thinking about his face looming above him, nor that the eyes locked onto his body are larger than his head. He certainly isn’t thinking about all the things the giant could do to him, nor the realization that, after everything, this might be the first time Ren would need a revival bead—

The cognition flops back against his throne, kicking his feet up against a building-sized ottoman. As if remembering the thief in his grip, he brings Ren to his face. Ren stalwartly refuses to look at him, squeezing his eyes shut, even as this Akechi chuckles and brushes a thumb against his head. There have been many palaces Ren disliked but this one he thinks he truly hates—

“I know I’m a lot to take in,” The cognition purrs—that’s not right, some part of Ren’s brain manages, only stopping himself from panicking by a thread. “But you don’t have to hide. It’s not like you haven’t seen more than my face.”

The soft pad of a glove prods against Ren’s face. He sputters, squirms, but eventually the cognition pins his head between his thumb and the side of his finger. Ren can only shudder as it pushes his mask right off his face.

Ren’s pulse spikes. He creaks his eyes open, only to squeeze them shut as the cognition’s finger fills his vision. It hovers too close for his eyes to focus, a padded glove brushing against his forehead and—brushing the hair out of his eyes?

Because he’s always been an idiot when it came to Akechi, Ren opens his eyes.

The cognition stares back. “There we are.” He smiles, and the stretch of his face is one too many things to focus on, because— “There’s that pretty face of yours.”

Ren’s cheeks burn, heart hammering in his chest. Instead of addressing anything, he takes in the—expanse of the cognition’s body. He appears to be nothing more than an oversized facsimile of Loki. He wears a striped, band-like jacket. The patterns fade and curve in a way Ren can’t follow, not against the length of his massive arm. Minus the searing bright gold of his eyes, the cognition looks human—aside, of course, from the red horns jutting from his forehead like streetlamps, his absurd height, and—are those fangs—?

Akechi’s cognition is grinning down at Ren with fangs longer than his hand. Ren is utterly trapped, probably barely bigger than the thumb of the giant holding him. Ren is trying not to process the last sentence the cognition breathed into this world. After everything, he barely catches his low murmur, “I thought you’d be more entertaining than the shadows scurrying around here. I wonder, would you scream as well as them?”

Every ounce of blood drains out of Ren’s body. The cognition’s eyes crinkle in delight. Latching onto the conversation topic—and knowing that he probably would, and every bit of Akechi’s psyche would love it—Ren says, “Do the shadows here not worship you?”

The cognition hums, the sound reverberating through Ren’s chest like a bass. “Oh, they should—but, no. I’m the only thing that deserves power, around here. They’re nothing more than distractions.”

Ren fights the urge to shudder, remembering peeking into a room with the cognition in it, watching him idly dispose of a group that would overwhelm the thieves with just a few, white-hot blasts of energy.

He’s distracted enough he almost doesn’t register the words vibrating through his core. “Goro-kun’s cognition only allows for one person in power, I’m afraid.”

Ren blinks. His mouth feels, suddenly, dry. He tries to read the cognition’s face, even just the few feet in front of him, but all he can read is the same, vague satisfaction. “You know?”

“Everything, yes,” The cognition says, and he says it so assuredly Ren feels the urge to believe him.

“That you’re not real?”

The cognition seems to start, at that. He pulls Ren closer, higher, holding him above his towering face. And, without even a twitch as warning, he lets go.

Ren falls, wind whipping through his coat and his hair and, suddenly, the surface of not-Akechi’s lap seems more like it’ll break his legs than anything. And, suddenly, Ren’s voice is escaping him in an involuntarily scream, Akechi’s body shooting past him and the ground rushing closer and—

Idly, lazily, the cognition’s other hand catches him. Ren lands with an oof in the massive palm, less than a couple meters away from a bone-breaking fall. Instinctively, to assess the threat before him, Ren looks up.

He has to crane his neck back to see the cognition’s face, the way his fangs gleam in the light of his throne room as he asks, “Does this seem fake to you?”

Ren can barely form words, more focused on taking shallow, even breaths. Thankfully, the cognition beats him to the chase. “Goro-kun’s known the rules of the Metaverse since he was fifteen. If he hadn’t already awakened, I’m what would be his Persona. Since he’s awakened several, was a Cognitive Pscience guinea pig, this that and the third, I’ve known I’m a cognition since the moment these palace walls formed.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Ren croaks.

The cognition shrugs, bringing Ren up a closer to the billboard of his face. “We have a compulsion to tell the truth. Besides, you’ve always been a great listener.” He smiles, a little less sharp. “I’m sure you have more questions. Ask away.”

Ren figures he doesn’t have much to lose, so he tries, “Can you let me go?”

The shadow laughs, a sharp, painful bark that leaves Ren clutching his ears. He says, in the same tone Akechi would use when Ren would risk everything to do a ridiculous trick shot, “Be serious. You’re trying to steal my heart, are you not?”

Wary of the shadow’s fingers hovering around him, Ren tries, “Does Akechi not want us to change his heart?”

“Every ruler wants someone to change their heart.” The cognition rests his head on his hand, eyes flicking up to the ceiling. “It’s why there’s always a route to the treasure—or a route to a bullet in their head. Subconsciously, humans will always desire help. Goro-kun will scream and cry and bite once you send him that calling card, but, in the end, he’ll be a changed man and everything will work out fine.”

He draws out the final syllable. His fingers twitch towards Ren, and Ren hasn’t missed a warning since Kamoshida’s castle. “Do you have anything more interesting to ask?”

Ren swallows. Well, he has time, and if the cognition’s being honest... “Are you going to hurt me?”

The cognition peers down at him, the glow of his eyes nearly blinding, “Hasn’t Goro-kun already done enough?”

Ren remembers February, December, November. Ren can also see what’s looming within arm’s reach, “Then why am I in the palm of your hand?”

“Why change the heart of every person you come across? Why surround yourself with friends willing to die for you? Why use my life as a bargaining chip during that February?” The cognition pokes him in the side. Ren flinches. “Do you know how easy it would be to take advantage of your size? Goro-kun’s never truly had power over you, but I do. And what can you do about it?”

“Stop you,” Ren breathes, like a mantra, “We’re going to fix this, we’re going to save you—“

“You’re so cute,” The cognition says, like he’s baby-talking a kitten. “I could hurt you, if I want to state the obvious. But, I think it’d only break Goro-kun’s distorted heart if I killed the boy he loves.”

The air in Ren’s lungs goes cold. A beat passes. Two. Eventually, he manages to stutter out, “I’m sorry?”

The cognition searches his face, eyes gleaming like a spotlight, before fanged lips curl into a smile. “Aw, you didn’t know? It really didn’t take a detective. You were his only companion, why wouldn’t he develop a puppy crush?” Ren can’t quite convince himself he’s lying, can’t quite pull air into his lungs before he rumbles, “You weren’t there for the dozens of unsent date invites, the Wikipedia pages he read just to impress you, and, oh, the way he threw up that curry you made for him when he killed you—“

“Stop it—“ Ren tries, tries, tries. “Let me go—“

“He needed you, and he couldn’t stand it.” The cognition lifted him up, running a finger down his side, his touch gentle. “He had to push you away, you see? Push himself into nothingness, find the magic beans that would help him repent, but also forget you.” Ren squirms, grunts, but massive fingers press against him back, hold him still as the cognition pets him. “He failed, if it wasn’t obvious. He thought of you every night, until his heart became corrupted, and his desires swelled his perception of himself into me. Don’t flatter yourself, truly, it wasn’t only because of you—with everything that’s happened to him, it’s a miracle it didn’t distort sooner.”

“You’re—“ Hurting him, except he wasn’t. The cognition was just petting him and talking to him and Ren wanted to crawl out of his skin. “Stop—“

“And now, I’m here.” Goro hums, finally flipping Ren onto his back, pinning him down with his index finger. Ren struggles against the weight, and only feels the cognition’s breath wash over him in a silent laugh. “I’m here to do what he was too helpless, to small to do. He never wanted to let you go? Then I won’t. He wanted to lock you in a cage, away from anyone else but him? Then I will. He wanted your entire world to narrow to his hands, to pull your life on a string guided by his fingers?” The cognition leans in. Smirks, wide. “Who am I to deny him the privilege?”

Here, an arm’s reach away from his massive face, Ren can tell the cognition is telling the truth. His organs feel too large for his body. He fights the urge to shield himself, to claw out his heart, to plead and beg and ask why didn’t he just tell me—?

It’s not like he wasn’t fond of Akechi, but even if he could make his lips form the word love, he’s sure neither of them would want their relationship to progress like this.

Though, what is this cognition, but twisted desires made real?

“Don’t worry about anything else, okay?” The cognition continues, after Ren’s almost caught his breath. “I’ll take care of everything. If your thieves are smart enough, they won’t come back to us. If not—what’s a few more pests to squash?”

The cognition peers down at him, lips turning up as Ren writhes under his finger. It’s impossibly heavy, crushing the air out of his lungs, the weight of the cognition's words flutter around Ren’s head. His blood-red gloves look so small against the cognition’s digit, and for all of Ren’s Metaverse strength, he doesn’t budge an inch. He probably won’t even be able to save his friends.

“You’re so cute when you squirm,” The cognition says, with a tone like dark chocolate. “Maybe I will keep you around. I have all the treasure I need, right here—“

“I’m sorry,” is the only thing Ren can think to say.

The cognition blinks at him, like a cat watching their prey. Ren licks his lips, wills himself to breathe under the weight of his finger. “I’m sorry we let it get this bad. I’m sorry I didn’t know you were alive until a week ago, that I didn’t do anything to help you. I’m sorry I didn’t realize you lo—your feelings until it was too late.”

The finger’s weight lessens, a little. Ren continues, peering up, trying to see if he can pierce through those golden eyes. “I’m going to fix this, Goro. We’re going to save you, I promise.”

The cognition stares at him. Ren recognizes the poker face as the one he’s leveraged to Goro countless times. Gradually, he lifts his finger off Ren’s chest. Ren doesn’t move, lying on his side, waiting for the cognition’s next play.

With the force of a runaway train, the cognition’s fingers snap to Ren’s collar. The surface of the massive palm vanishes. Ren’s legs flail, his hands trying, in vain, to stop his coat from choking him. The cognition pulls him up, until all he can see is his eyes, staring him down like speeding headlights.

“Don’t pretend like this isn’t a game to you and your group of Phantom Thieves, like I haven’t ruined every—“ The cognition cuts himself off, barks out a laugh. “You don’t care about him, you never did. That’s why I’m here, to give him what he’s too cowardly to take.”

“That’s why I’m, here, too,” Ren grunts. He debates kicking out, clipping the edge of the cognition’s nose with his boot, but considering how far off the ground he is—and how close he is to the cognition’s mouth—he thinks better of it. “You think I wouldn’t come all this way if I didn’t care—?”

The cognition stands up in one, fluid movement. Ren can’t help the scream he gives, nor the way his hands claw for purchase against massive fingers. Genuine sweat beads on his forehead. The ground’s so far away—

“I wonder, how your thieves would react to seeing you reduced to a stain?” The cognition stomps forward, fingers steel around Ren’s scruff, even as he kicks and sways. “You seem to forget your place, little thing—“

Static electricity sings through Ren’s veins, adrenaline keeping him struggling, even as the cognition dangles him over a skyscraper-sized drop. “Goro—“

The slam of the cognition opening the cage is the only thing Ren can register, before he sends him flying through the air. His side hits the gilded floor, sliding across it like an abandoned toy.

“Fe, fi, fo, fum. I smell the blood of a lying thief.” Ren cranes his neck up just in time to see the cognition slam the door closed. He glares down at him, his shadow blocking out the light, and Ren’s never quite felt so small. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

With that, the cognition stomps away. He settles down into that massive throne, ignoring Ren like he truly is just some pet in a cage. Ren’s hands swelter. This sucks. This sucks, and yet…

All he can do is sit back, wait for his thieves, and hope that, after they change Goro’s heart, making things right isn’t too out of reach..

[thranduilsperkybutt]

requirements.txt=unsatisfied

Pic source: 1

Pairings: Johnny Silverhand/V!Reader; Exceedingly minor Goro Takemura/V!Reader alluded to Warnings: Endgame spoilers; Arasaka!ending; I take liberties with the ending (everyone lives AU); yearning; fighting; nsfw banter (no actual explicit behaviors); angst with a happy ending; mentions of canon-typical drug use and violence Word Count: 9,936 words Reader Gender: Female Author: Meg Summary: Johnny always wants a lot of things--- a smoke, a good fuck, for you to turn the radio to 107.3 instead of that new age crap you like. In a perfect world, he'd like to have his own body back, too, but this isn't a perfect world. This is Night City, and he doesn't know if he'll ever be able to forgive you for going and doing this. Turns out that being in love requires being unsatisfied. A/N: Look. I finally finished playing the game as corpo!V and I will not live with these endings, alright? I'm gonna make my own.

“Think they make shitty motels like this just for screw-ups like us?”

You make a point to continue staring at the ceiling of the ‘shitty motel’ room, deep breathing the mildew and age-old cigarettes. He isn’t wrong, but you don’t want to hear it right now. He always has a way with words. Wiping your hands down your face, you do your best to ignore him, but Johnny wasn’t the most dismissible parasite you’ve ever had.

“’Parasite’s’ talkin’ to you, fuck-up,” he flicks his cigarette butt at you in retaliation for the thoughts in your head and it glitches through your thigh with a fuzzy tickle in your neurons. “Do ya’ really think Arasaka is gonna’ just let you waltz away after grabbin’ that stuck-up bitch princess of theirs? You’re fucked.”

“Was fucked before that, Johnny--- royally, if you’ll remember,” you groan, and turn away from him. He appears on the other side of the bed, leaning over it to glare at you. “Got you to show for it, after all.”

“Why are you so chill about this? Takemura fucked you both by deciding to take a life-sized souvenir from your trip to Cherry Town---"

“Cherry Blossom Market---” he barely acknowledges your interruption; you doubt he cares about the situation past hearing himself talk either way.

“--- and you’re just gonna’ do what? Sit here like a ditched date, waitin’ by the phone for that ‘Saka scum to call?”

“Johnny,” you push yourself up into a sitting position, headache threatening a presence at the back of your skull. The edges of his shoulders have that glitchy quality you’ve come to know follows his movements at times when he crosses his arms, but his glare is clear as ever.

“What? Don’t like me callin’ him that?” he rolls his eyes as he certainly feels your annoyance spike, “Jeez, didn’t think you could ride ‘Saka’s dick any harder, but if you literally want to---”

“What crawled up your holographic ass and died tonight?” you bark back, and the glint behind his eyes tells you that this is what he wanted all along. A fight, interaction, anything other than you just melting into the stained mattress of this motel room while the fan drones overhead in excruciating monotony. Johnny’s at his worst when he’s bored or cornered, you’ve found.

“I don’t know, V, maybe the fact that while I’m livin’ in your head, I’ve gotta’ listen to all your disgusting little thoughts about that Grade-A asshole? I’ve never had a dry spell that’d make me wanna’ sleep with a corpo drone, but maybe old habits die hard for you, huh?” You try to ignore his jab at your corporate background, but you know he just can’t help himself, “At this rate, alert a joytoy pronto, because I think I’ll throw up if I gotta’ watch you eyefuck your ronin anym---"

“You’re so fucking annoying sometimes, Johnny, you know that?” you rub your temples, trying to bite back the heat in your cheeks. No telling if it was from embarrassment at his inevitable acknowledgement of your major-league crush on Goro, or an oncoming stroke. At this point you are wishing for the stroke.

“You say that, but you’re not havin’ to watch how pathetic you look waitin’ on Takemura to call. Shit, even that cop you turned down would be better than this guy.”

Rising to your knees, you point a finger directly against his chest, feeling the fuzzy presence of your fried synapses mistaking him for something real at your fingertips, “Know what? Maybe I will fuck Goro the next time I see him, just to screw with you. Maybe I’ll finally get some peace and quiet when you slink back to God-knows-where to hide in my head while I lay back and take it from the big, bad, ‘Saka scum.’”

“You wouldn’t dare,” he growls down at you, the fire in his eyes flickering from your own to your lips and back again. “If you wanted me gone, you’d’ve taken those omega blockers by now.”

“Don’t tempt me. I’d take a half-dose of pseudoendotrizine just so I could kick your ass, if it wouldn’t mean kicking mine, too.”

“Now, there’s a thought,” he reaches out, pushing you back by a phantom grip on your shoulder. Your body flings itself onto the mattress without a thought, “But I don’t need a pill to kick your ass, remember?”

“Asshole,” you grumble defeatedly, but his anger seems to dissipate, if only a little.

“Bitch,” he chuckles, and it’s a short sound of disbelief. “Don’t pout like a damn kid.”

“Anyone ever tell you that you’re kind of mean, Silverhand?” you look down to where he still stood beside--- no, knelt onto, now--- the bed. His lips are quirked into a slight smile, one brow raised like he doesn’t quite understand just why all your annoyance has seemed to sink away into the dingy carpet and rotting walls of this place. Maybe it’s the exhaustion settling into your bones?

Or perhaps it’s the uneasy feeling in your gut when he looks at you. Despite the mountain of resentment your soul screams that you have every right to have at him for stealing your life away from you with every waking second, you can’t seem to bring yourself to hate him.

He clicks his teeth thoughtfully, dipping his weight onto the knee he has on the bed, but it doesn’t creak under his weight or acknowledge his presence, “It may have come up, once or twice.”

He isn’t really here, the soft static framing his hard edges reminds you.

“Why, then?” Why does he keep falling into the same pattern? Why does he treat you like this? Why does he look at you like that afterwards?

You don’t ask any of those questions, but you don’t have to. He’s in your head, after all--- but you think he’d be able to figure them out even if he didn’t have a front-row seat to your every thought. You still aren’t sure how much of your consciousness he is privy to, but you know it’s enough for him to know more about you than any other person ever has.

At this point, he might know your mind better than you do.

You wish you could read his half as well.

“Maybe I just don’t like watchin’ you run head-first into what’s bound to be another shit-show’s all, choom,” he deflects, but his eyes don’t turn from your gaze. There’s something guarded in them, sure, but they soften all the same.

You sit on his bullshit explanation for a few seconds, tasting the thought on your tongue, “Is that what we are, Johnny? Chooms?” It’s an unsatisfactory descriptor, but you don’t know if there’s a word in the English language that can accurately describe what you are to each other.

“I don’t know, V. Are we?”

Before you can even think of an answer, the sound of your holo ringing breaks through your ears and Goro’s image appears in your optics.

Johnny huffs and just like that, any softness in his gaze disintegrates with a roll of his eyes, “Go on--- know you’re giddy as a schoolgirl to answer that.”

“Fuck you, Johnny,” you grumble, before picking up the line and watching him straighten up off the bed before disappearing from your gaze in a static glitch. “Goro---”

“V, meet me, quickly as you can. I’m sending the coordinates.”

---

Your fingers run over the markings of Johnny’s initials you’d just carved against the metal. It’s jagged, raw, and as good a headstone as he was ever going to get, given you’d probably never find where his body had been truly laid to rest. In a city like Night City, after so many years? He’s lucky enough that Arasaka had dumped his body at all, instead of incinerating it like most folks these days.

“There, how’s that for a marker?”

Johnny leans back from where he’d been moping and gestures to your makeshift headstone, “Say this was my real grave, what would you write? ‘Here lies Johnny Silverhand…’”

The words roll around your head in tandem with the pit of dread in your stomach. It didn’t feel right talking to him like he was dead, even though the rational part of your mind knew it was true. The real Johnny Silverhand died more than fifty years ago, and you were left talking to a ghost--- a copy that seemed close enough to the real deal, but you never would be able to know if he was a good one. More recently, though, he’s started to seem just as real as the ground you walk on and, while you know that’s something to be deeply worried about, you can’t help but have come to enjoy his company.

When he’s not being an asshole, that is.

For better or worse, he was, “The guy who saved my life.” You’d been through so much--- everything--- together. It hadn’t been intentional on his part; he’s only a piece of broken prototype tech going haywire in your head, but it was still true. He’s saved you in more ways than one, lately.

The words sink into him, dragging his shoulders down like the same ache you feel in your soul. His eyes meet yours beneath his sunglasses, holding you in a regret so deep that you think it will swallow you both with the knowledge that he’ll be the death of you.

Johnny reaches up, metal fingertips clicking on his shades in a way that’s so honest in your ears that it’s difficult to remember it’s just another one of your disconnected mind’s lies anymore, “You don’t know how much I want that to be true.” He pulls the barrier from his face to dangle between his knees as his free hand wipes at the perpetual dirt on his skin, “Listen, I realize I’ve fucked up a lot of things. Either let down or used every last person who gave me their trust--- blind, selfish bastard that I was--- but I’ve managed one thing, for now. Not to fuck this up. What we have.”

Johnny’s always wanted a lot of things--- a smoke, a good fuck, for you to turn the radio to 107.3 instead of that new age crap you like. He's rather demanding, day in, day out.

You've been privy to his every request as it flits through your shared head for long enough that he’s come to annoy you nearly as much as he's grown on you. He’s like moss overtaking a stone, so slow that you don’t realize it until he’s covered all of you. He’s changing you into something neither of you can quite recognize anymore, and as the days pass, you worry you’ll never be able to wash him away and return to the person you were before him.

Worse, you don’t know if you will want to.

“What do we have, Johnny?” you sigh, looking up at the light-polluted sky. You weren’t far enough out of town to see stars, just the dim void and flickering city lights reflected on the clouds above. Maybe if you were at camp with the Aldecados, you’d spot a star among the dusky sky. Maybe life would seem simpler, easier, “I don’t know what you want from me.” All you know for sure is that you were growing so tired of the fight. There’s this hurt in your chest; you can’t tell if it’s yours or his. Maybe it’s something you share. Maybe this is what he means.

Or something close to it, “Most of who I thought were my friends, well, it turns out they couldn’t hardly stand to be in the same room with me. But you?”  You hear him pause, but you don’t dare to look at him. There’s a stammer in your chest, and you’re terrified at what it means, “You’re forced to be right fuckin’ here, twenty-four-seven, and you don’t seem to hate my living guts.”

This silence is something you can only achieve on the outskirts of the city, but you know it would be worse if you were further away. It’s almost excruciating, being alone with your thoughts--- being alone with his.

“There a point in there?” your heart aches for him, and you know he can feel it. It’s more than pity, more than friendship, but you try your hardest not to think of what it could possibly mean--- let alone, say it.

He knows, though. Of course he does. He has to.

“Just that… I think you’re my first real choom, even though you’re a real bitch sometimes.”

Your head lulls forward, and it takes all your strength to muster a glare at the pained smile dancing at his lips. There’s more to it than that, you both know it, but you’re grateful that he’s feeling somewhat merciful tonight--- it was something you didn’t know he had in him.

Maybe it’s only something he has in him when it comes to you.

“Chooms, huh?” tilting your head, you pretend to mull it over like it’s a proposition of eddies from a fixer. Playing it off with a shrug, you concede, “I could get used to being Johnny Silverhand’s choom, I guess, even though he was a total dick at first.”

“As if you didn’t deserve it,” Johnny smirks.

“Uh, remind me again, who’s been whining about missing his smokes since day one?” it’s a half-hearted blow, and his widening grin shows it. “Better yet, beggin’ me to get my rocks off?”

“My own personal hell is being stuck inside a non-smoker, and it doesn’t help that you’re practically a nun,” you toss a rock at him for that, and it goes straight through his chest like he isn’t even there. He isn’t, but he grins at you anyways, “Still… who’d’ve thought we’d make it this far?”

You sit there for a beat, feeling your own smile turn at your lips, before sighing, “You know, if you really want a marker, we could get you one at the columbarium.”

“For what, an empty box?” shaking his head, he puts his shades back on to perch atop his nose.

“Please, I have more of your stuff than even your most devoted fanboys. I don’t need it all. We could, I don’t know, ‘retire’ something of yours there. You know, as a symbol,” his gaze weighs heavy on you, and you can’t for the life of you understand what’s going through his mind. It frustrates you nearly as much as his stare seems to, and you shift your gaze back to the sky in your attempt to escape his holographic scrutiny.

“Let me guess, you’ll bring me flowers every day?” it surprises you that his tone isn’t mocking, but rather curious. “Would you visit his grave?” he seems to ask.

Trying to lighten the mood, you tease, “You know me, too busy trying not to die for all that.” You look back to him with a wink, “Plus, preem flowers are expensive these days, choom. ‘Fraid you’ll have to settle for the synth ones. Besides, you seem like a cheap date to me.”

“Bitch.”

“Just say, ‘Thank you.’”

It’s as close as either of you will come to what you really want to say.

---

From the roof of Misty’s building, it’s almost as if the troubles of the city no longer exist. You think you understand why Jackie found his choice up here. It seems as good a place as any to choose between life and death.

You would have to come to yours, too, soon. Maybe you already have, and you just don’t want to admit it.

The thought dwells in your head, and it feels like the only choice that makes sense.

“You’re not considering that. Please, tell me you’re not seriously considering going to those bastards again for help,” Johnny’s voice tears you from your dreadful stare over the neon Night City advertisements staring back at you. Promising everything from NiCola to the market version of the prototype Relic crammed in your head. “You’re trying to make sense of something that makes zero damn sense!”

You think he might wind up hating you forever, for this.

“Takemura said---” you begin, but he cuts you off as he stands from his spot on the ledge overlooking the city and takes up pacing.

“Fuck that guy!” Johnny rounds on you, fiery as ever--- but there’s something more terrible in his eyes; a grief that only comes from knowing he won’t be able to change your mind. “You’re just takin’ the easy way out! Those ‘Saka bastards won’t stay true to their word, you know. All they do is lie, and they’ll keep lying to you so long as it gets them what they want from you. You can’t really believe they’ll help you or me!”

The truth is, you’re too tired and you don’t know what’s worse: the taste of blood on your tongue, or the look of disappointment in his eyes.

You should be at least used to the blood by now.

“I’m dying, Johnny. Hanako is the only person who can maybe help us. Name someone else. Anyone! They made this tech---”

“They’re only gonna’ hurt you. We can do this a different way,” he stops pacing to stand so close that you can swear his boots touch yours. It’s as if you could feel the heat radiating off him, but that may just be the fever settling deathly into your skin, “Hell, give me the keys and I’ll get us to Mikoshi. I’ll burn this whole fuckin’ city to the ground to get you there and I’ll throw the pieces of you back together myself! I’ll gladly die trying---”

“But I don’t want you to die, either,” you fight back the tears at the thought of it, and he huffs down at you in utter exasperation, “can’t you get that?”

“Think they’ll do any better by me at Arasaka?” his chuckle is humorless, coming strained from the back of his throat. “You don’t believe that.”

“I can cut us a deal…” you look down, away from him, blinking out beyond where he stands towards the city lights. You don’t want to fight with him right now. You don’t think you can.

“With what leverage? Deals are only good so long as you have the upper hand, V,” he kneels into your eyeline, reaching out to grasp your chin in two silver fingers and turning you to face him fully. It’s gotten to the point that his hands on your skin feel akin to something real, dulled synapses firing with every spark of his hands on your skin. It’s how you know you’re close to the end. “Who is gonna’ be in your corner after they get everything they want?”

“Goro’s a man of his word.”

“You’re so fuckin’ naïve. Just as dumb as you were when you took that bullet to the brain from Dex, and I had to save your ass then, too,” Johnny growls your name like he hates you for it, but who knew how much you would come to welcome the end? Because when he frustratedly drags you forward by a harsh grip at the back of your head to eclipse his lips over yours, you can feel it. Him. In the burnt neurons of your addled mind, he is there against you--- kissing you with death on the edges of his lips, in all the heavy grief and anger that your choice has brought forth in him. It’s a terrible knowledge that pours from you into him of how much you’ve come to love him, and how desperately you know he’ll hate you for this, because maybe he’s right; maybe you really are naïve for wanting to believe in some way out of this.

He gasps against your lips like it wrecks him to the core; voice hoarse with the emotion as he curses, “Damn, you’re one stubborn bitch.”

“Inherited only your best traits, Johnny,” it’s just as dry on your tongue, and you lift your hand that has been clutching the omega blockers to your lips. You want to say it--- tell him in words how much you care for him. Instead, you murmur against his lips, “Please, don’t be mad,” and swallow the pills.

“I got a feeling you’re gonna’ regret this, choom, and I won’t be there to help you,” he leans away, and you feel the drugs start to kick in when his voice becomes more distant. “Don’t do this. Miracles like the one you’re hopin’ for don’t happen for screw-ups like us, you know.”

“Trust me.”

“I wish I didn’t trust you at all,” he sounds just as tired as you do when he says your name one last time before you blink and he’s gone. The bitter aftertaste of the pills tastes like betrayal on your tongue, and you already know Johnny will haunt you for the rest of your days.

You’re quickly reminded of why you’ve always hated taking the omega blockers.

It takes everything you have left not to sob at the feeling, like you’ve lost a limb--- gone numb and tingling painfully with the ghost of where he was. It’s as if everything is muted, including the deepest parts of yourself. You’re in a bad way, and you know you don’t have much longer now.

So, you find yourself committing to the desperate choice you’ve made, but you don’t call Hanako.

Instead, you call the only corpo you trust besides yourself, and hope it isn’t stupid to do so.

Takemura.

---

He is dressed in all white when he comes to find you at Misty’s Esoterica, looking like a harbinger of death in every sense of the word, “You… look like shit.”

“Don’t look half bad yourself, Goro,” you chuckle, but it turns into a wracking cough that leaves you with a more urgent taste of blood at your lips.

“Are you in any shape to negotiate?” he wonders, but it’s not threatening--- more of a genuine concern displayed with the arch of his brow. Johnny may disagree with you, but you still dare to think him a good man.

“Not in much shape to do anything, anymore, but I know exactly what I’m useful for. My eddies are on Hanako knowing this, too,” you lean on the arm he offers when you stumble on your way to the car. “After all, she sent you. Smart woman.”

“I would have come even had she not,” Goro confesses, pausing with his metal-laced fingertips on the back door. When you shoot him a questioning look, he offers you only a simple, “We have done much work to not see this through to the end, yes?”

“Who’d’ve thought we’d make it this far?”

Goro nods in agreement, before you’re sliding into the car behind Anders Hellman and hoping the Swede knows half of what he thinks he does about your condition, “Agreed.”

---

There’s something to be said for dying. It’s not always as bad as people make it out to be.

Some people would consider you dead. You always find yourself wondering what Johnny would think, these days.

You absentmindedly turn the Rubik’s cube in your hand with no real aim at solving it, letting your mind drift in the overly sterile room Arasaka’s finest clinicians have sequestered you to.

“Barbaric,” Goro called it once, but that didn’t stop them from putting you right back here again. The news plays softly on the screen you’ve been allowed to have after they determined it wouldn’t exacerbate your oversensitivity, but not even the privilege of phoning what few friends you have left can eat away at the boredom that’s settled into your bones in this space station. What was there to say, anyway?

Hi, it’s your favorite lab rat again! How’s it going in the real world? I’m going insane up here!

You can’t help but dwell on the thought that maybe Johnny was right about it all. Maybe it isn’t worth living if life is going to be like this.

Arasaka made no guarantees past what you had signed for on the dotted line the day Hanako had again sent Goro solely to break the news that your body was dying even after Johnny’s Relic had been extracted from your mind. It would seem the soft spot you’d held for Goro was well known by the Arasaka heiress. The woman is nothing if not strategic.

Hell, you’d gotten yourself a worse deal that day than you’d gotten for Johnny at the start of this. After all, you’d had nothing left to bargain with by then.

You were technically a construct, now. A lab experiment dreamed up by Arasaka’s best bioengineers and a team of physicians lead by Anders Hellman. Your current body was a multi-billion eurodollar joint Arasaka-Biotechnica venture that had only been put at the top of Hanako’s list when implanting her father’s construct into Yorinobu had gone awry. You’re convinced she would have been content to let you rot on a biochip in Mikoshi for the rest of your existence otherwise. After all, your contract never said when they had to provide you with a body, only that they were obligated to when the technology existed to allow it.

Turns out, rewriting someone else’s psyche does more damage to the physical body than anyone in Arasaka thought it would. You don’t know why it was such a surprise to them all when Yorinobu’s body couldn’t handle it, considering what it did to you. Maybe they just didn’t care, with how desperate they’d been to get any semblance of leadership back.

All you know is that Johnny Silverhand probably rolled over laughing in his grave, wherever it is, when Saburo Arasaka died a second, painful death.

They were using you as a top-secret prototype for Saburo 2.0, as you’ve come to call what will inevitably be the body they attempt to stick him in next. Sure, Arasaka as a company is facing charges in the New United States on Yorinobu’s death--- something about human testing that everyone knows will never stick--- but that will be swept under the rug much like any bad press Arasaka has gotten over this past year, with either cash or bullets dispensed.

“Shit,” you curse as you grow frustrated with the cube, tossing it onto the thin hospital mattress they kept on your bed. Rubbing your eyes as you try to refocus, it still feels strange to not feel the metal embedded in your skin. Worse still, you had to get used to what a fully ‘ganic body felt like again.

“You even human anymore, with all that chrome?” you can almost hear Johnny’s words to you when you got a new set of mantis blades from Vik’s clinic right before heading out for the oncoming fight at Clouds with the Tiger Claws. It was so long ago, now, but it doesn’t feel like it. That’s what Mikoshi does to a person, you figure. It’s hard to fully comprehend that so much time has passed.

Sometimes, you think you do hear him in more than just a memory. Like he’s still there, in your head. The doctors say it will pass with time, but they’ve been wrong before. Safe to say, Johnny literally changed your brain chemistry.

At least some part of you hopes they’re wrong, because you don’t know how you’ll make it in this world without him if Arasaka doesn’t stay true to their word.

It’s like you’ve lost a part of yourself, and you regret it more every day that you’re forced to live in this white box of a test tube that they’ve put you in. You should have died with him at Mikoshi. Gone out in a fiery blaze of glory and torn it all down with you, if only it would’ve made you feel a little better right before the end.

His last words to you had been as you went under the knife, right before they carefully excised him from your brain like a tumor.

“If this plan doesn’t work, Johnny--- If you wind up being right about Arasaka---” you had called to him through the code, as it weaved and curled around his form. It created and destroyed him all at the same time, but Johnny’s frown was still clear as day to you.

“I’m right about Arasaka,” he sounded nearly as exhausted as you had been on that roof the last time you’d talked. Defeated was something you’d never expected to see on him, “See? You haven’t changed at all. Still think you can outsmart the whole world, when you’re really just out of your depth.”

You didn’t want to think of this as a betrayal, but that’s what it was starting to feel like as you marinate in his sadness, “Look… I just want us to part as friends, for now. Just in case I don’t get to see you again after this, I wanted to tell you goodbye as proper friends.”

“Not sure that’s possible, anymore,” cut you to your core.

You wanted to reach for him, through the flickering code, but you didn’t dare. Heartbreak tastes a lot like blood on your tongue, even here.

“That’s what we are, aren’t we?”

“I don’t know, V. I just… don’t know.”

It was all you could remember of the interaction, though you’re certain there had to be more than that. Sometimes, when you dream instead of sleep, bits and pieces of it come back to you. That’s what you think it is, at least.

It’s far too real to be any normal nightmare.

It sounded too familiar when he said things like, “I just wish you’d stayed loyal to yourself,” or, “Those ‘Saka docs are cutting out a piece of us. Something we’ll never get back. It’ll leave a hole,” in those horrible dreams where memory emerges from the subconscious.

Perhaps this is just what you deserve. Your penance. The price you’ve got to pay for your choices, and the deal you made with the devil.

After all, nothing in Night City is ever free.

Multiple lifetimes of suffering, of being forced to go on without him? It’s almost poetic, in a Shakespearean tragedy sort of way. If this body fails, Arasaka will just test your construct in a new one until they get it right.

You’re company property and the Biotechnica cloning program is only in its infancy. Anders Hellman had told you as much himself when you’d asked.

“You’re one of the first successful cases, so far,” was, specifically, what he’d told you. It wasn’t much; Arasaka clearly wanted you in the dark.

You’d already proved too much trouble when left to your own devices, historically.

Have they brought you back before? How many bodies did you live and die in before this one? They could’ve wiped your memory of it, or maybe cut your engram into a million different pieces until something fit. You would never know the truth of what’s been done to you, most likely.

The door to your room slides open with a whirring noise, breaking you from your thoughts when the same scientist who you’ve come to understand is one of your daily handlers walks in, “It’s time for your daily tests.”

You try to not let the sarcasm drip from your tongue, but you’ve been failing at a lot of things these days.

“Always a pleasure to see you, too, Suki.”

You are dead, and this is just purgatory.

---

They eventually shipped you back to earth, “in accordance with the great progress you’ve displayed over these past few months,” as Anders had told it.

Earth was exhausting. Even though the Arasaka lab they had put you in had all the comforts of home, save for the overly-clinical aesthetics, it still took weeks for your body to become accustomed to its own weight. It was only then that you realized the space station’s simulated gravity was slightly less than that on earth, to allow for less pressure on your new joints and bones as your mind settled in. It’s perhaps why you had been able to relearn walking in the first place, because on earth you were much clumsier than you remember ever having been before.

There were bruises on your legs from the amount of times you’d tripped down or stumbled into something. You’re surprised they hadn’t yet put you in a padded room, but you must’ve been making progress, because eventually they sent a familiar face to see you again.

“おはようございます,” without translators installed into your body’s cyberware, the words that fall from Goro’s lips as he offers a slight bow take a moment for you to mentally decipher.

You don’t rightly care, because you’ve not seen a familiar face other than Anders since waking up in this body. Let alone, anything close to a friend.

He stiffens and freezes when you step forward to drag him into your arms, holding him in a tight embrace that almost has you melting against him with how much of a relief it felt to feel another person. It’s too forward, and you’d never have done it under normal circumstances---

But you’re so relieved to see him.

“You have no idea how good it is to see you,” you murmur as you release him, catching the slight tinge of a flush at his cheeks. He straightens his shirt, donned in black from head to toe. His hair isn’t pulled back, for once; it’s a little longer than when you had seen him last, “You look great, Goro.”

He seems to relax slightly at the familiar words, as if he hadn’t been quite sure what to expect of you at first. You watch as he takes you in, optics dilating as his settings switch with the distance you put between you again. It makes you slightly self-conscious under his scrutiny.

You know you look different. Sure, the core basics of yourself are the same, but you’re slimmer than you were before in this cloned body. Your cyberware is gone, as are the scars from a lifetime of mercenary work. Any tattoos you had were no longer etched into your skin, including Johnny’s. Then, there’s that new Arasaka logo brandished behind your ear that matched his own. The only good thing about your new appearance was that your hair had finally grown long enough to cover the logo when you left it down.

“You look like shit,” he cracks a smile after a second, “but it is good to see you, too.”

“What are you doing here?” you wonder as he walks further into your designated quarters, hands clasped behind his back, “Don’t tell me you get to tell a girl she’s dying twice.” He observes the room not unlike he did when he’d visited you on the space station, though seems less displeased with your living situation this time.

He doesn’t say, “barbaric,” at least.

It’s your words that earn his chastising side-eye, this time, “You should not joke. I do not want to do that again.”

“Well, don’t keep me in suspense,” the prodding does nothing to urge an explanation from him as he moves towards the desk on the other side of the room. The metal on his fingertips glints with sunlight as he moves the papers lying there--- some of the most recent status reports you’ve been given on your performance in Arasaka’s testing. A lot of it was redacted, but you were given just enough to know you weren’t dying currently.

That, they seemed to be taking as a win.

“How are you feeling?” he asks as his optics dart back and forth on the papers, reading them quickly. Surely, he’s had a briefing before he’d been sent to see you. Maybe he just doesn’t trust it was a full picture, or he wants to know what parts of it you know.

Settling into the couch, you reach for the tin of mints you’ve been hoarding recently. Popping one into your mouth, you turn it around as the fresh flavor bursts through your skin, scent sparking in your nostrils.

“Playing doctor now, Goro?” that gets him to look up from the papers to shoot you an unamused look that said just answer the question. You sigh, nail tapping the tin as you take a moment to get his answer, “Well, I’m tired and sore all the time from the physical therapy, and hypersensitive to almost fuck all. Oh, and they still won’t let me get any chrome installed--- even the minor stuff like optics.” You sigh, and the minty feeling tingles on your tongue, “Do you know how much deliberating it took for the white-coats to finally decide I was ready for an operating system update?”

“And the nightmares?” Goro turns away from the desk to instead lean on it, crossing his arms as he looks towards you. So, he had a more thorough briefing on your status than you expected.

You avert your eyes. It was bad enough having to talk to the mandated shrink about them. You really didn’t want to get into what plagued your mind with Goro.

“They’re nothing. It’s the physical symptoms that Arasaka cares about. That’s what’ll get Saburo a new body or not, right?”

He doesn’t let you off the hook that easily, “Arasaka has underestimated the impact of the mind on the body once already, at great cost. I do not think your mental state is considered ‘minor’ to your doctors and scientists, V.” After a moment’s pause, he confirms what you are thinking, “It is not considered something to be ignored by Arasaka’s board, either.”

“Is that what you’re here for?” you can’t help the irritation that seeps into your tone, “To give a first-hand report back to Hanako Arasaka and the board on my progress? Came to see the test subject for yourself instead of just reading the memo?”

“V…” his brow furrows, frown settling onto his lips as you turn your body away from him on the couch.

“Well, you’ve seen me! I trust you’ve gotten all the spicy details you need for your report on my mental status.”

“くそ,” he swears under his breath, as if exasperated with your antics. There is a stillness that comes with the silence between you after that, and you don’t dare turn to him. Instead, you focus on the tin in your hands and the mint in your mouth. Anything other than the pit in your stomach at the remembrance of the nightmares that plague you more nights than most.

There’s a shuffling of clothing and the sound of footsteps approaching as Goro comes to stand beside you, “You are… hypersensitive to words as well, it seems. Look at me, V.” You refuse to do it, and he sighs. In your peripheral, you can see him move to sit beside you on the couch, “Hanako-sama does expect me to relay your progress upon my return, but that is not the sole purpose for my visit.”

“Why’re you here, then?” it may be childish to still refuse to look at him, but you can’t bring yourself to. You feel as if nothing will be as it was before--- like even though you’ve fought terribly to return to normal, there would never be a moment when you felt like yourself again.

“You are being released.”

Your head snaps up to look at him when he says that, utter shock undoubtedly on your face. His own expression remains level, rock steady as he always seemed to be. You can see the truth of his words in his eyes; he has no reason to lie to you. You doubt Hanako would put him in a position to knowingly do so anyway.

“Released?” you breathe the word. You can’t quite believe the truth in his eyes.

“Hellman’s team has decided you have progressed as much as can be expected in a clinical setting. They think you are ready to return to a more ‘normal’ routine. I am here to tell Hanako-sama if I believe they are correct, based on what I know of you… who you were, already,” Goro holds up a hand, quelling the excitement he undoubtedly sees blossoming in your eyes. “This does not mean a return to what your routine was before. You cannot return to mercenary work.”

“So… I’m to live as a civilian, then?” you shift your whole body to face him, legs folded beneath you.

“In a sense… you will still be under Arasaka’s supervision, expected to meet every scheduled appointment and test. If you miss even one, you will be collected and returned here. There are other requirements, but I will leave those to be explained by your care team,” Goro watches as the news sinks in. He looks away, admitting, “I am maybe not the best to answer any questions you have about this.”

“Will I be staying in Tokyo?” is all you can think to ask, mind racing at the prospect of even a little freedom from this quarantine.

“At first, but I believe the goal is to reintroduce you to Night City should you continue to progress---” his words are choked off when you quickly grasp hold of his shoulders, pulling him into another hug. Just like before, he freezes, though this time he recovers enough to loosely hug you back.

“Thank you, Goro, for everything.”

---

The Corpo Plaza apartment didn’t feel like home, but it was closest to Arasaka tower and the Biotechnica building--- both of which you have to visit frequently. Well, at least it was less frequently than when you’d first been sent back to Night City, but it still wasn’t worth the constant drive from a different district.

Your fingers trace along the metal outlining your face as you glance at yourself in the mirror, having just finished a shower. The cyberware embedded in your cheeks is similar to what you had originally, though slightly different. You like it all the same, even if it had to be approved by Arasaka first. Every day you felt more like yourself, but you doubt you’ll ever be 100% you again. Too much has changed for this sense of newness to ever leave.

Even when you had reconnected with Victor, he looked at you like something uncanny. A dead woman walking. Misty could barely manage to look at you at all. Panam and the Aldecaldos had migrated; you were still waiting for her to return your call to figure out what they were up to these days. Judy was long gone, but getting out of Night City was maybe the best thing she could’ve done after everything.

Only Johnny’s old contacts seemed to remind you of who you were, and perhaps that’s because they’d never truly gotten to know you too well. Then, there was the feeling of loss that still gripped your soul. The ghost of Johnny Silverhand haunting your every thought and plaguing your dreams at night. You doubt you’ll ever be free of him. You hope he never fully fades from your psyche.

As much as it hurts, you still love him.

In hindsight, that’s probably the real reason why it would never work out between you and Goro. You’re still holding a torch for a dead man, and you’ll never be truly satisfied with anyone else.

In the end, Johnny has truly ruined you. Maybe it’s his last laugh: your complete inability to move on.

Your deal with Arasaka at the beginning had been for them to save him. To put him away into Mikoshi for the rainy day that the technology existed for a body suited for him to be a reality. The contract required them to release him into Night City after he had been deemed healthy, but you knew as well as anyone that contracts like these had loopholes even with the best lawyers pouring over them. Arasaka could truly do whatever they wanted with him once he was out of your head, other than destroying his engram.

When you had asked them the status on them holding up that end of your bargain, you had been met with cryptic answers. Hanako refused to meet with you, and you were in no shape without your combat cyberware to hunt her down yourself.

You’re terrified, honestly, at the idea of never seeing him again, nearly as much as you fear facing him.

Sighing, you step away from the mirror to move towards your bedroom while you towel-dry your hair as best you can. Tomorrow you were to report to Arasaka for your end-of-the-year testing and physical. Hellman would probably personally chastise you for the pizza you’ve ordered tonight. It was far from the approved meal plan, but it wasn’t as easy to find food that fit the diet and still tasted good outside of Japan. Finally, you understood Takemura’s issue with Night City’s synthfood.

Still, if one slice of pizza was going to kill you, you figure it’s a good enough way to go. Anything beats being an Arasaka pencil-pusher for the rest of your days.

“Night City Legend, Felled by PieZ,” the headlines would read, and it wouldn’t even mention the billions you’d cost Arasaka if you died.

Water drips down your jaw and you wipe it away with the towel before tossing it into the hamper. Scooping up an oversized sweatshirt that screamed support for the debut album of SAMURAI, it soaks up the few water droplets you’ve missed when drying and effectively covers the dog tags against your chest. Looking down at the hamper, you wish that Arasaka would sign off on you having a pet finally. Nibbles was doing fine at Victor’s, but you missed that furless cat.

The sound of your holo ringing is accompanied by Goro’s face flashing in your caller ID, and you pick up after a few moments, “Yo?”

“こんばんは,” Goro appears with his hair pulled up into a bun, and you could’ve been fooled that it was the old days if not for the few extra gray hairs he seemed to have now. “Are you ready for tomorrow?”

“What? You worried I’ll disappoint?” you roll your eyes at his pointed look. “You know I’m doing great now, practically would be back to my old self if they’d ever let me get my combat cyberwear.”

“And you know that Arasaka has invested too much in you for you to involve yourself in a Night City street fight. Do not think they will approve all your requests tomorrow, V, regardless of your progress,” he speaks reasonably, and maybe that’s what grinds your gears the most. You know good and well that Arasaka has everything riding on you. If you successfully keep from pushing daisies they’ll move forward with Saburo’s resurrection. Hell, maybe they already were. For their one and only living test subject, you’ve been doing relatively well, if not a little hypersensitive at times still.

“Not every fight in Night City is one you pick. What if I need to defend myself, huh?”

“Do you feel in danger? Has something happened?” Goro’s voice has an edge to it, concern, and you shake your head.

“I’m just making a point. Most folks who die in this city are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. My combat chrome would give me an edge again. Call it an investment in keeping me alive,” you snort, and Goro’s lips quirk upwards at your dry humor.

“You can plead that to the panel tomorrow after you pass all their tests. I think you should… what is the phrase? Not get your hopes up?”

“Did you call me just to bum me out, Goro?” you sigh, moving through your kitchen to rummage through your fridge and find a NiCola.

“Only to discuss reality.”

“I think you’re just scared I’ll kick your ass with all my chrome one of these days for how sassy you are,” the sarcasm drips from your tongue, and this time Takemura does sound thoroughly amused.

“I would like to watch your attempt at that, but I think you will need to remove the pizza from your diet first, V,” then, he hangs up. Never one for drawn-out goodbyes. You think you prefer it that way.

“I could’ve kicked your ass while on an only-pizza diet, once,” you grumble to the apartment around you, taking a swig of the NiCola. The ring of the doorbell breaks you from the thoughts of just how you can get back at Goro for that comment, “Speaking of pizza…”

Barefoot, you stroll towards the door, hoping the delivery guy followed your instructions to leave your food at the door. You don’t want to deal with awkward small talk with another human right now. Not bothering to check the cams to see if your instructions have been followed, you let the door slide open with a swipe of your hand against the key screen.

The door is barely halfway open when a hand catches your throat and forces you back into the apartment, a body forcing you up against the entryway wall as you choke out a startled noise under a firm grip. Terror claws at your skin as you grab at the arm attached to the hand before you manage to get a good look at him when he stills against you, breathing hard. It takes a moment for wide eyes to take in enough of his features to recognize the dark eyes staring back at you.

“J---”

“You couldn’t help yourself from being corpo scum again, could you? Selfish, that’s what this whole thing was--- what you are,” his voice--- oh, fuck, his voice, it rings in your ears in a way it never has before. Deep, familiar, and real. Strained with anger and choked with a breathless fury, but something else breaks against the fire swirling in his eyes--- some relief that settles nearly as devastatingly in your bones as his skin lays heavy and warm against yours.

You can’t believe it. You must be hallucinating. You’ve finally cracked and lost it. Something was malfunctioning in your head, certainly, because there’s no way he’s here.

Your fingertips shake as they reach out, away from the firm grip he still has on your throat, to ghost against the slope of his jaw. The scruff of a beard still remained there, but was shorter than how he had lived in your head. The scars on his face were gone, along with the tattoos on what skin of his you can see beneath the leather jacket he wears. His left hand was at your throat, and it was made of flesh and bone, not metal.

He swats at your hand when you finally touch him, a hurt in his voice that was so real that you couldn’t trick yourself into believing he was just a hallucination, “Did you ever think about what I wanted, huh, when you chose this?”

But you still can’t get past the sight of him, finally managing, “Is… it really you?”

“Fuck yes, it’s me. What’s wrong with you?”

“Johnny,” you gasp his name, nails digging into his pristine forearm, tears nearly blinding you as they well in your eyes at the overwhelming emotion that surges from your chest. You can’t hold it together, trembling against him, and only then does his grip soften at your throat.

His voice sounds devastatingly mournful as he growls in the quiet of your apartment, “You sold us both to fuckin’ Arasaka, V. Look what they did to you. You’re their property. Doesn’t it make you sick? Some things are worse than death, and I doubt ‘Saka will ever leave us to it, now.”

You hear what he’s saying. It sounds just like him, and your heart breaks at the sound. At the warmth of him, and the way his dark hair ghosts around his cheeks slightly shorter than you remember it being before. He’s really here, and he hates you.

His voice cracks, “Why are you crying?”

“I-I missed you,” you confess between the sobs, trying to swallow up the emotion. Damning yourself for not holding it together better than this at the sight of him, but it was such a shock, and only one thing could run through your mind as dreadful regret sank into your soul, “a-and now you’re going to hate me forever.”

He looks at you like he’s stunned by the words coming from your mouth, or maybe he’s shocked it’s all you’re capable of saying when you’ve betrayed him as thoroughly as he perceives.

“Shit, V,” he murmurs, reaching up to drag his thumb against your cheek and wiping away the messy tears that trailed there. He looks down at you like he’s almost annoyed at you for crying, but there’s a strange look in his eyes that you can’t fully place. “I wish it was something as easy as hating you, but I just can’t seem to catch a fuckin’ break.”

The confusion at his words nearly stuns your tears into small hiccups as you breathe, “What?”

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to hate you,” it sounds like dread on his tongue, like fear and grief for the situation you’ve both found yourselves in. It sounds like a confession, from his lips, “I don’t think I’ll be able to forgive you for what you’ve done to me, either. I haven’t felt right without you since I woke up in this damn useless body. Feels like I should still be in yours.”

A breathless huff escapes you, almost akin to a laugh, as you realize what he’s trying to say, “You missed me, too, huh, rockerboy?”

“You’re the only thing about this damned city I missed,” he crowds you in, pressing you fully into the wall with his own body. “Not drugs, not alcohol, not music--- I came back here for you. Bein’ clean and having to put up with those ‘Saka corpo-drones has been the worst time of my life, by the way, but I did it because they said you were alive.” He looks at you, a hint of incredulousness in his eye, when he asks, “What the hell kind of a deal did you make with them?”

You’re terrified to tell him, but you can’t lie to him. Not after everything.

“I’m the reason Saburo Arasaka will live.”

Johnny curses, fury twisting his face, but the defeat is worse, “I should hate you. Fuck, why can’t I hate you?”

“I’m sorry---”

“Don’t lie to me,” he cuts you off, biting, “you’re not sorry. You don’t care if Saburo Arasaka lives or dies so long as we get to live.”

“Fine, you’re right,” anger flares in your own gut, exhausted annoyance lacing your tone, “but is that such a crime? I want to be okay again, Johnny! I want you to be okay, too!”

“And you’ll sell our souls for it?!”

“God, you’re such a dramatic asshole!” you nearly scream, slamming your eyes shut in your distress, “Go ahead and blame me for falling in love with a dead man, too, then! I should’ve known it would kill us both, but I couldn’t stop myself from loving you, Johnny! I wouldn’t have been able to go on knowing I’d left you to die, okay? That’s why I did this! Call me a selfish bitch if you want to; maybe you’re right---”

“Yeah? Well, I guess maybe I’m to blame for falling in love with a selfish bitch,” he growls, so close that his nose touches yours, and your eyes snap open just as he leans in to crash his lips against yours. It’s not wholly unlike the last kiss you shared with him, when he was just sparks on your neurons, and yet it’s entirely different.

There’s a taste to him now, but it’s not the cigarettes you had expected, but more akin to nicotine gum. Has he stopped smoking? He smells like leather and some sort of amber-scented cologne that has you weak in the knees.

But the way he kisses you is what nearly scrambles all coherent thought. He’s so warm and firm against you, the reality of his touch, tongue, and lips against yours desecrates the memory of the slight stimulation your neurons had simulated when he’d been in your head. Johnny seems to be in no better a state at the feeling of you against him, gasping into your mouth when your hands find his hair to drag him closer, and all the while all you can think is how happy you are that he is alive here and now.

It barely feels like it should be real.

He parts from you, catching his breath and staring at you with a look that sends heat rippling down your spine, flushing your skin in its wake.

You blink at him, head lulled back, and whisper through the feeling of having him back, like some piece of your soul coming home, “Fuck, I missed you, Johnny, so much.”

“You’re probably the only one, choom.”

“That’s not true. There’s Rogue, and Kerry---”

“They got their closure when I was hitchhiking in your skull. How can I just waltz back into their lives now?”

You tilt your head at him, “It can’t be that the Johnny Silverhand who was never afraid to die, is actually scared to live?”

He scoffs, leaning away from you with a roll of his eyes, “Is that the kinda’ psychobabble your ‘Saka shrink has been feeding you?”

“Could be,” you shrug, and a glint of the light at the metal around your neck catches his eye, “don’t mean it isn’t true.”

“What’s this?” he invades your space again, dragging a fingertip to loop at the chain at your neck, leading beneath your sweatshirt, and tugging it until the necklace drags into view. Dogtags clink in his hand and his eyes snap back up to yours in shock, “These--- you still have ‘em?”

Your cheeks heat with the find, and you don’t know why it’s so embarrassing even after you’ve told him that you’re in love with him. Of course you would’ve kept his dog tags. It only makes sense, but you want to defend it. The words crawl up your throat, and it takes all you have to swallow them down.

Instead, you reach up to begin to remove them, “You should probably have them back, now.”

Johnny’s hand catches yours, stilling it, “I… don’t know if I’m ready to step back into ‘em right now. ‘Sides, maybe I like the look of ‘em on you.”

You search his gaze, but he seems sure enough about the decision, “Alright. I’ll keep them, for now.”

“Good… It suits you,” a ring of the apartment door breaks you from whatever scrutiny weighed heavy in Johnny’s eyes. “The fuck is that?”

“My pizza this time, I hope,” you huff, pushing him back just enough to escape from between him and the wall. “I don’t know if I can take two of you showing up at my door tonight.”

Johnny trails after you, watching you open the door and pluck the pizza box from the ground where the delivery guy had left it as instructed, “Good news, there’s only one Johnny Silverhand.”

Turning towards him, you smirk, “Luckily.”

“Screw you.”

“You wish.”

[tricksterlatte]

Akeshu Holiday Heist Special WIP

This was going to be a oneshot sequel to my completed Persona 5 Akechi/Joker fanfic, Chase the Joker, set nearly one year after the ending. While I still have a few oneshots set in their future planned, this one's entire concept was changed, and the fic was scrapped. Since I had fun writing their banter, I'm going to post the WIP here anyways. You can read underneath the cut! As it's incomplete, there is no concrete ending to this segment at this time.

Sometimes, life could feel just like a Christmas movie. One could find the true meaning of holiday cheer amidst the chaos, no matter who they are or where they came from. It was a special time of year, and whether people celebrated or not, sometimes beautiful magic happened. 

Joyful moments could be shared underneath the tree as families discover the true meaning of the holiday season, whether related to Santa Clause, the meaning of life, or Kentucky Fried Chicken. True love could be discovered underneath the mistletoe, all while some coworker’s annoying as hell kids at the office Christmas party went ooh or help me or perhaps ew, gross much? On occasion, the stars aligned just right each December, and picturesque moments captured in the mind’s eye forever would feel just like the more diverse Hallmark movies. All three of them, if you were being generous.

It was at these times one must remember Die Hard was also a Christmas movie…which was the evidence Akira needed to utilize for their current situation, no matter how Goro denied it, all while they drove towards some rich bastard’s Christmas bash on a hellbent mission.

Car rides anywhere were enjoyable as long as they were with each other, and in the end that was all Akira could ask for. As Goro rambled on and on about cultural variations of the holiday, and how supposedly none of them involved homicide, Akira just held back laughter while applying the reddest lipstick known to man. He hadn’t ever worn a cocktail dress before today, but no one could deny he looked incredible. He was dressed to the nines in luscious red, a silky wig, and enough makeup that not even his own parents would recognize him, and yet it wasn’t technically for a date. What a homophobic shame dealt to him by the gods themselves.

…Okay, his parents hadn’t seen him in years, and the last time had been Goro punching his father in the face. It was better stated that not even his cat would recognize him, but Akira didn’t want to think about that either. So instead he just bickered with the man he loved.

“Honey, listen,” Akira countered, after Goro ranted for the entire length of some bubbly kpop song about being merry and happy. “I know you pride yourself on being right about everything, and I support you unconditionally, but have you ever considered you’re totally wrong about literally everything? We are living out a Christmas movie right now. I’m right.”

“Stating I’m wrong without providing actual evidence as to why again, Akira?” Goro said with an eye roll, though his rolling eyes struggled to stay focused on the road when Akira’s dress kinda showed his upper thigh. “You would not have lasted one week in a university setting’s debate team, and it shows.”

“Hey, neither of us went to college, on account of me being a sexy criminal superstar and you being sexy and also super dead. At least I read dozens of books on mythology and cultural figures when we still had the Nav,” Akira said right back. “I’m a master debater–”

“I swear if you say ‘and also a masturbator,’ I’m hitting the brakes at mach speed.”

“I mean no, I don’t need to do that when we’re in the same room twenty-four hours a day. Wow, you have such a dirty mind, did you know that?”

Goro finally stared not at the road nor Akira’s legs, but a secret third thing–his smug, stupid face, so he could shoot Akira the nastiest of glares. “Quite the talk from someone who made a kidnapping roleplay joke months after literally being kidnapped.”

Okay, that had been one time. And they were not talking about it. Not if Akira could help it. He finished applying the last of his makeup and examined himself in the mirror. If looks could kill, Akira wouldn’t need a knife tonight. Tragically, he still needed a knife, but at least he was pretty. 

“I never joked about that again, give me and my coping mechanisms some credit. Anyways, enough talk about my abduction. Ever heard of Krampus? He’s like the Mementos Grim Reaper used to be, except real, and festive, and I’m pretty sure he murdered children. How’s that for Christmas cheer?”

“I appreciate the sentiment behind a morally dubious Christmas special, but…Krampus aside, the holiday genre as a whole is ill-suited for activities such as murder, once we put aside frequently debated titles. There is a reason films such as Die Hard and American Psycho are commonly dismissed from a place among happy-go-lucky Christmas movies, and that’s due to them only portraying the holiday as background noise in favor of an action plot. It’s only a timestamp when all is considered, nothing more.”

God, Goro was so pretentious. No wonder Akira was in love with him. Here they were, driving towards some multimillionaire’s holiday party with a heist in mind and also assassination if push came to shove, and yet Goro was blasting some American artist’s holiday music on the Jokermobile speakers and discussing American fucking Psycho versus the concept of Christmas cheer. If he wasn’t wearing nondescript black clothing and gun holsters, Akira would blame the irritated snarl gracing Goro’s face on this Michael Buble person singing some no homo anthem about his buddy Santa.

Akira just giggled in his best falsetto, preparing himself for whatever crossdressing shenanigans he had to pull for their mission tonight, and flipped his wig over his shoulder. Brief little moments of domestic bliss were nice after everything, even if most people wouldn’t get it. 

“Okay, ignore the murder then. We’re still living in a real life romcom whether you think my jokes are funny or not, since my entire life is a joke.” Another unimpressed squint as Goro kept his eyes on the road. The self-deprecation didn’t hit like it used to for either of them. Damn their efforts to rebuild Akira’s self-esteem. Those efforts were getting in the way of dark humor! “It’s December 24th, we’re on our way to crash a Christmas party, and we are romantic and comedic. We even took that don we now our gay apparel song to heart, come on!”

Goro snorted, ever the long-suffering, disgruntled man in the face of whatever the fuck Akira was doing. “That can be said for your outfit tonight, but I don’t recall a black turtleneck ever winning one of those ridiculous ugly Christmas sweater contests.”

“No, see, you’re just dressed like the gay goth cousin who sits at the kids’ table during family gatherings because he hates his homophobic relatives.” Akira knew this because he had once been the gay goth cousin who sat at kids’ tables during their rare family gatherings because he hated his homophobic relatives.

Goro looked from Akira, to the road, to their GPS. His brow furrowed and he bit his lip once he saw how little time was left until their arrival. The plan had been for Goro to park the car and follow behind closely, and Akira would do the actual infiltration with a fake identity and a fake adoration for being surrounded by the rich and pompous. The flashy getup was excessive, in Goro’s opinion, but plenty of Shido’s affiliates, and therefore Goro’s whether he liked them or not, were occupying this little gala. Of the two of them, Akira was less likely to be recognized, especially when dressed like this.

That didn’t mean Goro was fond of the idea whatsoever, but that was only one stressor among the many weighing them down tonight. As Goro parked the car, Akira finalized his appearances one more time, double-checking his heels were just short and thick enough that he could still run in them, and that not a hair looked out of place.

He only became aware of his nervous expression when Goro turned off the radio. Turning to face his partner in crime, he saw anxiety reflected back at him, and Akira gulped down a lump in his throat. “Hey,” Akira said, reaching over to grab Goro’s hand as it held the steering wheel in a vice grip. “I know this time of year is stressful for everyone, but I’m going to be okay–”

“Are you okay, though?” Goro cut him off, flexing his fingers before letting go of the wheel. He squeezed his eyelids shut and visibly fought to unclench his jaw. “You’ve spent the entire car ride cracking ridiculous jokes and making up your own lyrics to every damn orchestra cover that played on the radio, but if you’re trying to hide how nervous you are, you’re not doing a great job. I thought we talked about this.”

Akira winced. Keeping secrets hadn’t been his goal at all, but he couldn’t blame Goro for that train of thought. Old habits die hard, whether trauma was involved or otherwise. He flopped back against the headrest, shifting their hands so their fingers intertwined. Even with gloved hands, the grip grounded both of them. “I wasn’t doing it on purpose. I just know if I think too much about the worst case scenarios, I won’t be able to focus on anything else. I’m worried about you too, though. What’s wrong? Is it about splitting up?”

The telltale twitch of Goro’s hand was all the answer Akira needed. He stayed silent and gave Goro a moment to find his words, taking in his harrowed expression as Goro’s thumb brushed across the various scars all over Akira’s hand. Goro had always wielded words masterfully on television and even in battle, whether they were honeyed vinegar or vulgar curses, but words conveying his innermost feelings still didn’t come easily. Akira wasn’t good at sharing his burdens purposefully either just yet, but they were trying. 

They were both getting better about trust and honesty, but sometimes Akira worried parts of them would always be trapped in the past, terrified of losing one another, or maybe in some long-lost Palace there was Goro, kneeling on some bloody floor or panicking in a hotel room, or there was Akira, trapped in a diner or tied to a chair in that hellish basement or crawling across frozen earth in a desperate rush because he couldn’t let him die, not here, not again–

“You know you don’t have to do this, right?” Akechi’s voice broke Akira out of the spiral before it could properly start. Suddenly Akechi’s head gently bumped into the side of Akira’s, and his thumb rubbed circles against Akira’s knuckles. Right. It was December, in the present day, almost a full year after three no good, very bad days. They were alive. They were okay. “I’ll admit I’m not fond of splitting up. I…I can’t lose you again.” Okay, so maybe Akira wasn’t the only one spiraling over that possibility. “If you no longer wanted to mingle with Shido’s trash, I would gladly take our little getaway car and drive wherever you wish–”

“Nope, I’m still going,” Akira butted in. He wasn’t offended by Akechi’s offer, but he didn’t want to back down now, and he knew Akechi didn’t either. He could do this. It wasn’t like he had to kill a million people, all he had to do was break into some big wig’s computer with a flash drive and then get the hell out of there. Hopefully no one paid attention to him, once they got over the dress and heels. “I have a dagger and I’m not afraid to use it, and I have my earpiece just in case. You have a sword and multiple guns and an actual sniper rifle. Give the both of us some credit! I killed a god three Christmases ago. A little breaking and entering is what the kids call small potatoes.”

Akechi said nothing, but at the rate he was stressing, he would fracture every bone in Akira’s hand, induce heart murmurs faster than you could say four Five Hour Energy shots, and go bald by age twenty-three. Refusing to let the man who was essentially his husband lose all his hair, Akira indulged in their old favorite vice: deflecting and changing the subject. “Also, this isn’t the getaway car. Stop besmirching the good name of our dearly beloved Jokermobile–”

“It’s not a good name at all, Akira,” said Akechi as he forced himself to relax. He didn’t buy the facade, but Akira wasn’t trying to fool him. They both just needed to calm down before they did anything reckless…even if a heist was also reckless. “Your habit of naming inanimate objects is getting out of hand. This isn’t the Jokermobile, it’s a black 2016 Toyota Highlander, and you only named it that because you wanted to make rear-ending jokes.”

Well, it was a good thing they had only been rear-ended by an actual car once, then. Akira took full responsibility for that one, it was his fault for trying to drive with a broken leg. Pour one out for the fire hydrant, the greatest victim of that hit-and-run besides Akira’s psyche. “And yet you never thought of a better name. Checkmate.”

“You’re insufferable,” Akechi sighed. 

“I think you meant irresistible, honey,” said Akira.

“Oh, pardon me. I meant to say you’re irritating and irresponsible. My mistake.” 

Goro didn’t give Akira time to reply before he unbuckled his seatbelt and inspected his holsters. “Do you have the flashdrive ready to go?” Akira reached into a side pocket of his dress and showed Goro the flash drive, shoving it back inside once Goro nodded. “And your dagger?” He flipped his skirt completely to the side, exposing lacy black underwear on top of the dagger strapped to the thigh lacking a dress slit. Goro forcibly ignored that and interrogated him again like the bastard cop he once pretended to be. “And your earpiece?”

Wow, not even a verbal reaction to his underwear of choice? Bummer. Akira rolled his eyes and gently swept the wig away. Barely visible inside his ear was the earpiece, but it was in place just as planned. Smiling and hoping the red lipstick wouldn’t smudge onto his teeth, he flashed Goro a thumbs up. “Yes, Goro, I’ll hear your illustrious voice loud and clear. What about yours?”

“I put mine on before we left. I came prepared, unlike you.”

“It’s not a competition, Goro.”

“Akira, we turn everything into a competition whether we like it or not.”

God, could Goro stop making good points tonight? He was beating Akira in the argument category of the Rivalry Olympics. Fucker. Conceding for now, Akira pouted as Goro let go of his hand to climb into the back. “Do we have any of those canned coffees left?” he asked while Goro inspected his ammunition.

“I grabbed extra at the 777 earlier, along with some other beverages,” Goro replied, briefly ignoring his mission prep in favor of caffeinating the idiotic love of his life. As Goro reached into their cooler, he continued, “Some are black, some have cream or sugar. How do you want your coffee tonight, my dear Joker?”

“Black like my soul, Crow,” Akira replied, fondly recalling his dear pal Satanael on the anniversary of a god’s death. Goro gave him a long, hard look, then hurled a bottle of milk at Akira’s face. Naturally, Akira caught it with all the proficiency in the universe. Then he hurled it right back at Goro, who snatched it from the air without even looking. Well, if Satanael wasn’t allowed, then Arsene better be. “Fine. Something with French roast, also like my soul.”

[megaderping]

Late night SALT activated...

Disclaimer: This post is mainly about really aggressive/hostile fans. Disliking stuff is totally valid and curating one’s online experience is important, but... I’m very strongly convinced that the majority of people who vehemently hate Goro Akechi or Shuake to a really hostile degree either haven’t played Royal, haven’t moved on from base game, haven’t maxed his confidant, or really lack reading comprehension. ‘cause disliking a ship or a character? Super valid! Everyone has their preferences and comfort zones. I would never shame someone who genuinely just... doesn’t vibe with it, finds it uncomfortable, and wishes to avoid content or posts w/ the character or pairing. I also completely understand the frustration of wanting Goro content that isn’t ship-focused, since sometimes fandoms can make a pairing consume a character in fanworks (though I’d argue you can have the pair and still give him agency outside of it, at the end of the day, there will always be people who just don’t want it). But when I see factually incorrect arguments like, “Joker and Akechi hate each other,” I just go... “Did we play the same game?” The game where Joker’s greatest wish was to see Akechi again. The game where Morgana outright states that Akechi doesn’t really hate Joker and Akechi himself laments that they didn’t meet years earlier, and if they had, how they could’ve been friends. A game where it’s made very clear that despite the stupidity of going with the revenge plan with Shido and the lives taken along the way, there was still a disgusting power imbalance with Shido, a grown man in politics, effectively molding a broken teenager into being a hitman... And even the betrayal toward the PT- I feel like Akechi’s offer to have Joker join him was genuine as a sort of last ditch effort to get him out of that situation. The SIU director notes how the plan is way too callous even for Akechi, and after it happens, Akechi tries to downplay the dangers of the PT to Shido, suggesting a part of him, even if only a small one, does feel some remorse.

There’s this messy complexity to Akechi and his relationship with Joker and the PT... and people try to strip it of all of its complexities to make it a bland, black and white matter, and it sucks. It feels like those kinds of people want to turn Akechi into a hatesink when Shido is literally right there. And Kamoshida, and Okumura, and many other awful adults in P5. It’s weird how little flak they get by comparison? And I’m biased- Akechi was a character I developed an attachment to as I reached third sem and his character just came together for me. But it’s so freaking annoying to try and search up art of the character or ship on sites like twitter only to find the worst takes possible. Folks gotta separate their personal feelings from the feelings of the characters. The actual canon interactions and relationships are infinitely more compelling than “Joker/the Phantom Thieves all hate Akechi.” I much prefer what the game presents us- with characters like Haru and Futaba not forgiving him, but still sympathizing with his situation and (perhaps reluctantly) being willing to work with him when it’s absolutely necessary. The friction is just so compelling, because even if he’s a tragic person, his actions still robbed them of loved ones. ...but also, President Okumura requested many shutdowns himself and was an awful person, which also adds to the messy complexity for poor Haru.

Anyway, this is just a late night ramble because I went to find fanart and found annoying tweets. Argh.

[palmtreehero]

Will you continue updating your akeshu fic recs? I feel like we have the same taste so I can only trust in your akeshu recs.

Oh boy, it's nice to know others have the same taste as me haha I guess I do have enough to make a part two of my akeshu fic recs!

I'll put it in a read more ^0^/

1) nsfw, my favorite sugar daddy AU (it's unfinished but leaves at a good spot) https://archiveofourown.org/works/38761800

2) Soulmates AU, Goro Akechi Calls Persona 5 Protagonist Kitten (this fic destroyed me) https://archiveofourown.org/works/28074039

3) Another sugar daddy AU REALLY WELL WRITTEN https://archiveofourown.org/works/32411110

4) Akira runs a kissing booth! (I thought I had rec'd this before but apparently not?? I love how possessive Goro is) https://archiveofourown.org/works/32299783

5) nsfw, yes, another sugar daddy AU (I HAD A PHASE OKAY) https://archiveofourown.org/works/35389438

6) nsfw, I just love sub drop and top drop fics sue me https://archiveofourown.org/works/26374915

7) sleeping beauty bad ending. I love this series... lots of ride or die husband goro akechi, he's akira's one and only knight! https://archiveofourown.org/works/29829624

8) Another sleeping beauty bad ending fic (I had another phase) https://archiveofourown.org/works/48849352

9) Fake dating with cute shenanigans :) https://archiveofourown.org/works/56595781

10) nsfw, domestic and needy akeshu is so sweet https://archiveofourown.org/works/60022594

11) Short and sweet fluff https://archiveofourown.org/works/15799302

12) engine room but Joker is wearing punishment cop outfit, I really laughed out loud reading this it's great https://archiveofourown.org/works/33188542

13) short and sweet comedy haha https://archiveofourown.org/works/30517815

14) miscommunication v_v https://archiveofourown.org/works/27283306

15) Interesting concept where both Goro and Akira have memory loss https://archiveofourown.org/works/29914782

16) secret relationship actors AU... GOODDDD I LOVE THIS FIC but it never updated again... it has literally all the elements for a perfect fic for this trope sob https://archiveofourown.org/works/29546514

17) short and sweet lazy morning https://archiveofourown.org/works/22243645

18) warning: suicide attempt, but the fic is very sweet and I love the bitter sweet feeling so much. Probably has one of my favorite lines ever in fic. “I’m sorry I can’t let you go,” he whispers. “Even if it would be best for you...I’ll never be able to let you go.”  https://archiveofourown.org/works/27918658

19) Fun fic about streamer joker :D https://archiveofourown.org/works/49144162

20) The barista keeps flirting with that customer who clearly is very bothered and annoyed by him..! https://archiveofourown.org/works/35507662

21) sick akira v_v he needs to be spoiled and loved..! https://archiveofourown.org/works/57289483

22) nsfw, funny bed time shenanigans https://archiveofourown.org/works/14823944

23) omegaverse, I really like sussy goro but he's actually just a simp https://archiveofourown.org/works/42394629

24) I enjoy this fic, I think it was brilliant and cute but just a warning it does get super frustrating in the later chapters because of how dumb these two are but I still recommend it :> https://archiveofourown.org/works/36297340

This is it for now...! I'll make a third list once I have more to compile... anyways I hope you enjoy and ofc if you have anything you'd like to recommend to me please let me know ^^

For those who want to see part 1

[vgckwb]

P5R: Rebel Girl (A FeMC Story/P5R Rework) Chapter 233: Man Overboard

The next day, after school, the Thieves met up by the Diet building. “You all saw the video I sent you of Ren and Akechi’s discussion, right?” Futaba asked. Everyone nodded.

“I had no idea,” Haru remarked.

“I think he wanted it that way,” Makoto said. “If someone found out about all of this, his reputation might be on the line.”

“Not to mention his revenge,” Ren said.

Ann looked over at Lena. “How are you feeling about all of this Lena?”

“Huh?” Lena responded. “O-Oh. Well…I can’t say I’m not surprised. But at the same time, I know a lot about Goro already. And as much as it hurts to see him like that, I understand entirely why he is doing this.”

“I wonder what he’s going to be like when we get in there,” Ryuji noted.

“IF we get in there,” Yusuke corrected. “There’s no guarantee we’ll get in.”

“Not with that attitude,” Ryuji retorted.

“I don’t think it hurts to be enthusiastic,” Jose noted, “but we do need to remember that this is a battle, and that we could lose at any time.”

Ryuji sighed. “Fine.”

Sumire chuckled. “It’s alright, Ryuji. I love your enthusiasm. It makes it easier to deal with all of this.”

“Really?” Ryuji wondered.

“Oh totally!” Ann said. “You help me keep things in perspective all the time!”

Ryuji smiled. “Thanks.”

“So, um, should we start brainstorming now, or…?” Haru wondered.

“Right!” Makoto said. They got out their phones. “So, um, Akechi did mention that he views himself as a director. Perhaps we should think along those lines.”

“Like a movie set?” Ryuji asked.

“Location not found.”

“Perhaps it’s a specific studio,” Yusuke said.

“Oh. Like GSJ?” Ann asked.

“Or perhaps Taisen?” Futaba wondered.

“Maybe it’s Destiny Productions?” Sumire said.

“Location not found.”

Jose turned to Lena. “You know Akechi the best. Do you have any idea what it could be?”

“Hmmmm,” Lena pondered. “Well, he did mention Shakespeare, We might be thinking too modern.”

“So, a theater then?” Ren asked.

“Match found,” the phones replied. The world started to distort around them.

Soon, they were in the Metaverse, and in front of them was a massive theater. “Woah!” Makoto yelped.

“I see,” Yusuke noted. “We probably should have thought about live theater sooner. It’s very elegant, and I imagine Akechi is one for elegance.”

“Well, we’re here now,” Futaba pointed out. “We should probably step inside.”

“Hold on,” Ren instructed. “Akechi knows us. We may be walking into something.”

“Are you saying we shouldn’t do this?” Sumire wondered.

“No,” Morgana said. “We just have to be careful.”

Ren smirked “I take it you have an idea?”

“I have a theory,” Morgana said. “If I’m correct, it should give us an edge.”

“Do ya wanna clue us in?” Ryuji asked.

Morgana shook his head. “I’d rather keep my cards close to the chest for now. I feel if I give it away too early, we might lose that edge.”

“Hmmmm,” Ryuji scowled.

“Now now” Ann said. “I know you two have had your quarrels in the past, but I think we should trust him for now. He’s on our side, and has been since the beginning.”

Ryuji sighed. “Yeah, you’re right.” Morgana smirked.

“Should we head in?” Jose asked.

“It’s all we can do at this point,” Makoto said.

“Are you going to be OK, Cupid?” Haru asked.

“No, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it,” Lena responded.

“Oh my!” Haru replied.

“Well, at least you’re honest,” Sumire pointed out.

“Well then,” Ren said, “I guess we should head into the theater.” Everyone else nodded. They walked into the theater. Once inside, Ren cautiously approached the ticket booth. “Um, how much for a ticket?”

“A ticket?” the ticket agent replied. “Why you don’t need a ticket! You’re IN the show!”

Ren nodded. “Thanks.” She stepped back. “Well, good news…”

“We heard,” Futaba said, annoyed. “Man, I don’t want to go on stage. The last time I did, I embarrassed myself so hard!”

“When was this by chance?” Yusuke asked.

“When I was seven,” Futaba replied.

“Well, I mean,” Haru interjected, “it’s not unusual for someone to not be adept at stagework at that age.”

“Trust me…” Futaba moaned.

“Well, I don’t see Goro out here,” Lena informed them. “He’s probably inside.”

“And it sounds like he’s waiting for us,” Makoto said.

“It’s not like this wasn’t expected,” Sumire said.

“We just gotta go in and wait for our cue, huh,” Ren remarked. “Well, the sooner, the better.” She led her team into the theater proper.

As they entered, the seats were packed, and the audience was applauding. “Thank you thank you!” Akechi said. The Thieves looked toward the stage. They saw Akechi in the spotlight, wearing what was essentially a white school marching band outfit, with gold tassels and shoulder pads, a small, red cape, and a red mask with a long, protruding nose. “I hope you are all enjoying the show so far. Rest assured, that dastardly bastard Shido will get what’s coming to him!”

The crowd cheered some more. Akechi looked around the audience. “Oh! My my. I do believe we have some more performers joining us!” A spotlight shone on The Phantom Thieves. “Presenting…” Akechi took a running leap off the stage, doing a series of front flips over the crowd to meet up with them. “THE PHANTOM THIEVES!” The crowd cheered again.

“You know,” Ryuji said, “I love a crowd as much as the next guy, but, um, I’m not so sure about this crowd.”

“Hm,” Akechi chuckled. “Don’t worry. They just LOVE a good show.”

“No offense, but that makes me even more worried,” Ryuji said.

“I take it that this is still the outer layer,” Makoto inquired.

“That is correct,” Akechi said. “If you want to head into the palace itself and attempt to steal Shido’s heart, you’re going to have to perform.”

“What do you mean by that?” Yusuke asked.

“Well, this is a theater,” Akechi reminded them. “The house is full, and they’re expecting nothing short of a five-star production. And I, as the faithful and masterful director, aim to please.” He turned to the crowd. Isn’t that right, audience?!” The crowd cheered some more.

Lena looked up a little. “Um, Goro? Uhhhh, I…I don’t think the person in the balcony seat was cheering just now.”

Everyone else turned their attention to where Lena was looking. They say a figure sitting in the balcony, mostly obscured by shadow. The only things lit up were a pale-looking hand, and limp foot wearing a red heel. “Yeah,” Futaba said. “That person doesn’t look too animated.”

“Perhaps they aren’t entertained,” Haru noted.

Akechi chuckled nervously. “Oh, I can assure you that she’s entertained. In fact, she’s probably getting the MOST enjoyment out of this. She just can’t express it, on account of she’s, well, dead.”

“WHAT?!” Jose yelped.

“I apologize,” Akechi said. “That would be my mother.”

“You-Your MOM?!” Lena yelped.

Akechi nodded. “While she might not be alive, I know she’s looking at this, waiting for the man that ruined her to get his just desserts! And I promise not to disappoint.”

Ren smirked back. “Well, we promise we won’t disappoint either! It’ll make things interesting when the director’s vision doesn’t come to pass.”

“Oh, we’ll see about that,” Akechi said.

Ren stepped forward. “Well, I’d hate to keep this lovely audience waiting. So Mr. Director, what’s our staging?”

“Ah, of course!” Akechi said. He clapped. On the stage, a prop ship with The Diet Building on it appeared, with cardboard waves in front of it, and cardboard desolate buildings in the background.

“Woah!” Sumire said. “That’s…something…”

“Now,” Akechi said, “ As for your places…” He threw his hands out, tying The Phantom Thieves up in string. He then pulled them onto the stage. The Phantom Thieves themselves shrunk to fit onto the prop ship.

The Thieves found themselves on the bow of the ship in disarray. “Hey!” Ann called out. “What’s going on?!”

Akechi’s voice boomed. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience!” They looked up to see a giant Akechi, pulling the strings that he tied them up in. “Without further ado, I believe it’s time to introduce these wonderful cast members!” The Thieves started getting pulled into all sorts of directions.

“WAHHHHHHHH!” Ryuji yelped.

“What’s going on?!” Makoto asked.

“EEEEEEK!” Haru shrieked.

Akechi positioned Ren in front of the audience. “Let’s start with the head of this cabal! Introducing, as the head of The Phantom Thieves, the diligent delinquent, Ren Amamiya!”

He made Ren take a bow. “Urk!” she grunted.

“Next up!” Akechi called out. He positioned Sumire. “The Girl Friday gymnast of the group, Sumire Yoshizawa!”

He positioned her in the middle of a twirl. “Oof! I didn’t stretch enough this morning, it seems.”

“Continuing on!” Akechi said. He positioned Ann. “The blonde bombshell, Ann Takamaki!”

He positioned her in a modeling pose. “This seems a little demeaning…”

“Next!” Akechi said, positioning Ryuji. “The moron with the heart of gold, Ryuji Sakamoto!”

He made Ryuji give a strongman pose. “HEY!” Ryuji called out.

“Up next!” Akechi announced. He positioned Yusuke. “The boy with an artistic flair and icy stare, Yusuke Kitagawa!”

He posed Yusuke in a thinking pose. “How rude!”

“And our next performer!” He positioned Jose. “The genius, curious flower boy, Jose!”

He made Jose give a pose that made him look precocious. “Why is this happening?”

“Moving on!” He positioned Makoto. “The wise counsel with a wild side, Makoto Niijima!”

He posed Makoto in a battle pose. “I guess that’s not the worst thing…”

“Next up!” He positioned Haru. “The elegant, erudite, heiress, exuding exceptional energy, Haru Okumura!”

He made Haru curtsy. “I hate being tied up!”

“Our penultimate performer!” Akechi announced. He positioned Futaba. “The computer hacking, code cracking, stay at home slacking, Futaba Sakura!”

He made Futaba give a nerdy pose, making her adjust her glasses. “This is worse than when I was seven…”

“And finally!” Akechi announced. He positioned Lena. “We have the beautiful, wonderful, and may I say gorgeous, Lena Minamoto!”

He made Lena pose as if she were shocked. Lena chuckled. “Goro thinks I’m gorgeous. Wait…FOCUS!”

“Presenting to you!” Akechi said. “Your Phantom Thieves!” He made all of them make a group pose. The audience cheered.

“Hey!” Ryuji shouted. “What gives?!”

“Why, this is a puppet show, of course!” Akechi said. “I’ve got Shido on a string, and he is dancing to my every whim. And because I know who all of you are, I can make you do whatever I want.”

“THAT’S WHAT YOU THINK!” Morgana shouted.

“What?!” Akechi shouted back. Morgana rushed the stage, shrinking to fit on the prop, and cutting the strings tying up the rest of The Phantom Thieves, freeing them from Akechi’s grasp. Akechi noticed him as he landed. “Who…WHO ARE YOU?!”

Morgana smirked. “The name’s Mona!”

“Huh,” Akechi said. “So, you’ve added a new member I see.”

Ren smirked as well. “Nope!” Akechi was confused. “Mona’s been with us since day one!”

“That’s right!” Ann called. “And he wasn’t even on your stupid list!”

“I was even there when you followed Makoto to identify us,” Morgana continued. “And you didn’t notice me.”

“But-but HOW?!” Akechi screamed.

“Like we’d tell you,” Morgana replied. Akechi grunted, annoyed. Morgana chuckled. “I am the light footed left hand of The Phantom Thieves, the Mysterious Mona!” The crowd cheered at the sudden introduction. “And as long as I’m around, I won't let you control my friends!”

“Tch!” Akechi scoffed. “Very well. But don’t forget, I’m pulling the strings on everything else in this production! If you don’t play your part exceptionally, I might need to pull a few strings to make things more exciting!”

Ren smiled. “Well then…” She struck a pose. “Let’s get this show on the road!”

“YEAH!” The other Thieves cheered. The audience clapped, as the Phantom Thieves naturally struck a group pose.

“So, uh, no offense Mona,” Ryuji said, “but why not rescue us sooner?”

“Oh Skull,” Morgana replied. “We’re here to give people a show. If I did that prematurely, it wouldn’t be as dramatic.”

“It’d be less embarrassing,” Futaba noted.

Haru giggled. “So that was your plan.”

Morgana nodded. “I figured Akechi didn’t account for me, and that something like this could happen. Like you said, I wasn’t on the list.”

“And you don’t stick out as much,” Sumire noted. “As much as I like my red hair, it does kind of give me away.”

“So, what was the plan if Akechi did clock you?” Yusuke wondered.

“Well…” Morgana said, nervously.

“You didn’t have a plan, did you?” Makoto said.

“Not really,” Morgana admitted. He gained more confidence. “HOWEVER, I was confident enough in this one to let it play out, and it clearly worked.”

“Yeah,” Lena said. “As foolhardy as that may have been, it worked out, and now we can investigate!”

“It wasn't foolhardy!” Morgana countered. “It was a calculated risk. If you get a good hand in poker, you don’t show it until you play it to get them to buy into it!”

“Well, whatever the reason,” Ren said, “we can move on and show these people a good time without being tied down.”

“So, where do we start?” Ryuji wondered. They looked at each other.

“Maybe here,” Futaba said, pointing towards the scenery. The Phantom Thieves looked around. When they were viewing the stage from the audience side of things, the water and buildings were cardboard cutouts, but now that they were part of the show, it was as real as it gets.

“This is…” Makoto reacted in horror.

“I…almost don’t want to believe it,” Haru added.

“A desolate landscape where only he and whoever else is on this ‘ship’ survives,” Yusuke said with vitriol.

Sumire looked down. “It’s hard to believe that Mementos is down there.”

“Pardon me,” Akechi interjected, “but what is this ‘Mementos’?”

“What makes you think we’ll answer your question?!” Ann shouted back.

“Careful,” Akechi noted. “I am directing this piece. If you’re not careful, perhaps someone might come along and push you off. Although, it sounds like you may have a means of escape.”

“It sounds like we don’t have much of a choice,” Morgana said.

“Trust me,” Akechi said, “your presence here is the ONLY thing allowing you a choice in this moment, Mona!”

Ren nodded. “Mementos is the place where we go to change the hearts of smaller targets. All of our notable targets have their own palace, like this one. But for those whose desires aren’t as distorted, that’s where we’ll find them.”

“And from the looks of things,” Futaba said, scanning, “this is how Shido is targeting those people as well.”

“Hm. How interesting,” Akechi said. “I have been wondering about the nature of these mental shutdown attacks, but I didn’t want to play my hand too early.”

“See, Akechi gets it,” Morgana said.

“Maybe now isn’t the best time to compare intelects,” Jose said.

“Well, Mona-senpai did one-up Akechi,” Sumire said. “So the comparison is already there.”

“Watch it…” Akechi said, sternly.

“Hey, uh,” Ryuji asked, “are you…going to always be talking to us for this mission?”

“Well, not ALWAYS,” Akechi said, “just whenever I have something to say.”

“Riiiiiiiiiight,” Ryuji replied, “what-what a joy…”

“I kind of like it,” Lena said. “Not just because he’s my boyfriend,” she continued, stumbling, “but it also gives us a glimpse into what the Crusader is thinking.”

“Oh yeah,” Ren said. “We call people who have been influenced by Eris ‘Crusaders’.”

“I see,” Akechi said. “You know, I actually kind of like that name. It’s very apt. I am on a crusade against Shido. So good job whichever one of you came up with it.”

“That would be Ryuji,” Yusuke noted.

“What? No!” Ryuji denied. “YOU came up with the name!”

“Only because you inspired me!” Yusuke said.

“OK,” Morgana said. “As much fun as we’re having, I think the audience might like something other than the bow of the ship.”

“Your mysterious friend is right,” Akechi said. “Perhaps you should enter the ship. But be warned: It IS the belly of the beast. You won’t find many, if any, friends on board. I know how sadistic Shido can be. Are you sure you wish to proceed?”

“We are,” Ren said. “Don’t act like you’re the only one who’s going all in on this.”

“Suit yourself,” Akechi said.

“Let’s go,” Ren said. Everyone else nodded. They walked over to the entrance and opened the door.

To their surprise, they saw an elegant party taking place aboard the ship. A look at the guests showed them that this was a masquerade. “Well, we won’t need to worry about fitting in…” Jose remarked.

“I think this might reflect Shido’s true nature,” Makoto said. “He believes that everyone has a mask, and no one, not even he, shows his true intentions to others.”

“Makes sense,” Sumire said. “He doesn’t seem to trust anyone.”

“I hear that,” Akechi said.

“Well…you…DIDN’T show your true intentions to him, to be fair,” Morgana noted.

Akechi groaned. “Well, it looks like someone earned a visit from one of Shido’s guards.” A shadow appeared in front of them.

“Me and my big mouth!” Morgana lamented.

“We can handle this!” Ren said. They launched into an attack, and proceeded to wipe the floor with that guard.

Once the fight was over, both the audience outside and the people on the ship were cheering. “I can understand the audience,” Haru said, “but the people here?”

“What a great spectacle!” one of the guests noted.

“Indeed!” another chimed in. “Mr. Shido truly knows how to keep his guests entertained!”

“Of course!” a third one added. “We are esteemed guests on his vessel. This is just another sign that we are on the winning team.”

“...I guess they don’t think they’re in danger as long as they’re on this ship,” Lena noted.

“So they think that nothing bad will happen to them as long as they are on this ship?” Yusuke said. “How preposterous!”

“Well, like it or not, Shido has been engineering this situation for a long time now,” Sumire said.

Ren nodded. “And it’s up to us to crash it!”

“Trying to upstage me, eh?” Akechi said.

“Like I told you,” Ren said, “I’m here to upstage Shido. But I don’t mind showing you how it’s done.”

“And ruin my production?” Akechi asked.

“Let’s ask the audience,” Ren said. She stretched out her arms. “ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!” Again, both Shido’s audience and Akechi’s cheered.

“Hm,” Akechi smirked. “Well played. But just know, I need to keep things interesting here too. And I aim to see my vision come to fruition.”

“As do we,” Ren countered.

“Well then, let’s see who’s aim is more true,” Akechi challenged.

Ren nodded. She turned back to her team. “Let’s keep moving.” They moved on, going up the spiral staircases until they found a door.

Once they were on the other side, Morgana’s ears perked up. “The treasure! It’s nearby!” He started rushing across the hall. The others followed.

They got to a set of doors. “These doors are very suspicious,” Ryuji noted. “I wonder where they go.”

“Um, Skull,” Haru said. She kindly pointed to the sign above that sad “Representatives Chamber”.

Ryuji looked at it for a bit. “Ummmmmmm…”

“It’s the Representatives Chamber,” Ann informed him. “It is in English, which isn’t his strong suit.”

“Oh,” Haru said. “My apologies.”

“No worries, Noir,” Ryuji replied.

“Pardon me,” Akechi said. “What are these codenames?”

“Well, a Phantom Thief can’t use their own name, now, can they?” Morgana replied.

“But I already know your names,” Akechi said. “Well, most of your names.”

“But Shido doesn’t,” Futaba countered.

Ren smirked. “You know what, Akechi’s right. Let’s all shout our names in Shido’s head. That way, Shido will know who we are, and he’ll come and deal with us; leaving Akechi with less leverage than before.”

“I see your point,” Akechi said. “As much as I don’t like this arrangement, if something were to happen to me, you might be the only other people capable of taking him down.”

“But you don’t even want to take him down,” Lena countered. “You want him to be Prime Minister so you can control him.”

“Well, I’m bringing him down in an emotional sense,” Akechi argued.

“By letting him get away with all of this?” Jose asked.

Akechi sighed. “You just don’t get it. Once he’s in charge, and I control him, I will bring about some much needed change to this country. What I will do will improve the lives of millions of people, while only making one man SUFFER!”

“I don’t think you need to sacrifice so much for that big of a change,” Sumire said. “In fact, it almost feels insulting.”

“Are you saying I’m a bad person?” Akechi asked.

Sumire shook her head. “Not bad, just…lost. I felt similarly after losing my sister. I wanted nothing more than to have her back. But I’ve stopped looking in the past. Right now, I’m looking towards the future. We can’t change the past, but we can make the most of our future.”

“Hm,” Akechi smirked. “I can see why you two make such a good couple.” Sumire chuckled, embarrassed.

“Violet is right though,” Lena said. “As much as I think we work well as a couple too, we aren’t seeing eye to eye right now. And I know that there’s…a lot with you and Shido, but I think we can work it out without you having to do this.”

There was a silence. “...I’m sorry,” Akechi replied. “But I cannot abandon this mission. I’ve come too far to let it go.”

“I know how you feel, Cupid,” Morgana said. “But right now, he’s under Eris’ influence. It’ll be hard to break him of it.”

Lena nodded. “Well, if you win, perhaps you can show us your way.”

“I like the sound of that,” Akechi replied. “And I suppose it’s only fair to invite you to show me if by chance you win.”

Lena nodded. “Deal!”

“So, where were we?” Yusuke said.

“Right!” Makoto said. “This door.” They looked at the door some more.

“There’s no doubt in my mind,” Morgana said. “The treasure is just beyond here.”

“But there doesn’t appear to be any handle or doorknob,” Jose pointed out.

“No, but there are those slots,” Futaba said. “From the looks of it, it seems like six keycards are needed to enter.”

The TV in the upper left corner started blaring. “Alright, that is 475 votes for, and 0 against. The motion passes as drafted!” There was applause.

“What’s going on there?” Ryuji asked.

“From the looks of it, it seems like a vote is taking place,” Sumire said.

“And judging from the sound of it,” Yusuke said, “anything Shido drafts passes with unanimity.”

“So he’s just stuffing the Representatives Chamber with yes men?!” Ann replied.

“How truly vulgar,” Makoto replied.

“Well, I mean,” Lena interjected, “not to take Goro’s side, but if what Shido drafts is actually ghostwritten by Goro, it wouldn’t be so bad.”

“While that’s not incorrect,” Ren said, “it is a bit of an insult to the people as Violet mentioned.”

“Yeah,” Jose said. “Ideas are supposed to be discussed and shaped by many different viewpoints. If we’re only listening to one person, be it Shido or Akechi, it’s an affront to the human condition.”

“Woah!” Futaba said. “When did you get so philosophical?”

“I sometimes hang out with the philosophy students at Kosei,” Jose admitted.

“Wait, you hang out with the philosophy students?!” Yusuke wondered. “How did you swing that? They are an elite group.”

“I just asked them questions,” Jose said.

“That…sounds about right,” Haru said.

“Well, Sunshine is also kind of popular,” Yusuke said. “What with him being a prodigy and all.”

“Eh heh,” Jose chuckled. “I’m sure the novelty will wear off sooner or later.”

“Back to the matter at hand,” Makoto said. “How do you think we get these keycards?”

“Well,” Sumire said, “we can’t enter the chamber if Shido doesn’t trust us enough to vote with him. Perhaps they’re with people he can trust.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Morgana said. “Maybe if we can collect these keycards, it’ll symbolize us earning Shido’s trust. Well, as much as a man like him CAN trust.”

“So, how do we find out who has them?” Ann asked.

Lena looked up. “Hey Goro!”

“Of course, I know who has them,” Akechi replied, “but I’m not telling you.”

Lena shrugged. “I thought it was worth a shot.”

“Well, if Akechi won’t help us, then maybe some of these passengers will,” Haru offered.

“Huh,” Futaba remarked, “I hadn’t thought of that.”

“Do you think they’ll help us though?” Yusuke asked.

“Well, as with Cupid attempting to fish the answer from Akechi, I don’t think it’d hurt to ask,” Sumire said.

“Violet’s right,” Morgana said. “All the people here think they’re safe so long as they’re on this ship. So long as we remain calm, we shouldn’t really set off any alarms in questioning.”

“Besides,” Ryuji added, “I’m sure knowing where to find them is one thing, but getting them is a whole other ballgame.”

“Wow,” Makoto said. “That’s some solid reasoning coming from you.”

“Eh heh, thanks,” Ryuji chuckled.

“Should we be worried if someone tries to attack us for this?” Ann said.

Ren shook her head. “I doubt Shido would let people on this ship if they couldn’t hold a simple conversation.”

“Still, it never hurts to be careful,” Makoto warned them.

“In any case,” Haru said, “let’s ask around, and meet back up to discuss what to do moving forward.” Everyone nodded, and split off.

On their way to ask for information, Morgana noticed something. “Joker!” Ren turned her head. “Look!” He pointed to a brochure stand. “Perhaps there’s a map in all of this.”

Ren grabbed one and perused through it. “Bingo! You hit the nail on the head.”

Morgana chuckled. “Well, that’s one less thing we have to worry about.”

A few minutes later, the Thieves met back up. “What’d you all find?” Makoto asked.

“I have a few things,” Ann said. “Not a lot, but something.”

“Perhaps we can put our pieces together to get a bigger picture,” Yusuke said.

Futaba nodded. “I sensed a safe room close by. I think we should discuss things in there!”

Everyone nodded. “Lead the way,” Ren said. Futaba led them to the safe room. Once they were situated, Ren asked “So, what did everyone find?”

“Well,” Sumire said, “it seems like we need to get letters of introduction from the six VIPs, and those become the keycards.”

“That sounds about right,” Morgana said. “I doubt Shido would give them to just anyone. Any leads?”

“Well,” Makoto replied, “according to my investigation, one of these VIPs is a politician named Ooe. Apparently, he can be seen in the restaurant looking out the window.”

“Um, let’s see…” Ann continued. “I heard that one of the VIPs used to be nobility, and that he hangs out by the pool.”

“My turn,” Yusuke interjected. “I’ve heard that one of the VIPs is the president of a TV company. He’s apparently playing the slots.”

“Oo! Oo! Me next!” Futaba said.

“YOU got info?!” Ryuji wondered.

Futaba nodded. “I eavesdropped! The VIP I heard about is the president of an IT company, and he keeps himself cooped up in his room. Can’t say I blame him.”

“Um, I figured one out too,” Jose said, “but I don’t know if I understand it. From what I’ve gathered, one of the VIPs is a cleaner? But that can’t be right, can it?”

“Well, we won’t know until we look into it,” Haru assured him. “But I think we might go after some of the ones we’re more sure on first.”

“I know the last one then,” Lena said. “And it makes about as much sense as Sunshine’s. Apparently, one of the VIPs is Shido’s Errand Boy.”

“Well, it makes sense that someone close to Shido like that would be within his trusted circle,” Morgana noted. “But it is weird nonetheless.”

Ren nodded. “So that’s the politician, the noble, the TV company president, the IT company president, the cleaner, and the Errand Boy. Got it?” Everyone nodded.

“Well then, shall we get started?” Ryuji asked.

“Actually,” Akechi interrupted. “I do believe that this will do it for the prologue! Will The Phantom Thieves have any luck tracking these six VIPs and gaining the keycards required? We will find out, after a brief intermission.”

The world started shaking around The Phantom Thieves, as the ship around them turned more prop-like. Suddenly, the ship was gone, and the Thieves were back on the empty stage. They noticed the audience getting up and moving about the theater. Well, most of them anyway.

“Hey, what gives?” Ryuji said. “Weren’t we in a safe room?”

“Rest assured,” Akechi said, “you’re safe over here. It’s only when the story is progressing that you will be in danger.”

“Well…that’s lovely,” Ryuji noted.

“How often are you going to stop the show?” Sumire asked.

“Well, I guess it depends on how well you do and where I can find a natural act break,” Akechi noted. “Seeing as you guys aren’t on my strings anymore, I need to rely on you to do some of the heavy lifting, so long as you're challenging…I was going to say ‘me’, but you push back on that every time, and I don’t want to get corrected again, so I’ll say ‘this’.”

“Fair enough,” Ren said. “I think we could use a break too.”

“For real?” Ryuji wondered.

Ren nodded. “Today was…a lot, and if we’re going up against some of Shido’s most trusted confidants, like you said, it won’t be easy.”

“Oh. Right,” Ryuji said.

“Well then, Mr. Director,” Morgana said, “We’ll be taking our leave for now. But don’t fret. We’ll have your audience entranced soon enough.”

“I can’t wait,” Akechi said. The Thieves nodded, walked off the stage, out of the theater, and back to the real world.

[twilightknight17]

Yesterday on P5T, it’s a nice day for a white wedding~

Namely, Joker fantasizing about his wedding. And my gosh am I happy that you can fantasize about marrying any of your teammates.

I watched them all, and I’m impressed that they’re all actually well-done? Like, damn. Good job, Atlus. They’re all a little silly, of course, but there’s some genuine moments in all of them. Now I’m even more annoyed that Goro and Sumi aren’t here. Akira’s just as close to them, if not closer in some ways. This isn’t even real, it’s all in Joker’s head, so like, it’s not like the other Thieves would be uncomfortable if he was an option.

So we broke the rest of the rebel army out of prison, and now we’re finally ready to take the fight to Marie directly!

(As far as you remember, Ann! *cries in PQ2* *cries louder in Hours*)

These two are such a fun team. And Toshiro’s finally growing a spine, with everyone’s support. This war sequence is great. We gave the little hats cannons!

The Rebel Corps is going to keep the main army distracted so the Thieves, Toshiro, and Erina can get into the castle itself and go after Marie. So they make it in, and find a projector revealing part of Toshiro’s missing memories. Apparently she is both his fiancee, and one of the shadowy figures from the beginning. Turns out, the real Marie, Marie Anto, is a CEO’s daughter that his father arranged for him to marry. As I told Po when I was texting her about it, Toshiro’s family gets money, Marie’s family gets power, Marie gets to be the wife of a future Prime Minister, and Toshiro gets… emotional abuse. X’’’D

We get to have a brawl in the fancy dining room, though, so that’s awesome.

After that, we find a creepy bear in a hallway that represents Marie’s view of Toshiro, and it gives him a major wakeup call about how he’s acted and how people see him. It steels his resolve to go after Marie, and he’s ready to push forward.

Also the sprite of Makoto grabbing Morgana after the bear starts talking is adorable.

So now it’s into the chapel to face Marie! And she’s a terrible person. But we knew that! And Toshiro finally finds the courage to stand up to her, which pisses her off enough to provoke her into a fight.

She throws exploding bouquets, tries to run us over with her tank, and keeps using that stupid collar and chain to single out one of your fighters to drag them in front of the tank and target them. It’s a tough fight and it requires a lot of maneuvering, but it was good!

After a certain point, she full-heals herself, and while she’s gloating, Toshiro has a spark of inspiration and runs off. This man gets into the rafters and drops the chapel bell on Marie once we get her in position. Get rekt, lady.

She whines and cries about how she was just taking what she deserved. Yeah, yeah. But then as she fades, she ends on this ominous note:

But we’ve won! It’s all good! Erina makes the announcement that the Kingdom is free, and so many rebels flood into the room to celebrate that we lose Yusuke somewhere in the mob. XDDD

Finally, we can approach the door at the back of the chapel. The same as the door that brought us here. It’s time to take Toshiro and go home, knowing that Erina and her world are safe now. Akira opens the door, and the Thieves walk through…

...into Feudal not-Japan.

Toshiro gets recognized as a wanted criminal after trying to help a young lady being bullied by soldiers, and the young lady leads us to safety in the hallowed halls of… Leblanc. Again. These Kingdoms are centered around Toshiro, so why is Leblanc, of all things, showing up repeatedly?

...what?

But we’re putting a pin in that and going inside. This girl’s name is Yuki, once again the only person in a world of hats. They’re lucky they’re cute, or this would be really weird.

The Kingdom is ruled over by a beatific tyrant named Lord Yoshiki, who takes the appearance of an all-loving Buddha. The citizens adore him, because if they don’t, they’re whisked off to the “Labor of Love”: a work camp.

Erina, who came with us on accident after sticking her head through the door to try to catch a glimpse of our world, wants to help free these people, too. And the Thieves theorize that if there was a door in Marie’s castle, there’s probably one here as well. Lavenza doesn’t know what’s going on, no one has any better ideas, so we’re set up and ready to topple another corrupt ruler. Who, let’s be real, is probably the other shadowy person from the opening.

.

So, still having a good time with this! Interesting that the second… person… oh man, THIS is the game where we needed to call them Monarchs, jesus Atlus. Anyway, interesting that the second Monarch is also on about a twisted form of love. I wonder if this is gonna be a recurring thing?

The sidequests are genuinely tricky, and are more puzzle-like than the main story battles. It’s actually really fun to figure out how to work the mechanics to reach the goal they’re asking for.

I do wish that you could just sell your old weapons in the shop menu, or buy new weapons from the Velvet Room. Having to leave the shop, go into the Velvet Room, sell the weapons, and then come back to buy the gun I couldn’t afford was a little weird.

I really like Erina as a character so far. She seems at least a few years older than the Thieves, but not by much, and it’s nice to see how she fits in with the group without being a Thief herself. Not that she doesn’t want to be; it’s cute seeing her trying to summon a persona when no one is looking. (Love the dialogue option to just yell “Persona!” back at her. XD) I genuinely don’t know if she’s going to have a persona in the end. Toshiro, maybe. Zenkichi got one, after all. But Zenkichi also had a few more points in his favor in terms of likeability when I was 13 hours into Scramble. XDDDD At least the wet blanket has upgraded to merely damp.

I am rethinking that Erina is his kid. Like, she’s clearly connected to him somehow. If the Monarchs are people he knows in the real world, the rebel leaders (using that term loosely for Yuki) are probably people he knows, too. But this man does not have a speck of Dad Energy anywhere in him. He’s not even up to uncle status right now. He is not invited to Coffee Dad’s Coffee and Dads Meetup. XD

So, with the Thieves still trapped in the metaverse, and the future uncertain, we press on. But at least one person is having a good time.

[leonawriter]

I did actually finish the book earlier, and - I have to say, it was a good read. The character of Akechi was very human, and very emotional; you could tell when he got tricked, and when he was offended or taken aback. Likewise, the friendship between him and Inspector Namikoshi is clearly visible.

Lupin is... fascinatingly handled. There are a lot of ties and call-backs to previous Lupin stories, and you can really see that Ranpo was respecting the source material much like someone who really respects the canon of a series nowadays, but still writes fic because they’re disappointed in some way... and for Ranpo, that was the blatant white nationalism inherent in Leblanc’s work, and yes, he used those words, putting them in Akechi’s mouth. At one point Akechi exclaims in dismay how Lupin is well known for not killing, yet is still subject to the same “white nationalist” disease of others of his kind (I’d find it, but the book is out of reach), and referenced how in another of Lupin’s adventures, he’d killed Moroccans without much of a care.

In short, the whole story was a showcase of how in spite of the character being beloved and sparking off the Phantom Thief ideal, the author - and thus through him, the character - isn’t immune to the prejudices of being part of a privileged majority who sees themself as higher than others.

At the same time, Lupin is still a beloved phantom thief character; as such, if he were to be arrested it would be like saying “my detective can do what Sherlock- sorry, Herlock Sholmes could never do, and is better than him.” It’d be hubris of the highest degree! So Ranpo manages to have Akechi win against Lupin in such a way that although he gets the stolen goods back, and the Lupin’s new girlfriend has to go back to her family, but on the other Lupin gets away with his life and his freedom. Akechi gets the legal win, Lupin goes free to steal another day.

I’m still not sure how I feel about the whole deal with Lupin’s girlfriend, Fujiko having to go back home; on the one hand, she clearly liked her boyfriend, and we don’t know how she’ll be stuck back at home under her family’s eye, but on the other hand Lupin in the story is racist and looks down on Japanese people, and liking one girl doesn’t mean he’s cured of being racist toward her. For all we know, Akechi saved her from being used and left further down the line. 

Ever since I saw her name, I made a connection to the Fujiko of Lupin 3rd, and it makes me wonder if, even if they’re not the same person - or even directly connected to each other in a meta, narrative sense! - perhaps the later Fujiko was this Fujiko’s granddaughter, or someone who named herself after a forebear she looked up to. It’s possible, after all. 

In terms of Persona 5, it was really interesting to see a lot of parallels with Goro Akechi’s story, even if just in the beats and themes of it. The Gold Mask can be both the Phantom Thieves but also the Black Mask; at one point Kogoro Akechi is literally in a “black mask” as an “occidental devil” and... huh, sounds familiar, right? Some situations play out in familiar ways. I have to wonder if the people coming up with the story read the book; it’s probably a well-known one over in Japan purely because Akechi’s almost as popular as Holmes over there in terms of pop culture, and Japan also loves Phantom Thieves. I still find it fun to imagine scenes of the book but with Goro Akechi instead of Kogoro, temporally displaced, annoyed, and confused.

I’m rather curious now how other books of Ranpo’s about his Akechi will compare. I have the Early Cases, but The Fiend With Twenty Faces is supposedly Ranpo’s way of creating a version of Arsène Lupin without using that name earlier on, and I’m wondering how similar and how different the two are.

All in all, the pace was fast, the narrative was fun, and it did a good job of keeping the tension and suspense going. It was a fun read, and I’d rec it. :)

[ecargmura]

Delusional Monthly Magazine Episode 1 Review - A Very Weird Premiere

Sometimes, you just want to watch an anime that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Delusional Monthly Magazine is one of those animes. It’s a huge “WTF did I just watch” type of anime and I’m all for it, honestly. I’ve noticed that I do have this odd tendency of reviewing anime that no one else watches. I just hope that this turns out to be something decent and not be a train wreck like The Marginal Service.

To be honest, this anime doesn’t actually explain a lot. What I’ve deduced from this episode alone is that this scientist in green, Goro Sato, is searching for the Delusional Monthly Magazine publisher in hopes that they’d publish his article about the elusive Mo Continent and the remnants of the lost continent, the MOParts left by the residents, the Motarians. Goro is in possession in one of the MOparts and because of this, he is targeted. He drags Delusional Monthly Magazine editor Taro J. Suzuki, his assistant Jiro and his dog Saburo into all of the mess. From the get-go, I can tell that this is a premise about the lost continent of Mu and OOparts. The tale of the Mo Continent is almost like the tales of the Mu Continent. The only difference is that Motarians are most likely furries while Mu people are not. I do think that the Motarians are inside the MOparts, which is why Taro changed into one.

I also noticed that in this show, the characters have their names in Western order. Instead of Taro having his name as “Suzuki Taro J”, it’s “Taro J. Suzuki”. Goro’s name isn’t ordered as Sato Goro, it’s Goro Sato like how it’d be said in a Western country. While their names are Japanese, it kind of shows that Most City isn’t exactly in Japan and that it’s more of a western city as we have characters with Western names like Catherine, the editor-in-chief and Nancy, the receptionist lady at the marriage consultant place. The summary of this show even states that the city is located in an unknown country. Love the self-awareness.

The characters don’t really show much other than a few traits. Taro is a slacker in life and his dream is to be a househusband so that he doesn’t have to work. He has this weird scar on his forehead, but he doesn’t become Harry Potter; instead, he becomes a furry. For being the protagonist, he doesn’t really show much. Other than his weird scar, he has some hypersensitivity towards supernatural beings, as shown with him freaking out over the little spirit that looms over Goro. Jiro is a kid who doesn’t like being treated as a kid. He has mysterious healing powers that he doesn’t show to people. Saburo is a dog and probably the smartest character in the show. Goro looks more like a leprechaun than an actual scientist. Also, I’m surprised he’s 18 years old. He seems to be that one dude who’s gonna be Taro’s total opposite in terms of passion and drive. His main trait, other than being fascinated with the Mo Continent is that he has corns on his toes. Why do we need to know this? Anyways, I do hope that we know more about these characters because a lot was shown but not told. I don’t even know anything about the side characters. I can tell this show doesn’t take itself seriously because of how those villains in shades acted. When Goro was asking if they were after his MOparts, they were wondering about that to themselves.

The animation is decent. For a OLM studio production, it’s average in terms of quality. Compared to how beautiful Pokemon Horizons and The Apothecary Diaries look, this looks a bit underwhelming, but it’s the first episode. I’ll let that slide. The music is actually really annoying. It’s really loud and I can’t hear some of the dialogue at times. All of these trumpets remind me of Gen 3 Pokemon games; instead of a symphony, the trumpets used here feel like a cacophony.

The voice actors are actually pretty good for a show like this. Four of the characters here were in Boeibu! Taro’s voice actor Takahide Ishii was in the spinoff sequel of Boeibu, Happy Kiss as the main character Nanao Wakura. Jiro’s voice actor Kazutomi Yamamoto voiced Yumoto Hakone in Boeibu. The dog Saburo is voiced by Yusuke Shirai who voiced Io Naruko in Boeibu and he’s also Sasaki in Sasaki and Miyano; yes, Sasaki-senpai became a DOG! The last Boeibu actor is the blue-haired guy in the end who is voiced by Tomokazu Sugita, who voiced Yumoto’s brother Gora. This feels like a Boeibu reunion and I’m enjoying it. Goro’s voice actor is Shunichi Toki, who voiced another green coded character in Hokusai from Paradox Live—the voice he uses for Goro and Hokusai are so different; I can’t believe they’re the same person.

I honestly have no clue what’s going to happen in this anime, but I think that’s the fun of it. It’s crazy and weird and that interests me. How much weirder will it become? That’s why I’ll be tuning in until the end to see if I regret my life choices later on. If you’re watching this show, what are your thoughts on the premiere?

[merge-conflict]

amusing myself by collating a list of all the "definitely not flirting" back and forth between johnny and valentine in my long fic. it's all just a way for them to annoy each other, of course. they don't really care about each other, of course. (of course)

—

Johnny was quiet for a moment, but she could still feel his irritation under her skin, like an electrical current. <You’re one stubborn motherfucker, you know that?>

<That’s why you like me, isn’t it?> She relaxed her smile, wished in vain that she could hit him square in the jaw, lay him out on the floor. Be left alone in peace.

<Don’t get all mushy on me. You’re not my type.>

—

<He can take care of himself. You got a bad habit of getting attached to every lost cause and sorry son of a bitch you find.>

<I do wish we were a little more unattached.>

<Please. If I had a body you’d be all over me.>

<If you had a body I would punch you in the face.>

<Exactly.>

V laughed, despite herself, sitting abruptly down against the coffee table with a pillow in her arms.

—

<You know a little fucking gratitude for trying to save your life would be nice.>

<New from Johnny Silverhand: Broken-Hearted Valentine.> V was caught up entirely in the idea. A stylized version of her synthetic heart, with the Samurai logo superimposed on it for the album cover. Some sort of Lucifer fall from grace, complete with wings, Johnny’s left arm outstretched. <If things don’t work out you have permission to use my likeness.>

“What is so funny?” Goro demanded.

—

He stretched up on the balls of his feet, crossing his arms over his chest. <Not only did I survive I had the best sex of my life inside that car. Even had an audience.>

The elevator doors screeched open, and V stepped through. <So your story has finally reached its climax.>

<Well you know, I like to build up the tension first. Makes for a more satisfying ending.>

<Is that your big secret?> She hit the button, waiting impatiently until the doors closed and the entire elevator lurched upwards. <Been a lot of improvements in that field since you were around.>

—

<Too good for a flak vest and a decent pair of boots,> Johnny said, a little drowsily.

<Not a look I can pull off.>

<I don’t know,> he said, and then went quiet. Amused.

—

“Oh, so front seats to fucking Ragnarok. No thanks.”

“We get through this, the end of the world should be easy. Who knows, maybe we’ll be the only two left alive.”

That made her laugh. “If you were the last person on earth, maybe.”

“Yet another good reason to live.”

“I’m not going to fight Arasaka.”

“If you really thought that you wouldn’t agree to let me have your body. What do you think I’m going to do with it?”

“Get laid.”

And then, two times where they definitely don't give a fuck about each other, no sir:

“The kind of man who would destroy the tower a second time.”

She exhaled. “Exactly.”

“When this is finished, I hope they shred him.” The conviction in Goro's voice surprised her. As was the idea that perhaps some part of it was on her behalf.

But whatever she felt about Johnny (best not to feel anything about Johnny), she didn’t want him shredded, like he was nothing more than retired hardware. Too dangerous to live even at the disconcerting edge of human existence. Would it be so easy for them to destroy T-Bug and Jackie a second time? And after all the inexorable changes, what did that make her?

“I guess we’ll see,” she said with a smile, for his benefit.

—

<Rise and shine, motherfucker. You are not allowed to abandon me here with your aging joytoy, alright?> He could feel her breathing faster again. <C’mon, V…>

<Johnny?> Her response was slow and syrupy.

The wash of relief that followed would have been embarrassing, if he thought she would remember it. <Mornin’, sunshine. How you feeling?>

[etherbonded]

learcarum​:

masa  didn’t  say  anything  at  all,  he’s  hearing  the  exact  same  stuff  he  used  to  say  to  his  own  older  brother…  after  all,  masayoshi  knew  about  the  metaverse  and  he  knew  better  than  anyone  about  shido  and  his  palace.  this  kid…  god,  he  knew  he  was  a  brat  when  younger  but  he  never  had  to  deal  with  himself.

“  i  know  what  you’re  doing,  goro.  i  understand  why  you’re  hiding  it  from  me,  but  don’t  think  by  a  second  you  can  lie  to  a  liar  and  he  wouldn’t  know  about  it.  ”  masayoshi  winked  before  grabbing  his  bag  and  throwing  over  his  shoulder.  “  you  and  your  mother  both  have  this  habit  of  trying  to  protect  me  as  if  i’m  the  innocent  one  of  the  story,  haha!  truth  is,  i’m…  even  worse  than  you  can  imagine.  ”

masayoshi  knew  about  the  metaverse  better  than  anyone  after  all.  he  won’t  say  anything  else  before  humming.  “  the  weather  affects  them…  tonight  is  gonna  rain,  so,  be  extra  careful.  ”  and  by  them…  he  means  the  shadows.  “  so,  tomorrow  at  dinner,  then?  i’ll  wait  patiently  for  you  and  your  friend.  ”

His brother, as much as he loves him, causes him to feel a bit annoyed at times. Goro knows more than he lets on, and it’s staying that way, afterall his father did have a file as to suspect Masa to have been causing mental shutdowns that weren’t planned on his account. He hadn't expected his father to have stuff like that, but then again neither had he expected his father to have metaverse spies. Goro knows his brother is far from innocent, and Goro knows that he, himself, isn’t innocent either. Not anymore. “ I’m not lying nor hiding anything from you, dunno what you mean. Seriously, I’m just busy with my part-time job at the flower shop. “

“ I know you’re far from innocent Mr. ‘I cook better with poison’.“ A laugh leaves Goro’s mouth as he shakes his head. “  I heard mom that night she was scolding you for nearly slipping about your ‘secret ingredient, I just never said anything, figured it was just all apart of your job or whatever. “

Goro won’t admit to it, much like he wouldn’t admit he was being bullied when he was younger but, he knows Masa knows to some degree. But he doesn’t know the full of it, for he doesn’t know every detail Goro has put into his plan of killing his father. Masa though, is met by silence when he mentions how the weather affects them, he’s not going to dignify it with a response. As in, he’s refusing to confirm or deny the fact he does indeed know about the metaverse. “ Yep, sounds good to me. And thank you, just... please try to not be so on the fence with him like mom is. He already feels self-conscious about it and I can tell. “ And it’d also upset Goro quite a bit.