I have a couple updates lined up for the re-release of the Persona 4 Golden and Persona 3 Portable. Hopefully more people playing the game to reinvigorate this fandom since it's definitely fallen off since the release of Persona 5. Anyway there will be an extended version of this story in Passion in a few weeks but I thought this was a cute piece that can go here. I have a couple updates for Passion and a Fool, Idol and a Detective coming up which I hope people will like.

If anyone wants to find out what updates I'm working drop by my Twitter because I've started using it a bit more. I'll start posting screenshots of what I'm working on and get a look at things before they are finished. All that info is in my profile.

Anyway I hope everyone enjoys!

Hopeful Pair

In Naoto's mind, she'd always knew that she wanted to start a family with Souji Seta, really it was a matter of time but the process always scared her. The effect was twofold; it wasn't just the process and long term effects of being pregnant, also the thought of settling down and not being able to be as independent as she wanted for the period of time. Not living the fast hectic lifestyle that being a detective was daunting to her. Even since high school it's all she knew and the brief moment s of respite which wasn't living that life she spent it in the arms of her husband, for what she knew wanted to settle down and life a more stable and routine life. While he never held her back and always supported her in doing what she wanted, there was always a hint of sadness of not being able to slow down. Maybe it was always the life threatening situations they found themselves in, super natural or otherwise. At this point she didn't blame him.

It's not like she didn't want to herself, at the worst of times when it became way too hard to bare she wanted to live in the slow lane, work on bettering herself. She'd always wanted to be a part of a bigger family especially since there was only herself and her grandfather who was old and wouldn't be around for much longer. She'd rather have him see her have a family and enjoy the opportunity to be a great grandfather in whatever short time he had left.

It's not like the two of them haven't talked about kids. Far from it, she knew Souji would be happy to put in however amount of extra hours and extra responsibilities and make it work but only if she was on board 100%. If she wasn't so married to the job she would have taken him up on it a while ago and probably have a son or daughter already but she just couldn't give the lifestyle up. The more time has gone on however; it's a life style that looked less appealing. Maybe all of the close shaves of their work have slowly eroded her resistance of avoiding the family life, even if it was temporary. If it carried on maybe she wouldn't even get a choice in the matter, and one thing she sure as hell didn't want was to leave Souji alone or worse he leave herself alone.

All of her thoughts came to ahead after one accidental romantic dinner at their apartment. Truthfully in Naoto's eyes every dinner with him was in one way shape or form was romantic, Souji just had that suave about him that he knew he had but never took advantage of it. It was a cold evening outside but the apartment was warm, as their now two empty bowls sat on the living room table as they were curled up on the sofa. This situation in itself seemed mundane but it didn't mean Naoto didn't treasure them. His strong arms and his relaxing aroma lulled her body into comfort she only enjoyed with him. Throughout the day her mind was on the 'starting a family' and everything given recently, it was something she wanted too. He being the father is what made the thought much less daunting as the fears of being a good mother played into her mind. As if her face showed what concerned she had in her mind he quickly asked what was wrong, knocking her out of herself reflection.

"You ok there Naoto? Seem to be staring into space." Naoto blinked at this question before blushing furiously at being noticed, it was almost like he could read her mind. Leaning back against him, she fidgeted with her hands.

"I'm ok... I wanted to ask you something..." Souji readjusted his body making sure to cuddle the Detective closer to him causing her to purr subconsciously.

"What is it?" With his question she was given a small kiss on her crown. The small gesture was alone enough to make her feel loved as she tried not to swoon. Thinking on her words, she allowed her brain to properly process her comment knowing how important they were. One thing she didn't want is to be misunderstood under any circumstance as she wanted more to get his honest opinion on this(Even though she already knew the answer).

"Souji, when you talk about wanting to raise a family. Are you serious?" The pause from before his answer indicated he was more confused by her question than anything else. Naoto instantly face palmed internally at how silly her question was. She could feel him readjust again but this time more awkwardly.

"Of course I am. I've never made it a secret I would love to start a family with you, only if you wanted to really." He sounded sure of himself, but was still insecure about how his answer came across. She knew that he felt that she might judge him on his answer as a partner because of how touch the subject of parenthood was. The Sleuth shook her head knowing it was pretty pointless and just going through the motions.

"I've been giving it some thought really..." Souji placed his hands on hers as she took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She knew she was about to cross a line she couldn't go back on, it was a commitment that was only solidified by the silver band on her finger. "...I'm coming around to starting a family. I guess I've become more and more aware of the future ahead of us and how many near misses we've had. It would be foolish to ignore how close it's been recently, I couldn't afford to lose you..."

Her worlds trailed off as she got towards the end, getting suddenly self conscious of her own thoughts as they spewed out. She felt silly for feeling this way because she knew Souji wasn't judgmental. It was an old habit of hers that was still hard to shake after all these years. She felt herself blush, unable to turn herself around to meet his gaze. His hands playfully drummed against hers, instantly lightening the mood around them. It was the little things like this that showed how hyper aware of her emotions which made their bond so important. She couldn't help but think back to how many times his ability to silently read the room and her feelings has helped a situation.

"I'm the same; I would want nothing more than to make sure we do things before anything happens to us. But I'm not going to put any pressure on you about it. I appreciate the fact that we have as close to a permanent residence that we can get. That alone is enough for me; I know it's not always easy due to your work."

Naoto shook her head, she knew what Souji was going for but it didn't feel right from her end. It was him being grateful for just a small compromise for her lifestyle. A relationship is more than her. As his fingers drummed against the back of her hand she caught them and squeezed, trapping them in her grasp.

"It's about more than that..." While she couldn't see it, she felt Souji's eye brow raised at her words. Naoto couldn't put it into words, but she had a feeling he understood, it's more like he preferred to hear it from her. "You've given up a lot for me to live the way I want, without restriction and with your full support. I'm not opposed to starting a family anymore, it's never been any pressure to me, and for me it sounded more whimsical as something you would like. I've never been scared of if being the deciding factor in this relationship. I'm more scared about being a good mother..."

"Whoa Naoto don't think that way. You'll be excellent, you are compassionate and caring. Don't sell yourself short."

She shook her head. She figured he'd lay the compliments on thick but she wanted to cut him off before he went any further.

"I knew you would say that Souji but I don't feel fit for it more often than not. I can be cold and cynical. I don't mesh well with most people when it comes to social experience and as much as I love my Grandfather his parenting wasn't the best since he could only do so much with his limiting amount of time. I don't have any context to start and I don't know how I'll be able to handle looking after a person that delicate..." Naoto opened her hands, looking at their roughness, they weren't smooth and silky like Rise's or Yukiko and they weren't' one of delicate touches either. If anything her and Souji's hands were quite comparable. "...I don't know how to be delicate both physically and mentally. I'm scared I won't live up to mine or even your own expectation and fail miserably leaving you to do all the work..."

The Sleuth felt Souji nuzzle the crook in her neck causing her to purr softly yet again.

"I'm sure you will be fine, you have the ability to adapt well and overcome challenges. Plus we are in this together. You aren't on your own."

"I know, I know..." Closing her eyes for a second, she relaxed against him suddenly realising how tensed she became in their conversation. A small lock of hair came into her vision for a moment before she tucked it back behind her ear. His words were not long but they carried a lot of weight. She knew while he was trying to boost her confidence they were also sincere. She knew Souji meant them, so why shouldn't she believe them? Shaking her head a little she leant back further, his body heat doing nothing more than to make her feel at home.

"I just want to live up to our expectations..." It was a soft, gentle kiss on her cheek but it did a lot to allow her to relax. The small sigh that came from her lips signalling to him that what he wanted was getting through to her. She could be stubborn and push it away or she could accept his words and have trust in herself. In any other situation she would have done so already. Naoto already prided herself in independence, why not now...

"You already have, seriously don't worry so much about it. You'll be fine. If anything we can change the subject or we will be going around in circles." Naoto turned to him for a second, the clarity in his eyes and the sincerity in his expression stopped any sort of rebuttal. She sighed softly at the lost battle but remembered to file her thoughts for later.

However the seeds of dreams of a child had only begun to bloom...

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