Work Text:
“Wait, what?”
“Yup-- you’ve got a bit of an overbite here. It may begin to exaggerate further if you continue to indulge the diet you’ve been pursuing.” Ann almost rolled her eyes, strapped in a chair with her mouth exposed, flashlights and other tools poking within. Luckily she wasn’t as rude as some other people she knew and was able to suppress the urge to express her annoyance. The dentist was a place Takamaki always despised. The men and women fixing her teeth always reeked of hospital, (which was even worse after Shiho’s suicide attempt associating the smell of doctor with the awful pain her friend experienced) people told her what she could and could not eat, and being strapped down for long periods of time was certainly not entertaining.
The idea of getting braces, however, was her biggest fear.
“Sho..,” She gurgled, attempting to form words whilst suspending her jaw. “If I get dees braces.. I won’t be abul to eat suhweets..?” the man working above her let out a soft laugh behind his surgical mask.
“Unfortunately, yes. That includes cookies, cakes, sticky confectioneries, ice cream, candy and crepes, but the full document on what you can and can’t eat will be provided at your next appointment.” The man gestured for her to close her mouth as he inserted a small hose meant for rinsing inside of it. She followed his direction until he was done.
She finally had control of her jaw again. “And the cost?”
“Don’t worry, your parents will cover it. Once again, everything will be on the document. Let me make a copy for you. Oh, and we’re all done here, so you can gather your coat.” It was the middle of fall. Pumpkin flavored sweets and baked goods were at the height of their popularity and there was literally nothing she could do about it. All that strengthening of the heart exercise she did with Ren would really come in handy right about now..
She sat up and grabbed her coat, a grey bubble jacket that went good with the muted blue jeans she wore on her legs. The blonde smacked her lips together, the feeling of numbness around her gums causing much discomfort. The dentist returned with a document for her parents, which she grabbed alongside a bland, purple toothbrush and some toothpaste in a plastic baggie. After exiting the room, she headed straight for her boyfriend, Ryuji, settled in the waiting room rocking back and forth with the ball of his foot propelling him backwards and forwards. He had his phone in his hand and a bored look on his face, until her shadow dawned on him.
“Finally!” He enthused a little too loudly. She smacked his shoulder.
“Not so loud!” The other patients awaiting check-up stared at the two for but a split second. One of the women, who seemed to be a member of Kosei judging by her uniform, immediately recognized her and got up to talk. Ann gave her an awkward smile before Ryuji rudely intercepted the two.
“No, no, no, no more distractions, I’m hungry and we’ve been waiting here for an hour.” The ex track star grabbed Ann by her hand, causing her to let out a quiet squeal. “Let’s go, Ann.” It was almost like a sixth sense. Ryuji could sense one of Ann’s “admirers” from miles away and it almost always got him annoyed. He described it as “Bein’ similar to when ma sees someone she knows at the store and I gotta stand around and wait for her to finish, like I ain’t got nothin’ better to do.” She giggled at that jab.
The two were out the door and heading for the station, planning on heading back to her place for a healthier-than-usual dinner. “So, how was it?” He asked, hand still intertwined with her own as they walked. She looked away.
“Well.. I maybe might just kinda..”
“Yeaaah..?” There was a silence as she looked back up at him. Her piercing, ocean blue eyes struck his own brown ones with a nervous stall.
“Need… braces?” He stopped walking. She stopped too. “I-it’s not that big of a deal! I’ll probably only need them for like.. a week, right?”
“Uh, did you ask? ”
“…no?”
Ryuji sighed, continuing to drag her to the train station. “..Come on, I’ll get you a crepe.”
One week later…
The Phantom Thief Group Chat
Ann: I have an announcement to make.
Ryuji: oh boy.
Haru: What is it, Ann-Chan?
Ann is typing…
Ann: Don’t laugh.
Makoto: We would never!
Yusuke: Well, that depends..
Yusuke: Only joking.
Ann rolled her eyes. She was sitting in front of the mirror in her bathroom, fresh out of the shower. She wore a white tank top and fluffy pajamas as she let her usually pig tailed hair fall loose into a long, golden waterfall of elegant beauty. She checked her phone again.
Futaba: great job, Inari, you scared her off.
Yusuke: It really was but a joke..
Ren: We won’t judge you, Ann.
Ryuji: It aint even that big of a deal.
Makoto: So..?
This was more about just the sweets. Earlier in the week she called her modeling company to tell them about the necessary procedure. They weren’t so happy with the idea of the beautiful Ann Takamaki getting braces. Ryuji was more than okay with it, obviously, the dork was okay with anything she did. When she tried to spin this situation into a positive to her agent by attempting to convince him she could pull it off, he told her he didn’t buy it. It made her feel like they’d make her look ugly, or at least mess with her aesthetic. She was on edge for the rest of the week and ended up pigging out on a tub of convenience store ice cream due to the stress. It didn’t make her teeth look any worse, she noted.
Maybe I could just.. Ignore the braces. I don’t need them for real, right? I mean, I’m not getting worse. She thought to herself, then immediately realized that not only was it moronic to believe one quarter of a tub of pistachio ice cream could alter her appearance so quickly, but that her parents had already paid for the braces. She groaned, typing on her keypad.
Ann: I’m getting braces tomorrow.
Futaba: Woah.
Haru: Oh no! Why?
Ann: Overbite caused by too much eating.
Yusuke: So the great Ann Takamaki will no longer be able to indulge in sweets? What a cruel, unjust world.
Makoto: How long do you have to keep them?
Ann: Document says a year.
Ryuji: It'll be over before you know it. I mean it.
She smiled.
Ren: You’ll pull it off, Ann. You always do.
Then she blushed. No wonder this man was taken.
Futaba: cheater.
Ren: Eh?
Futaba: how could you be so nonchalant about calling another girl pretty when your gf is in the group chat?
Ren: It’s not like that!
Makoto: Honestly, Futaba, you’re far too much sometimes..
Makoto: I actually agree with Ren. Ann, you can seemingly pull off any style, from yukata to modern dresses to casual skirts. I’m sure braces won’t be any different.
Haru: I agree! Whenever I catch you in a magazine, you stand out more than the other girls. Not just because you’re my friend, but because you’re genuinely beautiful!
Ann: You guys are the best <3 Thank you.
Ryuji: You comin to school tmrw?
Ann: Nah, I’ll be there on Thursday though.
Ren: Morgana says you’d look divine with any attire.
Yeah, his crush on her was much more obvious to her now. She didn't mind- he knew his boundaries.
Ann: Thank you, Morgana!! <3
Ann: I’ll text you all tomorrow. Night!
A sea of goodnight texts flooded the group chat. She wiped a tear away from the corner of her eye and took a deep breath.
I can do this.
The next morning Ann woke up to the sound of not her alarm, which was turned off today on account of her absence from school, but instead by the ringing of her phone at around the same time she’d usually be awake on a school day.. Annoyed, she rolled from her back to her chest, hair draping over her as if she were wearing a wedding gown (a look she fantasized about once or twice in the shower or whilst watching her favorite romance anime) and picked up the phone from its place on her side table. Ryuji was calling. She answered.
“Whaaaaat?” She whined.
“Woah, easy, I just wanted to check in on ya.” His relaxed, tough voice surrendered.
She turned the phone on speaker and put it back on the side table, burying her cheek back into her pillow. “I’m not going to school, Ryuji, you know that.”
“Yeah, yeah, I just wanted to see if you wanted me to come with you to the dentist.” That intrigued her. He seemed quite casual about the request. She picked her head up.
“So you could skip?” She let out a huff of amusement as she stretched her limbs out, sitting up. Her feet touched the carpet.
“Wha- no! I mean, you know I’m trying in school, okay? I meant more for oral support.”
She went quiet. “..Oral support?”
He sounded so confident in his initial response, so sure of himself that he knew what he was saying. She almost felt bad for questioning him. “..Ain’t that when you’re there for someone when they need you, but you can’t really do much else?”
Ann snickered, which turned into a giggle, which transformed at its apex into a loud, cute chuckle. “It’s moral support, Ryuji. Moral.”
“..Oh. Whatever, s-should I come over or not?!” He demanded, bashful. Her giggles subsided.
“Sure. But when we’re done, I want you visiting Makoto after school.” She pushed a long flow of golden hair behind her shoulder, wiping the sleep from her eyes.
“Huh? Why?”
“Your grades, duh. We talked about this, Ryuji, I don’t want you to fail any of your third year classes-- or god forbid have to redo.” Her voice was stern but worried. Ryuji and Ann both struggled in their second year of high school, with the only thing keeping Ann afloat being her average at best grades (mostly just barely getting B’s) and the only thing keeping Ryuji from being held back was the help of his friends during group study sessions. His focus faltered when he thought Ren was leaving, but when he changed his mind and decided to stay in Tokyo, Ryuji was invigorated to keep working hard. Ren practically paid Makoto to tutor his best friend with promises of books and Yakuza films.
“R-right. But why do I have to visit Makoto to get good grades?”
She would have called him dumb if she were cruel. “Is it not obvious? She’ll help you stu-”
“I’d much rather just study with you.” Her heart skipped a beat and her cheeks flushed a passionate red.
“Q-quit it with the flattery, you idiot.. I’m already your girlfriend.” She mumbled, a small smile settling on her otherwise annoyed expression.
She could almost see the happy, victorious grin on his face. In the last few months he had really picked up a lot from Ren.. well, at least in the romance department, he was still a boar deep down. “But I mean it! Makoto rides my ass even harder than she does my best bro.”
“Oh my God! ” Case in point.
Ann sat in the waiting room, a nervous sweat plaguing her palm that was safely and supportively enclosed within her boyfriend's hand. Their fingers locked together whilst Ryuji watched some Japanese game show on one of the TV’s hanging from the wall. He had to stifle a bombastic chuckle or two as the contestants rolled around, got splashed by disgusting liquids or screamed in panic at the next terrifying challenge. Ryuji was wearing a purple hoodie with a skeleton wearing sunglasses on it, black jeans and white and yellow sneakers. Ann wore a stylish red scarf, her hair back up in it’s usual pigtails. She had a ginger brown sweater on with a fur design as well as tight black pants and stylish black boots with golden buckles.
The lady of the hour was on her phone, rereading an earlier text conversation she had with her best friend, Shiho Suzui. During the past week, she was unable to visit her friend, but they talked just about every day. On Monday, she messaged her friend with her worries.
Shiho My Beloved
Ann: Shiho, I’m kind of scared.
Shiho: Scared? Of what?
Ann: Of these stupid braces.
Shiho: Oh. You get them in a few days, right? Why are you scared?
Ann: I’ve been super busy with work. My agency wants me to get
as many shoots in this week as I can before it’s ‘too late’. I’d be missing so much
work if I was replaced for an entire year just because of my stupid freaking sweet tooth.
Shiho: Hm..
Shiho: Ann Takamaki, you do know that you are the prettiest girl in Tokyo, yes?
Ann: Where are you going with this, temptress?
Shiho: People will complain if you’re not modeling in Vague. Sure, that Mika bitch is popular,
but she’s nowhere near as cool as you are, especially among younger girls.
Shiho: You have a dedicated fanbase, as Yusuke-kun puts it.
As she reread the messages, she felt a pang of guilt strike her chest. It’s true, so many people recognized her in the streets, at school, at work she’d be spotted by someone whose daughter was a huge fan, whose son had a crush on her, whose mother admired, and yet here she was worrying about how the agency was panicking to get pictures in despite her huge popularity. She read on, despite already knowing how this conversation ends.
Ann: You’re right.
Ann: I shouldn’t let fear dictate me. It would be a disservice to myself and my fans, to my identity.
I’m supposed to be sexy, confident, I’m supposed to wear myself with pride!
Shiho: I honestly can’t believe you forgot.
Ann: It was focusing on my job instead of my character that got me thinking like this.
Shiho: Has Ryuji been lacking in moral support lately? Has he NOT been calling you ‘so goddamn sexy’ everytime he sees you?
She took a look at her goofy boyfriend chuckling into his palm like a little boy watching cartoons. He had been incredibly supportive, regardless of how he chose to show it. Distracting her with confectionaries, taking her attention away from the whole situation by getting her annoyed at him, complimenting her on how beautiful she is (even if he didn’t realize he was, like last night). He had been perfect to her. She gave him a kiss on the cheek out of nowhere, leaving a faint pink mark on his face. It blended in with the blush that ensued.
He looked at her. “Uh.. did I do somethin’ good?”
Ann: He has. He’s been amazing.
Shiho: Then you have nothing to worry about.
“Mhm.” She hummed into his shoulder, turning off her phone and pocketing it within her pants.
He stared down at her, his chin positioned on top of her head.“Wuzzat?”
“Being here. It was sweet of you. Thank you. They’re just braces though.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’ve been sayin’. Braces or no, you’re hot as fuck. That ain’t gonna change just cuz you got metal in your teeth.” She climbed into his lap, holding both of his hands now. She could practically see stars in his eyes as she inched closer and closer to his face.
“Are you expecting a reward for your good behavior, babe?” She mused, stroking a finger from his chest to his naval.
“M-maybe.. will you give me one?” He whispered in a stunned, flustered voice.
“Ahem.” The couple snapped their heads up to the dentist, who was standing before them with folded arms. “Ann Takamaki? I recognize you from Vague. Please, control yourself here.”
“Thank you so much sir.” Ann said, rubbing her cheek as a subtle pain resided within her mouth.
“Thank you for the autograph. My daughter loves your work.”
“Of course!”
“Hey, you’ll keep modeling, right?”
“I hope so! That depends on if the agency feels my brathis- I mean braces are too distracting.”
“Well, I think they’ll be fine. Your dentist will be checking in on your teeth, so please make sure not to indulge in things that could dirty or weaken your braces.”
“Right. Thank you once again, thir.” Okay, now this was getting annoying. She glanced at Ryuji, who stood by the door waiting. He looked at her with a gawk she couldn’t quite understand. He looked either completely entranced or disturbed. She was getting nervous again- but quickly reminded herself that that wasn’t who she was. She took a deep breath and walked toward the door, chest held high in confidence. “Ready to go?”
“O-oh yeah.” He turned to open the door. They left with their pleasantries towards the dentist, heading for the next train.
“Is everything okay?” She nervously asked, brushing a pig tail with both hands repetitively as a nervous tick when they left the building. She closed her mouth immediately after speaking so he wouldn’t look at the silver constricts in her mouth. He gave her a look, giving light to the pink, peach-like coloration alighting his cheeks. She raised a brow.
“I.. I think you’re even more adorable now.” He admitted, much to her shock. Her heart skipped a beat.
“What?” She stopped, dumbfounded. He turned around, looking down and away whilst tugging at the hem of his hoodie.
He spoke through withering breath as he attempted to contain the full extent of his affection. “Your lisp.. It’s so goddamn cute.”
“Are you fur real?!” Her voice squeaked, body leaping forward to the point that they were barely inches away from each other. She didn’t even register that she had used his signature expression of disbelief, a habit she picked up from months and months of conversation with him.
“Y-yeah?? Is that bad..?”
“No, you dork!” Suddenly, she beamed brightly and collected the boy in her arms. Ryuji was by no means a tall guy, standing at just about 170 cm and hell, Ann was taller than him by an inch, but despite this it was still somewhat difficult to collect the blonde physique of an ex track star and constant runner. Those toned arms and that lean chest certainly added up, and yet she still lifted him up and squeezed the life out of him like he was nothing but a teddy bear! She nuzzled into the crook of his neck and kissed the sensitive flesh. “I love you, Ryuji.. Thank you, again.”
“It’s no problem, babe.. N-now please, let go a’ me. It’s freakin’ embarrassing.”
“You got this.” His hand squeezed hers, painted orange and shiny brown fingernails scratching lightly against his tough knuckles. She smiled and nearly gave him a kiss, but hesitated, not wanting to ruin the matching orange lipstick. She was set to shoot for the autumn homepage of Vague’s website, which would most likely make or break her career for the next year. Sure, she’d get jobs, but if audiences and directors took a distaste for her teeth, she wouldn’t be featured in nearly as many photo opportunities.
And the bitchy, manipulative, long haired woman adorning a Halloween themed purple skirt and high black & white stockings currently having her pictures taken would dethrone her, for a time. She’d be sure to vent to Ren about the dig she made at her earlier.
“Good luck, Takamaki-chan. It must be difficult to smile with all that garbage in your mouth. Poor baby! ♡” Mika taunted before she headed out for her shoot.
Ann quietly seethed, shooting a look that intimidated even the largest of fire resistant shadows in the Metaverse at the girl. For a second, she seemed scared, but immediately changed her expression to one of malcontent and distaste for her coworker. Then, she left.
“God she pisses me off so much.” The blonde muttered bitterly, digging into her palms with her nails. Ryuji placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Hey, look, you’re like a million times sexier than her. And- and, didn’t you get over your hate boner for her?” She squinted.
Hate boner? Really?
She thought, but shook her head.
“Well, yeah! But she still gets me peeved sometimes.”
“Who cares about what Ms. Squilliam Fancyson thinks? You’re your own woman, you are Panther, you are a force to be fucked with!” Though she was touched by his words, one detail made her more confused than anything.
“Squilliam Fancywhat?” He looked at her, dead serious.
“Uh, yeah, from Spongebob. What, never seen it?” She giggled, punching him softly in the chest with her cheek nuzzled back into his neck.
“You’re an idiot.”
“Correction, babe, I’m your idiot, and you’re stuck with me until you come to your senses and dump me.” It was always slightly dishea
“Not a chance.” Her voice hissed at the end as a result of her ‘adorable’ lisp. He gulped.
“Ann-chan, you’re on!” One of the camera guys shouted, interrupting their PDA. She turned to the set and took a step forward. She turned to Ryuji, who was still holding her shoulder, and opened her mouth to thank him again, but was stopped.
“Yeah, yeah, I know. You’re welcome. Now, go knock 'em dead, Panther!” He grinned, rocking a fist upward. She smiled sweetly, closing her eyes as she mimicked his action.
“Will do, Skull!” She stepped onto the studio, different lights casting not a shadow on the wall, the lighting making for the perfect warm, cozy atmosphere. The backdrop behind her was an urban brick wall with orange, red and yellow leaves falling from the sky, some already on the floor. Her clothing consisted of a fluffy brown sweater and black, tight to the touch pants. Brown, shin-high boots adorned her feet and her hair, as always, was tied up into those adorable golden pigtails. A black scarf was draped around her neck like an anaconda, leaving one glaring flaw left to be revealed amongst her astounding beauty.
The camera man flashed a thumbs up, leaning close to the lens of his camera.“Okay, give me a real bright smile and a peace sign, Ann-chan!” With all of the confidence she could muster she took one last look at Ryuj, (who was practically salivating at how cute she looked but quickly stood up straight nervously) opened her mouth and fit her teeth into a friendly smile, flashing a peace sign as she twirled around, one leg raised as if she had utterly dominated a shadow as Panther. The metal in her teeth shined briefly.
“Ew- so gross!” Mika faux moaned, stuffing her mouth into her palm. The other men around her ignored her, watching carefully. Ann’s nerves were beginning to get to her, so she took another deep breath and gave the camera a sexy wink. Flash after flash lit up her face, capturing her perfectly.
“Brilliant, wonderful! Ah, I could die!~ Ann-chan, gimme more of that!” He pointed at her mouth, to which she instinctively covered it.
“O-oh, you mean my brathes?” She removed her hand as he nodded. “But.. I thought they were going to ruin the shot.”
“Nonsense, darling, they make you look absolutely adorable! Cute, innocent, and it brings out the stunning ocean in your eyes!~ So please, give me more!” Blushing like mad, she began to pose in other ways, showing off her backside and front, her voluptuous chest and her wide hips, her stylish nails and yes- even the braces. Ryuji gave her a smug “Told ya so.” look when shooting was done. She shot back a thankful look and wrapped up.
Despite the snobby company at the buffet, it made the perfect place for Ann to celebrate her newest surge in popularity. Ren offered to treat everyone using the money they garnered from Phantom Thievery to celebrate, to which they all agreed. Meeting up on a Sunday, the group all gathered plates of stacks upon stacks of delicious food. The conversation among the scummy, rich upper class was lost in the group’s excitement as they eagerly showcased some of the best confectioneries money could buy to Makoto, Futaba and Yusuke, who had never been before. Haru had gone, but only with her father on business, and Ren saw the opportunity as a great way to remember the old days of the original four thieves as well as to show Yusuke and Futaba what real food is.
Once they were all sat down, everyone’s food was out for judgement. Ren had a large pile of meat and dessert dishes along with rice and sushi. Morgana shared Ren’s sushi and got a smaller plate of fish that he could snack on in the comfort of his ‘owners’ bag. Ryuji’s plate was all hot, juicy meat that wafted into everyone’s noses obnoxiously. Haru had a lighter dish, only having fish and a dessert on her plate as she was used to eating out like this. Yusuke had just about everything on the menu, including fried bananas, tons of exotic beans and a pizza slice that was littered with sardines. Futaba did much of the same as her bluette friend, minus the weird beans and pizza. Makoto made sure to equally distribute her food into the tastiest but healthiest myriad she could concoct, which left Ann still lingering at the buffet tables. The other group watched her come over after several minutes of waiting, dessert jarringly missing from her plate.
“What, no cake? So unlike you!” Futaba commented between mouthfuls of rice. Ann sat across from Ryuji, next to Makoto and Yusuke.
“Braces. Can’t eat sweet stuff for a while. Unfortunately, that includes the delicious.. creamy.. cheesy..” Drool teased her pink lips, her eyes becoming entranced. Her boyfriend sighed, giving Futaba a look of annoyance.
“Oh boy, you've got her going now.”