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What a Rendezvous (Part 1...)

Monday—June 8, 2021

Bang.

Futaba threw her hands over her head, a habit she developed during her days shut in her room when trying to quiet the voices in her head. She tried to move her arms but something weighed them down and held them in place. She cracked open eye behind her glasses and lifted a shaking hand just enough to see the chains that bound her. She began to hyperventilate, curling in on herself.

"Oracle!"

Futaba's ears craned to hear the familiar voice although her scrambled mind could not place who that voice belonged to.

"Oracle, I'm here! Igor, let her go!"

Igor, Oracle...where was she? Futaba whimpered as tears slipped down her nose and splashed onto cold metal beneath her.

"Please, Igor...Lavenza," the voice said again, desperation filling their tone. "Please."

She could hear chains rattling, ones that definitely did not belong to her. She tried opening her eyes but she saw nothing. Has she gone blind? Futaba gasped and put a hand to her chest as she tried getting some air into her lungs. Suddenly, she could hear a series of strained grunts before hands placed themselves on her arms. She cried out and curled into a tighter ball; she was in a strange place, shackled like a prisoner, and alone...completely alone.

"I'm here, Oracle. It's Joker—it's Ren."

Ren.

Futaba's eyes opened and found herself looking back into the familiar, gray eyes.

"W-where am I?" she mewled, shaking. She launched herself the best she could and buried herself into Ren's chest. She could feel him do his best to draw his arms around her, but his own shackles proved to make it a challenge. "Why am I here? Why am I handcuffed?"

Ren did not respond right away; instead, he looked over his shoulder and deepened his voice. "Let her go. You have them on me."

Someone snapped their fingers and Futaba felt the weight of the chain and the coldness of the metal disappear. She looked down at her wrists and saw green gloves. She was not in the normal world. She concluded that much so far…

"Futaba," Ren said, snapping her out of her frenzied stupor.

Futaba stifled a sob, tears still streaming from her eyes as she looked around fearfully. Now that her arms were free, she was able to throw them around his neck and press her face into the crook of his neck and shoulder...he was warm, incredibly so, and it was comforting. He even smelled the same here. She wanted to hide herself away from the world. She felt his hand rest gently on her back, something that kept her grounded.

"Where am I?"

"The Velvet Room," Ren replied softly and directly in her ear. "You were summoned here."

"W-w-why?" she stammered. Futaba finally looked up at him, pulling back just far enough to look him in the eyes. "W-what have I d-done?"

"Nothing," Ren reassured her and rested his other hand on her hip, still kneeling in front of her. A red-gloved hand brushed away some stray hands sticking to her face. "It happens more often than you think."

"To you?" Futaba asked, then looked over his head to the strange...things staring at them. She gasped and ducked, hiding behind Ren. "Who are they?"

"Igor and Lavenza," Ren answered and patted her arm comfortingly, slowly pushing himself to his feet. He stood taller than she, making it easier for her to cling to his arm from behind. Ren addressed the strangers. "She is harmless as I said."

"Yes," a girl in a blue dress said and dipped her head. "I see now."

Ren then looked at Igor. "Will you be the one to tell her?"

Igor rose to his feet and moved his bulging eyes onto Futaba, who immediately shrunk away. She gripped Ren's arm so hard, she was sure she was going to leave bruises. But, she couldn't bring herself to care right now. He was her only lifeline…

"Tell me what?" Futaba whispered, finding it hard to use her voice when her throat felt so dry and her chest felt so tight. Why was Ren so calm? His wrists were tethered together and his ankles were cuffed to an actual working ball-and-chain. All manacled like that, and he didn't feel threatened at all…

"Does thou remember me?"

Futaba jerked awkwardly and looked up at the voice that spoke directly above her head. She stared at the familiar sight of her Persona. "Necronomicon."

"We proceeded with our contract," the voice replied in its melodic tone. "And now it has been broken. I art thou, thou art I…"

"Huh?" Futaba asked, beginning to grasp the concept of this conversation. She took a brave step away from Ren and towards her Persona. "Y-you're saying I won't have you anymore?"

"Thou no longer needs me though thou has bonded with me," Necronomicon said. "I shall always remain in thy heart."

Ren looked away as she pulled back completely, now standing alone at the mercy of her Persona. "Don't go!"

"Our time together has ended," Necronomicon replied and bathed her in a beam of light. "But, I will always be with thee. I art thou, thou art I…"

"No! Wait!" Futaba screamed and tried to reach a hand up as if she was going to actually grab it. "I don't want to say goodbye! P-please!"

She began running after the Persona that was lifting higher into the sky, transforming into beads of light. She was about to run right off the platform if strong arms had not held her back. She struggled vainly against them, even going as far as biting said arms that wrapped themselves around her waist and shoulders. She eventually gave up as she watched her beloved Persona burst into a million stars that joined the endless sea of dead balls of light above.

Futaba wept. She cried as her heart hollowed out, trying to shove away the arms that still held her, not wanting to be touched, not wanting to be around anyone. The desire to have Ren at her side to protect her was gone now that she had lost the one thing she loved about herself. Futaba hissed angrily at the guy in black, but he merely held her down to keep her from running.

"Get off me!"

Her stubborn friend did not listen nor did he obey her demands. He merely fell to his knees and took her down with him. She tried twisting off his lap, pinching his legs and punching his knees, but he merely took it all...the abuse, the blows, the pain...Futaba couldn't though. She couldn't take the pain.

"Let go of me!"

"I can't," Ren murmured.

Futaba eventually gave up and slumped down, resting her forehead against her knees as she closed herself in. She felt...protected from the world when she curled up like this and hid her face. How would he understand? He was a leader...not some meek weakling like her. She wasn't going to run and in her heart, she knew that, but she felt like she had to do something…something to show her Persona that she wasn't ready to say goodbye.

Was it because her true desire was to right the wrongs for her mother? Was it all coming to an end because she had been successful? Is this what she got in return for success? Futaba sniffled noisily, unable to stop the staggering breaths. Part of her didn't ever want to try again, but her heart knew she would never stop trying. The feeling of triumph was more exhilarating than anything she had ever felt. The righteousness she had brought to her mother's memory would forever burn within her. Futaba regretted nothing, but that did not mean she could not grieve what she had lost.

"I'm okay, Joker."

"How do I know you won't go running into the water?" Ren asked, still refusing to let her go.

"What's the point?" Futaba asked, voice devoid of emotion. She just sat there, staring out over the water with an expressionless face. "My Persona's gone...I won't ever be able to come back…I couldn't even finish this mission with you guys..."

Ren slowly withdrew his arms, but Futaba stayed where she was, barely acknowledging his presence anymore. She extended one leg and dipped a toe into the water, which didn't feel nearly as cold as she thought.

"I didn't know...now would be my last time here," she said, finding the strength to speak. Where it came from still remained a mystery, but she took it. "But I knew it was coming."

"You did?" Ren asked, sounding surprised.

"Yeah," she said slowly, scratching absentmindedly at her feet lightly. "I had a feeling because...because I could feel my bond with Necronomicon getting stronger but her voice getting softer...like it was slowly fading away."

Ren looked thoughtful for a moment.

"I just thought it'd happen when you guys would…" she trailed off, feeling small and ridiculous. "I should have known better. I knew you were never going to lose your rebellious spirit, Joker. You'll never lose your Persona."

Ren looked away like he was hiding something, but Futaba felt too emotionally drained to mention it.

"I just...thought that it wouldn't happen so soon," she confessed and closed her eyes.

"It's not the end for you," Ren said as he rubbed his leg with a hand, looking far-off and deep in his own thoughts. "We'll always need you, Futaba."

She wanted to ask him why he said that or why he thought that; she wanted to know how she could be of any use now that she couldn't fight, couldn't provide them sight...she couldn't even go to the Metaverse. She was no longer a part of that world they all shared.

She choked back another oncoming sob threatening to break out.

"I'm not a Phantom Thief anymore."

Ren shook his head as a hand came up to run over his mouth. "Mishima was never able to conjure a Persona, but he was still considered a Phantom Thief to me."

Arsène finally emerged from Ren's shadow and stood over them, looking down at him. Ren looked up at his demon and dipped his head respectfully.

"Thou wears the chains of grief," Arsène's rumbling voice said observantly, gesturing to the shackles that had unknowingly reappeared on her legs and wrists.

Futaba groaned as she tilted her head back. "Not these again."

"It's okay," Ren said and placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a quick pat. "But don't let it confine you forever."

"Thou must return," Arsène said and wrapped his wings around Ren as he rose to his feet, obscuring most of his body from view.

Futaba scrambled to her feet, too, and reached out her arms. "Can I have one last hug?"

But surprisingly, Ren shook his head no. Futaba, feeling the sting of rejection, dropped her hands to her side.

"Don't become a prisoner," he said too wisely and looked up at Arsène with a nod.

Futaba watched the demon consume his body in blue flames, wings wrapping around him completely. She tried to call out, but found herself blinking herself into darkness.

.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Ren didn't wake easily, but he forced himself out of the comfort of his bed to get ready for the day. He ventured into the bathroom, locking the door, and peeled off his black shirt to reveal a torso littered with wounds (old and new) from his past and present. His fingers brushed over the black and blue bruises over his ribs, which had been giving him grief with each passing day. He huffed and shook his head at his reflection, putting his face in his hands. He recalled the days when fighting in the Metaverse came easy, but he found himself struggling with tasks he once considered simple. He had, indeed, been out of practice. He didn't think that could happen so quickly…

Ren stepped into the shower and grunted as the water pelted a particularly nasty laceration spanning the width of his shoulders and back. He ran some water over his face and in his hair, wincing as he rolled his shoulder. He couldn't remember a time he had been this sore other than his first time in Kamoshida's castle. His mind went back to those memories and all the ones he created during his time in Tokyo. The people he met and the bonds he created were unforgettable and a large part of him truly missed them.

He rinsed off and washed his hair, mind flickering to the most recent visit he had in the Velvet Room. It was no surprise when he witnessed his first contract termination. He figured it would be something hard to watch but Futaba's reaction made it worse. Still, he knew he should be happy that she had found peace and closure—for the longest time, he was searching for that very feeling. At one point in his past, Ren would have been downright envious. However, he came to learn his peace and closure came from a victory after every battle.

Ren dried off and slipped on some clean pants, running the towel through his shaggy hair. He opened the door the moment Akechi Goro was about to open it, his hand hovering where the door handle was moments ago. Ren startled a bit at the sudden presence of another but relaxed when he saw who it was. He cleared his throat.

"I'm finished."

"I-I need only a moment to speak with you," Goro said, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. He gestured to his bedroom door.

Ren followed him inside the bedroom and closed the door behind them. Goro's room was exactly how he imagined it—blank and personality to it whatsoever. It was precisely Goro. He turned to face the other, who was red in the cheeks though he was not sure why. Perhaps he would even tease the other about it just to spite him for his loss of control in the Metaverse.

"Regarding Gahr's Haven," Goro said, regaining some of his formality as he slipped into a demeanor he was used to. "I did further investigation regarding your target—"

"'Your target'?" Ren echoed, eyebrows lifting. "Are you and I not on the same team?"

"And discovered some rather interesting intel," Goro continued, ignoring his initial question. He folded his arms over his chest and put a hand to his chin. "This is not his first escape from the polices' grasp. It appears this man has evaded them for past crimes ranging from trespassing to theft. However, his most recent charges are more severe."

"How so?" Ren asked, discouraged at how much distance, physically and metaphorically, Goro insisted on putting between them. Still, he would not give up yet…

"Armed burglary and rape."

Ren licked his lips thoughtfully and rubbed his temple wearily, beginning to pace around the room. "How does he get away after doing something like that?"

"That's just it," Goro replied patiently and knowingly, eyes moving with Ren. "I have my doubts that he 'works alone' as the media would say."

"They'd lie about that to cover up their mistakes," the bespectacled boy said logically, nodding as he began to fit the pieces together. It strongly reminded him of Kaneshiro during his days in Tokyo.

"Well, we need to ask around when we get back," Goro decided with a nod of confirmation to his own declaration. "I will read more when I get my computer back from Kitagawa."

Ren lifted an eyebrow. "Back? Back from where…?"

.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

"Beach?" Ren asked, bewildered.

"Yes! We are going to Coney Island Beach!" Ann exclaimed, waving a hand as she did so. She pulled out her phone, pulled something up, and shoved it under his nose. "Look!"

Ren squinted as he read the tiny print, scrolling through the images. "How did you hear about it?"

"I know all the best destinations," Ann said proudly and flapped away his question. "Goro said he'd drive."

"Did he?" Ren mumble though it was only audible for Ryuji, who had his elbow on his shoulder despite being shorter than Ren. He turned to his friend and drew his eyebrows together. "Did you agree to this?"

"Why not?" Ryuji said with a shrug of his own shoulders. "I figured I could use a vacation."

"You are on vacation," Goro deadpanned and shook his head. "We all know why you want to go so don't bother. Anyway, we should leave soon so we can get there by the afternoon."

Sumire sighed happily. "A day on the beach! What a way to spend summer!"

"Perhaps they will have the finest lobster yet!" Yusuke said with excitement. He clapped his hands together. "I shall bring along my sketchbook! Only a true artist is inspired by the unknown!"

Ren soon found himself packing his backpack with supplies for the beach, sticking Morgana inside, who was meowing in protest.

"It's too hot in there!"

"That can't be helped," Ren stated unsympathetically. He pushed Morgana's head in more and zipped up his bag to keep him from falling out. "The car has AC."

"You guys forget about me," Morgana said, still trying to pull out excuses to stay out of said bag.

"You are always talking. We can't forget about you," he countered swiftly, throwing the bag over his shoulder and exiting his room, phone in hand with the directions pulled up. He nearly ran into Goro on his way out. "Sorry…"

"That is fine," he replied and tilted his head. "I don't recall spending much time at beaches in the past…"

Ren hummed as he tried to picture the uptight teen at such a commonplace. "Have you been recently?"

"I can't say that I have," Goro answered and turned a bit red. "I'm not sure what to expect."

Ren smirked but offered nothing else to say. He merely strode past the boy with a wave of his hand, glad to know living the life as a normal kid would now apply to the sanctimonious detective.

.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Ren hissed as hot sand covered his shoes, burning the skin on his feet. He ducked down quick to brush it off only to feel the sun slowly cooking his back. Ryuji shed his shirt and used it to dry his forehead. He whined pitifully and shielded his eyes from the sun with his hand.

"Shit, it's hotter than I thought!"

"Then get your whiny ass in the water," Ann huffed, earning a giggle from Sumire. She plucked her shoes off her feet and removed the towel wrapped around her waist, revealing her long legs. "Keep up!"

She removed her shirt and set her things aside in the sand, dusting herself off before racing towards the ocean. Sumire followed in suit, hopping right into knee-deep water with Ann, the two diving beneath the waves in a matter of seconds. Yusuke removed his white over-shirt and dug his toes in the sand, evidently not minding its scorching temperature.

"I shall indulge in the beauty this ocean has to offer."

Ren pulled the shirt over his head and put it next to Ann's things, allowing himself to be shoved towards the water and only stopping to look at Goro with one eyebrow raised.

"Are you going?"

Goro turned red although Ren was not sure whether it was from the heat or something else.

"Going where?" he snapped.

"The water, dumbass," Ryuji snorted and rolled his eyes.

Goro eyes it suspiciously then nodded, gingerly stepping away from their things and following the others to the ocean. The water lapped hungrily at Ren's ankles, cooling his feet in an instant. He barely had time to react before Ann kicked water in his face; he threw his hands up, but he ended up with a mouthful of saltwater. He spluttered and placed a well-aimed kick back, effectively splashing her although the effect was miniscule as her hair was already wet. Goro stopped beside Ren and rubbed the sleeve of his shirt over his nose.

"Smells like the ocean," he commented.

Ren rolled his eyes and met Ryuji's eyes over Yusuke's shoulder, giving him the smallest of nods. For the first time, Goro remained oblivious as he tried to wade around in the water, looking and most likely feeling out of place. Yusuke bent down to dip his hands in the water before pointing to Morgana, who was fast asleep on the beach.

"It seems like someone is enjoying himself," he said and tilted his head.

"At least one of us is," Ren retorted, throwing Goro a look.

The detective scowled and opened his mouth to respond, but Ryuji had come up from behind and swiped both his legs out from under him, effectively putting his rear in the water. Goro gasped and flailed around in the shallow water, whipping around to glower. Ryuji waved guiltily and threw up his hands.

"I call teams!" he stated and pointed at Ren. "This guy's on mine!"

"Kitagawa," Goro said and finally got to his feet, doing his best to wipe the water from his face and hair. "Then you are mine."

"What?" Yusuke asked blankly.

"Fair enough," Ryuji said with a shrug of his shoulders.

Ren felt a grin spread over his face as he dropped to a knee and kicked Yusuke's legs out from under him. His former teammate let out a yelp worthy of a fox and fell face-first into the ocean. He got up on his hands and knees, shaking his head as he flicked his wet hair from his eyes.

"You asked for it."

Yusuke used his weight to pin Ren down, but the latter was smaller, able to slip from his grasp, doing a back handspring; Yusuke stepped back to avoid getting kicked in the face, but went for another offensive attack. Ren did a flip over Yusuke's head to avoid a hefty swipe and landed behind him. He underestimated his friend's arm length and was thrown off guard when Yusuke gave him a shove at the chest. His braced wrist did him no favors as he did his best to guard it, and overbalanced.

"Only because you are crippled, my leader," Yusuke lamented and extended a hand to help him up.

Ren grunted but accepted the gesture, heaving himself to his feet and shaking water from his hair. Ryuji effectively had Goro pinned, letting out a triumphant cry as he leaped off the brunette and clapped him on the back with a toothy grin. Goro grumbled something inaudible, causing Ryuji to throw his head back and howl with laughter; the boys' rough-housing had caught the attention of the girls, who came wading over after hearing their commotion.

"You didn't wait for me?" Ann asked, feigning offense. She clicked her tongue and lunged at Ryuji unexpectedly, cartwheeling to avoid his dodge and caught him with her foot.

"Shit, ow!" Ryuji whined and tried to make a grab.

But, seeing as she was far more acrobatic, she sidestepped easily and vaulted over his head, twisting midair and landing neatly behind him to strike him in the back of his head.

Ryuji groaned dramatically and rubbed the back of said head. Sumire followed up with a second attack, doing a back handspring and catching Ryuji's chest with her foot. Ren, deciding to be a good teammate instead of watching, jogged to his aid. He ducked to avoid Sumire's swing and rolled out of the way as she tried to stamp on him. With a kick-up from the ground, Ren went to grab Ann from behind, arms snaking their way around her midriff and quite literally lifting her off her feet.

"Put me down, cheater!" Ann exclaimed and tried twisting in his arms, but Ren merely stepped back until he put enough distance between them and Ryuji, who was on the ground.

"I win," Ren stated factually as he set her down and tilted his chin up smugly.

"I'd hardly count that as a win," Ann snorted and poked him in the stomach. "I'm getting some water. Want to come?"

Ren nodded and followed her out of the water as she called back to them, counting all those who wanted a bottle, too. He grabbed his white button-down and slung it over himself as he walked, feeling the need to wear something while they ventured away from the beach. As they wandered towards the straw-hut bar, Ren only had a few moments to relish in the AC blasting from it, when someone started whistling. Ann grunted in agitation, whipping around to find the culprit, eyes landing on a man, who was nudging his friend.

"Men are gross."

Ren chuckled at that and nodded in agreement; he switched positions to block their view of Ann, bending his head to help her with counting the money value. This seemed to anger the men for they got up and out of their seats to stride over to the pair. Ren immediately stiffened but did his best to ignore them while Ann growled and raised her gaze to meet them with an even glare.

"What?" she said unpleasantly.

"Can I get you something?"

"No."

The men exchanged looks before the taller of the two snapped his fingers to the employee. "Daiquiri for the lady, please."

"I said I'm not interested," Ann huffed and curled her hands into fists, a deep scowl appearing on her face. "Get lost."

"Ungrateful tramp," the shorter man scoffed and rolled his eyes, turning to his friend. "She isn't worth it."

"No, no, she just needs to warm up," the taller man said and sidled over to Ann, but was effectively blocked off. "What the hell?"

Ren clenched his jaw and stood in front of Ann, not to protect her, but to prevent her from getting into a full-blown fight. She trembled at his side though not from fear but fury. She gripped his right arm tightly.

"Don't start trouble."

Ren's gaze sharpened behind those lenses, but he kept his hand crossed over on Ann's shoulder in warning.

"We weren't talking to you," the shorter snapped and moved in, matching Ren's step forward. "Mind your business."

"We were," the teen deadpanned mockingly.

Wham.

Ren's vision swam as someone punched him square in the nose. His glasses flew off his face and landed in the sand a few feet away. The crowd gasped as they all got out of their seats to back away. The employee scrambled for the phone, stumbling awkwardly and dropping it. He didn't grab it right away, too transfixed on the scene.

Ren picked up his head and glared at his assailant; without those black-framed glasses, his eyes were far more intense...intimidating even. The boy had ripped off his mask to reveal what really lay beneath the surface. The shorter faltered and grabbed the taller by the arm and shook his head.

"Don't bother with the whore."

"Ann, no!"

Ren reached out to hold her back by the waist as she lunged, ready to strike. She struggled in his arms but sighed and turned her attention to him instead, helping him stand upright and retrieving his glasses for him. Her hands shook as she held them out for Ren, who took them gratefully and put them back on, vision clearing.

"I don't know how you're so calm!" she hissed angrily, baring her canines as she gave serious forethought about going after them. "They hit you!"

"Because that doesn't happen often," Ren said, trying to add some levity to the conversation. However, he sighed mildly when Ann did not crack a smile. "Because then there would be two angry people in this conversation, and we'd get nowhere."

Ann sighed and ran a hand down her face.

"You're fiery, that's not a bad thing," Ren said and put a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. He would definitely have another bruise to add to his amalgamation. "Do you still want that water?"

He stepped up to the counter and gave the employee a respectful nod, who stammered awkwardly.

"E-easy, man," he said and cleared his throat. "You good?"

"Fine," Ren said, frowning a bit. "May we have six bottles of water?"

"S-sure," the employee said, accepting the exchange of purchased goods and rubbing the back of his neck. "I can call security...do you wanna press charges or something?"

"No," Ren replied shortly and turned away, not wanting to deal with more law enforcement. He waved a hand as he departed. "Don't bother."

He and Ann padded back down to the beach, where he was beginning to feel the familiar throbbing in his nose this time, grunting as he adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose with some trepidation. He tried to will away the tenderness and force himself back into a loping stance.

"Shit, took you ages," Ryuji griped though his voice died in his throat as he saw Ann's expression. "You okay?"

"Fine," she said and let out a ragged exhalation, tossing him a bottle then the rest of them to the others. "Sometimes I really can't stand people."

"What happened?" Sumire asked as concern filled her voice.

"Nothing," Ren interjected and stepped forward, gesturing to their things on the sand and Morgana still fast asleep. "Let it be our time to relax."

His eyes traveled across the group of friends, sight finally resting on Goro, who was talking to Sumire rather animatedly. He had, at some point, removed his shirt; Ren felt his cheeks burn—he never saw Goro without a shirt but it felt strange to him...foreign even. Ren looked away, clearing his throat.

"Relax? Dude, there's like an entire beach of girls in bikinis," Ryuji said bluntly then flushed when he forgot he was in the company of females. "Well...Yusuke's joinin'...you game?"

Ren was about to nod, but stopped when he saw Ann cast her gaze downward, and proceeded to shake his head. "I'm going to rest."

Ann flashed him a look from the corner of her eye, but said nothing. Ren counted it as a sign of approval…

.oOo.

The sun began melting beneath the water's surface, darkening the horizon and the sky above. It was becoming hard to see much around them but life on the beach did not stop there. Music blared from seemingly all angles as everyone from all different backgrounds gathered together to dance and share their laughter with one another. Ryuji insisted on going over there to "scope out the area", but Ann knew he was looking to pick up girls. Yusuke shrugged impassively while Sumire dragged Goro away to dance, which was amusing because she knew the detective never danced. In fact, she had never seen Goro do anything other than scowl and argue with Ren…

Ren.

She stared at their leader with mingled feelings, realizing how comfortable she got with him and how comfortable he seemed to be with her. The pair had spent the rest of the afternoon together, talking about whatever came to mind first. He changed back into jeans and white button-down, leaving the last few buttons around his collar undone due to the heat.

Ann had spent time alone with Ren, but it was always when she was in a crisis. It was a bit embarrassing as she wanted to show everyone she was no damsel in distress. Still, perhaps it was going to be a permanent, running title of hers as long as she kept her job as a model. She sighed dejectedly and drummed her fingers against the bottle, mourning its loss of coldness.

"How are you?"

It was such a simple and innocent question although Ann knew it had a much deeper meaning to it. She rubbed her arm and looked up at Ren with a thoughtful hum, blue eyes meeting gray.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"I would," Ren replied earnestly, rolling the sleeves to his elbows.

Ann sighed and turned the other way to look out at the ocean, admiring its blue beauty. Perhaps Yusuke really did bring up some good points in his speech about the ocean's overwhelming mystery.

"At least I did get a free drink out of it," Ann said, lifting the small daiquiri glass sadly. "Nothing's worse than bartender pity…"

Ren lifted the bottle of beer and smiled warmly at her. "It got me a free drink."

"Disregarding the fact he let two underage teens drink," Ann chuckled and shook her head. "That's how bad it must've looked, eh?"

Ren shook his head and popped the top off, flicking into the air with his thumb before he pocketed the cap.

"To...us?" she asked, lifting her drink up and extending it out to him. "And to how far we've come."

"Cheers," Ren said. "Try some."

Ann wrinkled her nose as the two switched drinks, taking a cautious sip and spluttering as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She had never gotten accustomed to the bitter taste of beer, but this dark drink tasted far worse. Ren chuckled as he took a small, polite sip of hers before returning it.

"Gross," Ann said as her eyes moved over to the crowd around the dancefloor. She frowned lightly as Ren had stopped her by the arm and drew her in, arm draping around her shoulder. "How are you?"

"I'm well," Ren replied with that annoying formality she thought he had long shaken when he was with her.

"Why aren't you over there?" Ann inquired slyly, finding amusement in teasing him lightly. "I thought you were going with Ryuji to pick up girls."

Ren shrugged his shoulders but said nothing else.

"Come on," Ann prodded, grinning as she found herself feeling better now that the conversation was no longer on her. "You and Sumire hang out all the time. Are you two becoming a couple?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Ren parroted cheekily and flashed her a smirk, one that Ann had to still get used to.

"I can see a white picket-fence, surrounded by children—"

Ren made a face.

"What? You don't like kids?" Ann asked, a grin spreading across her face at the mere thought of Ren wrestling with snot-nosed children.

"They're loud," he said.

"Not as loud as Ryuji," Ann snorted.

A smile flitted across his face, but it faded a little too quickly for her liking.

"You don't want kids of your own? A family?"

Ren's eyes seemed to unconsciously snap right back to the crowd, but he forced them to look at the ocean instead.

"Ren?"

"No," he said curtly and cleared his throat, possibly trying to cover his slip in demeanor. "Not really my thing."

Ann hummed, taking a long look at her friend; while he did seem like the one who would be happiest surrounded by the ones he was closest to, she genuinely could not conjure up the image of Ren sitting on some neutral-colored couch, posing for a Christmas photo with a wife at his side and children in his lap and between him and his significant other. In fact, whenever she saw him, she truly only saw one thing…

While she knew the rest of the Phantom Thieves would be happy going back to their peaceful lives, able to adjust to life as a retired Persona user, she could not see Ren adjusting well. Perhaps it was because she saw him as their fearless Phantom Thieves Leader, but she couldn't see Ren without Joker.

"To each their own," Ren had said, interrupting her thoughts. However, he stared at her, most likely to turn the conversation back onto her despite her best efforts. "Anyways?"

"What?" she inquired a bit sharper than she meant to.

"You never answered my question," Ren replied, voice lower in octave. "Why?"

"I'm fine, Amamiya," she said and took a sip of her drink to avoid having to say anything else. "When did you become so pushy all of the sudden?"

"Long time ago," Ren said, his baritone voice vibrating his whole chest. Ann looked up at him with a curious glance as he shrugged his shoulders. "Do you expect me to believe your answer?"

"Yes," Ann said defiantly, eyebrows drawing together. "Why wouldn't you?"

"You love to dance," Ren stated plainly, gesturing to the straw-hut bar and the dancefloor adjacent to it. "You would be over there on a normal night."

Ann felt her chest tighten as her thoughts went out to Ryuji, but she forced herself to think of anything else. She watched Ren's eyes scrutinize her over his bottle of beer, other hand drumming a beat on her shoulder.

"I figured you needed a break," Ann said, deciding to take another angle to the conversation.

Ren turned his head to the side and tipped his head upwards to take a long draw, a glisten of sweat on the long stretch of his neck. With one arm raised to drink and the other around her shoulders, Ann finally had the chance to confront him.

"Hm?" he asked.

"Looks like you really did take some hits back there," Ann said and brushed his fingers against his bruised and mottled skin underneath the white fabric.

Ren flinched a little at her touch, and dropped his beer back to his side, using that hand to brush away hers.

"What? Don't want me touching you?" Ann teased as she felt some of her normal self return.

"Not there," Ren replied although he seemed to have noticed her jest and broke out into a smile of his own.

"What?" she demanded albeit her smile never left.

"Your eyes are the same color as the water," Ren observed and pocketed his hands, searching her face as if looking for an answer to his unspoken question.

How many times has she heard her eyes were like two oceans...they seemed cliche then, but now she felt her spirits lift at the compliment.

"Are you sure you don't want to dance? I'll join," Ren asked, gesturing to the music. "It's fine by me."

"For once," Ann said with exhilaration and launched herself towards the crowd, grabbing him by his good wrist and pulling him along.

She yanked him all the way until they reached the dancing lights on the sand and the crowd of people who were cheering on Sumire and Yusuke's ballet duet. Ann felt a twinge of annoyance as her favorite dance partner was occupied once more, but glad she had another friend to share in the fun. She dropped to the floor, allowing the music to fill her ears, her head, and her heart. She twirled around and swayed her hips to the music, arms up and fingers snapping to the bass. She pulled her hair out of its bun and let it drape over her shoulders.

Ann ignored the whistles and let herself get lost in the music. Contrary to others' belief, she danced for herself, not for anyone else. She loved to dance...it was her way of expressing herself when words failed. She felt the rhythm with each movement, her body moving exactly the way she wanted to. It was invigorating. She felt someone slide up to her, but she recognized the feel of Ren's frame against her own to know she would not have to get defensive.

Ann grabbed his hand as he twirled her away from him; she went to grab Sumire from the crowd, who began to leap around with the grace of a gymnast. Together, the pair danced as if there was no one else around.

"Yusuke," Sumire called out with a wave of her hand.

Ann grabbed Ren's hand as Yusuke returned to Sumire's side, dancing at her side with the same kind of elegance she projected. She pushed Ren into place and began dancing on him, eyes flashing as they met—

Goro's?

She flashed him the most triumphant look she could muster and let a smug smirk flitter across her lips as Akechi clenched his jaw. She wondered if Ren ever noticed the way Goro regarded him every time they interacted although based on the way Ren did not even bother looking indicated he was as oblivious as ever. His hands rested comfortably on her hips although she was sure if looks could kill, she would have been smited by now.

"I'm not trying to tell you what to do," Ren said huskily, pausing as he tipped the beer to his lips. "But it appears you've caught the attention of our friends."

She looked around sneakily, finally scouting Ryuji in the mass of people, staring with his jaw dropped to the ground.

"It doesn't matter," Ann said nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders as she twirled around him, dropping before bouncing right back up. "I don't dance for anyone."

Ren chuckled as his head finally lifted. Ann watched him carefully, wondering if he was going to find Goro in the crowd, but his expression was impenetrable to interpretation as ever. His eyes flashed behind those glasses, but his search was fleeting. He turned his attention back to her and gave her a soft smile, shrugging a shoulder as he finished his drink, knee going in between her legs. She dropped onto his leg and gyrated to the music, feeling the heat get to her head, but it was impossible to tell what it was from.

Inwardly, she knew Ren was as interested in her as she was in him—which was nonexistent. While she admitted he had a kind personality, she never harbored any attraction towards him. Perhaps it was why they were so comfortable with one another; Ren was definitely the first male to not make some flirtatious comment about her looks...or even bring it up in the first place. In fact...Ann could not recall him ever showing affection or romantic interest in anyone…

She watched other women begin to dance much more suggestively although she never thought it was her style. Ryuji was definitely watching these other girls twerk their hips...even Yusuke turned bright red, but Ren watched them with an expression of impassiveness...almost boredom. Ann stifled a chuckle to herself as her mind began to fit pieces together.

Perhaps Ren did have feelings...just for someone specifically…

"Ann?"

Ann snapped out of her stupor and blinked up at him. It was hard to see his eyes past the reflections of the blazing lights, but she knew it was intense.

"What?"

"Can I kiss you?"

Ann's head reeled as she looked at him with eyes wide.

"W-what?"

She looked around as if the answer or some sort of clarification would appear right before her eyes, but it was her first mistake. She spotted Ryuji not far off from the dancing women, holding one by the waist; their limbs were mesh, making it impossible to tell whose was whose. Ann's heart seized as she felt the muscle in her jaw jump.

" Yes ."

Ann closed the height difference and squeezed her eyes shut, wishing it would be over.

.oOo.

Goro had watched the entire ordeal with gritted teeth and promptly vacated the thick crowd in favor of getting another one of his favorite drinks. In all honesty, he had lost track of how many he had consumed, but it was enough to make his vision double. He sat on one of the stools, a ways off from the crowd and the overbearing hum of the loud music, relishing in this solitude.

"How old are you?"

Goro rolled his eyes and pulled out the fake identification card he had Futaba make; the bartender grunted a thank you and departed, leaving Goro to his thoughts once more. He gripped his glass tightly, now surrounded by a few more empty ones. He truly hadn't a clue why he was feeling surly, but something did not sit right with the ungodly sight he witnessed on the dancefloor.

"What're you doing?"

Goro jumped at the slightly slurred voice and narrowed his eyes as Ren's infuriating face came into focus.

"I was enjoying the lack of your presence."

Ren chuckled and swayed a bit as he took the bar stool next to him, resting his elbows on the table as he ordered a drink for himself.

"How's life as a teen?" Ren said, definitely slurring his words. Even intoxicated, Goro still felt a thrill of electricity surge through his veins. "Well, life as an average kid, who falls into the traps of false adulthood?"

"What?" Goro asked, his own voice sluggish.

"Drinking, parties, girls," Ren said and stifled a burp as he waved his drink to the scene in general. "Mingle with the commoners so to speak."

"Fuck you," Goro said lazily and rested his chin in his hand; he glared at the other from the corner of his eye and grumbled under his breath.

"You don't dance?" Ren inquired after a short pause, eyes swiveling to look at the dancefloor.

"I don't care to," Goro said swiftly.

Ren hummed and shrugged his shoulders, cupping his own face in his right hand, his left wrist still in a brace.

"I didn't know you go round fruitlessly osculating others," Goro said with a bite to his tone, trying to sound disapproving more than jealous.

"Only you would call kissing osculating," Ren said in amusement, smiling at that, but it was enough to agitate Goro further. The bespectacled boy sighed and pulled out a cigarette, sliding the pack to him. "On the house."

"They're mine anyway," Goro huffed and took one out for himself, waiting for the lighter.

Ren lit his with a flick of his thumb; he held out the lighter, but Goro ignored the offer and got to his feet, traveling around the stool. The buzz of the alcohol made him unsteady, but he stumbled over to Ren and lifted the end to Ren's and inhaled deeply.

"Does it bother you?" Goro asked craftily, feeling empowered over the other as he fumbled with his words, losing that flippant demeanor.

"N-no."

"Okay," Goro replied smoothly and leaned back, blowing the smoke out of his nose with a shrug of one shoulder. He sat back down and leaned heavily on both arms, which braced themselves on the counter of the bar. "You know what bothers me about you so much?"

"Do I have the time for all your grievances?" Ren drawled sluggishly, staring at him behind those heavily lidded eyes.

"I can read everyone like an open book," Goro confessed with ire, curling his hands around the glass tighter as he took another sip. "But you...I can't figure you out."

"There's nothing to me," Ren said and paused, excusing himself but plunging in. "There is nothing to figure out about me. You know of my past and now apparently my future."

Goro shook his head and put his face in one hand, rubbing his eyes. "That is the problem. That is only surface level information. It feels like I barely know you."

"You know me more than anyone else," Ren said softly, words almost inarticulate from the alcohol he was still consuming. He took a long drag and blew out the smoke slowly, eyes watching nothing in particular. "Whether I like it or not…"

With that, Ren unsteadily rose to his feet, having to use the bar to balance, before he waved Goro off with a hand. He watched the ravenette melt back into the crowd, disappearing from sight. Goro sighed in frustration and slammed a hand on his fist, deciding to order one more drink before slapping down a large bill and walking off with the glass held tightly in his hand.

.oOo.

Ren found Ryuji, face red and eyes dazed, but grinning madly at him as he waved him over. Ren stumbled over to his blonde friend, allowing him to throw an arm around his neck and hang on as he struggled to formulate a sentence.

"I didn't know America had such great parties," he said boisterously, waving a hand to the crowd. "Sooo many girls here. Which ones should we try our luck with?"

"You're sloshed," Ren chuckled and adjusted accordingly to accommodate the extra weight.

"You, too, Ren-ren," Ryuji said and gave him a bit of a shake. "Didn't expect it to take a few beers 'nd glasses, but damn!"

Ren hummed in pleasure.

"Damn…'m impressed!"

"I bet."

Ryuji began jumping up and down as the song changed to something everyone seemed to love. He dragged Ren by the arm, hyping him up to join in. Ren, who had lost most of his reservation, began jumping with the crowd, accepting a necklace of glow sticks to be thrown over his head and around his neck.

"I saw ya with Ann," Ryuji slurred sloppily and clapped him on the back. "Are ya with her?"

"No," Ren said with a hiccup, causing Ryuji to laugh. "Not her…"

"Make out with someone else," Ryuji shouted as he and the rest of the crowd began throwing up their glow sticks. "That'll like cure 'em or somethin'."

Ren rolled his eyes and felt Yusuke approach him from the left, his own cheeks red and speech slowed.

"What a rendezvous!" Yusuke exclaimed as he tried to suppress a laugh behind his hand.

Ryuji groaned theatrically at Yusuke's choice of words, but in all honesty...Ren could not have put it any other way...