#kouaka fanfic

[pearlsephoni]

Inevitabilities

Can also be read on AO3!

Rating: T

Fandom: Psycho-Pass

Pairing: Shinkane (Akane/Kogami)

Characters: Akane Tsunemori, Shinya Kogami

Word Count: 1.2k

Summary: In their line of work, certain sacrifices are always to be expected. That doesn't make preparing for them any easier.

A/N: Written for @shinkaneweek Day 2: timely preparation for future eventualities. c/w for discussions of death and grief. Further author's notes can be found on AO3.

🕊

It was a beautiful night. Kogami was back from a mission, letting them pass an evening cooking and working on separate casework, before Akane abandoned her chair in favor of slouching over his shoulders, her whole body jostling from his soft chuckles as she leaned against his back.

Now they were on the couch, her legs draped over his, reading different books and occasionally breaking the silence to read out a quote, whether it was striking or ridiculous or funny. Her heartbeat was steady, calm, matching the rhythm of his thumb as he drew arcs along the inside of her bare ankle. The soft light of the floor lamp was all that illuminated their books, letting the rest of the apartment be washed by the silvery moon and bright neon lights of the city.

It was domestic, comfortable, perfect. Akane hated to ruin it.

She gave herself until the end of her chapter, then slid her bookmark into place and slowly shut her book. She felt the weight of Kogami’s eyes flickering towards her, even though she was looking away to set the book aside. But he didn’t say anything, simply slid his own bookmark into place and placed the book on the coffee table, before turning his focus completely on her. A silent signal that he was ready.

“Um…Kogami-san.”

“Yes, Inspector?”

She grimaced at the teasing note in his response. “Shinya.”

“Yes, Akane?”

“I, ah…I’ve been assigned a new case.” His brows furrowed, but again, he didn’t say anything. “My assignment comes straight from Kasei.”

Now those brows raised, but still no response. “It’s…known to be dangerous. The Division assigned to it lost one of their Inspectors, so—”

“No.”

There was nothing light in Kogami’s voice now. It was all steel, perfectly matching the sharp edge of his gray gaze. Akane flinched, as though she could feel the edge of his words, but she powered through. “I wanted to tell you, in case something happens to me—”

“Akane, no.”

“I’ve set my journal to respond to your fingerprint—”

“Akane—”

“—and all of my most important codes and passwords will be in there, behind some other—”

“Stop it—”

“—I’m sure you’ll be able to find your way around—”

“Stop!”

The barked word seemed to echo around the room and bounce between the couple as they stared, wide-eyed, at each other. “Stop,” Kogami repeated, voice softer with appeal. “Don’t tell me you’re planning on…on…”

“It’s not like I’ll have much say in the matter,” Akane muttered with a humorless scoff. “I’m not sure how closely you’ve been following the new reports, but his victims don’t exactly volunteer.”

“You’ve survived worse cases. You’ve outwitted smarter murderers. You fought and you won.” He met her gaze and held it, his glinting eyes cutting straight through her walls as quickly and efficiently as ever. “You’re going to keep fighting, right?”

Indignation sparked up Akane’s spine and lifted her chin. “Of course I am.”

“Then what’s with the preparations?”

“There is more than one way to be prepared.” A wry grin pulled at her lips. “I’m not in the interest of leaving you with nothing more than a note this time.”

Her words were closely followed by a small yelp of surprise from a sudden pinch at her ankle. “Good,” Kogami huffed, fingers already soothing her reddened skin. “But I’d rather you didn’t leave me at all.”

“Now now,” Akane tutted, scooting closer until she could rest her chin on his shoulder, “don’t be greedy.”

“Why not?” He gently shrugged her away and turned to face her again. “You already know I’m selfish. Why shouldn’t I want more of the one good thing in my life?”

Kogami always loved to play at being cold and collected, only ever showing the spark remaining in him when caught in combat. He let down those walls around her, but she was still unprepared for his sudden, simple, achingly-vulnerable statements of his love for her. “You have your team,” she protested weakly. Her fingers ran through his messy hair, brushing it out of his face in a well-worn gesture. “You have Tenzing, somewhere in the world. You have others who care about you.”

“Not like you.”

“Not like me,” she relented. Her hand drifted from his hair to rest against his cheek. “You’re listed as my next of kin, so…if anything does happen”—her fingers lightly pressed to his lips, holding back his protests—“you’ll gain possession of my things, apart from a few things I’ll leave for some others.” It was her turn to let a teasing note slip into her words, despite the morbid topic. “Think of it as my way of paying it forward. I had to clean up your things, so it’s only fair for you to return the favor, don’t you think?”

“Oh, you think you’re so funny.”

“A little bit, yeah.” She was ready for his nip at her fingers, though she couldn’t help giggling at the glancing pressure.

He caught her hand before she could pull it away, weaving their fingers together and staring intently at all the lines where their skin met. Then, he murmured, “Me, too.”

“Hm?”

“You’re my next of kin, too.” When he looked up at her, his expression was newly-solemn. “You and Gino. Though unlike you, I’m not planning on making either of you face those responsibilities for a while, so…wish me luck.”

Akane simply hummed in response before snuggling in closer and nuzzling into the curve of his neck. When he spoke again, she felt more than heard his soft words. “...I don’t know if I could survive it.”

“Hm?”

“Grieving you.” Akane fell still, but she didn’t pull away, letting him wrap his arms tighter around her. “Sometimes I…I think I’ve grown numb to grief, after everyone we’ve lost. But then I imagine grieving you, and I…” A slow breath shook out of him before he could continue. “I feel hopeless just imagining it, Akane. You’re the color in my life, and I…I can’t go back to black and white.”

“Well, I’ve already grieved you once,” Akane murmured, words slightly muffled in his skin. “I don’t think I could survive grieving you again.”

“Hm…that’s no good. We both have to die eventually.”

“Maybe we’ll just have to go together…in a grand, fiery explosion!”

“An explosion? Haven’t we had enough excitement in life? Can’t we go peacefully in our sleep, holding each other?”

“My goodness, you’re such a romantic.” Laughing, Akane pulled back just enough to press a sweet kiss to his cheek. “Like you’d ever get tired of excitement.”

He grinned when their eyes met, a warm, fond little thing, only to melt away the longer he stared at her. “Promise me you’ll fight to live,” he suddenly murmured, hand rising to her cheek. “I want more time with you.”

“Of course I will. These are just precautions, Shinya, nothing more. I promise.”

“Good.”

When he leaned in for another kiss, he was quicker to lick into her mouth, and Akane welcomed him. She let him guide her to straddle his lap, let him slide fingers into her hair and arch her neck for his lips, let him press her close until their bodies were flush against each other. For all her teasing and scolding, Akane was just as greedy as he was, at the end of the day. And for all her intention to fight, the future was still unpredictable. This time with Kogami was a precious thing, and dammit, she was going to relish it with everything she was worth.

[brilliant-red-eternity]

There are several reasons why Japanese fans stick with Kouaka even after PPP. Many have been with PP for years, producing lots of fanart and writing stories themselves. Fans who invested so much love, time and energy inevitably become deaf in one ear, but not in the sense of ignoring canon and being completely delusive. I think they just don’t take interviews and marketing stuff that seriously and continue to have fun in their long-time communities on social media or at cosplay events. Some of them may not even know about the interviews, they simply watch the anime and let the impressions sink in. A story is not always just what I’m being told by the writers. It’s the sum of what is presented, how I feel about it and how I interpret events or relationships based on my experiences. Interviews can be a great guidance but they can also contradict what I myself believe to be true and honestly, I think there's nothing wrong with seeing different perspectives as there is no such thing as "one size fits all" when it comes to the human experience. Japanese Koukas simply enjoy their ship and they stay optimistic about it.

A little knowledge of Japanese language and culture is very helpful to understand Kouaka and its Japanese fandom. I don’t have the interview at hand, but I’m sure the authors didn’t say that Akane and Ko are nothing special to each other. Quite the contrary. They care about each other, they protect each other and they write letters in which they share their innermost thoughts. Ubukata said that “their relationship is platonic and therefore appeals to the audience.” The word platonic doesn’t necessarily mean “friends” in Japanese. It can also be seen as a pure, chaste love. That’s why some Kouakas interpret it as a love story between two individuals (ai), not exclusively a love story between a man and a woman (romansu or ren’ai). But still, even if Kouaka is devoid of carnal desires and sex in the anime, it is recognized by many as a potential romantic relationship that hasn’t yet come to fruition. Fans love to think about the future and it’s possibilities. They make fanart about it or write fanfics. They are hopeless romantics indeed, but yeah, even romantics don't like to be told what to think or to be mocked. The authors should have left Akane and Ko's bond open for interpretation, I agree. The word “buddy” is quite neutral because it describes the circumstance of being partnered with someone you trust. When I think of Akane and Ko in PPP, that's about right. The current status is that they are not a couple. There’s trust, care and understanding between them and for most people, this is the necessary basis for intimate relationships and marriages.

I think Fukami said that “there are no romantic feelings between Akane and Kogami” while talking about PPP days before the official release. I don't know why he said this or why it was said before anyone had a chance to see the film and form an opinion. Fukami (Urobuchi's coauthor at the time) has been writing the PP novels for 10 years and he has given us quite a bit of romantic Kouaka in them. I can only speculate that it has to do with the male audience ("herbivore guys" LOL) and marketing or some pressure from the producers. Rumour has it that tickets didn't sell well at first and there has always been a lot of criticism that the PP audience is way too female. I think it's about 50:50 but maybe they want it to be 80% men? Changing the main characters in PP3 was probably also a way to reshape the fandom but that's a different topic.

This month, Fukami admitted in an interview with Newtype that he had drafted a scene between Akane and Ko in PPP that looked like a romantic comedy. Change of mind? The magazine features a Kouaka poster titled “to the future beyond” and to be honest, Ko and Akane walking under Sakura trees with petals raining down on them really looks like the beginning of a love story. I think it was also Fukami who stated that if Ko and Akane were in a romantic relationship, they would quarrel half of the time because of their differences in personalities and because “they are one another.” And then Shiotani brings up the handcuffs in a radio interview last week. The PP crew talks a lot about the relationship of Akane and Ko, and it’s often very contradictory. It sounds as if they haven’t yet decided what to do with Akane and Ko in the future which of course creates room for speculation. Or they are in disagreement, idk. But I think it’s also a strategy. They string us along with the promise of Kouaka to keep a considerable amount of (female/first gen) fans interested.

Another example is the stage play at the Psycho-Pass FES that featured a story about Akane and Ko after their reunion in FI. It was written by Fukami and it looked very much like a rom-com in parts despite the retrospective elements. There is an awkward silence between them at first in the car until Ko starts to speak and it reminds me of the phone call in PPP. At the end of the play, Akane says “I still haven’t decided what to eat, right?” and Kogami suggests “What about a hamburger?” (his favourite food). Akane simply declines the offer by saying “… I don’t like it” and the crowd starts laughing. It sounded as if she’s teasing him, and even Seki-san had to laugh. Right after that, they played the Egoist song “All alone with you” which is a love song. The Japanese fans were quite surprised to get so much Kouaka content. Maybe the authors have finally realized the hype they created and the sales market that will follow? Who knows, but that cute little Kouaka keychain was sold out in a couple of hours.

The circle has closed in PPP (as @whatsyourcolor so beautifully put it) and it seems to make Akane and Ko more equal and attractive than ever. I was a bit surprised to see so many new Kouaka fans in Japan – young men and women. Some of them were with PP since the start but they had no opinion about Kouaka until Providence and now they ship them. Others are completely new to the fandom, because they watched the movie by chance. If they all didn't understand that Kouaka is meant to be "platonic", you probably have to blame the authors for not correctly representing it. I myself have had close friendships with guys in my life, and Kouaka definitely feels different. Just saying! AND there’s more Kouaka in Providence than a shipper can hope for so I’m really looking forward to watching the movie this summer. I can't see why westerners in particular see the relationship between Akane and Ko in PPP so negatively. It isn’t negative or bad at all. And it isn’t a happy love story either. It’s the story of two human beings who, despite many ups and downs, try to connect with each other but are destined to fail miserably. It's tragic, but I guess that’s why the demand for a happy ending is now growing in Japan, hence the optimistic Newtype interview and the rom-com stage play.

This is a weird ask but is there any reason JP kouaka fandom is so convinced of Kouaka post PPP?After Ubukata and Fulani doubled down on the fact they are nothing more than comrades fighting a shared enemy and they are nothing special to each other.And they said it right before PPP release as well knowing people would speculate heavily(which they did and still doing regardless).The whole thing is so confusing to me.

I think the writers and animators taunted that poor fandom so much with Kokane, that the fandom couldn’t give two craps about what they say anymore. Also, they understand Japanese so there may have been pieces of dialogue in the movie that fueled their resolve. In the Psycho-Fed there was a little keychain with Akane and Kogami. I think it’s the first time we get merch that is just the two of them in the same piece.

The live reading was about Akane and Kogami talking too. I know none of this is explicitly romantic, but in PPP their dynamic is different. Most of the time Akane seems pissed at Kogami while Kogami seems cold. Some people may have interpreted this as something personal going on between them. In the end, he rescues her and he also gets super pissed and worried when he reads her letter.

Overall, it’s like they’re past the point of formality and are now involved with each other in some new way. Or the writers just didn’t study these two characters enough. Akane taking Kogami’s cigarette right out of his mouth means they’re closer in a way. I can’t imagine her ever doing that before. Kogami from S1, the one who told Akane to kill Makishima, wouldn’t give two shits if Akane set Nona Tower on fire. But now he cares and is clearly upset.

It’s the beautiful closing of a circle. Akane is making a stand and Kogami disagrees and wants to stop her, but he can’t. Kinda how she tried to stop him before. In a way he has to “lose” her now.

Interesting too that she waited until he went to the isolation facility before she did what she was planning to do. Maybe he’s the only person who could’ve stopped her.

Again, they leave these things in the air… people will make conjectures. What can we say? The PP fandom is full of hopeless romantics.

[chaptersinprogress]

snapshot: eight | shinya/akane | no cws

"Akane? AKANE!"

The shouts seemed to ring out from a distance. Akane summoned all her energy to shakily prop herself up on the filthy bank. Blinking slowly, she registered the group of people running in her direction.

One of the figures broke away and sprinted towards her. As the person dropped to their knees beside her, heedless of the fetid water and muck, a familiar cologne wafted through the air.

"Akane... Akane I need you to look at me," the voice said urgently.

It took an incredible amount of effort for her to tilt her head up to look at Kogami, and even more to give him a faint smile.

"I'm ok," she reassured, voice rasping from the amount of truly disgusting seawater she'd unintentionally swallowed. "Not injured. Just tired."

She watched patiently as Kogami briefly looked her over to confirm her words. And promptly found all the breath expelled from her lungs when he yanked her into a suffocating hug and buried his face into her hair.

"Too tight!" she coughed out.

Kogami relaxed his hold fractionally so that she could breathe easier but made no other move to let go. Engulfed in his hold, she could feel the slight tremors shaking his frame.

"Ko..." she said softly. "I'm ok."

Kogami remained silent for a long moment, before pressing a kiss to her soaked hair and pulling away. Before Akane could protest, he slid his arms around her slender frame and picked her up in a bridal carry.

"I know. Let's get you cleaned up," he replied, making his way to the rest of the group waiting a short distance away.

[brilliant-red-eternity]

[PSYCHO-PASS FANFIC]

I've written some Shinkane fics lately. Happy reunion or –

Strange Tension:

One morning at the MWPSB. Since the hour he returned to Japan, Tsunemori Akane seemed unwilling to talk to him. He sensed that – under her calm and composed surface ��� she was still angry with him, and probably would be for the rest of their lives. But Kougami Shinya was not able to accept her silence. He decided to break the ice by suggesting something that would eliminate the strange tension between them. Or so he thought...

KOUGAMI: “Yo, listen, Tsunemori. I know you’re angry because I’m living under the Bureau’s roof again and you have to get along with me. But don’t you think it’s time for us to solve this problem before it gets in the way of our work?”

AKANE: “I’m sorry, but I’m not in a talkative mood right now.”

KOUGAMI: “Yeah, I know. That’s why I’d like to suggest that we let our bodies do the talking – like in the good old days.”

AKANE: “What do you mean?”

KOUGAMI: “I think the two of us should meet in the room next door after work. It’s written all over your face, you know – the strong desire to knock me out, handcuff me and throw me onto the hospital bed. Or am I wrong?“

SHION (smoking): “Jeez, this morning is getting more and more interesting.”

AKANE (blushing): “Kougami-san! W – why wo-would – you…”

GINOZA: “Kougami, I think this is not the right way to – “

KOUGAMI: “No, Gino, it’s all right. You all know how much she wants it!“

SHION: “You finally noticed it, huh?”

AKANE: “...”

KOUGAMI: “But I won’t go easy on you, Tsunemori! You’re not an inexperienced rookie anymore, so you better fight me off with those sneaky tricks you used when we met in Shambala. I was impressed by your technique – especially by the way you managed to grab my leg while pushing me to...”

AKANE (stalking out of the room): “Idiot!”

KOUGAMI: “???”

GINOZA: “Well, I’ve warned you.”

KOUGAMI: “Wha – what’s wrong? Yo, wait, Tsunemori! You don’t like sparring?”

SHION (calling out): “Yayoi, love! Would you like to spar with me?”

I guess Kou’s a bit dense when it comes to human relations, but it's great fun to write about it!^^

[amidalogicdive]

160: “ Do you think you can teach me that? ” cindylu again and going to torment you with this couple! And if you wanna go ahead and still add some nyxnoct 😆

Car Repair

Pairing: Cindy/Luna w/a side of NyxNoct

Ao3 link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/10779102/chapters/27578694

It had been a year since Luna and Cindy had met, and in that time they had seen one another three times. They both knew it would be hard, Cindy having a garage to run, and Luna being the Oracle. Despite the trials that stood in their way, both had dedicated themselves to making this relationship work.

So when Luna had an unexpected chance to come to visit Insomnia, she took it! Of course, it came with the normal trip to Hammerhead, longing to see Cindy, if only for a few hours. “Once again, I am sorry to always inconvenience you when I come.”

“Not an issue Princess, glad to help with this surprise.” Nyx had taken the wheel for this trip, the prince dozing in the passenger seat as Luna enjoyed the scenery from the back.

“Darling Nyx, are you sure Noctis is well?”

The glaive nodded, glancing back at her in the mirror. “He was up late helping his father, then got up early to come with us. He’ll be fine.” The moment they had arrived, Nyx and Noctis had politely excused themselves and rented the caravan for the remainder of the day. They said it was for Noctis to get a few extra hours of rest. She felt it was best to not question them, but doubted there would be much sleeping involved.

Luna made her way into the garage to find the mechanic hard at work on a car someone had dropped off. “Pardon the intrusion, but would the mechanic have time for a visitor?” The blonde head popped up so fast, the Oracle couldn’t help but giggle.

“Lu!” Setting down the wrench she hopped over, fussing for a minute before kissing her cheek. “Look at me! I’m all dirt and grease, don’t wanna get your pretty dress dirty! Why didn’t ya tell me you were comin’ out here today!”

“I longed to inform you of the trip, but I wished for it to be a surprise. In all honesty, Insomnia was an unexpected stop. I did not wish to get your hopes up if I was unable to make it.”

Cindy chuckled, kissing her lips tenderly. “Any bit of time I can get with ya is amazin! Sorry, come on over. We can get some chattin’ in while I finish up this heap o’ metal here!” Grabbing a clean chair, Cindy sat it beside the car for Luna and went back to work.

“May I ask what you are working on?”

“Hm? Oh, ya see this engine here is havin’ some issues. I need ta replace a few parts. This fuel line is bad, and some of these spark plugs… well just aren’t sparkin! Just a few adjustments here and there, my lovely.”

“Oh,” Rising from the chair, she glanced into the engine as well. “Do you think you can teach me that?”

Green eyes glanced up, rubbing the bridge of her nose with the back of her hand. Somehow, she still managed to get grease on her face. “Are ya kiddin’ me sugar?”

“I just…” Luna regretted asking, Cindy wouldn’t request her help if it would only slow her down. A tap to her chin made her look back up as Cindy grinned, the happiest she’d ever seen her.

“Just the thought that ya wanna learn, Lu, I’m touched. I’d love ta teach ya! But, first, we gotta change out of those pretty whites, love!” Those words made the Oracle smile as well, feeling the mechanic take her hand as they went into the back room to find her a more suitable outfit.

-

Despite what Luna might have thought, Noctis had actually slept and had woke up hungry. Rubbing his eyes, he weakly glaring at the bright sun. “Don’t they ever have clouds here.” He made his way over to the garage to find Luna and Cindy while Nyx went to Takka’s to grab them a table.

“That’s right baby, now just twist this tool a bit and tighten.”

“The wrench right?” Cindy nodded, looking 100% in love as Luna worked on the car’s engine.

Noctis blinked, confused for a moment. Luna stood in front of a car, wearing a dirty tan jumpsuit. Cindy leaned on the side, watching her and looking happy as a cat who’d got the cream. “Ah, Luna?”

“Noctis!” She turned, handing Cindy the wrench. “I hope you received the rest you needed?”

“Yeah… um, lunch?”

Luna glanced over at the other blonde who nodded, as she picked up a rag to wipe her hands off. “Ya bet there, Highness! Ya go on now, we gotta get cleaned up!”

“Ok…” Blinking, he shook his head and went back to the diner, sitting beside Nyx.

He could see the prince looked a bit confused. “You ok there, love?”

“Yeah, just…” Shaking his head, Noctis laughed and ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah, everything’s great Nyx. Luna and Cindy will be here in a few minutes.” While he’d never thought in a million years he’d see Luna fixing a car, whatever made them happy he would support.

[dirtpie39]

🙌🏼😚🤩😍🤩😚🙌🏼

prompt/summary: akane and shinya’s CANON lunch date set after the first inspector movie 🥰

+

The restaurant he took her to was no restaurant but a small, old-fashioned burger stand settled in a park some distance away from the heart of the main district. There wasn’t any indoor seating but the sight was a balm, like dipping a foot into a warm pool after a long day. The park murmured with quiet activity from distant visitors, blooming with cherry blossoms that drifted in their own pace and blurred the contours of her sight in soft, pink-tinted edges.

Akane could hardly believe she was outside.

“You want me to order for you?”

She almost missed his words, but since she drove off with him, there was hardly any of them that she hadn’t grasped onto tightly at her continual disbelief of her fortune.

“Sure,” she said, her natural urge to tease him catching up quite easily. “This is your favorite place after all. I trust your judgment.”

“Famous last words.” He smiled a little before turning to the vendor who seemed to know him well based on his warm greeting.

“Ah, Kougami. I know my old mug is easy to miss but this is the third time this week, kid,” the old man said before stopping himself short upon seeing Akane. “And who’s this?”

“Tsunemori Akane,” she introduced herself politely before Kougami could answer.

“Akane?” The wrinkles near his eyes creased as if in delighted realization. “Oh, that Akane.”

Keep reading

[pearlsephoni]

Sink Me Deeper

Can also be read on AO3!

Rating: E

Fandom: Psycho-Pass

Pairing: Shinkane (Akane/Kogami)

Characters: Akane Tsunemori, Shinya Kogami, Shion Karanomori, Yayoi Kunizuka

Word Count: 2.9k

Summary: Akane leaves the lingering summer warmth behind for an entirely different heat down below.

A/N: Written for @shinkaneweek day 1: God or nature as providing protective or spiritual care! also happy birthday Kogami, ya big dope hehe further author's notes can be found on AO3.

🥀

Twice a year, Akane was seized by the strongest sensations of mourning and excitement: mourning for the life she was leaving, and excitement for the life she was returning to. This time, she was mourning the cottage she shared with Shion, the beautiful meadows and groves that she brought fruit to with her beloved older sister.

“Be careful on your travels,” Shion murmured, squeezing Akane tight. “Remind your big important husband that I won’t hesitate to make another eternal winter if he lets anything happen to you.”

“Shion!” Akane laughed, her words muffled in her sister’s shoulder. “I’ll be fine. Sho won’t let anything happen to me.”

“Good.” With yet another kiss to Akane’s temple, Shion finally pulled away, though she still held her little sister by the shoulders and stared sternly at her. “Do you have an obol for Sho?”

“Yes.”

“And your vial is intact?” Before Akane could answer, Shion peered at the tiny glass vial hanging around her neck, making sure the cherry blossom inside was still alive. “Remember—”

“The magic is for emergencies only,” Akane recited with a sigh.

“Good girl.” Despite the curve of her lips, Shion’s eyes were melancholic as she gazed at her sister. “Well…I suppose that’s it, then.”

“I’ll be back before you know it, Shion,” Akane murmured, wrapping her in one last hug. “Safe and sound, like always.”

“Being queen of the Underworld has made you sound way too responsible,” Shion sniffed. “Go on, then, return to your kingdom, little blossom.”

“I love you.” Akane pulled away with a kiss to her sister’s cheek. She was unsurprised to see tears welling up in Shion’s eyes, but her heart still twisted at the sight.

“I love you, too. Now go.”

🥀

Her return to the underworld was a bit of a whirlwind, as it always was. Her arrival was expected, but she liked to keep the precise date of her return a mystery. She couldn’t help the fact that she relished the sight of everyone greeting her with surprise, joy, and just a touch of panic.

“His Majesty won’t be happy to be the last person in the household to welcome you back,” Yayoi hummed with a wry grin as she wrapped Akane in a warm hug. Her long, pitch-black hair seemed to blend into the silken material draped around her body, with tiny jewels glimmering along the expanse like stars in the night sky. It was fitting garb for the goddess and personification of night.

“If he’s upset about my arrival, he can direct his complaints to Shion,” Akane scoffed fondly. “She’s the reason I’m here a day late.”

“Is that so? And, ah…how is your sister these days?”

Akane grinned at the goddess of night’s terrible attempt at seeming casually uninterested. “She’s fine. I’m sure you’ll be seeing more of her, with the nights growing longer this time of year.”

Yayoi narrowed her eyes, but couldn’t do anything to hide her faint flush. “Kogami’s last meeting won’t end for another hour or so. Would you like to call for some food?”

Akane could see right through the older goddess’s abrupt change in topic, but didn’t point it out beyond a tiny smirk. “No, no, I…I think I’d like to return to our chambers, actually.”

It was Yayoi’s turn to smirk. “I’m sure you would. Would you like someone to accompany you?”

“No, that’s alright. We’ll see how well I remember this place.” She stole one more tight hug from Yayoi before making her way to the chambers.

She could barely hold herself back as she walked through expansive halls, trying to enjoy the dark columns illuminated by torches and glittering gold frames around beautiful paintings. Plush rugs cushioned her steps and jewels sparkled along the edges of the stone floors. It really was a beautiful palace, worthy of the King of the Undead. But that didn’t keep her from bursting into a sprint as soon as she was deep enough into the palace to be the only one in the hallways.

She felt silly, girlish, like the maiden that her sister tried to preserve for so long. But this was different from all that. Now she was a full-fledged goddess, Queen of the Underworld, dashing through the halls to see her husband.

Catching up with all of the chthonic gods must have taken longer than she’d realized, because when she reached the chambers, they were already prepared for her arrival: her favorite garnet sheets were freshly-stretched across the bed, her clothes returned to the wardrobe, even a platter of grapes and cheese with a decanter of ruby red wine.

Then she took a proper look at her clothes in the wardrobe and discovered the true explanation for the preparations: there, hanging front and center, facing forward in a silent request, was Shinya’s favorite dress. It was a deep red that reminded Akane of the pomegranate seeds that had sealed her fate, with gold clasps over the shoulders, sheer material that would drape over her arms, and a gold, braided belt around the waist.

The servants hadn’t moved quickly. Shinya had prepared for her arrival, going as far as to request her favorite food be brought to the royal chambers.

“You spoil me, My Lord,” Akane sighed, fondness curving her lips and longing tugging at her chest. It was foolish, she knew it was foolish, but her amusement at teasing Shinya was fast melting into a desperate impatience to see her husband.

There was nothing to be done but enjoy a bath, put on the dress, and pour herself a glass of wine. The rich notes of the wine washed over her tongue and eased the nerves that lingered in her stomach.

How much time had passed? An hour? Yayoi had said he would—

“Akane?”

She spun to the great doors, which stood open, forming a perfect, darkwood frame to the only sight she’d been longing for. “Shinya.”

He was dressed in silks that were such a dark blue, they looked black. Only the comparison of their hue against his messy hair revealed their true color. His black hair was shorter, as though freshly-trimmed, but it still threatened to fall into his eyes, that flinty, stony gaze that matched his kingdom so well. He looked every bit the intimidating King of the Underworld…except for the light flush on his sculpted cheekbones and the bitten-pink of his parted lips.

He wasn’t just the king of shadows and shade. He was her husband, her beautiful husband who she’d missed dearly.

And yet…there was always a space of time when they were newly uncertain of each other, a bittersweet result of their time apart. Shinya was slow, deliberate as he shut the doors behind him and stepped towards her, and Akane mirrored his pace, taking careful steps until they stood within arm’s reach of each other.

Then he lifted a careful hand and brushed the backs of his fingers against her cheek in a mere breath of a touch, one that she leaned into, eager for any scrap of his warmth that she could steal. “You’re here,” he whispered, skating his fingers along her jaw and under her chin.

“I’m here,” she whispered back, her words ghosting against the thumb tracing her lips.

“I…I missed you…my queen.”

“I missed you, too, my king.”

Those soft words finally brought a smile to Shinya’s lips, a sight Akane only got to relish for a moment before she was humming into a sweet, gentle kiss. “Mm…you’ve been enjoying the wine?”

“Only a sip.” She slid her arms around his shoulders with a blithe smile. “I was waiting to enjoy the rest with you.”

“An ever-generous queen,” Shinya chuckled, letting his hands trace the curves of her body and settle on her hips with a light squeeze. “I’m afraid I had a more…selfish pleasure in mind.”

“Is that so?”

“Mm…” His eyes dragged across her features until they fell open her lips, the weight of their gaze making Akane bite at her bottom lip instinctively.

“Well, then, Your Majesty,” she purred, stepping out of his embrace with a small smirk. Holding his gaze steadily, she slowly loosened the belt at her waist and unfastened the gold clasps holding her dress together, letting the deep red fabric go slack around her, only held up by her hand at her chest. “Enjoy me.”

Shinya’s gaze darkened with desire as he followed her steps towards the bed, shedding his own long chiton until he reached for Akane and pulled her against his naked body. “Does Her Majesty have any special requests this evening?” he asked, coaxing her hands away from her dress and letting the material fall to her feet, leaving her completely bare.

The cool, still air of the Underworld sent goosebumps skittering across Akane’s skin, except for where Shinya’s body was pressed to hers. He had always been warmer than her, down to the scent of brimstone and amber that rose from his skin. She took hold of his wrist, guiding a hand from her waist, along her hip, and between her legs. His hand left a path of warmth across her body, and even when he cupped her mound, the heat of her arousal was smothered by his hot skin. “Show me how much you’ve missed me,” she breathed against his lips, gasping when a single, broad finger delved between her folds and dipped into her arousal.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

He guided her backwards until the backs of her knees bumped against the bed, then gently lifted her until she fell against the soft covers. She’d barely stopped bouncing before her legs were pressed open by his wide shoulders and his dark hair tickled her inner thighs. That was all the warning she got before his tongue opened her up in a firm, wide lick. “Oh!” she gasped, burying her fingers into his hair.

He only hummed in response, his focus fixed on sucking her clit between his lips and rolling his tongue around it. Six months…half a year of longing for him, only able to soothe herself with her own fingers, and now here she was, being feasted on and spoiled by his attentions. It was almost overwhelming, being so suddenly caught between his clever tongue lapping at her clit and his broad fingers coating themselves in her desire before pressing into her. He hadn’t forgotten anything about her body, knowing exactly where to curl his fingers up and how to ghost his teeth against her, making her cry out as her hips arched off of the bed.

“Shin-yah!” she cried, rocking against his mouth as he soothed her clit with his tongue. “Ah, ah, oh, stars, I—!”

“Already?” he chuckled, his low tone almost rumbling through her. “How much did you miss me, my queen?”

“So much,” Akane gasped, her words rising into a whine when she looked down and found him gazing up from between her legs, chin and lips soaked in her arousal. “I missed you so much, Shinya, every single day— aaahn!” Her desperate words brought his lips back around her, sending lightning sparking through, stronger and stronger until she thought she could glow from pleasure. “Close, I’m close,” she said breathlessly, earning a low chuckle that vibrated against her. Shinya didn’t pull away, only rolled his tongue around her and sped up his curled, thrusting fingers, driving into her sweet spot until the pressure was too much to bear.

She broke with a long, drawn-out wail, hips jumping against Shinya’s fingers and lips in time with the waves that washed over her again and again and again.

She didn’t know how long she shuddered with her orgasm, but eventually she tugged Shinya’s head away from her, giving her swollen clit some reprieve from his overwhelming expert attention. “You’re stunning,” he breathed, gazing down at her with blown-out eyes and a soaked nose and mouth. “I’d almost forgotten. Can you give me another one? Let me hear your music again?”

The awe in his voice paired with the way he licked his lips nearly made Akane agree. But she held strong, shaking her head and using her fingers in his hair to guide his lips to hers. “Later,” she murmured, brushing a kiss to his lips. “Right now, I need you in me. All of you, Shinya.”

Shinya swore softly before taking her lips in a proper kiss, licking into her mouth and letting her taste her own desire as he carefully lined his cock up to her swollen pussy. When he began to carefully rock forward, she fell away from his lips with a cry, too focused on the stretch of his bulbous cockhead. Nothing, nothing compared to this, the impossible fit of her husband’s long, thick length into her tight cunt. She was still swollen and sensitive from her first orgasm, but she was also dripping wet, easing the slow breach of every roll of his hips.

“Fuck, Akane,” Shinya groaned, letting his forehead fall to her shoulder, his wild hair tickling her throat. “You feel divine…I almost forgot how well you take me.”

“Yes, yes,” she whined, dragging her fingers through his hair as she tightened her legs around his hips to urge him deeper inside. “Only you, Shinya. Fuck me, please, nothing fills me up like you.”

When their hips finally met, they were both trembling, Akane from the tight fit and Shinya from the effort to not move. By the end of the night, once they made up for lost time, he would be able to drive into her without any warning besides her begging. But for now, after so long, their bodies needed extra time to remember how to fit together. She loved him like this, ever-so-careful of her comfort and waiting so patiently for her to whisper, “Move.”

Then, with a growl, he pulled his hips back until her walls clung to only his tip, before rocking forward, filling her all the way in a single thrust.

His rhythm was relentless from then on, filling the room with the sounds of their moans and the wet slap of their skin. She felt consumed by him, being both filled up and surrounded so completely by his broad form while being pinned by his dark gaze. She could barely see the gray of his irises, his pupils were so blown by desire. It should’ve been at least a little unnerving, but she couldn’t look away, feeling drunk on how thoroughly he wanted her.

She was almost disappointed when he fit his hand between their bodies and drew circles over her swollen clit, making her orgasm suddenly crest over the horizon. She’d wanted more, wanted to feel bruised from his size and pressure, but she couldn’t resist falling over the peak with a cry of his name.

Her walls rippled and clenched around him, drawing him deeper and deeper, until he was groaning with his own orgasm. The feeling of him filling her up made her tremble with another pulse of pleasure, leaving her whimpering by the time his softening length slipped out of her. Without thinking, her hand shot down to cup her mound, keeping his seed from leaking out. Her cheeks burned when she realized what she’d done, but her embarrassment burned away when she found Shinya staring at her messy fingers, teeth sinking into his kiss-bruised lip.

“I, um…could I have a towel?” she quietly asked when he made no move to leave the bed. He blinked back to himself with a small jolt, his cheeks flushing prettily under her eyes.

“Of course,” he murmured, hurrying to stand on shaky legs.

Akane wasn’t really in any hurry—she was perfectly content to melt into the bed, feeling loose and pliant with satisfaction. But she was still eager to take a damp cloth from Shinya and wipe herself clean while he poured fresh glasses of wine. “Well?” he hummed when he sat on the edge of the bed, holding her glass out for her to take after she tossed aside the cloth. “Was that to your satisfaction?”

“I dunno,” she giggled, smiling around the lip of the glass. “It might take a little more than that to really satisfy me.”

“Ah…is that so?”

She hummed, sitting up and stealing a kiss that tasted of rich wine. “The night is still young, no?”

“So it is…” He ducked in to trail kisses down her neck, gently grazing his teeth against her pulse. “What else can I do for you, my queen?”

“Right now…just hold me.” She smiled when he pulled back, watching his surprise melt into fond understanding. “Tell me how you’ve been, Shinya, truly.”

“Well then.” He suddenly stood, fetching the tray of cheese and grapes and carefully setting it on the bed next to Akane. “We’ll need some sustenance.”

Conversation flowed as they caught each other up on how they’d passed their months apart, feeding each other and occasionally pausing to pass sips of wine between kisses. Akane had missed this, the easy conversation and lighthearted debates, as much as the sex, maybe even moreso. That was the best thing about their marriage, and the thing that made their separation so difficult: Akane missed him, Shinya as a whole, longed for his quiet laughter and small, serious frowns as much as she’d missed his lips and fingers and heavy-lidded eyes.

“What?” he suddenly asked in the middle of the story, brow raised.

Akane shrugged, letting her fond smile linger on her lips. “I’m just happy to be back.”

Shinya’s sharp features softened as his fingers found hers. “Me, too. I missed you, Akane.”

“Show me.”

And for the rest of the night, he did, wiping away any lingering thoughts of their time apart until all Akane knew Shinya, King of the Underworld, Lord of the Dead, Receiver of Many, and, most importantly, her husband.

[pearlsephoni]

Shinkane Week 2022, Day 3: Humility

Can also be read on AO3!

Rating: G

Fandom: Psycho-Pass

Pairing: Shinkane (Kogami/Akane)

Characters: Akane Tsunemori, Shinya Kogami

Word Count: 1,282

Summary: After years of knowing each other, there are still some hidden talents left to be revealed.

A/N: Written for @shinkaneweek! Further author’s notes can be read on AO3.

“Wow, I’m hungry.”

Kogami looked down at her with a small grin and a bemused wrinkle to his eye. “I would hope so, if we’re getting lunch.”

“I know, but it just hit me extra strong.” As though on cue, Akane’s stomach grumbled, bringing a flush to her cheeks and a broader smile to his lips.

“And what are you craving today, Inspector?”

“Don’t call me that.” The response was instinctive more than anything at that point—he’d never stop using the title, even if its meaning had gone from overly-strict observance of work ranking, to a fond tease. “Isn’t it your turn to choose?”

“Mm…a new place just opened with crepes. It’s over by the park.” His smile warmed at her wide, interested eyes. “Shall we?”

Curse him and his knowledge of her sweet tooth. Despite knowing he suggested it because it was something she’d be interested in, Akane couldn’t resist the chance to try some crepes. She could only muster narrowed eyes of suspicion at his mischievous smile and let him lead the way.

The food stalls at the edge of the park were their favorite places to get lunch when the weather was nice enough. With how rarely they could get lunch together, they still hadn’t been able to try all of the new stalls.

But Kogami walked past the ones they’d been wanting to try, including the Thai stall he’d been eyeing for a while, only stopping in front of the crepe stall. The warm scent of chocolate and strawberries made Akane’s mouth water, even as she eyed Kogami doubtfully. “Shinya, are you sure?”

“Absolutely.” He met her skeptical gaze with an easy grin, until she sighed in defeat.

“Alright. But I’m paying.”

“Akane—”

“My treat!” She pulled up her card on her comm before he could stop her. “What do you want?”

With that, she shooed him off to wait for her at their favorite bench while she ordered his savory crepe and her sweet strawberry crepe. The delicious scent of batter being spread over the pan and the fillings being warmed in the freshly-cooked dough made an excited smile spread over her face as she waited in line, and it ended up coaxing a matching smile from the worker taking her order.

By the time she accepted the finished crepes and made her back to Kogami, her mouth was watering, eager and ready for the sweet treat she held.

Then she saw Kogami, and she stumbled to a stop.

She’d been expecting to see him lost in thought, or checking a message, or even just watching her at the food truck.

But he was doing none of those things. His attention was entirely focused on a ginger cat rubbing itself on his leg.

Stray animals were rare in the city, especially outside of the Sibyl black zones. Any that were spotted were usually reported and caught to be put into a rescue. Kogami clearly wasn’t planning on doing anything of the sort. He was perfectly happy offering up his fingers for the cat to sniff and direct under its chin.

“Hey, little one,” Akane could just hear him murmur, “where’d you come from?” The cat let out a croaky meow, before going back to rubbing its cheeks against Kogami’s fingers. Akane couldn’t hear any other sounds from the cat, but Kogami quietly commented, “Oh, someone’s happy. Someone’s purry, hm?”

Shinya Kogami, former Inspector and Enforcer, pursued guerilla warrior, now part of Hanashiro’s most carefully-selected crew of detectives and officers…was baby-talking to a cat. The happiest cat Akane had ever seen, at that.

The cat meowed and sniffed at the air, before sniffing at Kogami’s fingers and giving them a delicate lick. “Hm? Do you smell something? I’m afraid I don’t have anything for you. Not yet, anyway…” With that, he finally looked up and saw Akane, standing stock still with his crepe carefully balanced in one hand and her crepe held over her delighted expression. “…Oh.”

He began pulling his fingers back, only pausing when Akane burst out, “Oh, please don’t stop! Please, Shinya, this is the best thing I’ve seen in weeks!”

His brows furrowed as a small smile tugged at his lips. “You can understand why that’s not appealing to me.”

“You don’t want me happy?”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

Akane shot him a playful grin before focusing on the cat, who looked distinctly perturbed to have its time with Kogami interrupted. “It’s okay,” she cooed, slowly approaching and holding Kogami’s crepe out for him to take. “I’m friendly, I promise.”

The cat still tensed up with every step she took, only starting to relax when she knelt close to the ground and held out her newly-free hand. It was much less willing to approach her, and she had a feeling it eventually did just because of the smell of Kogami’s chicken crepe still on her fingertips.

“Hey!” she laughed when it nipped at her. “How come you bit me and not Ko?”

“My charm must be irresistible.” His faux-cocky grin faltered under the blithe smile she shot him.

“Must be…though I’m not sure it was your ‘charm’ that got me.”

Those stormy gray eyes, usually so sharp and knowing, seemed almost bashful in the way they skittered away from hers to look at the cat. “Is that so?”

“Mm…it was more your intelligence…your stubbornness…your unshaking focus…”

His ears were turning pinker and pinker with every word she said and every inch she closed between them, until she was sitting next to him on the bench and his ears looked like they could catch on fire. “…Akane.”

“Hm?” She smiled sweetly when he finally met her eyes.

“Eat your crepe. It’s going to get cold.”

She giggled before obeying him, watching fondly as he picked out a small piece of chicken and dropped it to the ground for the cat to leap on. “I didn’t know you were so good with animals.”

“Neither did I,” he chuckled, an ever-so-soft curve to his lips as he watched the cat eat. “At least, not with cats. And Dime took a while to warm up to me.”

“I’m sure that was thanks to Gino-san’s influence more than anything.”

“Awfully rude to say about your superior.” Even if she didn’t already know him so well, the glint in his eye would have told her he was joking.

“Not rude,” she sniffed, “just honest.”

With a scoff, Kogami focused back on the cat, this time balancing a piece of chicken on his fingertips. Sure enough, the ginger critter approached and delicately ate the chicken without a moment’s hesitation. “I think this little guy is just friendly and hungry.”

“Humility’s a strange look on you, Kogami-san.”

He gazed sidelong at her. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were calling me arrogant.”

“But you do know better.”

“I’m still struggling to figure out what you do mean.”

“I mean,” she laughed, taking a chance on their secluded bench and leaning in to rest her chin on his shoulder, “you’re usually more self-assured than this.”

“I think I can be forgiven for being less sure about cats.”

“Well…it’s still sweet.”

“Sweet?” Akane’s chin slid of his shoulder when he leaned away just enough to look at her. “That’s a new one.”

“A bad one?”

“From anyone else, maybe.”

“Really?”

“Mm…I have an image to maintain.”

Oh, that smile. After all this time, it was still rare enough and gentle enough to make her heart squeeze. Who could possibly resist stealing a kiss from those sweet lips? She never could, and she wasn’t going to start now…even with indignant meows piercing through their peaceful veil of solitude.

[pearlsephoni]

Shinkane Week 2022, Day 2: Sloth

Can also be read on AO3!

Rating: T

Fandom: Psycho-Pass

Pairing: Shinkane (Kogami/Akane)

Characters: Akane Tsunemori, Shinya Kogami, brief appearance from Mika Shimotsuki

Word Count: 1,022

Summary: An early morning work summons pulls a reluctant Akane out of bed. She's not the only one upset about it.

A/N: Written for @shinkaneweek! Further author’s notes can be read on AO3.

The sound of her ringtone going off pierced the room, making Akane’s head jerk up before her eyes could fully open. It was still dark, to the point where she wouldn’t have been able to tell a difference between her eyes being opened or closed if it weren’t for the bright light of her communicator shining from her bedside table. Her fingers were clumsy with sleep as she grabbed at it and barely managed to answer. “Hello?”

“Inspector Tsunemori. You’re needed here.”

Akane squinted at the clock in the corner of the comm’s hologram. “Shimotsuki, it’s 4am.”

“I’m ‘Chief’ to you now, senpai, and as your superior, I expect you to come when I call.”

A smile tugged at Akane’s lips at Mika’s habitual use of “senpai,” but she was careful to keep it out of her voice. “Alright, I’ll be there soon.”

A rustling came from her side as she hung up, and before she could get out of bed, an arm fell over her waist. “Where are you going?”

Her smile grew, as it always did when she heard that deep, sleep-roughened voice. She turned to let her eyes meet a sleepy gray gaze that blinked at her over a small frown. “Duty calls.”

“Now?”

“Are you really surprised?”

A soft sigh huffed out Kogami. “No. Just annoyed.”

“Me, too.” She shifted beneath his arm, trying to slide out and towards the edge of the bed, but it just weighed heavier over her waist. “Shinya.”

“Hm?”

“I have to go.”

“Mm…you have to pay the toll.”

A scoff of disbelief escaped Akane, but she knew better. Ever since he had returned to Japan and they had reunited, he’d shown a playful bent to his personality that had always been hidden beneath weariness and sharp deduction. He still behaved very much the same way in public and at work, but when it was just the two of them, he was always gently teasing her and making silly demands with a steady voice.

Like now. “You’re ridiculous,” she sighed, before taking his face in her hands and pressing a kiss to his lips…and his nose…and all over his face.

“Akane…oi, Aka-mmf!”

She pulled away from his lips with an exaggerated smack and a proud grin. “Was that the toll? Can I go now?”

“You little…” Before she could slip away, there were calloused fingers sliding up the back of her neck to sink into her hair, holding her in place as he grumbled, “My turn,” and leaned in.

Her kisses had been light, playful presses of her lips over his lightly-stubbled cheeks. His kiss was slow, tender, relished, had her sighing out a soft moan and opening up beneath his parted lips.

When they parted, he was wearing a small, satisfied grin, and she was slowly blinking out of a kiss-drunk daze. “Now you can go,” he hummed with one more chaste kiss.

“If I’m late, I’ll make sure the division knows you’re to blame,” she huffed as she hurriedly dressed and picked her holo, her threat holding no real bite.

“I’m sure Shimotsuki would love to hear all about it.”

It was tricky to stick her tongue out while smiling, but Akane managed it just fine.

❈❈❈~❈❈❈~❈❈❈

"Shimotsuki.”

“It’s ‘chief’, you can’t just—”

“Chief,” Akane corrected herself with a bitten-back sigh. “Could you explain to me again, slowly, what about this was so urgent?”

“We got the suspect in custody! We need to make sure we take proper advantage of his interrogation, and that includes preparing the proper questions and interrogator. You’re…you’re the best at making those decisions.” Shimotsuki bit out the last sentence like the words left an actual bitter taste on her tongue. An unfair response, considering she pulled Akane to the PSB at a frankly unholy hour for her supposed expertise.

“Mika,” Akane sighed, “the suspect is currently sleeping, as is our best interrogator. This is a meeting we could very easily have later in the day, when I am actually scheduled to be on-duty and everyone will be awake and alert.”

Shimotsuki glowered at her for a moment, before her eyes flickered away and her fingers began drumming at the desk. “Mika,” Akane murmured, continuing before Shimotsuki could correct her again, “what’s going on?”

It took the young chief another moment to wilt and meet Akane’s eyes. “I just…it’s the first major case since I was given this position. If something goes wrong, it’ll all reflect back on me.”

“Ah…” Akane reached out and set her hand over Shimotsuki’s restless fingers. “You can count on our team to get the job done and get this man to face the sentencing he deserves. You know you can trust us; otherwise, you wouldn't have assigned us on such an important case.”

It had been so many years, but in moments like this, Akane could still see remnants of a terrified, weeping high schooler in those wide eyes. “...Okay,” Shimotsuki finally whispered. “You can return home, Inspector. I’ll see you this afternoon.”

It wasn’t an apology, but Akane wasn’t expecting one. She was happy enough to be allowed back home.

❈❈❈~❈❈❈~❈❈❈

Usually, if Akane were to return and find Kogami still in bed, she would’ve felt a prick of annoyance, even if she ended up joining him beneath the sheets.

That morning wasn’t usual. When she saw that he was still asleep, his arm extended as though to hold her where she was supposed to be, she could only heave a sigh and hurry to change back into her pajamas.

“Welcome home,” he murmured in a low, soothing voice as she curled herself into her rightful place. “Was everything alright?”

“Mm…just Shimotsuki fretting.” Pressed into him like this, Akane could feel more than hear his knowing chuckle. “This promotion is wearing her down more quickly than any of us expected.”

“Whoever could have foreseen that?” His sarcastic question was punctuated by a grunt, his hand shooting down too late to catch Akane’s poking fingers at his waist.

“Be nice,” she scolded him half-heartedly, “and let me sleep.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Kogami laughed, fondness threaded through the soft sound.

[pearlsephoni]

Shinkane Week 2022, Day 5: Wrath

Can also be read on AO3!

Rating: T

Fandom: Psycho-Pass

Pairing: Shinkane (Kogami/Akane)

Characters: Akane Tsunemori, Shinya Kogami, cameos from Hanashiro, Ginoza, and Sugo

Word Count: 967

Summary: When Kogami ends up on the wrong end of a revenge mission, Akane ends up dealing some revenge of her own.

A/N: Written for @shinkaneweek! cw for mild descriptions of injuries/blood. Further author’s notes can be read on AO3.

The scene was chaos: the sirens of both the SAD and PSB blared, there was a crowd gathering outside of the holo-barriers, and splatters of blood were trailing out of the building.

And there, next to the ambulance, laid out in a stretcher, was Kogami. As soon as Akane’s eyes landed on his shirtless, heavily bandaged form, she ran over, not bothering to keep up a facade of professionalism when she reached Kogami and stood next to Hanashiro. “Oh…welcome, Tsunemori,” Hanashiro greeted her. Her cool eyes and pretty features managed to stay blank, but Akane still caught a flicker of surprise. “You got here quickly.”

“The situation was urgent,” Akane explained distractedly, attention fixed on Kogami as he winced and began opening his eyes, “so I got here urgently.”

“...I see.”

Before Hanashiro could continue, Kogami’s eyes found Akane’s, and a small smile warmed the pain out of his face. Still, when he spoke, Akane couldn’t ignore the low, pained tremor of his voice. “Ah, Inspector. We can’t keep meeting like this.”

“Don’t joke, Kogami-san,” Akane ordered, her quiet voice sobering Kogami instantly. She was distantly aware of Hanashiro giving them some privacy, too focused on taking in his injuries. The edges of wounds and dark bruises were visible from behind the bloody patches. He was lucky, in a twisted way: he’d only been shot once. The rest of the injuries were stab wounds. Deep, but clean, easy to sew shut once he was taken back to the infirmary.

“Hey.” She looked up at his soft voice, brows furrowing when he looked blurry. “Hey,” he repeated, cupping her cheek and brushing a thumb along her damp lashes. “I’m okay. The others got me to the medics in time.”

“You almost died.”

“Almost. Nothing I haven’t been through before.”

“Don’t, Shinya.” Despite her stern voice, she couldn’t resist leaning into his touch. “How…how did this happen?”

“Guns are becoming easier to access, and especially in the parts of the city where Sibyl’s dropped surveillance. One of the terrorists got their hands on a sniper rifle, and…well.”

“And the stabs?”

“He wanted to get a…bit more personal.” He shifted and winced, hovering a hand over a bandage on his ribs. “He managed to knock me down when I got shot and dropped my defense. His little sister’s coefficient got flagged and she got moved into a hospice. I guess he thought the SAD played a role in that.”

“Is he still in there?”

Kogami blinked, brows furrowing as he watched Akane. “Yes…Hanashiro stayed with me, and Sugo and Gino are still apprehending them. Why?”

Akane didn’t say anything, just covered his hand on her cheek with her own and turned to brush a kiss to his wrist. “Inspector…Akane, why?”

She didn’t know how to reassure him with a lie, and she didn’t need to. A racket arose from the building, pulling her attention to the forms appearing through the doorway. There, emerging from a plume of dust and smoke, came Ginoza and Sugo. Sugo was leading two handcuffed men with firm grips on their arms, while Ginoza was focused on a third, also in handcuffs. In Gino’s other hand was an evidence bag containing a bloodied knife. As they came closer, Akane’s sharp eyes noticed the blood dotting the hands of the man Gino led. Cold certainty washed through her: this was Kogami’s attacker.

“Get some rest,” she murmured, pressing another kiss to his clammy forehead. “I’ll come back tomorrow.”

“Akane…hey, Akane!”

Without another word, she marched towards Ginoza, whose face split between eyes glimmering with happy surprise and a concerned frown. “Tsunemori? What are you doing here?”

“Hanashiro called me.” She kept her eyes on the attacker. “Is this him?”

Ginoza’s face abruptly became stony, shuttering off any emotions her question inspired. Unfortunately for him, she knew him well enough for that to wipe away any remaining doubts she had.

It happened suddenly, before she was even aware of coming to the decision. One moment, she was watching the attacker with an icy, calculating gaze, and the next, her fist was flying at his cheek. By the time the pain at her knuckles finally registered to her, he was reeling back, nearly falling to the ground if it hadn’t been for Ginoza’s grip on him. He couldn’t shout or swear or even gasp—the shock of the punch left him gaping at the ground, slowly blinking and letting blood drip from his mouth.

“Fuck, Tsunemori, what—?”

Akane blinked and looked at Ginoza. Even pinned under his furious surprise, she couldn’t feel any regret, just a duller edge to her anger. “I would apologize,” she murmured, clenching and flexing her aching hand, “but I’m not sorry.”

“No…you wouldn’t be, would you?” He frowned at the attacker as the man finally came back to himself and straightened with a furious glare at Akane. “Well…it’s nothing worse than what he got in the fight. That would have been a hell of a report to file.”

“If any problems do arise from this, let me know. Good luck with the case, Ginoza-san, Sugo-san.” With a respectful nod to the SAD officers, she turned on her heel and left the scene, ignoring the hole Kogami’s eyes were burning into her back.

❈❈❈~❈❈❈~❈❈❈

(She didn’t see him again until the following night. She was at the door before the doorbell stopped ringing, and the moment she flung it open, she was being hustled back into her apartment by calloused hands on her cheeks and a deep kiss on her lips.

“All better, then?” she asked breathlessly when Kogami finally pulled away.

“Mm…Hanashiro’s furious with you,” he chuckled, sneaking kisses between words.

“Yeah…I would be, too.”

“And I love you so damn much.”

“Yeah,” she giggled, draping her arms over his shoulders, “I love you, too.”)

[pearlsephoni]

Shinkane Week 2022, Day 1: Charity

Can also be read on AO3!

Rating: T

Fandom: Psycho-pass

Pairing: Shinkane (Kogami/Akane)

Characters: Akane Tsunemori, Shinya Kogami

Word Count: 1,162

Summary: Kogami reminds Akane that ageing is catching up with her, and helps her mitigate one of its effects on her body.

A/N: Man, I’ve missed these two. :’) Thank you to the mods of @shinkaneweek for bringing it back this year! Further author’s notes can be read on AO3.

She’d always been fascinated by his hands.

It was a curiosity that she knew confused him, but one he humored nonetheless. Even when she was prying one away from its exploration of her waist and stomach.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Even after all this time, a tremble still ran through her body when he spoke directly at her ear. She could feel his smile against the curve of her neck, a cheeky contrast to the soothing fingers skating along her arm.

“I’m not sure they’re worth even that much,” she hummed, leaning back into him. She wondered if he could feel her leaping heartbeat between her shoulder blades as she brought his hand in front of her, spreading it wide.

What stories could these hands tell, she wondered. She had seen them wield Dominators, pistols, rifles. She had seen them sink knives into flesh and carve bruises into cheeks. They were the hands of a warrior, that much was clear. Scars were dusted across them, everything from almost-invisible pale dots to lines of raised, badly-healed skin.

They were the hands of a caregiver, too. They could dress wounds and support limping survivors. They could cradle children and guide elders. They could brush hair from eyes and rub dirt from cheeks.

But more than anything, they were the hands of a lover. They knew how to cook her favorite meal and prepare her favorite coffee. In public, they brushed at her waist and tapped at her shoulder, stealing touches until they could hide from the world again.

And when they hid, oh, when they hid…those hands could be hasty, nearly tearing her clothes in their urgency, or they could be slow, deliberate, teasing her with every scrap of fabric they peeled away. They found new ways to explore familiar paths across her skin, knew every inch of her body and how to touch, caress, rub, pinch.

Even now, when they were fit together on the couch, him reading a book while she frowned at some comms, she found herself melting into the patterns being drawn down her waist, hip, thigh, under the guise of absentminded tracing, but with the clear intent to tantalize.

At least, until she caught the tracing hand and began tracing her own paths between the scars and lines adorning it. “Your hands are so big,” she commented absently, fitting her hand against his. Her fingertips could barely hit the creases of his fingers’ first knuckles, thanks to how his palm dwarfed hers.

“Are they big,” Kogami asked, curving his fingers over hers, “or are yours just small?”

Akane just hummed at that, choosing to focus instead on the slide of their hands against each other. His slid down hers until his thumb could smooth along her palm, the rest of his fingers almost completing a circle around her wrist. She sighed as he sank into a tense muscle and rubbed it loose. “Still taking notes by hand?”

She should’ve been used to that, the casual way he put together the puzzle of her life that he didn’t see from a few innocuous pieces. But no, she still flushed from pleased surprise when he caught something so small. “Not in meetings…it’s just easier to puzzle out evidence when I can write connections out.”

“Can’t imagine where you learned something like that.”

The sound of him setting aside his book was almost hidden by her soft laughter. Almost, but not quite. “Done reading?”

“Mm.” He carefully, gently took her hand in both of his, spreading it wide and making it relax with broad arcs of his thumbs across her palm.

“You don’t have to—oh.” She felt his soft huff against her ear, but he didn’t say anything else, just focused on her impromptu massage.

That was another thing he continued to surprise her with: his random mix of skills that he’d picked up over the years, especially when he was abroad and on the run. Most of them were skills that she was glad to not witness, but this…this was lovely, making her melt against him with a content sigh.

She didn’t realize how close she was to fully nodding off until she was quickly blinking awake at his quiet murmur, “Your wrists are way too tight.”

“Are you really surprised?” she sighed, relaxing again. “You remember how long those case reports would take.”

“Can’t you at least take a few minutes to stretch?”

“Don’t worry, old man.” She flashed him a cheeky grin over her shoulder. “I’m still young and spry, I can handle it.”

“Uh-huh. Your wrists say otherwise.” He gave her wrist a slow turn that made her wince slightly. “See?”

“Well…at least I have you.”

“Mm-hm.” He went back to work, carefully rubbing and stretching the tension out of her hand and wrist, then moving along her forearm. By the time he was done, her arm felt limp and wonderful, relaxed in a way she’d forgotten any part of her body could be. When he reached for her other hand, she was already holding it up, ready and waiting for him. “Oh, I’m sorry,” he playfully grouched, even as he took her hand and started working at it, “I thought you were so young and spry, you didn’t need this.”

“Sometimes it’s good to listen to your elders.” Before he could retaliate with a nip or a poke at her waist, Akane craned her neck back to brush a kiss to his jaw. “Thank you,” she murmured as she pulled away, “You really didn’t have to do this.”

“I know. I wanted to.” The feeling of his lips pressing to her temple melted into the loosening of her muscles and tendons, creating a soothing thrum that ran through her body and made her relax fully into the sturdy strength at her back.

She wasn’t aware of falling asleep. One moment, she was letting her eyes flutter close to better focus on the massage, and the next, she was blinking awake to a dimmer living room and her arms carefully tucked over her body.

She began to slowly sit up, only to feel warm arms wrapped around her and someone heaving a deep sigh beneath her. Sure enough, when she carefully turned, she was treated to the sight of Kogami sleeping, a small furrow settling between his brows. It wasn’t difficult to guess what was causing the furrow: she finished turning around and nestled back into his chest, letting his arms tighten around her again. Just like that, the furrow disappeared, smoothing his face into a picture of peaceful exhaustion.

Would she ever stop feeling breathless from luck at getting to have these moments with him? It didn’t seem likely at this point. But for all the disbelief she still felt, she tried not to question the joys in her life. She just tucked her ear over his heart and let herself drift back to sleep to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

[pearlsephoni]

Shinkane Week 2022, Day 4: Envy

Can also be read on AO3!

Rating: G

Fandom: Psycho-Pass

Pairing: Shinkane (Kogami/Akane)

Characters: Akane Tsunemori, Shinya Kogami, Shuusei Kagari (my beloved)

Word Count: 1,056

Summary: A silly debate between Akane and Kagari over candy flavors seems to get under Kogami's skin.

A/N: Written for @shinkaneweek! Further author’s notes can be read on AO3.

“Your favorite flavor is lemon?”

Akane couldn’t help giggling at the affronted look on Kagari’s face. “Yes…? What’s wrong with lemon?”

“It’s so…so…bland!” Kagari cried out. “They never make the candy's flavor strong enough, and what they do put tastes too sweet! At least lime candy keeps the bitterness, and green apple tastes fresh!”

“Well, what’s your favorite flavor?”

“The humble cherry,” Kagari sniffed with a playful, arrogant grin…that slipped off his face at Akane’s laughter. “What?!”

“Cherry?” Akane giggled. “But that tastes like cough medicine!”

“No, it doesn't! You just don’t know how to get the good candy!”

“And you do?”

“Of course! Who do you think you’re talking to, Akane-chan?” With a flourish, Kagari produced his big jar of sweets—Akane still didn’t understand where he kept it amongst the clutter of his desk—and plucked the top off. “Let’s see…aha!” After some digging, he withdrew his hand to reveal two red candies in his palm. He popped one in his mouth and held the other out with a grin that made Akane think of chipmunks. “Here you are!”

“Thank you for the meal,” Akane laughed before placing it on her tongue. Her cheeks felt a bit warm thanks to Kagari’s sharp eyes watching her, but her awareness of his gaze was quickly washed away by flavor. “Woah!” she gasped, eyes widening and smile widening. “That’s so good!”

“Told ya s—”

“Can I have a lemon one?”

Kagari blinked. “…What?”

“If a cherry one tastes that good, then a lemon one must taste even better!” She smiled sweetly at Kagari’s petulant frown.

“But…but I gave you that because it’s better than the lemon one.”

“Maybe to you…but I don’t usually like cherry candy, and that one was good! So a flavor I usually like would taste amazing, right?”

“Aw, come on! You’re just taking advantage of my kindness!”

“You offered first!”

“Still—!”

“Kagari.” They both jumped at the low, admonishing voice, and whirled to see Kogami frowning at his screen. “Just give her the candy.”

“Ko-chan!” Kagari gasped in pure betrayal. “You’re taking her side?!”

“I’m taking my sanity’s side. Give her the lemon candy.”

With a huff, Kagari handed over a yellow candy, pouting at Akane’s satisfied smile. “He always takes your side,” he quietly grouched.

“‘Always’? There was only one other time!”

“We’ve only argued one other time!”

Oh. Akane blinked, and fought futilely against the warmth rising to her cheeks. “W-well…still,” was all she could muster. When she turned back to her computer, it was with the grudging awareness of Kagari’s knowing smirk.

That was the last time he offered her any candy, at least for the next month or so. The division’s attention was occupied by another person dodging Sibyl’s detection of their heightened coefficient, along with a string of robberies scattered through the city’s wealthiest neighborhood. By the time they tied off both cases, Akane had forgotten the petty argument, only reminded of it when Kagari would enjoy a piece of candy and stuck a tongue out at her bit-back smile.

Then one day she was about to step into the office, when she heard Kagari say, “Woah, when’d you get a sweet tooth?”

“I didn’t.” Her cheeks warmed immediately, a borderline-Pavlovian response to that voice.

“Then what’s with the—ohhhh. Oh my, Ko-chan.”

“Don’t.”

“What’s the occasion?”

“There isn’t one.” Akane bit her lip against a smile—Kogami never seemed able to talk with Kagari for very long without growing at least a little annoyed. “My mom just…gave me these.”

“And they just happened to be Akane-chan’s favori—ow!”

The yelp was accompanied with the sound of something hard knocking on something sturdy, making Akane wince before she finally stepped into the office. “Good morning!” she greeted, trying to sound as chipper and Not Suspicious as she could. The droll look Kogami shot her way told her she wasn’t successful.

“Morning, Akane-chan!” Kagari chirped, a self-satisfied grin curved over his face. “How’s your sweet tooth doing?”

Her heart leapt, a frankly silly reaction to such an innocuous, if strange, question. “Oh, um…what do you mean?”

“I’m getting coffee,” Kogami suddenly announced, pushing himself to his feet and slipping out of the office before anyone could say anything.

His departure made sense when Akane finally got to her desk. There, next to the inactivated holograms for her keyboard, was a small jar filled to the brim with bright yellow candies. The jar itself was unadorned, except for the little pink jellyfish sticker stuck to the glass.

She didn’t realize she was smiling. She was too distracted by the warmth blooming in her chest…until she looked up from the jar and was met by Kagari grinning at her. “Well?”

“Is this…did you…?

“C’mon, Akane-chan, I thought you were a detective.”

“I am! I just…” There was no fighting the flush rising to her cheeks, and she had to firmly turn away from Kagari before his grin could properly get under her skin. She focused instead on digging into her new treat, eagerly opening the jar and popping a candy into her mouth. A smile pushed at her warm cheeks, a rare feeling first thing in the morning as she waited for her computer to boot up. Not even the sound of Kogami returning could startle the curve from her lips, though she did steal a glance at him.

There was a beat, a breath, a half-second, where their eyes met, before Kogami’s gaze jerked towards his own desk. But no amount of avoiding looking at her could hide the distinct pink staining his ears. The sight made her heart skip another beat, and before she could stop herself, she was piping up, “Thank you, Kogami-san.”

He froze halfway into sitting down, and she was delighted to see the pink threaten to spread to his cheeks. “Ah…yeah, of course. Thought you’d enjoy them more than me.”

Akane didn’t know what her smile looked like, but whatever Kogami saw made his stony eyes soften and the usually-hard line of his lips gentle into the slightest curve, one she wouldn’t have noticed if she wasn’t already so well-versed in his microexpressions.

“God…I need a coffee.”

She jumped and looked away from Kogami just in time to see Kagari leaving. “Oh,” she gasped, “is he alright?”

“He’ll be fine,” Kogami scoffed, finally sitting down. “Just a bit of jealousy.”

[chaptersinprogress]

snapshot: four | shinya/akane | no cws

Akane stared at the slice of cake that had been placed down in front of her where they were seated in a cozy cafe. And then squinted at Kogami suspiciously.

“Was there even a case to discuss, Ko?”

Kogami didn’t even try to hide his smug look. “There is,” he said, the corner of his lips quirking upwards. “But it’s not something that requires immediate attention. In fact, it can probably afford another week.”

Puffing her cheeks in outrage, Akane jabbed her fork accusingly at Kogami. “You-! We could get into so much trouble for this, you know?”

The MFA agent huffed softly and leaned forward to catch hold of Akane’s wrist, plucking the offending utensil from between her fingers. Spinning it around, he rested it against the edge of the cake plate then gently kissed the statutory Enforcer’s palm.

“Ko!” Akane hissed, worriedly scanning the area for curious eyes, a red flush sitting high on her cheekbones.

“Relax,” he murmured, rubbing a thumb over the skin of her wrist soothingly. “No one can see us.”

Indeed no one could. Kogami had chosen their table intentionally - seated in a corner with a wall behind Akane, another to their left, and a cluster of tall potted plants along his back, they were well concealed from prying eyes and ears.

And bent over the table as they were, they were also out of sight of the few cameras. The only way they could be spotted was if someone approached or sat at the table beside them. Unlikely given how far back into the cafe they were and there being very few patrons in the first place.

The risk was negligible; and the reward more than worth it.

“Hanashiro actually told me to spend more time with you,” Kogami admitted. “And your ‘Mika-chan’ was more than happy to look the other way after being needled by her.”

Akane couldn’t help the small smile that curled her lips. “Mika-chan’s always been like that.”

Relaxing for the first time that day, she leaned in further to gently rub the tip of her nose against Kogami’s. Making full use of the opportunity, the male slid his hand along her jaw to tilt Akane’s head and fit their lips together with a pleased hum. Eyes sliding shut, they exchanged soft kisses, letting the rest of the world fade away.

Until a particularly loud giggle from somewhere in the cafe had them hastily breaking apart.

Kogami let his hands fall onto the table as Akane sat back in her seat, tongue swiping over her glossy pink lips nervously. He watched as she picked up the fork and began cutting into the cake, content to hook his feet around her ankles under the table.

That was when a gentle pressure against his fingers drew his gaze downwards. He was met with the sight of Akane’s fingers slotted neatly between his own, lacing them together. Squeezing them lightly, Kogami looked at the woman who believed in him and trusted him even after all they’d gone through.

And she smiled brightly back.

[chaptersinprogress]

snapshot: two | shinya/akane | brief mention of corpses

Akane pulled up the five photos side by side on her screen, close-ups of the corpses' wrists, elbows or shoulders.

"See here," she said, indicating points on the autopsy photos. "It's almost unnoticeable at first due to the positioning, but there are raised lines on the skin that are too neat to be made accidentally."

Kogami braced one hand on the desk and leaned over the statutory Enforcer's shoulder to study the images better. His breaths gently ruffled the loose strands of her hair, sending tingles down her spine.

"Scarification?" he questioned her.

Akane guiltily fought down the urge to lean back into the warm line of his chest.

"Not exactly," she replied, shaking the thought out of her head. "It might be a white ink tattoo. White ink gives the impression of scarification due to how fast the colour breaks down after being injected under the skin. And it's easy to mistake since people avoid tattooing crease areas like these due to stretching."

"So if we can locate the artist, we'll be able to trace the cell," concluded Kogami.

Akane nodded. “It’s a lead.”

Kogami leaned down till his mouth was level with her ear. “Thank you, Akane,” he breathed out.

A pale pink flush creeped up the Enforcer’s cheeks as goosebumps erupted along her neck and arms. She darted a quick glance at the rest of the team, but the rest of Division 1 was absorbed in their own work, ignorant of the MFA agent’s teasing.

Kogami huffed a small laugh and slowly drew up, lips ghosting over the shell of Akane’s ear in a brief kiss. Smirking smugly at the bright red glow colouring the tips of her ears, he squeezed Akane’s shoulder before turning and exiting the room.

Work before pleasure.

[chaptersinprogress]

snapshot: six | shinya/akane | gets a lil warm

“I never thought I’d see the inside of one of these rooms again,” Kogami mused aloud as he took in the space.

Akane placed a glass of whisky onto the coffee table while craddling the other in her palms. “I never thought I’d end up here either.” She looked over the room. “That cell Sibyl kept me in was actually larger, I think.”

At the patently unhappy noise Kogami made, Akane looked at him and laughed softly. “It’s not that bad, Ko,” she said reassuringly, walking over to him and sitting on the armrest of the couch he was on. She ran a hand through his hair. “It could be a lot worse.”

Kogami wrinkled his nose and buried his face into her stomach. “Doesn’t mean it isn’t bad,” he said petulantly, his voice muffled by the fabric of her sweater. “You deserve much better.”

There was really nothing she could say to that. So she deflected.

“Oh my, where did the big bad Enforcer from my time as an Inspector go?” Akane teased gently, scratching his scalp. “What would he ever say about you behaving like this?”

“He’s on vacation,” retorted Kogami, sitting up. Then stealing the tumbler from her hand, he downed the drink in one smooth motion. “Though,” he purred, placing the glass onto the table though his eyes never left Akane’s. “He could be convinced to return, if that’s what you wish.”

Before the ex-Inspector could even react, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her off the armrest and into his lap.

“Ko!” she yelped, heart almost leaping out of her chest even as her arms automatically wound around his neck for balance. “You-! You-!” She whacked his unfairly built chest lightly. “You should know to treat a lady better.”

“Oh? I thought you wanted a big bad Enforcer,” Kogami retorted, amusement lighting his eyes and curling the corners of his lips.

Akane sniffed haughtily, turning her head away. “You know that wasn’t what I meant.”

Kogami chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his throat. “My apologies then,” he whispered against her jaw, trailing soft kisses along the slender line of her neck.

Sliding her hands into his hair, Akane pulled lightly to guide his face up, then kissed him fiercely. “You’ll still have to make up for it,” she said breathlessly.

And from the unmistakable way his eyes darkened, she knew she had him right where she wanted.

“Your wish is my command, Inspector.”

[whatsyourcolor]

Reposting with a trick to better the resolution. ¬¬