[ As they both drift to sleep, they're dragged into a rabbit hole similar to October. It starts off with darkness, only to be interrupted by a booming voice, one deep and foreboding as it narrates what's to come:
A traitor waits in the shadows, but do not fret. You were prepared.
The darkness fades, setting seeping in like paint on a canvas. If only it were bright colors, maybe even something as gaudy as Madarame's Palace, but no. It's just as dark—ceiling plagued by pipes and walls of metal on both sides. The sounds of a machinations, the waves gently swaying outside, and the muggy air easily illustrate where they are. It's a boiler room they're traversing, footsteps following one after another. The one who stops first is Futaba, mentioning that she senses someone here.
And here appears Goro Akechi, unamused by their meddling, but overall not surprised by Akira's escape from death. He walks forward, nonchalantly greeting them with a "long time no see."
The exchange continues, everyone somewhat surprised by his appearance.
Goro merely ignores them, instead keeping his eyes on Akira as he scoffs, "I'm impressed that you managed to deceive me. It seems I underestimated your abilities. You truly are interesting. Quiet, yet possessing the courage and determination to take action."
Silence settles with all eyes on the star.
"Under different circumstances, we could have been great rivals... Or perhaps friends." ]
I...
[ Even if that wasn't one of the dialogue options, Akechi continues, laughing mockingly like he did in the memory. It's just a record playing, repeating how envious he is of their free spirits. There's underlying malice and hostility, laced between words despite neutral tones, but it all ends with this one haunting sentence, packed with sincere regret:
"I wonder why we couldn't have met a few years earlier, Akira." ]
[ There's something remarkably... familiar about this situation. But Yusuke can't place how, or what, or why. Like something deep in his bones that he can't place. A similar feeling to when more recent memories don't match up - like a memory he and Ren should share from this city that doesn't quite slot into place.
It's all faces and names he recognises - except... Akira, not Ren. It feels wrong, yet right at the same time. Like both names are right and have always belonged to the person he lives with and classes as one of his best friends.
Futaba, with large bug eyed goggles he can remember from previously memories of her own awakening and Persona summoning, and...
Goro Akechi. He knows him as Ren's boyfriend, and little else. He has a Persona, and was one of their teammates but he doesn't know much else of that part of whatever they'd shared in the world fuelled by their memories. But none of what's happening in front of him makes sense, or connects when it feels like it should. There's a gap he doesn't understand missing in his mind and it's leaving him unsteady.
But it's something big. He can tell that much from Ren's reaction to it. ]
I... am not sure this is a situation where I can pinch you and wake you up.
[ Not even the rest of their friends react to their flustered conversation, the memory draws out now with Akechi filling them in with his backstory... How he was the unwanted child of the corrupt politician, then, ultimately, his plan of revenge. It’s a dark path with mental shutdowns and cognitive assassinations here and there, only digested easily by those who remembered. Ren bites the inside of his cheeks as Akechi conveys that this will be their last encounter because he, with all the rage and sheer hatred in his body, will destroy everything in his way. If he has to kill all of them, then he will.
The rest of the Phantom Thieves steel themselves as the battle begins, as if mentally prepared for what they must do. ]
We have to fight him.
[ There’s not enough time to explain. Despite their advantage in numbers, the last thing he wants to do is underestimate their opponent. If they don’t move, the dream will force them to move accordingly as if playing a role in a piece, performing for an audience in a theater. In the end, they’re merely puppets.
Akechi works fast, lunging at Yusuke with his beam saber. It hums as it cuts through the air, radiating at a temperature no one wants to be near. ]
[ It filters back, bit by bit. Fractured, and lacking in the full context of what had happened leading up to this moment in time, but it fits. It fits, and that is terrifying, marrying this image of Akechi - wild eyed and broken, spewing hysteria, bitterness and anger in one long breath - and the Akechi he knows, light and teasing, looking at Ren with something a lot like love in his eyes.
Not like this. ]
Is that really going to help right now--??
[ Oh heck. Yusuke's hand shifts, twisting his blade in his hands and shifting into a "ready" pose that feels much more natural than it had done months ago when his katana had first fallen into his hands. ]
To fight him? Ren, this doesn't feel r--
[ But before he gets the chance to finish the sentence, there's the whoosh of a heated beam through the air, and Yusuke stumbles back rather ungracefully. His blade rising to block the full brunt of the beam blade before it can hit him. ]
-- Is this a memory? [ It's said firmly, and a little sharply. If this is a memory then... is it new? For both of them? Or is this something Ren already knew?
...
For the moment, he has to focus on what's in front of him. The others move as if in a dance, leaving him feeling awkward and gangly as he fumbles through attacks and blocking strikes from the familiar, yet alien figure in front of him. ]
[ Ren doesn’t want to answer—no, Akira doesn’t want to. It’s a secret he has been holding in for a year for good reasons, nightmares of Shadows, gods, and battles now swathed over by this single memory. Sometimes, it’s siddicult to tell the difference between dream and reality, but Yusuke’s very presence and reactions ground him. ]
It’s just a dream.
[ Less to Yusuke and more to himself. Akechi pushes forward, saber digging into the katana as the sounds of sizzling metal shakes the air. The other Phantom Thieves help out, firing skills, bullets, or diving him with everything they got. It makes Akechi back up, struggling only a tad bit. The only indication of any exhaustion is the slouch in his shoulders and nothing more... His maniac laugh returns as he goes on a tirade about how he hates Joker—attic trash. Why did he have everything? It doesn’t matter. He will kill all of them.
The battle goes on, now with a twist. A new Persona, new apparel, and an entirely different Akechi. Rampage, a horrifying skill, takes the spotlight... But it isn’t enough for him to win against eight people. Suddenly, the dream slows, almost frozen in time as their opponent staggers back with a forlorn look on his face. It gives Ren time to look over to Yusuke, biting his tongue, but forces the words lodged in his throat out. Pushing his mask up, he wearily rubs his face. ]
I’m sorry.
[ For so many things... For hiding this for so long, for not relying on him more, for remembering this at all, for being the possible catalyst of this exact memory. He knows better than to apologize, but his heart needs some solace or reprieve.
As if they’re not there, the memory continues like a memory with the Phantom Thieves pitying him, but giving Akechi hard advice and even an opportunity to take Shido down with them. It’s in the background, slightly muffled like they’re no longer a part of it. ]
[ Yusuke wants to argue, immediately. The sizzling sounds and feeling of heat from Akechi's blade alone feel far too real for him to believe this is truly a dream, but the movement and noise around him, and the way the weight of any impact he makes - blade to blade - rattles through his arms speaks otherwise.
It isn't real. But it's too real to be a dream. Is this the form a memory takes when made whole, and physical?
As the memory continues, passing by like some sort of movie he's watching rather than something so deeply personal and something he - or rather the other him? - must have also experienced at some point, things slot into place more and more, and, well...
He understands. He doesn't agree, not really. But he gets it. He's shaken by what he sees, and he is not in love with the star of the show. In a way though, that makes it worse that he's only just finding this out now. How long has Ren known about this--? ]
I... [ How to even phrase this? He steps back a little, putting the other Phantom Thieves slightly between himself and Akechi - acting out their scene with no acknowledgement for the fact a couple of their ranks aren't paying as much attention anymore. ]
I wouldn't know how to bring it up either. [ ... ] I wish you had though. At some point. This -- [ everything ] -- isn't something to face alone.
[ It's been months since he received that memory. He has also been friends with Yusuke for months... So why did he never bring this specific memory up? There are so many reason and excuses that whirl in his mind—it's for Goro's sake. It's so that he can have a fresh start and the Phantom Thieves can get to know him before they're influenced by those memories. It's because it isn't his story to tell. As they can see in the memory, it surrounds Akechi and yet... Akechi's focus is on Akira and the life he has.
Ren's gaze is downcast, finding it hard to meet Yusuke's after all of this. He doesn't quite understand himself, either. There's a well of mixed emotions, some from the memory, some from another memory, and his own. He stays where he is, but his keen ears catch the sound distance made.
The scene continues to play, just as Yusuke expected, and it all leads to a cognitive copy coming out of nowhere to pick off the stragglers. Finally, the grand finale comes to a close with metal walls separating the team, gun shots fired, and Futaba saying she can't sense him anymore. The thieves one by one disappear into the darkness where finally it's only the two of them left. ]
You would have remembered eventually. [ Lifting his head, his eyes are glued onto the cold divider that stands before them. They used to stir such dreadful and ugly emotions in him, sometimes keeping him up at ungodly hours. After Mementos merging reality stopped waking him up at night, it's this memory. On the ball of his heel, he turns away from it, now looking at Yusuke with a soft yet regretful smile. ] I think Akira might have needed help back then, but... we're fine now. It's thanks to you and everyone who has supported us.
[ ... ]
I wish I could have told you myself so you wouldn't have needed to learn this from a stale nightmare.
[ Somehow, in spite of everything that had happened throughout the dream so far, the ending takes Yusuke by surprise. In books, and television shows, at this point the hero usually talks the anti-hero down. Perhaps they reach an accord. Maybe they take the hand that's offer to the and begin their long, and difficult road back to redemption.
They don't get shot out of view of those trying to help them, and die alone. Even if death is inevitable, there's more of a production to it. More of a sense of finality. Not just... everything being over.
He understands, why Ren didn't share this story. It's less his, more Akechi's. But still-- living with that knowledge... ]
Eventually, maybe. But when? Days, months, years after you remembered it? How long were you going to shoulder this one alone?
[ He exhales, a little sharply. When he closes his eyes he can still see the scenes imprinted on the back of his eyelids. ]
We went through a lot more than I had initially thought in this other life, didn't we? [ Rescuing him from his corrupt guardian. Makoto and her bike, and that burst of power. Futaba overcoming her demons. It had all seemed dark, and deep, but ultimately positive - rescuing people from themselves. Nothing that involved murder and murderers, and the cold sting of failure on a large scale like this. ]
[ The answer used to be to his grave. A part of him wants to withdraw into himself, very much like the dream he had of a cursed March. It only evoked the wrath and worry of his friends—he doesn’t want that yet he doesn’t respond to Yusuke’s frustrated and prying questions. They all hurt in different ways, instilling regret further into him. It reminds him of the lost chances he had with Ann, Haru, Ryuji, Makoto, and even Futaba who is still around, far too vivid despite not remembering most of their time in Recolle if not by dream.
Instead of taking a step back, he takes one forward and closes the distance in short strides. When he’s in front of Yusuke, a hand lifts, but hovers awkwardly, fingers flexing in anxiety and doubt. He bites his bottom lip, throws all caution out, and slowly slides his hands around his friend to give him the much needed hug he deserves. They’re just kids, burdened with darker memories than they should. ]
We went through a lot—there and here. Thank you for staying by my side through all of it, Yusuke.
[ He doesn’t know why he does when he keeps making the same mistakes, but voicing that will only earn him a scolding. Not that he would mind... Yusuke’s presence is the only grounding thing in this dream. Abruptly, he squeezes his friend a bit in the embrace. ]
I can tell you how much I’m working on myself, but you already know that... So how can I earn your forgiveness?
[ The hug is a surprise - but not an unwelcome one. It takes him a moment, like he's running on a slow auto-pilot, but he does return it. His own arms, long and slender but strong, wrapping around Ren and hugging him back just as tightly. ]
I think I owe you far more than you owe me, Ren. Back there, you saved his life and his future. That's not something so easily repaid.
[ But the stakes here, they don't feel as high. Not as instantly high, or overwhelmingly so at least. They're not being bombarded with all these things that are way above what teenagers should have to deal with - certainly not the betrayal of allies, or the wrath of a politician pointed directly at them. ]
... I think all I can ask of you is to keep going. Opening up slowly is better than not opening up at all.
[ He bites back another thank you—at this point, he just needs to thank his friend for being born. It's less of a hug and now just resting on top of another person. Ren leans in, using Yusuke's shoulder as a rather high pillow, and considers what he remembers. Akechi's betrayal was the biggest hurdle for him and Goro, but there are some smaller other events that would affect Yusuke, even if indirectly. ]
When we wake up, I have something else to tell you.
[ He was never hesitant before, but these dreams and other memories are conflicting with his train of thought and series of emotions. For some reason, underlying fear takes hold, so he hugs Yusuke tighter. ]
For now, we can enjoy the dream. Is that all right?
[ Two tired friends leaning on each other is a wonderful image, thank you Hei. Without really realising it, they're swaying slightly, like a little soothing rhythm. Yusuke doesn't especially want to move from this space - the heaviness and warmth of Akira here, reminding him of what's real and what is just memory.
Painful and sad memories. ]
I will hold you to that, Ren. And I will listen.
[ And then he laughs, a little tired and a little weak. But a laugh. ]
This dream of nothing but darkness? Certainly, if that's what you want.
[ Okay, the hugging is getting a little awkward for Ren, though Akira personally finds it comforting... They both do, actually, but it's definitely overstaying its welcome. Carefully, he peels himself off of his friend, a little sheepish, but still smiling as he rubs his neck.
[ Heck, he's still a little off kilter from everything that happened in the first place. But he lets Ren go with little fuss, before turning to look around the empty nothingness they're surrounded by.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
fabrefactions) wrote2017-08-26 12:53 pm
DREAMS OF BETRAYAL you asked for this
A traitor waits in the shadows, but do not fret. You were prepared.
The darkness fades, setting seeping in like paint on a canvas. If only it were bright colors, maybe even something as gaudy as Madarame's Palace, but no. It's just as dark—ceiling plagued by pipes and walls of metal on both sides. The sounds of a machinations, the waves gently swaying outside, and the muggy air easily illustrate where they are. It's a boiler room they're traversing, footsteps following one after another. The one who stops first is Futaba, mentioning that she senses someone here.
And here appears Goro Akechi, unamused by their meddling, but overall not surprised by Akira's escape from death. He walks forward, nonchalantly greeting them with a "long time no see."
The exchange continues, everyone somewhat surprised by his appearance.
Goro merely ignores them, instead keeping his eyes on Akira as he scoffs, "I'm impressed that you managed to deceive me. It seems I underestimated your abilities. You truly are interesting. Quiet, yet possessing the courage and determination to take action."
Silence settles with all eyes on the star.
"Under different circumstances, we could have been great rivals... Or perhaps friends." ]
I...
[ Even if that wasn't one of the dialogue options, Akechi continues, laughing mockingly like he did in the memory. It's just a record playing, repeating how envious he is of their free spirits. There's underlying malice and hostility, laced between words despite neutral tones, but it all ends with this one haunting sentence, packed with sincere regret:
"I wonder why we couldn't have met a few years earlier, Akira." ]
How do I wake up?
yells??
It's all faces and names he recognises - except... Akira, not Ren. It feels wrong, yet right at the same time. Like both names are right and have always belonged to the person he lives with and classes as one of his best friends.
Futaba, with large bug eyed goggles he can remember from previously memories of her own awakening and Persona summoning, and...
Goro Akechi. He knows him as Ren's boyfriend, and little else. He has a Persona, and was one of their teammates but he doesn't know much else of that part of whatever they'd shared in the world fuelled by their memories. But none of what's happening in front of him makes sense, or connects when it feels like it should. There's a gap he doesn't understand missing in his mind and it's leaving him unsteady.
But it's something big. He can tell that much from Ren's reaction to it. ]
I... am not sure this is a situation where I can pinch you and wake you up.
yells back???
[ Not even the rest of their friends react to their flustered conversation, the memory draws out now with Akechi filling them in with his backstory... How he was the unwanted child of the corrupt politician, then, ultimately, his plan of revenge. It’s a dark path with mental shutdowns and cognitive assassinations here and there, only digested easily by those who remembered. Ren bites the inside of his cheeks as Akechi conveys that this will be their last encounter because he, with all the rage and sheer hatred in his body, will destroy everything in his way. If he has to kill all of them, then he will.
The rest of the Phantom Thieves steel themselves as the battle begins, as if mentally prepared for what they must do. ]
We have to fight him.
[ There’s not enough time to explain. Despite their advantage in numbers, the last thing he wants to do is underestimate their opponent. If they don’t move, the dream will force them to move accordingly as if playing a role in a piece, performing for an audience in a theater. In the end, they’re merely puppets.
Akechi works fast, lunging at Yusuke with his beam saber. It hums as it cuts through the air, radiating at a temperature no one wants to be near. ]
yelling loop
Not like this. ]
Is that really going to help right now--??
[ Oh heck. Yusuke's hand shifts, twisting his blade in his hands and shifting into a "ready" pose that feels much more natural than it had done months ago when his katana had first fallen into his hands. ]
To fight him? Ren, this doesn't feel r--
[ But before he gets the chance to finish the sentence, there's the whoosh of a heated beam through the air, and Yusuke stumbles back rather ungracefully. His blade rising to block the full brunt of the beam blade before it can hit him. ]
-- Is this a memory? [ It's said firmly, and a little sharply. If this is a memory then... is it new? For both of them? Or is this something Ren already knew?
...
For the moment, he has to focus on what's in front of him. The others move as if in a dance, leaving him feeling awkward and gangly as he fumbles through attacks and blocking strikes from the familiar, yet alien figure in front of him. ]
no subject
It’s just a dream.
[ Less to Yusuke and more to himself. Akechi pushes forward, saber digging into the katana as the sounds of sizzling metal shakes the air. The other Phantom Thieves help out, firing skills, bullets, or diving him with everything they got. It makes Akechi back up, struggling only a tad bit. The only indication of any exhaustion is the slouch in his shoulders and nothing more... His maniac laugh returns as he goes on a tirade about how he hates Joker—attic trash. Why did he have everything? It doesn’t matter. He will kill all of them.
The battle goes on, now with a twist. A new Persona, new apparel, and an entirely different Akechi. Rampage, a horrifying skill, takes the spotlight... But it isn’t enough for him to win against eight people. Suddenly, the dream slows, almost frozen in time as their opponent staggers back with a forlorn look on his face. It gives Ren time to look over to Yusuke, biting his tongue, but forces the words lodged in his throat out. Pushing his mask up, he wearily rubs his face. ]
I’m sorry.
[ For so many things... For hiding this for so long, for not relying on him more, for remembering this at all, for being the possible catalyst of this exact memory. He knows better than to apologize, but his heart needs some solace or reprieve.
As if they’re not there, the memory continues like a memory with the Phantom Thieves pitying him, but giving Akechi hard advice and even an opportunity to take Shido down with them. It’s in the background, slightly muffled like they’re no longer a part of it. ]
no subject
It isn't real. But it's too real to be a dream. Is this the form a memory takes when made whole, and physical?
As the memory continues, passing by like some sort of movie he's watching rather than something so deeply personal and something he - or rather the other him? - must have also experienced at some point, things slot into place more and more, and, well...
He understands. He doesn't agree, not really. But he gets it. He's shaken by what he sees, and he is not in love with the star of the show. In a way though, that makes it worse that he's only just finding this out now. How long has Ren known about this--? ]
I... [ How to even phrase this? He steps back a little, putting the other Phantom Thieves slightly between himself and Akechi - acting out their scene with no acknowledgement for the fact a couple of their ranks aren't paying as much attention anymore. ]
I wouldn't know how to bring it up either. [ ... ] I wish you had though. At some point. This -- [ everything ] -- isn't something to face alone.
no subject
[ It's been months since he received that memory. He has also been friends with Yusuke for months... So why did he never bring this specific memory up? There are so many reason and excuses that whirl in his mind—it's for Goro's sake. It's so that he can have a fresh start and the Phantom Thieves can get to know him before they're influenced by those memories. It's because it isn't his story to tell. As they can see in the memory, it surrounds Akechi and yet... Akechi's focus is on Akira and the life he has.
Ren's gaze is downcast, finding it hard to meet Yusuke's after all of this. He doesn't quite understand himself, either. There's a well of mixed emotions, some from the memory, some from another memory, and his own. He stays where he is, but his keen ears catch the sound distance made.
The scene continues to play, just as Yusuke expected, and it all leads to a cognitive copy coming out of nowhere to pick off the stragglers. Finally, the grand finale comes to a close with metal walls separating the team, gun shots fired, and Futaba saying she can't sense him anymore. The thieves one by one disappear into the darkness where finally it's only the two of them left. ]
You would have remembered eventually. [ Lifting his head, his eyes are glued onto the cold divider that stands before them. They used to stir such dreadful and ugly emotions in him, sometimes keeping him up at ungodly hours. After Mementos merging reality stopped waking him up at night, it's this memory. On the ball of his heel, he turns away from it, now looking at Yusuke with a soft yet regretful smile. ] I think Akira might have needed help back then, but... we're fine now. It's thanks to you and everyone who has supported us.
[ ... ]
I wish I could have told you myself so you wouldn't have needed to learn this from a stale nightmare.
no subject
They don't get shot out of view of those trying to help them, and die alone. Even if death is inevitable, there's more of a production to it. More of a sense of finality. Not just... everything being over.
He understands, why Ren didn't share this story. It's less his, more Akechi's. But still-- living with that knowledge... ]
Eventually, maybe. But when? Days, months, years after you remembered it? How long were you going to shoulder this one alone?
[ He exhales, a little sharply. When he closes his eyes he can still see the scenes imprinted on the back of his eyelids. ]
We went through a lot more than I had initially thought in this other life, didn't we? [ Rescuing him from his corrupt guardian. Makoto and her bike, and that burst of power. Futaba overcoming her demons. It had all seemed dark, and deep, but ultimately positive - rescuing people from themselves. Nothing that involved murder and murderers, and the cold sting of failure on a large scale like this. ]
no subject
Instead of taking a step back, he takes one forward and closes the distance in short strides. When he’s in front of Yusuke, a hand lifts, but hovers awkwardly, fingers flexing in anxiety and doubt. He bites his bottom lip, throws all caution out, and slowly slides his hands around his friend to give him the much needed hug he deserves. They’re just kids, burdened with darker memories than they should. ]
We went through a lot—there and here. Thank you for staying by my side through all of it, Yusuke.
[ He doesn’t know why he does when he keeps making the same mistakes, but voicing that will only earn him a scolding. Not that he would mind... Yusuke’s presence is the only grounding thing in this dream. Abruptly, he squeezes his friend a bit in the embrace. ]
I can tell you how much I’m working on myself, but you already know that... So how can I earn your forgiveness?
no subject
I think I owe you far more than you owe me, Ren. Back there, you saved his life and his future. That's not something so easily repaid.
[ But the stakes here, they don't feel as high. Not as instantly high, or overwhelmingly so at least. They're not being bombarded with all these things that are way above what teenagers should have to deal with - certainly not the betrayal of allies, or the wrath of a politician pointed directly at them. ]
... I think all I can ask of you is to keep going. Opening up slowly is better than not opening up at all.
no subject
[ He bites back another thank you—at this point, he just needs to thank his friend for being born. It's less of a hug and now just resting on top of another person. Ren leans in, using Yusuke's shoulder as a rather high pillow, and considers what he remembers. Akechi's betrayal was the biggest hurdle for him and Goro, but there are some smaller other events that would affect Yusuke, even if indirectly. ]
When we wake up, I have something else to tell you.
[ He was never hesitant before, but these dreams and other memories are conflicting with his train of thought and series of emotions. For some reason, underlying fear takes hold, so he hugs Yusuke tighter. ]
For now, we can enjoy the dream. Is that all right?
no subject
Painful and sad memories. ]
I will hold you to that, Ren. And I will listen.
[ And then he laughs, a little tired and a little weak. But a laugh. ]
This dream of nothing but darkness? Certainly, if that's what you want.
no subject
[ Okay, the hugging is getting a little awkward for Ren, though Akira personally finds it comforting... They both do, actually, but it's definitely overstaying its welcome. Carefully, he peels himself off of his friend, a little sheepish, but still smiling as he rubs his neck.
He has to fill in this void now. ]
I've been to plenty of places, so just pick.
[ World is their oyster and everything. ]
no subject
I don't know where to go...?
[ Heck, he's still a little off kilter from everything that happened in the first place. But he lets Ren go with little fuss, before turning to look around the empty nothingness they're surrounded by.
Is this better or worse than before? ]
Somewhere in Recolle? The beach, maybe...