b r e a k .

“YEET!!”

A pebble goes rocketing towards the back of Valdemar’s head. Who could have possibly thrown it? The only suspect is casually rounding a nearby corner as if nothing happened.

– Your head turns the whole way around, in the direction that you were struck. You brandish the scalpel from one of your pockets, as well as a pair of surgical scissors. 

axeandfloof‌:

“UM! I THINK USING AN OBJECT WOULD GET THE POINT ACROSS JUST AS WELL!” 

She gently tries to urge Valdimar’s arms down. She shoots a pleading look to Akechi to fix this. 

When Valdemar picks Akira up and Akira reacts like a cat who was just lifted by the scruff of his neck, you briefly consider just letting it happen. It would be quite hilarious, and you kind of want to “yeet” him yourself after his version of the definition.

Haru seems to not dig the idea, though.

“Haha, please don’t yeet the cat, Valdemar.”

– “Very well.” 

You ultimately compromise by dropping the little cretin instead of outright throwing him. He lands on his feet, and while he seems annoyed he is unharmed. If Goro wants you to set him down gently and give him a little pat on the head he’ll have to actually pay you. 

crowism‌:

axeandfloof‌:

“I think it’s a meme? I don’t know the original context, however.”

“I believe it is related to a fast moving–or being thrown–motion. A use for it could be ‘I’m going to yeet that football’ or ‘I had to yeet to the store.’ Sometimes people seem to use it as an exclamation of excitement, too.”

“You know like, YEET.” – You make a fast, pushing gesture with your arms. 

“I have a question.” 

You see Akira out when Valdemar declares that he can’t stay any longer, telling him that you’ll message him to meet back up later and heavily implying that you’d like him to not get caught by Ryuji until you’ve been able to talk to him yourself. It’s as much for Ryuji’s sake as it is for yours–you know he’d rather hear from you–but you don’t know when you’ll finish your talk with Valdemar. You assume that’s the reason Valdemar wants Akira to leave so badly, at least.

Normally, you’d fight. You got them to let him stay for an extra hour after you both woke up, but you still had a lot of things to discuss with him. But, they did save your life, and have actually been remarkably patient all things considered. So you decide to let them have this.

So, after you lock the door behind the Phantom Thief, you move to sit down and settle in the silence. You figure they’ll start talking when they want to, and after they make you and themself tea, they do.

You simply nod when they say you need to talk.

But you don’t expect anything that comes out of their mouth after that.

It’s a lot of information and a lot of bizzareness all at once.

They’re calling off your deal, but they only specify your half ending.

They’ve been doing research for Shido–trying to find a way to counteract mental shutdowns. Since he didn’t believe the Phantom Thieves were here yet, it must have been a precaution against you. You imagine if he has successfully gotten that information, then further knowledge on the metaverse would have come with it. Likely leading to your usefulness coming to an end.

And then Valdemar tells you that if they discovered anything, they’d tell you instead of Shido.

For a few moments, you’re stunned silent.

You just stare at them as they sit there with their tea.

Finally, you manage to form words, albeit only a few for once.

“What’s caused this change…?”

“What indeed,” you say, turning away from him for a moment to stride over to the glass doors to the balcony. You care not for the city below, or its inhabitants. But to bring plague to this world like you’d wanted. That desire has been tainted. You have one theory as to why this is happening to you. 

“It’s been nigh on a thousand years, and not once have I elected to care about the living. But with you, it seems, somewhere along the line I was heedless.”

You turn to face him again. 

“I don’t understand it myself. But I do know I have a compulsion to make sure you are safe. If I’m so far gone as to feel fear over it, then we are in a dire situation.” 

You approach him. 

“We will only speak of this once,” you warn him. “Do not mentally picture the things I am about to tell you, do not attempt to create an image of them, and do not go sticking your nose into it for any reason.” – You allow the words to have a level of severity before continuing. 

“If a goat with four horns, and markings on his head attempts to talk to you: Run. Do not think of me. Cease contact. If he manages to get his claws in you, there will be nothing I can do to save you. If anyone, be it man or demon, offers you a deal when you are at your most desperate... refuse. Especially in the realms of your dreams.”  

You thread your fingers together, it does nothing to ease your anxiety. 

“If the worst happens, and you must defend yourself from me, then you must attempt to break the chains holding me together. It’s a long shot. But you... you’re special. It may very well work.”

Valdemar answers you and then immediately tries to kick Akira out. You really shouldn’t be surprised, all things considered, but you still didn’t quite expect it. Especially how protective they seem of you.

You lightly sigh. Akira’s asking you for help with his eyes.

“He has offered to make breakfast.” you start, letting them know that he plans to feed you, too. “And I do actually have a reason to expend more energy on him. I have things I need to discuss with him before he can leave.”

You shrug.

“Very well. I’m going on a walk then. I doubt this needs to be said, but I don’t enjoy this one’s presence, or his attitude. My professional advice would be to find better friends.”

The ones he has? Abhorrent. The large haired girl is by far the most acceptable, and even then you don’t care for her much. This one, and the loud blonde one? Absolutely disgusting. But it is his choice who he keeps around. So long as they don’t eat everything, you will tolerate them. 

It is annoying though. You still haven’t gotten the chance to discuss things with him, because this cretin is here. 

“I will change your bandages when I get back. Until then, eat, and take your medicine.” 

“Ah–” 

You didn’t expect him to move so suddenly. You blink.

“How long have you been awake…? I apologize if you have been waiting long for me to wake up.”

You idly rub your eyes and try to stretch–only to be reminded of your injury by a jolt of pain. You only wince a bit.

“Go ahead. You can make whatever you’d like.”

When he gets up, you follow suit. Normally, you’d get dressed right away, but you should probably change your bandages first and they’re in the living room, so you follow him to the kitchen and sit at the breakfast bar instead.

“Good morning, Valdemar.” you greet absently, stifling a painful yawn. You’re not sure they sleep. You just kind of accept it at this point.

The children filter out of the room. They had been talking a little bit, and you did hear a stir even before then. You had been hoping that Akechi would choose to sleep some more, but it seems he has decided to be awake for good. You close your book. It is about time you change his bandages out. 

“It is passable,” you reply, a comment on the morning itself. It has been uneventful, but your research has proved fruitful. You also let yourself go a little wild and read up on flesh eating viruses.   

“Shouldn’t you be going? You’ve overstayed your welcome,” you note the dark haired one, who seems to be going to the kitchen for some reason. He gives you a look, starts to open his mouth, and you silence him by raising your hand. 

crowism‌:

He startles when you touch him, and for a moment, you’re not sure if you should recall your hand. You end up letting it stay there.

Then he’s lifting it and gently squeezing.

Does that mean you didn’t completely fuck up trying to be helpful? The thank you is a good sign, you think.

“Ah…” you close your own eyes, “You really shouldn’t be glad we met.”

Not after everything you do and cause. Not after what you put him through, even after he wanted to have faith in you.

When you open your eyes again, though, you realize that he might not have heard you. He might have finally drifted off to sleep.

“Happy New Year, Akira…” you say quietly before rolling back onto your back.

You think you hear Valdemar come back in…

– You hear him. It’s muddled, and a little foggy, but you don’t fall asleep quite that fast. Things don’t quite register all the way though, and while you think you reply to him with words, you actually just say a singular ‘no’. You reach for him, but in reality your arm moves maybe an inch or two. 

“Nn…” 

You cannot wish him a Happy New Year. The dark, numbing embrace of sleep won’t allow it. 

As you walk in you can hear the vaguest hint of a whisper from your patient, and seeing neither of the children in sight, you can assume they went to the same place. And you’re grateful you won’t have to fight either of them to go to sleep, because truly, your patience with one is gone. The other, well. It isn’t patience you’re operating on.

You do notice the light left on for you, however. It’s unnecessary, and you’re fairly sure Goro knows this. You have never bothered to turn a light on once in your time here. You don’t quite know how to identify how you feel, so you don’t dwell on it any longer.

– The cab for the dark haired child has arrived, and finally you are rid of him. The way he regards you on his way out with that defiant glare is all too familiar, and honestly, how ungrateful. You could have pushed him out the door and been done with it. But you didn’t. You used your own money to see that he made it safely to his abode. Not for his sake of course, but still. 

You sigh, and bask in the quiet that has blanketed the house. Oddly enough, some tea sounds nice. You’d grabbed some during your grocery run, and you decide to make a cup for your patient while you’re at it. You set it on the surface nearest to him.

“We need to talk,” you say, having full intentions of steering the conversation. “Specifically about our deal. I will no longer require updates on the locations on the bodies you produce.”

“The reason I have been acquiring them is because Shido recruited me to find an element to negate the process of cognitive alterations. To cover himself, I presume.” 

Haru accepts the doctor’s explanation, or rather, half of one with a quiet nod. She had figured from Akechi’s refusal for her to call an ambulance that it would be a problem for him to be out in the open like this. She only hopes her compliance doesn’t lend to something that could lead to hurting innocent people. But she could press him on that subject for later. 

She nods once more when the doctor expresses a need to watch over Akechi, more than willing to fill that role. But before she can ask for a means to contact them should his condition take a turn for the worse, they ask her a question regarding her and Akechi’s relationship. 

Haru swallows, struggling to find an appropriate answer. It’s not an unreasonable question to ask, of course, considering the pair seem to be extremely careful with whom they let into their affairs, whatever they may be. And Akechi wasn’t exactly in a state to fight back should someone wish to bring further harm to him. 

And… Well. She’s not sure she can count herself as an ally. Or guarantee she’ll be complacent in whatever he plans on doing. But at the very least, in this moment, she didn’t mean the boy any harm. 

“We knew each other, back home.” She offers diplomatically. “We’ve even fought together on occasion.” 

You asked the question because you were curious. No more, no less. However. You’ve dabbled in politics long enough to have a good sense for those who are engaging in wordplay. She’s having a hard time answering, and you presume that it’s simply complicated, or she’s attempting to give you a partial truth. As it stands don’t have a reason to distrust the girl, nor dislike her. Personality wise she’s the human blend of saccharine that you don’t care for, and certainly the type who never wants to come too close to you. And normally that’s just fine by you. 

But, this time, you’re thankful. It’s likely those traits were what lead her to save him. 

“And by fought together, I presume you mean in that other world. Which must mean you’re one of his little phantom friends.” 

You watch her reaction for a moment, then continue. “Don’t worry. I have no intention of spilling your secrets. It would be anti-climactic, and against my interests.”

axeandfloof‌:

Haru almost collapses in relief once they both make it through the door of Akechi’s home, but she doesn’t allow herself to rest yet. She has to ensure that Akechi is kept stable until that doctor- 

… Oh. No sooner than stepping through the entryway does she spot a person impatiently waiting their arrival. They’re completely wrapped in white, save for the long black gloves he dons. But what stands out the most are their blood red eyes. Immediately Haru feels a sense of unease wash over her, and when those eyes snap onto Akechi, she has an impulse to force herself between them. 

But he’s out of her grip before she can act, and completely ignoring her presence, the stranger spirits Akechi into another room. Her fears are somewhat eased as she observes them lay the boy down and grabs for a set of medical tools already neatly laid out. 

Anxiously, she hovers, watching the doctor make surprisingly quick work of closing his injuries. It’s only then that they turn and address Haru at all. 

“How is he?” She asks, hands clasped together nervously.

You manage to remain semi-conscious during Valdemar’s work, which, since they don’t seem to have any anesthetic, means that you feel everything they’re doing to fix you. 

It hurts like a motherfucker, and on countless occasions you can’t help but cry out even as you try to bite your good hand to stay silent and still. You manage not to jerk and writhe too much, all things considered (though, the shivering persists), but it takes the remaining about of your strength and will. You can’t process anything else that’s happening. You don’t know if Haru decided to stay or go. All you can comprehend is pain and by the time it stops there’s just nothing.

You go limp, your breathing heavy. You’ve bitten holes in your left hand now, but that’s nothing compared to the stabbing and throbbing of your entire right side. You register something being draped over you and you curl further into it for warmth.

You can’t seem to force your eyes open, but as you catch your breathe you can almost tell that people are speaking.

– It never feels like this. You never feel like this – disgusting. 

You get the treatment over with as quickly as possible, wasting no time in fixing things over. But his screams, and his pain; you aren’t indifferent to them. This isn’t entertainment anymore. For once it feels wrong to cause pain, and that in and of itself is terrifying. You come out of an operation worse than when you came in for the first time in... oh how long? How long? You can’t seem to remember if there was ever a time. Was there ever a time? Was there? 

The girl asks you a question. Normally you would deride her for such useless sentimentality. But who are you to talk about that?

“Don’t waste your energy on fretting. I won’t let him die,” you assure, and in your mind it’s the truth. 

“I’m sure you can tell this set up isn’t ideal. But for now, there are circumstances that make hospitalization more of a risk than anything. So. Here we are.” 

What else do you say? 

“... I will need someone to watch him momentarily. I’m going to do what I can to make sure he’s stable enough for me to leave for more supplies.” 

You look over your shoulder at him, then back to her. 

Valdemar snarks at you almost immediately, but you don’t appear affected by it at all. When you reply, your tone is flat and cold–the usual way you speak to them.

“If I were in a hurry to die, Valdemar, I can imagine a number of ways that would be more efficient or satisfying.”

As you close and lock the door behind you, the doctor moves from their statuesque position to approach. It’s Akira’s writhing that catches your attention, but you don’t even bat an eyelash when you realize why he got riled up. Valdemar doesn’t concern you. You’re not even really unsettled by them anymore. You just hand over what you were carrying when they take it from you. 

They then demand that you sit and your eyes meet Akira’s again.

His face is bruised, his mouth is taped shut, and he’s glaring up through his ruffled bangs.

Last time you saw him in a similar state, you had to put a bullet into his skull.

You realize that fact as if it were just a strange cloud you noticed in the sky. 

Your expression doesn’t so much as flicker from its neutrality.

“I’ll sit if you untie him. He came because I wasn’t answering my messages.” 

You expect Valdemar to comply, so you move to take off your scarf, coat and gloves. Then you sit where they can look over you and begin unbuttoning your shirt.

– Akechi gives you lip service, and really you should hardly be surprised by now. Regardless of how irritated you might be, you decide to choose your battles with this one, and do as he asks of you. You free the dark haired boy before turning your attention to the wound your ward has probably irritated. It’s not as bad as it could be at the very least, which tells you Akechi hasn’t just been going about this willy nilly. He must have avoided conflict with the beasts in the realm he traverses. 

“We need to talk, later,” you say, applying a cream where some of the stitches need adjusted. It’s a modern numbing agent. Normally, you’d see no point in bothering, but you suppose you can afford to take your time now. 

“But for now, I’ll say this. Ask me for help when you need it. I want to see you succeed.”

You finish dressing Akechi’s wounds, and stand up. “I have stocked your chilling box with food. There is a list of what you should be doing, and eating to properly restore your health. And you.”  You look the the dark haired boy, who has remained glaringly fixated on your every move. So dramatic, this one. Yet another dumb stray Akechi seems to have taken a shine to, you assume. “Don’t rile him up while he’s trying to recover, or I will end you. Also, google what a concussion is, and follow the instructions. You most certainly have one.” 

He gives you a look, and you almost have to laugh at how delayed his movements are. 

axeandfloof‌:

Haru nods, pressing Akechi to her side even tighter before she treks on as fast as she’s able without dragging him. She pays no mind to the numbing ache of her limbs that sets in within minutes exposed to the cold, rather the path set before her. 

“Ah-!” 

Her eyes widen as she rounds a corner, seeing the spires of what looks to be a castle in the distance a few blocks away. It certainly stands out from any of the surrounding buildings, but would Akechi really be living in a place like that? Come to think of it, that strange cat had told her something about being granted a mansion before it had ran off… If that were true, then perhaps Akechi had been granted the same treatment as well? 

“That wouldn’t happen to be it, would it?” Haru questioned, relinquishing her hold around Akechi’s waist only to point towards the castle. 

You look up when she points–you’d resorted to staring at your feet as you walk, willing them to keep going and trying not to stumble–and you nod.

“It is.” You say simply, continuing to close the distance.

When you get to the outside door you unlock it with ease, then carefully make it up the stairs to your own apartment. It’s unlocked and Valdemar’s already inside. You can’t even pretend to be surprised at this point. You make your way to wherever they set up their stuff and sit down. 

“Thank you.” You say again, quietly. You can’t tell if you’re taking off your layers of warmth by yourself, or if Valdemar is guiding you to do so, but the shivering hasn’t stopped and it’s not making it easy. Thankfully, your confused thoughts still allow for tunnel vision. “If you would like to leave, take something to keep you warm.” It’s not a demand or even an instruction, the words are about as assertive as a marshmallow. “If you would like to stay, I’ll answer your questions the best I can. Help yourself to anything.”

When the doctor can successfully get to your wounds, you finally lay down.

– There is quite a bit of blood, which does not bother you. Normally, there is nothing about this situation that would bother you. The strange girl would be an interesting sidenote, but you barely note her presence before you focus on the pale shell of a creature you used to know. You have waited here in the dark, in this chair, a few times already before. Mostly to question his progress.

That progress was supposed to be fruitful tonight, in which you would finally ( finally ) have another puzzle to dissect. More to observe. Initially, you were frustrated to find this would not be the case, but as you see the telltale shadow of death blooming under Akechi’s eyes you...

... you don’t care about it anymore. At all. The frustration is a distant memory as you assess the damage, and begin to repair. The human body is no mystery to you, and you complete the task with ease. You know exactly why the wound is behaving the way it is, and what he will need to survive the amount of blood lost.

What you don’t know, is why saving this child from his own folly feels like a priority. While it does matter that you will be unable to fuel your research, you know that isn’t why your hands are shaking as you wash them.

For the first time in- how long? How long has it been? You....

You care if something dies. No, you want something to live. To outlast its inevitable end. It’s loss, you’re afraid of. Because for the first time in how long... you have something left to lose. This awful, terrible child you were hoping would win his own war.

You cover him with a blanket, and turn your attention to the girl.

10/31

You sleep in. It’s not a comfortable sleep and it’s not a restful sleep, but you stay stationary as long as you can, knowing it’s necessary to heal. This is the time you spend largely considering what you should do. You didn’t finish getting through that palace, and you know what could very well happen if you fail. Your injury isn’t a joke, and while you don’t think the palace is particularly hard (it was your own folly that you ended up like this), you also know that it’s a significant and life threatening risk to go back in like this.

You consider, just for a little while, seeking help.

At some point you even have Ryuji’s chat window open as you lay there–he was the one most tolerant of your circumstances–but you end up closing the app and putting down your phone.

You can’t drag him or anyone else into this. You can’t make Ryuji an accomplice to murder. 

The less they know and the less they’re involved, the better. You’re the only one who needs to be the monster.

You’ll be more cautious when you re-enter. You can do it on your own.

And so, when you can’t stay in bed anymore, you get up and carefully eat food, drink plenty of water, and make a lot of very strong coffee to put in a thermos. 

Valdemar’s still in your apartment, but eventually, they leave to get more supplies.

That’s when you gather the meds and items you’ll need (including aforementioned coffee) and head back out. You have half of a day to get through the rest of this palace.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This time you’re careful. This time you go as slow as you need to, and rely much more heavily on Robin Hood than Loki.

You take frequent breaks. You rest in the safe rooms far longer than you usually would. You hide and sneak around instead of just forcing your way through everything. When you do have to fight, you use your personas more than any physical attacks.

It’s a long process, and it’s so overwhelmingly exhausting, but with the thanks of the abundance of shit you brought with you, you’re able to get through.

You manage to defeat the shadow–a truly repugnant man, utterly irredeemable and someone you don’t feel bad killing–and unhesitatingly complete your mission.

Escaping the collapsing palace is probably the most worst physical exertion you had to do today.

But you make it and you get back to the real world without issue.

You can tell that you’ve reopened your wounds to some extent, but they haven’t bled through your clothes yet, so you don’t think you completely tore through them. What a narrow success.

You take out your untraceable phone–the extra one you use only for sending Valdemar information on your victims–and send the customary text with the man’s address. They kept up their part of your bargain, so you’ll keep up yours.

Then you check your actual phone.

🗡️: Please answer me.

Ah…

🗡️: I’m coming to find you.

You sigh. This is why you asked Haru not to tell him.

You don’t blame her, though. She has less reason to trust you than even the rest of them do.

You have a text from Valdemar, too. Akira tried to break in, apparently, and they “subdued” him. You wince a bit.

12/31 @ 7:12pm From: Akechi To: Kurusu

Ⓐ: I did not tell you because I know you care. Ⓐ: I am on my way home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You text Shido on your way as well, so he doesn’t get on your ass.

By the time you finally make it back to your apartment, you find that Valdemar’s still here instead of going after the victim, and Akira’s tied to a chair.

You refrain from collapsing as soon as you walk through the doorway.

“Ah… I’m home.”

“Did you have a nice day at work? Oh, I’m sure it was just a fantastic little outing for you.” 

“Are you in a hurry to die, Goro Akechi? I’m beginning to think so,” you say, hands folded in your lap sit still as a statue, never mind the fluffbrained hooligan tied up a few feet away. Things have changed since last night. You have changed since last night, and it’s absolutely for the worst. You told yourself you would be through with this awful beast of a child by the end of today. And yet here you are, waiting patiently for him to return. 

You cross the room, having no time for the indignant noise the dark haired child makes as you close in on your patient. You take his things, removing some of the weight that is probably doing horrendous things to your stitch work. He shouldn’t be lifting, or moving at all. But you suppose the self righteous sack of skin and meat you both answer to must have penciled himself so far into a corner that error wouldn’t be an option. The boy’s insistence on completing this mission of his confirms a lot of things. 

“... oh. It’s you.”

The boy who sent you on a wild goose chase for an entire day, with his chaotic eating schedule, constant bemoaning of boredom, and general awfulness. It was maddening. No amount of potential information on Akechi, or the realm he traverses could be worth attempting it a second time. Fate has other plans, you see. 

“Ryuji, was it?” your smile is stiff. “Why don’t we start with what brings you here. To my office.”

You check your chart, briefly, then note his legs. The one with the abnormality is easy to spot, just by the way he’s standing.

“Your chart says you’ve been having trouble with your leg. When did this start?”