After Yu's Shadow had disappeared, the group had only stood there for a moment or two before silently entering the portal. They'd seen it enough to know when they were done for the day. Plus, morale was noticeable low, and with no grand battle, there wasn't much left to do. When they'd returned to the clearing they'd entered from, no one had much to say.

Kanji had attempted with, "We'll see you again tomorrow, Senpai."

But no one really knew if that was going to happen. This was uncharted territory for the team. No battle? Agreeing with what the Shadow had said, but still no Personas? Why did It speak that way?

The goodbye was no better, at least not in terms of convincing Yu that they were really okay.

"We'll meet up tomorrow," Rise said giving Yu a slight hug when they arrived at Junes' exit.

Chie gave him a pat on the back. "Yeah, just rest up for today."

The others shared similar goodbyes, but Yosuke kept quiet. He was sure that didn't surprise anyone considering what the Shadow had to say, but it felt weird to not be the one to perk the others up.

"We'll try to think of a more cohesive plan tonight," Naoto explained before joining the others to walk back towards their respective homes. "...Try to get some rest. You'll need your strength."

Kanji motioned to Teddie. "The bear can stay with me tonight. You guys head out."

Teddie gave the biggest, most supportive smile he could muster. "Yeah, Sensei, just get some sleep." If Ted was serious, he was worried. Then again, everyone was.

All the responses were weak, but the overload of information had probably been what really did them in. Yu had just nodded the entire time, face blank but clearly bothered. Yosuke wasn't sure what he was supposed to do, especially after what had been said, but he decided he needed to just be what he'd been before. He'd figure out if that was best later.

"Hey, let's go before it gets dark, okay?" he suggested, placing his fingers lightly against Yu's forearm. "We can eat at the house." Because he knew his friend probably wasn't up for the outside world anymore. Then again, he probably wasn't up for eating either.

Yu gave a slight nod, and started to walk with Yosuke in the opposite direction of their group. It felt odd to Yosuke, but it seemed like that was how the team was right now. Yu and Yosuke had always been best friends, always a little distant from the team, and even though the most damning words had been directed at Yosuke, they felt more separate from the others than before.

Yu walked at a slower pace than usual, but it wasn't unexpected. In fact, Yosuke was surprised he was able to move as well as he was. He tried focusing on what he could do to help Yu when they got home, but his head kept focusing back on the Shadow.

You find it easy to accept that you consider them close friends despite them knowing next to nothing about you, but not Yosuke. You made one exception—the first exception ever, and he failed you.

He had to stop thinking about it right now. There was no way he could help Yu if he was wallowing in pity. He really wanted to clear the air between them, but he had no clue where to begin.

"Yosuke."

The teen jumped at the sound of his friend's voice, but then realized Yu was drawing attention to the ringtone of Yosuke's phone.

"It's probably your father. He wanted you to call him tonight," he explained in a flat tone, his face matching it.

"It's fine. I'll call him later," Yosuke replied, pressing his hand to his pocket and silencing it.

Seconds later, it rang again.

Silence.

Ring.

Silence.

Ring.

"Yosuke. It might be important."

No it wasn't. It never was. He'd probably start bitching about something and Yosuke's head could not handle his father's nagging. He just wanted to help his friend, not do some trivial thing for his dad. There was no way he was agreeing to go in tonight if that was what the call was about. They both stepped off the road and stood near a tree as Yosuke finally opened the phone.

"Hey, Dad," he answered as casually as possible.

"What took you so long to answer?"

Yup. Nothing important.

"Sorry, I forgot I had it on vibrate. Didn't feel it in my pocket. Anyway, what's up?"

"The head office called me this morning. There's a tour group coming through tomorrow to visit the area, and Junes is going to help sponsor a few things in the shopping district as well as provide parking for the buses."

He knew where this was going.

"How many people are there going to be?"

"They're mostly here to see the Amagi Inn and stay there for the night, but there is a total of close to one hundred."

Yosuke's eyes widened. "That many?"

"The inn has been planning it for a few months, but I mentioned it to my bosses a while back and they decided to take advantage of it. Anyway, I need you and Narukami in the shopping district tomorrow. They'll all be split up, so I need you there to help with whatever questions they have."

He fought to hide his annoyance. "I mean, it's fine, but what about you? Don't you need us more at Junes?"

"No, the managers and I will be fine here. See if any of your friends want to work with you two tomorrow and let me know. I'll pay them extra for the short notice."

Yosuke ruffled his own hair and let out a silent sigh. "Yeah, yeah, we'll be there... What time?"

"Eight. It'll probably last all day, but I shouldn't need you the next day."

He wanted to throw his phone.

"Alright, I'll let Yu know."

"Your mom and I won't be home tonight, so just go straight to the shopping district in the morning and call me so I can explain everything then."

"Okay, call you in the morning."

Click.

No goodbye from his dad. There never was.

Today was really beating his ego into the ground. He didn't want to spend all day dealing with the event that Junes—as usual—slapped together last minute. His dad would be on edge and a nightmare to deal with, and there was no chance for the group to all be together.

"Everything okay?" Yu asked, breaking Yosuke's concentration.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and grumbled, "No, we have to go deal with this event tomorrow. No way we're all getting together with this thing happening."

Yosuke took a moment to explain what details he had, but he felt awful having to put more on Yu. He wanted to tell Yu to just stay home and relax, but he knew that wasn't happening. The guy would lose a limb and still be there to help.

"There are a few days left. I don't think it will be a problem," Yu said, seeming more logical about it even after all the shit thrown at him not a half hour ago. Yosuke knew he'd be an angry, depressed puddle on the ground if it were him.

"I bet everyone else is gonna be busy, too. I wonder why Yukiko never mentioned anything. No way her parents won't have her help out. Maybe she thought since it was one day it'd be okay..."

Yu shrugged. "They might have enough staff available."

"With that many people all at once? Every room will be bursting." He still sent out a group message about it. "Chie is probably gonna help her out, Rise will probably help her grandmother at their shop, Kanji's mom runs the textile shop so he'll be there. Naoto might be free, and Teddie will definitely be there..." he trailed off seeing the hollow stare his friend was directing towards the ground.

Tomorrow really didn't matter right now.

Yosuke cleared his throat. "A-anyway, let's head home."

Yu didn't answer and simply started to walk down the road again. Yosuke felt helpless. Seeing Yu so defeated and knowing there was nothing he could do—it was almost too much. Tonight was probably going to be spent with Yu trying to think of what to do, and also trying to feel out how angry Yosuke might be. He wasn't, but it'd take more than an 'I'm fine' to convince the paranoid leader; after all, Yosuke knew he wouldn't have believed Yu if the situation was reversed, and Yu was a lot more collected than he was.

The sun easily beat them even when they were only at the halfway point, Yu's slowed speed and Yosuke's dad taking up most of the time. When they reached the split that would take them down the main street, Yu took hold of Yosuke's wrist. "Can we stop somewhere first?"

"Yeah, it's whatever you need," Yosuke answered softly, hyperaware of Yu's warm hand against his skin.

"Let's go to the river," the leader said in a defeated tone, releasing Yosuke and walking down the other path.

The Inaba teen held back a little, giving Yu some space between them to breathe. He didn't think Yu would want to go anywhere other than back to the house, but he wasn't about to ask why. Thankfully when they arrived, despite the holiday, it was void of anyone. They still selected a spot on the riverbank that would prevent anyone seeing them unless they were on the opposite side of the river, but with no light around them, they were invisible, regardless. Yosuke sat down first, wanting to let Yu make the decision of how close he wanted to be. His partner sat an arm's reach away. Yosuke had hoped for closer.

Yu drew his knees up and stared off in silence for a good bit of time. Maybe he had just wanted to sit in silence and think. Although he was the opposite, Yosuke knew that this was his time to process what had been said, but all he kept thinking about was how he'd failed Yu and how he loved him at the same time. He didn't have time to think about all that earlier, but now there was nothing to do but think. He started spinning his ring and sliding it on and off, but after a moment or so, it just served to remind him of Yu's selflessness and how he couldn't even manage one act of his own. He jammed it back down and settled for gripping the fabric on the bottom of his pants. He was so disgusted with himself that he didn't know what to feel. He tried to keep steady, knowing that uneasy movement was going to just worry Yu, but it was difficult. More and more thoughts of shame kept flooding through his mind, and although they were the same general idea, the words of hate for himself were what varied. Did he deserve anything now that he knew with absolute certainty Yu didn't know if he could ever trust him again?

"I want to tell you about my past."

Yosuke jumped at the sudden sound of Yu's voice, but merely turned to look at him. His best friend looked ragged at this point. Nausea suddenly ate away at his insides. "Yu, we don't have to do this tonight. I know what I said this morning, but—"

"This isn't about my promise."

The list of what this 'conversation' was going to be about was growing more and more narrow.

"Okay... I mean... You can tell me whatever," he said, wanting to finish with 'you know that', but Yu probably didn't anymore.

The leader ran his hand through his hair a few times before taking a deep breath. "I know what my... Shadow said, but it's not as simple as that."

Leave it to Yu to actually want to talk about that monster. No one ever wanted to talk about their Shadow.

Yosuke looked at him, barely able to tell his expression in the darkness. "I know, but that's... It wasn't wrong."

"Maybe not, but it wasn't the full truth either. It won't discuss what I've accepted about myself. It won't tell you what else I feel about everyone." He turned to Yosuke. "About you."

He tried to swallow the lump in his throat, to let it join the knots in his stomach, but it held fast. He was torn between wanting to help his friend and helping the person he... loved. It was easiest when it was just to two of them, he didn't have to think about anyone else affecting them. Just about how Yu was what he needed, and that Yosuke hoped he was what Yu needed, too. He began to move his hand to take Yu's, but stopped short. Maybe that wasn't what was appropriate right now. Was that what he'd done in the past? It'd barely been a year, but their past as simply friends seemed decades ago. He wanted to be next to him, shoulders pressed together to give him courage, because Yu looked like he needed it way more than Yosuke right now. Then again, were they still... Was there a 'they' anymore?

His best friend looked at Yosuke's hand, obviously seeing the hesitation, but made no move of his own. Instead, he focused back on the river, closing his eyes and taking another breath. "Yosuke... before Inaba, I didn't feel like I was anything. I don't mean that in terms of depression or self-doubt, just that I drifted from place to place with my parents and appealed to what they needed from me. I didn't get close with anyone, I didn't see the need in putting in effort when I knew six months from then we'd be moving to another city. I didn't try to develop hobbies or likes and dislikes. I was very passive when it came to what I needed and what I was told. School was my one focus, and outside of that, I just took care of whatever house or apartment we were living in." Yu grimaced. "I just... existed. I never thought about friends or loving someone, I never even knew what those feelings felt like. I... I don't think I wanted to know. My frame of reference was my parents, we hardly saw any other family, and they seemed so indifferent towards one another. I didn't want that. I wanted to feel something for someone, but at the same time I wanted it to be simple. The trouble was, I never convinced myself I could." He face formed a tiny smile. "But... then I was told about my uncle in Inaba, and how I'd be moving in with him for a year."

Yosuke felt his heart flip.

"At first, I saw it as just another place to live, another town to exist in for a moment and then I'd be on to another place. I didn't connect it to maybe finding a friend to depend on. I could never have even imagined meeting all of you or accomplishing all the impossible things we did." The smile slipped away, seriousness replacing it. "I read about Inaba, and I was surprised that my uncle lived somewhere so remote when all of my other family lived in cities. I'd never lived in the countryside, I'd rarely even visited it. I was worried I wouldn't know what to do with the quiet." He paused for a shaky breath. "Yosuke, I know... I know I'm more reserved than you probably like, but I'd never had... quiet. My thoughts were always occupied, there was always some external source droning on in the background for my attention to focus on. I didn't have to think about my parents or grow bitter about my circumstances. During the day, I had my classmates to compare myself to, but they all complained about their family, so I felt pleased I was left alone. I felt like I was right in thinking it wasn't worth the effort. They were all so negative, and I didn't want to surround myself with those kinds of people... At first, I wondered if it was arrogance, but, like I mentioned, I convinced myself that I just didn't have time to learn about another person... I think I can accept that now I was just scared I'd learn about what it felt like to lose someone. But then... I came here. I met our friends, we worked the case together, I got to have a family." His face softened and his intense eyes locked on Yosuke's, taking his hand while doing so. "I was able to meet you."

The other teen's face was on fire, he felt like it could light up the entire riverbank with how fiercely it burned. When he saw that Yu was pausing to allow a response, Yosuke couldn't help but stumble. "I... I..." What could he say? Yu's Shadow had torn his character to shreds in the most eloquent way a Shadow had managed so far. He knew what he wanted to say, because he was still refusing to let the words that had been said, sink in. Even after hearing that Yu may never trust him again, that he might have actually messed everything up, he still felt arrogant enough to assume he could fix it. It was so ridiculous he could laugh. As a result, the words came out bitter. "I definitely hit all the points you were worried about."

Yu shook his head. "That's why I want to help you understand that it's the opposite. You didn't hear the other part. You won't hear how much you've helped me overcome from that... thing."

His chest was twisting up in pain with the realization that Yu was still trying to help Yosuke. He'd said it was his fault that he felt disappointed in Yosuke, but how could one person give that many passes? Yosuke was going to be held accountable for this. He'd be damned if Yu didn't see that by the end.

"No, but I do know that I let you down for the dumbest reason. I..." He could feel his eyes burn with the start of furious tears and turned to the river, biting his cheek to draw them back. "I let the one person I care about more than anyone get hurt... You were terrified and I..." He squeezed Yu's hand in an almost painful grip. "Yu, I fucking failed you. Stop trying to spin this where you're more in the wrong than I am. Because I was a selfish coward, you were completely alone. You would have never done that to me. You know, It was right—you actually asked me for something! You never ask anyone for anything and part of me felt vindicated." He used his free hand and covered his forehead before suppressing a pitiful laugh. "Can you believe that? I felt like all that distance you put between yourself and others didn't apply to me, I was always the exception, and even though you never came right out and said it—that was finally my proof. You blatantly made a point to say you needed me. You didn't hint or hope I'd press you, you just trusted I'd be there. And I was so obsessed with the idea of my best friend needing me, but then I just completely let you down. All because I made it about my problems without even realizing it. All because I'm so scared of my dad being disappointed in me."

Yu was quiet for some time, Yosuke matched the silence, but neither of them released the other's hand. They could hear the rush of the water, the hum of noise from town and the obvious tense breathing of the other. They'd coasted on the ease of their friendship, their compatibility finally running into its first obstacle. It was natural, friends were supposed to fight, but both of them found that... neither really knew how.

"You talk about your parents being disappointed in you," Yu finally said. "I think that's a respectable fear. You say it's a stupid reason, but... I don't think it is. Despite what I've just said, even I want to make my parents proud."

"Yeah, but... You have to worry about more complicated things," Yosuke countered, trying to make Yu see his problems were—once again—actually substantial. Definitely not the whining Yosuke was doing.

"That's not true," his friend argued back. "I worry school and my future career. I worry about how my wants—now that I have genuine aspirations that are my own—will contend with what my parent's goals are for me. I went so many years without so much as a single argument against their wishes, but now that I'm to where I can make the most important decisions, I'm finally fighting back... It just hurts because they're not doing the same." A sad smile appeared. "The more I observe them, the more sense it makes. My father's intelligence is worlds apart from my own, which I know disappoints him, and my mother is so charismatic and driven, which I clearly didn't inherit. They had so many directions they wanted me to go, but somewhere along the way they just stopped trying. No lectures or interest in my day-to-day life—nothing. And..." Yu briefly grit his teeth, balling his other hand up in a tight fist. "My parents never give up on anything, not even the most lost of causes, so I must have completely failed their expectations..." He looked to Yosuke once more, expression softening for him. "I share the same sentiment you're concerned with. I don't think I was the son they wanted. It's not something you want to accept even the possibility of."

Yosuke had a face of disbelief. "Yu, that is insane—you are like the kid every parent would want! You are perfect in school, you never do anything they'd have bail you out of jail for, you're more responsible than ninety percent of the adults I know—maybe ninety-nine! Why would you ever doubt that you're what your parents want?"

"I'd ask you the same," he answered in an amused tone.

"I am almost none of those things! Hell, I'm the reason we were arrested!"

"Why do you set the bar at me?"

"Because you're nearly perfect, dude! Even you have to see you're a cut above a lot of people."

Yu didn't seem to agree and had a deep frown. "I'm not what you always make me out to be."

"I mean, I wish I could be more like you," Yosuke admitted, now looking back at the water. "I wish I could just focus on what I needed and not be distracted by every little thing that comes my way. I don't want to be afraid of my future, but I'm just burying it under insignificant stuff. You at least tackle things head on, even when you don't want to. You're more driven than you think."

His friend let out a sigh. "But you have so much experience with things I feel are more important... I wish that sometimes I could just act on how I feel instead of second-guessing my every move. How many opportunities have I missed by not acting before thinking?"

"Think about how many disasters you've avoided."

"Regardless, I think what I wish for the most is... I wish could take a step back and be what people needed. I want to be the person who is fit to emotionally support them, not just an analytical thinker that's so detached from their situation. A listener is fine, honest advice is as well, but I want..." He paused and pulled Yosuke's hand up to look at it. "I want to be indispensible to someone... I want them to need me as much as I need them."

It was strange. Right now, Yosuke didn't see his friend, he saw someone hurting. Someone who was lost and needed another person who was strong enough to help pull them back to safety. Even if that safety was just two people sitting by a river, attempting to mutually understand the other. Yosuke wasn't great at being a hero, he definitely wasn't great at saying the words needed in these moments, but Yu... Yu was different. He'd always been different. He'd always be different. So, that's why he didn't see his friend, he just finally saw Yu. It was this one—this Yu—that he loved.

The indecision from the previous night began to dissolve. The unwanted feeling drifted to the back of his mind. The terror was forgotten as though it'd never been a concern in the first place.

And... it was okay.

He drew Yu's hand against his chest, pressing his partner's palm against where his pounding heart was, and spoke in an affectionate, quiet voice, "I need you."

Yu lips parted as if to say something, but all he did was sit and stare at where their fingers were woven together. Yosuke knew that he couldn't fix the hurt Yu felt, that he couldn't mend their friendship this quickly. Honestly, he wouldn't want it to be that easy. It wouldn't mean as much if he didn't build that trust back slowly and more securely this time. He might have failed his friend, but he wouldn't lose this fight. He refused. Even if everyone else failed Yu, he'd show him that he had one lifeline, one that wouldn't falter when the rest of the world did.

"Yu, I agree with what your Shadow said," Yosuke started, voice steady but regretful. "I mean, I don't want to, but It was right. That night when you met with Adachi, I wasn't being honest... I was so pissed that you went without us. We'd all made a promise, but... I know you well enough to know when you aren't sure of what you're going to do. I waited at Junes, I watched you enter the TV—I almost followed you in... but I didn't. I regret it, especially knowing what I know now, but I guess it was something you had to see for yourself. I wanted to punch you when you came back out, to knock some sense into you like you had me, but I froze up. I panicked, I hid behind being concerned and let down when I really wanted to tell you off." A pitiful laugh escaped. "But you know... I did want to ask what had happened. I did want to fight for you to tell me the truth—ask why you lied to us... to me." He took a deep breath. "I think I didn't because I'd grown used to you saying you were fine when I asked, even when I knew it was never the full truth... But you can't make someone open up to you. In a way, I did make it about me, so you were right. I felt like you'd chosen him over me. I didn't know why I felt so betrayed, especially when it was clear you weren't gonna just switch sides and fight for the guy, but I guess it was just the first time I didn't feel more important than everyone else. I wasn't the exception in that moment, and... it hurt... It felt like you didn't know how much you meant to me, that you didn't fully believe in me... That's why when you say that's what you want, you already found someone who you're indispensible to, even when I'm awful at showing it."

By the end of it, Yosuke's heart had slowed to a natural beat. He wasn't sure how he felt so calm—so at ease. It certainly wasn't in his nature to be pieced together like this, but maybe it was because of what he'd seen that day. His concerns had been verified, and it'd hurt—damn, did it hurt—but it meant he could finally move forward. What an odd thing to find freeing.

"Yosuke... I..."

Yu still wouldn't look at him, his gaze locked on their hands that Yosuke wouldn't move until his friend was ready.

Yosuke rescued him. "It's okay, you don't really have to say anything back. I just wanted you to know, because it wasn't something you needed to worry about. That should be the least of your concerns right—"

"You're mine, too."

For a brief moment, Yosuke wasn't sure what to feel, but he didn't try to hide the bright smile that found its way across his cheeks.

"I know."

Yu never released his friend's hand, but he did shift closer to lay his head against Yosuke's shoulder, bringing their hands to rest in the shallow valley made by their legs pressing together. Yosuke used his other hand to remove his headphones and laid his own head against Yu's, positioning himself as closely as comfortably possible.

There was a significant silence between the pair.

It didn't feel romantic, but it didn't feel like friends comforting the other, either. Yosuke wasn't able to pinpoint what the two of them were, but the line of their friendship was so blurred it was painful. They felt like soul mates that missed one final mark in the heavens to be completely what the other needed. If so, it was nearly unbearable, but Yosuke was experienced enough to know fairness was more rare than luck.

"Do you forgive me?"

The words had come from Yu in a faint whisper.

"There's never been anything to forgive, Yu."

"You know, you haven't called me 'partner' since we met with my Shadow today," he friend noted, tightening his grasp on the other even more.

Yosuke formed a half-smile, oddly happy that Yu missed the nickname as much as he did. "I was waiting to earn the right back."

He could feel Yu's face tense up. "Please don't say that."

"I'm sorry."

His best friend was quiet for another minute before taking a deep breath. "Yosuke... I know I shouldn't want to lock everyone away," he began again, his Shadow's words still plaguing him. "I want to keep you locked away most of all. How awful is that? I should not want my best friend to remain alone just so I don't have to compete for his attention. I should want you to find someone who understands you and makes you happy. I know what I want isn't what a true friend should, so why am I still not fighting against it? ...What's wrong with me?"

Yosuke wasn't sure how to work through that particular problem either, but he knew why. He knew Yu wouldn't have to compete with anyone.

"Yu, I can't think of anyone who is a truer friend than you." He leaned down to make Yu look at him, now a breath apart. "There's no one on Earth I'd rather go into battle with. No matter what, we're partners. Win, lose or draw."

This close, even with the heavy darkness cloaking them, Yosuke could see the Yu's eyes grow misty from his words.

He didn't want to share his best friend either. He didn't want to see Yu telling another how he cared for them. There wasn't a person alive that deserved his partner. He certainly didn't, but that didn't stop him from imagining. What would it feel like to be open with Yu? He could picture their life together so easily it was frightening. How? How was everything so natural between them? His old, engrained beliefs were fighting against what his heart wanted, but it all hurt too damn much.

His best friend's words were what sent him soaring above what he thought possible. Those sincere words were what gave Yosuke both never-ending confidence and grounded him when he didn't know his own limits. They were what he sought more than any acceptance he would receive from his family. It was because Yu was so vital to his life that Yosuke had offered his own without hesitation countless times before.

He looked over Yu's normally pale features, landing on the only bit of color present on his face: His lips. Maybe the adrenaline was fueling him, maybe the back and forth of what-if would come later, but he'd never forgive himself if he didn't take this chance. What was the risk? Yu punching him? He'd been there, it was something he could withstand. Yu wasn't moving away, he seemed as locked in place as Yosuke. He'd have seconds before his best friend reacted, this was the point of no return. Because if he waited even one more he was going to talk himself out of it.

Yu had been right. Yosuke was so, so tired of not getting to decide what made him happy.

Yu was what made him happy.

It did have to be Yu.

He closed the distance between them, pressing his lips against Yu's as delicately as he could manage. It was feather light, the movement so careful yet coaxing. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to be doing or feeling, but this was right. This was what his heart had been craving. He wanted to infuse in what might be their one and only kiss all of what had been tearing his heart apart. The layered mess of doubt and certainty and mixed love. It was his only chance to show Yu everything he'd been thinking and wanting, because he wasn't strong enough to say the words aloud. These brief seconds were going to be the only ones he'd ever be gifted.

...

Which was why it was so surprising to feel wetness against his cheeks. He froze, knowing those tears weren't his own. His heart sank. He'd hurt Yu. He'd hurt the one he loved. He began to pull back, terrified his selfishness had finally found Yu's breaking point, but all too quickly, fingers laced through his hair, pulling him closer than before. This time, his partner's lips were the ones to move with urgency against his own, rough enough to bring them both to the brink of pain, yet staying in the delightful limbo just before it.

With that, he found his answer.

It was a mess partly of desperation and resolution. His head was swirling with questions and doubt, while the other part was telling him to just shut up and enjoy this. His abusive consciousness won out. Yu's hands were gliding over Yosuke's cheeks, through his hair, down the side of his throat—all too fast for Yosuke's senses to follow.

"Yosuke," Yu whispered his name breathlessly against his partner's lips, never breaking away.

There was immeasurable suffering laced in his voice. In that moment, Yosuke realized that Yu's torture had carried on far longer than his own. How long had he wanted this? The weight it carried sent shivers throughout his body. The scathing words he'd heard earlier were worth it if this could be his future. If even a fraction of this happiness could be carried with him.

Yosuke's own hands were satisfied to rest along Yu's jaw line, his thumbs just under his friend's ears, his fingers curved around the back of his neck. He willed his eyes to remain closed, to seal out the world and focus solely on the warmth Yu spread throughout him. He allowed himself to breathe in the scent of earth from Yu's skin, to feel the pulse thundering against his palms, to taste the bittersweet kiss he was so glad he'd never allowed himself to imagine.

In truth, it all probably only lasted a handful of seconds, but as they parted, Yosuke burned every sense into his memory. Their shortness of breath, the way Yu's cheeks were flushed, the desperate grip of his friend's hands as they clung to the fabric of Yosuke's shirt. What moment of a person's life did they recall most easily? Yosuke's wanted to imagine this would be his.

"This... This can't be real," Yu spoke between breaths, eyes still closed. "This can't... be happening."

Yosuke's chest ached. "Yu..." His hands moved to settle against his partner's chest and cheek.

"There is no way this is real." Once again, Yu's lips found Yosuke's, this time much more brief and tender. "You can't be... This isn't real."

Yosuke responded in a soft voice, "Hey, don't talk like that... I'm right here, aren't I?" He finished with a soft laugh and pressed their noses together. "See? This is real."

Yu's fingers threatened to tear Yosuke's shirt. "Are you? What if... What if I'm being tricked again? How do I know this isn't another hallucination? ...That I haven't finally just lost my mind."

Yosuke remembered Yu's panicked voice over the phone that night, the way he struggled to discern reality from the nightmare he'd lived. He was here this time, he was able to chase away Yu's demons. He could keep his promise.

"Come on, partner," he instructed, breaking away from Yu only to help him stand. "Let's go home."

Maybe it was because Yosuke's voice was absent of nervousness, but Yu simply nodded and followed the other boy up the riverbank and finally towards the main road.

It was late evening, but Yosuke knew his parents would be out for the night. As mad as he'd been earlier, it now suited his interests, so there was no need to feel concerned.

Still, once they'd arrived in Yosuke's room, he closed and locked the door behind them. No words had been said since they left the river, they'd remained their regular distance away from the other as though nothing had happened, but it'd felt different. Yu was sitting on the couch, not looking at Yosuke, but it was unsurprising.

Yosuke reached into his pocket, pulling out the glasses he hadn't needed to use earlier that day. He walked over to his friend, kneeling down and tilting Yu's chin up to face him, touching him as though it'd always been that easy. His partner looked apprehensive, far weaker than Yosuke had ever seen him, but it would be okay. He felt confident he could fix this.

He unfolded his glasses and slipped them onto Yu's ears and nose. At first, the leader blinked a few times to adjust to the foreign object, but settled on a confused look. Yosuke had a comforting smile. "Can you see me?"

A hesitant nod.

"There's no hallucination, partner. I'm real." He removed the glasses and brought Yu's hand to his chest once more, the beat of his heart steady and clear. "It's just us. He's not here."

"But it's felt this real before. It's been much worse," Yu admitted, fighting to keep his voice even.

He thought back to the violent Shadow, how He'd physically harmed his friend. Fury bloomed in his chest, but this wasn't the time to dwell on that.

"There is no way you want this." Yu twisted up Yosuke's shirt once again, needing something to keep him from falling apart. "That's why... I can't..."

He gently cupped Yu's cheeks and held his face level to his own. "I want this."

His partner's face was pained as he shook his head. "No... No..."

He captured Yu's lips again with his own, whispering against them, "I want you."

A sob caught in his partner's throat, shaking both of them.

He pulled away to look in Yu's eyes, finally wanting their intensity to bear down on his own.

"I love you."

A wave of expressions crashed over Yu's features, all encompassing disbelief. A warm smile from Yosuke greeted Yu's doubt.

The leader moved back, creating a wider distance to think. "What... What did you just say?"

His friend's smile grew. "I love you."

Yu's breathing rapidly increased as he stared down at the floor, and his hands moved to hold his head, confusion clouding his face. The other teen let him have his moment.

"Yosuke... Just... how?" When he looked back up, his brows were narrowed, his mouth slightly open as though he'd intended to say more.

"What do you mean?"

Yu also seemed to be unsure of what he'd meant.

Yosuke scooted up closer, taking hold of Yu's shoulders. "Do you see that this is real?"

Almost instantly, Yu shook his head. "Absolutely not. This is... This makes less sense than seeing my Shadow."

It might have been somewhat dramatic, but Yosuke detected the sincerity in his words. This was understandable given what he'd been up against recently. With how Yosuke had been acting. His eyes searched for what Yu needed from him, but all he found staring back was fear.

"What I said," Yu started, voice wavering. "What It said about you. That's why this isn't real. There is no way... that you can love someone like me."

But Yosuke had made a promise.

He'd prove to Yu that he was real, that this was real—that they were real.

In one fluid motion, Yosuke had Yu laying on his back against the cushions, his legs carefully straddling Yu's hips. He stared down at his surprised friend, the distance he'd left between them a safe one in case Yu wasn't comfortable.

"Partner, I'm so sorry I hurt you... I'm so sorry you can't believe in me right now because of the things I've done to you... But please, please believe me that I do love—"

Yu grabbed Yosuke's collar and pulled him down to take his lips prisoner, closing the distance in an instant. The usual reservations left Yosuke's mind, and this time, his hands were the ones to explore Yu. He'd never felt the give of skin from another person, the roll of their muscles against his fingers as they moved back against his own. Their lips never broke as they leaned up and slipped their jackets off and cast them towards the floor. They never separated as they stumbled off the couch and fell into the same position on Yosuke's bed. Even through clothes, Yu's body felt indescribably warm against his own. Without the restrictive space of the couch, his hands freely moved along Yu's arms, down his sides, never even stopping once they reached the hem of his shirt. Yu's own desperate response was the consent he needed to move under the clothing and feel the softness of his hidden skin.

His head was spinning while the world felt muted. He could hear Yu's gasps for air he'd take during the brief pauses they allowed the other, he could hear the rustle of their clothes and the covers, he could hear his own heartbeat deafening whatever else surrounded them. But he couldn't hear enough of Yu. He needed to drown himself in that. Something broke within him, the apprehension his mind had used to defend his choices, crumbled. He wanted to love Yu. He wanted to feel him. Nothing could ever be wrong with something this wonderful.

His mouth moved off his partner's, leaving Yu to make the slightest of whimpers in protest. If Yosuke hadn't felt it as his lips found Yu's throat, he wouldn't have even noticed it. He refused to let Yu be quiet, he refused to allow him to censor himself with Yosuke right now. He broke his lips away to lift Yu's shirt over his head, another gasp escaping his partner as the cold air surrounded him. Still straddling Yu's hips, Yosuke leaned up to remove his own, crushing his body back against Yu a moment later.

Truthfully, Yosuke was lost on what he was doing. Yu had been the first person he'd ever even kissed. This was certainly unknown to him, but something akin to auto-pilot had taken control and now he couldn't imagine stopping. He wanted to feel more of Yu, to taste every inch of skin, to hear the sounds only he could bring out. All of what he wanted was probably far more than what Yu would be willing to give being the rational one of the two at all times, but Yosuke was going to make damn sure Yu's mind focused solely on this moment.

His lips were playing along Yu's neck, stopping at his collarbone only to travel back up to his jaw line, all while his fingers massaged against Yu's tense muscles along his abdomen and up and down his arms. He could feel Yu's hands, unmoving, on his back, he could feel his constrained breathing. It was too controlled. Yosuke sank his teeth into the tender flesh of Yu's neck, eliciting a cry of surprise from his partner, Yu's once reserved hands now dragging rough lines down Yosuke's back. It was a pain he hadn't thought he'd welcome so much. Yet, despite all that, Yu fought to keep still. It was driving Yosuke mad. Who they were now—it wasn't what they'd been even an hour ago. Yosuke wanted Yu to let go, to finally realize he didn't need to worry about his friend—about anything. That he needed to—

"Please," he begged in a whisper against his partner's ear, "please stop thinking."

Yu shivered beneath him, holding Yosuke impossibly closer. Yosuke settled for planting kisses in his friend's hair, still not wanting to stop touching him. A moment later, he felt Yu's lips kiss his shoulder.

"Yosuke..."

The named teen pulled back just enough to see Yu's hazy eyes.

"Yes?"

Yu finally smiled, a smile that shattered the inside of Yosuke's chest.

"I love you."

A grin broke across Yosuke's face, the knowledge that he'd proven to Yu he loved him granting him that. But the sadness in his partner's eyes couldn't be avoided.

"Yu, what's wrong?"

Confliction appeared. "Am I really okay?"

Yosuke threaded his fingers through his friend's hair. "Are you okay to what?"

Yu never lost his smile as he answered,

"...To stop."

Yosuke faltered and silenced Yu with his lips, his self-control gone once more. The natural feeling between them swept up Yosuke's doubt, not letting him question what he most likely should. With no barrier to hide behind, he was forced to act on what he truly felt in his heart. He'd take control, he'd help Yu forget, he'd let his partner have one night just to feel. This time, Yu was relaxed under his touch, even as Yosuke's hands ventured lower and bumped against Yu's belt. He unfastened both of theirs', throwing them to the side and making quick work of the buttons next. There was an unavoidable air of embarrassment from Yosuke as he slipped off the last of their clothes, but his movements were never once reluctant. Yu didn't seem the least bit hesitant, simply lost in the rhythmic coaxing of Yosuke's kiss. There was nothing masterful about the way Yosuke moved the two of them together; in fact, it was more than clumsy, but the scorching sensations of Yu's whole being pressed against him was enough to help him forget. They moaned into their kiss, the new feeling of the other too much to process all at once. Yosuke refused to let Yu break for even a breath as his hand went slowly over the arch of Yu's ribs, the slight hill and valley of his hip, finally curling behind his thigh to position the two of them more on their sides.

His pulse was a roar in his ears, there was an ache inside him that seared him from his core out to his limbs. He'd never felt less in control in his life, despite being the one who was commanding their bodies. He found the small of Yu's back and pulled him flush against him, reveling in hearing his partner's moan as their arousals pressed together once more. There was something about knowing he was the only one allowed this that sent even more excitement through him. He'd devour him if it meant he could just hear Yu uninhibited.

His partner's hands were happy to simply trace along Yosuke's collarbone, chest and shoulders. Perhaps it was because the touch was so slight, but it was like sparks spread from his fingertips with each new area Yu explored. Yu was the first to deepen their kiss, gliding his tongue against and through the block Yosuke hadn't even noticed separated them. Finally tasting their sweet desperation mixing together caused frighteningly dominant thoughts to invade his clouded mind. Every passing second made him feel dangerously powerful. He'd never been this way, he was always so set on stepping back to allow a person to find what they needed from him. Now, all he could imagine was Yu pinned beneath him, completely accepting of wherever Yosuke planned to lead them.

He tore away and kissed down his neck to his chest, all the way to his abdomen, a jolt going up his spine with each quiet, begging noise Yu would release. He needed more of them, he was growing more and more reckless as his lips and tongue found every dip in Yu's heated skin. As he ran his thumb against Yu's raised hipbone, his partner finally tensed. For the first time, Yosuke looked up to see the staggering view of Yu's half-lidded eyes, flushed cheeks, swollen lips and matted hair clinging to his gleaming skin. If there was any doubt left that Yu was the exception to all his body's wants, this image evaporated even the most uncompromising one. He was left speechless at just how vulnerable Yu looked.

"Wait," Yu interrupted between shallow gasps. "You don't..."

But Yosuke's head was too far gone, his base instincts had taken over long ago.

"Yu," he hissed, barely keeping himself aware. "Where is the line?"

His partner's cheeks grew an impossible shade darker, but he remained silent, no longer subtly moving away from Yosuke.

It was enough.

The other plunged back into his mouth's mindless questioning of Yu's skin, moving him to lay on his back once more. He could hear the light thump of Yu's head falling against the pillow, finally conceding. Impulse had carried him this far, momentum having remained steady enough to block him from challenging the next step. All he knew was he'd never been this blinded by need before in his life, and all he wanted was to give and take from Yu everything he was allowed. His fingertips slid over to gingerly wrap around Yu, feeling him shudder involuntarily from the simple touch.

He briefly opened his eyes to gauge Yu's reaction, but found that his own were closed and his lips pressed tightly together. Yosuke paused long enough to drink in the moment, not wanting to imagine anyone getting even close to seeing his partner like this. He'd do whatever necessary to save this all for himself. Yu raised his hips up in one almost undetectable motion, reminding Yosuke that this moment was no still image. The teen dipped his lips back against his partner's throat, pushing his smile against Yu before letting his hot breath spread against the sensitive skin. Yu's shaky breathing picked up as Yosuke began to move his hand at what was an almost agonizingly slow pace. Moments later, Yu moved Yosuke up to kiss him, wrapping his arms around his neck as he did so. Locked in place, Yosuke happily accepted his fate and traced his tongue around Yu's lips, asking for access he already knew he was allowed. He tightened his hold, quickening the pace as he knew Yu was already on the edge before they'd even reached this. His partner finally moaned into the kiss, no longer concealing what he felt from Yosuke. The sound itself was almost enough to undo him.

But as he came down from the moan, Yu's hand slid down his chest and found where their bodies met, taking hold of Yosuke just as gently as he had with him. Yosuke bit down hard on Yu's bottom lip, having never felt anything so overwhelming in his life. Was this what Yu was feeling? Suddenly, as Yu began to match Yosuke's rhythm, all thought fragmented. He only knew this feeling. His mind searched for solid ground, but found only pleasure rippling through his every limb. There was nothing else but Yu in his every sense. This part of him that operated solely on need for the one that was now whispering his love once more, breathlessly, against his lips. Their paces quickened as both drew nearer to the light blooming behind their eyes, as their pleasure pooled between their hips.

Then, lightning.

It was paralyzing, his pulse was deafening in his ears, the feel of Yu's skin melting into his own, the disconnect from the Earth beneath them. He felt trapped beneath a wave he was begging to drown in. Yu clung to him, dragging a hand down Yosuke's back in a clawing line, breaking away to bite down on his shoulder. Yosuke could feel it only serve to make every sensation grow exponentially more intense.

But as those sensations began to mellow all too quickly, the room began to draw back in on them. Yosuke felt a heavy weight settle inside him, his muscles grew weak, his eyes fluttered open to check on Yu, only to see an equally exhausted pair staring back. Their chests heaved as they fought to catch their breath—to catch their consciousness. The white noise of the house drifted through the haze, the soft cotton of the covers brushed against their limbs as they shifted to a comfortable position.

Thought finally came back.

Despite their exhaustion, Yu's movements were unhindered as he circled his arms around Yosuke, turning them both on their sides and hiding his face in the damp skin of his friend's chest. Yosuke smiled down at his partner, stroking through his hair and down the back of his neck. The night before he'd have never thought he'd be telling Yu he loved him, never imagined Yu would love him back and definitely would have never even thought he'd be laying here with his partner like this. Was this what had pushed all the crazy out of his head? How was it possible to change so much—so quickly—but only because of one person? But that was what was so frightening about Yu, and so exciting. The hold Yu had over him—he hoped he had even a fraction of that hold over Yu. Maybe it wasn't that kind of change at all, maybe it was just finally giving himself a chance. A chance for his mind to just stop.

His brows narrowed as he felt a slight rumble and Yu's lips moving against him.

"Yu... I can't hear you," he murmured in a soothing voice, trying to crane his ear closer.

His partner inched back, still keeping himself wrapped up in Yosuke's hold.

"I said... please don't leave me," he repeated, barely audible.

Yosuke clenched his jaw shut. After everything that had just happened, Yu was still afraid of Yosuke abandoning him. The other teen gingerly scooped Yu up and positioned him to have their noses pressed together, their limbs still tangled.

"Yu, I will never leave you," he promised, brushing against his lips. "So, please, let me protect you."

Yu was always so strong. Yosuke knew he needed to be. He never questioned the strength his partner exerted, because it was what gave all of them strength. But this wasn't the battlefield, he didn't need to keep trying so hard. Yu could find peace here. He could turn over control if only for these moments.

His partner nodded weakly and closed his eyes, seeming to trust in Yosuke's words. The other teen adjusted to let Yu use his arm as a pillow, already feeling both of them grow heavy with fatigue. As their limbs grew lax and pulled them towards sleep, they leaned into the other.

Their words and feelings were spent, their very spirits worn down to almost nothingness, and it was in this moment that their two worlds meddled into one.

One that was finally quiet.