I was playing around with the idea that Makoto's Metaverse...aggressiveness could slip out here and there in daily life. I think this chapter is a little more risque than usual. But, hey...what better way to show Makoto laying down the law? I mean, I can think of a few otherwise, but...never mind. Whatever. I really liked writing this chapter.

"Makoto, come on."

"...Hm."

The clipped answer he received made Akira marvel once again at how he had managed to get Makoto to even sit in his lap. Then again, even that took quite a while...He pawed at her shoulder again, but Makoto didn't budge, instead keeping her gaze resolutely on the veritable pages of Buchimaru: The Making Of. The younger teen took off his glasses and tossed them on the coffee table, resting his chin on her shoulder glumly when she didn't even look at the impact. "I said I was sorry."

"That you did."

He groaned and tightened the grip his arms had around her waist. A victory cry rang in his one part of his mind when he felt her relax just a bit into the embrace. A more desperate part was scrabbling for something to dig himself out of the hole he had admittedly dug himself into. "Want me to make you some coffee?"

"I would appreciate something else."

Akira lit up, only too happy to get back into Makoto's good graces. "Yeah! Yeah, of course, what do you want?"

Makoto flipped another page, and Akira was almost sure that she was going back to ignoring him until he heard a soft, "...go."

"Hm?"

"Let go. Er, please."

Much as he was reluctant to give up a half hour of progress, Akira complied, letting go of her waist, scooting back, and keeping his hands raised for good measure. With a dull thump, her book slammed shut, though Akira wasn't sure if that was because of her own strength or from just how many pages were in it. "...Do you remember telling me those drunk ladies were flirting with you?"

"Y-yeah…?"

"And you had 'no choice' but to flirt back?"

"Lala-chan told me it would - oh...Oh."

Makoto set the tome down next to his glasses and plucked them up to set them down properly upright. The dichotomy between her behavior and how she treated the glasses was utterly baffling. The uncertainty was only amplified when she turned in her seat and crawled towards him. Akira's mind stalled, unsure of what to do when she climbed onto his lap and pushed him against the backrest, hands planted firmly on his shoulders. The lionhearted guts he had developed the year they met did nothing to diminish how scary she looked at that moment, eyes glimmering red as she murmured, "...I can't say that I like hearing about that."

It was then that Akira realized the critical mistake he had made when he had recounted his shift at the Crossroads bar. "Makoto-"

"Quiet."

She leaned down and met his eyes, feeling a surge of pride when he fidgeted guiltily. After five heavy seconds, she smiled mischievously. As refreshing as the change in expression was from cold stares, Akira still felt a chill go down his spine. "...I have an idea of how to discourage them."

"Would you mind if discuss we discuss it first or-"

"Stay still."

"Okay, good talk…"

Makoto smirked at his quick surrender and rubbed his shoulder soothingly. It was hard to actually garner any comfort from the gesture, mostly because of the predatory look in her eyes. Still...some part of Akira, perhaps the daring Joker part, was excited to see what she had in store for him.

She leaned in close, playfully grinding her head against his and inching towards his neck; Akira winced when he felt a light pinch there. "Makoto-"

Her breath was hot as she raised her mouth from his skin and hissed, "I said, quiet."

Akira felt the best course of action was to, per her demand, shut up and let her do whatever she was doing, so he obeyed. He could feel her sucking on the spot she had previously bit, putting two and two together as to Makoto's intention. "Y-you can't be serious..."

Rather than answer him with words, she playfully bit his neck again, forcing a surprised yelp out of him. That was interesting…

She mercifully pulled back a few seconds later, panting softly as she met his gaze again, eyes noticeably darker with poorly veiled passion. "...Now, they'll think twice about flirting with you."

Makoto's tone was even, but it was plain to see that she was blushing just as deeply as he was.

She punched him lightly in the stomach, maybe to hide her own embarrassment, and settled into his lap. Akira managed a laugh despite being winded, putting his hands on her hips to keep her steady. "I'm sure they'll get the message."

Makoto took a deep breath and chose her next words carefully. "I hope you understand now why you shouldn't tell me these things on date night."

Having what upset her spelled out so plainly was the last piece of the puzzle. Akira raised his hands in acknowledgment but quickly brought them back to her sides to keep her steady. "I get it. I'm sorry. Sometimes I talk before I think."

"I've seen you botch enough hold-ups in the Metaverse to believe that wholeheartedly."

"Right. Now, let me add on that we agreed we both have a lot to learn about this whole romance thing."

That was fair. Makoto accepted this with a giggle. "That we did."

Akira smiled in relief and planted a light kiss on her lips. "So…"

Makoto smirked and gently brushed her thumb against the blemish on his neck. "Water under the bridge."

"Good. I guess that means it's time for a counterattack."

"What - hey!"

Akira moved quickly, the scoundrel! The hands that had been so carefully holding her sides tightened their grip as he swiftly reversed their positions and pushed her down into the couch cushions. They both knew the former council president was strong enough to throw him off, but Makoto went along with the game willingly, content with his boldness and curious as to what this 'counterattack' was. A laugh was audible in her voice as she lay under him, cheeks red and a smile on her face. Her tone was playful as she purred, "How the tables have turned…"

Akira flashed a cocky grin, one that would normally be reserved when he was operating as Joker. "Well, if you're gonna leave a mark on me, it's only fair that I get to do the same."

Her eyes flashed red with an unspoken challenge as she linked her hands behind his neck, only too willing to see where this went. He smiled back and dipped down to kiss her, feeling her fingers thread into his messy hair as they sank into the couch ever so slightly.

[- The Following Afternoon -]

"What's with the scarfs?"

Ryuji sipped his soda noisily as he stared at the couple he was addressing. The expectant look on Yusuke's face as he jotted down the details of how they were behaving didn't do them any favors. Akira and Makoto shared a look, hiding their ensuing blushes behind their red and black scarves, respectively. "...No reason."

Hoo boy, this has been a productive day. It's weird, I'm usually used to massive levels of incompetence coupled with oodles of writer's block. I gotta keep this up!