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Chapter Text

Ren and Ryuji fall out of the Palace in a big heap.

“Careful, mon trésor,” a smooth voice invades Ren’s ears. “It is most inelegant to exit a show like this, especially when the main attraction injures himself.”

Ren blinks, disoriented. His body is exhausted, sapped of all its energy.

There is a gloved hand reaching for him.

Ren accepts it without much hesitation, and is drawn to his feet.

Then the faint pressure of razor-sharp nails – almost as if they were talons – around his wrist, his arteries, registers.

The gloves can only do so much to protect Ren, but for some reason, he isn’t concerned, even as the stranger continues to hold on to his hand.

Because, upon further inspection, it isn’t a stranger at all.

“Arsène…?” he calls, dumbfounded. Arsène’s mask is unchanging, but he gets the feeling his Persona is amused.

“Were you expecting someone else, mon trésor?”

Ren shakes his head slowly. A smile blooms on his lips. “Thank you.” He grips Arsène’s clawed hand harder. “If it weren’t for you in there…”

“I am thou, thou art I,” Arsène reminds him, voice rumbling gently. “You have only yourself to thank.”

Still. Ren stares at his Persona with gratitude, even as a pit starts to open in his stomach. He and Ryuji almost died just now…

And Morgana – they left him all alone…

“D-dude!”

Ren lets Arsène’s hand go, turning to face Ryuji. “Huh?”

The blond scampers back, still on the ground. “I-is that…?” He points at Arsène, then Ren in quick succession. “Your clothes are back to normal!”

Ren looks down on himself. “Ah. Yeah.” He is once again wearing his Shujin uniform.

“That- That was totally real just now, right?” Ryuji asks, slowly picking himself up. “The effed up castle, the talking cat, that… That,” he waves at Arsène.

Arsène crosses his arms. “That?” Ren gets the distant feeling that if he had a face, he’d be raising his eyebrows just now. “Is that any way to refer to the Pillager of Twilight; the gentleman thief Arsène?” He is easily towering over them, much taller than any human being would have a right to be.

Ryuji hunches back, blanching. “N-no… Sorry ‘bout that, it came out wrong!”

Arsène laughs, shaking his head. “At ease, child.”

“He’s not going to hurt you,” Ren tells Ryuji. Ryuji gives a dubious look to Arsène’s talons and shudders; probably recalling how many Shadows they decimated just now.

Ryuji shakes his head, dazed. “Anyways… What the hell was that?! And are we back in the real world for real now?” He looks around wildly, as if the weird castle would just pop out of the ground.

To be fair, that is exactly how they ran into the castle in the first place, so Ren can’t blame him.

“I think so, yeah.” He looks to Arsène for confirmation.

“Indeed, we have left the Metaverse.” Ren gets the impression that Arsène is glancing around in interest. “I shall have to acquaint myself with this new world once more.”

The real world… And the Metaverse. The place they just left, with Morgana and the Shadows and… everything. Ren hums. How is Arsène here if he appeared in the Metaverse? Could the Shadows also traverse the realms?

The distant sound of a bell interrupts his thoughts. Ah, yeah, this is supposed to be his first day of school. He is already a bit late, he knows, but he still digs out his phone from his pocket and-

“What the hell?!” Ryuji yells into his ear. Ren leans away, even as the other boy continues gaping at his phone. “How did so much time go by so fast?!”

Ren shrugs. “Something about us travelling between worlds…?” he guesses. He looks to Arsène once more, but his Persona isn’t so forthcoming with answers this time around.

“Look, we have got to investigate this!” Ryuji insists, and Ren finds himself agreeing. “So we come back, after school, and go back to that weird castle!” His hands clench into fists. “We can’t let Kamoshida just abuse those kids!”

This time, Ren agrees wholeheartedly.

“So concerned with justice,” Arsène’s smooth voice rumbles over them. “Heh. Let’s see if you can deliver on that conviction, children.”

“For real though, why the hell are you calling us kids?” Ryuji demands, shifting his stance.

“Are you not?” Arsène asks, amusement clear in his tone.

Ren stifles a smile. “Let’s just go,” he says, to avoid any arguing. “We’ve already missed half the day.” And I’m on probation as it is, he doesn’t add. Still, strangely, he doesn’t regret missing the first few classes at all.

With two people – er, beings, in case of Arsène – on his side, Ren thinks that tackling a new school won’t be so hard after all.

***

Foolishly, they only consider the spectacle Arsène is, once they are in front of Shujin.

It should probably be concerning that Ren is already used to the sight of the floating, winged demon that is shadowing him – he met Arséne like, an hour ago. But it feels right, in a way things haven’t felt right for a long time.

Then Kamoshida shows up, and Ren and Ryuji both tense.

…but the teacher fails to react to Arsène’s growling, his increasingly rapid muttering in… French, Ren guesses? Or the aura of doom that he seems to be projecting towards the gym teacher.

“...what was that?” Ryuji hisses to Ren. Ren shrugs, keeping his eye on the teacher – the man whose look-alike just tried to have them both murdered like, an hour ago.

Arsène’s mutterings don’t cease. They grow in volume, the more Kamoshida speaks.

Then, when the teacher reaches towards Ren – then, Arsène’s claws dig into flesh.

Ren freezes completely.

But instead of any blood, bones, or even torn flesh, Arsène’s talons simply go through Kamoshida’s skin, unable to find purchase.

The teacher still shudders, as if hit by cold air.

As if he was hit by a phantom.

“What the-” Ryuji starts, and Ren glares at him. His new friend shuts up.

Kamoshida gloats some more, but Ren doesn’t register it. Arsène is not seen, heard, or is able to touch other people – he is more akin to a ghost in this world, quite unlike in the Metaverse.

And yet, Ren was able to hold his hand. So what is up with that?

He resolves to find out.

***

Arsène hangs around Ren all day, in a daze of quiet fascination. Ren has to keep a straight face while Arsène peers at every facet of the school with an almost scientific scrutiny, and tries, but fails to actually interact with anything.

That is, except for Ren himself.

There is a moment when Arsène’s eye catches on a pretty trinket – and Ren knows that is so, because the thief cackles to himself, muttering in French – but as soon as his deft hands move to secure his bounty, they simply move through the object, like they did with Kamoshida’s arm. When Ren isn’t able to keep the door open for Arsène, the Persona floats through the wood. When there are students coming through the hallways, they pass through Arsène as if he weren’t even there.

And yet, when Ren’s eyes start drooping, and he starts developing a headache, gloved talons tangle his hair, carefully massaging his scalp. Arsène doesn’t say a word, and Ren just smiles to show his gratitude. The students in Shujin continuously shoot him looks of distrust, and he hears at least fifteen different rumors about himself by the end of the day.

Almost like being home, Ren thinks sarcastically.

“They don’t deserve your attention, mon trésor,” Arsène says, calm, but resolute.

Ren offers him a small shrug. He isn’t exactly trying to pay attention to the whispers, but it’s hard not to when there is no friendly face he can talk to without causing a scene.

Somehow, he isn’t particularly keen on being labeled crazy, on top of being accused of murder, grievous bodily harm, arson and… He’s already lost count.

“The favor of the masses is of no import,” Arsène says again, as if reading his mind. Ren wouldn’t be surprised if he could. “What is, is following your own resolution – thine own justice.”

Ren nods, exhaling. It’s just after school; time to meet Ryuji and find some answers.

***

Ryuji cannot touch Arsène, as it turns out – not in the real world, at least.

He can hear and see the gentleman thief just fine though.

“Almost scared the shit out of me for real when I saw something black on the floor,” he shares. “Then I realized it was just your demon’s top hat.”

“Not a demon,” Ren corrects, because he thinks Arsène wouldn’t appreciate being called that. As if to prove his point, his Persona begins to preen his feathers, not even sparing a glance at Ryuji.

“What the hell is he then?” Ryuji questions.

“My Persona,” Ren says, looking at Arsène along with Ryuji. “We formed a contract, I think.”

“A soulbound, mon trésor.” Arsène doesn’t look at them still.

“What, you’re soulmates now?” Ryuji pulls a face. Arsène scoffs, but doesn’t deign to answer. “Hey, I’m talking to you, tall-ass!”

This is the moment Ryuji attempts to shake some sense into Arsène by grabbing his leg.

Keyword being; attempt.

His hands pass right through the thief, just like it happened with all the other students. Ryuji is off-balance though, and he almost falls on his face, before Ren can catch his jacket and drag him back.

“Careful!” He hisses.

Ryuji waves his arms around, trying to find his balance again – and his face is reddening. “How do we know he isn’t just gonna attack us?” He throws back at Ren, once he is standing firmly on the ground again.

It hits Ren that Ryuji has deliberately planted himself between Ren and Arsène, as if trying to protect Ren.

The misplaced worry warms his heart, even as he is quick to dispel it. “Arsène wouldn’t hurt us,” he says, hand over his heart. “We made an eternal vow; I am thou-”

“-thou art I,” Arsène finishes with him. He nods, and Ren thinks he is proud. “Mon trésor is my other self; to inflict harm on him would be to inflict harm upon myself.”

“What’s up with that weird nickname anyway,” Ryuji mutters, though he stands more loosely. His frown is still deep, and his arms are still crossed.

“It means ‘my treasure’ in French,” Ren replies. He knows this because Arsène knows this.

Ren won’t get into the mental gymnastics of how his other self could possibly know a whole another language he himself never even thought about learning.

They move onto the topic of the Metaverse quickly enough; after all, even though Arsène is here in the real world with them, their goal is finding a way back to Kamoshida’s wretched castle.

***

Ryuji awakens to Captain Kidd, his own Persona.

“I get it now,” he says, after the fight. He beams, throwing a salute to Arsène. “Sorry for being so suspicious about you, demon guy! I know you won’t harm Renren.”

“Renren?” Ren repeats, the same time Arsène speaks.

“Demon guy?”

“Though the whole ‘soulbond’ thing still sounds weird,” Ryuji continues, either oblivious or uncaring to their incredulity. Ren exchanges a look with Arsène. And then, for good measure, with Morgana and Zorro.

Captain Kidd is the only one who nods along to Ryuji’s speech like nothing has happened.

“It’s a lifetime commitment,” he agrees, then grins. “Are you up for it, mate?!”

“Hell yeah!” Ryuji yells, all fired up.

“They are certainly a good fit,” Zorro comments, and Ren has to hide his chuckles. They do seem like a good fit.

***

Zorro and Captain Kidd are just as interested in the real world as Arsène was.

And then there is Morgana… Who quite literally turned into a cat upon leaving the Metaverse.

“Is he a real cat though?” Ryuji asks, then, without missing a beat, pokes Morgana.

“Hey!”

“I mean I couldn’t get a hold of Tallhat before,” he adds, and it takes a moment for Ren to register who he is referring to.

Then, he is giggling.

“...Tallhat?” Arsène shakes his head. “Your nicknames have somehow gone from bad to worse, child.”

“You do have a tall hat though!” Kidd argues. “Taller than mine for sure!”

“I don’t even own a hat,” Zorro adds, somewhat morosely.

“What are you even doing in the real world?” Morgana interrupts, before the conversation can derail towards hats or, in Zorro’s case, a lack of them. “Aren’t you supposed to be cognitive beings?”

The three Personas exchange looks; Ren has to admit, he is curious about their reply as well.

Zorro is the one to answer, at last. “We are, but a manifestation of your wills of rebellion,” he says, an invisible wind billowing his cape, “where else would we be, but with you?”

“So you don’t know either,” Ren sums up. “But you can’t interact with the world unlike in the Metaverse – maybe just with your user?” The latter is more of a guess, really.

“Oh, does that mean-” Ryuji begins, but doesn’t get to finish, before Captain Kidd is already grabbing his hand.

“Arm wrestling time!”

“We shall take that as a yes,” Zorro says, amusement in his tone.

“Of course his Persona is as much of a meathead as he is,” Morgana grumbles. Ren nudges him gently.

“Let them have their fun,” he says. There is still a time for them to work out things, and besides; it’s been a long day.

When Morgana and Zorro don’t have anywhere to go, it only seems prudent to offer his new home. Well, their new home, Ren corrects silently. Arsène won’t leave him anytime soon, he knows.

***

“...we’ll make do,” Morgana declares, seeing the desolate attic.

“A thief cannot always choose to hide on the lap of luxury,” Arsène comments. Zorro doesn’t say anything; he just floats off to the side of the room and starts to practice sword forms in the air.

Ren takes a moment to drink in the sight of the now crowded attic room.

It will be an interesting year, he thinks.

Almost as if on cue, Arsène turns his mask towards Ren; and he is faced with the full force of the demonic grin.

A very interesting year indeed.

***

When Ann and Carmen join their ranks, they discover something new; their Personas can change sizes.

Carmen is the first to demonstrate this ability, after Ann’s wide-eyed question. “They are all so big! Doesn’t it bother you guys?”

Carmen scoffs. “The height we choose to exist in is arbitrary.” Then, to further prove her point, she goes from beating Arsène in height, to a tiny thing floating above Ann’s shoulder.

“Oh my gosh! Carmen, you’re the cutest!” She shrieks immediately.

Ren has to agree. “Can you do that?” He asks, turning to Arsène.

“Don’t sound so surprised, mon trésor,” Arsène scolds lightly, then, hearing the unspoken request, shrinks and flies over to Ren’s shoulder.

A proper demon on my shoulder, Ren thinks, wonder in his eyes and a laughter gracing his lips. It’s certainly going to be easier to fit in his room now.

Arsène murmurs in French; Ren thinks he is disapproving, but fond. Probably not the happiest with the arrangement, but he will do it, for Ren’s sake.

“Thank you.” He holds out a finger to Arsène, who graciously allows Ren to slowly drag it over his wings… They are silky smooth, even so small.

Ren knows that Arsène’s talons would be just as sharp as they are, when his Persona towers over him.

And even though only Ren could feel the pain they inflict, he feels safer with Arsène around than ever.

Kamoshida won’t know what hit him.

***

Carmen quickly takes to lounging on the side of Ren’s desk with Zorro and Arsène.

Sometimes though, like right now, she sits on Ann’s head, nestled between her ponytails, her eyes surveying the mock-fight Zorro and Arsène are having on top of Ren’s desk.

It’s really much easier to focus on the Personas than the teacher, but Ren does his best to at least try to pay attention to the lesson too.

“I truly do wish I had the chance to make that bastard squirm again,” Carmen laments.

“We have already stolen his Treasure, my lady, all we can do is wait for the change of heart,” Zorro replies, not missing a single strike against Arsène.

Carmen sighs, the sound mirroring Ann’s. “And yet, our hearts are filled with contempt still.” She taps her boots on the back of her ride. “Grinding scum beneath our heels will never get boring.”

“Your heels don’t deserve to be mucked by such people,” Arsène croons, making a noise of victory as he gets a slash in on Zorro.

Carmen laughs, and Ren sees Ann’s shoulders shake with repressed mirth as well. “Didn’t take you for a flatterer, Monsieur Thief.” She leans ahead, her tone switching to flirtatious. “Would you rather I flatten you under my heels?”

Ann chokes on air, Morgana lets out a displeased sound, and Ren suddenly gets a coughing fit.

“Señorita Carmen, please-” Zorro starts.

“By all means,” Arsène flirts right back. “If you can, ma chérie.”

Ren’s coughing gets worse.

“Amamiya! If you’re sick, you have no business at school!” The teacher scolds.

“Sorry, sensei,” Ren mutters, trying to gain back his voice. He hears his classmates mutter darkly about him, but doesn’t focus on them. Carmen’s tittering laugh is a clear indication of how Ann feels and that’s enough.

“Stop talking, they can’t focus on school!” Morgana grumbles at the Personas. Ren gets the picture of a stern mother duck trying to herald little ducklings in line.

Needless to say, his coughing-laughing fit continues for a bit more.

***

“Thief!”

Captain Kidd tackles Arsène the moment they meet at the rooftop for lunch.

“Sorry guys, Cap was missing the others during classes,” Ryuji explains, already seated comfortably. Ann bounces over, and Ren smiles as he puts his bag with Morgana down – the cat jumps out and immediately claims a seat for himself.

Ren waves dismissively. “Ah, let them.” Looking over briefly, Captain Kidd and Arsène are mock-wrestling in the air, merely playing. Ren’s heart warms just looking at them.

“Does that mean you miss us?” Ann asks, tugging at her pigtails. Ryuji stutters. “Hah! You totally do!” She pokes him on the nose. “Aww, Ryuji!”

“Look at you being a big softie,” Carmen chimes in too, invading Ryuji’s space like her human does. “It can be a very attractive quality in a man…”

Ryuji’s eyes grow wide. “E-er… Really?”

“Señorita Carmen, leave the boy alone,” Zorro requests, prim and proper. “It is bad enough that you tease Arsène.”

“Don’t tell me you haven’t gotten your own share of romantic escapades, my dear Zorro,” Carmen purrs. Morgana’s Persona mumbles something.

“A gentleman never kisses and tells,” Ren chimes in, turning the bickering away, for now. Ann settles back down, smile only growing.

“Oh, Ryuji, you have no idea what you missed!”

“It was utterly mortifying,” Morgana adds gleefully. “For Ren, that is.”

Ryuji flashes a surprised look, then a smile to him. “Oh? Now I gotta hear that!”

Ren pulls out his bento and the fish he packed for Morgana, and relaxes. It’s almost uncanny how deeply they are already drawn to each other, he wonders. It’s barely been a few days, and yet, he can’t imagine spending his lunch break with anyone else – their Personas included.

***

Inside the Metaverse, their Personas are less up-front than they are in the real world, ironically.

It would make more sense, Ren thinks as they drive in Mementos with the Monabus, if they showed up in here, and stayed dormant in reality. Not that they are dormant while inside the Metaverse, but… They disappear into their holders’ masks, only showing up when an enemy is around.

He debates trying to ask the twins for an answer, but hasn’t decided if he wants to induce their anger with questions. Caroline in particular would love to snap at him, he knows.

Fiery creatures, Arsène laughs in his mind. Ren grins. Well, there is the mental connection between them and their Personas still. Stealing their hearts sounds like a worthy endeavor for a gentleman thief, does it not, mon trésor?

Stealing Caroline and Justine’s hearts… Perhaps more so in the traditional sense, than what they have been doing with the Palaces.

Ren’s lips curl into an even brighter grin. Sounds like a perfect plan.

(And isn’t it better to be on good terms with his jailors?)

***

Sleeping arrangements take a while to properly form, but soon, there is a rhyme and reason to them.

Technically, being Personas, wills of rebellion, Arsène and Zorro do not need sleep. That doesn’t mean they don’t delight in kicking back and relaxing while their respective human and not-a-cat get their eight hours.

Besides, as far as Ren can tell, Personas can’t really go far from their humans – or if they could, he is sure Captain Kidd would come crashing their every other class, while the others visited him in turn.

Still, he apologizes for them not having much to do. Being unable to affect the real world has its drawbacks.

Arsène watches him with an air of amusement. “Don’t underestimate us, mon trésor. There are many things a gentleman can get up in the middle of the night.”

Ren groans. “Arsène!”

His Persona snickers. Very un-gentlemanly, Ren thinks vindictively.

“What he means is that it is interesting to compare our respective careers,” Zorro says, taking pity on him.

“You’re not my type at all, Ren.” Morgana speaks up from the bed. Ren snorts.

“How can you break my heart so, Morgana, I thought we had something,” he deadpans. The cat rolls his eyes.

“It’s late, let’s just go to sleep!”

Ren ignores their Personas in favor of his slave driver's words. “Right, right.” He lays down, and arranges the blanket over himself. Morgana is purring and kneading the blanket in a second. “Comfy?”

“Shut up!” Despite the hiss, Morgana continues purring as he settles across Ren’s chest.

Ren huffs, but ultimately smiles. He won’t be able to move until morning.

Faintly, he hears Zorro and Arsène conversing in the corner of the attic. He can’t make out the individual words – isn’t even sure if they are spoken in Japanese or some other language entirely – but with the comfortable white noise of their Personas, and Morgana’s purring, he is asleep in seconds.

***

“...you’d think I would be better at this,” Ren complains under his breath. Morgana is splayed across the booth, snoring, while Zorro and Arsène flit around Ren’s shoulders.

Ren himself is staring down at his homework Ms. Chouno, the English teacher, mercilessly saddled them with. It’s a quiet afternoon in Leblanc, and he’d have thought that would help him work – Sojiro is not grumbling about him studying in plain sight for once, and there is a steady white noise in the background. Plus, since Ms. Chouno has a tendency to stray to any and all kinds of European languages besides English, Ren was hoping for an advantage of some kind.

Since, you know, Arsène is French, while Zorro speaks Spanish excellently. Added to that Ren’s measly English knowledge, and the homework should be a breeze!

…except, of course, Ms. Chouno’s language of choice happened to be Norwegian today.

Not to say he has to complete the work in Norwegian – he would simply give up if that were the case. But there is an awful lot of Norwegian influences in the text they are supposed to read and the questions he has to answer – a lot about Scandinavian myths, which is not exactly boring, but-

Ren sighs. He knows the work will only get done if he pulls himself together and does it, but that doesn’t mean he has any more motivation to do so.

“Perhaps it would aid your work if you had a Persona well-versed in these events to guide your hand?”

Ren nods to Arsène’s question, distracted. It doesn’t really matter anyways, he can only summon Arsène into the real world…

“How could you know that mon trésor, if you haven’t tried with anyone else?”

Ren looks up at that, frowning softly. “Why-” he begins, but then catches himself. He turns his eyes back to his work and crunches over the table some more. “Why do you think I could?” He asks, quieter.

Zorro is the one who speaks up first. “Your abilities as a wildcard have been unparalleled by anyone we have met so far.” That’s true… “Thus, why couldn’t you?”

“I might have been here with you since the moment you awakened to our bond, mon trésor, but I am your true self,” Arsène says patiently, before Ren can voice that worry. “What’s the harm in trying?”

…Ren has no arguments against that.

He stretches, considering. He has a few Personas besides Arsène, but he should probably call on someone who wouldn’t dwarf the whole coffee shop… And someone who can help him with the reading…

He has no Persona yet that fits the latter criteria, he realizes, frowning. But as for someone small…

He places his hand over his face as if it were his mask, and says, “High Pixie!”

He yelps as the air in front of him is bathed in blue flames.

“Oh-ho-ho!” High Pixie lets out a cackle, sharp eyes flitting around in interest. “Finally calling on me here too, Trickster?” Her little grin is predatory, showing off her teeth.

Ren blinks, disbelieving. He can just… Call on his Personas? All of them? This feels like a giant advantage, even if none of his Personas can affect the real world in a meaningful capacity – well, except from pushing him to and fro.

There has to be more behind it, he decides. He hasn’t exactly spent all that much experimenting with the Personas – but clearly, there is potential for them, even here, in the real world.

But that’s for later, Ren knows. Now, he averts his eyes back to his work, and murmurs, “Up to helping me, High Pixie?”

She floats down to his shoulder, shoving Arsène out of the way without giving it a second thought. “I am thou, thou art I,” she echoes their vow. She giggles, voice tolling like death bells. “Is it even a question?”

Ren huffs. He supposes she has a point there.

Work progresses much more smoothly from there on out.

***

“Why would it be strange?” Carmen wonders aloud. The thieves are heading through the less populated streets of Shibuya for Yusuke's home, and Ann, as expected, hasn't been able to shake the nervousness of his request. She keeps tugging on her pigtails, and the sleeves of her hoodie and Ren is growing concerned by the minute.

“Lady Carmen!” Morgana calls admonishingly. “Please do not put Lady Ann on the spot like that!”

“I just simply fail to see why it is so monumental,” Carmen continues, after shrugging. Ann has her balancing on her bag, and despite swishing back and forth, Carmen doesn't strain at all to hold on. “I have rarely seen a portrait on which a lady's chest was fully covered.”

“Times change, Señorita Carmen,” Zorro comments, while Ann and Ryuji make choking noises. “Along with that, so does fashion.”

“Sometimes covering up is more sensual than baring it all,” Arsène adds in his own two cents. He and Zorro, along with Morgana's head, are hanging out of Ren's bag. Captain Kidd is the only one seated on Ryuji's shoulder.

The pirate whistles. “What're y'all hung up about? A body's a body.”

“I cannot believe that this is an actual topic we're discussing,” Ann hisses, a mortified blush spreading over her cheeks. “Let it go, guys! I'm not posing nude!”

“Of course you won't,” Ren agrees. It's like everyone just conveniently forgot what Ann went through in the past few weeks with Kamoshida. “And we will kindly let the topic go,” he continues, glaring at the Personas.

Zorro and Arsène studiously avoid his gaze, while Carmen shrugs. Captain Kidd mutters something only Ryuji hears, but judging by Ryuji's chortle, Ren probably doesn't want to know what that something is.

“It is high time you took control over your own body,” Carmen says, to Ann. “And that includes controlling how others may look at it.”

“And I think me taking control means I do not get painted nude!” Ann grits her teeth, practically hissing.

Carmen falls silent, and the rest of them do anything but look Ann in the eye. Ren elbows her gently, but she shakes her head, expression still set in a scowl. Not willing to talk more then.

“Anyways…” Ryuji begins, before the awkward silence can set in, eyes flying around. “Are you sure we're going in the right direction?” Slowly, but steadily, the modern cityscape around them is giving way to a slew of houses, each more in need of repair than the next. “I mean… That Madarame dude is a famous artist! The hell would he live here for?”

“Modesty is a part of his charm,” Ann tries, but she doesn't really sound like she believes that. “And, well, Kitagawa-kun texted this address, so…”

“We have to be in the right place,” Morgana finishes for them. “But, if we're not…” His voice takes on a mischievous tone.

“Yeah?” Ren asks. He has a couple guesses as to what Morgana wants to say.

“There was that sushi place a corner ago! We came all this way anyways, it would be a waste not to visit it!”

“Fish again?” Captain Kidd complains.

“Hey! Sushi is the best!”

“You don't even eat, Kidd,” Carmen drawls, amused.

“He's right, why not go for ramen?” Ryuji says. “There was a ramen place too!”

“Do you think either of them stock desserts?” Ann asks Ren. Her cheer returns quickly at the thought of it.

“Who knows,” he says, deciding then and there that he’ll get her something sweet, even if it means going through multiple stores. Before Morgana and Ryuji can get into a bigger argument, he adds, “We're going to head back that way anyways, we can just stop by both.”

That finally quiets everyone.

That is, mostly everyone.

“Well played, mon trèsor,” Arsène purrs.

Ren hides his smirk. He feels more like a parent of many children than a leader of a group of elite thieves, but damn if it's not the happiest he's felt in a long time.

***

Yusuke walks out of the Metaverse with a mammoth of a Persona flanking him.

“Goemon, be a dear and join the rest of us,” Carmen calls from her place atop Ann's shoulder.

“It's much more comfortable this way,” Zorro adds from his perch on Morgana's back.

“You are able to traverse our world?” Yusuke asks, astonishment clear in his voice. His eyes wide, his fingers reach as if he wants to brush them over Arsène’s talons, or Captain Kidd’s cloud. “And change your proportions at will?”

“I dunno about proportions,” Kidd says.

“Haven’t been experimenting, mon chér?” Arsène drawls, leaning forward suggestively. “Perhaps you would like some assistance?” Ryuji bats at him, shielding his own Persona.

“Ren, Arsène’s at it again!” His cheeks are flushing a dark red.

Ren shrugs. “He’s a free man,” he points out, but obligingly adds, “Arsène, please stop making Ryuji question his sexuality.”

“You do that enough on your own, mon trèsor.” His Persona croons, like the wonderful partner he is. Ryuji’s blush only gets worse, and Ann and Morgana break out in giggles.

“Truly magnificent…” Yusuke murmurs reverently. All his attention is focused on his own Persona, and not at the clown circus happening next to him. It is only when his eyes briefly catch on Carmen, that he starts patting his pockets down. “I must find my sketchbook at once!” A fiery passion enters his eyes, one that Madarame’s Shadow almost distinguished just a couple hours ago. Yusuke comes up empty-handed, but his intensity only seems to grow. “May I be allowed the honor of drawing you?”

“Was that for all of us?” Zorro asks, straightening a bit with a smug smile.

“But of course,” Yusuke nods in quick succession.

Carmen’s grin spells trouble. “...nude?”

Yusuke bows down to his waist. “You would make me the happiest man alive, Madame Carmen.”

“Carmen!” Ann calls admonishingly. The Persona laughs.

“There goes that idea,” Arsène whispers into Ren’s ear. He huffs.

“Let’s all let go of the nude painting thing for now,” he says, and surprisingly, they all seem to listen. Oops, it looks like he is still in leader-mode. Ren quickly charms a smile onto his face. “Though if you’re still looking for a human model…” He trails off, winking for more effect.

Ryuji and Morgana chortle, and Ann makes an aborted whining sound.

Yusuke blinks, before understanding floods his features. Then, his eyes narrow critically, as he checks Ren out.

He hums, holding his chin. “Yes… Could work…” His eyes trail up to Ren’s face, and that’s when a real spark enters them. “Amamiya-kun, take off your glasses!”

“You can call me Ren,” he offers, as he abides by Yusuke’s wish.

“Right, right,” Yusuke agrees absentmindedly. His fingers form a rectangle, and he clicks his tongue as he tries to find a good position… Or so Ren assumes. He awaits the verdict with patience.

“...so he’s still trying to build a harem, isn’t he,” Ren hears Morgana grumble by his side. He can’t help it; he huffs out a quiet laugh.

“That’s it!”

Yusuke is staring through his little imaginary camera lens victoriously. “Yes, you shall be my model,” he continues, grin almost splitting his lips.

“What, he doesn’t have to be nude to be worth painting?!” Ann stomps.

Yusuke hums, barely offering her any attention. “When can you be available?” he asks Ren.

Arsène’s tittering laughter only makes his own smile even wider. “If you’ll give me your number, we can agree on a date.” Yusuke agrees, enthusiastically.

Ren wiggles his eyebrows at Ann. She huffs, angrily crossing her arms. “Better you than me,” she says spitefully.

“Better you than me,” Ryuji repeats.

“Make sure you both have time for the Palace too, in the meantime!” Morgana butts in.

“So much work,” Carmen whines.

“But very pleasurable,” Goemon says. It’s the first time he spoke since they left the Metaverse. He is towering over Yusuke one second, then hovering at a mini-size a moment later. “We shall punish all evil-doers.”

“Words taken from my own mouth!” Zorro cheers.

“Always nice to have a new mate on board!”

“I wonder how many more thieves your little den will gather, mon trèsor,” Arsène murmurs. Ren hums.

He is looking forward to finding it out.

***

Yusuke’s artistic endeavors is something all of the Personas are very interested in.

The team is gathered in Leblanc for a ‘study session’ – though Ren is pretty sure none of them even bothered to pull out their textbooks, as they are all busy watching Yusuke hem and haw over his sketchbook, all of their Persona gathered around him and pulling off more and more ridiculous poses.

It’s lucky that Sojiro’s left for groceries, Ren thinks. It would be hard to explain Yusuke… being Yusuke, or Ryuji or Ann elbowing each other on occasion, or Morgana’s loud meowling suggestions.

“Make sure you get my ship right!” Captain Kidd insists. “The helm doesn’t look like this!”

“Don’t bother him so much, Captain,” Zorro argues. “He’s an artist with liberties.”

“Ah, but the devil is in the details,” Arsène adds.

“It’s just a preliminary sketch,” Yusuke mumbles.

“He already started a painting of me,” Goemon announces smugly. He receives loud congratulations and also quite a few jealous jeers.

“You will paint moi next, won’t you, petit artiste.” Carmen puts a tiny hand on Yusuke’s, not passing through it, but only because she doesn’t lean on it. Ren snickers at Yusuke’s expression; a dawning revelation of enlightenment that he keeps having whenever looking at any of their Personas.

“But of course, Madame Carmen!” He bows his head deep, forehead knocking into the wooden table. “You honor me.”

“Not gonna lie I kinda wanna hang up a picture of Carm,” Ann laments. “It sucks not getting to take photos with her!”

Another thing they have discovered about Persona; they do not show up on camera, no matter how valiantly they pose.

“You know what’d be pretty cool,” Ryuji twirls a pen around. “If they could like, you know, push things and stuff. I mean I made Cap this little room from a box, but he can’t even use the mini basketball hoops!”

Ren resolves to ask for a picture of Cap’s ‘room’. That sounds adorable.

“We already established Ryuji, they can’t interact with the world!” Morgana argues, loud and shrill. Ren stands from the table, both to grab another soda and to get away from the noise for a bit.

“Yeah, but I mean Carm told me when Yusuke was following us.” Ann spies Ren leaving. “Oh, Ren-kun! Can you grab me a soda too!”

Ryuji leans forward. “Make it three!”

Ren complies, walking back with a smile. “They can’t get too far away from us,” he and Arsène tried experimenting with that already, and there is a limit of about his attic room, “but having extra eyes and ears around wouldn’t hurt for sure.” They were trying to keep their illegal vigilante activities under wrap after all.

“You say that like we have stalkers on every corner.” Ryuji scowls, but his face clears when he opens his soda. It’s orange flavored. “The only one with stalkers is Renren, and his stalker is freaking Mishima!”

“Mishima could be plenty threatening for all we know,” Ren points out. Mishima could do a lot of good and a lot of evil too, what with single-handedly running the Phansite.

“Ann is a model,” Carmen chimes in.

Morgana is quick to jump on that. “Yeah, Lady Ann is famous! Famous people have stalkers all the time!”

“Why are we advocating for stalkers,” Arsène asks what Ren is thinking.

“Avocado what?”

“Advocating,” Goemon says, humming as he surveys Yusuke’s sketch of Captain Kidd. “Showing support for something or someone.”

“We’re not supporting stalkers! What the hell, guys?!” If they were not sitting in a booth, Ryuji would jump to his feet, chair thrown back all dramatically, Ren is sure.

“We’re just discussing possibilities,” Ren says, both to his own question, and to end the railroad of a train crash this conversation just went on. “Hopefully none of us get stalked by anyone any time soon, but if we do,” he makes sure to pronounce this carefully, “we have a better chance of noticing with our shoulder devils.”

Arsène grins at the descriptor. Ryuji still grumbles a bit, but he quiets down, especially as Carmen and Zorro, both of whom have lost some interest in Yusuke’s art seeing as it’s not about them at the moment, begin a spontaneous little spar. Seeing as Zorro has a sword, while Carmen has, for lack of a better term, her lackeys on a leash that she summons to fight alongside her, it is a sight to see.

Ren glances at Arsène, wondering if his Persona will want to join in…?

“Just to raise the stakes… I shall dance with the winner,” Arsène announces, voice smooth, with a hint of amusement.

Ren shakes his head. Is he that much of a hopeless flirt?

“My lady, I’m afraid I have to cut you down,” Zorro tells Carmen.

Carmen’s smile is all teeth. “You can certainly try.” As if she were not a dancer herself.

“Go Carmen, go!”

“Zorro, whyyyyyyyyy?” Morgana complains. Ren snorts into his drink.

It’s like the cat doesn’t understand that what Zorro sees as dancing – sparring with their respective sword and talons – is very different to the frankly sensual affair Carmen and Arsène get up to.

Ren marvels at the different ways Arsène treats all their allies – and wonders if he is the same?

Arsène turns his smirking mask at him, and Ren gets the feeling that yes, yes they are.

Their eternal vow, after all is, I am thou, thou art I.

***

“Slumber party!” Ann declares gleefully, not wasting any time in yeeting a pillow right at Yusuke's head.

Yusuke, who doesn't dodge in time, blinks as the pillow bounces from his head to the ground. “…did I do something to offend you, Ann?”

“The nude painting,” Carmen says without missing a beat.

“Well-” Ann calms up, cheeks flushing. “Yeah, there was that, but I’m just trying to start a pillow fight!”

“...I was under the impression that was a euphemism for… other activities?”

Ann, struggling to splutter out an explanation, is as red as her suit would be.

Ren, who already started snickering at Yusuke’s gobsmack expression, is full out laughing by then.

“Hey bro, what’s a uphism?” Ryuji stage-whispers.

Ren leans against the staircase railing for purchase, and doubles over with laughter.

“Oh you poor, sweet, innocent summerchild.” Arsène shares a glance with a smirking Carmen.

Captain Kidd hums. “Pretty sure it means sex.”

Now Ryuji is the one choking on air. “K-Kidd!”

“You guys are hopeless,” Morgana decides.

Ren cannot stop laughing for the consequent five minutes – even if, at that point, done with being embarrassed, Ann threw another pillow at Ryuji, who understood the rules of a pillow fight… That is, the non-sexual kind.

It doesn’t take too long to rope Yusuke in, once he actually knows what’s going on.

***

It’s only been days since they claimed Madarame’s Treasure and Ren eyes the painting appreciatively as he walks up to his attic room. Yusuke trusted him with something from his mother; it is at once a memento of their friendship and their win as a team.

Arsène picks up on his pensive mood. “What’s on your mind, mon trésor?”

Ren shrugs, putting Morgana and Zorro, deep in conversation about something or other, down with his bag. Arsène flits over to his shoulder, following him as he walks to the middle of the room, spinning around aimlessly.

“It’s nice, spending time together in the Palaces,” he murmurs, not loud enough to disturb Morgana and Zorro, but more than loud enough for Arsène to pick up on. “Even if we are sometimes literally fighting for our lives.”

Arsène waits patiently for him to continue. Ren does his best to assemble his jumbled thoughts into something coherent.

“And it’s also nice spending time outside of it with everyone… Very different, but very nice.” He tilts his head to look at his Persona. “Your bonds with the other Personas are very different too.”

“Unique,” Arsène corrects. “And how could it not be, mon trésor, when they are all such unique individuals?”

“I’ve been thinking,” Ren continues, warmth seeping into him. “You have your own dance with all of them.” Even with Goemon, Arsène has picked up an intricate pattern since they met. “Could you teach me?”

Arsène’s mask doesn’t change, but Ren feels him soften. “Of course, mon trésor.” Without a single word of warning, he grows to his towering size, only a clawed talon sitting on Ren’s shoulder where he was hovering before. “It would be my pleasure.”

Ren smiles up at his Persona.

“Thank you.”

Thus, the rest of the day goes by with Arsène humming music and instructing him on where and how to step – they are learning a simple waltz, for a start.

It’s not a dance Arsène dances with any of the others and Ren can’t help but feel special.

Of course you are, mon trésor.

Of course you are.

***

The gang is meeting in Shibuya, when Ren decides to blurt out, “Remember how we discussed stalkers a week or two ago?”

There is some distracted, but agreeing humming. Ren decides to forge on, “So I think I have two.”

Ann looks up sharply from where she is perusing cute little animal-themed erasers. “...what.”

“Is it that Masami person again?” Yusuke asks, not even bothering to glance up from where he is comparing the sketchbooks in his hand to the ones he shoved into Ryuji’s arms.

“...Mishima?” Ren tries. Yusuke jerks his head in what might pass as a nod, if one were generous enough. “Mishima’s harmless. Maybe. Jury’s still out on that one.” He shakes his head, opening his bag so Morgana can get a read on things too. “Anyways, no. One of them is this really cute guy that I saw-”

“I saw,” Arsène cuts in.

“-Arsène saw,” Ren allows, “because he was staring pretty intently at me for a few mornings in a row? But it could be just because we are usually taking the trains at the same time.” He shrugs a bit. It’s not like the cute guy actually did anything other than vaguely stare in his direction.

“...dude, you sound like you’re about to make friends with him.” Ren shrugs again. Ryuji is starting to sound alarmed. “Forreal?! That’s pretty darn weird!”

“I mean, we met Yusuke after he stalked Ann, didn’t we?” Ren points out. “Look how that turned out.”

“It was not stalking, it was a strategical march,” Goemon corrects.

“Exactly; I was only interested in her body,” Yusuke agrees absently.

Ann honks, spinning on her heel. “That sounds horrible!” Carmen’s cackling is no balm on her wounded pride either.

“That is so not how you should say that dude,” Ryuji says, still dutifully holding up the sketchbooks for Yusuke to choose from. “Makes it sound all weird and shit.”

“You said there were two stalkers?”

Ren nods to Captain Kidd’s uncharacteristically serious question. “Yup. The other should be someone you know: Makoto Niijima.”

Ann and Ryuji gape at him. Yusuke wrinkles his nose at a sketchbook.

“The freaking prez is stalking you?! Forreal?!” Ryuji huffs, almost laughing. “Damn, that’s rich. And she was the one being upset at us for staying on the rooftop!” He inhales sharply. “The double standard!”

“Do you think she knows?” Ann asks, slightly panicked. She whips her head around as if Niijima would suddenly jump out from the nearest corner to yell at them. “That we’re-”

“She shouldn’t.” Morgana sounds unsure. “We were careful… Well, most of us were,” here, the cat glares at Ryuji.

“Hey! I did my best!”

“Hell yeah we did! And it was a fucking great best!”

Ren decides to talk again, before Morgana and Ryuji can get deeper into it, egged on by Captain Kidd, and also, quite possibly by Zorro, who is opening his mouth to speak, “Yeah, just wanted to let you guys know the situation. I think we’re good? For now.”

“It’s not like we'll have a new target so soon,” Ann deflates, then brightens as she pounces on Yusuke. “Any news on Madarame?”

Yusuke acknowledges the fact that she grabbed onto his arm with a little frown. “Not yet.” He carefully detaches himself from her, not letting any sketchbook fall from his hands. “I cannot decide…”

“Why not go with the red one?” Carmen suggests innocently.

“Red is a very nice color,” Arsène agrees.

“The color of passion… Huh.” Yusuke holds his chin in his hand, pushing the sketchbooks in his hand at a surprised Ann. “Yes… You are right. This shall be my new sketchbook.” He picks out a red, leather covered one from Ryuji’s arms.

“Noice, dude.” Ryuji shakes his arms a bit. “So these…?”

“I have no need for them,” Yusuke decides. Ryuji drops the sketchbooks back in the container with a loud sigh; Ann following suit with a smaller pile.

“Why couldn’t you get Ren to help out,” she grumbles.

Ren holds up his bag with Morgana inside. “One, Mona.” And then taps at his jacket. “Two, money.”

Morgana snorts and bats at him. “Don’t let it get to your head!”

“I’m the one with two possible stalkers, Morgana,” he says, eyes glinting.

“Three if you count Mishima!”

“Three possible stalkers.” Ren’s grin is bright and all teeth. “Of course I’m letting it get to my head!”

Morgana groans, and rolls his eyes as he announces that he is going back to hiding with Zorro, but his tiny head stays just in view as they go about the rest of their shopping. Ren can’t blame him; it would be a shame to miss Arsène’s comments, or the Personas’ delight at everything the little stationery shop has to offer.

Chapter Text

In retrospect, everything happens way too fast.

Just like it did that first day, Ren will confide in Arsène later. The first day when they discovered the Metaverse; then met Morgana, and, amongst other things, he received his shoulder devil, who was not so shoulder-sized quite yet.

Arsène will hum in response, thrilled. The Persona adores a good heist just as much as the unexpected – says it is good for Ren's mind to try to work out a quick and efficient way to counter anything the world throws at them. The mark of not just a good, but a great Phantom Thief.

Besides, Arsène adds, demonic grin on full force, isn't it fun.

Ren has to agree, it is.

At the moment though, he doesn't really think that way yet.

“-amusement park, something something pancakes-”

Ren nods along to Morgana's words, mind very much still brain dead from the tour. At least they aren’t in school – though as a reliable contender for the top of his class, he should probably enjoy that hellscape more.

He doesn't.

“Do they have ships?!” Captain Kidd yells excitedly. Ryuji is immediately brightened by the idea.

“Hell yeah, that'd be freaking awesome!”

“Not sure… I thought it was a spaceship themed park?” Ann creases her brows.

Ren is happy to let them discuss it and just listen in, but then – then, his attention is very much diverted from the conversation.

Because rounding the corner is none other than the cute guy.

The one Ren mentioned might be stalking him? Yeah.

Ren doesn't exactly get to enjoy looking at him, or his contemplative frown for long, or even gets to think about saying a hello, or waving.

Because, in just a simple moment, something dark and tall manifests – grows? – in front of the guy, diving straight towards Ren.

He rears back, arms coming up to block his face – but that’s not the only thing protecting him.

“Now, now, mon chèr,” Arsène, at full height once more, tuts, obstructing the view, “play nice.”

“LOOOOKIIIIIIII!”

There is of course, a lot more yelling and pandemonium; Ryuji, Ann and Morgana all let out various shouts of surprise; while their respective Personas take to full height as well, shielding their humans as best as they can.

Ren, heart hammering, feels a glimmer of relief that he was the closest one.

Still is, actually.

“I am going to relish in ripping you apart piece by piece,” dark, tall, and gravelly rasps, the yellow slits that could be its – his? – eyes narrowed decidedly in Ren’s direction.

…that's probably not a good sign, is it?

“Do try, darling, I beg of you,” Arsène snipes back, tone confident as ever. Ren’s not sure if it's false bravado, or if Arsène is really about to go toe-to-toe with another Persona like this.

Because what else could this being be?

“Loki, kindly step away from the children,” another voice commands, and it's the person who yelled Loki's name before isn't it? Ren peeks out from behind Arsène to see another tall figure; this one dressed much more colorfully than his companion.

Behind this Persona is cute guy, face buried in his hands.

“Get your own prey, Robin.” Loki grins at Ren. “This one’s mine.”

…he’s not gonna address that.

“Arsène,” he calls, deciding that he will try talking to the one Persona who should listen to him, “you're blocking the view.”

Arsène huffs. “Pardon moi, mon trèsor.” The demon’s tone switches to something more flirtatious. “My hands are rather full at the moment.”

“Loki, right?” Ren tries. The black and white Persona almost seems to glow under his attention. “You're also in the way.”

“Am I?” Loki's tone is unsettling; still, Ren isn’t that much bothered by it, despite the threats of bodily harm. “Or are you looking in the wrong direction, Ren Amamiya?”

He knows my name, the fleeting thought travels through him.

Ren breathes in, then turns to his friends. “Sorry guys, I was wrong,” he says, barely apologetic, shooting twin finger-guns, “I have four stalkers.”

Cute guy is the only one audibly snorting at his words. “Loki,” he calls, at long last, voice melodic and cheerful, very much at odds with the strained smile on his face, “if you do not come back right away, I'll be benching you until further notice.”

Loki barely even hums. “Nah, I don't think I will.”

“Alright.” Ren is about to protest cute guy agreeing with his Persona – because who else could it be? – but cute guy clearly isn't finished. “Robin, if you would.”

The colorful Persona proceeds to cock his bow straight at Loki. He doesn't waste a moment firing an arrow, saying, “Kouga!”

Ren has a single second to wonder, how the fuck is he using a Metaverse spell in the real world.

And then he registers the problem.

Kouga is a bless spell.

Apparently Loki's weakness, as evidenced by the fact that he tries to move out of the way, but fails, and starts hissing and cursing – presumably – in a language Ren doesn't speak.

The problem is that Loki is still holding onto Arsène, who is also not the biggest fan of bless spells.

Ren only registers heat and pain and light, and then he is falling to his knees.

“REN!”

***

“-apologize,” the word barely reaches Ren's consciousness. His head is ringing and his eyes are shut, but he can still see the phantom of the explosion of light behind his eyelids. “Wasn't… hurt.”

There is something under his head, something soft and there are sharp talons carding through his hair, soothing his pains, if only a little bit.

Then there is loud yelling and his head feels like it's trying to snap in two.

Ren groans.

The yelling stops.

“Renren?!”

Ren groans again.

“Quiet down,” another voice commands, “it can be a bit painful, at first.”

“At first?!” Someone, someone familiar rages. “You knocked him out!”

“How was I supposed to know a simple Kouga would be able to take him down?” The new voice, not familiar, says. Ren attempts to open his eyes and then decides against it, because the pain is too bad.

Perhaps an ally of our own, mon trésor.

Arsène's voice is faint, but he has a good idea. Ren just wants his headache to be gone – he needs to heal.

He tries to move his hand closer to his face.

“…what is he doing?”

“He's moving! Oh, Ren, please wake up!”

He is up, just very much not in top shape. Painstakingly, Ren's hand gets to his face, aided by the person – Persona? – caressing his hair.

He needs healing – and he has just the perfect little Persona in his arsenal.

But before he can get to it…

“Allow me… Diarama!”

Instantly, Ren's headache disappears and the lightshow behind his eyelids ceases.

With more loud groaning, he finally blinks his eyes open.

He instantly locks eyes with Arsène, whose smirking mask bores down at him with reassurance. “Welcome to the land of the living, mon trèsor.”

“Hey,” he greets weakly. “You okay?”

Arsène hums, eyes traveling to briefly glance over at Zorro, standing vigil at full height. “Thanks to notre cher ami.”

“I could not simply leave the two of you in such a state.”

Ren cracks a wry grin.

“Thanks, Zorro.”

He still feels like he was hit by a truck, but that might be because he hit his head on the way down, and not because Arsène was hit by magic outside the Metaverse.

“Why can't you treat me this way?”

Ren and his Personas turn towards the voice; Loki, visibly sulking by Robin's side.

Cute guy, who is crouching next to Ren's friends and their Personas, huffs. “Would you like the list in order of the alphabet or based on severity?”

“You literally just attacked someone,” Robin deadpans.

“You're just jealous I called dibs on him.”

“I am NOT-”

“The Trickster is not yours to call ‘dibs on’, mon cher.” Arsène says sweetly, before Robin can get heated.

“What an aggressive little devil,” Loki leers. “When it doesn’t take even two spells to down you.”

“No one is downing anyone,” Carmen chimes in, coldly stepping between the two.

“Especially not you,” Zorro adds, half-way hiding Arsène, and, by extension, Ren. Captain Kidd, broad-shouldered as he is, provides further cover.

Cute guy, who Ren should probably ask for a name, especially after he was indirectly hit by a spell by his Persona aimed indirectly at Ren's Persona, sighs, “If you are all done acting like children,” here he turns inquisitive eyes on Ren, “how are you feeling?”

“Like I became a part of the road at Center Street,” Ren offers. Cute guy huffs, lips curling slightly upwards.

“Didn't lose too much energy if you can still joke like that.” He offers Ren a hand. He takes it, letting himself be drawn to his feet. “I apologize for Loki's actions. Despite my best attempts, he steadily resists being house trained.”

“Or social-trained.” Robin adds in a dark mutter.

“You're just jealous because you're supposed to be the sane one,” Loki sings, all – most? – murderous tendencies out the window.

“…ignoring how unhinged that is,” Ryuji says, “what the fuck was all this?”

“As much as I would love to stick around and chat,” cute guy replies, waving about, “I actually have work to do. Might we reconvene another time?”

Arsène laughs, echoing Ren's sentiment of oh, hell no.

“I don't even know your name,” he says, eyes flashing. And yet your Persona knows mine.

“Goro Akechi.” Cute guy – Akechi – tilts his head. “We'll be seeing a lot more of each other, don't you worry.”

“…what do you mean?” Ren asks, feeling like he is being baited.

Akechi's smile is worthy of a magazine cover. “As the junior detective working on the case, I'm terribly interested to learn more about you, Phantom Thieves.”

Ren exchanges a look with his fellow thieves.

…oh shit.

***

Ren leans against the wall, Arsène and Zorro on each side, invisible to anyone watching.

Well. Invisible to most.

“Ah, there you are,” Akechi chirps, followed by his own twin shadows; both of them towering high like the Personas by Ren’s side. “I was hoping you would stay behind.”

Ren is not exactly sure what he should say to that – what he should say to the detective in general – so he stays silent.

Akechi doesn’t seem to mind; filling the air with idle chatter. “-am once again terribly sorry to have inconvenienced you yesterday,” does he mean having Robin shoot magic at Arsène? Or something else? “I wouldn’t have done anything like that if I knew how it would impact you-”

Ren’s doing his best to pay attention to Akechi’s words, but his eyes are drawn to where Loki is making rather inappropriate gestures behind the detective’s head.

The Persona lets out a quiet crow of laughter when he sees Ren’s watching him; and Ren is reminded once again that Loki knew his name.

That has to mean Akechi does too, right?

“-and I couldn’t help but notice that your friends are not here?” Akechi taps his chin. Ren focuses back on him. That’s a question. He should answer the question.

“They’ll be back soon.” Vaguely, he notes Morgana moving around in his bag, but like they discussed, the cat doesn’t pop his head out yet. “We were thinking of going out to eat.”

“Ah, the pancakes right? That you mentioned yesterday,” Akechi nods with a bright smile. Behind him, Robin is such a stark contrast; standing inhumanely still and with none of the cheer of his human. “If I may be so bold as to tag along-”

Ren opens his mouth to agree, but Arsène is quicker. “Do you dance?”

The question is not directed at Akechi.

“Oh?” Robin actually seems to show a semblance of interest. “Mayhaps. Why ask, little devil?” …that’s a flirtatious undertone that Ren is not just imagining, right?

“He was talking to me, Robin,” Loki drawls, leering at not just Arsène, but Ren as well.

Ren doesn’t find the attention alarming.

Well. He doesn’t just find it alarming, which is alarming in and of itself.

Why do you think I asked them, mon trésor, Arsène croons in his mind. Ren averts his eyes.

That is not helping.

“I have two hands,” Arsène says smoothly, speaking over the two Personas now glaring at each other. As any show-worthy gentleman thief would, he displays his gloved talons in a gesture universally known as jazz-hands.

“Arsène,” Zorro calls, admonishing and long-suffering. Arsène’s general air of cheer does not fade one bit.

Ren catches a momentary confusion on Akechi’s face as his eyes travel over Arsène, Ren and Zorro – before the detective is putting on a smile and addressing Ren again. “As I was saying-”

“Yes, come along,” Ren cuts in. Akechi blinks. “Please,” Ren adds, a bit more of an afterthought. They discussed this yesterday, the Phantom Thieves so – why is this going like this?

Ah yeah, Ren remembers, glancing snidely at his Persona. Because Arsène is flirting again.

Arsène’s amusement is almost audible. Whose will of rebellion am I again, mon trésor?

That doesn’t mean you should just out me like that, Ren thinks, not looking at Arsène, but feeling a smile pull at his lips. “I’ll pay for your drink,” he adds to Akechi.

The detective’s expression shifts. “Oh? Just one drink?” His smile this time is toothy; crooked. Real, Ren thinks. “I have two hands, you know,” he parrots Arsène’s inflection perfectly.

Arsène, who cackles in delight.

Zorro is a steadying weight at his side, a reminder of Morgana’s cautious words – but Ren can’t quite hold back his own grin.

Maybe it’s time to put those dance lessons from Arsène to use.

***

They meet up with the rest of the thieves in front of the store – with everyone’s Personas at their full height.

That’s… strange. Ren got used to the pocket-sized versions of them, not gonna lie. This… It’s like they are all trying to intimidate each other into something.

Ren is not sure what, but…

He doesn’t like it.

“Oh my heavens,” Yusuke breathes, laying eyes upon the pair that Robin and Loki cut. At once, he is scrambling for his bag. “What exquisite forms – and the colors!” He is crowding Akechi’s space – well, his Personas – in a second. “May I have the honor of drawing you?”

“Er,” Akechi says, leaning as far back as humanly possible.

“But of course!” Loki puffs up. “Nice to know someone appreciates true beauty.”

“...if you insist,” Robin adds, “Make sure to get my good side.”

“Like you have one of those.”

“You-!”

“Children, children,” Carmen cuts in. “While I’m sure all of us are dying to hear you pointlessly argue about the same topic all over again, our humans have been standing here for a while now.”

“Apologies for the wait, Señorita Carmen.” Zorro bows.

“‘Children.’” Loki huffs. “If you think you can-”

Before he can set off again, Ren speaks up, “It’s gonna be a tight fit like this. Arsène?”

Arsène, being the delight that he is, understands the wordless request, tipping his hat. “Mon trésor.” He shrinks in a beat, taking up his usual spot on Ren’s shoulder.

As if they were all waiting for his signal, the rest of the Personas shrink as well; Zorro stays his usual size, along with Akechi’s Personas.

“...it is only polite to do as everyone else,” Robin says, following suit. Zorro and Loki keep eye contact – Ren’s gaze travels to Akechi, who doesn’t involve himself in the silent fight for dominance; who will give up first.

Arsène, Ren thinks, Please do something.

If you wish, mon trésor, Arsène croons. Out loud he says, “Zorro, mon beau, I cannot duel you like this.”

Loki’s head snaps to the side. “You duel?” He turns to his small size a moment later, hovering near Ren.

“You can play later,” Ren promises. The Persona’s entire tiny being radiates smugness.

Zorro sighs and shrinks, joining Arsène on Ren’s shoulder.

“So… we can go in?” Ryuji asks, as if waiting for permission.

From me, Ren wonders, but… all his friends do look at him – is it because Akechi is here?

Has to be, he decides, when even the detective faces him – Robin and Loki on opposite shoulders. Alright.

He allows a smile. “Well, the pancakes should be Ann-certified, right?”

“Hell yeah! Best shop around!” Ann cheers, smile forced. Ren nods his head towards the door.

“Let’s go.”

***

Ordering food is… an ordeal.

Well. The awkward silence that settles over the group the second they finish.

Though maybe awkward is not the best word for it…

Ryuji is visibly glaring at Akechi, who doesn’t seem to want to pay any attention to the blond; Ann is playing with napkins, while Yusuke is entirely too lost in his sketchbook.

Ren clears his throat meaningfully.

All eyes fly to him; and he has a moment to consider; since when the fuck do I get to be the social butterfly of a circle.

There is a first time for everything, mon trèsor, Arsène croons. A master thief should know how to work even in the spotlight.

A master thief probably shouldn’t be caught in the spotlight in the first place, Ren counters mentally, but out loud, he still tries. “We should probably start off with some introductions? I’m Ren,” he says, looking at Akechi. Not that you don’t know that, he continues silently. “And this is Arsène.”

“Mon trésor,” Arsène prompts slyly.

Ren huffs, lips curling into a smile. “As in, the Pillager of Twilight, the gentleman thief who could even steal himself and – master of dancing.”

Arsène lands on the table, bowing with a flourish. “Merci beaucoup, mon trésor.”

“Steal himself?” That’s Ann; eyebrows creased in confusion.

“I will gladly regale you with the tale, Mademoiselle Ann,” Arsène promises.

“You can have him for homeroom tomorrow?” Ren offers. Ann snorts, but ultimately, nods.

“No fair that you get to hang out,” Ryuji grumbles.

“C’est unfair pour toi to claim the title of dancer,” Carmen tuts at the same time, words directed at Arsène, who shamelessly blows her a kiss.

Ann is revitalized. “Ah yes! Say hi to the one, the only: Carmen, the Alluring Dancer!” Carmen performs a short curtsy. “And I’m Ann.” She rather unsubtly elbows Ryuji in the guts.

He yelps, massaging his side and leaning away. “Ryuji,” he says, grimacing. “With Pirate Legend Captain Kidd.”

“And don’tcha forget about it!” Kidd twirls on his cloud, actually making Ryuji grin for a second.

Their eyes move to the last of their group – for now – Yusuke, of course, is still deeply engrossed in his sketching.

Goemon is alternating between peering at the drawing at an angle and climbing over Yusuke’s arm to look at it differently.

Somehow, unlike any other interruptions, this one only seems to help Yusuke’s flow.

“Yusuke…? Yo,” Ryuji tries. Yusuke doesn’t even hum in response.

Ren has a different idea. He raises a hand to his shoulder – Arsène steps on without any further prompting.

Ren lowers him to the table, where his Persona swaggers – swaggers – to Goemon, “Darling?”

“Salutations, Arsène,” Goemon says. “Or was that not the word?”

“It is,” Arsène assures him. “If you would kindly get your human for us?”

Goemon hums, evading Yusuke's hand as he draws. “A moment.”

Goemon follows along with Yusuke's hand – quickly arriving on his other side. He starts humming, tapping a rhythm on his human's skin…

Yusuke picks up the humming too, slowly raising his head to look at his Persona. “Yes?”

Goemon gestures around.

“Ah.” Yusuke momentarily puts his pencil down. “You were saying?”

“That’s Yusuke,” Ren says in his place. “And…” He trails off, looking to Yusuke meaningfully.

“Goemon,” Yusuke takes over the narration with a curl to his lips, chest puffing out. “The Elusive Outlaw and my new muse.”

“You’re too kind, my boy,” Goemon calls back, grinning wildly.

As if they agreed beforehand, they all turn to look at Akechi and his two Personas; while Robin has been rather reserved in watching them from his perch on the detective’s shoulder, Loki floats this way and that.

“Goro Akechi, as I’ve said before,” he introduces himself, eyes glinting. “And my companions are Robin Hood and Loki.” He doesn’t offer any titles.

“Why do you say Robin first?” Loki muses. “I’m more important.”

“I’m clearly superior,” Robin shoots back.

“Keep on lying to yourself Big Bird-”

“NOT A BIRD!”

Akechi clears his throat, looking towards Ren. “You didn’t introduce your… other companion?”

Ren follows his line of sight, settling on… “Ah, you mean Zorro?” Zorro taps the hilt of his sword impatiently – but Ren still takes the time to look back at the detective. “He isn’t mine.”

“…oh?” Akechi looks like someone trying very hard to not show his emotions on his face. “Do any of you…?” He trails off, glancing around.

Arsène flaps his wings, casually flying up to look around… It should be clear, mon amie.

Ren zips his bag open. “Zorro is Morgana’s.”

Morgana’s head pops out, eyes narrowed, like a suspicious meerkat.

Akechi blinks. “…that’s a cat.”

“Crows are better,” Loki muses. “Or horses or wolves – even serpents.”

“I’m not a cat!” Morgana hisses instantly. Akechi’s blinking gets even more rapid.

Ren moves his bag a bit, so that Morgana can continue peeking out, but stay hidden at the same time.

“…could have fooled me,” Robin comments. Ren chokes on his laughter.

Arsène has no such reservations.

“Laugh it up all you want,” Zorro tells him snidely. “You would be dead without us.”

“Of course, Zorro sweetest,” Carmen jumps in to soothe any ruffled feathers. She is tiny, so it’s hard to see, but Ren thinks she is hiding a smile. “No one ever doubted that.”

“I did.”

Carmen digs her heel into Captain Kidd’s stomach in one elegant move. “No one.”

Kidd staggers back, dramatically falling down. “The waves… I can’t see the sun no more…”

Arsène falls on his knees by his side, “Stay strong, mon chèrie,” he croons.

“The sirens… They are calling me… Back to life…”

“Did you practice this?” Ren asks, amused, as Arsène and Kidd reenact a heroic revival for the latter.

Ryuji snorts. “Not sure when, but they had to.” He gives a snide look to Akechi. “Mona’s one of us. Take it or leave it.”

The detective shakes his head, fake smile back on his face. And Ren knows that it’s fake, because neither Robin, nor Loki look any more settled with the situation. “But of course… I was merely surprised.” His gaze travels back to Ren. “I thought for a moment that…”

Ren keeps eye contact. That we’re the same, he finishes the thought silently. That’s what he thought too, upon seeing two Personas.

There is nothing that Akechi has done so far that would indicate anything more, but…

The Velvet Room never seemed like it would exist solely for someone like him.

Additionally, there are the Shadows we cross paths with, Arsène chimes in silently.

Yes, there are them too – even now, Ren can feel his other masks swirl under his consciousness, ready to be called upon, should he want to.

For now though… It’s better to keep some cards close to their chests.

The way of a proper Phantom Thief, Arsène croons and Ren shares a smile with him.

“We were surprised too,” he says, focusing back on Akechi, on the conversation. “It’s not everyday we run into someone with similar friends as to us.” We are alike, he suggests still, because they are.

Akechi stares back, his celebrity smile really reminding Ren of the cute guy nickname he bestowed on him first – and then he chuckles and that’s even worse. “I suppose not – I admit, I’m a little disappointed.” His eyes gleam – a challenge, Ren thinks. Is he about to refer to how easily Ren and Arsène went down? “Pinning down the elusive Phantom Thieves seemed like it would be much harder than… running across them in a hallway.”

Ah, that.

“Didn’t you say you didn’t even think we were real?” Ann comments, eyebrows knotting in confusion.

“Yeah and then bitched about us getting shit done.” Ryuji grumbles.

Having Captain Kidd as a Persona definitely didn’t make his vocabulary less… vulgar, Ren’s gonna say.

“I’m sorry,” Akechi says, with the tone of someone not really sorry at all, “have I done something to offend you?”

Ren’s really glad Ryuji is sitting the furthest from the detective then.

“Are you forreal?! You literally said you want us in jail!”

“Not really,” Ren tries to argue – it goes ignored.

“Oh, you mean after the lobotomizing you did to your victims, like Kamoshida and Madarame?” Akechi asks. “Well, you certainly can’t call that self-imposed justice ethical-”

“Self-imposed?!” Carmen draws herself up.

“Victims?!” Ann echoes, in the same shrill and upset tone. “Don’t you know what he did to Shiho?!”

Akechi frowns. “Suzui, right? You can hardly call that case unique-”

Ann is gaping and Ren is not sure when this whole thing went off the rails, just that he needs to stop it.

“Hey, guys,” he tries.

“How dare you insult Lady Ann’s friend?!” Morgana adds in, hissing.

“You have no idea about the shit we went through!” Captain Kidd yells passionately. “They deserved it all!”

“If it was unethical to do such a thing,” Goemon says frostily, “then I care not for ethics.”

“Sensei destroyed many lives,” Yusuke muses, staring in front of himself, tapping his sketchbook. “I do not regret bringing his transgressions to light.”

“Hey, everyone,” Ren tries again, a bit desperately, attempting to catch their eyes, “why don’t we all take a second to just-”

Loki laughs. “Destruction, yeah you’re real good at that.” He floats nearby, languid and amused. “Getting all huffy and puffy about your little justice… Adorable.”

“The way you conduct your justice seems to take away the human side of erring from your targets,” Robin says, from his perch on Akechi’s shoulder. “Who are you to claim your changes of hearts are not akin to brainwashing them?”

Arsène, Ren thinks desperately, as everyone rears up for even more yelling-

“…is now a bad time?”

The timid voice belongs to their waiter, who looks like she would rather hide behind her tray than face them.

Ren beams at her. “No, sorry – we’re getting a bit loud, right?” She nods, still shy. “We’ll tone it down, promise.”

“Thank you,” she bows, then quickly sorts their orders out – the silence above her head is tense, accusatory. Ren keeps up his smile – he worked enough shifts in service to know he would appreciate having at least one sane person at a table like this.

Once she darts away, he silently swears to give her a glowing recommendation with her boss or something, because that was a lot.

“So,” he leans forward, still trying for that smile, but it’s not as genuine as before. “Let’s try not jumping at each other’s throat again, m’okay?”

“He started it,” Ryuji mutters, but shuts up at a glare from him.

Ren takes a deep breath. I hate this, he thinks.

Arsène shares a feeling of commiseration – before drawing attention by moving to the middle of the table. “It is rather expected,” he muses, “that our detective would look at our capers differently than us, Phantom Thieves.”

Akechi coughs, slightly flushed. “…right.” He straightens, fiddling with his coffee. “I apologize for my hasty wording.”

“You better,” Ann grits out, stabbing a straw into her smoothie.

“Señorita Shiho’s case weighs heavily on our minds,” Zorro says, sympathetical. “As well as Señor Yusuke’s.”

Yusuke hums. “It has improved drastically,” he says, looking up to smile at them – they smile back. “I never have to go back to that house.”

“Of course not!” Ryuji huffs.

Akechi’s expression shifts – Ren only notices because he’s been staring at the detective. “...providing your own type of justice to victims of abuse.” He nods to himself. “Yes… That fits your modus operandi.”

Ren snorts. “Isn’t it easier to just ask us about our MO?” Since they are all right here…

Akechi’s gaze snaps up, finding his – and his lips curl. “Ah, but of course. The curse of the job,” he adds, with a private lilt to his voice – he is good, Ren thinks.

And you are falling for it, Arsène points out.

Ren offers his Persona a blueberry from atop his pancake to buy his silence.

Arsène takes it with a gleeful huff.

“Even if it feels very counterproductive to ask you to describe your own MO,” Akechi muses, “testimonies are always terribly biased after all.”

Then prepare to be swayed, Ren thinks. They came here with a plan today – a plan that’s been going off the rails in all kinds of directions, but maybe he can still salvage it.

They can still salvage it.

“Are you saying you’re not curious?” He says, before Ann or anyone else has a chance to snap at the detective again. (Don’t think he doesn’t see all their faces, noses scrunched up and lips drawn into a scowl.)

Akechi matches his tone, peering over the rim of his cup. “Well… I have to say the free coffee had its own draw.”

Loki coughs and Ren is pretty sure he just said, ‘Simp’, but as it is, he can only grin back.

“If you want really good coffee, you have to come home with me.”

Several chokes around the table, even from people who should know what he means.

“How very forward of you,” Carmen teases.

“Indeed,” Robin says dryly.

“He lives above a cafe,” Morgana explains, sounding more done with life than ever.

Ann hums, eyes closing in delight as she digs into her pancakes. “Leblanc coffee is the best…!”

“Boss’ curry has no contention either,” Yusuke adds.

Ryuji shrugs. “The curry’s good, can’t say much for the coffee.”

Akechi puts his cup down, having spilled only a couple drops – a shame, Ren thinks. Wonder what I’d need to do to spill the whole thing.

Perhaps a show involving less clothes? Arsène baits.

Shush, you, Ren thinks, lips curling.

“I must visit sometime then,” the detective says.

“Are you on the menu?” Loki asks, floating closer to Ren. Although he is small, Ren can make out a lot of teeth. “I could eat you right up.”

Is that a threat, or…?

Arsène chuckles, flying to meet Loki in the middle, cutting off access to Ren. “Loki, mon chèr.” Loki faces him and Arsène croons, “Perhaps wait until we’re alone.”

Traitor, Ren thinks at his Persona.

Loki’s high-pitched laughter should probably not be as endearing as it is.

“…I am judging you,” Ann announces.

Ren sighs, mournfully taking a bite of his pancake. “Yeah, okay. That’s fair.”

Akechi looks between him and his Persona… Then shakes his head. “I really do not want to get into that.”

“We have much more important matters at hand,” Robin grumbles, glaring at the duo of Arsène and Loki with crossed arms.

Is he… pouting, Ren wonders.

Yes – he seems to think he will be missing out on all the fun, Arsène thinks lazily.

Cute, Ren’s mind snaps, because of course it does.

He claps his hands to distract from the thought. “So,” he starts, rather loudly. “We were gonna talk about our little friends and their favorite place.”

“Little,” Carmen echoes with a huff. “I am taller than you.”

“Calling the Metaverse our favorite place is quite presumptuous,” Robin chides. “I much prefer the park or a gym.”

“Meathead,” Loki snaps immediately.

“Better than being a shut-in clown!”

Ren glances at Akechi, who somehow seems both resigned to, and utterly exasperated by his Personas.

“I do not know what you see in such childish individuals, Arsène,” Goemon comments, effectively halting the name-calling. It doesn’t seem like an insult; more like an observation of fact.

Carmen and Zorro share a grin, however. “Ah yes, perhaps they need a nanny,” Zorro muses.

“You have a soft spot for troublemaker children, do you not?” Carmen asks innocently.

Arsène shakes his head, but doesn’t say a word to suggest otherwise.

Something that clearly strikes a cord with both Robin and Loki, as, even though they glare at each other once last time, they actually fall silent.

Akechi coughs. “You were saying?”

Ren glances up from the show, amusement still curling his lips into a grin. “Hm?”

Akechi glares at him pointedly.

Ren waits.

“…our friends,” Akechi repeats the word icily, after several seconds of silence. “What about them?”

“How’d you get in there?” Ryuji starts off immediately. “I mean, we kinda almost died forreal-”

“Ryuji!” Ann hisses. “This is not what we agreed o-”

“Lady Ann…!” Morgana calls out as a warning, but the damage is already done.

Akechi leans back in his chair, lips curled into a smile. “So you do admit you have colluded on what to say before coming here,” he murmurs.

Like you didn’t do the same, Ren thinks. They have their script and the detective has his.

“Can you blame us?” He asks, tilting his head. “It’s not everyday we have such a pretty addition to our group.”

He is taking a gamble here; one that is only somewhat proven to be a good idea, based on Robin and Loki’s behavior towards Arsène.

Akechi scoffs. “Please spare me all that.”

“He’s into it,” Loki assures Ren immediately. He squawks as Akechi silently tries to squish him, decidedly not looking into Ren’s eyes.

Well, that’s that, Ren thinks, a childish glee in him that’s reflected in Arsène’s own feelings. “You tell us your story and we’ll tell you ours,” he promises.

Akechi stares back, the calculating gleam of his eye not tempered by his theatrical movements; tapping his chin as if in thought, his overly exaggerated expressions. “You first.”

“Listen until the end,” Ren bargains. The table around them is quiet; with only the sounds of Ann’s anxious eating, Ryuji’s foot tapping and Yusuke’s unusual focus.

The Personas are very still too. Ren is surprised to see that even they give him the platform to represent their little group.

You are the leader, mon trésor, Arsène reminds him gently. Vis-à-vis avec ton détective, even moreso.

Oh so now he is my detective, Ren thinks somewhat sarcastically.

Arsène tips his hat playfully in Ren’s direction and he hides a smile.

“No questions?” Akechi asks, his lips curling. He’s seen Arsène’s little display just now; Ren is not sure if he is aware of the significance of it.

“Questions are fine as long as you don’t condemn us for acting and thinking differently than you do.” Like he did today, during his interview.

Akechi shoots him an unreadable look, before nodding his head. “I can abide by those terms. The same applies to you, naturally.”

Ren exhales a little softer, his smile a little brighter. “Ann?” Her head snaps up, wide eyes meeting his, even though they kinda agreed in advance about some things. “Do you wanna get us started?”

“Oh, yeah, sure, I guess.” She halts in systematically destroying the pancake in front of her; ripped apart pieces swimming in jam. “It’s… Well...”

“Your scars may run deep, but your triumphs will carry you far above,” Carmen reminds her sternly.

Ann chuckles. “Thanks, Carm.” She seems to pull herself together, going as far as to stare Akechi down. “It started a while back, but only really got worse near the beginning of this school year,” she shakes her head, “no, much sooner than that.”

With Ann talking, Ryuji and Morgana interjecting with their own parts – Akechi halting the story only sometimes to ask some clarifying questions – their first caper is outlined fast. Then, the topic moves onto the next; after Ryuji finishes talking about their determination to change things for others, Yusuke pipes up with his own tale.

Their Personas add in a snide comment or two, but mostly they stay silent – and supportive.

Ren is quiet too; attention split between the Personas and Akechi’s expressions.

Even though the detective is aware he is being watched, some emotions he doesn’t want on display flicker through.

Kamoshida’s actions – nose scrunched in disgust. Morgana’s guidance – a grimace. Yusuke’s mother – a grief-stricken frown.

And then, the tables turn.

“I have questions for you,” Akechi prefaces. “But perhaps those questions will make more sense if I tell you my story first.”

It goes something like this.

“About three years ago, I got involved in some underground research.”

“Wait, what?” Ryuji cuts in. “You mean, you were like a lab ra-”

“-test subject, yes.” Akechi’s tone is frosty. “That’s how I met my… little friends.” He gestures at the table. “The research was shut down and my handler stopped contacting me. I assumed I was the sole survivor.” He tilts his head, gaze traveling between them, until it settles on the pair of Ren and Morgana. “How did you first go into…?”

“The app,” Ren says.

“I was already inside,” Morgana repeats what he said earlier.

Akechi doesn’t seem any more settled. “You just had the app?”

“It downloaded itself to my phone,” Ren says honestly. Maybe Akechi can provide some answers to that mystery.

It seems he can’t; he just seems frustrated with the idea. “That should be impossible unless you’ve been in- there before.”

Ren thinks of his deals with the Shadows and of the Velvet Room, and shrugs.

The others watch him with vague unease.

Akechi doesn’t seem happy with Ren’s reaction at all, flirting or no flirting. “I was under the assumption we would be sharing information mutually.”

“You said you want to have us arrested,” Ren reminds him, voice airy.

The atmosphere around the table is frozen.

Akechi straightens. “...what do you propose then?”

“A deal.” Ren knows they talked about this before; but still, having to shoulder all the focus, being the center of attention has his stomach clenching with nerves. He projects Joker – Arsène – as best as he can. “Why would we become enemies when we can work together?” He leans ahead, adding a little smile to his words. “You can get answers to all your questions…”

“And you gain what?” Akechi asks, raising an eyebrow.

“Oh, I thought that was obvious.” The eyebrow raises higher. “You,” Ren gestures at the trio.

“I wanna bite him,” Loki declares after zero point five seconds of Ren having finished talking.

“I do see the tactical advantage of working together with a group,” Robin muses, glancing up at his human. “Perhaps Loki can learn some manners as well.”

“Never,” Loki declares gleefully. Carmen sighs, while Zorro shakes his head.

“Charmant,” Arsène murmurs. Ren is pretty sure he means the compliment.

“...and all of you would be alright with such an arrangement?” Akechi questions, turning on the rest of the team.

They didn’t plan for this, Ren has the time to think, a panicked fraction of the second that reflects on the others’ faces – but then Yusuke speaks up, “With their permission, I wish to paint your companions,” he waves at the instantly preening duo of Robin and Loki, “naturally, that requires that we spend time together.”

“You’re like us!” Ann adds with only some forced cheer. “So why wouldn’t we wanna have you in the group?”

“Even if he’s an asshole-” Ryuji grumbles.

“The Metaverse is too dangerous for anyone to be going there alone,” Morgana takes over, while Ann not so subtly digs her elbow into Ryuji’s stomach – he falls over with a muffled choke. “And you might know some things we don’t,” the cat continues, giving a soul-searching look to the detective. No doubt, he got hung up on the whole experimentation part. Ren knows Morgana never stopped wanting to become human… again.

If he ever was.

It’s not his place to doubt however; and Akechi looks like he appreciates the honesty that Morgana speaks with. “A mutually beneficial relationship then.” He tilts his head at Ren. “Fine. You have a deal.” He holds out his hand.

Ren counters via offering his left hand.

The detective quirks an eyebrow, but corrects to mirror Ren’s posture. Not that Ren is left-handed – but Akechi is.

The moment their hands meet over the table, one gloved and one without, he hears the voice that’s been guiding him towards deals ever since he stepped foot into Tokyo.

I am thou, thou art I; thou hast acquired a new Vow…

Justice, Ren thinks, tasting the word. Fitting, he thinks, glancing at Robin and Loki, the latter yanking on the former’s cape in what is quickly becoming another argument between them.

Ren can’t imagine his Personas warring so frequently.

“...if you may let go of my hand now,” Akechi prompts.

Ren does. “Sorry.” He smirks. “Was too busy getting lost in your eyes.”

Akechi huffs.

Another card in your deck, mon trésor, Arsène muses. And another teammate. What a fortuitous day.

You seem to be forgetting about someone, Ren thinks in response, glancing at the two new Personas in their midst… Looks like things are about to get a lot more interesting.

Arsène cackles, the first to make a move towards the newcomers – but it isn’t much later that he is followed by the others, that over their heads, Yusuke starts talking about his new art project, that Ann starts debating pancakes with Morgana, that Ryuji joins into both, somehow managing to draw the two conversations into one-

One too many pancake comments drag Akechi into talking too; apparently he has a blog dedicated to sweets or something…

Ren takes a bite of his food, gaze sweeping over the group. A new trickster in their group – what Akechi said about someone experimenting on him, experimenting on the Metaverse – their rising popularity that has gained them attention from the police…

Whatever the future holds, it will be a lot more interesting indeed.