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[pancakeboy]

[Text him! Or do whatever, I'm not the police, and neither is he, thank God. Just specify if you want the more-fun-but-less-stable pre-11/20 guy or the grumpy third semester/postcanon guy. Pancake only for VRDR guys please, he's not third semester yet]

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[pancakeboy]

"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.

[fogbornphantom]

"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?

[pancakeboy]

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.

[fogbornphantom]

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

[pancakeboy]

"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.

[fogbornphantom]

"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."

[pancakeboy]

"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.

[fogbornphantom]

"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?"

[pancakeboy]

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

It hangs there. Nothing. Nothing at all.

[fogbornphantom]

"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?"

[pancakeboy]

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.

[fogbornphantom]

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

[pancakeboy]

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?"

[fogbornphantom]

"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."

[pancakeboy]

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

[fogbornphantom]

"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."

[pancakeboy]

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."

[fogbornphantom]

Oh.

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

[pancakeboy]

He goes without a fight, almost limp, shaking his head no. "He's just a puppet. I used to hear him, but he got... quiet."

[fogbornphantom]

"Perhaps you simply need to reconnect." There, there. He gently strokes Magpie's hair, just as Crow did a few hours ago. "Even if he's quiet, he's still a part of you, born from your soul."

[pancakeboy]

"Maybe that's where he went." The Shadow is warm against him; his hand is firm on Magpie's head. "All my feelings left with my soul."

[fogbornphantom]

"You still have a soul, and you still have feelings." Shh. It's okay. Just let the warmth provide comfort. "You've had to steel yourself through many difficult trials, but that doesn't mean that spark of justice is gone. You've done so much for everyone in this house, and especially Raven. Please don't lose sight of that."

[pancakeboy]

"You talk so much crap." He doesn't pull away, though; in fact, he presses closer.

[fogbornphantom]

"But it's all sincere." That's okay. He tightens his hold when Magpie moves closer. "Call it schmaltzy if you wish, but it's just who I am."

[pancakeboy]

He leans his head on the Shadow's shoulder, disgusted with himself, despairing and reassured all at once. "I definitely see where you went."

Because none of that is left in him. Not even a trace.