2. Comfort

11/20. Not Ren's best day. Futaba can make it better.

Pain. That was all Ren really knew at the moment: pain, and the feeling of his world turning upside down and inside out. He stumbled out the car, unable to really keep himself up, leaning against Sae as she took him to the door at Café Leblanc. Certainly not the best way to return home, but at least he was returning home. Vague memories of a plan lingered in his mind as he stumbled into the café, but it was all too soon for him: the drugs and the beatings were still fresh on his mind. What details he missed as he had given his testimony to Sae were irrelevant for the time being.

"Good lord kid, what did you?" Sojiro's voice made him look up. "You're not dead, but geez, I wouldn't be surprised if you were in that state." His words were accompanied by him walking around the counter to meet him.

"The police were… not kind to him." Sae said sharply. "He will likely need medical attention."

"Great…" Sojiro shook his head as the woman left Ren in his care. "I'll give Takemi a call, and I suppose Futaba too… or maybe not. She already has this place bugged."

Ren nodded, before collapsing into a booth. He was certainly worse for the wear.

Futaba had been on edge: being fair she was scared. She knew Ren should be alright- it was only a matter of convincing Sae and the rest was up to her, and she didn't screw it up. The brief moment when the location data had been reflected on both phones had come and gone, the Metaverse Navigator activated on time.

The announcement had still hurt. "The leader of the Phantom Thieves has committed suicide."

She had faith in their plan, faith in her own abilities, and trust that her dear key item was safe and sound. But it still had her nervous, more so than the crowds of Akihabara. Anything slightly wrong and bam, Ren was actually dead, and she didn't think she could take that: He meant way too much for her. He was her victory condition, her key item. The savior that stole her heart and saved her life. But more so, he was her boyfriend, her love.

So, for hours after getting home from the heist, she had waited, hoping the next person to walk into Leblanc was Ren. The news announcement came first. Still no sign of her key item, and the fear that he was actually dead was really getting to her. There was a sudden opening of the door just as Sojiro was getting ready to close up for the night. Sae Nijima, and more importantly her beloved key item had been brought there.

She didn't remember running so quickly.

Ren rolled over on his bed. He was surprised Tae had arrived so quickly- she said she was on her way to get a cup of coffee already, and while needles were not big on his list of enjoyable things at the moment, getting something to deal with the pain from the beating the cops had given him, was. He couldn't remember what she had given him, however what he could tell was that whatever she injected him with was about as awful as the truth serum. Avoided death at the hands of Akechi, only to die by lethal injection administered by Tae Takemi. On the other hand, despite the terrible world-churning effect of whatever drug she had applied to him, the pain from the torturous beating he received from the police was starting to fade.

He closed his eyes before feeling a cool hand on his shoulder. He opened his eyes and turned back, to see Futaba standing by his bedside, tears streaking down her face. "Ren… you're alive." She said, with a smile on her face that prompted one of his own, followed by a nod. "You look… terrible though." She slowly reached out to touch his face, which was bruised and bloodied. "What did they do to you? What did they do to my key item?!" She indignantly exclaimed but covered her mouth to keep her voice muffled.

"Used me as a punching bag…" Ren said almost drunkenly. "I'm…sorry you have to see me like this 'taba."

Futaba shook her head, making a short "Fuuu" sound and lightly patted his head. "It's not your fault…" She said with a sniffle, "Hold on…" She said, before hopping up to her feet and heading downstairs. About a minute or so later, she returned with a few rags in a bowl of cool water. She took one out and gently began wiping his face.

Ren bit his lower lip in response: it wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't unpleasant either. Perhaps it was, since the rag was irritating his injury, but the sentiment that Futaba wanted to clean him up and take care of him had a calming effect. Hell, just having her here with him started making the sickly feeling of the drugs and the residual pain of his injuries recede. "Thank you, 'taba." He said softly, before she accidentally applied a bit too much pressure and the pain from his wound overcame the drug for a moment, making him yelp. Futaba immediately recoiled her hand in response but he prompted her to continue what she was doing.

He closed his eyes again, knowing he was about to pass out, when he felt Futaba lift his chin up with her hand. "Here… so you feel better." She said, before kissing him. He felt a lot at that moment. Mostly the drugs, but a warmth in his heart as he felt her gentle lips on his own was also quite powerful. He'd have to get another from her tomorrow. She'd be there in the morning. He had heard Sojiro approve it, and besides, Tae had said he should be under supervision.

"I love you, Futaba…" He said before falling asleep.

I didn't expect my first kiss to be like that.

Author's Note: Torture Drugs are bad, mmkay.