Permanent Open RP post! Game based, AU based, meme based, canon based, catch-it-all based - everything is welcome. You can start or tell me what you want and I can start. NSFW is allowed - check kink list if you need/want
[Once his parents are gone, Yu goes back to his room. He should probably study a bit, maybe read even. He's not hungry yet he skips the kitchen and snacks completely.
As soon as he steps in the room, he knows something went on in here. There was a different air about it. And then he spots his shirt. The one he's been trying to find the last two days. With a smile, he walks over and picks it up and then turns to the window. Open. He walks over and peers out of it, looking for any shadows that could reveal his guest.
Not seeing anyone, not even the passerby's on the street, he grins and yells-]
If my guest stayed a moment longer, he could've had gotten his coat back!
[-and then quickly disappears back in and pulls on the curtains. Well, that was a rush he didn't feel in a while. Thankfully no one saw him yell, and hopefully, the message reached the right ears.]
[Morgana greets him back at Leblanc, accusative stares in those cute little slitted eyes that he fashions so well for himself. Needless to say, Akira is still smirking to himself.
What's so funny?
Nothing.
Joker.
It's nothing. Don't worry about it.
Morgana quirks an eyebrow at him.
It's getting late. And you need some rest if that's going to heal properly.
I'm going back tomorrow night. He's my nurse, after all.
Joker.
What?
...nothing. Just be careful. You have to keep your health up. We're counting on you. Not for you to fall for some transfer student just because he's playing doctor with you.
Akira doesn't know what to say to that, so instead, changes into pajamas and falls asleep.
4 days left. Which means two more nights to get to the treasure, and one to send the calling card. Everyone's getting antsy, but they trust him enough to make the decisions a leader has to make. In this state, he still needs a little more time until he's flexible enough to go back into the palace. So when the next night comes, he sets out for what he's planning to do. It's the same route that he took the last time he came- through the alleyway, up the fire escape. He watches to see if there's a light on in Yu's room.
A smarter thief wouldn't play these cat and mouse games with someone.
But there Akira is, leaning from the railing of the escape, a finger crooked under the window's latch. He knows that his parents are out of town, and he's careful to see whether or not the neighbors are paying any attention. Cracking the window ajar, just enough so that his voice can travel into the room, he speaks in a deeper voice than his regular.]
[As the random tests popped up more often for the 3rd years, Yu spent most of his time studying. Bowl of chips and bottle of water and study session could last for hours. He liked studying- it kept his mind in line and open for new things. He knows that people usually throw parties when the parents aren't there. However, he has no one to party with. Hell, he didn't even see Akira around school a lot. He briefly saw him once with his blond friend and that was it. They looked busy so he didn't interrupt them.
Yu was so into the history notes that he didn't hear the window open at all. It's only when his visitor spoke up that he realized someone was there. And he almost had a heart attack. He did jump and slammed his knee into his writing table. With a string of curses, he got up and limped away to turn off the lights. He could feel his heart up in his throat.]
You should give a person a little warning before speaking up like that, Thief-san.
[It was still slightly visible because of the moon outside, but it was blueish light, so he only saw a shadow of the man on his window, not his face. He went to his desk and picked up the mask from the shelf-]
How can I help you tonight? [Yu asked while handing him over the mask.]
[Akira is way too amused by this exchange, even through the pained limp that Yu makes to get to the window with his mask. Propping it open all the way, he takes it without so much as a tug as much as it was the gentle swiping motion of a pickpocketer's fingers. Affixing it on himself, he climbs with both hands up towards the windowsill, bringing himself into the room properly.
He doesn't speak at first, just examines the silhouette of the figure in front of him, and it's hard not to give himself away like this. After a beat, he speaks up again and explains why he's here. It shouldn't be this exhilarating to be doing this, really.]
You teased me to stay a little while longer, didn't you? I'm just keeping up my end of the deal.
[All in all though, he could've easily gotten his coat back without all the theatrics. The other situation though... not so easy. He couldn't just walk up to Sojiro and ask him to reapply a bandage on his chest like that. Especially when he has no intention of going to the hospital.]
And maybe for a check-in with my doctor. Do you do house calls?
A calling card? [Oh! That thing!] Actually, that might not be bad. [What with his parents and everything. Not that they are around too much, but it would be dangerous for him to drop by when they ARE around. Like yesterday.
He smiles (not that the thief can see it) and goes for his closet. The coat was in there, on a hanger, clean, dry and straightened out. Yu takes it out and walks back to his visitor.]
True, I did. I thought you might need it. [He does fight the shadows, yes? Yu knows he needed his own gear to fight them inside of the TV. It gets really rough without it. Yu's brain somehow flies over teasing and straight to the fact that the guy came because of the bandages. He didn't get to warn him about them because the thief left before Yu could speak to him about it.
He sighs.]
Well, not really. I am like ER, emergencies only. [He pauses.] Joking aside, did you really not change bandages? The wound could get infected.
[He blinks. That wasn't meant to be taken literally- none of that was, really. Holding onto the coat, his fingers brush up against the fabric, familiar between his fingers, like he's coming home and sinking into his own bedsheets. He can't see the fine edges of the garment, but he knows instinctively that the blood is gone, just from the feel of fabric freshener on it. He holds it up to his nose to smell it- it has that same lingering scent of Yu's pillow, and he hums out an impressed sound.]
You washed it.
[Moving more into the room, he appreciates his third eye ability that illuminates life around him in dark areas. It's not that he can make out the finer details of Yu's face, but it's nice to have at least a better visage to talk to.]
I haven't taken the bandage off yet. Should I have?
[Infection. That would be a game changer. He moves toward the light switch and turns it back in its up position.]
[He stands by the wall as his guest looks around the room. It's weird- he doesn't even know his name, he came through his window and admitted he was a thief (of sorts). So why... isn't Yu scared of him? He should be, the guy knows where he lives.
But he has a good feeling about him. Just like he had a good feeling about Kanji.
The fact that he didn't change bandages worries Yu a little. He didn't go to hospital or clinic to check the wound out. Yu's not a professional, he just knows first aid and that's about it. Still, the hospital and clinic would probably ask 'why, how, where' he got the cut and the man couldn't explain it to them.
Yu nods, now that the light is on, and heads for the door.]
You shouldn't have, but it needs to be changed. I'll go get the first aid kit. Sit on the chair.[Yu just can't say no to him.]
[Well... it's not entirely true. He could have gone to the clinic nearby if he really needed to. But the doctor there had been giving him these weird "clinical trials" and he sure that, even if she kept the doctor-patient privilege intact, that he wouldn't wind up being her personal Frankenstein for something new she wanted to test out. Life didn't seem as terrifyingly on the line when he was drinking weird tinctures, but handing an open wound over to her? Yeah, not happening.
He does as he's told, sitting down in the chair that Yu advised him to. As he's going for the first aid kit, he looks over at a photo frame of him and his friends. They look like... at least, on the surface, the type of people that wouldn't be hanging out as a group. A punk kid, someone in what looks like to be a detective's outfit, one of those poster idol boys that girls fawn over, a drop dead gorgeous girl. It seems off, but similar. Like Yusuke, who had just joined them- an art student with a 4D personality... hanging out with a track star with a bad mouth.
Interesting, to say the least.
He waits for Yu to come back, sitting quietly. Even behind a mask, he's never been one to start fussing or talking more than necessary.]
[Yu was glad that he remembered to refill the first aid box the other day. He grabs it and, before he goes back to his room, he locks the front door. He's not sure for how long his visitor will be here, so he doesn't want to be disturbed by an old granny who likes to borrow a cup of sugar from him every now and then.
He goes back to his room and closes the door behind him. After placing it on his desk, he goes through it to find a fresh pack of bandages, gauze and alcohol.]
You need to take this shirt off, of course. [Yu says while preparing the stuff he needs.]
Also... you didn't tell me how to call you. It's kind of rude to call you "hey, you".
[Right. Shirt. He can't fix the bandage up again with all this clothing on. He lifts the fabric up, the neck getting caught at his chin, steadying his mask with the other as he manages to get it off. His frizzy hair falls everywhere because of it, and it takes a second to fix it so that it's not directly in his eyes- shaking his bangs downward, and then separating the strands again so they fall correctly.]
I don't know. 'Thief-san' had a nice ring to it.
[He's smirking again. That little cocky shit.]
My friends call me Joker. We use codenames and masks in that world so that the palace rulers don't have a cognition of who we really are.
...you do know I will be wrapping you up again, right?
[He has "weapons" at his disposal. But of course, Yu is not like that. He just smiles and shakes his head. Joker... that doesn't sound bad at all.]
That's memorable name I have to admit. It makes an impact. [He takes the scissors from the box and very slowly, on Joker's side, starts cutting the bandage up. It won't be used again so it doesn't matter that he cuts it off. Once done, he tosses it on the floor and slowly takes the gauze off.
The cut is still red, still very deep, but it's not bleeding and, very luckily, there are no signs of infection.]
You're lucky. There's no infection. But, I have to clean it again, [he nods at the gauze with alcohol in his hand,] so it will sting. We can't put clean bandages on the dirty wound. [And with a nod of warning, he starts cleaning the edges of the wound, easing his way over the wound in time.]
Okay, so it's not a real gun, but it's close enough. That would turn breaking and entering into armed robbery. Another thing to add to the charges.
He looks down at the floor at the bandages as they're peeled off of him. It looks absolutely disgusting, in that way that makes his stomach kinda turn just seeing it. In the dark, in the haze of nearly fainting from all the loss of blood, he didn't realize how much he had actually soaked up the inner layers of that wrapping. He tries to play it off cool, right up until the moment when the alcohol touches his skin.
Akira looks to the window, longing to jump out of it.
Gritting his teeth, he tries not to make noise at the sensation on his chest. It wouldn't be very becoming of his cool, outer exterior, but there are telltale signs on his face that betray him, even hidden behind the mask. Yu, as gentle as his touch is, as great as a job he's doing at cleaning up the area, is making him wince, and the frown on his lips is the most prominent feature about him right now. He tries small talk. It's better than focusing on the pain.
We have to go back in. Tomorrow's our last chance. - No, that's not the right type of small talk.]
[Yu knows it hurts despite him being gentle about it. So he makes sure to blow some cool air at the irritated, stinging skin. He's not sure if it will help or no though. And even if he winced and complained loudly, Yu wouldn't mind. The wound was very serious and there's nothing to be ashamed about.
He takes another gauze with alcohol to do the final clean up. He chuckles from his crouching position-] I think you will. The wound is clean and not bleeding. You'll probably have a scar but I think that's the last of your worries.
[The final cleanup didn't take too long. He was taking out mostly the dry blood. After disinfecting, the wound looked really red and raw. It will take time to heal up.]
I suggest you eat red meat. Or drink blueberry and blackberry juice. To replenish the blood from the loss you suffered. If you feel dizzy from time to time, it's because you're anemic from blood loss. [He might or might not want to be a doctor.]
[To get the blood pumping, huh. He's pretty sure it's starting a little more when Yu starts to blow on his chest, and Akira looks upward, to the corner where the wall meets the ceiling. He's sure this would be funny to someone else, like Morgana, to watch him sitting there, enduring it, but for the moment, he's trying to not think of what Yu's doing to try to make him feel better about how much his chest stings.]
Blueberry juice... blackberry juice...
[He's pretty sure some of those things are available at the shake stand in the Shibuya underground passageway. He makes a mental note to stop by some time and grab either one if they're available.
Akira eventually comes down to look at the wound that's there. He had been putting that off ever since the bandage was discarded. That was unpleasant. His first scar, though. At least there's that.]
You're pretty smart. I'm guessing you're a bookworm.
Well, yeah. A bit. [Yu smiles.] I like reading. Especially medical books. Hopefully, I'll go to med school if my grades allow it.
[He puts away the gauze he was using and takes clean, dry one. He nudges Joker to lean back a bit-]
Okay. Stay like that for a bit and raise your hands so I can bandage you.
[He opens the new pack of bandages and starts wrapping the wound up. Again, he makes sure it's nice and tight, covering the whole cut. Once he's done, he checks them once more and nods.]
This will be it. You, uhm, [Yu fiddles with his hands and then starts picking up dirty bandages from the floor,] should come again in two or three days. To change bandages again.
[It shoots through him when he hears the words med school. There's a really complicated feeling that rises up within him, and as he obeys Yu's advisement to move so that he can be bandaged up again, all he feels is a pang of guilt. This is a guy who's doing his best, has dreams and aspirations, wants to go somewhere in life. And here Akira is, a poison to all of that. No college will accept someone with a criminal record. Then there's the issue of getting caught as a Phantom Thief- and how all the people who helped him will come crashing down with him.
Yu would be one of them, now. He's harboring a fugitive by aiding him and nursing these scrapes back to health, and Akira can't help but feel depressed and selfish over it. His composure stiffens up a little.]
I... can't.
[He stretches his arm a little, testing what level of mobility was lost by the tightness of the wrapping.]
[The bands were wrapped tightly, but not so much to render him immobile. After all, Yu knows what Joker is doing. Being unable to move properly could cost him another injury like this, maybe worse.
When Joker refuses his proposal to come back here, ever, Yu feels... well... he doesn't know what he feels. He just knows that he needs to help him. Somehow, in any possible way. Yu's hands clench tightly around the bandages he picked up-]
Yes. That would be the most reasonable thing to do. [He looks up from the carpet and catches Joker's gaze with his own determined one.]
But, if what you do is true, I know what you're going through. I know it's not easy. And I also know that if you try explaining it to someone, they wouldn't understand a single word you're saying. It feels... isolating. [Yu bites the inside of his cheek.] Even when you find people to talk to about it.
[He walks over to the trash bin to throw the bandages away.] Last year. I pulled into this world where shadows raged. Where people couldn't come to terms with what they are. When they wished to live in denial about themselves and gossip about everything else. [He goes back to sit on his bed, suddenly feeling exhausted.]
The town, the World... almost got swallowed by the fog of ignorance. If.. by any chance... I didn't manage to get rid of it all- then it's my duty to help you.
[It sounded incredibly farfetched. The type of thing that just doesn't happen in real life. And Akira wouldn't believe it to be true for a second before awakening to his own persona, but now he's not so sure about the fragile boundary between the world and what people think of it, or rather, how it should be. He sees that determination in his eyes, and it speaks from experience. There's not a bone in his body that doesn't believe Yu when he starts to talk about what he went through. The conviction in his voice has all the timbre of a horrible recollection of things that should have never happened, and it does get through to him.
Akira moves to get his shirt back on. There is nobody to talk to about this. Yu's right- it's the most isolating feeling in the world, only made worse by the fact that he was the chosen leader among the Phantom Thieves- because his decisions affected the lives of people he was starting to care about. People he thought deserved better than him, because let's face it- when you're discarded like trash from the rest of society, you can't help but feel like you are exactly that... garbage.
Raising up from the chair, he goes and sits with him on the bed. He takes a deep breath, and takes off his mask.]
It's not your duty to do anything... [He can't look at Yu right now, not like this.] Helping me is only going to ruin your life. You just said you wanted to go to med school. If... I get caught. When I get caught, I can't live with myself if I end up dragging you down with me.
[When Joker removed the mask from his face, Yu was and wasn't surprised at the same time. He was surprised that it was Akira and that he decided to reveal who he is. But then again, he wasn't that surprise because of his talk with Yosuke earlier. And what do you know- he was right.
He needs to keep calm- for Akira's sake. And convince him that he won't be "taken down" that easily. Nor that he will ruin Yu's life at all.
Reaching out, he grabs both of Akira's hands that are still holding the mask and squeezes them tightly.]
Look at me. And please, listen to me closely. [He waits for Akira to do so- no matter how long it takes.] I will not be able to go to said med school if this continues. I don't want to be left on selfish, ignorant people's mercy, who turn blind eye to the crimes. I do not want to live in the world with fog. I fought against it with my teeth and nails.
[He gives him a short nod-] I'm not asking you to take me with you to do whatever you do. In fact, I'm not sure if I can summon my persona anymore. What I want you to do is, [he gives Akira's hands a squeeze-] is to not hesitate to ask me for help when you need. When you're injured, for example.
[Honestly, at some point or another, Yu was going to find out. Rather by hook or by crook, he wouldn't be able to hide the limp at school from him- even if he tried to stay away and keep distance from the other. Then, it was only a matter of time. He left himself open in so many ways that... part of him wanted to be found out, but for all the wrong reasons. This at least felt like it was right. Yu takes his hands, and asks him to look at him squarely.
It's not fair how well this works against him, and all his senses of better judgment. He feels like that anonymity gave him a special power to wall him off, but when it's like this, when he's quietly sitting on his bed, in his room, it's just Akira. No Joker, no thief, no mysterious person creeping into his window and playing with him.
This all got so much more suddenly real. Everyone eventually has to take responsibility for their actions, and if Yu's choice, he can't say no to him.]
Okay.
[He drops the mask to the ground, turning his palms upward slightly to give a squeeze back.]
It's a deal, then. In exchange for keeping my identity, I'll keep stealing hearts and you'll have to keep nursing me back to health.
[In the end, Akira is just human and he doesn't deserve to go through something like this alone. He probably already has a group of people he works with, but having some kind of backup always helps. Even if it's just minuscule things like fixing up scratches and bruises, or just empty chat.
He gives Akira a wide, gentle smile and nods-]
It's a deal.
[Now that Akira accepted to come here when he's injured, Yu feels calmer. He'll probably be able to have a decent night's sleep tonight. He lets go of his hands and stands up-]
If you have free time, you can stay for dinner. I'm preparing ravioli.
[This definitely had a change of events. One moment, Akira is quietly trying to sneak into his room, scare the living daylights out of him, and take back what is his, and then the next, Yu is inviting him over to dinner. Not that he's particularly complaining about this string of action though; good food is hard to come by unless you're looking for a good bowl of curry or a cup of coffee back home at Leblanc.]
I can stay for dinner.
[He looks over, smiling somewhat. Who in the world invites their robber to eat with them afterward anyway? The deal is about stealing hearts and bandaging up, not keeping him and feeding him.
But maybe Yu is lonely too. His parents weren't around. He didn't really seem to have a wealth of new friends around from his transfer to Shujin. It would be rude to turn him down at this point. Akira looks down at the floor, picking up his mask and leaving it on the bed. Yu can really do anything, huh? Researching first aid techniques, take down shadows in his day, cook dinner.
This is the type of person he wants to be one day, even if his future's been sealed.]
Just... this once, though. The others would be jealous.
[He pauses.]
...Nevermind. We went to an expensive buffet when we stole Kamoshida's heart. They should still be kind of full after all the stuff they ate.
[Well, to be honest, if Akira didn't reveal himself to Yu, there probably wouldn't be a dinner invitation. But since he knows him, it would be very rude of him not to do it. Besides, after talking about the whole thing of feeling 'isolated', he can't just say 'go home'! And he doesn't want to. Akira can leave whenever he wants. Yu will never tell him otherwise.
Also, it didn't look like Akira had to go somewhere tonight, so again. Dinner. There's no reason pointing against it.]
You went to a buffet? That's a way to celebrate things. [Yu chuckles while they make their way to the kitchen.] We usually celebrated with beef bowls, Chie with steak and lots of ganmodoki.
[The kitchen was bright, clean place, separated from the sitting room with a low bar. There are high chairs around it and Yu usually sits there when he eats. There's a nice view at the TV from there as well. He pulls out tomatoes and spices to make a sauce for the ravioli who are already in the pot, cooking on low heat.]
Do you like spicy food? Or should I hold back on pepper?
Yeah. We actually sold Kamoshida's treasure to pay for it. It was his Olympic gold medal.
[Considering that the next night the gang would have to reach the treasure room to secure a route for infiltration, spending tonight eating dinner and relaxing is probably the most normal thing that he could do. Akira finds the seat near the island bar and sits down, watching him grab various sundries from the kitchen.
Sojiro was slowly teaching him how to make a good cup of coffee, and maybe he'd even let him in on his secret curry recipe one day. Apparently, he had said at one point that the entire combination of the two was scientifically worked out to maximize the flavor complements. Akira didn't know if he believed that, word for word, but generally speaking, he never would've thought curry and coffee should go together.
Which reminds him...]
Pepper's fine. If this might be my last meal, at least it'll be flavorful.
[He scratches the back of his head. Where did all that confidence go?]
Do you like coffee? I live above a cafe... Maybe you could come sometime and try a cup.
[After putting the sauce to slowly cook, Yu joins him at the island and leans on it.]
Really? I was curious what kind of treasure are you stealing. Nothing like that happened in Inaba.
[Yu feels like Akira opened a lot to him without Yu actually saying anything about what happened in Inaba. It wasn't a pleasant thing to remember, but it is something that shaped him into what he is today.]
The, uh, killer, had a power to shove people through the TV. Once there, there is no way out unless there's someone with that world's power to let you out. The victims were left there by themselves and, after some time, their shadow would appear. And without any powers to fight back the shadow... [Well, Akira can fill in the blank. When Yu first found out about it, he felt sick. He was glad he could help out later when his friends got in danger.]
Coffee? Yeah! I like it. I'm not expert to tell the difference, but I like having a cup, especially when studying. [...that's...too cute. And Yu shouldn't be thinking that.]
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As soon as he steps in the room, he knows something went on in here. There was a different air about it. And then he spots his shirt. The one he's been trying to find the last two days. With a smile, he walks over and picks it up and then turns to the window. Open. He walks over and peers out of it, looking for any shadows that could reveal his guest.
Not seeing anyone, not even the passerby's on the street, he grins and yells-]
If my guest stayed a moment longer, he could've had gotten his coat back!
[-and then quickly disappears back in and pulls on the curtains. Well, that was a rush he didn't feel in a while. Thankfully no one saw him yell, and hopefully, the message reached the right ears.]
no subject
What's so funny?
Nothing.
Joker.
It's nothing. Don't worry about it.
Morgana quirks an eyebrow at him.
It's getting late. And you need some rest if that's going to heal properly.
I'm going back tomorrow night. He's my nurse, after all.
Joker.
What?
...nothing. Just be careful. You have to keep your health up. We're counting on you. Not for you to fall for some transfer student just because he's playing doctor with you.
Akira doesn't know what to say to that, so instead, changes into pajamas and falls asleep.
4 days left. Which means two more nights to get to the treasure, and one to send the calling card. Everyone's getting antsy, but they trust him enough to make the decisions a leader has to make. In this state, he still needs a little more time until he's flexible enough to go back into the palace. So when the next night comes, he sets out for what he's planning to do. It's the same route that he took the last time he came- through the alleyway, up the fire escape. He watches to see if there's a light on in Yu's room.
A smarter thief wouldn't play these cat and mouse games with someone.
But there Akira is, leaning from the railing of the escape, a finger crooked under the window's latch. He knows that his parents are out of town, and he's careful to see whether or not the neighbors are paying any attention. Cracking the window ajar, just enough so that his voice can travel into the room, he speaks in a deeper voice than his regular.]
Turn the lights off.
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Yu was so into the history notes that he didn't hear the window open at all. It's only when his visitor spoke up that he realized someone was there. And he almost had a heart attack. He did jump and slammed his knee into his writing table.
With a string of curses, he got up and limped away to turn off the lights. He could feel his heart up in his throat.]
You should give a person a little warning before speaking up like that, Thief-san.
[It was still slightly visible because of the moon outside, but it was blueish light, so he only saw a shadow of the man on his window, not his face. He went to his desk and picked up the mask from the shelf-]
How can I help you tonight? [Yu asked while handing him over the mask.]
no subject
[Akira is way too amused by this exchange, even through the pained limp that Yu makes to get to the window with his mask. Propping it open all the way, he takes it without so much as a tug as much as it was the gentle swiping motion of a pickpocketer's fingers. Affixing it on himself, he climbs with both hands up towards the windowsill, bringing himself into the room properly.
He doesn't speak at first, just examines the silhouette of the figure in front of him, and it's hard not to give himself away like this. After a beat, he speaks up again and explains why he's here. It shouldn't be this exhilarating to be doing this, really.]
You teased me to stay a little while longer, didn't you? I'm just keeping up my end of the deal.
[All in all though, he could've easily gotten his coat back without all the theatrics. The other situation though... not so easy. He couldn't just walk up to Sojiro and ask him to reapply a bandage on his chest like that. Especially when he has no intention of going to the hospital.]
And maybe for a check-in with my doctor. Do you do house calls?
no subject
He smiles (not that the thief can see it) and goes for his closet. The coat was in there, on a hanger, clean, dry and straightened out. Yu takes it out and walks back to his visitor.]
True, I did. I thought you might need it. [He does fight the shadows, yes? Yu knows he needed his own gear to fight them inside of the TV. It gets really rough without it.
Yu's brain somehow flies over teasing and straight to the fact that the guy came because of the bandages. He didn't get to warn him about them because the thief left before Yu could speak to him about it.
He sighs.]
Well, not really. I am like ER, emergencies only. [He pauses.] Joking aside, did you really not change bandages? The wound could get infected.
no subject
You washed it.
[Moving more into the room, he appreciates his third eye ability that illuminates life around him in dark areas. It's not that he can make out the finer details of Yu's face, but it's nice to have at least a better visage to talk to.]
I haven't taken the bandage off yet. Should I have?
[Infection. That would be a game changer. He moves toward the light switch and turns it back in its up position.]
Please. Help me?
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[He stands by the wall as his guest looks around the room. It's weird- he doesn't even know his name, he came through his window and admitted he was a thief (of sorts). So why... isn't Yu scared of him? He should be, the guy knows where he lives.
But he has a good feeling about him. Just like he had a good feeling about Kanji.
The fact that he didn't change bandages worries Yu a little. He didn't go to hospital or clinic to check the wound out. Yu's not a professional, he just knows first aid and that's about it.
Still, the hospital and clinic would probably ask 'why, how, where' he got the cut and the man couldn't explain it to them.
Yu nods, now that the light is on, and heads for the door.]
You shouldn't have, but it needs to be changed. I'll go get the first aid kit. Sit on the chair.[Yu just can't say no to him.]
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He does as he's told, sitting down in the chair that Yu advised him to. As he's going for the first aid kit, he looks over at a photo frame of him and his friends. They look like... at least, on the surface, the type of people that wouldn't be hanging out as a group. A punk kid, someone in what looks like to be a detective's outfit, one of those poster idol boys that girls fawn over, a drop dead gorgeous girl. It seems off, but similar. Like Yusuke, who had just joined them- an art student with a 4D personality... hanging out with a track star with a bad mouth.
Interesting, to say the least.
He waits for Yu to come back, sitting quietly. Even behind a mask, he's never been one to start fussing or talking more than necessary.]
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He goes back to his room and closes the door behind him. After placing it on his desk, he goes through it to find a fresh pack of bandages, gauze and alcohol.]
You need to take this shirt off, of course. [Yu says while preparing the stuff he needs.]
Also... you didn't tell me how to call you. It's kind of rude to call you "hey, you".
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I don't know. 'Thief-san' had a nice ring to it.
[He's smirking again. That little cocky shit.]
My friends call me Joker. We use codenames and masks in that world so that the palace rulers don't have a cognition of who we really are.
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...you do know I will be wrapping you up again, right?
[He has "weapons" at his disposal. But of course, Yu is not like that. He just smiles and shakes his head. Joker... that doesn't sound bad at all.]
That's memorable name I have to admit. It makes an impact. [He takes the scissors from the box and very slowly, on Joker's side, starts cutting the bandage up. It won't be used again so it doesn't matter that he cuts it off. Once done, he tosses it on the floor and slowly takes the gauze off.
The cut is still red, still very deep, but it's not bleeding and, very luckily, there are no signs of infection.]
You're lucky. There's no infection. But, I have to clean it again, [he nods at the gauze with alcohol in his hand,] so it will sting. We can't put clean bandages on the dirty wound. [And with a nod of warning, he starts cleaning the edges of the wound, easing his way over the wound in time.]
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Okay, so it's not a real gun, but it's close enough. That would turn breaking and entering into armed robbery. Another thing to add to the charges.
He looks down at the floor at the bandages as they're peeled off of him. It looks absolutely disgusting, in that way that makes his stomach kinda turn just seeing it. In the dark, in the haze of nearly fainting from all the loss of blood, he didn't realize how much he had actually soaked up the inner layers of that wrapping. He tries to play it off cool, right up until the moment when the alcohol touches his skin.
Akira looks to the window, longing to jump out of it.
Gritting his teeth, he tries not to make noise at the sensation on his chest. It wouldn't be very becoming of his cool, outer exterior, but there are telltale signs on his face that betray him, even hidden behind the mask. Yu, as gentle as his touch is, as great as a job he's doing at cleaning up the area, is making him wince, and the frown on his lips is the most prominent feature about him right now. He tries small talk. It's better than focusing on the pain.
We have to go back in. Tomorrow's our last chance. - No, that's not the right type of small talk.]
Think I'll make it through, doc?
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He takes another gauze with alcohol to do the final clean up. He chuckles from his crouching position-] I think you will. The wound is clean and not bleeding. You'll probably have a scar but I think that's the last of your worries.
[The final cleanup didn't take too long. He was taking out mostly the dry blood. After disinfecting, the wound looked really red and raw. It will take time to heal up.]
I suggest you eat red meat. Or drink blueberry and blackberry juice. To replenish the blood from the loss you suffered. If you feel dizzy from time to time, it's because you're anemic from blood loss. [He might or might not want to be a doctor.]
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Blueberry juice... blackberry juice...
[He's pretty sure some of those things are available at the shake stand in the Shibuya underground passageway. He makes a mental note to stop by some time and grab either one if they're available.
Akira eventually comes down to look at the wound that's there. He had been putting that off ever since the bandage was discarded. That was unpleasant. His first scar, though. At least there's that.]
You're pretty smart. I'm guessing you're a bookworm.
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[He puts away the gauze he was using and takes clean, dry one. He nudges Joker to lean back a bit-]
Okay. Stay like that for a bit and raise your hands so I can bandage you.
[He opens the new pack of bandages and starts wrapping the wound up. Again, he makes sure it's nice and tight, covering the whole cut. Once he's done, he checks them once more and nods.]
This will be it. You, uhm, [Yu fiddles with his hands and then starts picking up dirty bandages from the floor,] should come again in two or three days. To change bandages again.
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Yu would be one of them, now. He's harboring a fugitive by aiding him and nursing these scrapes back to health, and Akira can't help but feel depressed and selfish over it. His composure stiffens up a little.]
I... can't.
[He stretches his arm a little, testing what level of mobility was lost by the tightness of the wrapping.]
I shouldn't come back here.
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When Joker refuses his proposal to come back here, ever, Yu feels... well... he doesn't know what he feels. He just knows that he needs to help him. Somehow, in any possible way. Yu's hands clench tightly around the bandages he picked up-]
Yes. That would be the most reasonable thing to do. [He looks up from the carpet and catches Joker's gaze with his own determined one.]
But, if what you do is true, I know what you're going through. I know it's not easy. And I also know that if you try explaining it to someone, they wouldn't understand a single word you're saying. It feels... isolating. [Yu bites the inside of his cheek.] Even when you find people to talk to about it.
[He walks over to the trash bin to throw the bandages away.] Last year. I pulled into this world where shadows raged. Where people couldn't come to terms with what they are. When they wished to live in denial about themselves and gossip about everything else. [He goes back to sit on his bed, suddenly feeling exhausted.]
The town, the World... almost got swallowed by the fog of ignorance. If.. by any chance... I didn't manage to get rid of it all- then it's my duty to help you.
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Akira moves to get his shirt back on. There is nobody to talk to about this. Yu's right- it's the most isolating feeling in the world, only made worse by the fact that he was the chosen leader among the Phantom Thieves- because his decisions affected the lives of people he was starting to care about. People he thought deserved better than him, because let's face it- when you're discarded like trash from the rest of society, you can't help but feel like you are exactly that... garbage.
Raising up from the chair, he goes and sits with him on the bed. He takes a deep breath, and takes off his mask.]
It's not your duty to do anything... [He can't look at Yu right now, not like this.] Helping me is only going to ruin your life. You just said you wanted to go to med school. If... I get caught. When I get caught, I can't live with myself if I end up dragging you down with me.
You're too nice a person to do that to.
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He needs to keep calm- for Akira's sake. And convince him that he won't be "taken down" that easily. Nor that he will ruin Yu's life at all.
Reaching out, he grabs both of Akira's hands that are still holding the mask and squeezes them tightly.]
Look at me. And please, listen to me closely. [He waits for Akira to do so- no matter how long it takes.] I will not be able to go to said med school if this continues. I don't want to be left on selfish, ignorant people's mercy, who turn blind eye to the crimes. I do not want to live in the world with fog. I fought against it with my teeth and nails.
[He gives him a short nod-] I'm not asking you to take me with you to do whatever you do. In fact, I'm not sure if I can summon my persona anymore. What I want you to do is, [he gives Akira's hands a squeeze-] is to not hesitate to ask me for help when you need. When you're injured, for example.
Please.
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It's not fair how well this works against him, and all his senses of better judgment. He feels like that anonymity gave him a special power to wall him off, but when it's like this, when he's quietly sitting on his bed, in his room, it's just Akira. No Joker, no thief, no mysterious person creeping into his window and playing with him.
This all got so much more suddenly real. Everyone eventually has to take responsibility for their actions, and if Yu's choice, he can't say no to him.]
Okay.
[He drops the mask to the ground, turning his palms upward slightly to give a squeeze back.]
It's a deal, then. In exchange for keeping my identity, I'll keep stealing hearts and you'll have to keep nursing me back to health.
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He gives Akira a wide, gentle smile and nods-]
It's a deal.
[Now that Akira accepted to come here when he's injured, Yu feels calmer. He'll probably be able to have a decent night's sleep tonight. He lets go of his hands and stands up-]
If you have free time, you can stay for dinner. I'm preparing ravioli.
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[This definitely had a change of events. One moment, Akira is quietly trying to sneak into his room, scare the living daylights out of him, and take back what is his, and then the next, Yu is inviting him over to dinner. Not that he's particularly complaining about this string of action though; good food is hard to come by unless you're looking for a good bowl of curry or a cup of coffee back home at Leblanc.]
I can stay for dinner.
[He looks over, smiling somewhat. Who in the world invites their robber to eat with them afterward anyway? The deal is about stealing hearts and bandaging up, not keeping him and feeding him.
But maybe Yu is lonely too. His parents weren't around. He didn't really seem to have a wealth of new friends around from his transfer to Shujin. It would be rude to turn him down at this point. Akira looks down at the floor, picking up his mask and leaving it on the bed. Yu can really do anything, huh? Researching first aid techniques, take down shadows in his day, cook dinner.
This is the type of person he wants to be one day, even if his future's been sealed.]
Just... this once, though. The others would be jealous.
[He pauses.]
...Nevermind. We went to an expensive buffet when we stole Kamoshida's heart. They should still be kind of full after all the stuff they ate.
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Also, it didn't look like Akira had to go somewhere tonight, so again. Dinner. There's no reason pointing against it.]
You went to a buffet? That's a way to celebrate things. [Yu chuckles while they make their way to the kitchen.] We usually celebrated with beef bowls, Chie with steak and lots of ganmodoki.
[The kitchen was bright, clean place, separated from the sitting room with a low bar. There are high chairs around it and Yu usually sits there when he eats. There's a nice view at the TV from there as well.
He pulls out tomatoes and spices to make a sauce for the ravioli who are already in the pot, cooking on low heat.]
Do you like spicy food? Or should I hold back on pepper?
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[Considering that the next night the gang would have to reach the treasure room to secure a route for infiltration, spending tonight eating dinner and relaxing is probably the most normal thing that he could do. Akira finds the seat near the island bar and sits down, watching him grab various sundries from the kitchen.
Sojiro was slowly teaching him how to make a good cup of coffee, and maybe he'd even let him in on his secret curry recipe one day. Apparently, he had said at one point that the entire combination of the two was scientifically worked out to maximize the flavor complements. Akira didn't know if he believed that, word for word, but generally speaking, he never would've thought curry and coffee should go together.
Which reminds him...]
Pepper's fine. If this might be my last meal, at least it'll be flavorful.
[He scratches the back of his head. Where did all that confidence go?]
Do you like coffee? I live above a cafe... Maybe you could come sometime and try a cup.
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Really? I was curious what kind of treasure are you stealing. Nothing like that happened in Inaba.
[Yu feels like Akira opened a lot to him without Yu actually saying anything about what happened in Inaba. It wasn't a pleasant thing to remember, but it is something that shaped him into what he is today.]
The, uh, killer, had a power to shove people through the TV. Once there, there is no way out unless there's someone with that world's power to let you out. The victims were left there by themselves and, after some time, their shadow would appear. And without any powers to fight back the shadow... [Well, Akira can fill in the blank. When Yu first found out about it, he felt sick. He was glad he could help out later when his friends got in danger.]
Coffee? Yeah! I like it. I'm not expert to tell the difference, but I like having a cup, especially when studying. [...that's...too cute. And Yu shouldn't be thinking that.]
I will definitively drop by. Where's the cafe?
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/soft squeeing
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shows up late with a cup of starbucks in hand to share!
/eagerly accepts