Chapter Text
It was a cool day. Not a particularly cold one for the season, but enough to where it made sense, and Morgana was spending some time in Leblanc with Akira. Everyone else was busy, and Akira was bored managing Leblanc on his own, so he requested that Morgana join him. Morgana found he quite enjoyed spending time with Akira when it was just the two of them, bringing them back to simpler times before the team grew as large as it was now, especially with all of the space filling up in their house.
As much as he loathed to admit it, Morgana was a little annoyed when Sumire dropped by. He liked Sumire plenty, but it still made him grumpy when Akira turned all his attention away from him and towards Sumire. So much for ‘simpler times’ as in ‘Before all of the founding human members of the Phantom Thieves got girlfriends’.
Morgana flicked his tail, and hopped down from the countertop. He had half a mind to go for a walk around Yongen-Jaya and sulk, but before he could get out the shop, Sumire scooped him up in her arms like he was a baby.
“Good morning Morgana-senpai,” she said cheerily. “I bought you some discount sushi on my way over. Would you like it?”
Morgana grumbled a little. One the one hand, he was annoyed at Sumire for stealing Akira from him, but on the other hand, sushi…
“Fine, but let me go.” Sumire smiled, and carefully placed Morgana on the table. She placed the container of sushi down next to him, and Morgana pawed at it, trying to release the precious contents. Curse his infernal paws! Chuckling, Sumire opened the container for him, and Morgana huffed. He could have done it himself if she gave him a little longer. Probably. Maybe.
He was a phantom thief dammit, he should be able to open a packet of sushi on his own!
“Having hands would make everything so much easier,” he moaned through bites of sushi. Sumire’s hands moved towards him, like she was going to pet him, and he resisted the urge to hiss at her. “Sometimes I still wish I was human.”
“Oh, that’s right!” Sumire perked up. “I don’t remember much of those times since I was able to hear you, but you said you wanted to be human back then, right?”
“I believed I was human,” explained Morgana. “The truth was a lot to process, when I finally found out.”
Sumire cocked her head. “Why do you still want to be human, even though you know you never were one?”
“It’s because he still thinks he has a chance with Ann,” Akira teased from behind the counter.
“Uh, of course!” Morgana agreed, licking his paws and scratching behind his ears. “I haven’t given up on Lady Ann after all!”
Sumire tilted her head at Akira’s seemingly joking manner. “Isn’t Ann-senpai dating Shi-“ She was cut off by her boyfriend pulling her close, causing her to blush.
“Don’t tell him that!” Akira whispered to Sumire. “He doesn’t like being reminded of it.”
“Oh…” Sumire’s eyes looked at Morgana, and she began to pat him on the head. “Well, at least you got to experience it back when you were actualized.”
That brought back some very uncomfortable memories, for Akira, making his lips quiver just from thinking about the studly guy in his bed that wasn’t Morgana at all. “I’ve seen that guy in movies…” He croaked quietly.
“That doesn’t count!” Morgana rebutted. That body never felt right. He was too tall, too lean, too… There was something more about that body that he didn’t like, but he couldn’t place it. It was handsome, sure, but once he and Akira looked more into the model Ann liked that Morgana based that off of, the more his personality didn’t seem to fit the cat at all, much less his appearance aside from the colour scheme.
Morgana finished his sushi, then announced,“I’m going for a walk. I’ll leave you lovebirds to it.” Sumire blushed bright red at that, and Akira smirked.
Trotting out the cafe, Morgana wondered why the conversation had left such a sour taste in his mouth. Maybe that was just the discount sushi…
Later that night, Morgana hopped in through Akira’s bedroom window. Akira was still awake, sitting on his bed and flicking through a book, which Morgana recognised as one Sumire had lent him. Grumpy, Morgana jumped into Akira’s lap, knocking the book from his hands, purring loudly until Akira petted him.
If Akira was annoyed, he didn’t show it, diligently patting Morgana on the head, smiling as he did so.
“Welcome back, Morgana.” He said as he ran his fingers through his fur. “How was your walk?”
“The usual,” Morgana replied, stretching a little in Akira’s arms. “Nothing interesting.”
There was a pause between the two, then Akira asked, “Is there something you want to tell me?”
“Of course not. I’m just tired.” And with that, he plopped down on Akira’s chest, stretching himself out. “Are you?”
“Morgana…” Akira looked at him sternly, his neck not in the best posture to do so. “You know I can tell when any of the thieves are like this.”
“That’s why you’re our leader, after all…” Morgana sighed. Why did Akira have to be so emotionally in tune? This was starting to get irksome.
“Come on, Momo. Talk to me.”
“I know Maruki’s reality wasn’t the best…” Morgana began. “But sometimes, I kind of miss that reality. It made me feel like a real part of the team; a real part of your family. When I’m like this, I don’t really know who, or what, I am.”
“Hey, I get it. Everyone was so happy and having Wakaba around was great too. It wasn’t exactly easy for me to refuse his offer, but none of it was real, and I couldn’t live with that.”
“What made you finalise your decision?”
Akira took a deep breath, causing Morgana to rise on his chest. “Honestly, most of it was worrying I’d essentially be killing Sumire after learning who she really was, but… part of it was you.”
“What?”
“Even if you were human, I knew that wasn’t what you’d be like. It was just what he thought you wanted.”
“That part…” Morgana’s voice trailed off as he closed his eyes to think, “I can sort of agree with. Something always felt wrong about that body. I can’t explain it but…”
“Nothing about that reality felt right.” Staring at Morgana’s eyes glowing in the dark, Akira still thought about his vivid imagery of what Morgana would really be like had he gotten his wish.
“Besides, once I’ve completed that mission, I’d probably be off living my own life or something.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Why? Why did that form feel so wrong? I thought I’d be the most handsome human in the world, but that one… I just don’t get it.”
“It’s because you’re a kid.” Akira confirmed with a nod.
Morgana got up in shock, pressing his paws on Akira’s chest. “I’m not a kid!” he insisted, with the conviction as he used to insist that he wasn’t a cat.
“Uh!” Akira sat up from the reaction, making Morgana fall into his lap.
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine.” Once Akira recovered from the blow, he continued, “Anyway, are you sure you’re not a kid? How old are you anyways?”
“I… don’t know… I was just kinda created before Yaldabaoth attacked, and that was around a month or so before we met… but I’m not a baby!”
“It’s mature for a cat, but not a human, and you’re sort of in between that. So, you’re essentially a child, by some measure of the word.”
“That makes a lot of sense actually…”
“Don’t try to grow up so fast,” said Akira solemnly, like he was a wise old man. “Enjoy your youth while you have it.”
“You’re acting like you’re ancient,” said Morgana, batting at Akira’s face. “You’re still young.”
“No, I’m practically wasting away. Tell Sumire I love her. Ryuji and Futaba can have my videogames and Makoto can have my books when I die.” He hoisted Morgana into the air, spinning him around.
“Akira, stop being dramatic!” hissed Morgana. “You’re going to drop me!”
Akira laughed, but did sit back down, cradling Morgana in his arms. “You’ll always be special to me, Momo. You were one of my first friends in Tokyo, and we wouldn’t be the phantom thieves if it wasn’t for you.”
Akira was quiet for a moment, holding Morgana even tighter. “You’re like family to me,” he admitted. “The same way that Futaba, Ann, Ryuji, and Yusuke are family to me. Well, not quite the same way. They’re my siblings, but you’re more like… my son.”
“What?” Morgana froze.
“Yeah… I never really understood why pet owners called them their babies until I met you.” Akira laid his head back down, still running his fingers through Morgana’s fur.
Morgana blinked twice in confusion. “Why would I be your-“
“If it makes you uncomfortable, I’m sorry. I promise I won’t bring it up again.”
“No, no… I can see why,” Morgana reluctantly agreed. “I just needed some time to think about it, that’s all. I was the one who asked you to take care of me after all…” Morgana sulked down, rolling to Akira’s side. “Dang it, I really am just a baby, aren’t I?”
“Yes you are, but you’re my baby. If that’s what you want…”
“No. It is! Except… I’ve never had a family before. I’m not sure I know how.”
“That’s okay. We can figure it out together.”
“Okay. I love you… dad.”
Akira and Morgana paused to take in what the latter had just called the former. “Can I… call you dad?”
Akira pressed his head next to Morgana’s. “Of course you can.”
It wasn’t long before Morgana fell asleep in his father’s arms, with Akira lightly patting his head before he slept with him.
“I love you too, Momo.”
At first, Morgana didn’t recognise his surroundings, but on second glance it looked like the depths of mementos, with its tunnels of swirling black and red. Standing in front of him was a boy, no older than six, with long, shaggy hair, a black shirt and shorts to match, wearing the same yellow bandana he did. The boy opened his amber eyes, and Morgana realised this boy was a shadow.
A shadow of who, though?
“You’re finally here,” he said with a smile. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
Morgana went to draw his weapon, but his scimitar was nowhere to be found. Did that mean the shadow wasn’t hostile? “Who are you?” he asked.
“I’m the real you,” said the shadow. “I am the person you most desire to become.”
"I don't understand."
The boy - his shadow - moved towards him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "That is okay, you do not have to understand. It will all make sense soon..." His tone was reassuring and gentle, and Morgana took a deep, steady breath.
‘I want this…’ he thought.
“I know, because I do too,” said the shadow, like he had read Morgana’s mind.
The shadow’s eyes were glowing, and Morgana reached over to embrace his true self. It felt like nothing he’d ever felt. They simply slotted together, like two pieces of the same puzzle. It felt easy; it felt like he was finally whole; it felt right .
“Thank you,” he whispered. “I understand. I am you and you are me.”
It was an odd feeling, like stepping into a new skin, but when Morgana opened his eyes again, he was in his shadow’s body - his body - looking down at his new hands. And it was everything he ever wanted. His body finally felt right.
This was who he was.
There was something heavy on Akira’s chest. Getting up, he realised Morgana’s fur seemed to have gotten fuzzier than usual. Could a cat get bedhead? That’s what he assumed at least, until he turned the sleeping Morgana’s head towards him…
And found a small human boy curled up on top of him, sleeping soundly. Initially startled, there was a sense of familiarity from what happened that awkward day in January. It only made sense, considering the conversation he and Morgana had the previous night.
This version of Morgana was better, he decided. Before, Morgana had just been some random celebrity that Ann liked, but now… Now he was undeniably Akira’s child.
The metaverse had done it again; it had given him family. Not a sibling, this time, but a son.
Akira couldn’t be happier, as he pulled Morgana close to his chest. He wanted to stay like this, with his son, forever.
Playing with Morgana’s fingers, just as he did with his paws back when he was a cat, Akira noticed there was a slight vitiligo on Morgana’s hands, looking almost like tiny gloves. He finally had the hands he wanted so badly…
“Congratulations, Mittens,” he whispered, as he fell back asleep, Morgana still curled up on top of him.
When Morgana awoke in his new human body, he was so startled that he fell clean off Akira's chest, landing in a heap on the floor. He looked down at himself, and found he was dressed just like his shadow self, right down to the bandana and shorts.
“I did it…” he cried. “I did it! Akira! Akira! I’m finally human!”
Jumping up on his new dad’s bed, Akira was woken up by Morgana’s excitement, nearly falling out of bed himself.
“Heh, I should’ve figured…” Akira’s voice trailed off. “I really wasn’t dreaming.”
“I met my shadow self, and he told me he was the real me, and I hugged him, and now I’m human!” exclaimed Morgana, talking so quickly he was hardly stopping for breath.
“Whoa, slow down Momo,” said Akira with a chuckle. “I’m not going anywhere. Now start from the beginning.”
Morgana took a deep breath, and began his explanation again. True to his word, Akira listened intently. Once Morgana was finished, Akira nodded. “You accepted your true self,” he said. “Just like the rest of us did when we admitted how we felt about each other.”
Morgana nodded. “It felt so right,” he said. “Like I was finally myself.”
Together, Akira and Morgana got ready for the morning, and sneakily, while Morgana wasn’t looking, Akira drafted a quick text to the group chat in anticipation of their reaction.
Akira: Hey guys. Meet me in Leblanc at lunchtime today. I have a surprise for you.
“Let’s go down to Lebalnc for breakfast,” said Akira, setting his phone down on his desk.
Because of course the first person who had to find this out was someone who didn’t even know what Morgana’s Metaverse form even looked like. As Akira and Morgana walked hand in hand to Leblanc, Akira wondered what Sojiro’s reaction would be like.
Sojiro greeted them as they entered Leblanc. “Morning Akira. Is Morgana with you…?” He trailed off as he laid eyes on the little boy holding Akira’s hand.
“This is Morgana,” stated Akira.
Sojiro blinked. Then, he sighed.
“Is this another one of those evil therapist alternate dimension mumbo jumbos?” he said. “If Wakaba is back from the grave again, so help me god, tell her I was the one who broke that photo of her and Futaba in her office, not Futaba, and that I’m sorry I got myself a new wi-“
“YOU DID WHAT?! I LOST A WHOLE WEEK OF SUMMER BECAUSE OF THAT!”
He didn’t even get to finish that sentence before the bell didn’t even get a chance to ring from the interruption of a very angry-looking Futaba.
“Okay, okay, I had my fun.” Futaba stopped once she saw the terrified look on Sojiro’s face. “That was way too long water under the bridge now, Oh, hi Morgana. Anyway, what did you need to pin the blame on me for- Wait a minute.” Futaba also examined the child, picking him up, examining him like a vintage video game.
“Morgana? Again?”
“Please put me down.”
Futaba did so, and immediately pulled out her phone. “I’ll set up the records as soon as possible. Should I make some fake baby pictures? Should I legally change his name to Mona?”
“Change it to Mittens.” Akira said, showing the vitiligo to Futaba.
“Don’t push it, just keep my name as is…” Morgana pleaded.
Ann threw open the door. “Good morning everyone,” she called. “I dragged Ryuji here too. What’s up?”
Futaba looked up from her video game. “Morgana has a new body.”
“He’s so cute!” exclaimed Ann. “You know he has your eyes.”
Morgana immediately started blushing as he always did around Ann. “Oh uh… Lady Ann… I hope- I hope you don’t mind me looking like this…”
“Oh come on!” Ryuji cried out. “Does this mean I’m not allowed to argue with him anymore?” he asked, calming down almost immediately. “I don’t want to be an asshole to a kid.”
“Of course you’d say that,” hissed Morgana. “You’re so immature.”
“You’re one to talk,” snapped Ryuji. “You’re literally five.”
“I’m six… I think.”
“Ryuji, don’t be mean to your nephew.”
“Nephew?”
“We believe the metaverse sensed my paternal affections towards Morgana, and allowed him to take this form, similarly to how we went through our own transformations.”
“Does that mean I’m a mom now?” Sumire questioned when she entered the cafe. Akira quickly started blushing himself and adjusted his glasses.
“Sumi, babe, love of my-“
“I don’t think I’m ready yet!” Sumire shook in a panic.
“Don’t worry, I won’t push you.”
“Oh thank god… but don’t scare me like that ever again,” Sumire demanded.
“I make no promises.” Akira bowed towards his girlfriend.
“Still, does… does that mean he’ll have to call me mo-mom?”
“What?! No!” Morgana shook his head vehemently. “If anyone’s gonna be my mom, it’s Haru!”
Akira’s neck almost snapped with how fast he turned to Morgana. “What?”
“What?”
“Speaking of people not here…” Ryuji pondered at the mention of his girlfriend. “Where’s Yusuke, Haru and Makoto? It’s not like them to be late.”
“He passed out again,” said Ann with a sigh. “Haru and Makoto are looking after him with Mayumi’s help. He’ll be okay in a little while. It's a shame, he would have loved this.”
“Yeah.” Akira chuckled. “He’d say something like ‘A tasteful display of rebellion against one’s self. I must paint you.’ Then he’d work himself ragged all over again. It’s just what Yusuke’s like.”
“What am I like?” Yusuke had appeared in the doorway at some point during their conversation, exacerbated Haru and Makoto in tow.
“I’m so sorry,” said Makoto. “We tried to make him stay in bed, but he insisted on coming over.”
“I had to see what the surprise was!” exclaimed Yusuke. “It certainly is a surprise. Morgana, I much prefer this form of yours. It feels more authentic. Can I-”
“No Yusuke. You are not allowed to paint him,” said Akira. “You need to take a break or you’ll collapse again.”
“No buts,” said Haru. “Sit down, eat your curry and rest .” Noticing the news, she immediately picked up Morgana and nuzzled her cheek against him. “Mona-Chan…”
“Oh, that explains it.” Akira realized, not noticing Sumire wiping her brow in the background.
Yusuke whined about the complaints towards him, but did eventually sit down and eat with everyone else. The meal was fun, with everyone chatting and joking, and Morgana finally got a chance to eat food with his own hands, though he found the chopsticks a little difficult to use. Akira managed to find him some children’s chopsticks that were easier.
Once they were finished, everyone left one by one, and Akira took a moment to wash the dishes. Morgana offered to dry them, but Akira shook his head, not wanting the plates to be dropped and broken. He helped out Sojiro in the cafe for a few more hours, leaving Morgana with his phone to play with, and once his shift was over, he took Morgana home.
Sojiro found a pair of Futaba’s old pajamas that fitted Morgana, and Akira showed him how to brush his teeth. They didn’t have a bed for him yet - though Sojiro had promised to take Akira out the next day to buy one - so Morgana climbed into Akira’s bed once again.
Morgana’s voice was barely above a whisper. “Hey Akira?”
“Yes?”
“What if this only lasts for today? What if I become a cat again?”
Akira cuddled him close. “No matter what happens, you’ll always be my son.”
“Okay… I love you, dad.”
“I love you too, Mittens.”
With that, Morgana fell asleep, and when he woke up the next morning, he was still human, his arms wrapped tightly around his father. Finally, he was at ease in his own body, which would remain with him for the rest of his life.
But unbeknownst to the two of them, someone else had been watching from beyond, staring at the now-human Morgana longingly.
“His love for the trickster allowed him to become human to stay together… If he could do that, could I… No. I mustn't be so selfish…”