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"What, and you got the followup? If you know what I mean." Amusement is creeping in, just a bit around the edges. "Crow got distracted when his Ren arrived, and you're stuck with me?"

"You say that like Crow discarded you, but I should think it's rather obvious that he cares for you deeply. Remember, you were the one he turned to after that... unfortunate conversation with Drake."

Not only that, but, erm. Well. "I am also dating Ren, and Crow and I have..." No. Not going there. "Well, more to the point! I chose to spend time with you."

What. His head jerks up all at once.

"Yes, you did. Back up. Crow and you have–?" Ugh. He buries his face again. "I don't even want to know, do I."

"Ah, well... It was partially for Ren's enjoyment. Let's just leave it at that." Heh, heh... Goodness, that's an awkward segue. No, his blush did not intensify, shh. "But in all seriousness, if you do feel excluded, why not talk to them? If Crow didn't care, he wouldn't have defended you so staunchly, let alone had that breakdown earlier this evening."

Edited 2024-07-17 19:33 (UTC)

It's another one of those things impossible to explain, that he doesn't so much think as feel, down below his diaphragm and in his toilet bowl late at night. Someone to want him around, to the exclusion of all others. Someone with whom he'll always come first. Someone who'll tell the rest of the world it can burn, as long as Akechi is his. Being around Crow and his weird harem has made it impossible to ignore—and as impossible to attain.

"Anything you did should have been for your enjoyment, not Ren's. Even I know that much." He ignores the rest of it, the bit about Crow.

Edited 2024-07-17 19:36 (UTC)

"You're deflecting yet again." He has to bring it up, but for the rest... Cough. Well. "And it's not as though I didn't enjoy it. I, ah... well. Crow is very important to me, and it didn't feel like a particular stretch for... reasons."

Yes. Reasons. How thought provoking.

"At any rate, Crow thinks about you all the time! And your happiness. Ergo, you needn't fret about being seen as lesser."

"Reasons," he repeats again, hollowly. "Right." God, this whole digression was a terrible idea. He's going to be a wreck tomorrow in the Palace.

"I offered an out from that point of discussion. You're welcome to take it." Is this really easier for him to talk about? Truly?

Honestly? It's far easier for him to talk about. It's not like his body feels like his own; it hasn't in years.

"You're right, of course. What would you rather talk about?" He sounds bled dry of emotion.

"Well, I'd like to help you feel better." Sorry, Magpie. There's no escape from Mr. Sentimental over here.

"Not in any ways that could have come off Pornhob, I hope." It's easily one of the least sexy-sounding things he's ever said.

"No, I'm not here to seduce you. Consent is extremely important, and even if that was what you wanted, I would have to get Ren's approval." He's not a cheater, no matter how... complicated his gay chicken feelings are. "But if there are other ways to comfort you, I'm more than willing."

"Excuse me. I hope you realise I'd be the one seducing you." But he doesn't want to; doesn't even want to try. Doesn't want to be even more on the outside than he already is. And isn't that pathetic?

He realises, though, that the Shadow didn't say he wouldn't be interested. In his mind's eye, though, he sees Ren, the real one. Penetrating eyes behind glasses at Shibuya Station, the last time Akechi ever saw him. What do you mean?

On the whole, he thinks he's probably inconsolable. Which is nothing new.

"I'm sure you'd manage somehow." The texts... Well. Best not to dwell on that. Nonetheless, he chuckles. "Now then, what can I actually do to help you?"

He thinks about it a moment longer. Really thinks about it. Eventually, he says, "Nothing."

It hangs there. Nothing. Nothing at all.

"I don't think you're being honest." Screw it, one hand's going for his shoulder. "You're allowed to have needs. Why deprive yourself?"

His breath catches, as he almost, but not quite, pulls away. "I don't want to," he murmurs.

Doesn't want to have needs? Doesn't want to deprive himself? It's hard to say.

"What don't you want? Needs, or depriving them?" Either way, he offers a reaffirming shoulder squeeze. "It's okay. Just breathe."

Let go, he almost says. He makes an embarrassing, barely-there show of trying to pull away. Instead, he asks something out of left field.

"Are you Robin Hood? Or not?"

"I'm..." Hm. His hand remains in place, but he averts his eyes. "Robin Hood was the form I gained after Crow accepted me. It was a form I gladly accepted in battle, yet as time went on and he kept reaffirming my identity, it became more of an alter ego, I suppose. Or a mask."

"But you are him?" Magpie examines the Shadow's face, in the light of its eyes.

"Well..." He reluctantly steps back, but just to make a point. A brief flash follows, and in his place, Robin Hood hovers for a few moments...

Then, just as swiftly, he reverts in another flash, returns to the bed, and grasps Magpie's shoulder again.

"As I said, it's a form that I liken more to a superhero identity than my 'true' self at this point. I'm a Persona, but most Personas don't have such a complicated relationship with their own existence."

Edited 2024-07-17 20:31 (UTC)

As the Shadow shimmers into Robin Hood, cramped in the small bedroom with his bow almost brushing the far wall, Magpie stares wide-eyed. He barely reacts when the Shadow sits back down and replaces his hand on Magpie's shoulder.

He lowers his head. Eventually, barely audible, he mutters, "I miss you."

Oh.

Fuck it. Crow's Shadow pulls Magpie into a hug. "It's okay. I'm sure he's still with you..."

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