#ml writes

You've changed. Time has affected you, of course. Being from a couple years in the future of the SEES members, it's obvious you're older. You can't keep your expression completely in check when you look at them. Knowing something you won't say. Looking at him- at Makoto- with something you won't say.

You still use an evoker, even though you don't need to by now. "It's more reliable, after using it so long." You still use it, but so much more naturally than your old teammates are used to you using it with.

Makoto doesn't know how to rectify the two versions of you. His teammate, his friend, his love, the person who should be at his side. The person you still are. Even if only because you follow on instinct. If only because you reach for him with long unused habits you can never quite lose.

But you're different, too. Older, not just than when he last saw you; you're older than the other members of the Investigation team. The oldest of the group, though you still look to Yu for leadership. At least when you aren't looking to Makoto.

"Is something wrong?" He's been staring for a while. It isn't surprising you noticed. Fidgeting under his gaze. Knowing he must have noticed the ways you're acting. "Makoto?"

"No." Makoto shrugs. You know him well enough to read the subtle changes in his expression, though. He knows that, too.

"Then?"

"Maybe I just want to look at you." A startled scoff leaves at his teasing. You would have been embarrassed, once. Now you just look fond. Nostalgic. As if you've missed this. Missed him.

"You're not usually that cheesy."

"So I won't change much?"

You flinch. Barely, but it's enough that Makoto can see it. Enough that he knows something has changed. He says your name, a barely whispered question.

"You haven't changed at all." There's so much hurt hiding underneath your words he doesn't want to face. What could have happened? Why do you look at him as if-

"Oh." He smiles at you, just barely.

"What is it?"

"Nothing." He's figured it out. You both know. But Makoto says nothing except, "I'm sorry."

"Makoto-"

"I love you." He needs to tell you, even if you won't remember he has.

"Of course you do, I'm your girlfriend," you say, teasing. But there's that fond expression again. The bittersweet feeling between you.

"Are you?" Are you still, he means. You look away.

"I love you," you say, instead of addressing the reality. No, you aren't. How can you be when he's not there? When you've grown into adulthood without him? It hasn't been long, really. You love him, probably always will, but you can't be with him.

He wouldn't want that.

"Okay," Makoto says, simply. Accepts what you won't say. He doesn't want to hurt you. Simply takes and holds onto every little detail of the ways you've changed, while you take in how much he's the same as you remember.

Eventually, before everyone returns to their own times, curiosity will get the better of Makoto.

"Were you there?" He asks.

"What?"

"When I-"

"We all were," you say. So that he cant put it into words. He died. You were all there, when he stopped breathing. It was horrible.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay..." it isn't. "I don't think you regretted it."

"I should regret something." You stare at him, but Makoto shrugs off your confusion. "It hurt you."

Oh. It did. He watches the way you tense at the acknowledgement. Then, with a maturity unfamiliar to him, you breathe a sigh and tell him, "I'm okay."

"I'm glad I got to see you."

You hesitate at the sudden change in conversation. Makoto only offers a barely visible smile. "What do you mean?"

"When you're older." Makoto grabs on of your hands in one of his. "You got cooler."

"Cooler, huh?" You open your mouth to tease him about not thinking you were cool, originally, but he cuts you off.

"Pretty, too."

"Now you're just- you're teasing me."

"A little."

You've changed. In a world without him, you've grown into something different. But the light flushing of your face as he drops monotone descriptors on you hasn't.

Minato's primary drive in a date is ensuring you're happy. In spite of his "I don't care" shtick, Minato cares a lot, and thus date's are no exception.

Presuming you've both decided to be open about dating, he would allow a bit more open affection (hand holding and the like) even though PDA isn't usually his go to.

Now as for the dates themselves:

Obviously lunch/dinner dates are always a good option, so it's no surprise he chooses those quote often.

Minato is more likely to stick to things he knows you'll like. So while the restaurant itself might change, don't expect him to upgrade in price levels, even if it is a serious relationship, unless you bring it up first.

Or if you're choosing the location, I guess. Because, of course, Minato doesn't make all the date choices. He's very open to letting you choose where you go unless he specifically invited you out with special plans in mind.

Though he will give his thoughts on your choices, Minato is typically just happy to be out with you, in general.

(Minato might openly admit he feel lucky to have a boyfriend he can go on dates with, if asked.)

And, really, since you're both boys he doesn't need to work around the expectations of the boyfriend making the choices. (Not only are you both the boyfriend but he never cared about that kind of outdated stuff, anyway.)

Other than meals, he's always up for a classic movie date, or karaoke. The former is a nice low-energy date and the latter one he's more up to on his higher energy days.

Though the privacy of either is nice. Even if you're not openly together it's easy to get away with more, though still subtle, affection.

On rare occasion Minato might take you out somewhere more open. The shrine is convenient to just hang out, but it's not exactly date material. If you leave port island, though, a park date is an option.

It's something he'd put a surprising amount of thought into. If you even mentioned the idea offhand, he'd eventually bring it up.

Here's the thing about if something goes wrong, though: Minato takes it in stride.

He may pout frown about plans being ruined, but Minato is quick on his feet. It's easy enough for him to redirect.

No space available at the restaurant? That's okay, there are others. And if not you can get ingredients and he can cook. Minato knows just enough about cooking that it might even be better than the original plans.

Movie sold out? Get later tickets, he'll take you to do something else in the meantime. As long as you're together, he's happy with that.

Weather take a dramatic turn for the worse? Find a warm restaurant or go home together. Get a nice warm meal together instead.

The longer you're together the more likely Minato is to suggest stay-home dates. Offering to make nicer dinners and set the table properly.

Part of it is a general convince, but a lost of it is the privacy.

Even of you are open about you're relationship, Minato is well aware how people look are two boys being together. That along with the fact he's generally not a PDA person means he holds himself back quite a bit in public.

"Worse." Despite his mounting glare he has not sat up. You poke his puffed up cheek, and he turns his head to try and bite the offending finger.

"Definitely a cat."

Now he sits up. Face to face with you, his pout turns into a proper frown, but he still manages to look more pouty than legitimately upset. There's the ever-slightest hint of a flush on his face. If he did more things you could tease him for, how cute he is would make it impossible to resist.

"Mi-nya-to."

"I hate you." But it must have amused him a little because the frown returns to pouting. He leans forward to hide his expression in your shoulder.

"Come on you don’t have to sulk about it."

"I'm not."

"Minato."

This time when you poke at him he only puffs his cheeks out more purposefully.

"Do you want milk?"

"Milk is bad for cats!" He looks up just enough to see his face again. Still pouting.

"I thought you weren't a cat?"

He deflates, sinking back down to lay his head on your lap.

"You win this time."

Yu/Souji

Man's caretaker instinct is already through the roof- especially with those he genuinely cares for- and now you've added you being younger than him to the mix?

The difference can be as minimal as possible and he'll still go, "I'm older, let me do this."

It's never patronizing, he 100% understands and respects that you're his equal, he just likes taking care of others, and this is more of an excuse to than anything else.

Obviously like all of them he's not the most talkative person in the world but he may take every opportunity to gush about you, if he can.

Whereas he's nervous about having an older partner, he's all set for a younger one. The first year IT members have given him plenty practice being a senpai and he's taking those lessons into this relationship

Honestly a little difficult to get him to understand that as his s/o you don't need to be treated differently because you're younger than him.

He will eventually chill out and reach the balance necessary for the relationship but the first weeks-to-months are an ongoing adjustment.

Genuinely sweet, 9/10, get those reminders in his head faster and he's lovely.

Hamuko/Minako

Haha, cute, she thinks you're adorable

Genuinely doesn't care if her partner is older or younger, but she does usually go for people older than her.

Thus this is actually pretty unique territory. Sure the age difference can be minimal, but that doesn't mean she isn't going to milk being the older one for all its worth.

Unfortunate side effect is that she'll feel a sense of responsibility, no matter how small the difference. And since she's already the responsible one in so many situations, it's pretty obvious she isn't as relaxed around you as she should be.

Gotta get through to her that she doesn't have to be "the mature one" just bc she's x-amount older than you.

This isn't SEES, she doesn't have to be "the responsible leader" she can just be your significant other

The only other struggle will be getting her to stop giving you horrible pet names, unless you enjoy them. In which case return the favor. Be warned she doesn't flustered easily, though.

8/10, a little rough to start but otherwise fine

Minato/Makoto

"Haha cute," said in full deadpan

Okay jokes aside, does he actually care that you're younger than him? No. Is he going to tease you about it? Ehhh, maybe?

He will when it's easy, or just when you least expect it, but generally, no.

He's not overly concerned with you being younger than him. If anything he probably forgets more often than not.

It's only when you being younger is in prime joking territory that he comments on it at all.

This is not to say it doesn't affect anything.

He actually- in spite of all his claims not to care- has come to enjoy being relyed on. (Afterall, his responsibilities have lead him to genuine bonds for the first time) So any amount of "I should be taking care of you" feelings you being younger than him gives, are a positive.

Mostly he just uses it as an excuse to poke at you for being "cute"

Yu/Souji

Seeks unhelpful advice about the relationship from the IT rip

Genuinely worried about if you'll think he's not mature enough, even if your actual age difference is inconsequential overall. No, Yu, this is not weird.

He does not see the hypocrisy in how he wouldn't be worried about it were the roles reversed.

He likes taking care of people. Like a lot. So he gets kind of nervous about having an older s/o. What if you want to take care of him, as those roles might generally dictate?

In spite of his overthinking, his quiet nature means you probably won't be aware of any of his internal struggles over this until he finally brings them up.

He, ironically, tends to take things at face value. Unless he already has a reason to be thinking deeper about something, he'll accept apparent facts fairly easily. This is something he works on more post-game, considering the plot, but that doesn't mean it's never still a thing.

All that is to say he takes your supposed roles in a relationship at face value. You're older so he shouldn't expect you to let him take care of you, right?

When he finally brings it up, if you assure him your relationship doesn't need to be- shouldn't be- one person exclusively taking care of the other, but more mutual, he'll finally get put of his head about it.

Is genuinely very sweet in general, but it's things like continuing to use respectful honorifics that make it obvious how much respect he has for you, being older, even if your age difference is incredibly minimal.

Does occasionally joke that he's irresistible even to older people since he got you to go out with him. Whether or not you find this funny is up to you.

He looks so happy with himself about it though you'd be hard pressed to tell him it's not.

9/10, little too in his own head about it, but otherwise sweet.

Ren/Akira

Run while you can

Boy he does not care if you're older than him, no respect.

Okay that's an exaggeration he does respect you of course, but just look at his confidants and tell me he is going to treat you differently because you're older.

He won't, except maybe for teasing purposes.

Or "no you have to treat me you're the older one :(" purposes

Menace the sequel now with more blatant disrespect

On a more genuine note he has trouble actually letting his guard down. He tries with the PT but even then he sometimes falls into "keeping up the act of strength not to worry them." I mean look at how he returned from the interrogation.

Which is why, despite you being older, he often still tries to take care of you all the time. He wants to be relied on and trusted by those he cares for, sometimes to his own detriment.

And to that point, if you do manage to break through that, you'll probably be startled by how fragile the person under that mask is.

You might actually find it more difficult to get through to him as someone older than him, because his general experiences have not given him much faith in being cared for by people who are.

If you can get him to ask for comfort of some kind you've won, he definitely trusts you. Give him some well-needed cuddling or something, boy's traumatized

7/10 being older is a hindrance more than anything

No idea why I gave number ratings but I did

P3/Minato/Makoto

"Okay."

Doesn't really care what your gender is

That's not to say he doesn't care about how it affects you

He does care how you feel but as far as it changing your relationship? Doesn't matter. Your gender was irrelevant to how he felt about you

Pretty immediately and easily switches pronouns, and if you have a new name easily switches that

Basically will just be like "alright tell me what to change"

If you're only out to him and don't want others to know then he'll keep quiet about it pretty easily

Will likely find ways to avoid misgendering you as much as possible without outing you. Just subtly avoiding gendered words. Likely motioning to you instead of using your deadname if you have one

Because he so casual about it no one notices

Will be there for whatever you need, but doesn't really know what to do on his own- and is also Big Tired- so he won't go out of his way to do much without being asked

If you do want to come out to others in SEES he'll ask to be there with you for support and is honestly relieved to be able to refer to you correctly around them

More worried about if you're okay than anything else if someone makes a mistake, so you usually would be the one to correct them. (Unless Koro is around because his disappointment in them is tangible)

FeMC/Minako/Hamuko

Ah so now she has a cute girlfriend? Great 10/10

Your gender wasn't a huge factor to her before. It may have had some impact but not enough to change how she feels

She likely already knew she liked girls too so nothing to work through as far as that goes

She also switches pretty easily to new pronouns and name

She probably has a harder time continuing to use the wrong ones if you don't want others to know because her brain has already replaced all of that with the new stuff

On the bright side that means she almost never trips up when you're alone and usually realizes before even finishing the word when she does.

Though because she's usually so good about it she's a bit Too apologetic about it, but luckily you rarely need to remind her it's okay and that she can just correct herself and move on

Similarly to her counterpart she also tries to subtly avoid using gendered language and your deadname (if you have one) in conversation; instead motioning to you or giving you pet names since you're in a relationship and no one will question it

She's very supportive and will likely do whatever she can to make you more comfortable

Probably helps you find clothes that are neutral enough to feel less directly masculine so you can feel a little better in them without drawing unwanted attention

If you also come out to the rest of SEES she's your number one supporter and usually beats you to any corrections

P4/Yu

He is so supportive and so confused

That means you're boyfriends now right? Does he need to start calling you handsome instead of pretty? You can be both, but what if you don't want to be called pretty?

He's a little too ready to support you and asks a lot of questions, but if you tell him he's being overwhelming or making you uncomfortable he will stop immediately

As far as this making your relationship mlm? That's fine doesn't really think his s/o's gender matters as far as being in a relationship with them

He's probably worried about the others reaction more for your sake than his own. He can shut comments down pretty easily but he still worries

If you don't want anyone else to know? Okay he can do that. Is pretty good at instantly switching back and forth when you're alone or with other people.

He probably messes up sometimes when you're alone but he's pretty quick to realize and correct himself

Lends you clothes and if anyone asks it's just because he likes the idea of you wearing his shirts or jackets or whatever and people will go "okay yeah that's a thing" just fine

If you do come out to the investigation team he's so ready to support you and is always very quick on the draw to correct them without making a huge thing of it. It's kind of impressive how quickly he can go "he is, go on" or whatever

Absolutely does research on Trans stuff in his own time too because he cares A Lot and doesn't want to hurt you because of any ignorance he might have

If you haven't chosen a different name, but want one, don't tell him because he will make a list of like 80 names of extremely varying quality

Or do I guess; maybe one will stick

P5/Ren/Akira

Oh hell yeah we gay in this house

Legitimately didn't care about whether his s/o was a boy or girl (or neither or, ect., ect.) but since this is important he's very much like "oh nice I've got myself a boyfriend"

The switch of pronouns and name are pretty easy for him in general. He may mess up sometimes but he's good at catching it, correcting himself, and moving on

If you don't want others to know he finds plenty of ways to avoid language that genders you

Probably gives you a nickname unrelated to your deadname (if you have one) to call you when around the others. If anyone questions it he says it's just a pet name because you're in love or whatever

Probably already knows more than you expect about Trans stuff and is always willing to learn more

Supportive but doesn't really know what you want or need so waits until you mention something to try and help.

Will buy you clothes that are less feminine without warning. In general they're more neutral than masc, especially if you're only out to him, but he's doing his best

Also if you do want to come out to the other phantom thieves he's so ready to finally be able to go "my boyfriend" when talking about you