#shadowofswag

shadow-of-swag:

It seems Aki has noticed the Shadow’s presence.

“Hey there, Aki, wonderful day, isn’t it?”

goldenboysanada:

“Hello, Shin—”

Akihiko’s greeting petered out as he noticed something off about his friend. Scratch that, the being in front of him was definitely not his friend. Sure, he sounded like Shinji, and even looked like him, down to every single article of clothing. However, he had those eyes. The markings of a Shadow.

This must be the Shadow that Shinjiro told him about. But what was he doing here? Didn’t he face him back at The Seal?

He glared at the Shadow as he prepared himself for battle. “What are you doing here?”

shadow-of-swag:

“I’m here because I can be,Aki. I have no quarrel with you, only my other, and I’d rather avoid him then be sealed away again for a time.”

Going back to the cold depths of his other’s mind wasn’t something the Shadow wanted. Especially if her were to be bound in the form of that wild behemoth of a demi-god.

“You also see me as an enemy, when I’m simply another part of your best friend. I wish for you to see me in a similar light.”

goldenboysanada:

The way Shadow Shinjiro said his name sent chills down his spine.Aki.Only one person ever called him that, and hearing it from someone who’s him, and yet not him, in a condescending tone unlike his best friend, was something that disturbed him greatly.

It wasn’t only that. Akihiko did not believe what he was hearing. Rather, he did notwant to believe the words coming out of the Shadow’s mouth. It did not make any sense. From what he learned, accepting one’s Shadow meant its transformation into a Persona. Or maybe to start with, everything was complicated with regards to Shinji’s shadow, considering the circumstances surrounding his first appearance.

“Why do you hate Shinji so much?” Even if the Shadow did not display any outward aggression, Akihiko was not going to risk letting his guard down. “Didn’t he accept you already, for all you’re worth?”

shadow-of-swag:

“I don’t hate my other, Aki, I simply find his way of doing things too passive for my tastes, among other issues he has with his personality.”

The Shadow smiled slightly, amused in how his other’s brother figure was so weary of him despite this being their first encounter.

“And he did accept me, but only parts of me, of himself. Ask him how well he can control his new Persona. He lacks the ability to because he can’t accept all of his flaws. Thus, I’m free to walk about as I please, and until he gets over himself, that will never change.”

goldenboysanada:

Aki.Still with that name. It was greatly disconcerting for him.

Even more disturbing than that were the words he uttered regarding Hercules. Shinjiro never mentioned anything about having difficulties controlling his Persona, so this was news to him. It was possible that Shadow Shinji was lying to him about this, but given Shinjiro’s past situation with Castor, what the Shadow said was not out of the realm of possibility.

“Shinji’s much stronger than you give him credit for,Shadow.” He said it as condescendingly as he can, although in all honestly, he was praying that his voice did not betray him, with the doubt that he was starting to feel. “And don’t call me ‘Aki’.”

shadow-of-swag:

It interested the Shadow in how just saying his other’s nickname for the young man in front of him could irk him so. He smiled wider, in a way Shinjiro never would.

“I do not deny the strength of my other, I am merely stating how he has yet to accept all of his faults. And be truthful with me Aki, do you accept every last damn fault that you have?”

He takes a step forward as he continues.

“And is it so wrong of me to call you that, Aki? We are friends aren’t we?”

goldenboysanada:

At this point, Akihiko was no longer disturbed by the name-calling. He was thoroughly pissed. Part of him knew that the Shadow was doing it on purpose, but it did not prevent him from punching Shadow Shinji on the side of the face. It was against his better judgment, but it made him feel better about the situation.

“I think you have a point right there, Shadow. You’re as damn persistent as the actual one.”

shadow-of-swag:

He took half a step back at the punch, smiling through the blow. In truth he barely felt the impact, but it was always fun to give a good show. Standing straight, he gazed at the white-haired other, the bruise on his face already starting to disappear.

“Well, I am he and he is I after all. Would you truly expect me to be incapable of measuring up to my own other?”

The Shadow’s eyes then narrow slightly as he continues.

“But enough of this farce, Sanada, I did not approach you to start a conflict. All I desire from our meeting is for us to become acquainted at the least, though in truth I already know a great deal about you courtesy of my other.”

He extends a hand, that smug smirk still on his face.

“So, shall we exchange pleasantries, or am I too much of an abomination for you too at least shake hands wit?”

goldenboysanada:

Indeed, it was a bad idea. Unlike any Shadow he has seen, the bruise started to disappear, and it was as if he never took any damage in the first place. For now, no matter how he looked at it, this was certainly someone he shouldn’t mess with.

As for the words the Shadow spoke, it disturbed Akihiko more than he let on. At the very least, Shadow Shinji stopped calling him ‘Aki’. It still didn’t stop him from wanting to wipe that smirk off his face.

However, he knew better now, and instead of being confrontational, he decided to turn his back on the Shadow and walked out on him. Akihiko thought that was the best course of action, considering that he did not plan on giving this Shadow the time of the day.

shadowofswag:

The Shadow frowned as he watched his other’s brother figure walk away. He had not intended to cause him to leave, but he knew better than to pursue. Creating a friendship with the former members of SEES would likely be… difficult outside of Fuuka. They lacked the understanding of True Selves such as him unlike the Persona users in Inaba.