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Yusuke Kitagawa liked to observe, to watch. The things he could observe from the sidelines were marvelous if he does say so himself. He can see things that others can't. Like how Morgana stole Futaba's sushi that one time, like how Ryuji was always upset when he got kicked out of the frontlines. Like how he could tell that their leader was undoubtedly in love with Makoto Nijima.
Yusuke did not have anything against Makoto. Did not resent her and even respected her as a fellow Phantom Thief. That does not stop the odd feeling that overcomes him when she is near, does not stop the need to be as far away from her as possible. Which, truly is a shame! For she is of the brightest mind in the team. But he couldn't stand her, he didn't understand.
When Akira tells him he's too busy to pose for a portrait he always imagined Akira going to do something with Makoto instead. Of course, Akira's free to do whatever it is he pleases. Not to mention, he already spends enough time with Yusuke as is.
Yusuke never thought of himself as a jealous individual, but he wasn't sure how else to describe the feeling that was festering inside of him. It's been affecting his canvas as of late.
A cacophony of colours, feelings and emotions unnamed. A splatter of everything and nothing. Forget a slump, he can't seem to do anything but draw as of late, desperately trying to paint a clear picture on the canvas. He's been falling asleep in his chair more and more, waking up to a smudged canvas and messed up clothes.
Regardless, they needed to head into mementos. They needed to complete requests from the PhanSite and strengthen their skills. Yusuke believes himself too tired to go, but even so, the show must go on as they say.
To his unsurprise he got placed on backup today, he did not resent being in the back. Though, he certainly has been off of the frontlines as of late.
One thing that did surprise him was that Queen got taken out as well. With their new addition Noir, he supposes she wouldn't be considered the new member anymore(There is of course- Oracle, though she was a non combatant), Joker always did tend to prioritize the new ones. It made sense, it would be a waste to let their newfound vigor go to waste.
With that said...he hadn't expected to be stuck with Queen in the back. Of course, there was..almost the entirety of the Phantom Thieves with them as well but even so.
Queen, of course, held no ill will towards him. He's pretty sure at least, even so Fox felt her stare at him every now and then. She seemed to be analyzing him curiously, it was quite odd.
"Is something the matter?" Ever blunt, Fox approached Queen out of the blue and asked her.
Queen seemed surprised for a bit before answering, "No, sorry. I've just been thinking about certain things."
"Like what?"
Queen seemed like she was about to speak before saying, "No, it's not my place to say. You'll figure it out." She offered him a warm smile before paying attention to the battle happening in the front lines.
Well. That was quite odd.
--
"Makoto, I don't know what to do anymore." Akira groaned into his hands, sitting on his bed.
"Well, personally I think you're being a bit too harsh on him. At this rate, you're going to give him the complete opposite idea." Makoto sat on the couch, having an exasperated tone of someone who's been forced to hear Akira's ramblings far too much and for far too long.
Akira slumped further into himself. As of late, he's been keeping Yusuke at arms length.(he very much regrets not working on his guts stat...) Look, he's not used to being in this position, okay?
He first started liking Yusuke shortly after Futaba joined the party...or was it when he took him to the art museum to see the paintings...or maybe the time before that when Akira helped him figure out what to do with an art piece. He doesn't know! It just...happened.
Yusuke was pretty, and talented. Eccentric in all the ways you'd expect an artist to be. He was...well, really fucking cool. So it's no surprise that-
"Akira?" Makoto looked at him concerningly. Noticing that he seemed to be lost in thought. He straightened his back and cleared his voice, slightly embarrassed.
"You know, you should talk to him. Properly. I don't know him nearly as much as you and the rest of the Phantom Thieves, but I can tell that somethings been on his mind."
After she said that, silence lingered in the air. Makoto didn't seem too bothered though, already used to his quiet nature. (Which is why it was probably such a shock when he first started dragging her into his room and rambling about Yusuke. Oops.)
"I'll think about it." Akira said simply. With that, Makoto smiled at him. A kind smile, far too kind for someone who's had to deal with him. "Well! I better get going, it's starting to get late after all. If you need anything, feel free to call."
After that, Akira saw her off and fell into a restless sleep.
--
Makoto was standing on the train, thinking about the talk she just had with Akira. Truthfully, she doesn't know what he sees in Yusuke. Don't get her wrong! She doesn't mind Yusuke, but he just tends to come on a bit too strongly for her. Maybe if she spent more time with him...Anyways, back to what she was saying. Although she herself doesn't see the appeal, she can tell that Akira holds him in a very high regard. The same could be said for Yusuke.
They'll be fine. She knows they'll be.
--
Yusuke didn't care that Akira and Makoto had been spending more time together. Hadn't been paying attention to every look the two of them share. Hadn't been upset when Makoto casually mentioned staying over at Leblanc's.
Of course, Akira's free to spend time with whomever he pleases. Yusuke doesn't bat an eye when Ann talks about picking out crepes to eat with Akira. Doesn't do as much as turn his head when Ryuji gushes about the new film they watched together. He listens of course, but the information doesn't register as much. Makoto though....
Akira was intellectual, and strategic. He needed someone who could match his level, and there truly is no one better than Makoto. They fit together like a glove. If Yusuke weren't so caught up in his own feelings, he reckons he would quite like to paint them together.
Feelings..he supposes there is no point in ignorance anymore, is there? Although he himself hasn't experienced it much before, he's drawn it plenty.
Yearning. He wants to spend more time with Akira, and...well, so on.
.
.
.
Yusuke sighed to himself. He really did love Akira, didn't he? Wanted him. Akira was graceful, funny, he was quiet but had a strong presence. Akira was everything he could ever want.
And everything he could never have.
–
Okumura's palace, truly a beautiful sight. If the Phantom thieves weren't on a mission, he would love to stay and paint it.
That being said, navigating it was certainly a challenge. Joker and Queen were looking through the map, they looked in sync.
"If we go through here, and turn on this switch, we'll end up here..." and ect. Joker marking paths on the map and occasionally making comments of his own.
Fox was...at a loss. On one hand, he wanted to be a good team member and pay close attention. On the other hand, he really did not want to look at Joker and Queen working together.
.
.
.
"Fox, right?" Fox whips his head around to see Noir shyly tapping on his shoulder. Quickly trying to get himself together he responds, "Yes, is anything the matter?"
"No, not at all! I just noticed that you've been looking sort of down. It's none of my business of course, but I wanted to make sure you were alright."
Fox was surprised to hear the concern, yet touched nonetheless. "I've just been thinking about things. My apologies if it has been affecting my performance."
Noir looked like she wanted to say more but dropped it nonetheless, "Alright then…"
Right. To be self pitying in a moment as important as palace infiltrations was nonsense. He was a fool to be upset over a dear friends happiness. He chastised himself for a bit before looking ahead, following with the already moving Phantom Thieves.
-
Should he bother buying flowers? Should he just call him and see what happens? How were confessions supposed to happen anyway?
Akira was idly wandering through Central Street. There was no neat dialogue option, or a heart event at the end of the rainbow. Just him and Morgana desperately trying to figure out what to do. It would've been peaceful, walking around Shibuya at midday...if not for all the thoughts jumbling around in his head.
"Yusuke...Artist..yeah I've got nothing. You're on your own." And with that, Morgana slinked out of the bag and started going in some direction. Where does Morgana even go when he leaves? They were already walking around Shibuya, was he planning on walking around Shibuya....harder?
Well either way, he always seems to be able to find his way back so he's not worried right now. What he's worried about right now..
Is....yeah. He supposes flowers are the basis for any confession. Where was the flower shop again? The one where he worked part time once and never again? Somewhere in the Underground Mall.
Akira made his way to the staircase that leads down to the Underground Walkway before freezing. Right. He would be here, wouldn't he?
"Akira! What is it that brings you here? I was just about to wrap up my people watching."
What to do in this situation, what to do. Maybe...if anyone were to know what flowers Yusuke liked, what about Yusuke himself?
--
Akira pointed his finger towards the direction towards the mall and simply said, "Buying flowers."
So this was it, wasn't it? Cruel of the universe to make them meet at this moment. Yusuke was tired of observing. He wanted to go to his dorm and sketch his new idea for an art piece.
"Well, I suppose I shouldn't get in your way. It was nice meeting you here Akira, I hope your endeavors end successfully." As Yusuke turned around to leave, Akira grabbed his shoulder, "Wait! I could use some help."
And that's how Yusuke ended up having to pick out flowers for Makoto. The atmosphere and shopkeeper were nice, so he found it out of place to be bitter at the moment. Alas though, some things couldn't be helped.
Even if he had thoughts about what was going on right now, it was his duty as Akira's friend to make sure he was happy.
"Let's see..." Makoto was a very intelligent individual. "Those irises, the purple ones specifically."
Makoto was one of the strongest people Yusuke had met. She was able to persevere through quite a lot, "And a couple of gladiolus’."
Akira purchased the flowers he had pointed out, the bouquet wasn't the biggest but it was pretty. A sort of envy suddenly flooded him after he had that thought. To receive flowers from Akira himself, you'd have to be very lucky to be in that position.
"Want to come to the diner with me?" Akira said, holding the flowers close to his chest.
Akira invited people there quite often. It made sense. What didn't make sense was the small stirring in his chest, when he heard those words.
Yusuke sat at their usual booth, ordered what he usually ordered and ignored the unusual sinking feeling in his chest.
"So how are you and Makoto?" The question slipped out of his mouth without his permission. Akira seemed confused. "Makoto? Makoto's doing fine."
"That's well." After that, an awkward silence seemed to envelop them. The only thing cutting it off was the waiter coming back with their food.
"So, these flowers.."
"I know."
"You know?"
Akira's eyes widened, not very much seeing as it was Akira, but it was visible. He slumped back in the booth and said, "I guess that's a no then, isn't it?"
A no? "What for?" Yusuke asked, not understanding what Akira was getting at. "I'm sure Makoto will appreciate the gesture, there is nothing to worry about."
Akira stopped seeming subdued for a moment to stop and look at him in confusion. He then laughed, it would've been infectious if Yusuke was in the mood to laugh with him. Then he seemed determined. Truly, Yusuke couldn't get a read on what was going on in Akira's head.
"These flowers are for you."
...That might explain it.
Akira slowly pushed the floors to his side of the table, "I wasn't sure what to get you, and then I saw you there and-" Akira stopped to recollect his thoughts, he seemed to be going through something in his head. If Akira was in a video game this was probably the time where a text box saying, "I should choose my words carefully." Would pop up. Yusuke isn't very sure why he had the thought but it came to him.
"I like you, Yusuke." Tension that Yusuke didn't realize was in his body seemed to lessen after Akira said that. Or, did it heighten? He isn't very sure, what he is pretty sure on is the fact that his face was heating up at that moment.
"And so would I, Akira." Saying that felt like scraping nails on a chalkboard. Not that he didn't want to say it or anything of the sort. After trying to ignore his feelings for so long it felt...embarrassing to express them. Although, the not unpleasant beating of his heart tells him that he could get used to it.
Akira breathed a sigh of relief. That calmed down Yusuke as well. "So, if I'm not reading this whole thing wrong, would you like to go out with me?"
Finally taking the flowers that were resting on the table Yusuke replied, "Of course I would."
Akira reached his hand across the table, and Yusuke met him half way. It felt foreign, but not unpleasant.
"Although, truthfully I don't believe these flowers represent me at all."
"Yeah, I figured. Speaking of, what was that you were saying about Makoto?"
"That is none of your concern."
Akira chuckled, "Let's go back to the flower shop. Can I walk you to the station after?"
"Definitely, I would love to have your company."
Yes, Yusuke could get used to this.