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Months after defeating Nyx and saving the world, they found themselves one sunny morning at Yakushima. No more shadows, no more Dark Hour, no need to use their evokers. No more Personas.
It was a hot day at the beach, the water so calm as the wind was only a warm breeze and there was not a single cloud in the sky. The weather was perfect for mid July, and the whole team was there.
Well, almost.
Grieving for their leader was something all of them had to deal with for the past 4 months. More than ever they had to stay together, they were the only ones who knew the truth, how someone they trusted and loved had to sacrifice themselves for the sake of this world. It was unfair how people won’t ever know the whole truth.
Ken and Koromaru were playing together by the seashore, building sand castles with the occasionally advice from Fuuka about how to build a proper structure so the castle won’t fall apart after 8 seconds after being built. She was so smart, knew all things about physics and maths and computers. But also a very kind heart too, always willing to forgive. Ken was just a little boy doing little boy things, despite everything he has been through. He’s grown a lot too. Koromaru was a great support and even though he was a dog, he understood human emotions much better than a lot of the adults they had to deal with in the past year.
Yukari, Mitsuru and Aigis were chatting happily under the morning sun, skin (and soft metal) glowing in the sunlight. Yukari wore a soft little smile while she listened to Mitsuru talk about collage and french classes and how the professor didn’t like the way she knew much more about the language than him. It was good watching her talk about something so mundane with her after everything that happened between them. Aigis was smiling too, human emotions flowing through her system. She was a girl now, just like her friends.
Friends. They were friends now, all of them. They were their own safe place.
Akihiko and Junpei lay down in sand, bored and wanting to go swimming. “Awww, come on man! How much more do we have to wait? It’s not like we have the ocean back home, we’re wasting precious time here!” whined Junpei with his loud but cheerful voice.
“Calm down, he said he was gonna need a few minutes to get ready. And why the hell are you so impatient for? It’s only 10 in the morning and we woke up like 45 minutes ago.” said Akihiko, unimpressed. But actually he was a little impatient as well. Maybe worried, but… About what? Everyone was here today, having fun, enjoying the summer together once again like last year. There were things left unsaid, like the obvious missing presence on the team.
A few minutes later, Yukari moved her eyes away from Mitsuru for a moment and called for the figure coming towards them. “Oh! There he is. Senpai! We’re here! We’re waiting for you!” She said very excited, probably wanting to go and play in the ocean. Mitsuru looked over her shoulder and waved her arm. Aigis studied her for a moment and did the same. Koromaru barked happily.
“Hey. Sorry about that.” The figure looked around and saw everyone chilling in the sand. “Huh? Were all of you waiting for me? Why?” Shinjiro said with a bit of guilt on his voice, probably because he spent a good half hour deciding what to wear for the beach. He finally made up his mind for a pair of swimming shorts and a hoodie. He seriously pondered the idea of bringing his beanie too, but he thought maybe it was too much for the beach.
Being in a coma for months was not easy for his body. He was still recovering, physically and mentally. And the fact that he was on suppressants before what happened, made the whole recovery situation a bit more tedious. Colour was definitely back on his skin, eye bags a little less aggressive and finally he could regulate his body temperature, so there was no need for a coat and a turtleneck in the middle of the summer. However, it was hard not to cover his body one way or another, he still wasn’t used to it. He was weak and very thin but with good appetite, food didn’t make his stomach sick like it used to anymore, and he spent every spare moment he had cooking delicious things for his friends and learning new recipes. No more pain, no more hiding, no more pushing away the people who tried to help him.
Akihiko spent every free minute he had beside Shinjiro while he was in his coma and nobody could separate them. He decided he was going to be there with him the moment he opened his eyes or the moment he decided it was time to go. Akihiko didn’t want to think about the last option but he had no other choice, Shinjiro's life was in a tightrope. He had to get used to live with the fear that one day he might get up, go to the hospital and find Shinjiro's bed empty. Especially after what happened on to their beloved leader. But thankfully one day he woke up by a phone call from Mitsuru telling him that Shinjiro had been responding to different kinds of stimuli and that the situation is looking pretty good, her doctor’s words.
Shinjiro woke up that same evening, with Akihiko by his side, and a month and a ton of tests later, he was out of the hospital.
Since then, Akihiko felt like a massive weight has been lifted off his shoulders. They were so more mature now, and with Shinjiro not running away from him, their friendship felt like it hasn’t in years, way before they started fighting shadows together.
“Hey, senpai, did you put on some sunscreen? It’s not like you look like a vampire or anything but I think you should be careful with the sun…” Junpei said hesitantly, thinking how Shinjiro looked pretty much like a vampire, probably because he spent months living in a hospital bed. Akihiko looked at him, intensely.
“Yeah, I did actually. But I could get any on my back, and stretching my arms so far hurts like a bitch, so I might need help” He said but instead of looking at Junpei, his word were directed exclusively to Akihiko, who was still looking at him with an unreadable expression.
“Yeah, of course, I’ll help you.” The silver-haired boy said, taking the bottle of sunscreen from Shinjiro's hand. He now looked at him confused. “Why are you wearing this?” referring to the hoodie, “Are you feeling okay? Are you cold?” He sounded worried, his pulse gaining speed. Maybe Shinji was taking the suppressants again and he didn’t tell him? But why? There was no Dark Hour anymore, no more shadows to fight, no need to use their Personas. What took him so long this morning? What was he hiding away from him? Was Castor trying to hurt him again? He was getting better. They were getting better. He thought he was going to have Shinji for the rest of his life, how could he be so- “This?” Said Shinjiro, shutting down his dark thoughts. “Well… Unlike you, I don’t feel that comfortable showing off my skin to everyone” He said, pointing at Akihiko's blue speedos. “And I’m sure you remember I was shot so I have a pretty nasty scar on my chest”
Suddenly, a cool breeze hit them, and now he could understand a bit more why Shinji was wearing something long-sleeved. He was just overreacting, there was nothing to worry about but his mind kept taking him to dark places without his control. Sometimes it felt like he was losing his mind. It was something that happened pretty often while Shinjiro was in the hospital, he tried to keep away those thoughts but sometimes it was too overwhelming, beyond his control.
“Aki. What is it? You keep zoning out.” Shinji said with a frown on his face. “Are you gonna help me? I really want to touch the ocean, last time was probably like 10 years ago, so come on.” Said was impatient. Damn, he was starting to notice Akihiko's worries, his emotions and fears taking control of his mind. “Y-Yeah, sorry. Take off your hoodie” Shinjiro slowly began to undo the zipper, but he looked… embarrassed? Probably because all eyes were on him. “Uh-um…” Colour appearing on his face. “Jeez, c'mere.” Said Akihiko, with a smirk on his face. “Turn around." He took Shinji's shoulder and turned him around, helping him take off his hoodie, revealing pale skin. He put some sunscreen on his hands and began rubbing it on the long-haired boy's back.
"Shinjiro-san, do you want to tie your hair up? You’ll be more comfortable” Fuuka said after coming back from where Ken and Koromaru were playing with the sand. She was actually blushing. “Yeah, thanks.” He took the hair tie and gathered his hair in a low ponytail. Akihiko watched him, zoning out again while rubbing the same spot for too long until Shinjiro started to feel some discomfort. “Hey, what are you doing?” Shinji said looking over his shoulder. “Are you trying to peel-off my skin? Do you need a step-by-step guide on how to put on some sunscreen?” He said trying to provoke Aki a bit, which actually worked. “Shhh.” Aki said, smearing sunscreen over Shinji's right cheek, turning away his face. “Hey!”
“Guys can you hurry up a little bit?” Junpei said with a miserable expression on his face. “If I waste another minutes outside the water I’m gonna start crying, for real.” As he was saying the last words, a strong stream of waters came out of one os Aigis hands, wetting Junpei entirely. “Aigis! What the hell? Again with that? That’s not how a real water gun works! It’s supposed to be gentle and fun, and yours actually hurts!” Junpei cried out. Aigis, Yukari and Mitsuru started laughing really loud. Fuuka felt a little bad for him, but could control it and started laughing with them. Akihiko was strangely quiet.
“Okay, done. Now turn around so I can put the rest of this on your face” Akihiko said softly, only for Shinjiro to hear what he said. He turned around without complaining, something was definitely off with Aki. They locked eyes, and Akihiko looked away for a second, then he started applying the sunscreen on Shinji’s face. “Aki, are you okay?” He said, quietly while everyone else was laughing and talking loud. “…Yeah.” The silver-haired boy said. Of course Shinjiro didn’t believe him. “What is it? What’s wrong?” He pressed. “Nothing!” Akihiko snapped at him. Shinjiro looked surprised at his behaviour, then frowned. “You can’t say shit like that and expect me to believe you. Tell me what is it.” He pressed again. “N-Nothing, Shinji.” He avoided Shinji’s eyes and felt colour rising to his cheeks. He was still spreading sunscreen all over the long-haired boy's face and felt his pulse gaining speed once again, fearing his friend could hear his heart beating loudly on his chest.
Because apparently Shinjiro’s favourite activity was tasting Akihiko’s patience and taking it to its limits, he stopped Akihiko’s hand and pressed him again. “Aki you can’t hide anything from me, now tell me what’s wrong with you right now.” And that was it. Akihiko couldn’t take ir anymore and broke down sobbing. He hid his face on Shinjiro’s neck while everyone turn to him and went quiet. Shinji froze. “Um… H-Hey! How about we start heading to the water?” Yukari said, thinking something fast so Shinjiro and Akihiko could be alone for a moment. “Then when you’re ready you come with us. Take your time.”
“Yes, I agree with Yukari. Iori, Yamagishi, let’s go. Aigis, please tell Ken and Koromaru we're going swimming” Mitsuru helped Yukari with her plan, and after a moment they were all gone.
They both stayed silent for a few moments, Akihiko sobbing softly on Shinjiro’s neck. He embraced him, trying to calm him down. “Aki, please… What is it?” Shinji said softly, stroking his back. Akihiko raised his head and looked at him in the eyes. “I’m just… I’m just happy you’re here with me. Alive. After all we’ve been through, sometimes I fear this is just a dream and in the real world you’re gone, you never woke up and I'm all alone.” He said, tears running down his flushed cheeks. Shinji looked at him with warm eyes and a soft smile, a smile he only wore for him. “Oh, Aki… You’re such a crybaby. You’ve always been. 14 years later and I’m still the one drying your tears with my hands” He wiped away Aki's tears with his hands, like he used to when they were little boys running around the orphanage and scratching their knees. He cupped Akihiko’s face with both hands and placed a soft kiss on his left cheek, and then right above his upper lip. Akihiko’s eyes widened and could feel his heart beating fast on his chest but now for a very good reason. He took Shinji’s hands and gave him a weak smile. “I’m stuck with you for a long time, so you better start getting used to it, got it? Now let’s join the others, c'mon.” Shinji kissed his forehead and began heading to the water.
Akihiko watched him for a bit until Shinjiro started calling for him to hurry. He took off his shirt and started jogging towards him. Akihiko felt a genuinely smile forming on his face while relief settled on his heart.